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

Support the show

Thanks for listening.
Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

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

Support the show

Thanks for listening.
Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

And we're back! Ep160 has Veronica and Laurie chatting author incomes, getting teens to read, Anna Featherstone's List of Australian Writers Festivals, and K.M. Allan's Writing Habits Checklist to get you into the New Year groove. So many lovely book spotlights, plus a wonderful chat with January Gilchrist about 'The Final Chapter' and a reading from The Serpent's Kiss from our very own Laurie Bell. And so much more...

Book spotlights:
1. The Serpent’s Kiss: Stones of Power Book 4 by Laurie Bell – YA Fantasy
2. Before She Killed Him by Naomi Shippen – mystery, thriller, domestic suspense
3. The Finch who lost her wing by Annie Kwan – picture book
4. The Wildflower of Asam by Gayatri Sarkar – historical
5. Moor to Sea: A journey along the Cleveland Way by Vicki Foote – memoir 
6. The Tyranny of Tomorrow by Magda Mizzi – dystopian scifi
7. Grayson’s Magical Mishaps by Kevin Klehr – fantasy

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 8:10
Book spotlights - 18:06
Author interview - 38:00
Post interview chat - 1:26:53
Quotes - 1:29:11
Author reading - 1:32:17

Support the show

Thanks for listening.
Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

Episode 159 has Christmas written all over it. Veronica and Laurie chat rituals, folklore, food and book stocking fillers with six Australian authors whose work is set in the festive season: Madeleine D'Este, Sandy Barker, Lisa Heidke, Kevin Klehr, BG Hilton & Kay Kerr. Plus we share seasons greetings from 30 Australian Book Lovers authors - a little about their books and a little festive cheer.

Seasons Greetings from James Ynson, Nicole Kelly & Lisa Kenway - 0:57
Intro - 2:18
Seasons Greetings from Faye Hall, DT Bella, Max Jeffries - 5:11
Chat with Madeleine D'Este author of A Very Evangeline Christmas & Black Soil, White Bread - 7:27
Seasons Greetings from Leisa Fail, Verity Croker, Simon Higgins - 17:44
Chat with Sandy Barker author of The Christmas Swap & The Christmas Trip - 19:06
Seasons Greetings from Susan Rogers & John Roosen, Damien Linnane, Gabiann Marin - 28:34
Chat with Lisa Heidke author of Christmas Actually - 30:26
Seasons Greetings from Vanessa Bedford, Scott Leckie, Rowena Mabbott -39:37
Chat with Kevin Klehr author of Midnight Angel & Grayson's Magical Mishaps - 41:18
Seasons Greetings from Maria P Frino, Sandy Barker, George Ivanoff - 49:50
Chat with BG Hilton author of The Grimsdale Claimant - 51:14
Seasons Greetings from Tina Strachan, Heather Ewings, Michele Layet - 1:01:39
Seasons Greetings from Susannah Hardy, Holly Cardamone, Andrea Putting - 1:06:40
Chat with Kay Kerr author of Might Cry Later - 1:08:16
Seasons Greetings from Donna Cameron, Monika Schott, Madeleine D'Este - 1:14:36
More chat with Kay Kerr 1:16:23
Seasons Greetings from Amra Pajalic, David Cairns & SF Sowter - 1:28:05
Post chat - 1:30:12

Support the show

Thanks for listening.
Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

Episode 158 is up and humming. We chat book covers, Laurie's BookBub experience for White Fire, and tips for writing flash fiction. Veronica chats with contemporary author Johan du Toit about his stories in 'When Only Today Matters' and Johan reads an excerpt from the title story. Plus we have news, quotes, K.M. Allan's Unpredictability Checklist and so much more... 

Book spotlights:

1. Matter of Time by Daniel Caine – science fiction
2. No Dancing in the Lift by Mandy Sayer - memoir
3. Stormy Normy Finds His Forever Home by Leisa Fail– middle grade
4. Stormy Normy and the Tom Quilty Gold Cup by Leisa Fail – middle grade 
5. Fly Boy, Ace Pilot, A life cut short by Peter Hodge - non-fiction
6. Exuberance by Bel Vidal – contemporary 
7. Dreamy Days and Random Naps by Mawson - picture book

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 17:25
Book spotlights - 28:15
Author interview - 46:32
Post interview chat - 1:29:12
Quotes - 1:33:36
Author reading - 1:35:52

Support the show

Thanks for listening.
Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

In episode #157, Veronica & Laurie explore fantasy in many forms with authors Maria Linwood, Dmetri Kakmi, Heather Ewings & Maxx Victor. Why does fantasy speak to so many readers? How do you keep a fantasy story relatable for modern readers? And so much more...

Intro - 0:57
Maria Linwood Bio - 4:37
Book Spotlight - Mistress of Amber and Flame by Maria Linwood - 5:25
Demetri Kakmi Bio - 6:52
Book Spotlight - The Woman in the Well by Dmetri Kakmi - 8:42
Heather Ewings Bio - 10:21
Book Spotlight - Klaria's Battle by Heather Ewings - 11:28
Maxx Victor Bio - 12:29
Book Spotlight - Cinder and Black by Maxx Victor - 14:19
Why does fantasy speak to so many readers? - 28:15
Where is your favourite fantasy world? - 48:31
Advice for emerging fantasy authors - 54:24

Book spotlights:
- Mistress of Amber and Flame by Maria Linwood - epic fantasy
- The Woman in the Well by Dmetri Kakmi - dark fantasy, horror
- Klaria's Battle by Heather Ewings - historical fantasy, folklore
- Cinder and Black by Maxx Victor - paranormal, fairytale retelling, YA

Support the show

Thanks for listening.
Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

Episode #156 is packed full of writer's resources. Veronica and Laurie have industry news and discussions (congrats to Holden Sheppard for making the WA Local Hero shortlist), K.M. Allan's Reverse Outlining checklist from her book Writing and Editing Checklist, plus book spotlights and quotes. We chat with Dr Alexandra Dane about Community Publishing in Regional Australia and the DIY Publishing Toolkit (by Beth Driscoll, Kim Wilkins, Sandra Phillips and Alexandra Dane).

Book spotlights:
1. Dear Little One: You're Perfect, Just As You Are by Christina Giuffré - children's 
2. Authorpreneurship: The Business of Creativity by Hazel Edwards – non-fiction
3. Writing for Young People by Hazel Edwards – non-fiction
4. Kaleidoscope of Ideas: Hands On Activities for Gifted Minds by Hazel Edwards – non-fiction
5. Dying to Tell Me by Sherryl Clark – YA
6. There is Always Love by Vanessa Maiorano - children's
7. You Choose MEGA: Prehistoric Peril by George Ivanoff – Middle Grade

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 7:51
Book spotlights - 24:47
Author Interview - 40:14
Post interview chat - 1:36:14
Quotes - 1:38:49

Support the show

Thanks for listening.
Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

In episode #155, Veronica & Laurie are chasing adventure across the country and diving into dark alleys with mystery, crime and thriller authors Susan Rogers, John Roosen & Sean Gorman. What makes a great Aussie crime? What twists keeps readers turning the page? Have a listen and hear what these story tellers have discovered.

Intro - 0:57
Susan Rogers and John Roosen Bio - 3:31
Book Spotlight - Cobra Pose by Susan Rogers and John Roosen - 4:58
Sean Gorman Bio - 8:07
Book Spotlight - Shootin' Through by Sean Gorman - 8:56
What makes a good twist for a story? - 22:14
How do you balance realism in your story with our social climate? - 27:55
What makes a great Aussie crime? - 45:55 
What's the most thrilling thing you've ever done? - 53:09
Advice for new writers - 1:00:01

Support the show

Thanks for listening.
Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

It's episode #154, and Laurie's 50th co-hosting. Veronica and Laurie have industry news and events, and discuss K.M. Allan's Foreshadowing checklist from her book Writing and Editing Checklist. Plus book spotlights, giveaways and quotes. Laurie chats with poet Gregory Day about his collection SouthSightedness. And Gregory reads his poem 'Anytime before Byzantium'.

Book Spotlights:
1. Salsa in the Suburbs by Alejandra Martinez - contemporary
2. Looking Out and Beyond by Toby Hammerschlag – historical
3. Wasted? By Hazel Edwards – Young Adult
4. A Song for the Earth by Shannon Jade – poetry
5. In Her Own Time by Delaney Starling – contemporary
6. The Audible Life Stream by Alistair Conwell – non-fiction 
7. The One Remaining by Paula McLean – contemporary

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 9:37
Book spotlights - 18:58
Giveaway peeks - 22:17
Author Interview - 38:10
Post interview chat - 1:22:43
Quotes - 1:24:47
Author reading - 1:30:17

Support the show

Thanks for listening.
Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

In episode #153, Veronica & Laurie are ramping up the romance with authors Sandy Barker, A.M. Jaxon and Susannah Hardy. Our fabulous authors chat on romance as escapism and activism, how hot is hot enough, the inspiration behind their stories, and so much more.

Intro - 0:57
Sandy Barker Bio - 3:08
Book Spotlight - I knew you were trouble by Sandy Barker - 4:38
A.M. Jaxon Bio - 6:03
Book Spotlight - Saoirse's Story by A.M. Jaxon - 8:27
Susannah Hardy Bio - 10:44
Book Spotlight - My Hot House Mate by Susannah Hardy - 11:34
Romance as escapism and activism - 13:43
Finding new romance stories - 26:12
Balancing timeless ideals of love with modern realities of consent and diversity - 32:23
What makes Aussie romance unique? - 43:12
Writing space and process - 52:03
Advice for new writers - 59:20

Support the show

Thanks for listening.
Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.