You may not be familiar with Dorian McNamara yet … but his story, You (Streetcar at Night), is the winner of the 2025 CBC Short Story Prize. If you’ve spent time in Toronto, you’ll know its trademark red streetcars. Dorian grew up on those streetcars, which is why he chose one as the backdrop for his story of a young transgender person reflecting on their first relationship. Dorian and Mattea Roach talk about reflecting on transition, what he loves about Halifax and what winning this prize means for him. You can read Dorian’s winning story here.
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21:13
Why you can’t forget your first love
That all-consuming, dizzying feeling is what acclaimed poet Seán Hewitt captures in his debut novel, Open, Heaven. The book follows a teenager named James, whose first love is made complicated by his own sexuality and the realities of the rural English village where he lives. Seán joins Mattea to talk about the difference between love and desire, the role of nature in his work and why Ireland is such fertile ground for poets. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Alan Hollinghurst: Coming of age in Britain and writing through the gay gazeEmma Knight: 'Bad' mothers make good stories — and are more true-to-life
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Why growing up is so hard — and why Canadians are so funny
For some people, young adulthood can feel more like a crash landing than a glorious journey — and Georgia Toews knows that better than anyone. Her new novel, Nobody Asked For This, is about Virginia, a young comedian. Alongside the usual messiness of growing up and chasing comedy stardom, Virginia is grappling with the loss of her mother, discord in her closest personal relationships and navigating a traumatic encounter. Georgia and Mattea Roach talk about the perils of adulthood and the Canadian comedy industry. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Emily Austin: Would life be easier as a rat? And other ways to escape adulthoodFawn Parker: Blending her own grief with fiction in new novel Hi, It’s Me
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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s triumphant return to fiction
Readers have been waiting for a new novel from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for 12 years … and Dream Count delivers a sweeping tale that was well worth the wait. In the novel, Chimamanda weaves together the perspectives of four women moving between Nigeria, Guinea and the United States. In this Canadian broadcast exclusive, she joins Mattea Roach to talk about her longing to be known, grappling with the sudden loss of her parents and how her mother’s spirit brought her back to fictionCheck out the full video interview on the CBC Arts YouTube channel.
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Scaachi Koul calls herself a professional ex-wife
After years in the Internet trenches, Scaachi Koul is no stranger to a good fight — but her latest essay collection is all about knowing when to walk away. In Sucker Punch, Scaachi examines her recent divorce with her signature ruthless humour, picking apart what the end of her marriage made her realize about her self-worth, upbringing and love of conflict. Scaachi joins Mattea to talk about divorce in the public eye, challenging her previous work and why her mother is at the centre of the new book. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out these episodes:Curtis Sittenfeld is fascinated by fame Zoe Whittall: Why heartbreak is a valid form of grief
When the book ends, the conversation begins. Mattea Roach speaks with writers who have something to say about their work, the world and our place in it. You’ll always walk away with big questions to ponder and new books to read.
Österreich