In this episode of the podcast, I give some updates on my short story collection and discuss how and why my plan for a fairy tale “cinematic universe” fell through.

The Epic Highs and Lows of Building A "Cinematic Universe"

Welcome to the debut episode of our new series, A Feast of Words, airing in honor of National Literacy Month! This episode is a must-listen for both readers and writers alike, as we celebrate the power of storytelling and the written word. We've gathered a diverse group of acclaimed authors to share their work and discuss the art of autobiographies, short story collections, and poetry.

Our conversation explores the influence of literary giants like Jack London, the role of anthologies in fostering new voices, and the importance of community and editing in a writer's journey. Tune in to discover fresh narratives across a wide range of genres.

Featured Guests & Books
- CLIFFORD GARSTANG - Award-winning author, writer, and editor shares from his short story collection “House of the Ancients and Other Stories.” More: https://cliffordgarstang.com/house-of-the-ancients-and-other-stories/
 
- DIANE DOBRY - Travel writer and memoirist shares her “Happy New Year in Budapest” story from the collection “A Pocketful of Dreams.” Read her story: https://gettinghungary.com/happy-new-year-in-budapest/
 
- LINDA BALLOU – Travel writer and fiction/non-fiction author shares from her essay “Jack London and Me,” which is in the 2024 San Francisco Writer’s Conference Anthology. Learn more,get book links, and hear Linda's full podcast episode about Jack London: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/linda-ballou-jack-london-and-me/ 

- HEIDI SANDER – Canadian travel writer, educator, and award-winning poet, shares from her poetry collection “Stratford Gems Book 1: A Poetic & Photographic Journey of Stratford.”
* More: https://pages.heidisander.com/books/ and https://www.heidisander.com/

- MATT COST – Award-winning author of mystery and history, Matt discusses his story “Dead Men Don't Kiss” featured in the “Celluloid Crimes” anthology, available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Celluloid-Crimes-Deborah-Well/dp/B0FNPHXDZD
* More: https://mattcost.net/

- EVA ELDRIDGE - Travel writer, book industry expert, editor, and co-President of Tucson Sisters in Crime, talks about two anthologies she curated. Both books are available on Amazon:
* Trouble in Tucson: https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Tucson-Coast-Crime-Anthology/dp/B0BTRPH84K
* Feisty Felines: https://www.amazon.com/Feisty-Felines-Other-Fantastical-Familiars/dp/1680576194
* More: https://evaeldridge.com/ and https://3sides2authorservices.com/
* Tucson Sisters in Crime: https://www.tucsonsistersincrime.org/

- SUZANNE FLAIG – Mystery writer and author, talks about two anthologies she is part of. The books are available on Amazon:
* Mystery Most Humorous: https://www.amazon.com/Donna-Andrews-Presents-Malice-Domestic-ebook/dp/B0F6KRMY7D
* Danger Awaits!: https://www.amazon.com/SoWest-Sisters-Sleuths-Chapter-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0FNS2H162
* More: https://www.suzanneflaigwriter.com/

- ARYN YOUNGLESS – Writer, indie publisher, and genealogist, discusses anthologies she is part of, including one she put together in high school.
* “Made in L.A” and “A Night of Misfit Stories” anthologies: https://asyounglessauthor.com/read-me/
* “Echoes of the Youth” high school anthology: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=ujFY7byK3uekkrw6NR3kIQNoGBES3ivK2SdcQjK09Lk
* Genealogy Services: https://www.genealogybyaryn.com/

Key Takeaways for Writers & Readers
- For Writers: Gain insights into the submission process for anthologies, the value of short story collections as a stepping stone, and the crucial role of editing. Learn about building a supportive community to help you on your creative journey.
- For Readers: Discover acclaimed authors and fresh narratives across a variety of genres, including memoir, mystery, travel, and poetry. This episode will help you find your next favorite story.

A Feast of Words: Short Stories & Poems to Enjoy Anytime

Murder and mystery lurk in the hills and on the shores of Devon and Cornwall in this new Special Edition Hardback of Agatha Christie’s finest countryside stories. 

 Growing up in Torquay, Agatha Christie’s love of the West Country never left her and many of her finest stories are set on the moors and shores of Devon and Cornwall. This collection celebrates some of her finest countryside stories featuring a cast of Christie’s most iconic characters: Hercule Poirot, Miss Jane Marple, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford and Parker Pyne.

Also included in this story, published in its original form over a century after it first appeared in The Sketch magazine, join Poirot and Hastings as they solve a grisly murder in The Adventure of the Dartmoor Bungalow.

Also included in this collection are:

The Plymouth Express

The Unbreakable Alibi

The Case of the Missing Will

Ingots of Gold

Double Sin

The Hound of Death

The Cornish Mystery

The Regatta Mystery

The Flock of Geryon

The Edge

The Bloodstained Pavement

The Adventure of the Dartmoor Bungalow

Country Christie: Twelve Devonshire Mysteries, By Agatha Christie, Read by Isla Blair, Judith Boyd, Hugh Fraser, Christopher Lee, Juliet Stevenson and David Suchet

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Shashi Bhat. Shashi's short story collection, Death by a Thousand Cuts, won the 2025 Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize. In her conversation, Shashi and Megan talk about their mutual dislike for the term "women's fiction," and Shashi talks about why she loves writing short fiction.

For more about Death by a Thousand Cuts: https://bcyukonbookprizes.com/project/death-by-a-thousand-cuts-stories/

To view the 2025 BC and Yukon Book Prizes shortlists: bcyukonbookprizes.com/2025/04/10/bc-…sts-announced/

ABOUT SHASHI BHAT:
Shashi Bhat is the author of the story collection Death by a Thousand Cuts, and the novels The Most Precious Substance on Earth, a finalist for the Governor General’s Award for fiction, and The Family Took Shape, a finalist for the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award. Her fiction has won the Writers’ Trust/McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize and been shortlisted for a National Magazine Award and the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers, and appeared in such publications as The Fiddlehead, The Malahat Review, Best Canadian Stories, and The Journey Prize Stories. Shashi holds an MFA from the Johns Hopkins University and a BA from Cornell University. She lives in New Westminster, B.C., where she is the editor-in-chief of EVENT magazine and teaches creative writing at Douglas College.

ABOUT MEGAN COLE:
Megan Cole the Interim Executive Director for the BC and Yukon Book Prizes. She is also a writer based on the territory of the Tla'amin Nation. Megan writes creative nonfiction and has had essays published in Chatelaine, This Magazine, The Puritan, Untethered, and more. She has her MFA in creative nonfiction from the University of King's College and is working her first book. Find out more about Megan at megancolewriter.com

ABOUT THE PODCAST:
Writing the Coast is recorded and produced on the traditional territory of the Tla'amin Nation. As a settler on these lands, Megan Cole finds opportunities to learn and listen to the stories from those whose land was stolen.

Writing the Coast is a recorded series of conversations, readings, and insights into the work of the writers, illustrators, and creators whose books are nominated for the annual BC and Yukon Book Prizes. We'll also check in on people in the writing community who are supporting books, writers and readers every day. The podcast is produced and hosted by Megan Cole.

Shashi Bhat talks why she worried about writing a collection focused on women's stories

Misplaced foot read by Marcus

Davies plight read by Marcus

Fionas_Reckoning_2025-09-17T091019

A fishy story Read by Brie

The tree surgion read by Marcus

a cheating spouse

WHAT'S THIS PODCAST ABOUT? 
Hi, I'm Eliann! I am a former Oxford University creative writing student now embarking on a perilous journey to become a published author. Follow me as I battle the forces of writer's block and procrastination to achieve my ultimate goal!

MUSIC USED
https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-sparkling...
SUBSTACK
https://eliannwithapen.substack.com/
BLOG
https://eliannwithapen.godaddysites.com/
INSTAGRAM
@eliannwithapen

I was born in East Belfast in 1956. After losing my sight in 1980, I turned to writing as a way of navigating and expressing my world. I am a long-time member of Ards Writers, and have written over 300 poems, lyrics, and short pieces, with several being published into print. Known by my friends as “The Romantic Poet,” I continues to write from my home by the sea in Portavogie.

Publishers of award-winning fiction and non-fiction audiobooks for adults and children. Listen to exclusive clips from our books and free audioook extracts here on Soundcloud.

Select Big Blend Radio interviews that are featured in the digital, interactive Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine and Parks & Travel Magazine. Hosted by Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith, mother-daughter travel team and publishers.

Welcome to Writing the Coast! This is the weekly podcast where we chat with the authors and illustrators of the books who make up the shortlist of the annual BC and Yukon Book Prizes. On the episodes you'll hear host and podcast coordinator Megan Cole chat with the folks who are creating some of BC and Yukon's best books. We'll also check in with the literary community in our region. For more information about the BC and Yukon Book Prizes visit: https://bcyukonbookprizes.com/

New tracks tagged #Short Stories