Best Tanis MacDonald Podcasts (2024)

1
WLU Writer in Residence NASSER HUSSAIN on his work's playfully seriousness 59:58

5M ago59:58

59:58

Join host Tanis MacDonald this week on Watershed Writers when she talks to Nasser Hussain — Wilfrid Laurier University's 2024 Edna Staebler Writer in Residence — about the PLAYFUL SERIOUSNESS which informs his recent work.By Watershed Writers

1
Kitchener poet CHRIS BANKS on the speed of life and humour as an author's tool 59:57

6M ago59:57

59:57

Tanis MacDonald is joined by the celebrated and prolific Kitchener poet Chris Banks to discuss the speed of life in the 21st Century, writing metaphors for anxiety, and using humour to cast light on the heaviest subjects.By Watershed Writers

1
Hamilton writer ANUJA VARGHESE on her Governor General's Award winning collection "Chrysalis" 59:57

7M ago59:57

59:57

Host Tanis MacDonald brings us Anuja Varghese, winner of this year’s Governor General’s Award for Fiction to discuss her genre-bending use of gothic elements in the familiar settings of her horror-adjacent dark fiction in her collection of short stories, Chrysalis (2023).By Watershed Writers

1
Waterloo writer CARRIE SNYDER on real-life fiction 59:57

7M ago59:57

59:57

Tanis MacDonald spends an hour talking with author and mentor Carrie Snyder on her career writing through real-life FRICTION — and how her writing is informed by her busy life in the Grand River community.By Watershed Writers

1
Paris, Ontario author ALISON FISHBURN on purity culture and fellowship 59:57

8M ago59:57

59:57

Tanis MacDonald sits down with Alison Fishburn to talk about purity culture, writing about class and finding fellowship as an author, and her award-winning performance in her one-woman play… Church Boyfriends and Other Impure Thoughts.By Watershed Writers

1
UW prof and author SARAH TOLMIE on medieval lit and writing novellas 59:57

8M ago59:57

59:57

Tanis MacDonald hosts Sarah Tolmie to laugh about medieval literature, learn about Sarah’s astonishing novella-writing process, and to discover the meaning of… WEIRD FICTION!By Watershed Writers

1
Waterloo author CAROL DUNCAN on writing the historical fantastic 59:57

9M ago59:57

59:57

Carol Duncan talks to us about writing short stories inflected with Caribbean history and culture, and about her research roots when writing the historical fantastic. Her collection of short stories, This Spot of Ground: Spiritual Baptists in Toronto is available through Wilfrid Laurier University Press and fine booksellers everywhere.…

1
TO & FRO: Season 4 Sneak Peek and Retrospective 59:57

9M ago59:57

59:57

We kick off our fourth season with the ‘To and Fro’ episode. We’ll take a look back at writers we’ve interviewed, a sneak peek at who we’ll be talking to this fall, and discover what local authors are writing — and reading!By Watershed Writers

1
Ep. 6 - Alicia Elliott 28:54

9M ago28:54

28:54

Today Tricia chats with Alicia Elliott, writer and editor, about her "deliciously dark and disturbing" stories, how identity is not a hard-and-fast concept, how to seprate politics and art, her own personal story of becoming a writer, and more. Show Notes Do we need to feel uncomfortable when writing? When reading? What is considered correct, norma…

1
Ep. 5 - Adrian Michael Kelly 33:11

10M ago33:11

33:11

Today Aara chats with Adrian Michael Kelly, author and writing coach, about growing up in northern Ontario, class, identity, the power and meaning of failure, his upcoming memoir, and more. Show Notes How small communities and the working class informed Adrian's writing The importance of class in our society How Adrian learned to write authenticall…

1
Ep. 4 - Jessica Johns 29:34

10M ago29:34

29:34

Today Tricia chats with author Jessica Johns about identifying with one's own characters, representing the incredible diversity of Indigenous peoples, the responsibility of a writer and a reader, and so much more. Show Notes How does Jessica's writing come out? What does it mean to sustain writing with work in other areas? How do we define an indiv…

1
Ep. 3 - Paul Vermeersch 30:02

10M ago30:02

30:02

Today we’re speaking with poet Paul Vermeersch about relearning how to write, the use of failure as a learning tool, his most recent inspirational read, and so much more. Show Notes Why you can't inhale and exhale at the same time when you write. You also need to read! How taking time off from writing can work... and not work New ways to think abou…

1
Ep. 2 - Otoniya Okot Bitek 26:37

10M ago26:37

26:37

Today we’re speaking with acclaimed poet Otoniya Okot Bitek, who will be appearing at the upcoming 2023 Kingston WritersFest in Event No. 22: The Black Experience in Kingston. Otoniya chats with co-host Tricia Knowles about failure, inspiration, identity, and what her mom once thought of her poetry. Show Notes How does a writer’s identity affect th…

1
Ep. 1 - Tanis MacDonald 23:54

11M ago23:54

23:54

Welcome to the first episode of the KWF Podcast, where we go beyond author chat that typically occurs at the festival. This is an opportunity for listeners to learn more about authors not only in the context of their books but about where they come from regarding their process, their struggles and their inspirations. We want to unearth what drives …

1
JESSICA VITALIS on writing big issues for young people and her forthcoming book "The Coyote Queen" 59:56

1y ago59:56

59:56

Tanis speaks with novelist Jessica Vitalis about her work for middle-grade readers treating big issues like life, death, empathy, and social justice in The Rabbit’s Gift and her forthcoming Coyote Queen.By Watershed Writers

1
DAVID WALTNER TOEWS on backyard birds and his book "A Conspriacy of Chickens" 59:56

1y ago59:56

59:56

This week on Watershed Writers, we talk with writer and epidemiologist David Waltner-Toews about the fun and frustrations of raising backyard birds, and his new book, A Conspiracy of Chickens.By Watershed Writers

1
Historian and author PEGGY PLET on weaving black stories into local and global history 59:57

1y ago59:57

59:57

This week, Tanis learns from Waterloo Region author and historian Peggy Plet about her work weaving the stories of Black settlers back into the fabric of both local and global history, and her new book, Jan Earnst Matzeliger: A Lasting Invention.By Watershed Writers

1
CLARENCE CACHAGEE and SETH RATZLAFF talk "North Wind Man", finding their voice, and local allyship 59:57

1+ y ago59:57

59:57

In this episode of Watershed Writers, Tanis talks with co-authors Clarence Cachagee and Seth Ratzlaff about finding a voice, reconnecting with one's culture, and allyship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the Waterloo Region.By Watershed Writers

1
Music journalist CORAL ANDREWS on her new memoir about legendary Kitchener club "The Back Door" 59:56

1+ y ago59:56

59:56

In this episode, Tanis MacDonald talks with local dj and music journalist, Coral Andrews about her memoir about The Back Door — Kitchener’s legendary underground bar and dance club — and its role in developing artists.By Watershed Writers

1
LAURIE D. GRAHAM discusses the poetry of place and displacement 59:56

1+ y ago59:56

59:56

Join Tanis and her guest Laurie D. Graham as they discuss Laurie's latest work, 'Fast Commute' and her approach to the poetry of place and displacement with respect and compassion.By Watershed Writers

1
DONNA MORRISSEY on how fiction informs memoir 59:56

1+ y ago59:56

59:56

Tanis MacDonald's guest is celebrated Canadian novelist Donna Morrissey, discussing her tenure as this year's Writer In Residence at Wilfrid Laurier University. Find out how 'fiction informs memoir' at the intersection of life and stories we tell about it.By Watershed Writers

1
Kitchener's BENJAMIN LEFEBVRE discusses coming out subversions in his novel "In the Key of Dale" 59:56

1+ y ago59:56

59:56

This week on Watershed Writers, novelist Benjamin Lefebvre sits down with interviewer Tanis MacDonald to discuss writing Young Adult Fiction and subverting the usual coming-out narrative in his first novel, In the Key of Dale."By Watershed Writers

1
KIMIA ESLAH on writing fiction to serve social justice and her novel "Sister Seen, Sister Heard" 59:56

1+ y ago59:56

59:56

This episode features Iranian-Canadian novelist Kimia Eslah talking with interviewer Tanis MacDonald about her aims in writing fiction to serve social justice and combat gendered violence and about feminism, diversity, and friendship in her second novel Sister Seen, Sister HeardBy Watershed Writers

1
Local poet and novelist PAMELA MORDECAI on writing fiction and the power of vernacular 59:56

1+ y ago59:56

59:56

This episode features Jamaican-Canadian poet, novelist, and children's writer Pamela Mordecai talking with Tanis MacDonald about her long career in writing, and about being bold and irreverent on the page and in performance.By Watershed Writers

1
Kitchener author PAMELA MULLOY discusses her book "As Little As Nothing", why she writes about war, and her new non-fiction project 11:04

1+ y ago11:04

11:04

In this clip from Watershed Writer's podcast, host Tanis MacDonald talks with Pamela Mulloy about the genesis of her book "As Little as Nothing", why war is an interesting subject for her writing, and her next non-fiction project about train travel.By Watershed Writers

1
KW writers Frances Roberts Reilly and Tanis MacDonald talk touring in support of their NEW BOOKS 7:11

1+ y ago7:11

7:11

By Watershed Writers

1
Full Episode: Novelist PAMELA MULLOY on Historical Fiction from interesting times 59:56

1+ y ago59:56

59:56

This episode features novelist Pamela Mulloy and the challenges of writing historical fiction about uncertain times, as well as Tanis MacDonald and Frances Roberts Reilly discussing the summer in book tours.By Watershed Writers

1
Madhur Anand: Poet, scientist, memoirist... Governor General's Award winner 58:07

1+ y ago58:07

58:07

We talk with poet, scientist, and memoirist Madhur Anand about living by rivers, about blending art and science in writing, and about her recent Governor General’s Award for "This Red Line Goes Straight To Your Heart".By Watershed Writers

1
Emily Urquhart: On MEMOIR AND MYTH in "The Age of Creativity" 1:00:00

1+ y ago1:00:00

1:00:00

We talk with nonfiction writer Emily Urquhart about her new book, The Age of Creativity: Art, Memory, My Father, and Me, featuring her father, abstract expressionist painter and sculptor Tony Urquhart. Emily speaks about the delicate art of writing the family memoir, myths about aging and art, and the use of folklore and science as portals to under…

1
Luke Hathaway: From Waterloo Region roots to INTERNATIONAL REACH 59:30

1+ y ago59:30

59:30

We talk with writer and editor Luke Hathaway about love and radical transformation, about the Waterloo Region roots and the international reach of his latest book, Years, Months, and Days, and about the importance of influences in maker culture.By Watershed Writers

1
Janet Rogers: Coming home to Six Nations and writing the PERSONAL AND POLITICAL 59:31

1+ y ago59:31

59:31

We sit down with Tuscarora writer, performer, and publisher Janet Rogers to discuss what it has meant for her to come home to Six Nations of the Grand River after decades away, her dreams as a literary Auntie, and the personal and political power of her new book Ego of a Nation.By Watershed Writers

1
Yvonne Blomer: Writing poetry for our LOCAL WATERSHEDS 59:31

1+ y ago59:31

59:31

We meet Yvonne Blomer, the editor of the Caitlin Press volume Sweet Water: Poetry for the Watersheds and speak with poets who are writing about and for their local watersheds. With Gary Barwin and Laurie D. Graham.By Watershed Writers

1
Tasneem Jamal: The POWER OF FICTION to fill the cracks in history 59:59

1+ y ago59:59

59:59

We speak with Tasneem Jamal about her novel, Where The Air is Sweet, about a family who move to Kitchener following Idi Amin’s expulsion of Asian-Ugandans, about the power of fiction to fill in historical gaps, and Tasneem’s new manuscript that explores female friendship in the 1970s.By Watershed Writers

1
Mike Chaulk & Sarah Tolmie: Two local writers, TWO GREAT BOOKS 59:31

1+ y ago59:31

59:31

We talk with Mike Chaulk about his book Night Lunch, in which he crews on a ferry and freight vessel up the Labrador Coast. Also on the show, Sarah Tolmie introduces us to her book, Check, about confirmation bias, and we talk about writing speculative fiction.By Watershed Writers

1
Textile Magazine: DIVERSITY AND MENTORSHIP in local writing and community-focused art 59:31

1+ y ago59:31

59:31

We talk with writers and editors of Textile, a literary magazine that showcases the diversity of the Grand River region, and works to mentor emerging writers in the creation of community-engaged art.By Watershed Writers

1
Janice Jo Lee: Discussing POETRY AS SONG & the art of writing a one-person musical 48:47

1+ y ago48:47

48:47

We talk with the multi-talented Janice Jo Lee about what it takes to write and star in a one-person musical, her tips for writing poetry as song, and her advocacy work with young writers.By Watershed Writers

1
Erin Bow: Exploring her "middle-school" novel, Russian folk tales, poetry and MORE! 59:31

1+ y ago59:31

59:31

We talk with Kitchener writer Erin Bow about her award-winning middle-school novel, Stand on the Sky, in which a young Kazakh woman trains an eagle to hunt. We also talk about Russian folk tales and the place of science and poetry in Erin’s writing life.By Watershed Writers

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Tanis MacDonald Podcasts

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