Episode Playlist
Write On with Beverly Martens - 12-03-2025 - Fellowship (The Burns & the OPC) - Dr Octavia Cade and Nicola Thorstensen( 0:50:40)
Episode Information
Fellowship (The Burns & the OPC) - First up Beverly chats with 2025 Burns' Fellow, Dr Octavia Cade, about her intriguing 'speculative' and 'cli-fi' (climate change) fiction, along with what new creative projects (set here in Otago) she's researching and writing this year.
Then Octagon Poetry Collective committee member, Nicola Thorstensen, reflects on the OPC's bohemian 40-year history, and their inclusive ethos - including Open Mic sessions - at their monthly meetings, now held at the New Athenaeum Theatre (NAT).
Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz
Published: 12/03/2025 1:00:00 p.m.
Write On with Beverly Martens - 12-02-2025 - Romance Writing( 0:54:51)
Episode Information
As Valentine's Day is coming up, this show is all about 'LOVE' i.e. writing Romance Novels, set right here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
First up, Beverly chats with Liz Jack about her mother, Essie Summers, the doyenne of NZ Romance Writing back in the 1950s -1990s. Essie wrote over 50 novels for Mills and Boon, many of them set in Otago, all meticulously researched.
Then Beverly interviews contemporary 'romance writer' Danielle Hawkins. Danielle lives on a sheep and beef farm (in The King Country) and also works as a rural Vet. All of which provides handy 'background material' for her books.
Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz
Published: 12/02/2025 12:00:00 p.m.
Write On with Beverly Martens - 08-01-2025 - Indepth Interviews with talented creatives( 0:46:40)
Episode Information
This month Beverly chats with UBS's Emerging Writer in Residence recipient, STACEY TEAGUE, about her poetry, her whakapapa, and what she'll be working on here in Dunedin (while staying at the Robert Lord Cottage).
Then, next up, it's ROB FOOTE talking (too modestly) about his illustrious illustrative career, and publishing his very funny, satirical children's book: SAMPLES FROM THE LAB.
So stay tuned to WIN A PERSONALLY SIGNED COPY!
Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz
Published: 8/01/2025 1:00:00 p.m.
Write On with Beverly Martens - 11-12-2024- Summer Reading Recommendations - Barbara Else and Ina Kinski( 0:49:27)
Episode Information
Summer Reading Recommendations - First up, I talk with multi-genre, multi-award-winning writer Barbara Else about both her new collection of short fiction "The Pets We Have Killed" AND the recent perceptive lecture she gave (as NZSA's outgoing President of Honour) reviewing the literary landscape in New Zealand from the seasoned viewpoint of 47 years as a published writer.
Then I chat with UBS book buyer Ina Kinski, who shares their 'staff picks' of great books to give (to either a loved one, or yourself) these holidays.
Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz
Published: 11/12/2024 1:00:00 p.m.
Write On with Beverly Martens - 09-10-2024 - Tracey Slaughter - Indepth interview( 0:46:4)
Episode Information
Tracey Slaughter - Indepth interview with Tracey Slaughter - This month Beverly talks frankly with multi award winning short story writer, poet and essayist Tracey Slaughter about her game-changing Editing workshop (held here in Dunedin as part of the NZSA regional roadshow)
They also discuss the 'high risk, high rewards' of striving for 'truth' in writing fiction, along with practical ways to remain kind to yourself (and your work) while doing that.
Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz
Published: 9/10/2024 1:00:00 p.m.
Write On with Beverly Martens - 11-09-2024 - Writers and Writing - Cristina Sanders( 0:45:6)
Episode Information
Writers and Writing - This month Beverly interviews visiting writer Cristina Sanders (author of 'Jerningham' and 'Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant') about her latest novel Okiwi Brown. They also discuss the joys and challenges of writing historic (colonial) fiction, and why one should always examine and question source data.
Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz
Published: 11/09/2024 1:00:00 p.m.
Write On with Beverly Martens - 14-08-2024 - Exciting Upcoming Dunedin Literary Events - Michelle Elvy and Vanda Symon( 0:56:9)
Episode Information
Exciting Upcoming Dunedin Literary Events - This month, Beverly shares details on the plethora of literary events happening in Dunedin in the next few weeks.
These include reader events at UBS, the Small Press Fest, and an all-day Janet Frame Symposium.
Branch chair Michelle Elvy also shares tantalising details about our National Poetry Day event on August 23rd, and Vanda Symon gives us the rundown on NZSA's Regional Roadshow (coming up September 7th) along with the inside scoop on her latest Sam Shephard crime novel 'Prey'.
Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz
Published: 14/08/2024 1:00:00 p.m.
Write On with Beverly Martens - 10-07-2024 - Talking about Books and Writing - Feana Tu'akoi and Ina Kinski( 0:44:39)
Episode Information
Talking about Books and Writing - This month Beverly chats to the 2024 University of Otago College of Education Creative NZ Children's Writer in Residence, Feana Tu'akoi, about what she's been working on during her time in Dunedin, and why portraying Tongan and Palangi characters is at the heart of her work.
Next, Beverly discusses an eclectic, absorbing, range of recommended winter reads with UBS's book buyer, Ina Kinski, along with details of upcoming events at the bookshop,
Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz
Published: 10/07/2024 1:00:00 p.m.
Write On with Beverly Martens - 12-06-2024 - Interesting interview with local authors - Penelope Todd and Majella Cullinane( 0:48:33)
Episode Information
Interesting interview with local authors - Beverly chats with two acclaimed writers: Penelope Todd and Majella Cullinane about their new books: a novel, and poetry collection, respectively, with the common theme of Matriarchy. Firstly, Penelope shares the challenges and delights of writing about the life and times of her grandmother, "Nell" while Majella's third poetry collection, "Meantime" (dedicated to her Irish mam), traverses dealing with grief and loss half an uncrossable world away- during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz
Published: 12/06/2024 1:00:00 p.m.
Write On with Beverly Martens - 13-03-2024 - Creatives involved in the Dunedin Fringe Festival - Cindy Diver and Dr Chris Brickell( 0:45:23)
Episode Information
Creatives involved in the Dunedin Fringe Festival - My first guest is Professional Theatre Maker Cindy Diver, who is directing 'LAVVIES2' in this year's Festival. We chat about the show's specifics plus the challenges of presenting it in a non-theatre space. Then we delve back into some of the highlights of Cindy's 30+ year creative career - such as her award-winning verbatim play 'The Keys are in the Margarine' (about dementia), and her two heart-warming Lockdown response projects: 'Resilience' and' Random Acts of Art'
Then, in support of Pride Month I replay my interview with Dr Chris Brickell, who co-edited The Robert Lord Diaries.
Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz
Published: 13/03/2024 1:00:00 p.m.
Write On with Beverly Martens - 14-02-2024 - News and views about local writers - Jan McEwen and Liz Breslin( 0:53:6)
Episode Information
News and views about local writers - This month Beverly chats with the exec director of the Michel King Writers' Centre, Jan McEwen, about the beautiful Signalman's Cottage in Devonport where the Centre is based, the various writers' residencies the Centre offers, along with the wider opportunities to also stay and write there as a visiting writer.
Beverly's second guest is the inimitable Otago-based writer, poet and performer Liz Breslin. Liz's pressing mission is to attend a Language Conference in Boston next month, but we also discuss her wider creative practice.
Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz
Published: 14/02/2024 1:00:00 p.m.
Write On with Beverly Martens - 13-12-2023 - Interviewing Local Writers - Ian Dougherty and Anna Hoek-Sims( 0:42:19)
Episode Information
Interviewing Local Writers - This month Beverly talks with regional historian and journalist Ian Dougherty, who has written over 30 books about local figures, families and organisations, including his latest updated book: The Steepest Street in the World... Baldwin Street here in Dunedin.
This is followed by a chat with UBS's Retail Manager, Anna Hoek-Sims, and her recommendations of the perfect novels and memoirs to enjoy at the bach or the beach over the Summer Break.
Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz
Published: 13/12/2023 1:00:00 p.m.