My conversation with David Naimon

The Small Machine Talks #104

I can’t begin to tell you what a delight it was to spend an hour with David Naimon of Between the Covers. For our conversation about BtC, the constructive art of listening and more, you can click on the link below:

https://smallmachinetalks.com/index.php/podcast/episode-104-david-naimon-between-the-covers/

NOTE OF PRAISE

Between the Covers is a carrier bag podcast—to borrow Le Guin’s concept of the Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction [and not forgetting that it came from Elizabeth Fishers’ Carrier Bag Theory of Human Evolution]. It holds books, and words that bear meanings. It is a gathering place of intricately woven stories, grains of inspiration, whole fields of ideas and words that bloom into lush and rich conversations. It centers works by queer writers, writers of colour, women writers, who are so often erased in the literary canon. It brings translation, horror, science fiction and fantasy out of the periphery.   It includes the wild-oat, its husk and seed. Naimon moves from one thoughtful insight to another. Guests will often respond with delight at the connections he draws.

This podcast gets me excited about reading and writing. Through research, gathering and contemplative thinking, David Naimon crafts compelling conversations collaboratively with writers. He gently guides guests and listeners through myriad connections from the work being discussed to microcosms and macrocosms. Naimon is a carrier, much like Laisvė in Lydia Yuknavitch’s book, Thrust, who carries objects and knowledge, backwards and forward through time. Naimon holds space for art and community. Listeners of Between the Covers are rewarded, with fascinating conversations, and space for the imagination. Between the Covers is the work of an attentive and devoted listener, reader, and caring person. It is a warm and welcome home for writers and readers.