Episode #170 is Laurie Bell's 2nd podcast co-hosting birthday! Veronica has a chat with the fabulous crime writing duo of Elise Wackett and Jane Abbott. Plus industry news, including cautions on spammers, literary events, books spotlights and a reading from The Canvas Killings.

Book spotlights:

1. When Will It Happen for Me by Phoebe Rogers - non-fiction
2. My Brother Otto by Ingrid Laguna - middle grade
3. The Exiled: A Web of Lies Book 1 by Jason Smith - fantasy
4. The Outpost at Tal Ghrna by Simon Dell - science fiction
5. Hearts and Diamonds: The Anchor and The Moon Book 2 by Maxx Victor - fantasy
6. Name and Number: The Anchor and The Moon Book 3 by Maxx Victor - fantasy
7. Meandering to Manila by Keith Dalton - memoir
8. The Swimming Group by Bella Ellwood-Clayton - contemporary

Intro - 00:57
Laurie's 2nd co-hosting birthday- 1:47
Industry news - 13:02
Book spotlights - 22:54
Author interview - 39:20
Post interview chat - 1:22:42
Quotes - 1:26:46
Author reading - 1:30:54

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In episode #169 Veronica and Laurie explore the writer's journey with Maria P Frino, Conchita GarSantiago, Hayley Walsh and Uma Srinivasan from Sydney Authors Inked. The group share how SAI began, and how it's evolved to become a fabulous community for local writers. Their monthly 'Writers at the Pub' events are a wonderful platform for authors to connect, collaborate and share resources on writing, publishing and promoting.

Intro - 0:57
Bio - Hayley Walsh - 4:01
Book Spotlight - Making March - 4:40
Bio - Maria P Frino - 6:41
Book Spotlight - The Robot's Heart - 7:18
Bio - Conchita GarSantiago - 9:16
Book Spotlight - A Cry For Home - 10:03
Bio - Uma Srinivasan - 11:49
Book Spotlight - Etched in Gold - 12:54
How did Sydney Authors Inked start? - 18:11
What is success and what has helped you be more successful? - 31:41
What is the most frequent question you've been asked? - 39:05
Advice for people wanting to replicate a group like SAI? - 43:41
What's on your writing list for the next 12-months? - 53:47

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Episode #168 has Veronica and Laurie meandering through memoir with Danielle Sartorelli, Angelina Mastrippolito and Bo Kitty. Our three debut authors tell us why they're sharing their very personal stories. We chat about secrets, families and their unique writing processes. 

Intro - 0:57
Bio - Danielle Sartorelli - 2:44
Book Spotlight - Life in Instalments - 4:39
Bio - Angelina Mastrippolito - 7:20
Book Spotlight - Le Seconde - 9:22
Bio - Bo Kitty - 13:53
Book Spotlight - Always Eat the Weird Stuff - 14:59
Delving into family secrets - 27:52
How has writing the memoir changed you? - 37:15
What would you tell your younger self - 44:46
What's on your writing horizon? - 52:15
Advice for new writers - 56:36

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In episode #167 we're exploring contemporary storytelling, cultural inheritance, identity, family relationships and belonging with Alejandra Martinez, Monica Raszewski and Paula McLean. They share their story inspiration, writing process and great advice for new writers.

Intro - 0:57
Bio Alejandra Martinez - 2:36
Book Spotlight - Salsa in the Suburbs - 3:40
Bio Monica Raszewski - 6:58
Book Spotlight - Crimson Light, Polished Wood - 07:51
Bio Paula McLean - 10:29
Book Spotlight - The One Remaining - 11:26
Thoughts on the threads of cultural inheritance, identity and belonging - 14:13
How do you make a written family relatable? - 23:44
How do you find time to write? -31:52
What's on your writing horizon? 42:35
Advice for new writers - 46:04

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Episode 166 is all about publishing and print on demand. Veronica and Laurie have a fabulous chat about all things self-publishing with the wonderful Chris Munnery from Ingram Spark. We have news, book spotlights, and we dive into great resources from: Ingram Spark, So You Want to Be A Writer by Allison Tait and Valerie Khoo (book and podcast), About Writing by Gareth L. Powell.

Book spotlights:
1. The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold – middle grade
2. The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage by Charlie Archbold – middle grade
3. Engineering the Australian Dream by Jaideep Padwalar – memoir
4. Crimson Velvet Heart by Carmel Bird – historical fiction
5. The Canvas Killings by Elise Janes – mystery, thriller and suspense
6. Return to Silkeborg by Vanessa Benford – contemporary 
7. Tarzan Loves Jane by John Comerford – contemporary

Intro - 00:57
Publishing tips - 4:00
Industry news - 26.05
Book spotlights - 33:52
Author interview - 52:02
Post interview chat - 1:43:12
Quotes - 1:44:29

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In episode 165 Veronica and Laurie share book marketing tips from K.M. Allan, Seth Godin, Bryan Cohen and Joanna Penn. We have news, quotes, book spotlights and lots more. Laurie has a lively chat with the fabulous middle grade and children's author George Ivanoff.

Book spotlights:
1. The Boyfriend Clause by Bridie Blake - romance
2. Forever and Ever by Allanah Hunt - contemporary
3. The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay by Charlie Archbold – middle grade
4. Birthing with Trauma and Fear: A Guide to an Empowering Birth Experience by Moran Liviani – non-fiction
5. Tree Pose by Susan Rogers & John Roosen - thriller
6. Warrior Pose by Susan Rogers & John Roosen - thriller
7. One suitcase, two pets and a breakdown – Athena Martinez – memoir

Intro - 00:57
Marketing tips - 4:32
Industry news - 21:55
Book spotlights - 25:54
Author interview - 43:08
Post interview chat - 1:33:30
Quotes - 1:35:52

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In episode #164 Veronica and Laurie share writing and self-publishing tips, ISBNs, industry news, literary grants, quotes, new segment stings and more. Laurie catches up with thriller author Naomi Shippen about her latest book Before She Killed Him. Plus seven spectacular book spotlights. 

Book spotlights:
1. All we need by Magdalena McGuire – contemporary
2. Songs of Shadow, Words of Woe by Matthew R. Davis – horror
3. Stormy Normy Goes Reining by Leisa Fail - middle grade
4. The Sky’s Edge by Clare Anne McGrory – thriller
5. A Child Called Faye by Jess Senff – fantasy
6. Billion Dollar Blindspot: What is Your Workplace Culture Costing You? By Hacia Atherton – non-fiction
7. Bird Deity by John Morrissey – science fiction

Intro - 00:57
Publishing tips - 4:20
Industry news - 17:35
Book spotlights - 22:43
Author interview - 41:40
Post interview chat - 1:24:26
Quotes - 1:26:27

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In episode #163 we're getting down onto the little chairs and exploring the outside world with Australian picture book authors Annie Kwan and Tania Moloney. They share their unique inspiration and writing process, the delights of working with an illustrator and which of their characters would make the best podcast guest.

Intro - 0:57
Bio Tania Moloney - 2:38
Book Spotlight - Nature Ninja Saves The Natural World - 3:26
Bio Annie Kwan - 5:06
Book Spotlight - The Finch Who Lost Her Wing - 05:57
Using Aussie fauna to tell powerful stories - 11:27
Using characters teaching children about emotions and the world - 21:44
Working with illustrators - 31:38
Which of your characters would make the best podcast guest? - 42:21
What surprised you about publishing your book? - 47:23
Advice for new picture book writers - 53:41

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In episode #162 Veronica and Laurie have industry news, literary events, book spotlights and more. The Furphy Literary Awards 2026 are open and we chat with Robyn J Black, coordinator of the award and previous winner who shares the history of the competition, short story writing tips and so much more.

Book spotlights:
1. Lee Gordon Present by Jeff Apter - biography
2. Love Beyond Borders by Joshua Campbell - historical
3. Wending by Bel Hawley - contemporary
4. Soul Comfort by Alistair Conwell - non-fiction
5. The Maskeys by Stuart Everly-Wilson - contemporary
6. Confessions of a Minor Poet by Phil Brown - memoir

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 16:04
Book spotlights - 21:33
Author interview - 35:54
Post interview chat - 1:07:57
Quotes - 1:09:07

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In episode 161 we're riding the coattails of three historical fiction writers into the past. We chat with authors Duncan Graham, Anne Vines and Paul Rushworth-Brown about their story inspiration, their writing process and what period in history they'd love to go back to.

Intro - 0:57
Bio Duncan Graham - 3:36
Book Spotlight - Where the Dust Settles by Duncan Graham - 4:33
Bio Anne Vines - 8:54
Book Spotlight - Flight by Anne Vines - 10:59
Bio Paul Rushworth-Brown - 16:15
Book Spotlight - Outback Odyssey by Paul Rushworth-Brown - 17:46
Research, fact and fiction - 21:54
Writing relatable characters - 33:05
Individual writing process - 45:38
Which historical period would you like to go back to? - 54:51
Advice for new writers - 1:01:05

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