Local writer Beverly Martens has stepped up to the mic on monthly OAR FM show Write On, which is presented on behalf of the Otago-Southland branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors and supported by the University Book Shop.
Former host and local crime writer Vanda Symon fronted the programme for 18 years.
She was one of Ms Marten’s first guests in September’s edition, while this month’s show featured UBS emerging writer-in-residence Dr April-Rose Geers and last year’s Robert Burns Fellow Kathryn van Beek.
Highlighting the work of local writers would remain the programme’s focus but she was also interested in exploring wider issues around publishing, Ms Martens said.
"Getting a creative work published is a phenomenal process. It takes a long time and you’re often doing it on your own. How do you keep the motivation up?"
The mix of creative skills, marketing skills and crowd-funding knowledge often required when "selling" a project were fertile ground for discussion.
Future editions of Write On would also include a bulletin of literary news and upcoming Dunedin events.
It airs on 105.4FM and 1575AM on the second Wednesday of each month at noon, and is replayed the following Sunday at 1pm. Podcasts are available from oar.org.nz and all major podcast platforms.
A full schedule of OAR FM programmes can be found at www.oar.org.nz.
