Coffee Pod|cast

What impact does a simple act of compassion have on someone suffering post-traumatic stress? In this episode, Ali and Emma discuss Shady Cosgrove's moving microfiction, 'Aftermath' published in the microlit anthology, Shuffle and narrated by Alex Neal. Our presenters have differing interpretations of what it is that the character Jimmy has been through and dive into this short but powerful text for clues. Tell us what you think. Join the conversation on the Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page. About the author SHADY COSGROVE is the author of What the Ground Can’t Hold (Picador, 2013) and She Played Elvis (Allen and Unwin, 2009), which was shortlisted for the Australian Vogel Award. Her short fiction has appeared in Best Australian Stories, Overland, Antipodes, Southerly, Shuffle and other Spineless Wonder anthologies. About the actor ALEX NEAL  graduated QUT Acting in 2017, and has been living and working in syd for 4 months.  In that time he has completed a TVC for ESS super and is currently working  on an AFT

If your anxiety was an animal, what would it be? Ali and Emma sit down over a coffee and ponder this after listening to Brenda Saunders' microlit 'Birding' narrated by Anna Finisterer. Join the conversation over at the Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page. About the author BRENDA SAUNDERS is a Wiradjuri artist and writer living in Sydney. Her third collection Looking for Bullin Bullin won the 2014 Scanlon Prize, the Woollahra Literary Prize and was short listed for the David Unaipon Award. Her work appears in many selected anthologies and poetry journals such as Australian Poetry, Southerly, Overland and VerityLa. Credits Presenters: Ali Morris and Emma Walsh Producer: Bronwyn Mehan Theme music: James Seymour Coffee Pod|cast has been produced with the support of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and we wish to also acknowledge the support of Little Fictions by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund and the City of Sydney Matching Grants program.  

Season 1 of Coffee Pod|cast ends with Ali and Emma switching to espresso tequilas to discuss Dominique Hecq's 'Four Thousand Winks' narrated by Whitney Richards. The discussion ranges from Dr Who to pregnancy sex and we ask do you remember your actual birth day? Tell us what think of our podcast, join the conversation on the Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page. Coffee Pod|cast Season 2 begins in February 2019. About the Author DOMINIQUE HECQ grew up in the French-speaking part of Belgium, then moved to Melbourne to write a PhD on exile in Australian fiction. Some would say she’s become one of the characters in the books she’d been reading. Dominique is the author of fifteen books, the latest being Hush: A Fugue (UWA Publishing, 2017). Read our Q&A with the author here. About the Actor WHITNEY RICHARDS has been a professional actor, singer, dancer and writer for 8 years. She was born and bred in Western Australia and has performed extensively there, throughout Canada & in Sydney. Her career highlights include w

In this episode, Ali and Emma chat about Pamela Seckin's 'Amelie' which is performed by Eleni Schumacher. They discuss the movie which inspired this microlit and delve into the meaning of the ‘manic pixie dream girl’ trope it is based on. They reminisce about their own Paris adventures and ask their listeners if they dream of being Amelie (or not) in Paris (or elsewhere). Join the conversation on the Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page. image description About the Author PAMELA SECKIN studied Creative Writing at the University of Wollongong. She enjoys the creative aspect that writing accommodates for, while also relishing the research process that writing entails. Pam will be undertaking further study to pursue a career as a librarian while continuing her writing. Read our interview with Pamela Seckin, here. 'Amelie' is published in the Spineless Wonders' microlit anthology, Landmarks. About the Actor ELENI SCHUMACHER is a Sydney-based actor with experience in theatrical production, writing, collaborating a

In this episode, Ali and Emma chat about Shady Cosgrove's microlit, 'Call An Ambulance' which was performed by Eleni Schumacher as part of Spineless Wonders' live show, Little Fictions at Knox Street Bar, Chippendale in Sydney. Our curious podcast hosts ask what if this was narrated by a person of a different gender, what if the victim, Patrick was a woman and anyway what really did happen between floors in this elevator? Tell us what you think. Join the discussion on the Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page. 'Call An Ambulance' is published in Flashing The Square. About the Author SHADY COSGROVE is an American-born writer who lives in the Illawarra and teaches prose fiction and editing at the University of Wollongong, Australia. Her books include What the Ground Can’t Hold (Picador, 2013) and She Played Elvis (Allen and Unwin, 2009), which was shortlisted for the Australian Vogel Prize. She has recently finished drafting her novel Freefall about dumpster divers and squatters in Brooklyn. Find out more about Shad

In this episode, Ali and Emma present Johanna Ellersdorfer's 'Texting Through Time Zones' performed by Felix Johnson. They chat about geograhically-challenged relationships and the issues we all face when mediating life in the world of social media. Have you had a long-distance relationship? Join the conversation here on the Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page. 'Texting Through Time Zones' appears in the microlit anthology, Time edited by Cassandra Atherton. About the author JOHANNA ELLERSDORFER grew up in Sydney and works as a paintings conservator. Over the past ten years she has lived in various cities in Australia, Europe and the USA, and writes small stories in her spare time. Read our Q&A with the author here.   Credits Presenters: Ali Morris and Emma Walsh Producer: Bronwyn Mehan Theme music: James Seymour Coffee Pod|cast has been produced with the support of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and we wish to also acknowledge the support of Litt

In this episode, Ali and Emma discuss Angie Holst's 'Addicted' which is performed by Lauren Hamilton Neill. See if you can guess what the addiction is before the reveal. Join the discussion on Facebook. About the author Angie Holst is an eclectic and versatile Sydney-based writer. In 2013 her YA novel, Expectations was published by Really Blue Books. Her writing appears online at Mammamia and she won ABC Radio 702's Face4Radio competition. You can read a Q&A with Angie Holst, here. 'Addicted' was published in the Spineless Wonders' microlit anthology, Flashing The Square. Credits Presenters: Ali Morris and Emma Walsh Producer: Bronwyn Mehan Theme music: James Seymour Coffee Pod|cast has been produced with the support of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and we wish to also acknowledge the support of Little Fictions by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund and the City of Sydney Matching Grants program.

In this episode, Emma and Ali discuss 'Blue Light Disco' written by Newcastle author, Kellie Hawkins and performed by Eleni Schumacher. Their chat ranges across topics from Brett Kavanaugh to ballet flats and they ask you to share your memories of primary school dances. Join the discussion on Facebook. About the author Kellie Hawkins is a writer from Newcastle, New South Wales. 'Blue Light Disc0' was a finalist in the 2016 Newcastle Writers Festival Microlit Award.  Kelli's middle grade novel Miss Alice Einstein's School for Talking Pets is longlisted in the 2018 CBCA Aspiring Writers Mentorship Program and she was the recipient of the Faber Academy's Writing a Novel First Draft scholarship in 2016. Credits Presenters: Ali Morris and Emma Walsh Producer: Bronwyn Mehan Theme music: James Seymour Coffee Pod|cast has been produced with the support of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and we wish to also acknowledge the support of Little Fictions by t

In this episode, Ali and Emma discuss Samantha See's 'Perpetual Motion' which is performed by Eleni Schumacher. Do we all really need to be attached to a particular physical place to feel at home? Join the discussion on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/cofffeeepodcast/ About the author Samantha See is a twenty-two year old writer, theatre maker and university student who is based in Sydney. Her short story, Parental Rights, was published in the 2016 edition of ZineWest. Read an interview with her here. 'Perpetual Motion' was published by Spineless Wonders in Landmarks edited by Cassandra Atherton. Credits Presenters: Ali Morris and Emma Walsh Producer: Bronwyn Mehan Theme music: James Seymour Coffee Pod|cast has been produced with the support of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and we wish to also acknowledge the support of Little Fictions by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund and the City of Sydney Matching Grants program.

In this episode, Ali and Emma discuss Angela Myer's 'To And From Your House' read by Eleni Schumacher. It's the morning after the night before and zombies are riding the Melbourne tram - or have our podcasters lost the plot? Join the discussion on Facebook. About the author Angela Meyer’s writing has been widely published, including in Best Australian Stories, Island, The Big Issue, The Australian, The Lifted Brow and Killings. She has previously published a book of flash fiction, Captives (Inkerman & Blunt). She has worked in bookstores, as a book reviewer, in a whisky bar and is currently a publisher with Echo Publishing. She grew up in Northern NSW and lives in Melbourne. @literaryminded / literaryminded.com.au 'To And From Your House' is published in Flashing The Square. Credits Presenters: Ali Morris and Emma Walsh Producer: Bronwyn Mehan Theme music: James Seymour Coffee Pod|cast has been produced with the support of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and adv

In this episode, Ali and Emma discuss Bry Throssell’s ‘Home Design Spring Catalogue’ performed by actor Lauren Hamilton Neill. Is this an Alice In Wonderland scenario or a piece about dementia?  Let us know, here on the Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page. About the Author Bry Throssell is a graphic designer, visual artist and emerging writer residing in Sydney's Inner-West. After several years working in evidence preparation, Bry now works as an in-house designer at a leading Australian law firm. Bry has received highly commended titles for writing in the FAW awards, Ipswich Poetry Feast and featured in Spineless Wonders 2015. Searching @fatttony.draws on instagram will lead you to a collection of Bry's art/design work, which is often accompanied by writing (aka excessively lengthy captions). ‘Home Design Spring Catalogue’ is published in Out of Place  An anthology of microlit, edited by Kirsten Tranter and Linda Godfrey. Cover by Richard Holt Credits Presenters: Ali Morris and Emma Walsh Producer: Bronwyn

In this episode, Ali and Emma discuss Lee Kofman’s ‘Permanence’ performed by actor Whitney Richards. In a world where nothing is really permanent, are we better off turning to the virtual world?  Let us know, here on the Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page. About the Author LEE KOFMAN is an award-winning author of four books, including the memoir The Dangerous Bride, and co-editor of Rebellious Daughters. Her next book, about imperfect bodies, will be out with Affirm Press. 'Permanence’ was published in Time An anthology of microlit, edited by Cassandra Atherton. Credits Presenters: Ali Morris and Emma Walsh Producer: Bronwyn Mehan Theme music: James Seymour Coffee Pod|cast has been produced with the support of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and we wish to also acknowledge the support of Little Fictions by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund and the City of Sydney Matching Grants program.

In this episode, Ali and Emma discuss Tess Pearson's 'Traces' performed by actor Eleni Schumacher. So, are you an outdoor or an indoor toenail cutter?  Let us know, here on the Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page. About the Author TESS PEARSON is a Sydney-based writer of poetry and prose. In 2014 Tess was awarded a Varuna Residential Fellowship and in 2018 she won The Newcastle Writers Festival/joanne burns MicroLit Award. Tess has been published in Spineless Wonders’ anthologies Out of Place (2015), Landmarks (2017) and Time (2018). Her work has been performed in Sydney numerous times at Little Fictions events. 'Traces' was published in Time An anthology of microlit, edited by Cassandra Atherton. Credits Presenters: Ali Morris and Emma Walsh Producer: Bronwyn Mehan Theme music: James Seymour Coffee Pod|cast has been produced with the support of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and we wish to also acknowledge the support of Little Fictions by the Copy

In this episode, Ali and Emma discuss Jon Steiner's  'Rights of Man' performed by Joel Horwood and recorded live at Sydney's Knox Street Bar. Let us know what you think of the story, here on the Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page. About the Author JON STEINER is a writer and screenwriter who lives in Sydney. An American by birth, he migrated to Australia in 2000. His work has appeared in the UTS Writers’ Anthology and Spineless Wonders' anthology, Escape. His stories are regularly performed at Little Fictions and two of his stories, 'Gecko' and 'Robber' have been made into short films by Reuben Field. View a video interview with host, Emma Rose Smith,  Jon Steiner and his editor, Josh Mei-Ling Dubrau, here on the Spineless Wonders' Youtube channel. 'Rights of Man' was published in The Last Wilkie's & other stories. Credits Presenters: Ali Morris and Emma Walsh Producer: Bronwyn Mehan Theme music: James Seymour Coffee Pod|cast has been produced with the support of the Australian Government through the Austra

In this episode, Ali and Emma discuss Vivienne Plumb's  'The Alternative Plan' performed by Oscar Morphew and recorded live at Sydney's Knox Street Bar. Let us know what you think of the story, here on the Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page. About the Author Vivienne Plumb is an Australian/New Zealand playwright, poet and fiction writer. Her writing highlights the fantastic and miraculous in everyday experience. Her plays have been performed in New Zealand and international venues, and The Diary as a Positive in Female Adult Behavior has been translated into Polish. Plumb's first novel, Secret City, was published in 2003. She has held several residencies, including one in 2004 at the University of Iowa and the 2006 Massey University writers' residency. Vivienne has a BA and an MA from Victoria University in Wellington, and holds a Doctorate in Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong, Australia. Her short story collection, The Glove Box & other stories was published by Spineless Wonders in 2014. Read an in

In this episode, Ali and Emma get serious with a discussion of Melissa Beit's moving account of an induced labour in 'A Hospital Birth'. It makes for compelling listening. Let us know what you think of the story, here on the Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page. About the Author MELISSA BEIT’S short fiction has been published in Southerly, Meanjin, the Sleepers Almanac, Best Australian Stories, New Australian Stories, Skive Magazine and the Australian Women’s Weekly. She lives in coastal northern NSW with her family and a bunch of chooks. Read an interview with Melissa, here. 'A Hospital Birth' was published in Out of Place, an anthology of microlit. Credits Presenters: Ali Morris and Emma Walsh Producer: Bronwyn Mehan Theme music: James Seymour Coffee Pod|cast has been produced with the support of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and we wish to also acknowledge the support of Little Fictions by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund and the City of Syd

In this episode, Emma has chosen 'Well, Then' written by Susan McCreery, read by Eleni Schumacher and recorded live at Little Fictions at Sydney's Knox St Bar. Our presenters challenge you to find some sexual innuendos in this piece. Let us know what you think of 'Well, Then' by leaving a comment on the Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page.About the Author SUSAN MCCREERY is a writer from Thirroul, NSW. Her microfiction has been published by Spineless Wonders (Writing To The Edge, Flashing The Square, Out of Place), as well as by Seizure and Cuttlefish. Her poetry and short fiction have appeared in Best Australian Poems 2009, Sleepers Almanac, Going Down Swinging, Hecate, Five Bells, and Island among others. Story competition shortlistings include the Overland/Victoria University, the Hal Porter, The Age, the Margaret River and the Albury City; prizes include the joanne burns/Flashing the Square, the Carmel Bird, the Bundaberg Writers, the Peter Cowan Writers, and the Julie Lewis. Her poetry collection, Waiting for

In this episode, Ali has chosen ‘Tooth' written and read by Jon Steiner and recorded live at Little Fictions, a show performed in Sydney's Knox Street Bar. Our presenters try to determine if this story is terribly sad, terribly funny or both. Let us know what you think of 'Tooth' by leaving a comment on The Coffee Pod|cast Facebook page. About the author Jon Steiner grew up in Washington, D.C. He went to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, graduating in 1993 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Film. After a few years in Texas and a few years in New York City, he migrated to Australia in 2000. In 2008, he completed a Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney. He lives in the Sydney suburb of Tempe with his wife and daughter. 'Tooth’ is published in Jon Steiner’s debut collection, The Last Wilkie’s and other stories. Credits Presenters: Ali Morris and Emma Walsh Producer: Bronwyn Mehan Theme music: James Seymour Coffee Pod|cast  has been produced with the support of the Au

In this episode of Coffee Pod|cast it's Emma's turn to choose a microfiction to listen to and discuss. Her pick is 'Taken' by Michelle Wright. The narration by Alex Williams was recorded in front of a live audience at Little Fictions in Knox St Bar, Chippendale. Listen in, join the discussion on Facebook and don't forget to subscribe on your favourite podcast platform.'Taken' was published in Flashing The Square (Spineless Wonders, 2014) an anthology of microlit. About the author Michelle Wright writes short stories and flash fiction. She’s won the Age (2012), Alan Marshall (2014) and Grace Marion Wilson (2013) Awards, and the Writers Victoria Templeberg Fellowship (2013). In 2013, she was placed second in the Bridport Prize for Flash Fiction. Her debut collection, Fine was published in 2016. About the actor Alex Williams is an actor and singer with a flair for comedy. He performed in Sydney and Adelaide Fringe Festivals with the Sexy Tales Comedy Collective, performing wickedly comic plays by Patrick Len

Australian short story publisher, Spineless Wonders is excited to be releasing the very first episode of Coffee Pod|cast and introducing your hosts, Emma Walsh and Ali Morris. Join Emma and Ali as each episode they select for you a microfiction, read by an actor, and then chat about it over their morning coffee. In this first episode, they have chosen 'Sanctuary' read by Kate Fraser and recorded live at Little Fictions, a show performed in Sydney's Knox Street Bar. 'Sanctuary' was written by Shady Cosgrove and is published in Landmarks, an anthology of prose poems and microfiction edited by Cassandra Atherton. About the author SHADY COSGROVE is the author of What the Ground Can’t Hold (Picador, 2013) and She Played Elvis (Allen and Unwin, 2009), which was shortlisted for the Australian Vogel Award. Her short fiction has appeared in Best Australian Stories, Overland, Antipodes, Southerly and other Spineless Wonders anthologies. About the actor KATE FRASER is a graduate of the Actors Centre Australia. Her the