MIR Podcast
By MIROnline
MIR PodcastJan 22, 2021
Author Not Present ep.6 - The Entertainer
Author Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the sixth episode, Louise, Christina, and Peter discuss ‘The Entertainer’. Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing. They also discuss why getting an agent might be not quite what you expect.
We highly encourage you to read the story before listening to the episode so you can follow along.
To do so go to mironline.org/anptheentertainer where you'll also find the show notes.
Author Not Present ep.7 - Sacaran Nights
Author Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the seventh episode, Louise, Christina, and Peter critique 'Sacaran Nights'. Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing. They also discuss the idea of cancel culture in literature.
We highly encourage you to read the story before listening to the episode so you can follow along.
To do so go to mironline.org/anpsacarannights where you'll also find the show notes.
MIR#14 with Alice Haworth-Booth and Kate Ellis
In the fourteenth episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks with the winner of the Bricklane Bookshop short story prize, 2020 Alice Haworth-Booth, and the head of the prize, Kate Ellis. They discuss writing climate change and what it takes to run a big prize.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcastalicehaworthbooth
Author Not Present ep.5 - The Gardener and The Garden Party
Author Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the fifth episode, they discuss 'The Gardener and The Garden Party’ – a covid 19 story. Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing. This episode was recorded before the outbreak of the current crisis so we apologise for any inaccuracies!
We highly encourage you to read the story before listening to the episode so you can follow along.
To do so go to mironline.org/anpthegardenerandthegardenparty where you'll also find the show notes.
Author Not Present ep.4 - The Woman in the Street
This episode was recorded before the outbreak of the current crisis so we apologise for any inaccuracies!
Author Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the third episode, Christina and Peter are joined by author Jarred McGinnis to discuss 'The Woman in the Street.' Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing.
We highly encourage you to read the story before listening to the episode so you can follow along.
To do so go to mironline.org/anpthewomaninthestreet where you'll also find the show notes.
Author Not Present ep.3 - Magrit
Author Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the third episode, they discuss ‘Magrit’ – a quirky story of a woman who no one listens to. Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing. This episode was recorded before the outbreak of the current crisis so we apologise for any inaccuracies!
We highly encourage you to read the story before listening to the episode so you can follow along.
To do so go to mironline.org/anpmagrit where you'll also find the show notes.
Author Not Present ep.2 - Of Sprites and Spirits
Author Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the second episode, they discuss 'Of Sprites and Spirits' - a magical realist story of a young boy's search for connection. Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing.
We highly encourage you to read the story before listening to the episode so you can follow along.
To do so go to mironline.org/anpofspritesandspirits where you'll also find the show notes.
MIR #13 with Golnoosh Nour - The Ministry of Guidance
In the thirteenth episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks to writer Golnoosh Nour. They discuss her short story collection 'The Ministry of Guidance and Other Stories,' writing about queerness, and why we are reading Iran wrong.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcastgolnooshnour
Author Not Present ep.1 - Twenty Minutes
Author Not Present is a podcast in which Louise Hare, Christina Carè, and Peter J Coles critique anonymous submitted pieces.
In the first episode, they discuss 'Twenty Minutes' - a story of loss and friendship. Listen to find out what they liked and what they thought could be improved as they deal with structure all the way down to pedantic line-editing.
We highly encourage you to read the story before listening to the episode so you can follow along.
To do so go to mironline.org/anptwentyminutes where you'll also find the show notes.
MIR #12 with James Mitchell and Kate Ellis - Brick Lane Bookshop
In the twelfth episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles is in Brick Lane Bookshop with the winner of their short story prize James Mitchell, and the head of the prize, Kate Ellis. They discuss what it takes to craft a winning short story, issues surrounding writing the 'other', and helpful advice on entering the 2020 short story prize.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcastbricklanebookshop
MIR #11 with The Secret Diary of Bloomsbury - Everyday Poetry
In the eleventh episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks to Elizabeth Dearnly and Michael Eades about their project The Secret Diary of Bloomsbury. They discuss how the project came about, bringing the private into the public space, and keeping a diary. Oh, there is also the mystery of The Bird Man.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcastsecretdiaryofbloomsbury/
MIR #10 with Julia Bell - The Creative Writing Coursebook
In the tenth episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks to author Julia Bell about the republication of The Creative Writing Coursebook. They discuss how the coursebook came about, the perennial question of whether writing can be taught, and the influence of the digital on creative writing.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcastjuliabell
MIR #9 with Toby Litt - Patience
In the ninth episode of the MIR Podcast, Angèle Eliane talks to author Toby Litt about his latest novel, Patience. They discuss why the novel took 12 years to write, the importance of finding a voice, and coping with other peoples' success.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcasttobylitt/
MIR #8 with Sean Preston and Joe Johnston - Open Pen
In the eighth episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks to author Sean Preston and Joe Johnston about their literary magazine Open Pen. Sean and Joe explain how the magazine came about, why they'll take a risk on new writers, and publishing the stories others might not.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/podcastopenpen
MIR #7 with Rob True - True Stories
In the seventh episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks to author Rob True about his debut collection of short stories, 'Gospel of Aberration'. Rob talks openly about living with schizophrenia, learning to write stories at the age of 40, and gives his advice on writing good dialogue.
For show notes go to: mironline.org/robtrue
MIR #6 with Mazin Saleem - The Prick
Show Notes:
Mazin Saleem
Open Pen
Strange Horizons
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
Fight Club
The Cable Guy
At Swim, Two Birds by Brian O'Nolan
Les Murray
Wonderbook by Jeff Vandermeer
The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Open Pen Novelette Series
MIROnline Patreon
This podcast was produced and edited by Peter J Coles
Mazin Saleem is an author from Manchester currently living in London. He has written short fiction for Litro Magazine, The Literateur, Pornokitsch, Open pen, and more, and is a regular reviewer at Strange Horizons. His first book The prick is out now with Open Pen.
Peter J. Coles was born in Oxford and currently lives in London. He came to writing after stumbling through various universities around the world studying Japanese literature. He recently finished an MA Creative Writing at Birkbeck, University of London, and is the Managing Editor of Content for MIROnline. He is currently working on two novels and was shortlisted for the Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2018 and was longlisted for the Grindstone Literature International Novel Prize 2018. Twitter: @peafield
MIR #5 with Lily Dunn - A Wild and Precious Life
In the fifth episode of the MIR Podcast, Peter J Coles talks to author Lily Dunn about 'A Wild and Precious Life: A Recovery Anthology'. They discuss how the anthology came about, writing addiction, and the ups and downs of alternative forms of publishing.
Show Notes:
A Wild and Precious Life: A Recovery Anthology
Shadowing the Sun by Lily Dunn
This podcast was produced and edited by Peter J Coles
Lily Dunn is a published author of fiction and creative nonfiction, teacher and PhD student. She has recently finished a hybrid memoir about the legacy of her father’s various addictions, and has had essays published by Granta, Litro, the Real Story and Aeon. She is co-founder of London Lit Lab, and a lecturer at Bath Spa University. She is leading a crowdfunding campaign with Unbound to publish an anthology of recovery stories by people who have suffered from addiction and mental illness. You can pledge for a copy here: https://unbound.com/books/recovery/
Peter J. Coles was born in Oxford and currently lives in London. He came to writing after stumbling through various universities around the world studying Japanese literature. He recently finished an MA Creative Writing at Birkbeck, University of London, and is the Managing Editor of Content for MIROnline. He is currently working on two novels and was shortlisted for the Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2018 and was long-listed for the Grindstone Literature International Novel Prize 2018. Twitter: @peafield
MIR #4 with Jane Roberts - The Power of the Feminine
In the fourth episode of the MIR Podcast, MIR15 editor Lauren Miller talks to author Jane Roberts about her story "Our Lady the Sheela Na Gig." They discuss what inspired the story, Jane's writing background and they get to the bottom of exactly what a Sheela Na Gig actually is. Jane also gives her book recommendations.
Show Notes:
Jane's Website
A Sheela Na Gig
'The Bloody Chamber' by Angela Carter
Ali Smith
Litro
High Spirits: A Round of Drinking Stories
Jane Roberts is a freelance writer living on the Shropshire/Welsh border. Her fiction has featured in a variety of anthologies and journals including: Litro, Bare Fiction Magazine, The Lonely Crowd, Wales Arts Review, LossLit Magazine, Flash: The International Short-Short Story Magazine, The Nottingham Review, NFFD Anthologies, 100 Stories for Haiti, New Sun Rising: Stories for Japan, The Refugees Welcome Anthology, Stories for Homes, Unthology 9, Retreat West’s Nothing Is As It Was, The Mechanics’ Institute Review 15, and Valley Press’ High Spirits: A Round of Drinking Stories. Upcoming stories in: Retreat West’s Resurrection Trust and a city story anthology from Arachne Press. She has been a participant in the Writing West Midlands’ Room 204 Writer Development Programme 2017/18, shortlisted for Bridport and Fish Prizes, longlisted for a Saboteur Award for Best Anthology as part of Literary Salmon, and won Bloomsbury Writers' and Artists' Flash Fiction 2013. Twitter: @JaneEHRoberts
Lauren Miller has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck. She writes fiction and was published in Mechanics Institute Review 13. Her work has been longlisted for the Fish Poetry Prize and the Bridport Prize. She has a BA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins and is the current Features Editor at MIR online. Follow her on twitter @LMillerwrite
MIR #3 with Jean McNeil and Richard Hamblyn - The Climate for Writing Panel Discussion
The third episode of the MIR Podcast comes from a live recording taken at The Climate for Writing: A MIR16 Masterclass. Deputy Managing Editor of MIROnline, Peter J Coles hosts a panel discussion on writing ‘climate’ with acclaimed authors Jean McNeil and Richard Hamblyn in which they discuss what it means to respond to a stimulus such as ‘climate’, the notion of the ‘telling image’, and different approaches to writing about such a broad and overwhelming topic like climate change.
Show Notes:
The Invention of Clouds by Richard Hamblyn
Terra: Tales of the Earth by Richard Hamblyn
Clouds: Nature and Culture by Richard Hamblyn
Hyperobjects: Philosophy and Ecology after the End of the World by Timothy Morton
Arizona State University, Everything Change Climate Fiction Contest 2018
The Environment Institute at University College London
Data Soliloquies by Richard Hamblyn & Martin John Callanan
The Science in Science Fiction: An Interview with William Gibson
Jean McNeil is the author of thirteen books, including six novels and a collection of short fiction, a collection of poetry, a travel guide and literary essays. Her work has been shortlisted for the Governor-General’s Award for fiction and the Journey Prize for short fiction (Canada). In 2016 Ice Diaries: an Antarctic Memoir, which The New York Times has called ‘stunningly written’, won the Grand Prize at the Banff Mountain Film Festival Book Competition. A novel, The Dhow House, was published by Legend Press in the UK in September 2016 and by ECW Press in Canada and the US in 2017. Fire on the Mountain was published in the UK with Legend in February 2018. Jean is a Reader in Creative Writing and co-director of the Postgraduate research programme at the University of East Anglia.
Richard Hamblyn is an award-winning environmental writer, and a lecturer in the Department of English at Birkbeck, University of London. His books include The Invention of Clouds, which won the 2002 Los Angeles Times Book Prize; Terra: Tales of the Earth, a study of natural disasters, and The Art of Science, an anthology of readable science writing from the Babylonians to the Higgs boson. His most recent book, Clouds: Nature and Culture, was published last year, and he is currently working on a long-planned book about the art and science of the sea.
MIR #2 with Lou Kramskoy - This Episode is Not Called Tiny Fighter
In the second episode of the MIR Podcast, MIR 15 editor Amy St Johnston talks to author Lou Kramskoy about her short story “The Front Line.” They discuss ways of writing anxiety, the struggle of choosing a good title, and the importance of reading your work aloud. Lou also gives us her short story recommendation.
Show Notes:
A Dream of Men by Mary Gaitskill
The End of Firpo in the World by George Saunders
This podcast was produced and edited by Peter J Coles and Lauren Miller.
Lou Kramskoy is a London-based animation screenwriter. She is a 2018 graduate of the MA Creative Writing at Birkbeck where she was joint recipient of the Birkbeck/ Sophie Warne Fellowship and also the winner of the MA Birkbeck Creative Writing Award for her dissertation. Her story “Glassblower’s Lung” won the 2018 Aesthetica Creative Writing Award. She has also been longlisted for the London Short Story, the Bristol Short Story and Mslexia Short Story prizes. Lou is working towards completing her first novel alongside a collection of short stories.
Twitter @LouKramskoy
Amy St Johnston has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck. She works as a Managing Editor for a children’s publisher and a reader for a literary agency. Follow her on twitter @amystjohnston
MIR #1 with Arhondia - Through the Laneway
In the first episode of the MIR Podcast, MIR 15 editor Lauren Miller talks to author Arhondia about her short story “Tom Corridan.” They discuss the influence of music on her writing, the power of drawing on real experience in prose, and how to develop convincing dialogue. Arhondia also gives her short story recommendation.
Show Notes:
This podcast was produced and edited by Lauren Miller and Peter J Coles.
Arhondia is a Greek-Irish writer. Growing up in Athens sparked a love for theatre and storytelling. Having moved to Ireland after completing school she studied theatre at the Conservatory of Music and Drama (DIT) in Dublin and storytelling in pubs all across the country. She worked as an actor and producer in multiple Dublin theatre venues. Arhondia completed her MA in Creative writing at Birkbeck in 2018. Her short story Tom Corridan is published in MIR15.
Lauren Miller has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck. She writes fiction and was published in Mechanics Institute Review 13. Her work has been longlisted for the Fish Poetry Prize and the Bridport Prize. She has a BA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins and is the current Features Editor at MIR online. Follow her on twitter @LMillerwrite