'I always knew I wanted to write a novel, but I didn't have any ideas that I thought could extend to a novel-length work.'

In episode 110, Michelle See-Tho shares her journey from aspiring writer to winner of the 2023 Penguin Literary Prize for her debut novel, Jade and Emerald. Though she started out writing short stories and video game reviews, she discusses how drawing on inspiration from her own life, including her passion for video games, helped her shape the world of her novel.

Michelle See-Tho is a freelance writer and copywriter. She has had articles and stories published in Kill Your Darlings, Meanjin, Overland and The Big Issue Fiction Edition. Jade and Emerald is her first novel.

You can read Michelle's article 'Why Aren't There More Books About Video Games?' for Nintendo Life here.

Get your copy of Jade and Emerald from Booktopia or your local bookshop or library.

Books & authors discussed in this episode:

• Melanie Cheng
• Katherine Collette
• Annette Higgs
• Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor
• Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
• Translations by Jumaana Abdu
• The Profound Benefits of a Stint in Prison by Andrew Hamilton
• The Third Realm by Karl Ove Knausgård

Upcoming events:

• Ashley is teaching From Memory to Manuscript for Hunter Writers Centre monthly on Monday evenings starting 24 February
• Ashley is teaching Year of the Novel for Writing NSW on Wednesday evenings starting 26 February 2025
• Cold Truth Sydney launch with James – Thursday 6 Feb, 7 pm at the Royal Oak, Balmain
• Cold Truth Melbourne with Sally Hepworth – Monday 10 February, 6.30 at Cheltenham Library
• Cold Truth Melbourne with Kate Mildenhall – Tuesday 11 February, 6.30 at Readings Carlton
• Cold Truth Brisbane launch with Martine Kropkowski – Thursday 13 February, 6pm at Avid Reader
• Ashley is teaching Pathways to Publishing in-person for the Sout Coat Writers Centre on Saturday, 15 March starting 10.30 am

Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.

Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library.

Get in touch!

• ashleykalagianblunt.com
• jamesmckenziewatson.com
• Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson