We've hit 199 episodes of The HYBRID Author Podcast! And to celebrate, here's a mashup of all the guests who have appeared since June this year.   

Bel Vidal is the pen name of an Australian-Bolivian writer based in Sydney. Her fiction, non-fiction and poetry have been published in English and Spanish under her pen name, her real name and other pseudonyms. Soon after arriving in Sydney, she received an Australia Council (now Creative Australia) grant to publish a bilingual collection of poems and stories, Arcoiris de Sueños / 'Rainbow of Dreams'. An earlier draft of her novel ‘Exuberance’ was short-listed for the Varuna-Harper Collins Award for manuscript development and awarded the Varuna Residential Masterclass. It was independently published in 2023, followed by her story collection 'Tales of Suburban Castaways' in 2024. Bel holds a BA in Communications, majoring in Creative Writing (UTS), and a Masters in Writing for the Media (Macquarie University). She works in the not-for-profit sector as a communications and media professional, and is also a mental health advocate, book lover, bush walking enthusiast, traveller, blogger and firm believer it is never too late to start something new. In the 198th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Bel on: blending lived experience with fiction Mental Health month, promoting awareness and reducing stigma, particularly about bipolar type 2 in her novel 'Exuberance' ways to give a book several “lives” over time Bel’s advice for authors who want to translate their own mental health journeys into fiction in a way that resonates while still protecting their own wellbeing and much more.

Michael Wendroff is a marketing consultant, and now a debut author with his thriller, ‘What Goes Around.’ It was published by Bloomsbury in the Uk, USA, and Australia, and foreign translation rights were sold in Japanese, Hungarian, and Italian. It is available in hardcover, audiobook, and ebook, and the paperback edition launches this month. In the 197th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Michael on: the inspiration for his debut thriller 'What Goes Around' technical aspects to keep readers turning the page surprises, challenges and wins publishing his novel michael's advice to aspiring authors looking to stand out in a crowded market and much more.   

Annie Kwan is a lawyer who runs a construction company with her husband. She is passionate about teaching kids and volunteers at her daughter’s Primary Ethics Program. Annie believes that being kind to others can only start when one is kind to themself first. The Finch Who Lost her Wing is her first children’s book. She is working on more children’s books and is also writing a novel. Annie lives in Sydney with her girls, husband and two cats. In the 196th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Annie about: ‘The Finch Who Lost Her Wing’ and her belief kindness starts with being kind to ourselves practicing kindness to onself managing parenting, volunteering, running a business and living life surprises and challenges of publishing as a debut children's author writing across different forms and much more.

Rose Lane’s writing is inspired by the untold stories of people and places. She has travelled to both London and Nepal as a nurse and has written for multiple publications on topics ranging from anti-war activism to music and disability awareness. 'The Last Tibetan Kingdom' is Rose’s first book and was selected for the 2017 Hardcopy Manuscript Development Program at the Australian Writers’ Centre in Canberra. In the 195th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Rose about: her travel memoir ''The Last Tibetan Kingdom' grown out of her travels and nursing work in Nepal balancing diverse professional and writing experiences, research, voice and cultural sensitivity in the book being selected for the Australian Writers' Centre hardcopy program  her overall writing advice to authors and much more.   

Cameron Sutter is a YA sci-fi/fantasy author, software developer and the inventor of Plottr – the popular visual planning software for books and stories of all kinds. An avid reader who is endlessly learning how things work, his life’s mission is to help writers write more powerful stories (and to encourage everyone else to read the classics). He lives in Oklahoma City with his wife, six kids and several furry friends. In the 194th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Cameron on: practical use of Plottr from initial idea to completed outline Storysnap an exciting new AI-powered addition to Plottr, creating visual book bibles in minutes and instantly organising author information how AI tools like Storysnap complement, not replace, an author’s creativity and Cameron's advice to writers about integrating these tools into their process and much more.  

Mila Maxwell is an author from Clare, Nova Scotia, Canada, with a deep-rooted passion for storytelling and a love of the outdoors. A proud French Acadian, Mila draws inspiration from both her cultural heritage and her adventurous lifestyle, which includes being a volunteer firefighter. She lives in Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada with her husband Jeremy, son Bennett, and two French Bulldogs. When not writing, you can find Mila out in nature, at the gym, or helping others through her work in the community. In episode 193 of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Canadian author Mila on: how her love of the outdoors and French Acadian heritage shaped both the setting and the emotional tone of 'Finding Lady Baltimore' the inspiration and conversations hoped to spark from her novel exploring the complexities of growing up alongside a sibling with disabilities how Mila's background as a volunteer firefighter and active community member real-life experiences found their way into her characters and storytelling what Mila's publishing adventure looks like so far, and her advice to writers balancing deeply personal themes with universal resonance and miuch more.

Julia Lawrinson has published more than fifteen books for children and young people, from a picture book to books for older teenagers, and in 2024 published a memoir called How to Avoid a Happy Life. Her books have been recognised in the Children’s Book Council Awards, the WA Premier’s Book Awards and the Queensland Literary Awards, and she has presented to schools across Australia, in Singapore and in Bali. She is an enthusiastic adult learner of Indonesian, yoga and the cello. Her favourite place on earth is the dog park. In episode 192 of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Julia about: shortlisting for the 2025 WA Premier's Literary Awards blogging on Substack and how this process differs from more traditional publishing or social media how Julia's lengthy hybrid career writing for different audiences and in different forms have challenged and inspired her as a storyteller Julia's sought after advice for writers navigating their own hybrid careers, balancing traditional recognition, digital platforms, personal creative goals and much more. https://www.writersdigest.com/my-first-ideas-arent-my-best-and-ai-only-makes-them-worse?utm_medium=email&utm_source=WDG+-+NL+-+Newsletter&oly_enc_id=0273D2156645J6O  

Burnout. It’s the word no self-published author wants to say out loud, but almost every one of us has felt it. Maybe you’ve been there: staring at your manuscript, feeling resentful instead of inspired. Or pushing out content on social media, but dreading every post. Or just wondering if this author dream is worth the grind.  In episode 191 of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats honestly about: what burnout is why it’s so common in self-publishing mindset shifts that might change the game practical, energy-saving strategies creative recovery practices and  reframing the writing life.

Vanessa Maiorano is a passionate children’s author, a mum of two, and a fierce advocate for families navigating hard times. After her own experience facing cancer as a young mother, she was inspired to create gentle, supportive books that help children understand the big feelings that come with life’s challenges. Her mission is simple: to remind children that no matter what happens, there is always love. After years of working in office management, Vanessa started her own Virtual Assistant company. This business began while she was going through cancer. Vanessa needed to keep working to manage medical bills and everyday expenses, so started offering administration and business consulting services remotely. As it grew, she was supporting businesses with revenue growth and operational systems while undergoing treatment, healing from surgery, and raising two small children. Vanessa now consults for a number of companies and helps stay-at-home mums, some who are going through illness and others who are raising children, find flexible virtual work they can do from home. She says, “It’s something that came from a really difficult season but has turned into a purpose-driven part of my life that I’m proud of.” In the 190th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Vanessa on: her powerful message 'There is Always Love' and the turning pointe to share her story her publishing and marketing author adventure of 16+ books from office management to running her own virtual assistant business while undergoing treatment and raising children, how this journey shaped Vanessa's identity, not just as an author, but as a businesswoman and advocate Vanessa's advice to those trying to create or grow purpose-driven work while navigating tough periods in life and much more.  https://www.writersdigest.com/mindfulness-and-meditation-for-writers-7-easy-ways-to-stay-present-and-boost-creativity?utm_medium=email&utm_source=WDG+-+NL+-+Newsletter&oly_enc_id=3246I9700301H2H

Kasey is a marine biologist, educator and children’s author with a passion for connecting children to science and nature through storytelling and education. Growing up on the coast of Victoria, Kasey spent her days beachcombing, surfing and exploring the rocky shores. As a child (and still as an adult), she was fascinated by the rock pools teeming with life, eagerly learning the names of the all the creatures she discovered. Her passion for the ocean led her to the World Heritage listed Shark Bay Marine Park in Western Australia, where she had the incredible opportunity to work with the famous Monkey Mia dolphins and loggerhead sea turtles. Inspired by her work and dedicated to nurturing the next generation of ocean warriors, she’s turned her enthusiasm into pages by diving into the colourful world of picture books. In the 189th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Kasey on: 'A Dolphin’s Wild Journey Home' what sparked the idea for Flute’s story and why it was so important to tell it through the eyes of a dolphin how Kasey goes about translating the wonder of the natural world into storytelling that resonates with young readers balancing educating and entertaining when writing children’s books Kasey's advice on weaving real-world inspiration into meaningful, age-appropriate narratives and much more.  

Johan du Toit grew up in a remote community eight hours drive from Cape Town in South Africa. He immigrated to Australia with his family in 1994. Through membership of a writers’ group Johan found an opportunity to write short fiction. His two collections, ‘Meandering Road’ and ‘When Only Today Matters’ have been published in collaboration with Broadcast Books. The eight stories chosen for ‘When Only Today Matters’ were shaped by Johan’s personal journey. The human truth element came from a place of gratitude or a sense that tomorrow may be a better day. There are stories fuelled by injustice and frustration, others with a whisper of hope. In the 188th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Johan on: personal experience in his short story collection 'When Only Today Matters' What inspired the title, and how the theme of “living in the moment” resonates across the eight stories balancing emotional tone across short fiction, writing stories fuelled by injustice and frustration, while others carry a whisper of hope identity and displacement, shaping the way Johan tells stories or the kinds of stories he feels called to tell finding your writing voice through a writers’ group collaborative publishing with Broadcast Books Johan's advice for emerging authors interested in hybrid or community-based publishing paths and much more.  

Maura Pierlot is the author of seven titles for children and young adults and the creator of the award-winning web series on youth mental health, Fragments. Maura holds a PhD in philosophy, specialising in ethics, and is a qualified art therapist and founder of The Book Bench Project. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, Maura divides her time between Canberra and Jamberoo on the NSW south coast, where her family grows walnuts, macadamias and avocados. In episode 187 of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Maura on: the inspiration behind her latest YA novel 'The Lies We Tell Ourselves' tackling some deep and personal themes  balancing writing authentically around tough topics while keeping hope and resilience at the heart of the story challenges and rewards in crafting stories that resonate with both teens and adults Maura's advice to other writers navigating the contemporary YA space, particularly those wanting to tackle difficult emotional or social topics in their work and much more.   

Episode 186, a lonersode with your host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats on: understanding bookstore priorities consignment vs wholesale creating a bookstore-ready sell sheet follow-up etiquette and building relationships why local connection matters and much more

Toby Hammerschlag grew up in South Africa, immigrating to Australia with her husband and two daughters in 1986. She was a Special Education teacher for many years, specialising in literacy. While teaching, she would write passages and stories for her students when she couldn’t find an appropriate text for them. After retiring from teaching, she did an oral history course with the chief oral history librarian at the State Library of NSW. She then interviewed people in order to preserve their family stories. Some of the characters in her recent novel have been inspired by these interviews. Her first book, ‘The Rooftop’, was published in 2015. It is a story of friendship between four young students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. The book celebrates freedom and diversity. That book has been widely used in schools. ‘Looking Out and Beyond’ is her second novel. The research and writing of her novel has taken five years. Toby and her husband live on the upper North Shore of Sydney and is now a grandmother of five. In the 185th episode of The HYBRID Author podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Toby about: her new novel 'Looking Out and Beyond', the story rooted from Toby's childhood experiences growing up in Apartheid South Africa, blending personal memory with historical fact covering complex themes—racial injustice, World War II and migration being accessible to young adult readers. how Toby's background as a literacy educator has helped shape this story to align with the Australian school curriculum and still connect emotionally with students Toby's hopes for this book is to empower young people to stand up against racial discrimination via conversations or classroom discussions for Looking Out and Beyond sparking in schools Publishing with Woodslane and embracing a hybrid path to authorship, what Toby's author adventure has been like bringing this important story to life her advice for writers who also want to make a social impact with their work and much more 

In the 184th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, takes you behind the scenes of her latest women’s fiction novel, 'The Writer, The Hairdresser and The Nurse' published under her pen name Zara Ellen. This book is incredibly close to Joanne's heart. In this episode she shares "the why" behind the story, how these characters came to life and what she hopes readers take away from their lives. If you're a writer working on emotionally-charged fiction—or just love a good story about messy, resilient women—this one’s for you.

Anne Vines is a Melbourne-based fiction writer. Her novel, The Ship Wife was published in 2023. Her short stories have won a slew of awards including the Boroondara Award in 2014 and the Keith Carroll Award in 2020. She was also commended in the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript in 2008, and in the Varuna HarperCollins Award in 2007. She was also short-listed for the Alan Marshall Award, The Age Short Story Award and the international Wasafiri New Writing Prize. Anne has worked on both her novels at Varuna Writers’ Centre. She completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne in Literature and History, and taught in secondary schools and adult education in Victoria and London, which led her to co-write the VCE English and Literature courses. Flight is her latest novel.  In the 183rd episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Anne about: exploring love, war and forbidden desire in her new novel Flight what draws Anne to this particular period in history and the inspiration behind the story itself Anne's research for Flight and her surprising discoveries about Melbourne during the war that shaped the narrative the relationships portrayed in Flight and what readers will take away Anne's publishing adventure her burning advice for aspiring authors in the historical fiction genre or in the literature/publishing field and much more.

Jesse McNeilly is the Founder of Rescue Connect and also mentors Industrial Emergency Response departments. Having trained over 20,000 students with his work globally, Jesse is passionate about sharing knowledge so rescue teams can be safer, more capable and better prepared. Jesse holds a Medical Science Masters Degree in Disaster and Emergency Response. He has dedicated his professional life to his vocation of emergency response and rescue. Jesse has worked in eight countries in a range of military, private security, disaster response, training and leadership roles. Jesse continues to develop his industry networks so rescue workers can learn from and help each other. In the 182nd episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Jesse about: the inspiration and personal experience behind his guidebook 101 Rescue Scenarios: Mines Emergency Respond, 2025 edition and why it is so critical for today’s industrial emergency response teams the interactive elements of the work AI training and creation of images Jesse's overall advice to leader’s in their field or authors in general looking to utilise their skillset to give back to their departments and create and publish a guidebook and much more.  https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1764099400?psc=1&smid=ANEGB3WVEVKZB&ref_=chk_typ_quicklook_seeDetailsToDp

Sarah Susak is a full-time working mum. A commercial lawyer with over two decades of experience, Sarah has led the legal function of some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Coca-Cola and Colgate-Palmolive across the South Pacific and Europe. She is also a lifetime supporter of the Wayside Chapel for the homeless in Sydney. In 2017, shortly after becoming a mother, Sarah was diagnosed with a rare and deadly head and neck cancer. Her journey through major facial reconstructive surgeries, intensive radiation treatment and ongoing medical challenges led her to discover the ancient practice of Vedic meditation, which became a cornerstone of her recovery and inspired her to train as a Vedic meditation teacher. In 2023 she launched Medi Steady Go®, a business dedicated to sharing the wisdom and techniques that she credits with saving her life. After being in remission from cancer for almost seven years while completing YOURU in 2024 Sarah was diagnosed with a metastasis to the lung. Though the lesion on her lung was safely removed, she developed a rare autoimmune condition which saw her on life support and hospitalised for almost three months. With the help of holistic health practices and her daily meditation routine, Sarah made a remarkable recovery, defying medical expectations. She is now living a joyful and purpose-filled life in Sydney with her husband and daughter. YOURU is her first book. In episode 181 of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Sarah about: the inspiration behind writing her book 'YOURU – Find the Guru Within You' sharing her extraordinary journey through life-threatening illness, recovery and personal transformation making writing time inbetween balancing roles as a commercial lawyer, full-time working mum, author and meditation teacher Vedic meditation and how this practice shaped the way Sarah approaches challenges—not only in her personal health journey but in her career and writing life as well  Sarah's advice for listeners who might be facing personal or creative challenges and much more.

Jeanette Stampone was born in a spooky three-hundred-year-old house in the English countryside. She grew up with stories of local legends, pixies, ghosts, and fairies. These childhood experiences inspire Jeanette to write fun, imaginative and quirky stories. A country girl at heart, Jeanette now lives in regional Western Australia with her husband and two boys.   In 2022, Jeanette’s debut picture book, 'Shadow and the Girl' was released by Red Paper Kite. Her second book, 'The Dragon Guest Handbook' was published by Wombat Books in 2024. This year, Jeanette was thrilled to release her new junior fiction book 'Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost', published by About Kids Books. Jeanette is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and is passionate about sharing and creating books for kids of all ages. In episode 180 of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Jeanette about: the inspiration for her new junior fiction book Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost balancing creating a sense of mystery and fun without making the story too scary or dark for young audiences paranormal themes and what Jeanette hopes readers will take away from Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost, especially about fear, courage and imagination from character development to pacing, what storytelling techniques Jeanette found most effective when crafting ghostly adventures that keep kids hooked from start to finish her advice to aspiring junior fiction authors and much more.