The Artsy Raven Podcast about Writing and Art with host JF Garrard

Jacqueline White discusses her love of writing darkromantasy, her journey to getting her debut novel published by a major publisher, and why creating a story bible is essential for writers.Jacqueline White is a dark romantasy author who writesemotionally driven stories about power, survival, and connection, shaped by the belief that life exists in the gray spaces. Her work blends mythic world-building with psychological depth, centered around morally complexcharacters whose choices are forged through trauma, desire, and resilience. She writes for readers who crave intensity and emotional honesty and find beauty not in easy answers but in endurance. When she isn’t being consumed by fictionalworlds, Jacqueline can usually be found curled up on the couch with Mr. White, baby White, and their rescue dog, or wandering New York City with an iced matcha in hand.In this episode, Jacqueline reads from Souls in Ruin.Book link: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Souls-in-Ruin/Jacqueline-White/The-Soulbound-Series/9798347120130Artsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by:1) Liking or following us: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcntlRlmdW2nzFZnzq2dA_QSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kgj96vRR9B6kczMhgjtkQApple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-artsy-raven-podcast-about-writing-and-art-with/id1558358968 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Aga Maksimowska explores the discipline shared byhigh-performance athletes and authors, her interest in stories of displacement and identity, and why relationships remain at the heart of her fiction.Aga Maksimowska is the author of GIANT, the 2013Toronto Book Award finalist coming-of-age novel about premature sexual development and the fall of Communism in Poland. Her stories and essays have been published in Brick, The New Quarterly, The Humber Literary Review, White Wall Review, The Lincoln Review, Room, The Globe and Mail, andelsewhere. Aga holds a degree in journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Guelph. She taught English in a high school for boys for sixteen years and presently works at a co-ed high school as a guidance and university counsellor. Her second novel, BECALMING, about the difficulty of nurturing long-term relationships, the conflicts inherent in family dynamics, and the challenge of forgiving others, is out now. Aga livesin Toronto with her family.In this episode, Aga reads from Becalming.Book link: https://www.dundurn.com/books_/t22117/a9781459756038-becalmingArtsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by:1) Liking or following us: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcntlRlmdW2nzFZnzq2dA_QSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kgj96vRR9B6kczMhgjtkQApple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-artsy-raven-podcast-about-writing-and-art-with/id1558358968 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Tyler Funk discusses how his childhood sparked his filmmaking career, why his documentary BOT LOVE captures only a snapshot of the rapidly evolving world of AI, and how artificial intelligence can help fill the void of loneliness for some people.Tyler Funk is an award-winning documentary director withover a decade of experience creating impactful films and series. His feature-length documentary Anything For Fame, distributed by the Oscar-winning NFB, premiered in the USA on Paramount+ and Showtime in 2024, garnering critical acclaim. He has directed more than 40 commercials for majorbrands like Coca-Cola, Ford, LEGO, and Budweiser, but his primary focus is on documentary filmmaking, where he excels at managing complex shoots and bringing togetherexceptional teams to tell compelling, real-world stories.His documentary BOT LOVE, is premiering October 21st,2026, on CBC and CBC Gem, explores what happens to human relationships when artificial ones begin to fulfill the needs once met only by family, friends, and partners. BOT LOVE Link: https://gem.cbc.ca/bot-loveArtsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by:1) Liking or following us: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcntlRlmdW2nzFZnzq2dA_QSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kgj96vRR9B6kczMhgjtkQApple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-artsy-raven-podcast-about-writing-and-art-with/id1558358968 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Jen Frankel discusses her many roles as an author, open mic host, and print-on-demand publishing expert, why atmosphere is essential to effective horror, and why developing resilience is one of the most important skills for new writers.Jen Frankel is the author of several novels, a short fiction collection, and two books of poetry among other work. She hosts writers’ open mics and is a print-on-demand publishing guru. https://www.jenfrankel.com/In this episode, Jen reads from Undead Redhead.Author page: https://www.jenfrankel.com/Artsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by:1) Liking or following us: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcntlRlmdW2nzFZnzq2dA_QSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kgj96vRR9B6kczMhgjtkQApple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-artsy-raven-podcast-about-writing-and-art-with/id1558358968 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Sonido Reyes discusses their journey to becoming a writerand advocate for LGBTQ+ creators, how To Our Untamed Core was inspired by The Hunger Games, and the role real-life events play in their worldbuilding process.Sonido Reyes is the award-winning and bestsellingauthor of The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School, The LuisOrtega Survival Club, The Broposal, and The GoldenBoy's Guide to Bipolar. They also have contributed short stories to the anthologies Transmogrify! and For the Rest of Us. Sonido writes fiction celebrating queer and Mexican stories in a variety of genres and age categories. They serve as the vice-president of My Galvanized Friend, a nonprofit focused on providing access to and amplifying LGBTQ+ writing, art, and creators. Sonido also co-hosts the podcast Bidi Bidi Book Pod, which celebrates queer and trans BIPOC authors and stories.In this episode, Sonido reads from To Our Untamed Core.Links: https://www.sonidoreyes.com/Book links: Amazon listing, Bookshop listingArtsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by:1) Liking or following us: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcntlRlmdW2nzFZnzq2dA_QSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kgj96vRR9B6kczMhgjtkQApple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-artsy-raven-podcast-about-writing-and-art-with/id1558358968 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Jane Hamilton talks about how an intern at Harper’sdiscovered her story and helped launch her writing career, how a novel evolves throughout the writing process, and what makes a character truly memorable. Jane Hamilton’s novels have won literary prizes, have been made into films, and have been international bestsellers, andtwo of them, The Book of Ruth and A Map of the World, wereselections of Oprah’s Book Club. Her nonfiction has appeared in the New York Times; The Washington Post; Allure; O, The Oprah Magazine; Elle; and various anthologies. She lives on an apple farm in Wisconsin. In this episode, Jane reads from The Phoebe Variations. Book link: https://zibbymedia.com/products/the-phoebe-variations?srsltid=AfmBOore_k2viVKCaKUrHEnN05LZrhQhu_i9yWWhNuLMV8ilOJWIX9VC Artsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join e⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by:1) Liking or following us: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcntlRlmdW2nzFZnzq2dA_QSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kgj96vRR9B6kczMhgjtkQApple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-artsy-raven-podcast-about-writing-and-art-with/id1558358968 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access toover 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Robin Blackburn McBride talks about the differences between writing novels and poetry, why she chose to set River of Dreams in a 1920s mental institution, and what makes a character memorable to readers.Robin Blackburn McBride is the author of two novels, Riverof Dreams and The Shining Fragments, and a book of poetry, In Green, all published by Guernica Editions. Her short stories and poems have appeared in a variety of North American literary magazines. Find Robin on Substack at Awakening Wonder.In this episode, Robin reads from River of Dreams.Book link: https://guernicaeditions.com/products/river-of-dreamsArtsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by:1) Liking or following us: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcntlRlmdW2nzFZnzq2dA_QSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kgj96vRR9B6kczMhgjtkQApple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-artsy-raven-podcast-about-writing-and-art-with/id1558358968 2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Judith Kerman discusses how writing workshops help authors grow, the inspiration behind A Hard Frost—a poetry collection exploring aging, disability, resilience, and spirituality—and why she compares the critical mind to a golden retriever that can become either your best friend oryour worst enemy.Judith Kerman is a poet and multi-artist (singer, performer,and crafter). She has published eleven books and chapbooks of poetry, most recently Definitions (Fomite Press, 2021), along with three books of translations. Committed to publishing and literary community building, she founded Earth’s Daughters magazine in 1971 and went on to establishMayapple Press in 1978, which she continues to run today. Kerman earned her Ph.D. in English from the University ofBuffalo. As a Fulbright Scholar to the Dominican Republic in 2000, she translated the poetry and fiction of Dominican women and designed a website for the Museo del Hombre Dominicano, expanding access to underrepresented voicesand histories. After a career in university teaching and administration, she retired to Woodstock, NY, where she remains an active force in the literary world by overseeing Mayapple Press, coordinating online poetry workshops, andleading annual writers’ retreats. In this episode, Judith reads from A Hard Frost.Author website: https://judithkerman.wordpress.com/Book link: https://www.broadstonebooks.com/shop/p/a-hard-frost-poetry-by-judith-kermanArtsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠ You can support the podcast by:1) Liking or following us: Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcntlRlmdW2nzFZnzq2dA_QSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Kgj96vRR9B6kczMhgjtkQApple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-artsy-raven-podcast-about-writing-and-art-with/id15583589682) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠ 3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠ 4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Ed Seaward discusses the inspiration behind writing aGothic novel set in London, Ontario, whether marketing at book fairs can help authors reach new readers, and how plot keeps a mystery moving.Ed Seaward’s novel London Gothic will be published by Dark Winter Press in October, 2026. His debut novel Fair was published in 2020 by The Porcupine’s Quill. Awarded the Silver Medal in Urban Fiction by the 2021 Independent Book Awards, Fair was also shortlisted for the Canadian Authors Association’s 2021 Fred Kerner Award. His screenplay, Mother Daughter Happiness was a finalist at the 2019 Pasadena International Film Festival.Ed’s web publication Profiles From The Bright Side Of TheRoad features writers, actors, artists, environmentalists, family and friends. The Newfoundland family series, “It’s Sharpe to Stay Home”, was republished by Downhome Magazine. After 30 years in the corporate world, Ed now writes full-time. He and his wife Barb live in Georgetown, Ontario.Ed’s previous Artsy Raven episode link (Ep 4): https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard/posts/ep4-writing-in-49613441In this episode, Ed reads from London Gothic.Book link: https://edseaward.com/london-gothic/Author site: https://edseaward.com/Artsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠You can support the podcast by:1) Liking us on Youtube or following on Spotify/Apple Podcasts2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

V. N. Alexander shares how her academic career has enrichedher fiction, why language itself fascinates her, and the role discipline plays in sustaining a creative practice.About the Author V. N. Alexander has published threeliterary fiction novels— Smoking Hopes (recipient of Washington Prize for Fiction), Naked Singularity (a Dallas Observer's “Best of 2003” book), and Locus Amoenus (a Dayton Literary Peace Prize nominee). In addition to her literary credentials, Alexander is an authority on VladimirNabokov’s theory of butterfly mimicry, she is a 2020 Fulbright Scholar in Russia, a Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center alum, and a former Public Scholar for the New York Council for the Humanities. In this episode, V. N. reads from The Girlie Playhouse.Book link: https://heresy-press.com/product/the-girlie-playhouse-by-v-n-alexander/Author Site: https://vnalexander.com/the-girlie-playhouse/Artsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: ⁠https://artsyraven.com/⁠You can support the podcast by:1) Liking us on Youtube or following on Spotify/Apple Podcasts2) Wearing fan merchandise: ⁠https://darkhelix.threadless.com/designs/the-artsy-raven-logo-v2/⁠3) Sending a one-time digital tip: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard⁠4) Support as a Patreon and gain access to over 150+bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard