I was invited by fellow Hong Konger, librarian, writer and reader, Julia Besnard, to read my prose poem, Life We Can No Longer See, for the inaugural episode of her brilliant new podcast, Hong Kong Lit Club. As Julia explains below:
“Through this podcast, I aim to showcase the work of both past and contemporary authors, highlighting the literary heritage of Hong Kong that often gets overlooked… I believe that storytelling has the power to bridge cultural divides, and by amplifying these voices that were bold enough to etch their words in the page, I hope to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the experiences, challenges, and creativity that shape this dynamic city. Ultimately, this podcast is a celebration of Hong Kong’s literary landscape and an invitation for listeners to embark on a literary journey that transcends borders.”
What a treat it was to spend an afternoon talking to Julia about my prose poem, my creative process as well as my literary inspirations, and to listen to my words overlaid with the sounds of Hong Kong (which inspired the story). The Cantonese lingo conversation between Julia and Aidan towards the end of the podcast is particularly fun and interesting.
Thank you Julia for your tireless efforts and I am very much looking forward to future episodes featuring other writers from this little island we call home.
© Derek Shapton
Read my musings as a Malaysian writer, wandering the earth, listening to the universe and writing the stories behind my photographs.
Freshly-brewed stories and photographs,
delivered to your inbox.
Join me on substack
You're all signed up!
Be sure to whitelist our email address so that all the goodies make it to your inbox.