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It’s a total pleasure and privilege to announce that Red, Like Our Room Used to Feel has been longlisted for the Soundout! Prize as part of the International Literature Festival in Berlin.

I’ll be appearing via technology at the show ‘Elemental’ at the Melbourne Planetarium this July! The show is an exploration of the cosmos via the words and sounds of some really awesome artists. Via the Facebook event:

With Sean M Whelan, Emilie Zoey Baker, Ryan Van Winkle, Andrew Watson,Claire Fischer, Nat Bates, Ai Yamamoto, Chris Nelms, Alex Scott, Daniel Gorman and an introductory talk by Dr Alan Duffy.

Two shows on Thursday July 10 at 7pm and 9pm and Friday July 11 at 7pm and 9pm.

Since the dawn of time, poets have gazed up at the stars and pondered who we are and what it all means. Elemental is a unique performance that explores the universe through the eyes of artists. Taking place inside a planetarium, this show combines live music, poetry, surround sound and video, and the voice of UK scientist John Gribbin to explore the universe and ascribe meaning to our celestial experience.

Elemental is an immersive experience for the mind and body. Lie back in the comfort of a lounger as you lift off into space for your very own guided tour of the galaxy. This visual voyage through the heavens explores four different theories about how the universe began, taking you on a poetic journey through the Big Bang, the theory of everything, M theory and dark matter, accompanied by a soundtrack of live musicians and poetry readings. Experimental musicians, poets and video artists make a spellbinding and unique exploration of quantum physics and cosmology, with a poetic twist. In 2009 this show was a sell out at MIAF and is now with added exciting new works. In Bendigo, there will be two shows on Friday July 18 at 6pm and 8pm at The Discovery Science and Technology Centre, Bendigo with the awesome Klare Lanson and Neil Boyack. Tickets can be purchased through The Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas website: http://wheelercentre.com/events/event/elemental1/ Presented by the Wheeler Centre and Scienceworks. With support from Arts Victoria.

Recently I had the privilege of taking a trip to Iraq with some really talented artists as part of the Reel Arts: Niniti Literature Festival. If you were curious about how one might document such a trip photographically, look no further than the Reel Festivals Blog.

In this edition of Book Talk, host Ryan Van Winkle talks to author Scott Westerfeld about steampunk and Zeppelins, discusses the myths of modern Scotland with commentator and academic Gerry Hassan, and looks at how crime and science work together in fiction with Lin Anderson and Dr Kathy Charles.

Scott Westerfeld, author of the Uglies trilogy, gives an insight into how he researched and created the steampunk World War One setting of Leviathan. Loved by teenagers and military history buffs alike, the book showcases a world that blends accurate military detail with fantastic creations including airships made of whales.

Scott discusses the benefits of writing for a young adult audience. “Adult readers are very fragile and very easy to alarm and scare off, whereas teenagers are incredibly robust readers who can keep going. If you see a teenager who’d really into a book you could drop a brick on their head and they’ll keep reading!”

Gerry Hassan, commentator and academic in Cultural Policy discusses his latest book, Caledonian Dreaming: The Quest for a Different Scotland. Inspired by the work of Fintan O’Toole following the crash in Ireland, the book looks at the myths Hassan argues are inherent in Scottish identity. What are these stories we tell ourselves about modern Scotland and where did they come from?

Finally, Ryan chats to crime writer Lin Anderson, creator of fictional forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod, and forensic psychologist Dr Kathy Charles about how crime and science work together in fiction. Lin and Kathy discuss the use of psychology to develop strong characters, how to effectively depict the biological differences of psychopaths in fiction and the challenge of ensuring potential scenarios in the novel are scientifically plausible while keeping a novel entertaining.

Podcast contents
00:00-00:51 Introduction
00:52-12:08 Scott Westerfeld interview
12:09-22:26 Garry Hassan interview
22:27-32:05 Lin Anderson and Dr Kathy Charles interview

On this episode we talk with Korean poet Lee Si-Young and his translator, Brother Anthony of Taize. He reads some of his poems and reflects on how his work has evolved since the military dictatorship in South Korea when it was dangerous and extremely difficult to publish poetry. It ‘was a responsibility that young poets had to take to stand up and dare take the risk to oppose and indicate there was another way ahead.’ He also discusses his views on political poetry – ‘without something that emerges from the human heart you cannot have a poem… If I am simply angry then nothing will come out in terms of poetry. It has to be transformed.’ You may find more information about Lee Si-Young and other Korean poets on Brother Anthony’s website. We also feature one of the collaborations from SJ Fowler’s Camarade project with Marcus Slease and Claire Potter. Listen to more of the collaborations here and find out more at SJ’s website. Presented by Ryan Van Winkle and produced by Colin Fraser of Culture Laser Productions.

Recently I had the privilege of taking a trip to Iraq with a group of seriously talented artists as part of the Reel Arts: Niniti Literature Festival. The second of my journal entries is posted at the Reel Festivals blog.

On this week’s episode we feature American writers Mark Z. Danielewski and Ben Marcus taking us on a tour of a section of the Mitchell Library in Glasgow dedicated entirely to flames. With thanks to Aye Write and Stuart Kelly. We also speak to musicians Nick Pynn and Magnus Mehta who discuss their involvement in The Beautiful Cosmos of Ivor Cutler presented by Vanishing Point and National Theatre of Scotland in association with Eden Court Theatre. Featuring the track ‘Rubber Toy’ from the production. Presented by Ryan Van Winkle and produced by Colin Fraser of Culture Laser Productions. Culture Laser acknowledges the financial support of Creative Scotland.

Recently I joined a group of poets on a trip to Iraq for the Reel Arts: Niniti Literature Festival. We saw some amazing things. The first of two journal entries from me is available on the Reel Festivals Blog.

Ryan Van Winkle discusses Under the Mulberry Tree with playwright Timothy Jones and director Hannah Eidinow after a recent performance at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh. Poet and performer Harry Giles talks about his new piece ‘I want to blow up the Palace of Holyroodhouse (for art)’ which explores free speech and the intricacies of modern terrorism legislation. It will be performed at the Buzzcut Festival in Glasgow on 27 April. Presented by Ryan Van Winkle and produced by Colin Fraser of Culture Laser Productions.

Very chuffed to be joining Lake Montgomery and a host of talented artists for Rally and Broad’s Ampersand Edition. There’ll be collaborations with singer-songwriters and poets, plus we’ll be back in the hallowed vaults of the Bongo Club, part of the Bongo Lives! celebrations. It’s this Friday 2 May, it’s five bucks, it’s tremendous art. Come join us!

A special edition Rally & Broad cabaret to celebrate Bongo Lives!

Mash-ups and collaborations from:

Ruth Mills & Gerry Campbell!

Award-winning dancer and choreographer Ruth Mills (Whatever Gets You Through The Night) teams up with Gerry Campbell (formerly Belle & Sebastian, BabyGod)

Ryan Van Winkle & Lake Montgomery!

Critically-acclaimed poet, Van Winkle teams up with the captivatingly soulful Lake Montgomery!

Snake-faced Jake & Lach!

Acoustic-punk meets Anti-Folk! Snake-faced Jake of Black Diamond Express teams up with the founder of Anti-Folk, Lach in what promises to be a strange and wonderful collaboration!

Rally & Broad is a highly acclaimed, much-vaunted lyrical cabaret, rapidly gaining notice for fun, engaging, interactive and inspiring literary-themed cabarets. R&B has run since October 2012 and has featured over 60 writers and poets, alongisde award winning musicians, theatre-makers and dance acts. Hosted by poets Jenny Lindsay & Rachel McCrum.

What: Rally & Broad Ampersand

Where: Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JX

When: Friday 2 May, Doors 7pm

How Much: £5 (£4 advance)