Calmness, Courage, and Duty by John Irving Clarke

Young Eusebio is caught in a spiral, trying to turn back time, as he struggles with the consequences of violence – not least of which is his own. Giles Kelvage’s profound story explores elements of choice, friendship, and innocence in a world of poverty and guns. Afterward, Giles shares his approach to writing (hint: it takes work) and discusses why he focuses on the major themes of humanity. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Giles Kelvage, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

A coffee shop, a dog park, a coterie of liars attract and repel in this humorous story by V.J. Hamilton. Without giving anything away, suffice it to say that our pets may be smarter than we know. After the reading, V.J. delves into the roots of this story and her choice to have a unique narrative perspective. We also learn how her ultra-rural Canadian childhood, current big-city living, as well as a resume with multitudinous jobs, has shaped  V.J.’s perception of the absurd and the delightful bit of human behavior.  If you’d like to read her story or learn more about V.J., head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

A 1960s VW Bug, a graduate research student, and a wet t-shirt contest come together during the Flower Power generation to provide some surprising lessons for the narrator and her readers.  Author Deborah Wilbrink, a self-described embellisher of fiction, as well as musician, engages in lively conversation about ghostwriting, memoir versus autofiction, and her years in the tumultuous era of Free Love. If you’d like to read Deborah’s fun and thought-provoking story, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.  

Poetry that is spare yet profound might best describe the beautifully crafted poems of Larissa Peters whose subjects range from love to children to all that we can lose in both a single moment or a single year. JW and Becky learn about Larissa’s childhood with her missionary parents in Indonesia and then her discovery of love during COVID lockdown in California. Young writers out there with small children, Larissa will  inspire you to know that you can still find time to write! If you’d like to read her gorgeous poems or learn more about Larissa, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

In his gorgeously understated short story, John Irving Clarke quietly challenges the British myth of Keep Calm and Carry On. Set in England between WWI and WWII, a family with four sons struggles with the aftermath of war and the high stakes test of a coming war. Join JW and Becky as they learn about John’s varied publishing career of both poetry and fiction, his early life teaching English and his turn in a radio drama. And yes, there are still writers who crank out their first drafts in longhand - learn the secrets! If you’d like to read John’s poignant story or learn more about his useful writing tips, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2025, all rights reserved.

Stacy’s poems will have you smiling at society’s prim modesty, slap you with the reality of fundamentalism, and inspire you to laughter (and maybe tears?) all while reaching into your heart and breaking it open. Still, in the end, you'll feel heard. Stacy is one of those rare poets who combines rhythm, meter, shape, and theme to craft poems from a place of love and empathy. After the reading, award-winning guest, Stacy Boe Miller, relays how she finds time to publish books and poetry, host her own podcast, and pay the bills. Stacy simply believes in poetry — nothing is off limits. Death comes to us all, so why waste time writing about trivial things? You gotta go deep! If you’d like to read her poetry or learn more about Stacy, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

Names written on slips of paper, a crumpled brown bag, a life measured in relationships - some lost but never forgotten. Alan Bell’s story recalls the personal journey of those impacted by AIDS and the fears and uncertainties of the gay community in the early years of the epidemic. After the reading, Alan relays his connection to the story, his personal experience with the Names Project, and the paradoxical connections between life during the AIDS epidemic and the COVID pandemic. Alan also discusses his unique connection with one of the show hosts in his career as a city planner and writer. If you’d like to read his story or learn more about Alan, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

Walk with poet Renee Rigdon as she travels along paths in parallel worlds, overhears the language of the garden, wrestles with her ancestors, and wonders on the impact of childhood trauma. These poems are steeped in reflection and rooted in organic metaphor. Due to scheduling conflicts, this episode includes poetry readings only. If you’d like to read these poems or learn more about Renee, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

This quirky tale about a man, a cat, a dogmatic preacher, and a wise elder, will take you on a fun journey into the mind of a feline and up the side of a mountain. During the show, high school student Maddie Rosales shares her old-soul wisdom about editing, submitting, and staying off social media. You’ll also learn how a single teacher can change your life and how food can become a love-language. If you’d like to read Maddie’s story or learn more about her next speculative project, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

The death of a turtle in the road forces Ann Markham Bailey to reflect on the tenuous relationship between humans and nature, while also celebrating the wisdom and beauty of the humble turtle. Anne believes that turtles carry the stories that we don’t remember in our headlong rush for tomorrow. After the reading Anne discusses her devotion to the forests of Alabama, forest therapy (it’s a thing), and killing the ‘killing voice’ inside you. If you’d like to read Anne’s essay or learn more about her next essay or poetry, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.