Steve Matthews is the author of the bestselling Hitler trilogy: Hitler’s Brothel, Hitler’s Assassins and Hitler’s Resurrection. Each of these books are based on true events - constructing unique narratives and perspective around the horrific deeds and atrocities committed by the Nazi regime in World War II. It was following the publication of Hitler’s Brothel that I first became acquainted with Steve’s fascinating work. This year, Steve is celebrating the publication of a new novel. A move away ...
Oct 27, 2023•31 min•Season 5Ep. 26
Kell Woods in an Australian historical fantasy author whose debut novel has just been released in Australia/New Zealand, the UK and the US. Called ‘After the Forest’ Kell has written a rich, compelling and utterly remarkable fairytale retelling. Set in the Black Forest of Wurrtemberg during the mid-17th century, the story picks up 15 years after Greta and her brother Hans escape from an old witch and her gingerbread house. In the aftermath of a brutal war and with no one but her gambling brother...
Oct 09, 2023•28 min•Season 5Ep. 25
Shelley Burr is an award-winning Australian author whose debut novel ‘Wake’ was a top five bestseller. Published in the US and the UK as well as here in Australia, 'Wake' won the CWA Debut Dagger Award in 2019 (a UK award for an unpublished writer), it was shortlisted for the Indie Book Awards Debut Novel Award, the Kill Your Darlings Unpublished Manuscript Award and the Bath Novel Award. And only last week ‘Wake’ won the 2023 Ned Kelley Award for best debut crime fiction! Recently I had the cha...
Sep 04, 2023•40 min•Season 5Ep. 24
Steph Vizard is a Melbourne-based writer who won the 2022 Banjo Prize with her then unpublished manuscript 'The Love Contract'. Twelve months on and that book has now been published by HarperCollins. I have no doubt that readers will fall in love with this charming story about enemy neighbours - Zoe and Will - who reluctantly come to the realisation that they each had the power to help the other one out of a difficult situation. The question is of course, will they? And what are the consequences...
Sep 03, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 23
Jane Harrison is an award-winning playwright and novelist as well as Festival director whose work has been performed across Australia and internationally. Jane is descended from the Muruwari people and believes stories have the power to strengthen cultural connection. Jane’s YA novel ‘Becoming Kirrali Lewis’ won the 2014 Black & Write Prize and that same novel was shortlisted for the 2014 Prime Ministers Literary Award and the Victorian Premiers Award. Jane’s stage play ‘The Visitors’ was pe...
Sep 01, 2023•27 min•Season 5Ep. 23
Memorable books are the ones that make me feel something. Books that make me laugh or hold my breath with anticipation; stories that make me feel hopeful and most of all... the books that make me cry. These are the ones that become indelibly printed on my heart. ‘Saving Charli’ (Scholastic Australia) written by Victorian-based author, Di Walker is a book that made me feel SO many of these things all at once. Until ‘Saving Charli’ I hadn’t read any of Di’s work. But that’s something I’m going to ...
Aug 15, 2023•30 min•Season 5Ep. 22
Veronica Lando is a crime writer who burst onto the Australian literary scene a couple of years ago when her then unpublished manuscript won the 2021 Banjo Prize. That manuscript 'The Whispering' was published by HarperCollins in 2022 to widespread acclaim. This year, Veronica's second book 'The Drowning Girls' was also published by HarperCollins. And if it's anything like 'The Whispering', I can see why Veronica's literary star is well and truly on the rise. Dark, tense and twisty, 'The Drownin...
Aug 06, 2023•38 min•Season 5Ep. 21
Philippa Kaye is a mother, educator, and now published novelist who lives on the Central Coast of NSW and was inspired to write her debut novel, 'Girl Detectives Just Wanna Have Fun' during COVID. Set in 1984, 'Girl Detectives Just Wanna Have Fun' is a pacy mystery novel flavoured with lots of fun eighties nostalgia - big hair, short skirts and shoulder pads - not to mention a spicy romance for some extra fun! I enjoyed this novel and welcomed the chance to speak with Philippa on the podcast rec...
Jul 28, 2023•31 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Lucy Lever is a former social worker who lives in the bush on Sydney’s coastal fringe with her husband. As proof that it is never too late to follow your dreams, Lucy decided to give creative writing a go later in life. The result is 'Mystic Ridge' published earlier this month by HQ Fiction. It was on her frequent visits to family on the NSW North Coast that Lucy found inspiration for Mystic Ridge - a delightful, contemporary novel with a fun twist on the rural romance genre. I was delighted to ...
Jul 18, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 19
Since first meeting Vanessa McCausland back in 2020, I have marvelled at her gift for evocative and unforgettable story-telling. First through the Lost Summers of Driftwood, then The Valley of Lost Stories, again with the The Beautiful Words and now…Dreaming in French. Not only is Vanessa a warm, lovely person and supportive member of the Australian writing community, but Vanessa has come to be known for her beautiful words (perhaps its no coincidence that this is one of the titles of her books)...
Jul 10, 2023•34 min•Season 5Ep. 18
Kelly Rimmer is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of 13 novels. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, Kelly’s titles include The German Wife, The Warsaw Orphan, The Things We Cannot Say and Truths I Never Told You. Kelly has sold more than 2 million books to date. And her work has been translated into dozens of languages. If that wasn’t impressive enough, in 2022, Kelly purchased the Collins Booksellers in Orange near where she lives with her human...
Jun 29, 2023•31 min•Season 5Ep. 17
Listeners, a couple of weeks ago I was at the annual Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival and had the joy of interviewing an author whose career I have been watching for a few years now. And recently, I got to do it all over again. Paul Dalgarno is a Melbourne-based author of two novels and two non-fiction titles. Born and raised in Scotland, Paul has lived in Australia since 2010 and has written for a variety of publications including The Guardian, Big Issue Scotland and Australian Book Revie...
Jun 23, 2023•53 min•Season 5Ep. 16
I first interviewed Jennifer McKenzie Dunbar back in April 2020, just after she'd self-published her debut novel, 'Vivaldi's Lost Concerto'. And what a debut it was. So much fascinating research and detail coloured the historical thread of the narrative of that book along with the harrowing experiences of a contemporary woman who had been through the prison system. Something Jennifer was able to write drawing on her experiences as a social worker. This year, Jennifer is back with a new novel. A ...
Jun 14, 2023•30 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Phillipa Nefri Clark is an Australian author based in country Victoria and a USA Today best-selling author of more than 20 novels. Her writing is not only prolific but spans a number of different genres - from romance, to mystery and crime thrillers. Earlier this year I was offered the opportunity to read the first of Phillipa's Detective Liz Moorland novels, 'Lest We Forgive' and thoroughly enjoyed it! A gritty, page-turning novel about bitter, reclusive ex-cop Vince who in the aftermath of his...
Jun 03, 2023•33 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Robyn Cadwallader is an award winning Canberra-based author - with three historical novels to her name, along with poems, prize-winning short stories and a non-fiction book based on her PhD thesis about virginity and female agency in the Middle Ages. Robyn’s first novel, ‘The Anchoress’ was published in 2015 to critical acclaim and was awarded the Canberra Critics Circle Award for fiction and the ACT Book of the Year People’s Choice Award. Her second novel, Book of Colours followed in 2018 - win...
May 09, 2023•34 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Kim Lock is an internationally published, bestselling author of five novels that include 'Peace Love and Khaki Socks', 'Like I Can Love', 'The Three of Us' and 'The Other Side of Beautiful'. Living in regional South Australia with her family, Kim’s writing as appeared in Kill Your Darlings, The Guardian, Daily Life and The Sydney Morning Herald amongst other publications. Earlier this month, Kim’s latest novel, 'The Fancies' was published by HarperCollins Australia. An irresistibly funny, big-he...
May 02, 2023•23 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Megan Rogers is a debut novelist with impeccable credentials. Starting her working life as an editorial assistant at Allen & Unwin before taking up a position in Marketing at the State Library of Victoria Megan has a PhD in Creative Writing as well as a Bachelor of Arts/Science, a Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing, a Graduate Diploma in Professional Communication AND a Masters of Marketing. Incredible! Megan penned a non-fiction book called ‘Finding the Plot, A Maternal Approach to...
Apr 28, 2023•45 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Rae Cairns is a Sydney-based author who shot to notoriety when her debut, self-published novel, ‘The Good Mother’ was shortlisted in 2021 for the Ned Kelly Award in the Best Debut Crime Fiction category. Following this auspicious event, Rae was offered a two-book deal with HarperCollins publishers and 'The Good Mother' was revised and reissued allowing even more readers to discover Rae’s storytelling prowess with this gripping thriller. This month, Rae is celebrating the release of her second no...
Apr 24, 2023•32 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Jessica Dettmann's new novel 'Without Further Ado" (HarperCollins) is a delightful romantic comedy about one woman's search for love and how the stories we read and films we watch impact that journey. Based loosely on Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing', this book had me laughing out loud. A terrifically entertaining read filled with witty dialogue and Jessica's trademark warmth and humour. I was thrilled to welcome Jessica back to the podcast recently....
Apr 12, 2023•22 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Karina May is a Sydney-based author whose debut print novel, 'Duck À L'Orange for Breakfast' was published by Pan Macmillan at the end of March. A fun, romantic, satisfying and oh-so-delicious book which comes with 14 delectable recipes to sink your teeth into, 'Duck À L'Orange for Breakfast' is rom-com, foodie-fiction and armchair travel rolled into one gorgeous story that will leave you wanting more. More of everything! If that doesn't pique your interest, think 'Julie & Julia' meets 'The ...
Apr 08, 2023•27 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Sandie Docker burst onto the Australian literary scene in 2018 with her debut title ‘The Kookaburra Creek Cafe’ followed by 'The Cottage at Rosella Cove in 2019', 'The Banksia Bay Beach Shack' in 2020 and 'The Wattle Island Book Club' in 2022. Each of these stories have cemented Sandie’s reputation as a masterful storyteller. Weaving past and present timelines together in heart-wrenching, tear-inducing tales. Sandie’s novels spotlight both the joys and challenges of living in small communities a...
Apr 05, 2023•25 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Author Dianne Yarwood is a Sydney-based writer with a background in accounting and corporate advisory work, who also loves to cook. Her debut novel 'The Wakes' (Hachette Australia) was published in early March 2023. A tender, funny and heartfelt book about two failed marriages, two strangers who fall in love, friends who start a catering business and the four funerals that connect all these people together. A life-affirming and uplifting book that will stay with you long after you’ve finished. I...
Mar 16, 2023•31 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Michelle Johnston is the author of two novels and juggles her writing career with her work as an emergency physician the Royal Perth Hospital and as a Professor of Emergency Medicine at St John of God Murdoch. If that's not impressive enough, Michelle's debut novel 'Dustfall' was awarded the Hachette/Queensland Writers Centre Developing Manuscript Award in 2014 and later published by UWA Publishing in 2018. Last year, Michelle's second novel 'Tiny Uncertain Miracles' was published by HarperColli...
Mar 09, 2023•41 min•Season 5Ep. 5
I first interviewed Canadian-born Ashley Kalagian Blunt in 2019 when her debut book 'My Name is Revenge' was published. Since, Ashley has published a memoir ‘How to Be Australian’ along with other writing which has appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, Overland, the Griffith Review of Books and Kill Your Darlings, just to name a few. Ashely also teaches creative writing and co-hosts the popular podcast “James and Ashley Stay at Home” - a podcast about writing, creativity and health. And this ye...
Mar 02, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Last year I was privileged to interview an award-winning novelist whose debut novel became an overnight sensation. As the winner of the illustrious Banjo Prize in 2020, Dinuka McKenzie quickly became a household name when her book 'The Torrent' was published by HarperCollins at the beginning of 2022. Now, in 2023, Dinuka has followed up on the success of 'The Torrent' with another brilliant book - 'Taken'. In this novel, we pick up where 'The Torrent' left off. Tense and page-turning, this story...
Feb 22, 2023•38 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Jo Dixon is one of Australia's newest debut authors. Her novel, 'The House of Now and Then' was published in January 2023 by HQ Fiction. Beautifully written, evocative, intriguing and heart-rending, 'The House of Now and Then' is a tale about a decades long mystery, deadly secrets and the consequences of discovering the truth. I absolutely loved it and I know many of you out there will too. I was more than a little delighted to chat with the marvellous Jo on the podcast recently....
Jan 12, 2023•26 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Just over four years ago, I had the very great fortune to interview an outstanding debut novelist. I was relatively new to the world of podcasting then, still finding my way and, consequently, feeling like I’d won the lottery when I was handed the opportunity to speak with this brilliant author. Listeners, I know you will feel my joy and nerves in equal measures when I tell you that author was Holly Ringland. The much-celebrated creator of the world-wide phenomenon that was and still is 'The Los...
Jan 09, 2023•59 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Emma Harcourt is a Sydney-based writer who works a researcher and journalist as well as an author. After completing the Faber Academy course in 2011, Emma began writing historical fiction. The result was two novels: the first being the critically acclaimed international best-selling title 'The Shanghai Wife' published in 2018 and now 'The Brightest Star' released earlier this year by HQ Fiction. Whilst I haven’t read 'The Shanghai Wife' yet, I was utterly enthralled by Luna’s story in 'The Brigh...
Dec 31, 2022•36 min•Season 4Ep. 199
Eliza Henry-Jones is a Victorian author, freelance writer, Phd candidate and flower farmer whose previous novels have been listed for multiple literary awards. Her work has been published in a variety of places - including The Guardian, Country Style and The Age amongst others. In 2017, a trip to the remote Orkney Islands of Scotland highlighted Eliza’s preoccupation with hauntings and the interplay between places and traumatic events. This in turn inspired her latest novel. Called 'Salt and Ski...
Dec 31, 2022•30 min•Season 4Ep. 198
I love reading all types of books. Crime, thriller, domestic noir, family drama, YA, magical realism and romance. You name it, I probably have it on my shelf. But there's nothing quite like reading a rom-com for pure escapism and sheer joy. And that's what reading Nina Kenwood's 'Unnecessary Drama' was for me. Published by Text Publishing earlier this year, 'Unnecessary Drama' was a laugh-out-loud, thoroughly delightful, feel-good novel about moving out of home, life as a uni student, falling in...
Dec 30, 2022•22 min•Season 4Ep. 197
