Australian Book Lovers

In episode 181 Veronica and Laurie explore some Other Wordly words from Yee-Lum Mak (fuubutsushi, kintsukuroi and nunchi), share industry news and events, and chat all about writing. Laurie has a brilliant catch up with author Nicole Kelly about her middle-grade book Shifters and the joy of an on-the-run, over-the-shoulder review. And of course there are quotes and book spotlights.

Book spotlights this ep:
1. Three Times Buried by Jane Smith – historical
2. Dogs of War by Nigel Allsop – non-fiction
3. Hidden Scars: From Crime Scenes to Crisis, The Price of Service by Justyn Backhouse – memoir
4. Juniper’s Painting by Catherine Bauer – children's
5. It’s You. Oh F**K. It’s ME by Chad Taylor – non-fiction
6. Start at the End by Emma Grey - contemporary
7. The Couples Retreat by Mercedes Mercier - thriller

Intro - 0:57
News - 6:42
Book spotlights - 14:09
Author interview - 30:49
Post interview chat - 1:22:06
Quotes - 1:24:57

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Episode 180 has Veronica and Laurie chatting about the benefits of reading (some of the many), sharing new and events (TGBC Book Day Out), comparing book reading habits (page corner turner or bookmarker), quotes and so much more. Veronica has an inspiring chat with author Sarah Cochrane Ridout about Sisters in Arms: Oodgeroo Noonuccal, Kathie Cochrane and the Battle for the 1967 Referendum.

Book spotlights this ep:
1. Australia’s Coastal War by Dr Tom Lewis – non-fiction, military history
2. Dreaming Soldiers by Catherine Bauer – children’s
3. Wobbles by Ian Hunter – biography
4. Calm your Farm by Dale Baker – children’s
5. I love to draw by Dale Baker – children’s
6. Pain Bleeds Crime by Pamela Nathan – non-fiction
7. Under the Ottoman Veil by Grozdana Lukic - romance

Intro - 0:57
News - 7:48
Book spotlights - 21:25
Author interview - 36:05
Post interview chat - 1:24:37
Newsletter giveaway sneak peak - 1:28:00
Quotes - 1:30:53
Author reading - 1:33:06

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In episode #179 Veronica and Laurie have collected a trio of terrifying storytellers to delve into all things horror: Matthew R. Davis, Chuck McKenzie and David Schembri. Scary tales and useful advice for budding writers of all genres. And a fabulous author reading of 'My Clare' from David Schembri.

Intro - 00:57
Book Spotlight - Songs of Shadow, Words of Woe - 02:44
Bio - Matthew R. Davis - 03:58
Book Spotlight - The Dark Man, By Referral - 05:14
Bio - Chuck McKenzie - 6:22
Book Spotlight - Careful with that Axe - 07:52
Bio - David Schembri - 09:06
Horror and short form writing - 10:50
How has the horror genre evolved in the last decade or so? - 21:30
National Australian Horror Convention - 43:44
Best writing advice - 50:20
Author Reading: My Clare by David Schembri - 1:01:50

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Episode #178 is a celebration of words, writing competitions, festivals and short stories. Veronica and Laurie chat with Kailum Graves, the winner of the 2026 Furphy Literary Award about his writing and art. (There's a link in the show notes to read his winning story 'The Magpies have Unionised'. A beautiful Australian tale a decade in the making.

Book spotlights:
1. BANG! by Taliyah Stone - crime thriller
2. Broken by Magick by T.W. Howis – urban fantasy, police procedural
3. Cherish (A Blemished Tale) by Faye Hall – romance
4. Against the Rising Sun by Jeff Steel – biography military history
5. The Vandemonium: Wall Street and Silicon Valley Collide by Allan Charles Branch – memoir
6. Come on Australia: The Great War Service of Lieutenant Colonel Terence McSharry CMG DSO MC by Lewis Frederickson & Victor Nurcombe – non-fiction
7. Under the Same Moon by Peter Mitchell – non-fiction

Intro - 0:57
News - 13:05
Book spotlights - 23:36
Author interview - 42:11
Post interview chat - 1:25:00
Quotes - 1:27:27

Read 'The Magpies have Unionised' HERE

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In episode #177 Veronica and Laurie share their writing progress, publishing news (Ingram Spark Share & Sell), special guest reading news from Shay Leighton (Tough Guy Book Club), events, and quotes. Laurie has a fascinating chat with Penny Tangey, author of What Rhymes with Murder? Plus lots of lovely book spotlights and a sneak peak at this month's book giveaways.

Book spotlights:
Dead on the Dolmen by Cameron Trost - mystery, thriller, suspense
Bethan's Flame by AJ Miles - fantasy
Dragon Rising by Stuart Buchanan - military thriller
Wanted Dead or Alive by Ramona Riot - memoir
The Happy Ending by Christopher Keenan - Aussie tales and humour
The Calloways Reincarnation by Big Dog - Fantasy
Miss Metamorph by Camille Fitzgerald - memoir

Intro - 0:57
News - 06:25
Shay Leighton (Tough Guy Book Club) - 8:03
Book spotlights - 21:42
Author interview - 34:18
Post interview chat - 1:26:12
Quotes - 1:28:30

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Ep 176 has Veronica and Laurie on writing groups (Ascolta Women Inc), reading groups (Book Doof), book bedazzling classes (Romancing the Novel Bookshop), first sale doctrine and machine learning, and the latest from the ASA on publishing push and pull market forces. Veronica chats with Emma Gerts and Esme Stevenson AKA Alexis Roberts on their debut Revelation (Book 1 of The Second Coming Trilogy). Plus seven book spotlights, quotes, and lots of writing and publishing tips.

Book Spotlights:
1. Dogtooth by S.F. Sowter - Aussie Tales
2. The Trials of Browid by Stephanie Bosshard - Fantasy
3. Home for Christmas by Clare Anne McGrory - Romance
4. Ancient Odyssey by K. D. Wright - Historical Fantasy
5. Murder and Masquerade by Catherine McCullagh - Thriller
6. Crow by Rhonda McCoy - Contemporary
7. The Sawmillers Daughter by Sarah Smith - Historical

Intro - 0:57
News - 06:17
Book spotlights - 22:18
Author interview - 35:36
Post interview chat - 1:17:06
Quotes - 1:20:47

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It's episode 175 and we are back in school. Veronica and Laurie chat with middle-grade authors Leisa Fail, Tina Strachan and Charlie Archbold about story inspirations, animals, adventures, learning from messing it up, caring for the environment and solving injustices together. 

*How many writers does it take to remember the word 'exclusive'? Have a listen ...

Intro - 0:57
Book Spotlight - Stormy Normy's Christmas Surprise - 5:19
Bio - Leisa Fail - 7:05
Book Spotlight - Neeka and the Great Search - 12:15
Bio - Tina Strachan - 13:19
Book Spotlight - The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage - 15:39
Bio - Charlie Archbold - 16:57
Writing for kids - 21:42
Finding the balance between education and entertainment - 26:46
Keeping track of a large character cast - 32:50
Advice for emerging middle-grade authors - 44:21
What's on your writing horizon? - 49:13

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It's episode 174, Veronica & Laurie chat writing and publishing, share news and events, including Bernadette Eden telling us all about 'Queens of the Desert', this year's Romance Writer's Australia conference. Laurie shares her great feedback on Alan Baxter's Write the Fight Right Workshop, and we sneak a peak at next month's book giveaways. Plus Laurie has a fabulous with 'debut' romance author, Bride Blake.

Book spotlights:
1. Might Cry Later by Kay Kerr – rom com
2. My Invisible Battle with Multiple Sclerosis by Shruti Ghate – memoir
3. The Case of the Hydegild Sacrifice by David Cairns – historical mystery
4. The Battle for Victoria Street by Gabiann Marin – middle grade
5. The Truth About Love by Mark Worthington – non-fiction
6. Midnight Angel by Kevin Klehr – urban fantasy
7. Three Ghosts by Kevin Klehr – urban fantasy

Intro - 0:57
News - 08:34
Book spotlights - 25:18
Author interview - 44:38
Post interview chat - 1:31:14
Quotes - 1:33:17

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Episode 173 has Veronica and Laurie on a deep dive into non-fiction writing. We chat with Debbie O'Shea, Hacia Atherton and Valentyna Solowij, on their writing inspiration, their incredible experiences and generously sharing their life changing messages through their books.

Intro - 0:57
Book Spotlight - The Stalagmite Effect - 4:50
Bio - Debbie O'Shea - 5:54
Book Spotlight - Billion Dollar Blindspot - 9:04
Bio - Hacia Atherton - 10:14
Book Spotlight - Banishing Back Pain - 13:55
Bio - Valentyna Solowij - 15:27
Who's your audience and what's your message? - 19:45
Tell us about your book journey - 34:07
With all the channels available these days, how impactful are books in sharing a message? - 40:13
What's next? - 58:29

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In episode 172 Veronica and Laurie talk books and writing from opposite sides of the country (and not without some technical glitches). We have news, WA writers resources, and the newly amalgamated Public and Educational Lending Rights. Laurie has a wonderful chat with poet Shannon Jade.

Book spotlights this ep:
1. Alba: Hidden Secrets by Verity Croker - mystery
2. The Next Round by Eva Frances - romance
3. The Medusa Situation by Gabiann Marin - fantasy
4. A Kingdom of Curses: The Emergence by Danielle Drummond – fantasy
5. The Grimsdale Claimant by BG Hilton – science fiction
6. A Game of Masquerade by Shani Cossins – speculative historical thriller

Intro - 00:57
Industry News - 06:47
Book Spotlights - 12:59
Author Interview with Shannon Jade - 27:59
Post Interview chat - 1:05:39
Quotes - 1:07:10
Author Reading - 1:09:37

Support the show

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