'Any type of conversation is a great vehicle for change.' In this episode, we are joined by writer Marlene Baquiran. Following some devastating and hilarious book reviews, we explore how a well-crafted opening hook prevents the reader from putting down a piece of writing. Marlene, Achim, and BFL each draw from their own writing and editing experience. Finally, how do we effect change and become more empathetic as a writer? Marlene also shows her stand. ---Chapters--- 0:59 Reading updates    2:15 Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman 3:59 The Unwomanly Face of War by Svetlana Alexievich 11:00 Mythos by Stephen Fry 26:14: Introducing Marlene 26:44 Literary hooks 39:58 Midnight Children by Salman Rushdie 44:00 How does writing instigate change 49:31 How to channel empathy in writing 51:03 How to reconcile conflicting identities ---Find Marlene--- Instagram: @climatewriters Substack: https://marlenejo.substack.com

Revealing our most adored, hated, and traumatising books of the year! We went through a thorough list of fantastical, socialist and ArCadyan books with unsolicited but highly personal and emotional verdicts! What’s your favourite read in 2023? Do you have any objections to our reviews?? Let us know in the comments!  ---Timestamps--- 0:25 Introducing Cady 2:17 How many books did you read/DNF this year 10:27 How many Chinese books did you read 13:52 Which country did you read from the most (Author’s country of origin) 19:22 What is your most/ least read Genre! 23:23 What is the longest/ shortest book you read 28:15 What is your most read decade (ranked by date first published) 32:06 Personal questions: Cady - How many environment/agriculture books did you read? Achim - How many fantasy/mythology books did you read? BFL - How many socialism related books did you read? 36:36 Favourite Book of the Year 54:51 Least Favourite Book of the Year 1:04:34 Reading goals for 2024 ---Books Mentioned--- Achim: The Prophet Tender is the Flesh Labrinths The Lady of the Lake (The Witcher Book 7) Murder of the Alphabets Live by Night Cady: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/162932073 BFL: China in Ten Words by Yu Hua Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith The Lottery by Shirley Jackson A Man Without a Country by Kurt Vonnegut We by Yevgeny Zamyatin Simple Passion by Annie Erneaux White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Catch-22 by Joseph Heller Yellowface by RF Kuang My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell On The Road by Jack Kerouac

'I want to write a poem for her because I feel like she deserves it.' In this episode, we are joined by our guest features Annabella & Antoinette Luu, resonating with their intimate and captivating perspectives of being a storyteller and their empathy for people they hold close. We transform the recording studio into a contemplative chamber on what it means to be a writer and what makes it beautiful.  ---Chapters--- 0:50: Recent reads 28:00: Conversation with Annabella& Antoinette 32:05: On Narratives of writing 39:00: On Fantasy and Mythology 41:02: On being a Writer as a way of living  ---Books mentioned--- 0:50: A Thousand Years of Good Prayers by Yiyun Li 8:46: Past lives (Flim) 14:51: Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica 23:43: Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong 43:22: On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong 43:58: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T. S. Eliot ---Guests--- Find Bella: bellaluu_art Find Annette: annette_luu_art

'I wonder how my body knows what it feels like to fly - I think it’s because of swimming.' In the very first episode of Licensed Poetics, hosts Fung-Ling and Achim dive into a sea of captivating quotes and engaging conversations, joined by our guest feature Stephanie Niu. We even discover a mystifying connection between Steph and Achim?! Steph then expands her dreamscape by reading one of her latest pieces that hasn’t been shared before. Sections 0:40 Reading Updates 17:59 Conversation with Stephanie Niu 31:23 Stephanie Niu reads poem 'Dalian' Books Mentioned 0:40 Big Swiss by Jen Beagin 1:30 My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh 2:44 Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney  12:35 Outline by Rachel Cusk 14:10 Poetry Unbound by Padraig O Tuama 14:25 Lost Lake By Bella Li 24:54 'Oracle for the End of World' by Stephanie Niu 'Furrows at Fallow Field' by Stephanie Niu 25:44 'From Blossoms' by Li-Young Lee  'Golden State': Gold shovel after Li-Young Lee by Stephanie Niu 26:40: Bluest Nude by Ama Codjoe The Black Mariah by Aracelis Girmay Blueprint by Ama Codjoe Find Steph Stephanie Niu Instagram

Welcome to Licensed Poetics, a podcast about creative storytelling! Music - Western by Piano Amor