Two friends obsessed with books and writing, we're Shannen and Gareth, and welcome to The Pleasure of the Text Podcast. Reading and writing aren't lonely pursuits, and The Pleasure of the Text lies in the shared imaginative space where readers and writers make meaning together. So tune in and join us as we talk about the books we love, interview remarkable authors, and discuss the writer’s craft.
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A long time in the coming (and the making); review of Solaris by Stanislaw Lem. Two books and two movies (and more), in this episode at The Pleasure of the Text, we talk about the different translations of Solaris, and compare the two. As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more vi…
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Book Recommendations - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!
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Another fun episode here at the Pleasure of the Text, where talk about our favourite (and worse) book recommendations. As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOovyKHeNEDt_BwA Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TPofth…
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Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez
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"The Darkness is a mouth, and it consumes all." Our first book review for 2024 is Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez, a haunting, thrilling novel full of horror, set in Argentina and spanning the decades of brutal military dictatorship (the Dirty War) and its aftermath. Translated from the Spanish to the English by Megan McDowell, Mariana loose…
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Reading and Writing Solutions for 2024
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In the first episode of the year, we talk about reading and writing goals, and strategies on how to increase reading and writerly no matter what your current situation is. Enjoy! As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOovyKHeNED…
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Spoilers Alert!! What an amazing book to end the year on! Each short story in this collection of eleven is a stand alone piece, yet each is more than the sum of its parts, twisting together into a sinister, tangled, spider's web. Beware the carrots that grow in the shape of human hands, splattered tomatoes' on a highway that pop like human heads un…
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Ambling thoughts and meandering words are the ilk of the writer. In this podcast, we explore new and interesting topics happening in the writing and publishing space, including; AI finishing people's work, creating continuations, ownership dilemmas and more. This is a new format we've explored, so comment below if you enjoyed this episode of The Pl…
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Review of The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall
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Another month, another book review. In this episode, we look at 'The Well of Loneliness' by Radclyffe Hall. Frowned upon, banned under the Obscenity Act in England, and then lost into obscurity, Hall's 'The Well of Loneliness' deserves far more renown than it currently receives. We hope this podcast raises awareness for Hall, and her other works. F…
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Within the realm of self-suppression and writers destroying their own words, Kafka, Nikolai Gogol, James Joyce and Proust always make the lists. But have you ever heard of Rosemary Tonks, Ann Petry, Dante Rossetti, Ottessa Moshfegh or Sylvia Plath destroying their work? Watch our latest episode to learn more! As always, if you like our videos, plea…
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One Year Anniversary for The Pleasure of The Text!
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The time has gone with a flash! It feel unbelievable to say that we have been podcasting (and entertaining) our believed audience for one whole year! In this episode we talk about the milestones, the struggles, the lessons and the triumphs. Please enjoy this very special episode from The Pleasure of the Text! As always, if you like our videos, plea…
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Traditional Publishing VS Self Publishing.
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In this episode, we explore the pros and cons of the different publishing options available to authors. We also look at the journey of publishing for notable authors, such as: Jane Austen; Beatrix Potter; E.L. James; Andy Wier, and more. Please enjoy the latest episode from The Pleasure of the Text. As always, if you like our videos, please like an…
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Another month, another book review. In this episode, we look at 'Under the Skin' by Michel Faber. Most famously known for his book, 'The Crimson Petal and the White', 'Under the Skin' is Michel Faber's debut novel, a wonderful blend of sci-fi, thriller, and literary genius. We loved this book and hope you will too. FYI: Spoilers alert in this revie…
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The Magic of Seeing Anew: Defamiliarization in Writing
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In this podcast episode, we use the act of translation as a technique/device to develop "The Reticence of Lady Anne" by Saki. This method forces the reader to produce a 'slow reading', to get to the heart of how each word, chosen meticulously, has the ability to change and enhance the work as a whole. To join in on the exercise, you can download th…
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Substantive Feedback - The Creative Writing Process - Starring Shahn
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We are incredibly grateful and fortunate to have a long-time friend and fellow writer join us for this podcast episode; Shahn. As a dedicated writer, she is continuously developing her craft and finesse in the creative writing process. Shahn has much to share on what happens after one has finished their manuscript, namely, receiving substantive fee…
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In this episode, we continue our discussion on the impact of literary censorship, sensitivity readers and publishers, as they stand, on the future of fiction. This is part two of our two-part mini-series on censorship. You can watch Literary Censorship - Part One here: https://youtu.be/Gq7vR7Y4OBc As always, if you like our videos, please like and …
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In this episode, we talk about the impact of literary censorship, sensitivity readers and publishers, as they stand, on the future of fiction. As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOovyKHeNEDt_BwA Follow us on Facebook: https:/…
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A Disappearing Act: Book Bans and What They Mean for Literature
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In this episode, we explore the books that have been banned throughout history (and even now). Please enjoy the latest episode from The Pleasure of the Text. As always, if you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOovyKHeNEDt_BwA Follow us on Fa…
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One Episode. Two Book Reviews. Honey and Spice, and Book Lovers.
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Read apart, reviewed together. One Episode, two reviews. A plot twist they didn't see coming... Wrapping up our month of romance, we review romance novels Honey and Spice by Bolu Babalola, and Book Lovers by Emily Henry. Please enjoy the latest episode from The Pleasure of the Text.By The Pleasure of the Text
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We are back, baby! In this week's episode, we delve into the topic of sex writing; what makes a good sex scene, how you can win awards for bad sex (writing), and how to practice good sex (writing) techniques. This was an absolute pleasure to record, with innuendos around every corner, so please enjoy this podcast! If you like our videos, please lik…
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Writing Romance: How to write a first kiss scene and have fun doing it!
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In this episode, we delve deeper into our creative writing craft and work together to create the first kiss between our protagonists. WE WANT YOUR INPUT! Together, Gareth and I have created the scaffold of the first kiss between our main characters, Violet, a TV Producer Intern on the set of Beaue and Belles, and Gabriel, the Florist, who supplied …
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Review of A Lover's Discourse: Fragments by Roland Barthes
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In this week's episode, we delve into the man, the legend, the creator of our podcast's namesake (The Pleasure of the Text), Roland Barthes.By The Pleasure of the Text
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From BC, Jane Austen, and Now: The History and Future of Romance
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At the Pleasure of the Text, we are theme-ing up the month of February! Whether you loathe or love, well, LOVE, in this episode, we talk about the history of the romance genre, some of its tropes, and where the future of the genre is headed. Enjoy!By The Pleasure of the Text
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If you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOovyKHeNEDt_BwA Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TPoftheT Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepleasureofthetext/ #bookreview #bookreviews…
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In this week's episode is a continuum on last week's podcast, "It was a dark and stormy night...", which can be watched here. In that episode, we discussed auspicious beginnings for 2023 and started the new year strong with the writing prompt: "Wandering through the graveyard, it felt like even the furniture had gone." We continue to develop our cr…
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The year is 2023 - the year of auspicious beginnings! In this episode, we talk about great beginnings: the first lines of a story, first chapters, and debut novels. Enjoy a wonderful start to 2023! If you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOo…
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The Pleasure of the Text - New Year Special!!
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If you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOovyKHeNEDt_BwA Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TPoftheT Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepleasureofthetext/By The Pleasure of the Text
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For our fourth book review, we discuss Bora Chung's, Cursed Bunny. For the first time, we had very different opinions on the short stories within this collection... Enjoy, and Merry Holidays! If you like our videos, please like and subscribe to our channel, The Pleasure of the Text, for more videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEp9cZ4HOovyKHeN…
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How to use Point of View - 3rd Person
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In this week's episode, we continue to develop a deeper understanding of how to use 'Point of View (POV)' effectively. Dive in to learn what 3rd-person POV is (Omniscient, Limited, and Objective); examples of when to use them; and then join us in a writing exercise to develop your craft further.By The Pleasure of the Text
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How to use Point of View - 1st and 2nd
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Show Notes. This episode continues Episode 15 - Murder in the Dark by Margaret Atwood. Murder In The Dark Murder in the Dark is a collection of short fiction by Canadian author Margaret Atwood, published in 1983. The 27 pieces include a variety of styles, including fictionalized autobiography, parables, travel stories, satires and prose poems. Thes…
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For our third book review, we discuss Margaret Atwood's collection of short stories, Murder in the Dark. Pieces within this collection showcase the mastery Atwood has within the literary space; an absolute pleasure to read and discuss.By The Pleasure of the Text
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Show Notes Articles Referenced during the Podcast: Homme de Plume: What I Learned Sending My Novel Out Under a Male Name by Catherine Nicols. (2015). https://jezebel.com/homme-de-plume-what-i-learned-sending-my-novel-out-und-1720637627 VS Naipul find no woman writer his literary match – not even Jane Austen by Amy Fallon. (2011). https://www.thegua…
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Feedback on Writing Examples - Part 1
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In this podcast, Shannen and Gareth take the work that they developed in the previous week's podcast, Transcribing Music, and give each other feedback. This is an excellent podcast for new writers wanting to start their collaborative journey, giving and receiving feedback on their work. Enjoy!By The Pleasure of the Text
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Show Notes: Thank you so much to Alex-Production for the music we used in this video: Wonders by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US Food by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ Music promo…
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In this week's episode, we talk about the books that shaped the way we read and write, from childhood to now. Join us and enjoy as we navigate this trip down memory lane.By The Pleasure of the Text
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Writing Buddies aka "Literary Collaborators"
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Show Notes Obviously, no work of art is created in a vacuum – but what are the more noteworthy examples of literature owing its existence to a second author? And does it matter if credit is not given where it's due – or is the aesthetic ideal of the singular vision more important than the occasionally-ugly truth? – Do too many authors spoil the boo…
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House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
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Show Notes. Poe Anne Decatur Danielewski, stage name Poe, is a musician who rose to celebrity in the mid to late 1990s, fusing jazz, rock, folk, hip-hop and electronica elements, with intimate lyrical compositions. She has released two albums, the first in 1995, titled Hello, and the second album in 2000, Haunted. This album is inspired by her brot…
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This episode is part of a series of creative writing exercises we have put together to help writers develop strong, well-rounded, characters. Listen to our first episode exploring character building, Textual Portraiture, here. To join us in this exercise, visit our youtube channel, The Pleasure of the Text, and find Street Sketching – Character Bui…
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Spoilers Alert! “Pseudo-review” of Smile and Caveat
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Spoilers Alert! “Pseudo-review” of Smile and Caveat Smile Official Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcDK7lkzzsU Rose (Sosie Bacon) first learns about the smiling monster that takes over her life when a distraught young woman named Laura Weaver (Caitlin Stasey) is brought to Rose’s hospital in a state of near-hysteria. Laura explains that s…
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Textual Portraiture - Character Building
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Show Notes: In our second creative writing segment, we practice our writing craft to develop strong characters. Join us as we look at mugshots from the New South Wales Police Forensic Photography Archive, taken in the early 1900s. The idea for this podcast came from our recent interview with debut author Cheryl Sullivan. If you would like to join i…
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In this latest podcast, Shannen and Gareth discuss why you should join a book club. This episode is filled with many wonderful gems, including discussions on what a good book club is, a tier system for ranking books that change us, Oprah Winfrey's book club, and excerpts from members from the Vicious Circle, I mean, The Algonquin Table. Enjoy! Show…
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Show Notes and More: Kōbō Abe The late Kōbō Abe (安部 公房), (1924-1993), was a Japanese writer, playwright, photographer, and inventor. He was the son of a doctor and studied medicine at Tokyo University; however, he never practised, instead giving it up to join a literary group that aimed to apply surrealist techniques to Marxist ideology. Abe has of…
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Writer's Block has plagued aspiring writers since the dawn of time. In this episode, Shannen and Gareth discuss whether Writer's Block is real, how to avoid it, and provide techniques to help you write, whether or not you are inspired. Show Notes: Authors discussed, their works, and sidenotes. “A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficul…
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In our very first podcast episode, numero uno, we talk about what can be achieved in 48 hours or a weekend to progress your writing forward. Please enjoy as we discuss the recommended coffee intake, available writing challenges, and the creative practices of other Writers. Show Notes "How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up t…
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