QWS S4E4 RWR McDonald and Catherine Johnstone - Stories of Place

Words and Nerds: Authors, books and literature.

🎙️ New QWS Podcast Episode! 🌈✨Season 4 continues In QWS S4E4, Rob chats with writer and artist Catherine Johnstone (she/her) about her lyrical, hybrid memoir-in-progress and her contributions to the international anthology Stories of Place (Black Rose Writing). They talk coming out through art, the power of queer storytelling, and how creative nonfiction can blur and bend traditional forms—lyric essays, fragments, visual structure, and more. Catherine reflects on publishing with a global collective, the joy of letting go, and her hopes for the LGBTIQA+ community. She also shares thoughtful advice for fellow writers: the importance of daydreaming, embracing experimental forms, and ending the never-ending pursuit of perfection—letting go of work when it’s ready “enough,” rather than endlessly chasing a mythical final draft. 📚 Plus, Catherine recommends some must-read queer books: · The Swift Dark Tide by Katia Ariel (QWS S2E7 guest – haven’t listened yet? Go check it out!) · My Life in Sea Creatures by Sabrina Imbler · There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak Oh—and there’s a shout-out to Helen Garner, a launch across five countries, and the underrated magic of daydreaming ✨ Listen in for a rich, inspiring conversation about craft, vulnerability, and place. 🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts!