Maya Linnell and I connected via social media when her first book, 'Wildflower Ridge' was about to be published back in 2019. Almost two years to the day, we had our first podcast chat. In that time I have watched Maya's rising star with awe and amazement. She is a force to be reckoned with. A talented writer, home-baker, garden guru, social media and marketing whizz, avid reader, book reviewer and staunch supporter of her writing peers. Maya's third book, "Magpie's Bend" was released by Allen &...
Aug 02, 2021•30 min
"Lovebirds" (Penguin) is the latest release from Sydney-based novelist, Amanda Hampson. A heart-warming story about the power of love and family that sensitively deals with a number of heavy themes. It was the first of Amanda's novels that I've had the good fortune to read. Now I'm itching to go through her backlist. Titles that include "The Olive Sisters", "Two For the Road", 'The French Perfumer", "The Yellow Villa" and "Sixty Summers." Back in May, I had the pleasure of chatting with Amanda a...
Jul 26, 2021•24 min
Kelly Rimmer is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of ten novels. Her titles include, "Before I let you Go", "The Things We cannot Say" and "Truths I Never Told You." Her brand new novel, "The Warsaw Orphan" was released by Hachette Australia at the end of April this year. And what an incredible story of courage, resilience and survival it is. Meticulously researched and utterly compelling. . .this has to be one of Kelly's best novels to date. I was thrilled t...
Jul 20, 2021•33 min
Lawrence McMahon is a Melbourne-based author whose writing career began as a medical student some thirty years ago. He has won multiple national and regional short story awards and somewhere in and around his medical career and position as Professor of Nephrology at Monash University, Lawrence has written an astonishing debut novel - drawing on his experiences as a doctor both in Australia and abroad. The book is called "As Swallows Fly" (Ventura Press) and I was lucky to have the opportunity to...
Jul 12, 2021•21 min
Nicola Moriarty is a Sydney-based novelist and copywriter whose works include bestselling novels, "The Fifth Letter", "Those Other Women" and "The Ex". Her brand new novel, "You Need to Know" was released by HarperCollins in early April this year and I have to tell you listeners, this is one you will not want to miss. A thrilling, compulsive page-turner, this book had me breathless til the last page. I was super excited to welcome Nicola to the podcast to chat about the book, her inspiration, wh...
Jul 06, 2021•27 min
Cassandra Austin is the author of three novels and describes herself as a homesick Australian who lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children. Before deciding to pursue a career in writing, she worked as a criminologist and a documentary film-maker. Cassandra's new novel "Like Mother" (Penguin), is a captivating and compelling addition to a growing body of work known as "domestic noir". "Like Mother" takes a deep dive into motherhood through the eyes of a mother and daughter during th...
Jul 02, 2021•27 min
Best-selling author of "The Hating Game" and "99 Per Cent Mine" Sally Thorne has recently released her third novel - "Second First Impressions" (Hachette Australia). A deliciously charming, funny and oh-so-sexy book that I absolutely loved. I was delighted to welcome Sally to the podcast earlier this year to chat about this funny love story, the upcoming movie adaptation of "The Hating Game", writing fan-fiction, tips for writers and so much more.
Jun 30, 2021•22 min
Josephine Taylor is a Perth-based writer and editor who worked as a psychotherapist and educator until a debilitating condition over took her life. In 2004, Josephine began writing about her experiences with this condition, later earning her PhD in writing from Edith Cowan University in 2011. She is now an Associate Editor at Westerly (the University of Western Australia), and an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Writing at ECU. This year, her debut novel, "Eye of a Rook" was published by Fremantle Pre...
Jun 21, 2021•33 min
'From Where I Fell' (Allen & Unwin) is Susan Johnson's eighth novel. A book that explores an unlikely friendship formed between two women on opposite sides of the world with different cultural backgrounds. Although I haven't read any of Susan's work before, this was one heck of an introduction. A book the explored grief, motherhood, the power of friendship as well as new beginnings. An incredibly powerful, witty and illuminating read that I absolutely loved. I had the honour of speaking with...
Jun 11, 2021•29 min
Two years on from the release of her best-selling debut novel, "A Lifetime of Impossible Days", Tabitha Bird is back with another heart-wrenching, but no less captivating story about love, loss and grief. Called "The Emporium of Imagination", it's a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets Harry Potter type tale set in the tiny Queensland town of Boonah. A magnificent story that I absolutely loved. Tabitha and I had a wonderful chat about her brilliant new book earlier this year.
Jun 04, 2021•28 min
Susan Midalia is an award-winning Perth-based novelists, freelance editor and former academic who has published three collections of short stories and two novels. Her first novel, "The Art of Persuasion" was published in 2018 and in March of this year, her new novel, "Everyday Madness" was published by Fremantle Press. "Everyday Madness" was a poignant, hopeful story about marriage, family and new beginnings. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Bernard, Gloria, Meg and Ella and didn't want their s...
Jun 03, 2021•37 min
Andrew Mackie is an Australian film distributor and producer whose debut novel is based on one of the biggest events in Australian history: newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth's royal tour of Australia in 1954. As a fan of the British Royal Family, the "The Tour" (released by Penguin) was utterly fascinating to me. It's got everything you love in a period drama: scandal, intrigue and characters you love to hate (not the Queen, of course!). A thoroughly delightful and somewhat wicked read. I had the gr...
May 25, 2021•28 min
Emma Young is an award-winning journalist and former bookseller whose debut novel, "The Last Bookshop, was recently released by Fremantle Press. It's a heart-warming story that delves into many of the hardships facing small business, the book-selling industry along with real-estate pressures in modern cities. Such a timely, wonderful story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was delighted to have the chance to speak with Emma about her book on the podcast a little while ago.
May 19, 2021•31 min
Esther Campion is an Irish-Australian author of three novels - 'Leaving Ocean Road', 'The House of Second Chances' and most recently 'A Week to Remember'. Released by Hachette Australia earlier this year, 'A Week to Remember' is a heartwarming story that has the warmth and satisfaction of a Maeve Binchy or Monica McInerney novel. Set between Ireland and Australia, it's a hopeful story about family, love and second chances that will delight readers and have them yearning to travel once more. I wa...
May 07, 2021•27 min
Jessica Dettmann is a Sydney-based writer, a blogger and former editor turned novelist. Earlier this year her second novel "This Has Been Absolutely Lovely" (HarperCollins) was released. A wonderfully charming multigenerational tale that takes a witty and relatable look at parenthood and families that will have you hooked from start to finish. I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak with Jessica on the podcast recently.
Apr 26, 2021•27 min
'The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman' is Julietta Henderson's debut novel. It's an exquisite, tenderly written novel which slowly draws you in before delivering a well-placed kick in the guts and breaking your heart. A book that stimultaneously fills you with so much joy that you find yourself cheering triumphantly. Heartwarming, poignant and incredibly funny, too. This book has it all. I was delighted to speak with Julietta on the podcast not long after her book's release here in Australia....
Apr 17, 2021•41 min
Kelli Hawkins is a Newcastle-based author who landed with an almighty splash onto the Australian literary scene when she signed a rare four-book deal with HarperCollins Australia in September 2020. Her debut novel, "Other People's Houses" is an emotionally gripping, rollercoaster ride of a story packing a proverbial punch that will leave you stunned! Exploring themes of grief, abuse and the highly-charged real estate scene in Sydney, this is a book that will have you compulsively turning pages. ...
Apr 13, 2021•23 min
Steve Matthews lives on the outskirts of Sydney and is the author of a number of children's books as well as adult fiction. His latest novel for adults was inspired by true events and has an attention-grabbing, unforgettable title. A story of such incredible courage and survival, it will take your breath away. Called "Hitler's Brothel" (Big Sky Publishing), this was an emotional and compelling read. I was delighted to have the chance to speak with Steve recently on the podcast.
Apr 05, 2021•34 min
Greg Woodland is another fabulous Australian author who comes from a screenwriting and film-making background. His debut novel, "The Night Whistler" (Text Publishing, 2020) is another example of why Australian crime fiction is so hot at the moment. Inspired by an event from Greg's own childhood, this novel is sharp, gritty and compelling. A terrific read! I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak with Greg on the podcast recently.
Mar 27, 2021•35 min
In this fabulous special episode, podcaster extraordinaire Dani Vee, from the Words & Nerds Podcast, and I talk all things podcasting. What we are about, why we do what we do and what we hope to achieve. The highs, the lows and everything in between! I had such fun chatting to Dani and hope you will gain some insight into the our world as a result! Great listening!
Mar 24, 2021•39 min
Alli Sinclair is a multi-award winning Geelong-based author of six novels, a film-writer, documentary producer, writing teacher and passionate world traveller. With novel titles that include "Under the Spanish Stars", "Burning Fields" and "The Cinema At Starlight Creek" to name a few, Alli has written her way into the hearts and minds of her readers with strong, inspirational female characters who push boundaries and defy expectations of them. Her brand new title "The Codebreakers", released by ...
Mar 22, 2021•34 min
Pamela Hart is an award-winning author and writing teacher. She has published a number of historical fiction titles - including "The Black Dress" (as Pamela Freeman), "The Soldier's Wife", "A Letter from Italy" and "The Desert Nurse" along with a host of children's stories. November 2020 saw the release of her latest historical novel called "The Charleston Scandal" (Hachette). A book that Pamela herself describes as a "Downton Abbey meets 42nd Street." Set in 1920's London, the book is beautiful...
Mar 11, 2021•22 min
Gina Wilkinson is an award-winning former journalist, foreign correspondent and documentary-maker turned novelist who spent over a year living in Baghdad under Saddam Hussein's dictatorship and later the Iraq War. Time during which she was befriended by a local woman whom she later found out was working as a secret police informant and was reporting Gina's every move. Gina's experiences during that time inspired her to pen her memoir in 2007 and also formed the basis of her recently released deb...
Mar 06, 2021•45 min
Katrina Nannestad is an award-winning children's author based in regional Victoria whose works include "The Girl Who Brought Mischief", "The Girl, The Dog and The Writer" series, "The Olive of Grove" series, the "Red Dirt" series and more. Her latest book, "We Are Wolves" was released at the end of October 2020 by HarperCollins. A remarkable, utterly exquisite read that had me laughing and crying as I followed the Wolf children on their journey of survival at the end of WWII. Aimed at primary sc...
Mar 03, 2021•32 min
Rae Cairns is a Sydney-based author who describes her writing as "crime with heart". Her debut novel "The Good Mother" was released in December 2020 to rave reviews. It's a book that takes a compelling look at the conflict in Northern Ireland through the eyes of a mother and explores what a mother will do to protect her child. Gripping, engrossing and absolutely heart-stopping. I could not put this book down. I was delighted to be able to chat with Rae on the podcast recently.
Mar 01, 2021•24 min
Jackie French is one of Australia's best loved story-tellers. She has written over 200 books across a variety of genres from children's picture books, to chapter books for middle-grade readers, young adult novels and adult fiction along with a swag of non-fiction titles. Jackie's writing and services to Australian literature and literacy has earned her over 60 book awards. And in 2016, Jackie's work was recognised with the award of Member of the Order of Australia. She was Australian Children's ...
Feb 23, 2021•46 min
Fiona McIntosh is an Australian world-class, international best-selling author whose work spans number of different genres: from fantasy to sweeping historical adventures and gritty crime. I have been following Fiona's career for some years now, devouring each new novel as it hits the shelves and getting my "Fiona fix" every year as she embarks on her demanding national book tour. Sadly, there was no tour this year, but we were fortunate enough to see her brand new exquisite novel released into ...
Dec 23, 2020•49 min
Sophie Masson is a much celebrated French-Australian author with over seventy books for children, young adults and adults to her name. Growing up in France and Australia, Sophie has always had a strong interest in fairy tales. In fact, a number of Sophie's books are based on fairy tales. 'Scarlet in the Snow' - which is a retelling of the classic 'Beauty and the Beast' along with 'Carabas' - based on 'Puss in Boots' are her most notable examples. So, I guess it was no surprise to learn that Soph...
Dec 21, 2020•47 min
Poppy Gee is a Brisbane-based author whose brand new novel "Vanishing Falls" was recently released here in Australia by Booktopia Editions - the publishing arm of Australia's online book retailer. Like some other notable Australian thrillers at the moment, Poppy's book is set in Tasmania. In a fictional town deep in the rainforest - which makes for a superbly atmospheric read. I caught up with Poppy recently to chat all things Tasmania, what US readers like about our island State, about history,...
Dec 20, 2020•28 min
Hot on the heels of his success with 'Scrublands' and 'Silver', Chris Hammer is back with a third novel entitled 'Trust' - which sees the return of Martin Scarsden, a journalists with a penchant for landing himself in troublesome situations involving murder and intrigue! Unlike 'Scrublands' and 'Silver', 'Trust' moves away from Martin's story to focus on his partner, Mandalay Blonde, and what happened to her in the ten years between leaving Riversend as a teenager and returning to care for her d...
Dec 18, 2020•37 min
