Episode 130 has Veronica and Laurie planting plenty of seeds for daydreaming over the summer break. They have news (Laurie has sent the final book (5) in her Stones of Power off to the publisher), and events to share along with five book spotlights. Laurie chats with the multi-talented author Dirk Strasser about his latest book 'Conquist', his unique writing journey, backpacking a plot and his experience in the Australian book industry (including the Aurealis awards and Aurealis Magazine). A fabulous way to begin a new year of Reading More Aussie Books!

Book spotlights:

• The Necromancer by Adam Coleman – fantasy
• The Rainbow Coloured Black Sheep by Drew Mortimer – autobiography
• Shattered by Pauline Yates – science fiction thriller
• The Case of the Beth-El Stone by David Cairns – historical fiction
• Never, Not Ever by Jodie Benveniste – YA Romance

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 7:37
Book spotlights - 22:49
Author Interview - 41:16
Post interview chat - 1:39:37
Quotes - 1:42:25

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In Episode 129, Veronica & Laurie get into the underbelly with crime and thriller writers Dan Kaufman and Lisa Kenway. We chat inspiration, experience, character arcs and red herrings. And we explore themes from the human psyche, connected consciousness, research and plot retrofitting.
Intro - 0:57
Lisa Kenway Bio - 2:47
Dan Kaufman Bio - 6:34
Book Spotlight - All You Took From Me - Lisa Kenway - pyschological thriller - 19:32
Book Spotlight - Humidity - Dan Kaufman - Aussie Noir - 20:46
Exploring the dark corners of the human psyche - 32:07
Plotting the crime thriller - 36:34
Your biggest writing and publishing lesson - 45:13
Advice for new writers - 56:00
Book Review - 58:06

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In episode #128, Laurie finally gets Veronica under the author spotlight. We learn of the Heroine's Journey, how the pathway to publication can be filled with ogres and dragons, and how important family, friends and writing communities are for fostering emerging authors. Then it's Laurie's turn to share why she writes, what she reads, fan fiction, her creative triggers, future plans, and so much more.

Intro - 00:57
Grief and Breathing While Drowning - 06:48
The Heroine's Journey - 08:22
Ochre Dragon - 11:15
ABL origins - 23:16
Why Laurie writes - 41:24
Stones of Power - 52:35
What feeds Laurie's imagination - 56:38
Boss From Hell - 58:09
How does writing make you feel? - 1:06:34
White Fire plus The Good, The Bad & The Undecided - 1:15:32
Quotes - 1:19:06
Chickabella - 1:24:25

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In Episode 127, Veronica & Laurie share Australian writing and publishing industry news, writing events & more wonderful words from John Koenig. Laurie dives into a fabulous conversation about writing original science fiction novels, media tie-ins, screenplays and so much more with the amazing, award-winning and versatile Australian author, Amanda Bridgeman.

Book Spotlights:

• Broome Enigma by Meryl Brown Tobin - romance
• Scruffy and Silk by Karen Kepert & Kaz Clarke - children's picture book
• My Name is Gucci by Sun Jung - contemporary
• A Cold Season by Matthew Hooper - contemporary

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 3:22
Book spotlights - 14:45
Author Interview - 28:28
Post interview chat - 1:25:46
Quotes - 1:29:18

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In episode 126 Veronica and Laurie are joined in the Writer's Room by authors Lisa Darcy and Dr Bella Ellwood-Clayton. We dive into contemporary fiction writing, female relationships in its many forms across the generations, the concept of perfection, navigating the vicissitudes of life and ultimately triumphing over adversity. Lisa and Bella share their different writing and editing processes, and provide sage advice for emerging authors.

Intro - 00:57
Lisa Darcy bio - 05:35
Book spotlight - Christmas Actually - 8:48
Bella Ellwood-Clayton bio - 13:53
Book spotlight - Weekend Friends - 15:08
Outwardly perfect inwardly messy characters - 22:08
Contemporary settings - 28:31
Relationships from real life creeping into stories - 41:51
The writing and editing process - 55:58

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Episode 125 brings ABL co-founder Darren Kasenkow back for an insightful interview with author, artist and advocate, Damien Linnane. Dive into this brilliant discussion on crime, the justice system, and memoirs as Damien shares some of the traumas and triumphs of his life story, his writing, his art, and his passion for lifelong learning. 

Intro - 00:56
Author Interview - 02:25
Post interview chat - 2:01:57
Quotes - 2:03:08

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Episode 124 starts with an audio book excerpt of Midnight Man by Kevin Klehr. Then Veronica and Laurie dive into industry news and events, explore new words and book spotlights. We have a wonderful interview with author Finegan Kruckemeyer. Plus, the importance of reading for children, supporting artists of all kinds, and reminding everyone what great gifts books are - and of course all the other ABL merchandise.
Book spotlights:

1. Beam of Light by John Kinsella – contemporary
2. The Postman’s My Mate by Kelly Louise Jarris – Children’s Picture Book
3. Murder at the Tennis Club by Rita Lee Chapman - mystery
4. The Power of Content by Mel Daniels – non-fiction
5. Conquist by Dirk Strasser – speculative fiction – portal fantasy – alternative history

Audiobook cameo - 00:57
Intro - 03:34
Industry news - 10:53
Book spotlights - 20:47
Author Interview - 41:50
Post interview chat - 1:23:56
Quotes - 1:29:32

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In episode #123, Veronica and Laurie take you in a myriad of directions, from industry and upcoming news, including Wilderness Society's Karajia and Environment Award winners, fascinating first lines, and exciting events, to reminders to join your local and state writing group for more opportunities and events. Laurie chats with the wonderful Donna M Cameron about her eco-fiction/thriller/love story, The Rewilding, and so much more.
Book spotlights:

• Tamarra - A story of termites on Gurindji Country by 30 collaborative authors and artists - educational picture book
• Tao Tuning by Adrian Emery - non-fiction
• Grace & Marigold by Mira Robertson - contemporary
• Mural by Stephen Downes - contemporary

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 3:18
Book spotlights - 21:34
Author Interview - 33:46
Post interview chat - 1:24:34
Quotes - 1:26:06

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If you find people fascinating, then episode 122 is a must. Veronica and Laurie chat with authors Bruce Lowery, Jessica Mudditt and David Hume about memoir and biography. Why does this creative non-fiction genre continue to fascinate and inspire readers? Our authors share why they're willing to put a slice of their lives on the pages for the world to read.
Book spotlights:
Catch the Wind by Bruce Lowery - memoir
Once Around the Sun by Jessica Mudditt - memoir
Blind without Barriers by David Hume and Peter Murray - biography

Intro - 00:57
Bruce Lowery bio - 05:21
Catch the Wind blurb - 08:30
David Hume bio - 10:42
Blind without Barriers blurb - 17:18
Jessica Mudditt bio - 19:15
Once Around the Sun blurb - 23:24

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In episode 121, Veronica and Laurie are joined by fabulous Australian speculative fiction authors E. J. Dawson and Pauline Yates. The conversation tackles the history of Speculative Fiction, the three key elements of any good spec fic story, and far ranging wonders about future 'what ifs'. There's a good deal of hilarity about zombies and space ships, so strap in and engage the hyperdrive.

Book spotlights:

• The Queen of Spade Trilogy: Awakening, Darkening and Reckoning by E. J. Dawson - scifi
• Shattered by Pauline Yates (Australian writer) - scifi horror

Intro - 00:57
Pauline Yates (Australian writer) bio - 03:37
E.J. Dawson bio - 11:24
The evolution of Space Opera - 29:32
Book spotlights - 56:31
What is your favourite speculative fiction 'what if'? - 01:00:25

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