Welcome the The Velvet Podcast

Episode 004: “Why Can’t I Write,” I Write OR Inventing Trans Fat

April 26, 2010

[display_podcast] Most writers, whether hobbyists or professionals, would defend that writing is a compulsion. Yet despite this apparent need, writers find a lot a lot of ways to procrastinate (creating this podcast being one). In this episode, three Velvet members discuss why writing is so necessary, what keeps us from writing when we know we should, what keeps us writing once we start, and how helpful are writing exercises (Writers Digest would say “very;” their bottom line depends on it).(WARNING: We like tangents. Be weary)

Episode 003: INTERVIEW with Brian Evenson

April 6, 2010

[display_podcast] This is a very special episode of The Velvet Podcast. Caleb J Ross interviews author Brian Evenson about his upcoming AWP Conference panel, Crime, Horror, Sci‐Fi, and Fantasy… Seriously. Extract below:

(Anthony Smith, Brian Evenson, Stephen Graham Jones, Tod Goldberg, Mark Smith, Seth Harwood) Six writers of genre fiction who also teach and/or have graduated from university creative writing programs discuss how they approach genre fiction as a serious literary pursuit rather than as a lesser form of fiction. In addition, they discuss attitudes towards genre fiction in the university and how those attitudes have changed over the years.

Though this podcast doesn’t deal directly with The Velvet community, Evenson is a highly respected author around those parts, and there is a plug or two about The Velvet Podcast. I want to personally thank Mr. Brian Evenson for taking time out of his day to chat with me. He has made this fanboy quite happy.

Episode 002: Hey, is that a copy of Kiss Me Judas on your desk, Professor Meriweather?

April 5, 2010

Why the disparity between genre fiction and literary fiction? Why are these two modes so often thought of as mutually exclusive? Though genre fiction (the big ones: mystery, sci-fi, horror) are taught at the university level, there is a palatable disinterest among much of academia. In this episode, four The Velvet members discuss these questions and more.

Episode 001: Of Members and Horse Nostrils

March 14, 2010

[display_podcast] Originally posted 3/14/2010 Online writing communities can seem, to outsiders, as a self-felicitating, collection of self-proclaimed capital-W “Writers,” appearing more cliquish than communal. To insiders, the writing community is a necessity. In this episode, three The Velvet members who have been on both the inside and the outside discuss the benefits and unfortunate hindrances of the writing community.