True Voyage Is Return

This episode features novelist, children’s book author and all-round Birmingham literary icon Catherine O’Flynn, who talks (amongst other things) about the differences between English and American editors — ignoring and then taking an agent’s advice — child stars — the dreaded Second Album Complex — the vital importance of libraries and the ongoing battle to save them from closure.Throughout October 2024, writer Philip Holyman invited eight other professional authors — along with members of the public from across Birmingham and the Black Country — to create pieces for an anthology of brand-new work. The public could write wherever and whenever they liked. The professionals, however, were tasked with writing in real time, in full view, in the busy cafe of The Exchange, a grand city centre building which was once Birmingham’s Municipal Bank.Each contributor responded to a broad inspirational theme, a four-word quote from Ursula K. Le Guin’s iconic novel The Dispossessed — True Voyage Is Return. The works they produced are as unique and individual as the writers themselves — and you can read them all over at philipholyman.com.You can also hear from some of the amazing people who took part, right here in this ten-episode podcast. We’ll be digging deeper into each writer’s journey, both during this project and across their career. We’ll also be exploring their radically different experiences of creating new work under some truly unusual circumstances. Listener note: this episode contains references to premature birth, family bereavement and death by suicide.For more information on the project, the podcast and the rest of Philip’s work, visit: philipholyman.comProject Leader and Manager | Philip HolymanPodcast Producer, Engineer and Music Composer | Gareth NichollsTrue Voyage Is Return was produced in partnership with University of Birmingham, and the podcast was produced in partnership with Midlands Arts Centre. The entire project was supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

This episode features visual storyteller Charlotte Bailey, who talks (amongst other things) about free writing — nutmeg, family farms and the resource curse — self-publishing and commercialism — the peculiarly British stigma around writing comics — community and creative connections — the impact of becoming a mother on the practicalities of the writing process.Throughout October 2024, writer Philip Holyman invited eight other professional authors — along with members of the public from across Birmingham and the Black Country — to create pieces for an anthology of brand-new work. The public could write wherever and whenever they liked. The professionals, however, were tasked with writing in real time, in full view, in the busy cafe of The Exchange, a grand city centre building which was once Birmingham’s Municipal Bank.Each contributor responded to a broad inspirational theme, a four-word quote from Ursula K. Le Guin’s iconic novel The Dispossessed — True Voyage Is Return. The works they produced are as unique and individual as the writers themselves — and you can read them all over at philipholyman.com.You can also hear from some of the amazing people who took part, right here in this ten-episode podcast. We’ll be digging deeper into each writer’s journey, both during this project and across their career. We’ll also be exploring their radically different experiences of creating new work under some truly unusual circumstances.For more information on the project, the podcast and the rest of Philip’s work, visit: philipholyman.comProject Leader and Manager | Philip HolymanPodcast Producer, Engineer and Music Composer | Gareth NichollsTrue Voyage Is Return was produced in partnership with University of Birmingham, and the podcast was produced in partnership with Midlands Arts Centre. The entire project was supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

This episode features fantasy novelist Stephen Aryan, who talks (amongst other things) about fathers, sons and the struggle to get men talking — the gamification of reading — the candy floss machine approach to world building — not caring what colour the curtains are — ideas fermenting into vinegar or fine wine — the vital importance of getting something finished.Throughout October 2024, writer Philip Holyman invited eight other professional authors — along with members of the public from across Birmingham and the Black Country — to create pieces for an anthology of brand-new work. The public could write wherever and whenever they liked. The professionals, however, were tasked with writing in real time, in full view, in the busy cafe of The Exchange, a grand city centre building which was once Birmingham’s Municipal Bank.Each contributor responded to a broad inspirational theme, a four-word quote from Ursula K. Le Guin’s iconic novel The Dispossessed — True Voyage Is Return. The works they produced are as unique and individual as the writers themselves — and you can read them all over at philipholyman.com.You can also hear from some of the amazing people who took part, right here in this ten-episode podcast. We’ll be digging deeper into each writer’s journey, both during this project and across their career. We’ll also be exploring their radically different experiences of creating new work under some truly unusual circumstances.For more information on the project, the podcast and the rest of Philip’s work, visit: philipholyman.comProject Leader and Manager | Philip HolymanPodcast Producer, Engineer and Music Composer | Gareth NichollsTrue Voyage Is Return was produced in partnership with University of Birmingham, and the podcast was produced in partnership with Midlands Arts Centre. The entire project was supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

This episode features Filipino-British poet and editor Romalyn Ante, who talks (amongst other things) about the Wolverhampton twang — balancing writing with a nursing career in the NHS — juggling motherhood and creative capacity — kodawari and karate — grappling with when and how to use research — a surprise venture into illustration.Throughout October 2024, writer Philip Holyman invited eight other professional authors — along with members of the public from across Birmingham and the Black Country — to create pieces for an anthology of brand-new work. The public could write wherever and whenever they liked. The professionals, however, were tasked with writing in real time, in full view, in the busy cafe of The Exchange, a grand city centre building which was once Birmingham’s Municipal Bank.Each contributor responded to a broad inspirational theme, a four-word quote from Ursula K. Le Guin’s iconic novel The Dispossessed — True Voyage Is Return. The works they produced are as unique and individual as the writers themselves — and you can read them all over at philipholyman.com.You can also hear from some of the amazing people who took part, right here in this ten-episode podcast. We’ll be digging deeper into each writer’s journey, both during this project and across their career. We’ll also be exploring their radically different experiences of creating new work under some truly unusual circumstances.Listener note: this episode contains references to self-harm.For more information on the project, the podcast and the rest of Philip’s work, visit: philipholyman.comProject Leader and Manager | Philip HolymanPodcast Producer, Engineer and Music Composer | Gareth NichollsTrue Voyage Is Return was produced in partnership with University of Birmingham, and the podcast was produced in partnership with Midlands Arts Centre. The entire project was supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

This episode features poet, filmmaker and movement artist Shaun Hill, who talks (amongst other things) about pre-colonial history — anti-capitalism and post-capitalism — queer community and the Radical Faeries — mining from other poems and his “organ donor list” — keeping going when times get difficult — the quietly radical act of sitting on floors in public spaces.Throughout October 2024, writer Philip Holyman invited eight other professional authors — along with members of the public from across Birmingham and the Black Country — to create pieces for an anthology of brand-new work. The public could write wherever and whenever they liked. The professionals, however, were tasked with writing in real time, in full view, in the busy cafe of The Exchange, a grand city centre building which was once Birmingham’s Municipal Bank.Each contributor responded to a broad inspirational theme, a four-word quote from Ursula K. Le Guin’s iconic novel The Dispossessed — True Voyage Is Return. The works they produced are as unique and individual as the writers themselves — and you can read them all over at philipholyman.com.You can also hear from some of the amazing people who took part, right here in this ten-episode podcast. We’ll be digging deeper into each writer’s journey, both during this project and across their career. We’ll also be exploring their radically different experiences of creating new work under some truly unusual circumstances.Listener note: this episode contains references to addiction, the AIDS pandemic and death by suicide.For more information on the project, the podcast and the rest of Philip’s work, visit: philipholyman.comProject Leader and Manager | Philip HolymanPodcast Producer, Engineer and Music Composer | Gareth NichollsTrue Voyage Is Return was produced in partnership with University of Birmingham, and the podcast was produced in partnership with Midlands Arts Centre. The entire project was supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

This episode features playwright and dramaturg Lorna French, who talks (amongst other things) about observing and collaborating with the audience — the differences between live and radio drama — writing in total silence — joyfully disappearing down the research rabbit hole — character arcs and biographies — utopias and perfectionism — working with actors and directors in the rehearsal room.Throughout October 2024, writer Philip Holyman invited eight other professional authors — along with members of the public from across Birmingham and the Black Country — to create pieces for an anthology of brand-new work. The public could write wherever and whenever they liked. The professionals, however, were tasked with writing in real time, in full view, in the busy cafe of The Exchange, a grand city centre building which was once Birmingham’s Municipal Bank.Each contributor responded to a broad inspirational theme, a four-word quote from Ursula K. Le Guin’s iconic novel The Dispossessed — True Voyage Is Return. The works they produced are as unique and individual as the writers themselves — and you can read them all over at philipholyman.com.You can also hear from some of the amazing people who took part, right here in this ten-episode podcast. We’ll be digging deeper into each writer’s journey, both during this project and across their career. We’ll also be exploring their radically different experiences of creating new work under some truly unusual circumstances.For more information on the project, the podcast and the rest of Philip’s work, visit: philipholyman.comProject Leader and Manager | Philip HolymanPodcast Producer, Engineer and Music Composer | Gareth NichollsTrue Voyage Is Return was produced in partnership with University of Birmingham, and the podcast was produced in partnership with Midlands Arts Centre. The entire project was supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

This episode features Young Adult novelist Wren James, who talks (amongst other things) about deep time and deep space — optimistic approaches to the climate crisis — the torture and the relief of the editing process —reviews and rejection — being a workaholic — writers needing to be readers, too — getting feedback from their most perceptive test reader: their Mum.Throughout October 2024, writer Philip Holyman invited eight other professional authors — along with members of the public from across Birmingham and the Black Country — to create pieces for an anthology of brand-new work. The public could write wherever and whenever they liked. The professionals, however, were tasked with writing in real time, in full view, in the busy cafe of The Exchange, a grand city centre building which was once Birmingham’s Municipal Bank.Each contributor responded to a broad inspirational theme, a four-word quote from Ursula K. Le Guin’s iconic novel The Dispossessed — True Voyage Is Return. The works they produced are as unique and individual as the writers themselves — and you can read them all over at philipholyman.com.You can also hear from some of the amazing people who took part, right here in this ten-episode podcast. We’ll be digging deeper into each writer’s journey, both during this project and across their career. We’ll also be exploring their radically different experiences of creating new work under some truly unusual circumstances.Listener note: this episode contains references to rape, domestic violence and school shootings.For more information on the project, the podcast and the rest of Philip’s work, visit: philipholyman.comProject Leader and Manager | Philip HolymanPodcast Producer, Engineer and Music Composer | Gareth NichollsTrue Voyage Is Return was produced in partnership with University of Birmingham, and the podcast was produced in partnership with Midlands Arts Centre. The entire project was supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

This episode features theatre and fiction writer and True Voyage project leader Philip Holyman, who talks (amongst other things) about attempting to write an entire novel in a month — the tyranny of word counts — not standing in the way of your own work — writing characters whose values you find repellent — sex scenes, who's doing what and what they're doing it with — turning up the volume on story details, Ina Garten-style — falling in love with your characters and then killing them off.Throughout October 2024, writer Philip Holyman invited eight other professional authors — along with members of the public from across Birmingham and the Black Country — to create pieces for an anthology of brand-new work. The public could write wherever and whenever they liked. The professionals, however, were tasked with writing in real time, in full view, in the busy cafe of The Exchange, a grand city centre building which was once Birmingham’s Municipal Bank.Each contributor responded to a broad inspirational theme, a four-word quote from Ursula K. Le Guin’s iconic novel The Dispossessed — True Voyage Is Return. The works they produced are as unique and individual as the writers themselves — and you can read them all over at philipholyman.com.You can also hear from some of the amazing people who took part, right here in this ten-episode podcast. We’ll be digging deeper into each writer’s journey, both during this project and across their career. We’ll also be exploring their radically different experiences of creating new work under some truly unusual circumstances.Listener note: this episode contains references to sex, death, religion, homophobia, white supremacists, neo-Nazis, paedophiles, sex offenders, mental ill health, cancer and parental ill health.For more information on the project, the podcast and the rest of Philip’s work, visit: philipholyman.comProject Leader and Manager | Philip HolymanPodcast Producer, Engineer and Music Composer | Gareth NichollsTrue Voyage Is Return was produced in partnership with University of Birmingham, and the podcast was produced in partnership with Midlands Arts Centre. The entire project was supported using public funding by Arts Council England.