When Renae Black stepped into her second maternity leave, she was in the thick of postnatal anxiety and overwhelm. Instead of letting it swallow her, she opened her laptop and set herself a challenge: write a book before going back to work. By the time she returned to the office, she had four manuscripts under her belt! Raised on a farm north of Wagga, Renae’s childhood was full of cattle, dogs, snakes and even the occasional ostrich. That sense of small-town grit and community never left her, and now, in Queensland’s Moreton Bay, she balances life as a mum, social worker, and rural romance author. In this episode, Renae reflects on how writing became a lifeline during her hardest seasons of motherhood, how farm life and her social work continues to shape her storytelling, and why love and community will always remain at the heart of her work.

Thank you to Blundstone for proudly supporting our Winter season. Built for life on the land and beyond, their boots are made to go the distance and keep up with life’s adventures. Explore the range: https://www.blundstone.com.au 

Domestic violence or sexual assault support:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

1800 RESPECT or 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732

13 YARN or 13 92 76 for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders

NSW Domestic Violence Line 1800 65 64 63

QLD DV Connect 1800 811 811

Victoria Safe Steps 1800 015 188

WA Women's Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 007 339 

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