'There are so many books in bookstores, how could it possibly be that, by complete randomness, someone would pick yours up?'

Author Siang Lu joins us to discuss his second novel, Ghost Cities, and the multilayered inspirations behind his multilayered fiction, including Catch-22 and Paradise Lost.

We also discuss talent stacking, the challenge of building an author brand and Siang's novel approach to doing so.

Siang Lu is the author of Ghost Cities and The Whitewash, and the co-creator of The Beige Index. In 2023 he was named one of the Top 40 Under 40 Asian-Australians at the Asian Australian Leadership Awards. He has written for film and television, and is based in Brisbane, and Kuala Lumpur.

Books and authors discussed in this episode

• Catch-22 by Joseph Heller;
• Viet Thanh Nguyen;
• Paradise Lost by John Milton;
• Katherine Collette (from ep 55);
• He Who Drowned the World by Shelly Parker-Chan;
• Amygdalatropolis by BR Yeager;
• So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan;
• Better Than Happiness by Gregory P Smith

Get your copy of Ghost Cities from Booktopia or your local bookshop. Upcoming events

• Ashley is in conversation with Petronella McGovern to launch her new novel on Monday 1 July, 6pm
• Ashley is in conversation with Lisa Kenway to launch her debut thriller on Thursday 1 August, 6.30pm
• Ashley is part of the Northern Beaches Readers Festival, 27-28 September

Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.

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

Get in touch!

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