Episode XXI of Reader’s Delight features authors Christy Climenhage, Su Chang, and Hollay Ghadery.
Christy Climenhage talks about her debut novel The Midnight Project (Wolsak and Wynn, 2025), her education and life experiences that inform her work, and then reads an excerpt from the novel.
Su Chang introduces her latest work, The Immortal Woman (House of Anansi Press) and then reads an excerpt.
Hollay Ghadery discusses her multi-genre publishing journey and the things that inspire her writing, then reads two pieces from her new short story collection, Widow Fantasies (Gordon Hill Press, 2024).
Episode XIX of Reader’s Delight Features authors Natalie Lim, Alexis von Konigslow, and James Cairns.
Natalie Lim talks about her new poetry collection Elegy for Opportunity (Wolsak and Wynn) and reads several pieces from the collection.
Alexis von Konigslow shares how she wrote her latest novel The Exclusion Zone (Wolsak and Wynn) and reads an excerpt from the book.
James Cairns discusses the evolution of his new essay collection In Crisis, On Crisis (Wolsak and Wynn) with host Suzanne Craig-Whytock and reads from the collection.
Episode XVIII of Reader’s Delight features authors Vanessa Ricci-Thode, Rick Hipson, and Sarah Mae Conrad.
Vanessa tells us about the upcoming Waterloo Bookfest on Saturday, May 31st from 2pm to 8 pm at Waterloo Town Square, and reads from her upcoming release The Dragon Next Door.
Rick Hipson shares the creative process behind his popular book A Reviewer’s Guide To Reviewing Books, talks about the art of writing drabbles, and reads from his collection 13 Dreadful Drabbles To Die For.
Sarah Mae Conrad discusses her new collection of romantic comedy short stories M Is For Meet Cute, and reads from the first story in the collection, A Is For Airplane.
Episode XVII of Reader’s Delight features authors Emily De Angelis, Sruthi Amalan, and Caitlin Galway.
Emily discusses her new chapbook IN THE SPACE BETWEEN: THE ‘NEW WOMAN’ IN THE WRITING OF FLORENCE CARLYLE and reads some of her poetry as well as excerpts from Florence Carlyle’s work. She also provides a synopsis of her Young Adult novel The Stones of Burren Bay (Latitude 46 Publishing).
Sruthi Amalan speaks about her creative process and reads from her new poetry collection The skin is an ocean, due to be published in 2026 by DarkWinter Press.
Caitlin Galway offers some insight and background to her upcoming short story collection A Song For Wildcats (upcoming with Dundurn Press) and reads an excerpt from the title story in the collection.
Readers Delight showcases local Authors who do live, on-air readings of their work.
Readers Delight is produced by the KW Writers Alliance and hosted by Suzanne Craig-Whytock. Readers Delight airs on CKMS-FM from 2:00pm to 3:00pm on the fourth Sunday of the month with a #Replay on the second Sunday of the month.
Reader’s Delight, Episode 28, March 22, 2026Episode XXVIII of Reader’s Delight features authors Danila Botha, Jason Allen, and Paul Edward Costa. Danila Botha tells us about her new graphic novel Vidal (At Bay Press, 2026) and discusses some of the inspiration behind her latest novel A Place For People Like Us (Guernica Editions, 2025), then reads from the opening chapter of … Continue reading Reader’s Delight, Episode 28, March 22, 2026→
Reader’s Delight, Episode 27, February 22, 2026Episode XXVII of Reader’s Delight features authors Irina Moga, David Giuliano, and Whitney French. Irina Moga talks about her writing process, her love of poetry that fuses the cerebral and the sensory, and then reads from her new collection, Quantum, published by DarkWinter Press last year. Social media: @pictopoems Books: irinamoga.com David Giuliano joins us … Continue reading Reader’s Delight, Episode 27, February 22, 2026→
Reader’s Delight Episode 26, January 25, 2026Episode XXVI of Reader’s Delight features authors Cindy Matthews, Brad Smith, and Melissa Schnarr. Cindy Matthews joins us to talk about her third short story collection Audrey Droop (DarkWinter Press, 2026), her writing routines and processes, and reads an excerpt from one of her favourite stories. Instagram: @cindymatthews1957 Book Site: The Roach Family and Other … Continue reading Reader’s Delight Episode 26, January 25, 2026→
Reader’s Delight Episode 25, December 28, 2025Episode XXV of Reader’s Delight features authors Lindsay Mayhew, Connor LaFortune, Kyle Flemmer, and Vanessa Ricci-Thode. Lindsay Mayhew and Connor LaFortune join us to discuss the evolution of the anthology they co-edited, A Thousand Tiny Awakenings, and to read their own contributions to the collection. Social media: @lindsaymayhewpoet http://NMKNS.ca Books: A Thousand Tiny Awakenings Kyle … Continue reading Reader’s Delight Episode 25, December 28, 2025→
Reader’s Delight Episode 24, November 23, 2025Episode XXIV of Reader’s Delight features authors Aamir Hussain, Susan Salomonsson, and Margo LaPierre. Aamir Hussain joins us to talk about the development of his debut novel Under the Full and Crescent Moon (Dundurn Press, 2025), especially the influence of family on the novel, and reads an excerpt focusing on the main character. Website: https://aamiranauthor.ca/ … Continue reading Reader’s Delight Episode 24, November 23, 2025→
Reader’s Delight Episode 23, October 26, 2025Episode XXIII of Reader’s Delight features authors Maria Sayde, Jane Ann McLachlan, and Tolu Oloruntoba. Maria Sayde joins us her introduce her new manuscript, a Greek-Phoenician mythology retelling titled Sea Of Stars and reads from the Prologue and Chapter 1 of the book. Website: http://linktr.ee/mariasayde IG: http://instagram.com/mariaasayde TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariaasayde Jane Ann McLachlan talks about writing in a variety of … Continue reading Reader’s Delight Episode 23, October 26, 2025→
Reader’s Delight Episode 22, September 28, 2025Episode XXII of Reader’s Delight features authors Jinwoo Park, Michael Mirolla, and Emily De Angelis. Jinwoo Park discusses his new novel Oxford Soju Club (Dundurn Press, 2025) and his writing journey then reads an excerpt from the novel. Website: https://jinwoo–park.com/ Indigo Buy Link: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/oxford-soju-club/9781459755109.html Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Oxford-Soju-Club-Jinwoo–Park/dp/1459755103 Michael Mirolla talks about writing in a variety of … Continue reading Reader’s Delight Episode 22, September 28, 2025→
Reader’s Delight Episode 20, July 27, 2025Episode XX of Reader’s Delight features authors Catherine Bush, Laura Gorman, and Saad Omar Khan. Catherine Bush reads an excerpt from her short story “Derecho”, from her collection Skin (Goose Lane Editions). Laura Gorman discusses her poetry and reads several pieces from her work in progress. Saad Omar Khan discusses his publishing journey and what inspired … Continue reading Reader’s Delight Episode 20, July 27, 2025→
Reader’s Delight Episode 19, June 22, 2025Episode XIX of Reader’s Delight Features authors Natalie Lim, Alexis von Konigslow, and James Cairns. Natalie Lim talks about her new poetry collection Elegy for Opportunity (Wolsak and Wynn) and reads several pieces from the collection. Alexis von Konigslow shares how she wrote her latest novel The Exclusion Zone (Wolsak and Wynn) and reads an … Continue reading Reader’s Delight Episode 19, June 22, 2025→
Reader’s Delight Episode 18, May 25, 2025Episode XVIII of Reader’s Delight features authors Vanessa Ricci-Thode, Rick Hipson, and Sarah Mae Conrad. Vanessa tells us about the upcoming Waterloo Bookfest on Saturday, May 31st from 2pm to 8 pm at Waterloo Town Square, and reads from her upcoming release The Dragon Next Door. Rick Hipson shares the creative process behind his popular … Continue reading Reader’s Delight Episode 18, May 25, 2025→
Vanessa Ricci-Thode is one of the organizers for Waterloo Bookfest and a founder of the KW Writer’s Alliance, as well as the author of a series of books. She talks to Bob Jonkman about Bookfest and the KW Writer’s Alliance, writing, and reads from her most recent book, Fireborn.
Vanessa Ricci-Thode tells us about Waterloo Bookfest, some of the special guests (Katie Mack, E.K. Johnston), and more listed on the KW Writer’s Alliance Bookfest website. How KW Writer’s Alliance got started on Zoom during the height of the pandemic. Talking about NaNoWriMo, the National Novel Writing Month. KW Writer’s Alliance was started with Caroline Topperman, looking to give Waterloo Region authors a space to keep writing all year ’round. Support includes moral support (especially after rejections!), guides to publishing, guides to improving the writing craft. Talking about traditional publishing vs. self-publishing.
Running down the events taking place at Waterloo Bookfest. How Bookfest is organized. There are 70 authors, and there’s a waiting list! Talking about other events, like Word On The Street which is no longer happening in Waterloo Region. Authors bring their books (of course), but some will have bookmarks and artwork as well. There is overlap in the arts for authors, several are visual artists or musicians. Jason Baronette is one such author, he’ll be at Bookfes, but he’s been on CKMS Community Connections as part of his band Athanase.
It’s the Waterloo Bookfest, that means for all of Waterloo Region, including Kitchener, Cambridge, and the rural townships. Vanessa will be at Bookfest as an author, with her series Fireborn. Vanessa tells us about her writing process. Talking about acquiring Fireborn and the logistics of getting it in online stores.
Bob encourages more prose readings on the radio. Vanessa tells us about other reading series in southern Ontario. The website is for Grand River Writers & KW Writer’S Alliance, bringing in people from outside of Waterloo Region. Talking about possible upcoming events, readings, workshops. Vanessa gives some ideas for future workshops.
55m43s
Vanessa recaps the details for Bookfest and Bob gives the end credits.
CKMS Community Connections Hour One airs on CKMS-FM 102.7 on Monday from 11:00am to Noon, and Hour Two airs alternate Fridays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
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