The Book & Beyond: Books, Authors, Film & Culture

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the psychological and creative necessity of 'killing your darlings'—the practice of letting go of failed artistic projects to reclaim mental space and energy. This discussion is essential for writers, filmmakers, visual artists, and any creative professional who struggles with perfectionism, attachment to unfinished drafts, or the fear of abandonment. Caoi...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the profound emotional landscape of writing songs in a half-remembered tongue. This narrative delves into the specific heartbreak and beauty found in the space between a known word and an unmakeable sound, focusing on the experience of reconnecting with ancestral languages through music. It is designed for listeners interested in creative writing, songwriting te...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the phenomenon of creative ideas that refuse to stay quiet, often arriving as intrusive thoughts at 3 a.m. This is not insomnia or anxiety, but a signal from your subconscious demanding attention. If you are a writer, editor, filmmaker, or any kind of creator who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or haunted by unfinished stories, this episode offers a new framework for ...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the profound creative potential hidden within abandoned industrial ruins. This is not just a discussion about urban exploration; it is a deep dive into how decay, rust, and silence can serve as powerful metaphors for the creative process. If you are a writer, filmmaker, or artist feeling stuck in a rut, this episode offers a fresh perspective on finding inspirat...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the hidden intimacy of urban commuting and the art of observing strangers. Set against the backdrop of a train journey, the narrative delves into the unspoken social contracts we maintain with fellow passengers—promising invisibility even when witnessing raw human emotion, such as a woman crying in compartment four. This episode is for readers, writers, fi...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the profound philosophy behind ice sculpture as a metaphor for creative impermanence and the art of letting go. This episode is designed for artists, writers, filmmakers, and anyone struggling with perfectionism or the fear that their work must last forever to have value. We unpack the tension between human intention and natural entropy, using the melting ice bl...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the intense reality of freelance graphic design during an economic recession. This discussion is essential for creative professionals, independent designers, and artists who are navigating the intersection of financial instability and artistic integrity. The episode moves beyond surface-level career advice to examine the psychological toll of 'trading soul for p...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the profound intersection of art, survival, and displacement through the story of Elena, a sculptor who turned to concrete in a homeless shelter. This narrative moves beyond the romanticized 'starving artist' trope to examine how creative practice serves as an essential anchor for identity when physical stability is lost. For artists, activists, and anyone inter...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the profound art and ethics of photographing decay in post-industrial towns. This is not merely a guide on urban exploration or capturing 'grunge' aesthetics for social media; it is a deep dive into witnessing the human history embedded in abandoned factories, mills, and steel structures. If you are interested in documentary photography, cultural heritage preser...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the profound art of writing flash fiction on receipt paper and sharing it with strangers. This unique creative practice transforms ephemeral, disposable materials into vessels for deep human connection, offering a radical alternative to digital content consumption. Caoimhe invites listeners to consider why impermanence can foster greater honesty in storytelling ...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of wabi-sabi, inviting listeners to embrace imperfection in craft, creativity, and daily life. This episode is designed for artists, writers, filmmakers, and anyone feeling pressured by the sterile standards of digital perfection. We explore how wabi-sabi transforms cracks and flaws into essential elements of beauty, offering a ...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the profound and healing practice of writing letters to those who died before you were born. This is not a traditional grief counseling session, but rather an artistic exploration of connection across time. The episode is designed for listeners interested in creative writing, ancestral healing, memoir craft, and finding meaning through historical connection. Cao...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the profound beauty and emotional resonance of unauthorized street art found in urban underpasses. This narrative-driven episode invites listeners to discover how hidden murals, created in the quiet hours before dawn, serve as intimate storytelling mediums that connect communities through raw, unfiltered human expression. It is designed for readers, writers, art...

In this deeply personal and reflective episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the profound intersection of grief, memory, and the art of sourdough baking. The narrative centers on a specific ritual: naming a wild yeast starter 'Elara' after her late grandmother. This is not merely a cooking tutorial, but a meditation on how we process loss through tangible, sensory acts. For listeners navigating bereavement,...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the profound emotional and ethical power of black and white art. This discussion is designed for readers, filmmakers, photographers, and anyone seeking a slower, more intentional way to engage with visual culture. Caoimhe argues that stripping away color is not a loss of information but a revelation of truth, forcing the viewer to confront structure, texture, an...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell invites you to explore the profound beauty and creative potential hidden within abandoned industrial ruins. This is not a story about decay or failure, but rather an exploration of 'rust and romance'—finding magic in the skeletal remains of factories, silos, and mills that time has left behind. If you are a writer, filmmaker, artist, or anyone seeking deeper inspir...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the profound creative and ethical dimensions of painting portraits of strangers encountered during daily commutes. This discussion moves beyond technical art advice to examine how fleeting observations of fellow travelers can serve as powerful exercises in empathy, memory, and narrative construction. Listeners are invited to consider why we feel compelled to ass...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the profound intersection of nature, sound, and storytelling through the lens of glacial acoustics. 'Listening to Ice' is designed for listeners who are fascinated by environmental science, immersive audio experiences, and the philosophical implications of climate change. Caoimhe takes you from her studio to the icy landscapes of Greenland and Patagonia, sharing...

In this episode of The Book & Beyond, host Caoimhe Howell explores the pervasive phenomenon of impostor syndrome within high-profile art galleries and creative industries. This discussion is specifically designed for emerging artists, gallery visitors, film enthusiasts, and anyone who has ever felt like an intruder in spaces dominated by established masters or elite cultural institutions. Caoimhe dismantles the intimidating aur...