Transit Insight

Today’s show is a special edition from our archives. We hear the prologue for a work-in-progress by local Nashville writing fixture, and one of our Fall 2022 Contest judges, Katie McDougall.  It’s Allison Bosch’s sixtieth birthday and she’s hiking a seldom-traveled ridge in the San Juan Mountains where her husband died sixteen years prior. What happens when her dog, Jez, encounters a mountain goat will leave you wanting to read the next chapter. After the reading, we talk with Katie about her teaching background, writing method, working with agents on this novel-in-progress, and about The Porch, a Nashville non-profit that support writers through education and community. If you'd like to learn more about Katie McDougall, head over to www.katiemcdougall.com. Find more information about Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

In a futuristic, post invasion Taiwan, a woman reflects upon beauty, lovers, and things that never change. Afterward we speak with author Juan Torregrosa (a multi-lingual interpreter) about this work and his experience of living in China for over 15 years, writing in non-native languages, and the hot and cold relationship he has with reading and writing. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Juan Torregrosa, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.  

Noodle is pleased to discover a ‘special’ born amongst the newest chicks. His older sister is even more pleased, knowing this will keep Noodle occupied as she seeks enlightenment without interruption. Follow these siblings on their individual journeys that coalesce into a singular discovery. After the reading we talk Ronly Blau about the various inspirations for this work, as well as her own journey with meditation, yoga, and ayurveda. Ronly provides insight to the benefits of co-authoring her book, The Mindbody Cleanse: A 14-Day Detox and Rejuvenation Program from Ancient Ayurveda, and most importantly, she recalls the first book that brought her to tears, and revealed the power of storytelling. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Ronly Blau, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

On today’s show we talk with interdisciplinary artist, Skye Gilkerson. Her essay relays a personal journey revealing a parallel link between humanity’s connection with our planet and our bodies. During the interview, you’ll learn of Skye’s unique outlook on making both visual and prose art. She discusses burning her decades of journals as a form of creation, as well as the benefits of not completing your work. If you’d like to read this essay or learn more about Skye Gilkerson, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

After receiving repeated phone calls, messages, and inquiries asking to purchase her home, widowed Deloris sets out on a mission to deliver her own kind of justice to these phone spammers. What she discovers might surprise you. What she does about it reveals the true character of shrewd women. Afterward, we talk with Lynn about her previous work as a police lieutenant and how that influenced and impacted her writing. You’ll also hear how Lynn’s maverick ways, and role as one of the early women to take on police work, shaped her community and her personal life. If you’d like to read this work, or learn more about Lynn Hesse, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

Today’s show feature five poems by Elaine Sorrentino. Find release in your breath, know the pain of violence and choice, and wonder at the seduction of luxury and the lack of courtesy. Elaine’s poems range from lighthearted reminiscence to  shadow filled rooms. Afterward, Elaine explores the inspiration for these works and shares the journey and joy of her upcoming, co-written book, The Girl Scout and the Hitchhiker. If you’d like to read these poems or learn more about Elaine, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, story, and poetry material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

When a new-to-the-neighborhood arrival receives multiple unstamped and wax-sealed letters, she embarks on a quest to reveal the true-identity of the author. Journey with her as she discovers the surprising truth. After the reading, we talk with Sarah Butkovic about her ongoing studies in English and her exploration of creative writing. More importantly, she reveals a unique aspect of her home that served as an inspiration for the story. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Sarah, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, story, and poetry material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

Today’s show is a special edition where we hear an excerpt from Fake, a novel by John DeDakis. In the era of “fake news,” when facts are suspect and reporters are targets, White House Correspondent Lark Chadwick is thrust into the midst of a media-bashing frenzy. Fake is a real-life look behind the scenes at the ethical struggles of a female journalist in a #MeToo world walking the line between personal feelings and dispassionate objectivity – trying to discern the difference between what’s real . . . and what’s fake. After the reading, we talk with John about his background as a journalist, how he came to write a series with a female protagonist, and how the narrative spin by both supporters and detractors of the Vietnam War propelled John into journalism. If you'd like to learn more about John DeDakis or buy any of his Lark Chadwick series, head over to www.johndedakis.com. Find more information about Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2022,

Today’s show features a work of non-fiction by Larry Patten about his personal writing journey. You’ll laugh, curse, and commiserate with Larry as he walks you through some early-highs and later-lows. Afterward, we talk with Larry about lesson’s learned, the relationship of ministry to writing, and most importantly, about the first book that made him cry. If you’d like to read this work or learn more about Larry Patten, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

Not all choices are choices, and some result in devastating consequences -- on lives, on families, on relationships. After this flash fiction work, we talk with Gene Turchin about the germination of this story and its many iterations before landing at Onyx. Gene also espouses the benefits of writing every day and exploring multiple genres, including some that might surprise you. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Gene Turchin, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved

Rose is itching to get home and let the pencil loose on the page, but a chance encounter with a street evangelist changes her trajectory. Will she get the chance to etch the contours of his skin, or does the universe have other plans? Afterward, we talk with James Roderick Burns about how everyday encounters become small moments of inspiration that find their way into his stories. You’ll also hear Rod’s passion for New York history, and specifically Anthony Comstock, founder of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice. Yep, it’s as interesting as it sounds! If you’d like to read this work or learn more about J. Roderick Burns, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

Today’s show features a work of fusion by Brad Buchanan. Walk with Brad as he narrates a medical journey revealing interwoven links between life and poetry. Discover the unique medical battles he’s overcome only to face new challenges with his father’s strange symptoms. Afterward, we talk with Brad about the medical ordeal his life became, and how his wife, writing, and a lot of grit, helped him do more than just survive. If you’d like to read this work or learn more about Brad Buchanan, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

On today’s show we hear five poems by Sandra Newton. Travel to faraway lands with memories that are not your own. Know the challenge of creating verse from thought. Disappear like the memories of childhood, and laugh at the loss brought by aging. Sandra’s poems explore the experience of being human with all its wonders and regrets. Afterward, she shares her journey to writing, which might include a stop in the middle-ages, and advice on improving your craft through determination. If you’d like to read these poems or learn more about Sandra, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, story, and poetry material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

A co-ed middle school sleep over, filled with awkward boys and confident girls, leads to competitions, dares, and firsts -- pleasant memories that not even chocolate can destroy. During the interview, Francis Miller reveals the inspiration for the story, and how memoir-turned-fiction equals fun and creative story telling. He also elucidates his path for leaving a high-paying day job to pursue his passion. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Francis, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, story, and poetry material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

You’re sitting shirtless on the front porch with a coffee and no job. You imagine your self-loathing is seated beside you, awaiting your next dumb-ass move, ready to spin you further into derision. Does redemption await across the street, or is that another step toward alcoholism? After the story, we talk with Rebecca Cuthbert about her cobbled together path toward writing, her work as an editor, and the inspiration behind this story. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Rebecca, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, story, and poetry material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

On today’s show we hear four poems by award winning writer and newspaper editor, Dana Yost. Escape into the woods. Laugh about the joke gone wrong. Discover solace in a lonely super power. Know the lure of obsession. Dana’s poems are raw and honest, as is his interview.  After the reading, Dana shares details about struggles with an illness always jockeying for the front seat of your mind, and provides insight on believing in your writing. If you’d like to read Dana’s poems or learn more about him, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, story, and poetry material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

An unexpected visit by his father-in-law while his pre-teen daughter and friend are crafting ‘happy memory’ homework is enough to make Paul see phantoms of his dead wife. The question is, does anyone else see them too? During the interview we talk with Stephen Policoff about this chapter from his upcoming book, The Dangerous Blues, as well as his fascination with delusional beliefs and the supernatural. Stephen discusses how playwriting has improved his fiction writing and give tips for minding your writing feedback. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Stephen Policoff, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

On today’s show we hear five poems by Kimberly Thornton. Her works take you from soaring skies and intimate connections to dark places where death worms its way into your being. Afterward, we talk with Kimberly about how relationships are key to her writing and the importance of observation in understanding others and ourselves. If you’d like to read these poems or learn more about Kimberly Thornton, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

Heather welcomes the challenges of modern frontier living with her childhood sweetheart and their children, but as time and things change, she wonders if the parts of her she’s lost are gone for good. During the interview, we talk with Jerri Jerreat about her love and respect for nature, and how that weaves its way into her work. You might also learn a surprising lifelong wish, and we guarantee it will surprise you! Jerri also offers insight into ways writers can improve their craft by riding the bus. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Jerri, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

Peter is wrestling with the passing of his mother and what it means for the choices he’s made and is making. A chance meeting at a local bar finds him wandering small town backroads looking for something -- maybe even answers. After the story, we talk with Tacheny Perry about the roots of this story and how her personal experiences filter in. She also provides a perspective on getting an MFA in Writing and how that helped focus her energy. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Tacheny, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2021, all rights reserved.