This episode our featured book is brought to you by Allen and Unwin and we are delighted to be talking to Heather Rose about her memoir of loss and discovery, NOTHING BAD EVER HAPPENS HERE . Heather Rose is the Australian author of eight novels, writing for both adults and children. Her books have been shortlisted, long-listed or won awards for literary fiction, crime fiction, fantasy/ sci fi and children’s literature. Her seventh novel - The Museum of Modern Love - won the 2017 Stella Prize and...
Nov 06, 2022•27 min•Season 5Ep. 190
Our first international recording! Kate is logging on from the Michael King writers centre (i.e. her New Zealand residency) and has been walking up volcanos, writing in her journal and doing *some* work on her forthcoming book. Meanwhile Katherine is Melbourne and it is wet. It has been wet forever. Lots of great things to read / watch / listen to including * Returning to Adelaide by Anne Freeman * Seeing Other People by Diana Reid * Where Shall We Begin (podcast) by Esther Perele * Thrust by Li...
Oct 30, 2022•51 min•Season 5Ep. 189
In this episode Katherine speaks to Dervla McTiernan how her writing life began, the importance of setting in crime writing, good vs bad, and all the stuff -- from Plottr to Scrivener and Goodnotes -- she uses to write. Enjoy! Award-winning, number one bestseller Dervla McTiernan has established herself as one of the biggest names in crime fiction. Her books have garnered critical acclaim around the world and sold over 400,000 copies in Australia and New Zealand alone. Dervla’s book include The ...
Oct 23, 2022•33 min•Season 5Ep. 188
Kate is about to head off to NZ for a long awaited residency (via Varuna the Writers House ) and Katherine is making comics -- check out her 100 day challenge via Insta ). The hosts talk data, creativity and what the best selling book of all time is (it might surprise you!). Lots of mentions this ep, including: ' Writing and the Fluidity of Creative Practice ', article in Kill Your Darlings The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavich Out of Breath by Anna Snoekstra Emily St John Mandel on Sea of ...
Oct 16, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 187
In this episode Kate speaks with best selling and award winning Australian author and television presenter, Holly Ringland, about her creative process, writing through fear and grief, the road to publication for her debut novel The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and the writing of her new novel The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding . Holly Ringland is the author of the international bestseller The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart , which has been translated into thirty-one languages and is being adapted into ...
Oct 09, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Season 5Ep. 186
This special bonus episode was recorded with Ben Hunter from Booktopia's 'Tell Me What to Read' podcast. Ben, Kate and Katherine review and recommend some of their favourite debut reads from this year. (It's by no means a definitive list!) Books mentioned include: Son of Sin by Omar Sakr | Only a Monster by Vanessa Len | Sunbathing by Isobel Beech | Everything Feels Like the End of the World by Else Fitzgerald | Found, Wanting by Natasha Sholl | Every Version of You by Grace Chan | The Whitewash...
Oct 05, 2022•25 min•Season 5Ep. 185
Kate and Katherine catch up -- It's school holidays which means no writing is getting done but there's lots of reading and listening and general book talk. Katherine's obsessed with life coaches, maybe Kate will be too soon? The hosts talk academics and serendipity and The Artists Way gets mentioned for oh about the hundredth time. Enjoy! Today our featured book segment is brought to you by Scribner and we are delighted to be talking to Anne Casey Hardy about her new collection of stories CAUTIO...
Oct 02, 2022•56 min•Season 5Ep. 184
In this episode Kate speaks with internationally acclaimed Australian author, Margo Lanagan about her writing career in which she has written a formidable number of award winning titles spanning children's lit, YA, fantasy, realism and speculative fiction and including the short story collection Black Juice , the novel Tender Morsels and the NYT bestselling Zeroes trilogy with Scott Westerfeld and Deborah Biancotti. Margo has been a judge of the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and the Australian–V...
Sep 25, 2022•53 min•Season 5Ep. 183
Kate and Katherine Catch Up PLUS Featured Book CUT by Susan White Kate has been gadding about at Melbourne Writers Festival, Katherine is still waiting to hear back re her MG novel and they have an epic number of reading and listening recommendations. Diaries, upcoming events, a desperate plea to get a contact for the Duffer Brothers...it's a full ep. This episode's featured book segment is brought to you by AFFIRM PRESS and we talk to Susan White about her new novel (and first for adults) CUT, ...
Sep 19, 2022•55 min•Season 5Ep. 182
In this episode Kate speaks with Australian author, editor and climate activist, Sophie Cunningham, about her career spanning editing, publishing, industry advocacy and the writing of novels, essays and other non-fiction works. Cunningham's latest novel is This Devastating Fever , published in 2022 by Ultimo Press and she discusses its long road from genesis to finished product. The conversation also covers how and why Cunningham writers about the climate crisis, her love of walking and drawing ...
Sep 11, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 5Ep. 181
Our main interview this episode is with writer and critic Kylie Maslen . We talk about what writing looks like from a disabled perspective, balancing being vulnerable with inflicting further trauma on yourself, and of course memes! Kylie's work has appeared in The Guardian, Meanjin, Kill Your Darlings, Adelaide Review, Crikey and Junkee, among other outlets. In 2018 she was the recipient of the Kill Your Darlings New Critics Award, and her essay ‘I’m Trying to Tell You I’m Not Okay’ was longlist...
Sep 04, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 180
In this episode, Katherine speaks to multi-award winning author Kim Scott about history, identity, culture and language, particularly of his ancestors the Noongar people. Kim Scott grew up on the south coast of Western Australia. As a descendant of those who first created human society along that edge of ocean, he is proud to be one among those who call themselves Noongar. His second novel, Benang: From the Heart , won the 1999 Western Australian Premier's Book Award, the 2000 Miles Franklin Lit...
Aug 28, 2022•39 min•Season 5Ep. 179
In this episode Katherine has pressed send on her MG novel, Kate is visiting an abattoir, they both wax lyrical about Jane McGonigal and encourage you to get your submissions in for the National Cultural Policy . We are also asking YOU, our listeners, to let us know who you want to hear from in Season SIX next year!! This episode's featured book segment is brought to you by Penguin and we are talk to James Mckenzie Watson about his debut novel DENIZEN , writing rural mental health and how he was...
Aug 21, 2022•45 min•Season 5Ep. 178
This is Part Two of a conversation Kate has with Melbourne literary icon, Christos Tsiolkas. In this second part they discuss dealing with the success of The Slap, paying attention to the 'happy accident' in his writing process, moving from certainty to doubt and the writing of his most recent book. He also shares his best advice for writers, and for being good industry citizens. Christos Tsiolkas is a novelist, essayist, screenwriter and playwright. His first novel Loaded was later made in to t...
Aug 14, 2022•38 min•Season 5Ep. 177
This is Part One of a two part conversation Kate has with Melbourne literary icon, Christos Tsiolkas. In this first part they discuss Christos's early passion for reading and cinema, the influence of his parents, how he worked his way through the 'unmapable' space towards being a novelist & how he dealt with failure. Christos Tsiolkas is a novelist, essayist, screenwriter and playwright. His first novel Loaded was later made in to the feature film Head On and his later novels Dead Europe, Th...
Aug 14, 2022•53 min•Season 5Ep. 177
This episode Kate and Katherine are IN THE SAME ROOM, hiding out beachside, going to book parties and working on their next books. Amid their bookish activities they take time out to discuss dealing with cancelled book events, how Katherine is progressing with her creative dates and (Katherine's) rules for criticising books that have sold 5 million copies. Heaps of recommendations and a few giggles as per usual. This episode's featured book segment is brought to you by UWA Publishing and we are ...
Aug 07, 2022•48 min•Season 5Ep. 176
In this episode, Katherine speaks to Chloe Hooper about writing about difficult things, nuance and approaching non-fiction like it's a thriller. Chloe Hooper is a novelist and non-fiction writer. Her first novel, A Child’s Book of True Crime , became a New York Times Notable Book, and was shortlisted for the Orange Prize. Her non-fiction, including The Tall Man and The Arsonist: A Mind on Fire , have won literary awards and been widely published internationally. Her latest book is Bedtime Storie...
Jul 31, 2022•36 min•Season 5Ep. 175
This episode Kate and Katherine bask in their respective Fiji/Darwin holiday glows. Katherine is newly obsessed with Julia Cameron's The Artists Wa y and Kate is similarly late to the party with Stranger Things. There's a lot of great books in the world at the moment and it feels like they mention every single one :) This episode's featured book segment is brought to you by Ultimo Press and we are delighted to be talking to Alex Sarkis about her debut novel SOMETHING BLUE . Check out show notes ...
Jul 24, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 174
In this episode Kate speaks with best-selling Australian author, Liane Moriarty , in a wide ranging conversation about her career, writing process and dealing with Hollywood. Liane Moriarty is the author of nine bestselling novels including Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers which have both been made into smash hit TV series and her most recent novel, Apples Never Fall . Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter (@thefirs...
Jul 17, 2022•43 min•Season 5Ep. 173
In this episode Katherine talks with Michelle Law. Michelle Law is a writer and actor working across print, theatre, film and television. She wrote the smash-hit play Single Asian Female , which has sold out seasons in Australia and was staged in New Zealand in 2021 (check out the upcoming show in Adelaide Nov 2022 ). Michelle's screenwriting work includes the SBS show Homecoming Queens , which she co-created, co-wrote and stars in. Michelle contributes to Australian publications and anthologies...
Jul 10, 2022•33 min•Season 5Ep. 172
This episode Kate and Katherine catch up after WEEKS apart and discuss all the things including Katherine's Winter Solstice swim, grief-exhaustion, the Miles Franklin lit scandal, celeb memoirs and more. The Featured Book segment is brought to you by Ultimo Press and we talk to writer Pirooz Jafari about his debut novel Forty Nights . Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter (@thefirsttimepod) or Instagram (@thefirsttimepod) . D...
Jul 03, 2022•53 min•Season 5Ep. 171
In this episode Katherine talks with Hazel Edwards . Hazel Edwards is an award-winning author of books for children and adults. Her beloved picture book series ' There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake ' has been hugely popular for almost forty years, inspiring a musical stage production and a short movie. Though that might be her best known work, Hazel has published over 220 books, across a wide of subjects and genres including easy reading books for newly independent readers, her memoir...
Jun 26, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 170
In this episode Kate talks with internationally bestselling Canadian author Michael Christie. They discuss writing his latest novel - the epic historical/spec fic novel Greenwood , living in the forest, and what he learned about writing via pro skateboarding and carpentry. The Featured Book segment is brought to you by Hardie Grant and Katherine talks to writer Jackie Bailey about her debut novel The Eulogy . Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get...
Jun 19, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 5Ep. 169
In this episode Katherine talks with internationally bestselling author Natasha Lester. They discuss historical fiction, what's involved in publishing a book a year and the role that luck (and Costco!) have played in Natasha's writing career. Natasha Lester is the internationally bestselling author of A Kiss from Mr Fitzgerald, Her Mother's Secret, The Paris Seamstress , The French Photographer, The Paris Secret and The Riviera House , and a former marketing executive for L'Oreal. Her novels hav...
Jun 12, 2022•51 min•Season 5Ep. 168
In this episode Katherine talks with award winning author and illustrator of more than 20 novels and picture books for children and young adults, Gabrielle Wang. They discuss rejection, how books can help fight racism and magical experiences in life. Gabrielle Wang was born in Melbourne of Chinese heritage. As a result, her books are a blend of both Australian and Chinese culture, with a touch of fantasy. Her latest book is Zadie Ma and the Dog who Chased the Moon . She also wrote A Ghost in my ...
Jun 05, 2022•57 min•Season 5Ep. 167
This episode Kate and Katherine talk about THAT review , transcripts ( check out this transcript of The First Time's Fiona Murphy episode ), plus what they’ve reading and watching. In a weird turn of events, Kate is the Kardashians latest fan! The Featured Book segment is brought to you by Text Publishing and we talk to writer Akuch Kuol Anyieth about her memoir Unknown: A Refugee’s Story . Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitt...
May 29, 2022•47 min•Season 5Ep. 166
In this episode Kate talks with critically acclaimed Australian author Michelle de Kretser about her writing routine, taking risks, nourishing reading and why writing is a confidence trick. Michelle de Kretser was born in Sri Lanka and emigrated to Australia when she was fourteen. She is the author of seven novels and one work of non fiction. She has twice won the Miles Franklin award for her novels Questions of Travel and The Life to Come and her other novels, including The Lost Dog have been w...
May 22, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 165
This episode Kate and Katherine talk covid (ugh, again), retreat/workshop envy and what they're reading / watching / listening to. The Featured Book segment is brought to you by Harper Collins Australia and we talk to award winning writer and journalist Felicity McLean about her new book Red . Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter (@thefirsttimepod) or Instagram (@thefirsttimepod) . Don't forget you can support us and the mak...
May 15, 2022•42 min•Season 5Ep. 164
This episode Katherine talks with internationally best selling award winning author Andy Griffiths about writing for children, his long time collaboration with illustrator Terry Denton and what the perfect % of anarchy is within a story. Andy Griffiths is one of Australia's best known children's authors. He and illustrator Terry Denton have collaborated on more than 33 bestselling books since their first title, Just Tricking , was published in 1997. In Australia, Andy and Terry’s books have sold...
May 08, 2022•47 min•Season 5Ep. 163
This episode Kate and Katherine catch up and talk about all the stuff, including Alice Walker's journals , Jennifer Egan's new novel The Candy House, Sentimental Garbage podcast (again) and The Writers Room podcast , (not the Charlotte Wood one [also excellent] the one that's about the writing of the TV series And Just Like That.) The Featured Book segment is brought to you by Affirm Press and we talk to author Caroline Petit about her new book The Natural History of Love . Check out show notes ...
May 01, 2022•38 min•Season 5Ep. 162
