Welcome to The Interruption, a 49th Shelf–Books on the Radio collaboration in which I interview Canadian writers about the surprising things that inform, inspire, and even interrupt their creative process.

The Interruption is generously sponsored by The UBC Creative Writing Program, celebrating 50 years of excellence in creative writing. Programs include undergraduate minor and major degrees, Masters of Fine Arts in Vancouver or by distance education from anywhere in the world! For more information visit creativewriting.ubc.ca.

Today, I chat with Carrie Snyder, whose novel, Girl Runner, has just been shortlisted for the 2014 Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Carrie discusses the true story fuelling her book: the 1929 Olympics in which elite Canadian women runners were allowed to compete in the 800-metre race—as well as the subsequent historical forces squeezing women athletes out of competition. Carrie also talks about the weirdness accompanying the wonderfulness of being nominated for a major lit award.

In the second podcast, Carrie reads from Girl Runner.

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