WestWords News

Episodes

1. 51

   Season 3, Episode 9

   Happy birthday, Dorothea Mackellar. Sally Piper reads from Bone Memories (UQP, 2022). Plus news and opportunities.

   Jun 30, 2022

   24m
2. 50

   Season 3, Episode 8

   Happy birthday to Robert Allen Zimmerman. We hear from the three top-placed poets in the 67th Blake Poetry Prize. Plus news from WestWords.

   May 23, 2022

   22m
3. 49

   Season 3, Episode 7

   Happy Mothers' Day! In recognition of mothers everywhere, we're recommending two wonderful and moving books about motherhood. Plus all the usual news from WestWords.

   May 7, 2022

   21m
4. 48

   Season 3, Episode 6

   It's ANZAC Day, and we discuss Catch-22, one of the great war novels. We hear from Hani Abdile, Somalian-Australian poet. Plus news and opportunities.

   Apr 23, 2022

   22m
5. 47

   Season 3, Episode 5

   Happy birthday to the Anne Statute, and to Anne Lamott, amongst others. We speak with the Auburn Poets & Writers. Various opportunities await.

   Apr 9, 2022

   27m
6. 46

   Season 3, Episode 4

   Happy birthday to Quentin Tarantino. Also announcing an exciting publishing opportunity, and a competition with real actual prizes! Plus we announce the winner of the Blake Poetry Prize. Audio of Quentin Tarantino appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live is taken from the Jimmy Kimmel Live YouTube channel:...

   Mar 26, 2022

   30m
7. 45

   Season 3, Episode 3

   In this fortnight's podcast, we discuss ways to help the flood-affected communities in our state's north-east, we share some thoughts about our first event in our new premises, Linda Jaivin drops in, and more.

   Mar 12, 2022

   26m
8. 44

   Season 3, Episode 2

   Happy birthday to Anthony Burgess, author of A Clockwork Orange. Poet Ouyang Yu reads and discusses his poem Someone. Plus the latest news from WestWords.

   Feb 24, 2022

   24m
9. 43

   Season 3, Episode 1

   It's the first WestWords Podcast for 2022 -- welcome back! Today we wish a happy birthday to a writer whose books have sold over 300 million copies, and who won an Oscar for screenwriting. We hear Grace Karstens read from her award-winning book People of the River. Plus all the usual news you've...

   Feb 10, 2022

   21m
10. 42

    Season 2, Episode 19

    Happy birthday, William Blake. A big win at the 2021 WSABE awards for WestWords and our director. The WestWords-Varuna Residency wraps up.

    Nov 27, 2021

    42m
11. 41

    Season 2, Episode 18

    Happy birthday, Robert Louis Stevenson. We announce the winners and highly commended entries from the Fisher's Ghost Writing Prize. A reading from Lucy Neave, and plenty of news from WestWords.

    Nov 13, 2021

    30m
12. 40

    Season 2, Episode 17

    Happy birthday to... the universe? Massive congratulations to a WestWords regular for a major award shortlisting. Plus we have a reading from Lisa Fuller, reading from her novel Ghost Bird.

    Oct 23, 2021

    29m
13. 39

    Season 2, Episode 16

    Happy birthday John Lennon. Jack Heath reads from his latest book. We talk Booktober, writing groups, and more.

    Oct 9, 2021

    25m
14. 38

    Season 2, Episode 15

    It's International Literacy Day! (At least, it was on Wednesday). Happy birthday to a musical legend. It's time to sign up for Booktober. Plus we hear from a library champion about libraries then and now.

    Sep 10, 2021

    20m
15. 37

    Season 2, Episode 14

    A recap on who we are and what we do at WestWords. Happy birthday to John Betjeman, British Poet Laureate and writer of the much-discussed poem Slough. Plus a rundown on the opportunities currently open (but closing soon).

    Aug 28, 2021

    25m
16. 36

    Season 2, Episode 13

    It's Groundhog Day... I mean, Lockdown 2.0! What a time to be alive! But seriously, what better time to start - or continue - that creative project? And if that's the case, we have all the encouragement and resources you need. Plus opportunities for poets and writers of all stripes. And last but...

    Aug 13, 2021

    21m
17. 35

    Season 2, Episode 12

    WestWords is nominated for a massive award... twice! And again! Happy birthday to someone who is the answer to an oft-asked trivia question. Plus tons of opportunities for artists at all stages of writing development.

    Jul 30, 2021

    24m
18. 34

    Season 2, Episode 11

    Today it's a quote de jour that's over 2,000 years old, but that still strikes true today. Plus three tremendous opportunities for emerging practitioners.

    Jul 16, 2021

    22m
19. 33

    Season 2, Episode 10

    Happy birthday to Tom Stoppard. We announce the winners of the Living Stories Western Sydney Writing Prize. Plus other news, including a job opportunity...

    Jul 4, 2021

    22m
20. 32

    Season 2, Episode 9

    What's your favourite language-learning app? I bet it's not the same as our guest Gina's. One of those rarest of commodities - a job in the arts - is going at WestWords. Plus there are our projects and opportunities.

    Jun 18, 2021

    20m
21. 31

    Season 2, Episode 8

    Happy birthday to someone musos love to hate (but who has outsold almost all of them). Interview excerpt with playwright Brooke Robinson. Opportunities for picture book illustrators. Our fundraising art auction. A new student anthology.

    Jun 6, 2021

    23m
22. 30

    Season 2, Episode 7

    Happy birthday to Charles Azvanour. We announce the winners and highly-commended entries in the WestWords-WestLit Living Stories Writing Prize. Our new WestWords art auction. Jacqueline Harvey is still out guest blogger.

    May 22, 2021

    20m
23. 29

    Season 2, Episode 6

    Happy birthday to the author of The Writing Life, Annie Dillard. A reading by debut novelist, Alison Gibbs. The Living Stories Writing Prize closing soon.

    May 1, 2021

    26m
24. 28

    Season 2, Episode 5

    Happy birthday, Kingsley Amis (even if we don't necessarily agree with you). We talk to our first Daffodil Cottage Artist-in-residence, Nix Hamilton. The Living Stories Writing Prize is still taking entries. Tim Harris is in the Clubhouse.

    Apr 16, 2021

    26m
25. 27

    Season 2, Episode 4

    Happy birthday to Philip Roth. Plus (drum roll...) we announce a MASSIVE new project right across Western Sydney that is open to everyone (provided they are over 10 years of age, and live in WS).

    Mar 19, 2021

    18m
26. 26

    Season 2, Episode 3

    International Women's Day is approaching. Happy birthday Penn Jillette. Author/illustrator team Jasmine Seymour and Leanne Mulgo Watson. Plus some news, as always.

    Mar 4, 2021

    28m
27. 25

    Season 2, Episode 2

    Happy birthday to Jeff Daniels. We announce a MASSIVE new residential opportunity for artists. Plus other news from WestWords.

    Feb 18, 2021

    21m
28. 24

    Season 2, Episode 1

    We're back! Happy New Year – let's get straight into news (including some that is still only at the hint stage), segues, a reading by Vivian Pham, and the quote of the day (sort of). Intrigued? Then you'd better tune in!

    Feb 4, 2021

    28m
29. 21

    Episode 21

    Introducing our very own GWS - Great Western Summer - of reading , watching and listening. James and Michael look back at a massive year, and look forward to a bigger, brighter one in 2021. Interviews with Suzanne Leal and Johanna Bell from the Prime Minister's Literary Awards.

    Dec 20, 2020

    40m
30. 20

    Episode 20

    The penultimate podcast for 2020. Happy birthday to Woody Allen. Several WW publications about to land. Tegan Bennett Daylight reads from The Details. Plus Michael shares a rather icky story about life on the road as a touring dancer.

    Nov 30, 2020

    55m
31. 19

    Episode 19

    A thought-provoking quote from Aileen Moreton-Robinson. A reading by Tristan Bancks. Plus, apropos of not much, the best Brussels sprouts recipe you'll ever try.

    Nov 9, 2020

    36m
32. 18

    Episode 18

    Happy birthday to Kamala Harris. We meet Wai Chim, author of The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling. News from WestWords.

    Oct 19, 2020

    30m
33. 17

    Episode 17

    Happy birthday to Pvt Ryan, and not one but TWO Ramones. Meet our newest staff member, Chris Donoghue. Pinerolo Illustrator in Residence announced. What Matters? competition school visits announced.

    Oct 8, 2020

    33m
34. 16

    Episode 16

    Vale Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Business awards recognition for WestWords and Michael Campbell. Booktober launched. Blake Prize awarded. Plus readings from James Knight and the Blake winner/runner-up.

    Sep 22, 2020

    32m
35. 15

    Episode 15

    Happy birthday to the most successful songwriter you've probably never heard of. Scot Gardner talks about "rats in a maze". Fellowships, Pinerolo, Varuna Residency, and more. And goodbye to Hajer.

    Sep 7, 2020

    30m
36. 14

    Episode 14

    Want to work with WestWords? We have a vacancy. Big news about Vice-Regal Patronage! Our 2019 Emerging Writers Fellows sign off, and applications open for the 2020 crop. New interview with Jessie Tu. Plus news.

    Aug 17, 2020

    32m
37. 13

    Episode 13

    Happy 100th birthday to PD James, and happy 43rd birthday to the TRS-80 personal computer. We hear from WS writer and debut novelist, Jessie Tu. We open the callout for the 2021 WestWords Fellows. Pinerolo residencies still accepting applications. Blacktown Mayoral Writing Prize.

    Aug 2, 2020

    27m
38. 12

    Episode 12

    Frida Kahlo. Running a writers' group. Crime writing. News and opportunities. Harry Laing reads Rouse Hill Magic Lantern.

    Jul 5, 2020

    34m
39. 11

    Episode 11

    Happy birthday to one of the four great Japanese haikuists. A legend of the Australian picture book publishing world offers some sage advice to prospective PB writers. A couple of great opportunities for emerging writers and illustrators.

    Jun 14, 2020

    22m
40. 10

    Episode 10

    It's the "angry episode"! Happy birthday to Alanis Morissette. Ali Whitelock talks about her found poem "this is coal don't be afraid". Deborah Abela talks about crankiness. A free book about... happiness! Plus a great opportunity to own a piece of Australian picture book history.

    May 31, 2020

    28m
41. 9

    Episode 9

    It's a Quote of the Day from Ms Bossypants herself. We chat with James Elazzi and Nardean about the Sydney Living Museum's "A Thousand Words" project. Music from Nardean.

    May 17, 2020

    31m
42. 10

    Footnotes 2 – Interview with Pete Shmigel

    Pete Shmigel, former CEO of Lifeline, talks to James Roy about his tribute to his mother Nadia, who died in New York from COVID-19. (Sydney Morning Herald, 15 April 2020 –...

    May 5, 2020

    19m
43. 8

    Episode 8

    A quote for Star Wars Day. An interview with Pete Shmigel. The WestWordsOFFICIAL YouTube channel grows. Fiona Wright to headline this months' Kitten Club.

    May 3, 2020

    32m
44. 7

    Episode 7

    WestWords continues to transition many of its programs to on-line. Happy birthday Crispin Glover. News and opportunities. We meet our third WestWords Fellow, Erin Sayers.

    Apr 19, 2020

    38m
45. 6

    Episode 6

    A quote from French balloonist and photographer Nadar. WestWords goes virtual. Announcing the new WestWords Mini-Masterclasses (including a sneak peek). Competitions and opportunities. Meet some of our Academians.

    Apr 5, 2020

    18m
46. 5

    Episode 5

    WestWords' COVID-19 response. Eunice Andrada and Sydney Living Museums. Meet the first crop of Academians. WestWords-Western Sydney University Writers in Residence applications now open.

    Mar 22, 2020

    35m
47. 4

    Episode 4

    Poet's corner. Celebration of Writing. Charles Bukowski. Interview with WestWords Fellow, Aishah Ali.

    Mar 8, 2020

    29m
48. 4

    Footnotes 1 – Interview with Laura Greaves

    An interview with journalist, non-fiction writer and WestWords presenter Laura Greaves.

    Feb 27, 2020

    24m
49. 3

    Episode 3

    The first Westside Poetry Slam for 2020. Our upcoming Celebration of Writing. Interview with Claire Cao. The WestWords Academy. News. Music by Peter Valentine Fenton.

    Feb 23, 2020

    23m
50. 2

    Episode 2

    We announce the brand new WestWords Academy! Plus the usual news and views from the WestWords Centre for Writing.

    Feb 10, 2020

    19m