For the tenth episode of Pet Projects we welcomed Hong Kong-based author Stewart McKay to the show to talk about his long-serving pet companion and his debut coming-of-age novella, The Ballad of Billy Lopez, which (as well as being completely excellent) was a finalist for the Proverse Prize.

Originally from Scotland, Stewart now lives with his beloved one in the busy Mong Kok district of Hong Kong, where adaptability is key, hence our musings on dietary requirements, pet-sitting challenges and Covid consolations. Meanwhile, when it comes to the engaging book in question – ONE of us rashly attempts a US accent to relay a vaguely pet-related passage…

Stewart and I have both enjoyed roles in the Hong Kong Writers Circle (HKWC), with my guest appearing in ten of their annual anthologies while editing two. Our reflections on the value of the HKWC form part of a wider chat about Stewart’s writing life and promotional work for The Ballad… See links below and listen out for a radio interview on Hong Kong station RTHK soon!

A couple of extra notes about the show: there is some swearing in this episode, though sadly our curse words are somewhat muffled by the recording quality (we chatted over Zoom). As ever, greater clarity can be achieved via headphones.

Thanks so much for being our tenth guest, Stewart! Perhaps a follow-up episode could be recorded over there in the fragrant harbour? Remember, if you’re enjoying the Pet Projects podcast, please like, review & tell your friends.

Links to projects/discussion topics:

Stewart’s new novella, The Ballad of Billy Lopez: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ballad-Billy-Lopez-Stewart-McKay/dp/9888833952

My new novel, Adrift: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adrift-Peter-Humphreys/dp/B0DSSY5VNV/

Stewart on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatididinhongkong/

The Ballad of Billy Lopez featured in the Hong Kong Review: https://www.hongkongreview.co/post/southern-drawl-and-soulful-growth-a-review-of-stewart-mckay-s-the-ballad-of-billy-lopez

Stewart’s reflections on the book in Cha: An Asian Literary Journal: https://chajournal.blog/2025/03/16/whatsoever/

The Hong Kong Writers Circle: https://hongkongwriterscircle.org

Pet Projects on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petprojectspod/

For the ninth instalment of Pet Projects we are delighted to welcome artist, cellist and children’s author Margit van der Zwan to the show. Based in Lancashire, Margit was born in the Netherlands but has Hungarian roots through her grandma – and therein lies a link to her distinctive pet: a Magic Roundabout remix who is an expert at shepherding her music students to the piano – as well as putting them at ease.

In the course of a highly entertaining chat, Margit reflects on some of her adventures – including touring with pop band Elbow, introducing her wonderful picture book ‘I love my maracas!’ to leg-hugging young readers, and learning to play the musical saw (as well as designing a card game) during lockdown.

She also looks ahead to her forthcoming art exhibition, ‘All Made Up’, which runs in Clitheroe from 22 February 2025, and we discuss her own unique musical compositions, excerpts of which are included in the show at the following points: ‘Hearts Hearts’ (38:20), ‘The World’ (46:48), ‘White Van’ (01:00:00) and ‘Een Fijne Melodie’ (01:06:50).

Thanks so much for coming on the show, Margit! As always, there was much to learn from a wonderful new guest – both about the arts (classical/contemporary string music this time) and about those dawg-gone animals…

Pet Projects is a collaborative project devised by writer and editor Peter Humphreys and artist and filmmaker Ana Rebolledo, who provides the artwork and video content. It is available on Spotify, SoundCloud, iTunes and elsewhere. If you’re enjoying the podcast please like, subscribe and share.

Links to discussion points/project info:

Margit’s website: https://margitvanderzwan.com

Margit’s musical book for c. 3-year-olds, ‘I love my maracas!’: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1819613555/i-love-my-maracas-childrens-story-book

Details of Margit’s forthcoming exhibition, ‘All Made Up’: https://www.instagram.com/p/DE5q3OaAC2A/

Margit’s own music on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcy3pHO-OoOBXgfabWXgcHA

Quartet for Two – a podcast based on Margit’s card game: https://quartetfortwo.weebly.com

Carlo Curley, classical organist: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Curley

Borrow my Doggy website: https://www.borrowmydoggy.com

Emily Sandé, singer with whom Margit shared the stage at The Royal Albert Hall: https://emelisande.com

Dame Evelyn Glennie, famous percussionist: https://www.evelyn.co.uk

Arthur and George – book by Julian Barnes: https://www.julianbarnes.com/books/arthur.html

Kassia, Byzantine composer who came up when we shuffled the cards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0ipNUTtDYU

For the eighth instalment of Pet Projects, we welcome Dan and Emjay to the show.

Dan Lever is a musician and wordsmith with a passion for communication. Losing his music teaching role during Covid and having lost his appetite for playing, he turned to another of his longstanding passions – writing. He now runs his own business, Magnify Copy, which provides copywriting and digital services to people and organisations whether local to his base in Hest Bank, near Morecambe, or further afield. He has also, happily, picked up his guitar again and performs for the love of it with family, friends and strangers.

Two musical contributions from Dan feature in the episode (plus a ‘hidden duet’ you’ll discover on listening!): ‘West Snide Story’ by Islands Lost at Sea (46:39) and ‘Three Line Whip’ by the Two Hats Blues Band (50:25). ‘A Christmas Cat’, a poem by June Newall, and read by Dan’s friend Richard, appears at 24:25.

Other topics covered in our relaxed, in-person chat range from cleaning up Emjay’s poo to the ‘enshittification’ of the Internet and much in-between – including why cats prefer Kate Bush to dub, novel-planning options, and who rules the roost on Morecambe seafront (clue: it’s not the seagulls).

Pet Projects is a collaborative project devised by writer and editor Peter Humphreys and artist and filmmaker Ana Rebolledo, who provides the artwork and video content. It is available on Spotify, SoundCloud, iTunes and elsewhere. If you’re enjoying the podcast please like, subscribe and share. As ever, best listened to through ‘phones.

Links for your purr-usal:

Dan’s company, Magnify Copy

Islands Lost at Sea, feat. Dan.

Two Hats Blues Band (don't say it fast), feat. Dan.

Richard Newall’s film accompanying June Newall’s poem, ‘A Christmas Cat’

Pluralistic, daily posts from Cory Doctorow.

The ‘enshittification’ of social media platforms.