Write On with Beverly Martens

Host: Beverly Martens
Categories: Arts and Literature
Languages: English

Otago Access Radio
Produced By: Otago Access Radio
Programme Website

Write On is hosted by Beverly Martens, a Dunedin-based writer and founder of Dunedin Literary Walking Tours. In each show, Beverly interviews local writers and people involved in the book industry. She also promotes local events and shares some good music. Write On with Beverly Martens is presented on behalf of the Otago Southland Branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors and has been created with generous support from the University Book Shop.

All Episodes

Two (Astonishing) Tales from Two Different Centuries

Published: 12/11/2025 2:00 p.m.

First up, Professor Wendy Parkins talks about researching and writing her award-winning novel 'The Defiance of Frances Dickinson' - based on the true story (and court records) of a 19th Century English heiress who risked her wealth and reputation seeking to end her brutal marriage - with the patriarchal stacked heavily against her. Then, Beverly chats with social anthropologist Hannah Bulloch about her extraordinary and fascinating family saga 'Overland to The Island' (NZ to Skye with six kids in a home-made house-truck) which her grandparents Alan and Joan MacLeod undertook in the 1960s! Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Write On with Beverly Martens - 08-10-2025 - Book Tober

Published: 08/10/2025 1:00 p.m.

It's "BOOK-TOBER" in DUNEDIN! - Dunedin is bursting with book-related events this month. We've got NZ Book Day (on October 11th), The all-day Landfall Tauraka 250 Symposium (on October 17th) followed by the highly anticipated Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival (October 17-19) So let Beverly unpack these exciting events for you (in ways that you'll want to get involved!) before her feature interview with award-winning writer, and all-round good guy, DUNCAN SARKIES. Duncan discusses how he went about writing his delightfully subversive new novel, STARGAZERS, along with details of the Masterclass he's running at DWRF. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Write On with Beverly Martens - 10-09-2025 - Deep Dive with Dr Lynley Edmeades and YWF with Kate Schrader

Published: 10/9/2025 1:00 p.m.

Deep Dive with Dr Lynley Edmeades and YWF with Kate Schrader - Lynley Edmeades is a swan. Gliding on the surface, constant motion below as a poet, essayist, editor, lecturer, awards judge, mother, deep thinker... First we take a deep dive into how her new collection 'Hiding Places' came about, and then, after the break, we chat about all the challenges in her professional life including as editor of Landfall, NZ's prestigious literary journal, about to celebrate its 250th issue. Then we round things out with Jeff Harford's lively interview with Young Writers' Festival codirector Kate Schrader, about the variety of events you can attend this weekend. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Write On with Beverly Martens - 13-08-2025 - Writing for Children. Reading for All - Jackie McMillan and Samantha Montgomerie

Published: 13/8/2025 1:00 p.m.

Writing for Children. Reading for All - This month Beverly focuses on the important role NZ children's writers play in shaping our cultural world-view, alongside the Dunedin's natural environment, by speaking first with Dunedin Libraries' Collections Specialist Jackie McMillan (to provide that context) and then with the 2025 (and at this stage, last) University of Otago College of Education Children's Writer in Residence: Samantha Montgomerie. Samantha shares the discipline and drive needed to carve out a viable career as a children' writer along with the added responsibility of igniting their love affair with reading. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz

Write On with Beverly Martens - 09-07-2025 - Writing What You Know - Dr Mira Harrison and Ina Kinski

Published: 09/7/2025 1:00 p.m.

Writing What You Know - Dr Mira Harrison and Ina Kinski - This month Beverly interviews (Dr) Mira Harrison, a medical specialist based here in Dunedin about her new novel 'One-In-Three' whose protagonist, James Hartman, is out of his depth ( in all sorts of ways) working relentless hours as a junior NHS doctor in the late 1980s. This is Mira's first novel and, like her short story collection 'Admissions' draws vividly on her own personal medical training experience. Then, Beverly chats with UBS Book Buyer, Ina Kinski about just some of the inspiring and entertaining events hosted by the UBS this month - all designed to bust the winter blues! Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin https://oar.org.nz