Shows / Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
Andrew French interviews established and emerging authors about breaking through as writers and finding their literary style.
Episodes
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
124. Joy and Humour in Poetry w/ Jordan Abel
Jordan Abel joins the podcast to talk about his latest poetry collection, Dad Era. Andrew asks Jordan about being funny in poetry. It's full of laughs! --…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
123. Poems as Spells w/ David Ly
David Ly returns to talk about his new poetry collection, Ritual Interrupted. Andrew asks about form and imagery. It's a great time! --David Ly is the author…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
122. Letting the Poem Come to You w/ Blair Trewartha
Blair Trewartha is here to talk his second full-length poetry collection, Half-Earth. Andrew talks about going through a writing drought. This one's a banger!…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
121. Ballet and the Funny Poem w/ Misha Solomon
Misha Solomon drops by to chat about his debut poetry collection, My Great-Grandfather Danced Ballet. Andrew tries to remember what happens in LOST. It's a…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
120. Making Space to Write w/ Elizabeth Bachinsky
Elizabeth Bachinsky is here to talk about her new poetry collection, REAL GROWNUP. Andrew is once again asking about the poetic obsession with birds. It's a…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
119. Confrontational Couplets w/ Pujita Verma
Pujita Verma pops by the virtual studio to discuss her debut poetry collection, precedence. Andrew talks form and tough topics. It's a fluid convo! --…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
118. Poetry as Empathy Engine w/ Mallory Tater
Mallory Tater joins Page Fright to talk about her new poetry collection, Lockers are for Bearcats Only. Andrew's stoked about National Poetry Month. It's a…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
117. Making Life Come Alive w/ Christina Shah
Christina Shah is here to discuss her debut full-length poetry collection, if: prey, then: huntress. Andrew's wondering about how to stop yapping on and on in…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
116. Don't Revisit Scrapped Poems w/ Kashayar "Kess" Mohammadi
Kashayar "Kess" Mohammadi drops by to talk their latest poetry collection, The Book of Interruptions. Andrew asks about bringing new life to old poems. It's a…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
115. Salvaging Abandoned Poems w/ Joanna Streetly
Joanna Streetly joins Andrew to talk her new poetry collection, All of Us Hidden. Andrew asks about staying curious in your poetry. It's a great time! --…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
114. Best Canadian Poetry 2026 w/ Mary Dalton
Mary Dalton joins Andrew to chat about editing this year's edition of Biblioasis' Best Canadian Poetry series. Andrew listens in to three readings from…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
113. Why Do We Write Bird Poems? w/ Brian Bartlett
Brian Bartlett joins the podcast LIVE at the Fraser Valley Writers' Festival in Abbotsford, BC, to chat about his new book, The Astonishing Room. Andrew asks…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
112. Accurate to a Feeling w/ Nick Thran
Nick Thran joins the podcast LIVE at the Fraser Valley Writers' Festival in Abbotsford, BC, to chat about his new book Existing Music. Andrew wonders about…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
111. The Other Mind in a Poem w/ Daniel Cowper
Daniel Cowper returns to talk about his new novel in verse, Kingdom of the Clock. Andrew asks about writing long poems. It's a poetic chat! Daniel Cowper is a…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
110. Taking Unexpected Poetic Leaps w/ Arleen Paré
Arleen Paré stops by to chat about her latest poetry collection, encrypted. Andrew asks about Coleridge and video games. It's a fun time! Arleen Paré is a…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
109. Werewolves, Myth, and Manuscripts w/ Estlin McPhee
Estlin McPhee returns to the podcast to chat about their debut collection, In Your Nature. Andrew asks about werewolves and community. It's a good listen! --…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
108. Connection and Community w/ Natalie Lim
Natalie Lim is back with her debut poetry collection, Elegy for Opportunity! Andrew talks about capturing connection in poems. It's a great reunion! -- Natalie…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
107. Finding Useful Feedback w/ Tolu Oloruntoba
Tolu Oloruntoba returns to chat about his third poetry collection, Unravel. Andrew asks about getting "good" feedback. It's a "good" one! -- Tolu Oloruntoba…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
106. Towards a Final Form w/ Marc Perez
Marc Perez comes on the show to talk about chapbooks, form, and his debut full-length poetry collection, Dayo. Andrew asks about finding the right form for…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
105. Getting Uncomfortable in Your Poems w/ MA|DE (Mark Laliberte and Jade Wallace)
MA|DE (Mark Laliberte & Jade Wallace) pop by to talk about their debut collaborative full-length poetry collection, ZZOO. Andrew tries to wrap their head…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
104. Is Your Book Too Long? (w/ Annick MacAskill)
Annick MacAskill is back to talk compiling her latest collection, Votive (Gaspereau Press). Andrew asks about book length and queer poems. It's a good one! --…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
103. "Best Canadian Poetry 2025" w/ ed. Aislinn Hunter & 4 Included Poets
Aislinn Hunter joins Andrew to talk about editing Best Canadian Poetry 2025. Four featured poets read their poems from the anthology. Andrew asks about the…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
102. When is a Poem Finished? w/ Rob Madden
Rob Madden joins Andrew to discuss grief and masculinity, writing alongside photography, and his chapbook second hand smoke (Pinhole Poetry, 2024). It’s a rich…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
101. Bird Books and Building a Collection w/ Anita Lahey (LIVE!)
Anita Lahey drops by to record an episode, live at the Fraser Valley Writer’s Festival! Andrew asks about birds, finding anthology editors, and Anita’s latest…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
100. A Poetry Celebration! w/ Estlin McPhee, Kyle McKillop, Jane Shi, and Rob Taylor
The 100th episode(!) of Page Fright, in which Andrew hosts a live reading featuring four poets (Estlin McPhee, Kyle McKillop, Jane Shi, and Rob Taylor) at…
Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast99. Poetry as Utopia w/ Lauren Peat
Lauren Peat comes onto the show to talk about her first poetry chapbook, Future Tense. Andrew asks about ending poems with questions. It's a curious chat! --…
Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast98. A Decade of Chapbooks w/ Jim Johnstone
Jim Johnstone joins the show to discuss his new poetry anthology celebrating 10 years of Anstruther Press, The Anstruther Reader. Andrew asks about chapbooks…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
97. Cosmic Love Poems w/ Manahil Bandukwala
Manahil Bandukwala pops into the Zoom studio to talk about her second poetry collection, Heliotropia. Andrew admits to never seeing Star Trek and plans to jump…
Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast96. Having Fun in Your Poems w/ Natasha Ramoutar
Natasha Ramoutar is back to talk about her new poetry collection, Baby Cerberus. Andrew emphasizes the fun they've had writing lately. It's truly a fun one! --…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
95. Queer Longing w/ Amanda Merpaw
Amanda Merpaw drops in to talk about her debut poetry collection, Most of All the Wanting. Andrew asks about poetry as a queer art form. It's a great time! --…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
94. Movement Poems w/ Hannah Siden
Hannah Siden zooms in to discuss writing tips and movement poetry! Andrew talks about moving from the journal to a computer and back again. It's a fun chat! --…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
93. Finding Hope in What's Heavy w/ Patrick Connors
Patrick Connors joins the podcast to talk about his second poetry collection, The Long Defeat. Andrew asks about keeping things light. It's a wide-ranging…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
92. Starting with an Ending w/ Matthew Walsh
Matthew Walsh comes back on the podcast with a new book: Terrarium. Andrew re-learns how to start writing poems. It's a good one! -- Matthew Walsh grew up in…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
91. Writing in New Directions w/ Kevin Spenst
Kevin Spenst is back to talk about his latest poetry collection, A Bouquet Brought Back from Space. Andrew celebrates 5 years of Page Fright. Everyone's…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
90. Writing With & Considering Form w/ Rob Taylor
Rob Taylor is back to talk about his new book, Weather. Rob Taylor is the author of five collections of poetry, including Strangers and The News, which was a…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
89. Grief and Strangers w/ Rhea Tregebov
-- Rhea Tregebov is the acclaimed author of eight collections of poetry. Her most recent, Talking to Strangers, was published by Signal Editions/Véhicule Press…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
88. Trying to Get Funnier w/ Matt Rader
Matt Rader returns to talk about his second poetry collection, Fine. Andrew wonders about the beauty in the struggle. Everybody leaves a bit lighter! --…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
87. Elegies & Editing Tips w/ Kayla Czaga
Kayla Czaga drops in to discuss her third full-length poetry collection, Midway. Andrew asks about elegies and editing together a manuscript. It's a…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
86. Best Canadian Poetry 2024 w/ Nicholas Bradley, Matt Rader, & Joanna Streetly
THREE poets read and talk about their poems from Best Canadian Poetry 2024! Nicholas Bradley discusses an atmospheric river. Matt Rader explores heat domes…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
85. Bodies and Water w/ andrea bennett
andrea bennett pops by to chat about their latest poetry collection, the berry takes the shape of the bloom. Andrew asks about bodies and gets too excited…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
84. Writing in Bursts w/ Kit Roffey
Kit Roffey jumps into the Zoom to chat about their first chapbook, Civilian of Dirt. Andrew mistakenly assumes Kit organizes readings because of their reading…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
83. Editing & Community w/ Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson stops in to talk about their new chapbook, 320 Lines of Poetry. Andrew asks what it's like running a successful poetry journal. It's a fun one!…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
82. Authentic Writing w/ Chris Banks
Chris Banks pops by to discuss his 7th poetry collection, Alternator. Andrew talks about being a writer who doesn't write. It's a lovely chat! ----- Listen to…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
81. Comfort Media w/ Brandi Bird
Brandi Bird stops by the virtual studio to talk about their debut poetry collection, The All + Flesh. Andrew relates their obsession with Mary Oliver to…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
80. The Poem's Responsibility w/ Tom Cull
Tom Cull joins Andrew to reconnect and talk about his new poetry collection, Kill Your Starlings. Andrew asks about elegies and IKEA. It's a good one! -----…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
79. What Poetry Needs w/ Jen Currin
Jen Currin and Andrew sit down to chat about Jen's new poetry collection, Trinity Street. Andrew talks the poetic and personal. It's a blast! ----- Listen to…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
78. Psychogeography, Gender, and Love Poems w/ Jade Wallace
Jade Wallace joins Andrew to discuss their debut full-length poetry collection, Love Is A Place But You Cannot Live There. Andrews learns about psychogeography…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
77. Memory and Green Tea w/ Vivian (Xiao Wen) Li
Vivian Li sits down to talk about her debut poetry chapbook, Someday I Promise, I'll Love You. Andrews asks Vivian about love poems and the role of sound in…
Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast76. Gender Poems, Music, and Lisping w/ Charlie Petch
Charlie Petch joins the pod to talk about their debut poetry collection, Why I Was Late. Andrew talks about being non-binary and how it's impacted their…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
75. Ekphrasis & Reflecting on Past Work w/ Yvonne Blomer
Yvonne Blomer pops by to talk about her latest poetry collection, The Last Show on Earth. Andrew goes to the expert for water and nature poem advice. It's a…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
74. Research, Spacing, and Ourselves w/ Cecily Nicholson
Cecily Nicholson chats about her new poetry collection, Harrowings. Andrew asks Cecily about her research process and how to use a page. It's a fun time! -----…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
73. A Poem Can Be A Vibe w/ Sanna Wani
Sanna Wani joins Andrew to talk about her new poetry collection, My Grief, the Sun. Andrew talks to Sanna about grief and searching in poems. It's a blast!…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
72. Water & Identity Poems w/ David Ly
David Ly joins Andrew to talk about his new poetry collection, Dream of Me As Water. Andrew tells David he should work at an aquarium. It's a great time! -----…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
Review: "If You Discover a Fire" by Shaun Robinson
Andrew gives a short audio review of and reading from Shaun Robinson's If You Discover a Fire (Brick Books, 2020). ----- Listen to more episodes of Page Fright…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
71. Monuments and the Speaker w/ Manahil Bandukwala
Manahil Bandukwala joins Andrew to chat about her debut full-length poetry collection, MONUMENT. Andrew questions whether a speaker is always necessary. It's a…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
Page Fright Reviews: "Swollening" by Jason Purcell
Andrew begins a series of short audio reviews of poetry collections with a quick review of and reading from Jason Purcell's Swollening. ----- Listen to more…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
70. Myth and Memory w/ Annick MacAskill
Annick MacAskill stops by the virtual studio to talk about her new book, Shadow Blight. Andrew asks Annick about applying myth to the personal. It's a great…
Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast69. Prose Poems and Reviewing w/ rob mclennan
rob mclennan joins Andrew for a discussion of his new book of prose poems, the book of smaller. Andrew and rob chat about reviews and community. It's a good…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
68. Poems About Trauma w/ Carlie Blume
Carlie Blume comes by the virtual studio to talk about her debut poetry collection, Gigglepuss. Andrew and Carlie talk trauma and poetry. It's an enriching…
- Page Fright: A Poetry Podcast
67. Sobriety, Rhyme, and Old Poems w/ Chris Banks
Chris Banks drops by to chat about his new book of poetry, Deepfake Serenade. Andrew asks about avoiding stereotypical depictions of sobriety in a poem. It's a…