Former journalist and writer, Michael Brissenden discussed his latest novel, ‘Dust’ with me on the show. Topics included: - How Dust came to be - its real-world, real location inspiration. - Communities turning on one another during a crisis - how the finger-pointing/blame-shifting can happen so quickly and how factions can form so easily. - The role media and media coverage plays, even in small, local community issues and what lasting, widespread impact it can have. - Forms of self-radicalisation and how they are shown in the novel. - And a ton more! Thanks be to Michael for discussing Dust with me on the show!

Writer, producer, and academic, Seth Robinson, joined me to discuss ‘Unfolded’ - the University of Melbourne’s new podcast that he co-hosts with writer and novelist, Tony Birch. Topics we talked about include: - How ‘Unfolded’ started with one unique idea - bringing a writer’s stories to life with actors - and interviewing the writers about their work and their reaction to this vision of their work. - Collaborative work - how ‘Unfolded’ is a creative community working together to produce something unique - and the positive experiences of that. - The differences in imaginations and interpretations - how writers can be surprised by their own work through its interpretations by other creatives. - How we as individuals can connect so easily, so completely, with audio storytelling. - And heaps more! Thanks very much to Seth for chatting with me about Unfolded on the show. You can listen to all current episodes on Apple podcasts and Spotify. Here’s the Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Z8DDtqdQ6QD2dVE88FqQL?si=273e272f0836461b

Writer, editor, actor, Laura McCluskey, joined me to discuss her debut novel, ‘The Wolf Tree’, Topics included: - What inspired ‘The Wolf Tree’ and how it went into crafting the fictional island setting of Eilean Eadar. - Trust in its many forms. - Tradition - what compels an individual and a people to uphold it. - Fear - how it features in different ways and dynamics in the novel. - And a ton more! Thanks heaps to Laura for chatting with me on the show - get your copy of ‘The Wolf Tree’ now!

Bestselling author Dervla McTiernan joined me to discuss her latest Cormac Reilly novel, 'The Unquiet Grave'. We talked about: - Origins of ‘The Unquiet Grave’ and bog bodies! - Returning to writing Cormac Reilly. Is it harder to write with an entirely new protagonist, or a recurring one beloved by fans? - The different examples of familial obligations found throughout the novel. - How is it that we always see the best, or best version in those close to us, even when there’s mounting evidence contradicting that? - And so much more! Thanks muchly to Dervla for chatting with me on the show, be sure to get your copy of ‘The Unquiet Grave’ now!

The first (and likely only) guest for 2025 is novelist Alicia Thompson! She joined me to discuss her second published novel, ‘Ex’. Topics we covered include: - The origins of ‘Ex’. - The freedoms and limitations imposed by writing such a unique novel. - Alicia’s exhaustive research process and how it informs her writing. - Memories, how they can change over time and how they can shape our life. - And plenty more! Huge thanks to Alicia for talking with me on the show. Get your copy of ‘Ex’ now!

Musician, writer and author, Jack Ellis, joined me to talk about his 2nd novel, ‘Home And Other Hiding Places.’ Topics discussed include: - What inspired ‘Home And Other Hiding Places’. - How children's lives are shaped by what they are/aren’t told and how their imagination fills out the rest. - Children taking on the roles of protector and provider for parents. - Writing from a child’s perspective - how it isn’t innately optimistic, but more a story told from someone that hasn’t yet ‘soaked in expectations’. - And so much more! Big thanks to Jack for discussing ‘Home And Other Hiding Places’ with me on the show. Be sure to check out his next EP dropping very soon too!

Writer and novelist, Hayley Scrivenor, dropped in to chat about her second novel, ‘Girl Falling’. Topics include: - The genesis of ‘Girl Falling’ - including the idyllic setting of the Blue Mountains. - The need (and total inability) to know what someone else - someone close to ourselves - is thinking. - How others sometimes, seemingly, know us even better than we do. - Book Two Syndrome - how did Hayley prevail over it? - And so much more! Thanks very much to Hayley for talking all about ‘Girl Falling’ with me on the program - get your copy from the good folks at Pan Macmillan now!!

Writer, podcaster and novelist, Karen Viggers, joined me to discuss her latest novel, ‘Sidelines’. Topics include: - The origins of ‘Sidelines’. - How ultra-competitive parents can be drawn to highly-ranked clubs. - The insatiable at-all-costs need to win that drives some parents and (by extension) their children. - Passion being used as an excuse for toxic behaviour and how some people aren’t even aware of their own behaviour. - And so much more! Thanks heaps to Karen for chatting with me about ‘Sidelines.’

Journalist and novelist, Ali Lowe, joined me to discuss her latest novel, ‘The School Run’. Topics discussed include: - The real-world inspo for ‘The School Run’. - St Ignatius Boys’ School - what such an institution represents to these characters and how they can find themselves willing to do anything - anything at all - in order to secure a spot for their child in such a place. - The similarities between parent and child - how parents can be hard and harsh on their child out of fear that they are seeing mini versions of themselves. - Obligations. How promises and the keeping of them can define and drive characters. - And a ton more! Thanks very much to Ali for talking with me about ‘The School Run’ on the show.

Award-winning journalist and novelist, Michael Brissenden, joined me to talk about his latest crime novel, ‘Smoke’. Topics discussed include: - The origins of ‘Smoke’. - Shifting writing stories set in Australia to the U.S. - the similarities and differences of the two countries and settings. - Journalists - the individuals that frequently risk both life and limb in the pursuit of the truth. - The power of loyalty - and the various versions of loyalty presented throughout the novel. - And lots more! Thank you Michael for chatting with me about all things ‘Smoke’.

Writer and author of 40+ books, Jack Heath, joined me to discuss his latest thriller, ‘Kill Your Husbands’. Topics discussed include: - The inspiration for ‘Kill Your Husbands’ - and its unique origins during the height of 50 Shades popularity. - The endurance of unlikely friendships - how shared experiences can sustain them - i.e. memories turning from tragedy to comedy. - Fear of losing a relationship as a driving force - the concept found in ‘I lost them because I tried so hard to keep them.’ - Overcoming self-doubt. - And lots more! Thanks very much to Jack for discussing ‘Kill Your Husbands’ on the show!

Writer and now novelist Maxine Fawcett joined me to talk about her debut novel, ‘Everything Is Perfect’. Topics discussed include: - What sparked ‘Everything Is Perfect’. - Deconstructing a ‘perfect’ marriage - tracing the history of a lifetime spent together with a partner - how it can be less a love story and more a life story. - The process (and importance) of ‘writing scared’. - Obsession - how it can form and how social media can enable it. - And heaps more! Thanks heaps to Maxine for chatting all things ‘Everything Is Perfect’ with me on the program!

The first guest for 2024 is writer and novelist, Dinuka McKenzie! She joined me to discuss her latest novel, the 3rd in the Detective Kate Miles series - ‘Tipping Point’. Topics discussed include: - The inspiration for Tipping Point - the brother and sister dynamic and the decision to open the novel with a chapter not from Kate’s perspective - a series first! - The importance of family/the goings-on of a family in Kate’s life/this series. How our understanding of others can be shaken/changed by certain events - contrasted with a family’s blind belief in one of their own. ‘They aren’t capable of this’ etc. - Guilt as a driving force. - Writing a series with a recurring central protagonist - the freedoms and restrictions it presents. - And a whole ton more! Thank you muchly to Dinuka for talking all things ‘Tipping Point’ and Kate Miles with me on the show!

Writer and novelist, Rae Cairns, joined me on the show to discuss her 2nd crime/thriller novel, ‘Dying To Know’. Topics discussed include: The origins of ‘Dying To Know’. The theme of belonging, the desire to belong to a group/family found in several characters throughout the novel. Rae’s boots-on-the-ground research into Sydney’s motorbike scene - from the social clubs to meeting ex-members of outlaw gangs - how all that served to bring the novel to life. The juggling act of Gen - the day-to-day of raising Charlie and Lily, while investigating the abduction of her sister, Amber. ‘Second Book Syndrome’ - what it was for Rae with writing this novel, and how she prevailed. And so much more! Thanks so much to Rae for discussing ‘Dying To Know’ with me on the program!

Professional communicator, writer and novelist, Michelle Prak, appeared on the show to talk about her debut crime novel, ‘The Rush’. Topics discussed include: - The genesis of ‘The Rush’ - including Michelle’s extensive travelling and road-tripping through some of the country’s remotest locations. - The importance of getting the setting right - including the ‘character’ of the rain/flood - how Michelle went about doing this. - The nature of trust - as applied to random people thrust together. - The gut instinct(s) we feel - trusting/being suspicious of someone - how our gut instincts and first impressions can be wrong. Or how ignoring our gut instincts can be to our detriment! - And so much more! Thanks heaps to Michelle for discussing all things ‘The Rush’ with me on the program. Grab your copy from Simon & Schuster now! Michelle’s photo is credited to Kalyn Woodbury.

Writer, producer, comedian and now novelist, Carolyn Swindell, joined me on the show (all the way from Korea!) to discuss her debut novel, ‘We Only Want What’s Best’. TRIGGER WARNING: There were brief mentions of child grooming and child abuse and citing a real-life case. If you are triggered by such subjects/themes - please reconsider listening to this episode. Topics discussed include: The inspiration behind the novel - its themes, characters and unique setting. The allure of performing at Disneyland - how this (supposedly) glamorous goal/destination can entice even the most reluctant, or wary, of performers and their parents. The fictional ‘Expressions’ Dance Troupe - what it represents - how it fosters a cult-like culture and environment that affects parents and performers alike. The disconnect/disparity between what parents think their daughters are like and up to - and the reality. The tightrope presented to teenagers - of respecting the power/rule of a monolithic institute, while at the same time developing one’s own agency. The differences/similarities in Carolyn’s comedic work and writing a novel depicting such serious subjects and themes. And so much more! Huge thanks to Carolyn for discussing ‘We Only What’s Best’ with me on the show. Get your copy from Affirm Press now!

Writer and novelist, Mercedes Mercier joined me on the show to discuss her second novel, ‘Black Lies’. Topics discussed include: - The genesis of ‘Black Lies’ - how Mercedes work within the criminal justice system has inspired her novel(s). - The writing of interrogation/conversation scenes - where minute changes in facial expressions and body language are vital. The challenges such scenes present and the fun Mercedes’ had writing them. - MC Criminal Psychologist Laura Fleming’s incredible talent for connecting with others (from chatting with cold-blooded killers about their love of dogs, to talking babies with the wives of motorcycle gang leaders) - how it serves as the basis and drive for some scenes. - The disparate nature of the work as a criminal psychologist - speaking with offenders and suspects of all types. - And so much more! Thanks to Mercedes for chatting all things ‘Black Lies’ with me on the program. Get your copy now!

Journalist, editor, writer, poet and co-artistic director for Addi Road Writers Festival 2023, Mark Mordue, joined me on the show. Topics discussed include: A brief overview of Addi Road Writers Festival, and its pandemic/post-pandemic journey. The festival’s theme for the year - ‘inner worlds’. Festival highlights, including events and appearing guests. And so much more! Thanks to the festival’s artistic directors Mark Mordue and Sheila Ngọc Phạm, along with Addi Road CEO Rosanna Barbero and all others involved in putting on such an epic and important local writers' festival! The gorgeous illustration of this post is by Peter Bainbridge. So, get your tix to attend the festival on (next) Saturday, May 20th here: https://addiroad.org.au/writers-festival/#

Film director, Brandon Cronenberg, joined me on the show to discuss his latest science fiction/horror film, ‘Infinity Pool’, starring Alex Skarsgard, Mia Goth and Cleopatra Coleman. Topics discussed include: The themes of self-control and self-identity and their variations found in Brandon’s previous movie, ‘Possessor’ and ‘Infinity Pool’. What types of people are drawn to dangerous and exotic locations. The demarcation between those that commit transgressions and are remorseful, and those that aren’t. Subverting/trivialising punishment - when punishment without true or lasting repercussions becomes tokenistic and what can arise from that both within the offender and for the society they inhabit. Strength and cowardice - what constitutes both - what both are seen as by characters in ‘Infinity Pool’. And so much more! Big thanks to Brandon for chatting with me on the show. ‘INFINITY POOL’ is in cinemas May 11 - go and see it!

Speaker, podcast host, author and writer, Ashley Kalagian Blunt, appeared on the 1st episode of the show for 2023 - discussing her thriller novel, ‘Dark Mode’. Topics discussed include: The inspiration for ‘Dark Mode’ - Ashley’s research into infamous cases of stalking and murders, along with her own educational excursions onto the dark web. The era (2017) - the last time someone could get away without having a smartphone, along with Donald Trump’s comments embodying a new online misogynistic movement. Enmore/Inner-West - writing a psychological thriller set in the location Ashley first wrote about, very differently, in ‘How To Be Australian’. The unshakable presence of “the other” - knowing they would/could be anywhere and everywhere - how this can detrimentally alter and define a victim’s life. How contemporary life and society make it almost impossible for an individual to be ‘off-the-grid’ i.e. no smartphone, no social media accounts. The terrifying reality of how technology has enabled unprecedented access to, and power over, an individual - i.e. deepfake technology, invasion/control over finances/assets/entire life. Ashley’s experiences with long-form writing with her C.F.S. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). And so much more! Thanks again to Ashley for talking all things ‘Dark Mode’ with me. What a brilliant guest to kick off the show’s 2023! Get your copy of ‘Dark Mode’ now!