In this episode of Re-Creative, Mark and Joe talk to Diane Walton, a founding member and long-time managing editor of On Spec: The Canadian magazine of the Fantastic. On Spec is well known in Canadian speculative fiction circles (and beyond!) for publishing quality fiction and art from (largely but not exclusively) Canadian writers and artists.

Diane tells the lads how the highly regarded Canadian spec fic magazine began in Edmonton around 1989 after a creative writing group at the University of Alberta grew frustrated with American magazines rejecting their work for being “too Canadian”. She recounts the early days of assembling an editorial team, securing startup funds, and commissioning stories from notable authors like Dave Duncan and Eileen Kernaghan for their first saddle-stitched issue.

Re-Creative is produced by Donovan Street Press Inc. in association with MonkeyJoy Press.

Contact us at contact@donovanstreetpress.com

In this episode of Re-Creative, Joe and Mark dive into a fascinating conversation with author and publisher Lynda Williams, the "obscure Canadian Tolkien." Joining the lads from Prince George, B.C., Lynda shares how she balances her academic background in Artificial Intelligence with her sprawling, ten-novel epic, the Okal Rel saga.

They explore Lynda’s unique approach to collaboration, where she invites other writers to play in her sandbox rather than protecting her turf. They nerd out on the physics of "reality skimming" (her version of faster-than-light travel) and discuss how her universe evolved from a passion project into a collaborative literary ecosystem.

For her "homework," Lynda chose Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan of the Apes series. The three have a frank and illuminating discussion about the Victorian and colonial influences of this early 20th-century classic, and how those "larger than life" archetypes eventually seeped into—and were subverted by—Lynda’s own bioengineered cultures and dramatized philosophies.

Lynda Williams is a powerhouse of Canadian science fiction whose work bridges the gap between hard science and epic space opera. Her ability to maintain an arc from beginning to end across ten novels has earned her a dedicated following from Germany to the Maritimes.

Beyond her fiction, Lynda is a pioneer in the Canadian small-press scene and an educator who understands the intersection of technology and storytelling. Many of her co-collaborators have ensured that all aspects of the Okal Rel universe-everything from faster-than-light travel and fencing-are grounded in scientific logic and reality.

Lynda currently hosts a blog called Reality Skimming, where she continues to foster community by hosting guest posts on a wide range of intriguing themes.

You can explore the vast Okal Rel universe and find all of Lynda’s work by visiting her blog at realityskimming.com or her official series hub at okalrel.org.

For more information, please check out the show notes for this episode.

Re-Creative is produced by Donovan Street Press Inc. in association with MonkeyJoy Press.

Contact us at contact@donovanstreetpress.com

Christopher Sweet is an author from New Brunswick. Christopher has been, in his words, “…a freelance writer, manager, waiter, bartender, event DJ, actor, children’s entertainer, truck driver, shopkeeper, call centre operator, concierge, office assistant, barista, supply teacher, and—most recently—a campground manager.” He’s a cinephile, a bibliophile, a lover of nature, and currently resides on a campground in New Brunswick on the other side of the Miramichi with, as he puts it, “his growing tribe of people and pets on a peaceful river in New Brunswick’s Acadian Peninsula.”

In this episode of Re-Creative, Mark Rayner and I talk to Christopher about, well, everything we could think of related to writing, books and publishing… including our darkest fears. We each have one! But you’ll have to listen to the podcast to discover what they are.

We explore Christopher’s love for Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series, and tumble headlong down rabbit holes containing more of King’s work, including The Shining.

Christopher shares his thoughts on indie publishing, his own budding career in writing, and even waxes poetically about em dashes—a subject upon which the three of us agree.

It’s a fun, illuminating conversation with a talent to be watched… and read.

For more information, check out the show notes for this episode.

Re-Creative is produced by Donovan Street Press Inc. in association with MonkeyJoy Press.

Contact us at contact@donovanstreetpress.com

Joe and Mark welcome back writer and editor Ira Nayman, returning to Re-Creative for a third time — we like him that much!

Ira has returned to the podcast to discuss the work of actor, comedian and filmmaker Buster Keaton, in particular his stunning 1924 action/comedy Sherlock Jr., which Ira describes as “an amazing exploration of the nature of film itself” and “astonishingly smart.”

A film of “multiple layers,” Sherlock Jr. was years ahead of its time in terms of conception and execution.

Ira, Joe and Mark examine the film on every level, including the amazing and dangerous stunt work, for which Keaton is justifiably famous, and the surreal nature of his imagery, which continues to inform Ira’s own work.

For more information, check out the show notes for this episode.

Re-Creative is produced by Donovan Street Press Inc. in association with MonkeyJoy Press.

Contact us at contact@donovanstreetpress.com

Author and critic Michael Antman joins Joe and Mark for Michael's second appearance on Re-Creative.

After discussing Michael's novel, Cherry Whip: the Twentieth Anniversary Edition, recently released by Donovan Street Press, which features a Japanese protagonist, Michael explains the origin of his love for Japanese culture. According to Michael, it all happened because he didn't know what a "porter" was (it's not what you think...)

Well, that and his discovery of a six volume history of haiku.

To Michael, haiku has always been "a wonderful diversion." It's a passion that Mark shares, both Michael and Mark having actually published haiku in The Mainichi Daily News.

"A writer writes," Michael reminds us, advice he received from fellow writer Scott Turow. "I'm a writer, that's what I do."

And to prove it (not that we needed proof), he shares with us all a choice morsel of his own haiku.

For more information, check out the show notes for this episode.

Re-Creative is produced by Donovan Street Press Inc. in association with MonkeyJoy Press.

Contact us at contact@donovanstreetpress.com

This is a special re-broadcast of an episode of Re-Creative as a part of Podcasthon: "The world’s largest podcast charity initiative, bringing together podcasters globally to raise awareness for charitable causes."

The charity we wish to support is Meals on Wheels.

Ruth Abernethy, sculptor of some of the most iconic public art in Canada, joins the podcast to discuss her work.

Ruth has been a sculptor for more than thirty years, documenting in bronze many quintessential Canadian figures, such as Glenn Gould, Oscar Peterson, and Margaret Atwood.

Her connection to the theatre world goes quite deep. She began her career at Stratford, creating the sets and decorations that helps the festival bring Shakespeare to life.

Her commissions can be found across Canada, including at Queen's Park, Ontario's legislature, where visitors can see her rendition of Queen Elisabeth II, near Queen Victoria.

Mark, Joe and Ruth have a fascinating conversation about Ruth's work, her passion for creation, and her recent book.

For fans of art, this is an episode not to be missed!

For more information, check out the show notes for this episode.

Re-Creative is produced by Donovan Street Press Inc. in association with MonkeyJoy Press.

Contact us at joemahoney@donovanstreetpress.com

The lads are joined by writer, director, comic book artist and creator Christian Gossett.

Christian is on the show to champion the groundbreaking Akira Kurosawa film, Seven Samurai (1954). But first, because it's near the holidays, they discuss their favorite Christmas movies.

Christian got an early chance to design for the Star Wars universe Old Republic, and, as part of that process, created the double-bladed lightsaber. As he did this work, he did a deep dive into George Lucas's influences. One of those was Seven Samurai. The movie has had a huge influence on Christian's work.

Christian is more than a fan of Kurosawa -- he's deeply engaged with the director's process and history and is knowledgeable about both.

If you enjoy the Star Wars universe, the work of Kurosawa, and how those two worlds tie together, don't miss this episode!

For more information, check out the show notes for this episode.

Re-Creative is produced by Donovan Street Press Inc. in association with MonkeyJoy Press.

Contact us at joemahoney@donovanstreetpress.com

Spencer Evans is a working musician in Kingston, Ontario. He joins Mark and Joe to discuss the influence that Ray Charles had on him as piano player and entertainer, as well as the impact that Charles had on the history of music in America and the world.

Spencer is an old pal of Mark’s, back from their days at Queen’s University (in Kingston, ON), when they were both members of the cabaret group, Queen’s Players.

“I know for a fact that Spencer can play the hell out of a Ray Charles song. And sing the hell out of it too!” Mark says of Spencer’s choice of musical pick.

“He embodies everything that music is to me. The passion, the artistry, the individuality, the fighting against chaos,” Spencer says. He talks about how many facts of Ray Charles’ early life were stacked against him, yet did not prevent him from becoming an incredibly influential figure in American music.

For more information, check out the show notes for this episode.

Re-Creative is produced by Donovan Street Press Inc. in association with MonkeyJoy Press.

Contact us at joemahoney@donovanstreetpress.com