Transit Insight

Experience the frustration, the anger, the bewilderment that a naive young Jehovah’s Witness encounters as she is betrayed by the system and the elders she trusts. This potent First Place Prose winner of Etched Onyx’s 2024 Writing Contest explores the convergence of doctrine and emotional, psychological, and domestic violence. After the reading, award-winning author, Summer Hammond, talks about some of the crueler aspects of her childhood religion that impel her to write, and she shares writing advice gems such as contrary action and approaching critiques with your heart. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Summer, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

A first-generation boy learns through the cruelty of his classmates that his given name is not a blessing but a curse at his American school. Second Place Prose winner, Jill Martin, tells a poignant and relevant story for the Etched Onyx 2024 Writing Contest. Afterward, Jill talks about her writing process, the importance of prompts, submitting pieces, and how to get inspired by rejection. If you’d like to read her story or learn more about her fascinating novel in progress, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

Vengeance is a drink best served cold. Etched Onyx’s third place prose winner, Lindsay Marshall, weaves a web of intrigue, slowly revealing the cause and effect of male predation of women. During the interview, Lindsay spills the tea about dancing bartenders, the value of MFAs, and the uniquely inspiring performances of both Green Day and the show Supernatural. If you’d like to read Lindsay’s story or learn more about her, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

From mistresses and tornadoes to what to take as you leave a life behind, Nancy Beauregard’s collection of poetry will make you smile, and all the while, her everyday silken wisdom will leave you reverent. Nancy won First Place for poetry in the Etched Onyx 2024 Writing Contest. Nancy really did survive tornadoes, inspiring her to move to New Mexico where she began a career as a writer and teacher. Learn about Nancy’s writing work with the incarcerated, about Japanese poetry forms, and about her belief that grief can inspire the best poetry. Find out why she believes strongly in writing groups, especially the Badass Over 60 Writers group, and discover how Nancy is quite the badass herself. If you’d like to read her poems or learn more about Nancy, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

Storms, history, humanity, the wild, and the wild within us come together in these lyrical diaspora poems by Ryan Caidic. From home-country longing, to lives in the past and present, these poems will transport you into thought spaces you probably avoid. After the reading, Ryan discusses diaspora poetry, how creative advertisers and poets have the same goals, and what it’s like to raise a family in a country not your own. Ryan’s beautiful poems were Etched Onyx’s 2024 Writing Contest 2nd place winner, and if you’d like to read his poetry or learn more about Ryan, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

At times luscious, then heartbreaking, then steeped in memory, the poems of Etched Onyx’s 2024 Writing Contest 3rd place poetry winner Jennifer Harrison will have you reading them repeatedly, making new discoveries each time. After the reading, multi-award-winning Australian poet, Jennifer Harrison, tackles topics such as what inspires our writing and why poems should be read aloud. Her projects range from collaboration with psychologists to musicians, and you’ll want to find out why not everyone needs beta readers. If you’d like to read her poetry or learn more about Jennifer, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

From dream-crafted poems to a six word, three-line composition, Mike Wilson’s works search for connection and understanding through a lens of mortality and maybe a little absurdity. After the reading, Mike reveals his process for recalling and creating dream poems that we know you’ll find fascinating. Mike also talks about the stories he’s written as a small-town lawyer, including the unusual inspiration for his current novel project. If you’d like to read Mike’s poetry or learn more about him, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

Take a deep dive into the brutal world of fish breeding, mating, and raising offspring. You might find more than a story about cichlids and catfish, leading you to think hard about human resilience and adaptation. After the reading, Petra Elliott delves into the horror genre, comic-cons, head-eating fungi, and how she learned to love roller coasters. If you want to read Petra’s story or learn more about her, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

Hardy Coleman’s humorous and poignant poetry will surprise listeners with its combination of clever turns and wistful imaginings. Tragically, Mr. Coleman passed away before his interview and we are unable to share this wonderful poet’s voice and thoughts with our Story Discovery listeners. But like all good poetry, Hardy’s inner world and unique voice is forever captured in his writing. We hope you will listen again and again, like we’ve done here at Etched Onyx. If you want to learn more about Hardy Coleman or read his poems, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

A chance meeting at a sportsbook in vegas turns out to be more than coincidence. After losing his marriage and some serious cash, can Ron turn it around? Find out in this short story by former sports journalist Matt Roberts. During the interview, Matt reveals his path to fiction writing and gives the lowdown on the high pressure art of sports writing. If you’d like to read Matt’s story or learn more about him, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2023, all rights reserved.

What happens when you give a grilled cheese sandwich to the homeless man camped on your stoop in Manhattan? Lisa del Rosso unravels the true-life events that inspired this story and her unlikely journey to writing (and teaching) through theater. Lisa reveals the writing advice she gives her college students and may just help you discover that what makes you different is also what can make a good story. If you’d like to learn more about Lisa or read her story, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

Pennie Bisbee Walters exhibits bravery beyond measure, recounting her family’s harrowing journey as they struggle to understand and cope with their son’s drug addiction in this soul-bearing flash fiction piece. After the reading, Penny is no less forthcoming as she explores what it’s like to be a writer trying to truthfully, yet artfully, give a literary account of a parent’s greatest fears in the face of utter helplessness. She also offers tips to find just the right words when you’re at a loss. If you’d like to read Pennie’s story or learn more about her, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

Gorgeously lyrical epic poems written to our mothers are not often about our lovers, but Anna Kosiarek’s poem is exactly that and much more. During the interview, Anna speaks to theatre, dance, writing, self-discovery and the joy of change. Her unique writing advice applies across all art forms and her daily sketching practice will surprise and maybe inspire you. If you’d like to read her epic poem or learn more about Anna, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2023, all rights reserved.

You may revise your views on love, marriage, and the space between, after hearing Daneen Bergland’s profound excavation of these concepts with images and metaphors sure to jolt your imagination. After the reading, Daneen explores how art connects humanity and teaches us about the diversity of experience and observation so crucial to humans understanding of one another. As a member of a collective press, she reveals how they work and why this kind of collaborative publishing is beneficial for writers today. If you’d like to read Daneen’s gorgeous poetry or learn more about her, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2023, all rights reserved.

What’s a superhero sister to do when her brother, who happens to be a supervillain, has gone missing?  High school student Olivia Liao’s imaginative story was pulled from her novel which she wrote and self-published for a class in school. After the reading, JW and TJ talk with Olivia about her very early literary career as well as her other skills in violin and fencing. If you’d like to read her story or learn more about Olivia, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2023, all rights reserved.

Can you teach yourself how to be a con man by reading the right books and watching the right movies? Well, maybe, if you have half a brain. Self-named friends, Slash and Dash, literally sledgehammer their way through their first con attempt in Debra Every's hilarious story. Debra not only writes memorable voices for her characters, she narrates her story with equal skill. JW and TJ chat with Debra about her short stories and her upcoming novel, Deena Undone, a psychological thriller that comes out in October 2024. Her writing journey is unique and you’ll want to hear more about this author who is a self-described adrenalin junkie. If you’d like to read her story or learn more about Debra, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2023, all rights reserved.

Recall the prehistoric days of 2004, traveling with a high schooler on her family vacation as they explore the American West. Their journey is fraught with strange weather, family dynamics, and lots of red rocks. The author goes on their own personal journey as the literal distance of summer trips becomes emotional distance between friends. Due to scheduling conflicts, this episode includes a story narration only. If you’d like to read this work or learn more about Lizz Schumer, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry and story material are copyright 2023, all rights reserved.

Experience the world through a mother’s eyes, looking back on life, love, and connections that grow deeper than roots. These poems express truth you’ll recognize in the core of your being. This week's guest, poet, teacher, and journalist, Marianne Tefft, provides fascinating insights and inspiration for the creative soul. Her poetry, rich with imagery and steeped in life experiences will leave you wanting more. If you’d like to read her poems or learn more about Marianne Tefft, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2023, all rights reserved.

Cruelty, kindness, the everyday plight of humans and mythical beings, collide in this short story by John Mahoney. This is John’s second work published in Etched Onyx Magazine. Melissa and JW talk about John’s approach to writing stories and the unique circumstances of his situation. Although John was unable to participate in-person for the interview, JW and Melissa discuss the answers he provided in advance. We also officially say goodbye to Melissa as narrator and co-host of the show. A bitter-sweet moment for Onyx Publications, but an exciting time for Melissa and her writing endeavors, including publishing of her first book! If you’d like to read this story or learn more about John, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2023, all rights reserved.

Travel through a metaphoric landscape of playgrounds, gardens, and seasons to discover love, loss, and vulnerability. This week's creator and poet, Charlotte Pruett, takes us on a journey into her creative life, discusses writing poetry for generation Z, and does a deep dive into the loamy richness of her poems. If you’d like to read these works or learn more about Charlotte Pruett, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2023, all rights reserved.