Tag Archives: Authors

Robert Chafe, playwright

Robert Chafe Podcast

Robert Chafe is an award winning playwright whose work has been seen across Canada, the UK, and Australia.

He was just nominated in the drama category of the 2017 The Governor General’s Literary Awards, for his adaption of Wayne Johnston’s novel, “The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, into a stage play.

Two of Chafe’s plays (“Tempting Providence” and “Butler’s Marsh”), were shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award for Drama. His play “Afterimage” won the award in 2010.

Robert is Artistic Director and playwright for Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, where he frequently collaborates with NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Jillian Keiley.

In the podcast we discuss his transition from playwriting to writing a collection of short stories.

Robert shares his experience seeing his plays on stage and watching the audiences’ reaction to them.

He mentions that observing audiences has lead him to understand that “how I feel about my work actually has nothing to do with how an audience is going to experience it.”

Show Notes
Robert’s collection of short stories “Two-Man Tent” on Amazon.
Robert Chafe on Twitter.
Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland’s website.

Ophira Eisenberg: Writer, Comedian

The Moth, Ask Me Another, Ophira Eisenberg, comedy,

Ophira Eisenberg is a writer and comedian, originally from Canada, now living in New York City.

In university Ophira studied Anthropology and English at McGill, which some people call the “Harvard of the North.”

Today she makes her living as a writer, stand up comedian, NPR host and regular contributor to The Moth – the popular storytelling event, podcast and radio program.

Her writing has been featured in an anthology of great comedy, alongside that of Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Dennis Miller and Joan Rivers.

I was so happy to meet with Ophira, who was back in Toronto, where she hosted a sold out performance of The Moth. While in Toronto Ophira was staying at one of Toronto’s finest hotels, a long way from her days schlepping from one comedy club to another, hoping to find appreciative audiences.

We talk about everything from how she started with nothing in New York, the evolution of her stand up comedy, and the influence of the Moth’s storytelling techniques on her writing.

Show Notes
Ophira’s story “The Accident” on Youtube.
NPR’s “Ask Me Another” trivia show, hosted by Ophira.
Ophira’s book: “Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy” at Amazon.

Ophira’s CDs on iTunes
Click to go to iTunes store

Ophira Eisenberg, podcast interview, as ir

As Is

Ophira Eisenberg, Podcast Interview, Bangs

Bangs

Mark A. Rayner: Writer

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Mark-a-rayner,contest, interview, podcast, London on, Mark A. Rayner is an award-winning writer of satirical and speculative fiction.

Mark and I first met a few years ago at Western University Canada where we both teach.

Mark has written 3 novels, several plays and 2 collections of short stories. His most recent novel, “The Fridgularity” won the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Award for Best Humor.

We discuss how Mark’s experiences as a journalist made him realize he prefers writing fiction to daily reporting. In the past Mark struggled with his weight and he candidly discuss confronting such a personal issue in his writing. Mark also shares his experiences with publishers and self-publishing.

Links from the Podcast
Mark’s website: scribblings, squibs and sundry monkey joys
@markarayner on Twitter
Mark on GoodReads

a Rafflecopter giveaway