Although the podcast format of Literati Glitterati has now wrapped, this show continues to be broadcast on Triple R. You can now listen to new episodes on Triple R’s FM On Demand service at rrr.org.au/explore/programs/literati-glitterati. Thanks for listening!

Julie Ostro discusses her new cookbook Good Cooking Everyday, and novelist Michelle De Kretser delves into her new book Theory and Practice.

The monthly Literati Glitterati Salon returns for its final instalment for 2024 to discuss autobiographical novel Family Lexicon by Natalia Ginzburg about life, language, and family in Italy from the 1920s to the 50s. Mel Fulton speaks to writer and editor Hilary McPhee, collection manager and multidisciplinary artist Marita Dyson, and writer Raeden Richardson on how Ginzburg uses words to create a family bonded by phrases and how the book explores the dysfunction and isolation of family, language, and identity with much humor and affection.

Alina Grabowski dials in to talk all about her latest book, Women and Children First, set in a fictional town in Massachusetts. It’s a burnt-out coastal town where the residents are confronted by the death of a young woman at a house party, and the novel is told through the voices of women in the community as they work through their grief and try to get to the bottom of what happened. Poet Andy Jackson joins Mel to talk about his collaborative project Raging Grace: Australian Writers Speak Out on Disability. Featuring work from over 20 disabled contributors, the anthology contains poems, essays and artworks which question and divulge the experience of being deemed troublesome. And there's still time to read this month's novel, Family Lexicon by Natalia Ginzburg, for next week's Literati Glitterati Salon.

Mel's first guest is Emily Maguire, discussing her recently-released book Rapture. In the second half of the show, Mel explores Australian Gospel: A Family Saga with author Lech Blain.

Special guest host Jess Zanoni fills in for Mel this week. Jess is joined by Jessica Friedmann author of Twenty-Two Impressions: notes from the Major Arcana to peek behind the curtain of the history and culture surrounding Tarot. Plus Joe Rubbo, Managing Director of Readings, stops by the studio to talk about 'A Day in Carlton' - a brand new literary festival being put on by the book retailer.

Mel Fulton speaks with internet darling Lucinda “Froomes” Price about her debut novel All I Ever Wanted Was To Be Hot. Froomes is known for outrageous comedic bits, celebrity obsessions and as a beacon for early naughties nostalgia. All I Ever Wanted Was To Be Hot is a memoir/manifesto that dives deep into her psyche, an honest and vulnerable account of Froomes' experiences with restrictive eating, cosmetic surgery and societal expectations, all backed by science, anecdotes and pop culture references. Mel and Froomes acknowledge that a lot of us want to be hot, but the lengths we go to can be detrimental. Together, they drill into some of the experiences in their own lives that made them stop and think about why they were doing what they were doing to their bodies, and work through decades worth of internalised commentary on their external appearance. If this conversation brings up unwelcome feelings regarding disordered eating, try talking to a loved one or call the Butterfly Foundation hotline on 1800 33 4673.

Mel chats with Katerina Gibson on her new book 'The Temperature', a collection of short stories about climate change in contemporary Australia. Then, Samah Sabawi discusses her novel 'Cactus Pear For My Beloved', a family story from Gaza.

In collaboration with the Emerging Writers' Festival, Mel chats with three authors, William Huang, Katy Chan, and Elizabeth Bourke, and premieres three unique audio pieces exploring ideas from AI, memory and creativity and being terminally online for the Digital Surrealisms event.

The monthly Literati Glitterati Salon returns to discuss 'Enter Ghost' by Isabella Hammad, a novel about a Palestinian production of Hamlet. Mel Fulton speaks to novalist Nevo Zisin, illustrator Sofia Sabbagh, and editor Tess Cullity on how the book portrays the power of Palestinian theatre, and the complexity of a book released just months before last October when Palestine was changed drastically by increasing violent conflict and opression from Israeli settlers and IDF forces.

Mel speaks to the author of 'Woo Woo', a feminist thriller about making art, online performance, and voyeurism.

Mel chats with Evie Wyld on her new book The Echoes, a love story from the perspective of a ghost.

The monthly Lit Glit salon returns with A Manual For Cleaning Women, a pulverising selection of short stories from the previously unsung queen of story, Lucia Berlin. Berlin wrote in binges, brilliantly, throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s until her death in 2004. Ten years later, with the release of this book, she became a New York Times Bestseller and the kind of writer that Mel says "I’d start a fight with my then boyfriend about". You think Bukowski lived a life? Maaaate. If there can only be one true cataloguer of the ugly-beautiful, the itinerant, the mundane-transcendent, the gurgling bottle, to imbue the city dump with the majesty of a field of wildflowers, then Lit Glit decrees: it is she. Listen back as writer Grace Yee and painter Kirsty Budge have a belter of a conversation about the woman who could be described as the godmother of autofiction. As Berlin herself said – “The story is the thing.”

On this weeks episode of Literati Glitterati, Irish author Caoilinn Hughes is on to talk about her new book, The Alternatives. Caoilinn says there’s a little bit of her in all her characters, but in this conversation she talks about the way she employed her friends expertise to form complex and fully fleshy characters. The novel (written without drafts if you can believe it) is about adult siblings, and the dynamics of sisters as they grow up together without parental guidance. And according to Mel, The Alternatives gives the reader “ideas on how to cope right now in real time” - which we all need. Plus, don't forget, the Lit Glit salon returns at the end of the July with A Manual For Cleaning Women, a pulverising selection of short stories from the previously unsung queen of story, Lucia Berlin.

Mel speaks with Ella Mitas on her new cookbook Ela! Ela! and Leah Jing McIntosh, curator/writer and founder of Liminal Magazine, for an overview of inagural Liminal festival at The Wheeler Centre.

Brrr! It’s cold out there… come cuddle up and get cosy with Mel Fulton and debut author, Sophie Matthiesson. Sophie’s novel, Together We Fall Apart, is a stunning debut telling the story of Clare, who has a complex family life - with both her born into family and her created one - and must toe the line to find the best outcome for all the people she loves… This conversation may bring up uncomfortable feelings for some, there are people out there to call and talk to if you need help: Family Drug Help: 1300 660 068 Lifeline: 13 11 14 And don't forget, the Lit Glit salon returns at the end of the month with A Manual For Cleaning Women, a pulverising selection of short stories from the previously unsung queen of story, Lucia Berlin.

The Literati Glitterati Salon returns for edition #2. Mel Fulton is joined by novelists and legends Peggy Frew and Ella Baxter to discuss Miranda July’s sparkling new novel, All Fours. Together they break down the novel and chat through their thoughts and feelings, and answer and respond to listener thoughts on the text line. ---- NEXT MONTH'S BOOK: A Manual For Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin The Lit Glit salon returns with A Manual For Cleaning Women, a pulverising selection of short stories from the previously unsung queen of story, Lucia Berlin. Berlin wrote in binges, brilliantly, throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s until her death in 2004. Ten years later, with the release of this book, she became a New York Times Bestseller and the kind of writer I’d start a fight with my then boyfriend about. You think Bukowski lived a life? Maaaate. If there can only be one true cataloguer of the ugly-beautiful, the itinerant, the mundane-transcendent, the gurgling bottle, to imbue the city dump with the majesty of a field of wildflowers, then Lit Glit decrees: it is she. On Wednesday 31 July from midday to 1pm AEST at rrr.org.au - join Mel, writers Tony Birch and Grace Yee, and painter Kirsty Budge for a belter of a conversation about the woman who could be described as the godmother of autofiction. As Berlin herself said – “The story is the thing.”

This week, Mel Fulton is joined by RRR broadcaster and Author, Sam Elkin as they discuss his new book "Detachable Penis: A Queer Legal Saga" and his journey from Lesbian to Transgender Lawyer in the aftermath of the 2017 Marrige equality postal survey. The two delve deep into the honest nature of the book and touch on the complexities of identity.

This week Mel Fulton is virtually joined by Sydney-born author, Lauren Aimee Curtis. Her new novel, Strangers At The Port is longlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award 2024, and is a tale of two sisters and an archdukes navigating their time on an Italian island best known for it's production if sweet wines... In this chat Lauren describes the somewhat torturous task of writing as her characters, working through the “bad” writing, and creating a mixed emotional atmosphere - which she usually achieved by listening to music and this episode is soundtracked by her listening playlist! Find Strangers At The Port by Lauren Aimee Curtis here! And don't forget to get ready for this months Literati Glitterati Salon by reading All Fours by Miranda July.

Dominic Gordon, author of Excitable Boy: Essays on Risk, joins Mel to talk about his collection of non-fiction stories, memories, and feelings from his young life and coming of age in Melbourne's inner city suburbs. He speaks on his use of writing as catharsis and release, of working through confusion and anger, and making sense of the choas in what we can see mirrored in those around us, strangers or otherwise. Emily Westmoreland, program director of the Williamstown Literary Festival, is on the show to talk about the festival, the importance of literature, book-shops, cultural exchange and conversational engagement, spurred by reading and story-sharing. And don't forget to get ready for this months Literati Glitterati Salon by reading All Fours by Miranda July.