Tag Archives: KW Writer’s Alliance

Reader’s Delight Episode 21, August 24, 2025

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).

Reader’s Delight Episode 20, July 27, 2025

Episode 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 him to write his debut novel, Drinking The Ocean (Wolsak and Wynn).

 

Reader’s Delight Episode 19, June 22, 2025

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.

 

Reader’s Delight Episode 18, May 25, 2025

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.

Reader’s Delight Episode 17, April 27, 2025

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

Readers DelightSky blue background. 'Readers Delight live, on-air reading series' Logo is a book open with three people emerging from pages. 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.

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Recent Episodes

Reader’s Delight Episode 23, October 26, 2025 Episode 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, 2025 Episode 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, 2025 Episode 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, 2025 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 … Continue reading Reader’s Delight Episode 19, June 22, 2025
Reader’s Delight Episode 18, May 25, 2025 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 … Continue reading Reader’s Delight Episode 18, May 25, 2025
Reader’s Delight Episode 17, April 27, 2025 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 … Continue reading Reader’s Delight Episode 17, April 27, 2025
Reader’s Delight, Episode 16, March 23, 2025 with Sarah Tolmie, Ruth Thompson, and Adrienne Stevenson Cohosts Suzanne Craig-Whytock and Richard H. Stephens are delighted to share the 16th episode of Reader’s Delight. On Sunday, March 23rd, we had the privilege to  not only speak with 3 more talented authors, but also enjoyed listening as they read excerpts from their books. Our guests listed by order of appearance: Sarah Tolmie: Sarah is … Continue reading Reader’s Delight, Episode 16, March 23, 2025 with Sarah Tolmie, Ruth Thompson, and Adrienne Stevenson
Reader’s Delight, Episode 16, featuring Ruth Thompson, Adrienne Stevenson, and Sarah Tolmie Join us this Sunday at 2PM as we talk with Ruth Thompson and Sarah Tolmie in studio, as well as hear from Adrienne Stevenson who will be joining our show via a recording all the way from Ottawa. Ruth Thompson is a Holistic Nutritionist in Cambridge with two books about holistic health–sharing insights on how … Continue reading Reader’s Delight, Episode 16, featuring Ruth Thompson, Adrienne Stevenson, and Sarah Tolmie
Reader’s Delight , Episode 15 Host, Richard H. Stephens, Fantasy Author, welcomed guest authors, Daryl J. Ball, Sruthi Amalan, and new Reader’s Delight host, Suzanne Craig-Whytock to speak a bit about themselves and read an excerpt from their writings. Daryl J. Ball is the author of a vampiric journal-type novel called the Tannis Project, and the fantasy series, the Barriers … Continue reading Reader’s Delight , Episode 15
Reader’s Delight, Episode 15 You can find out more about Adrienne Stevenson by clicking here. You can find out more about Sruthi Amalan by clicking here. You can find out more about Daryl J. Ball by clicking here.

See all previous episodes .

CKMS Community Connections for 1 September 2023 with Vanessa Ricci-Thode of Waterloo Bookfest and the KW Writer’s Alliance

Show Notes

(a woman with blue hair wearing a purple dress and a facemask sits at a microphone)
Vanessa Ricci-Thode

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.

The interview starts at 4m57s.

KW Writer’s Alliance Online:

Vanessa Ricci-Thode:

Waterloo Bookfest | Local authors. Live readings. | Saturday September 9th 1pm-7pm | Waterloo Public Square (black letters on an orange and green graduated background)
 

Upcoming Events

Podcast

Download: ckms-community-connections-2023-09-01-episode138-Vanessa-Ricci-Thode-of-Waterloo-Bookfest-and-KW-Writers-Alliance.mp3 (52 MB, 56m34s, episode 138)

Index

Time Title Album Artist
0m00s Theme for CKMS Community Connections ccc CKMS Sunflower logo (yellow petals surrounding a black centre with white wavies all on a teal background)
CKMS Community Connections
Steve Todd
1m00s Stay Awake Quiet In The Land
Quiet In The Land
Quiet In The Land
4m57s 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.
19m35s Unbreakable You Unbreakable | single | Natalia Zuk (B&W photo of a woman playing piano)
(single)
Natalia Zuk
23m16s 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.
33m18s Kicks In The Night Athanase | Between II Shores (painting of a schooner in full rigging approaching the viewer)
Between II Shores
Athanase
36m35s 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.
43m30s Fireborn Vanessa Ricci-Thode | Fireborn | Fireborn Series Book Three ()illustration of a woman carrying a large battleaxe looking away from the viewer beyond some rocks at dragons made of fire
(Book)
Vanessa Ricci-Thode
48m41s 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.

Got music, spoken word, or other interesting stuff? Let us know at ccc@radiowaterloo.ca or leave a comment on our “About” page.

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Bonus Video

YouTube: CKMS Community Connections for Friday 1 September 2023

Show notes and podcast interview content is Copyright © 2023 by the participants, and released under a CC BYCreative Commons Attribution Only license. Copy, re-use, and derivative works are allowed with attribution to Radio Waterloo and a link to this page. Music selections are copyright by the respective rights holders.