‘When I was a lawyer, I knew what was good enough, because if you did the job properly, you were paid, and if you didn’t do the job properly, you were sued. It was very clear-cut. With writing, you never know. There’s a lot of subjectivity.’

James speaks with Penguin Literary Prize winning author Annette Higgs about her debut novel, On a Bright Hillside in Paradise. They discuss the process of researching family ancestry to craft historical fiction, as well as the challenge of taking up writing later in life. Plus, Annette shares the story of how she learned she won the Penguin Literary Prize during a trip to Norfolk Island. 

Annette Higgs is a writer living in Sydney, Australia. She has lived, worked and studied in Sydney, London and Italy, and holds a Doctor of Arts from the University of Sydney. A Pushcart nominee, her short work has appeared in literary journals and anthologies in Australia, the USA, the UK and India. 

You can read Annette's March 2023 essay for the Bangalore Review, entitled 'Starting Late: Reflections on Becoming a Writer' here. 

Get your copy of On a Bright Hillside in Paradise from Booktopia or your local bookshop.

Upcoming events 

• Ashley is in Goulburn on Saturday 11 November running her Joy of Creative Writing workshop (1-3pm) and in conversation about Dark Mode (3.30-4.30pm) at Goulburn Mulwaree Library – RSVP for free
• Ashley is Brisbane in conversation with podcast guest Fiona Robertson on Saturday 25 Nov at 10am, Ashgrove Library –RSVP for free 
• Crafting Narrative Drive – an in-person workshop with Ashley at Avid Reader in Brisbane, Sunday 26 November, 10am-1pm
• James is in conversation with Benjamin Stevenson to celebrate the release of his new book 'Everyone On This Train is a Suspect' on Wednesday 6 Dec at 6:30pm at Warringah Mall Library - bookings required, $5

Books and authors discussed in this episode:

• Limberlost by Robbie Arnott
• The Sun Walks Down by Fiona McFarlane
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
• Obsession by Nicole Madigan 

Ashley's psychological thriller Dark Mode is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy.

James' novel Denizen is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy. 

Get in touch!

• ashleykalagianblunt.com
• jamesmckenziewatson.com
• Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt + @JamesMcWatson
• Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson