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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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In episode #152, Veronica and Laurie share industry news and events, some brilliant ideas on writing Deep Point of View from K.M. Allan's book Writing and Editing Checklist, book spotlights, giveaways and quotes. Laurie and author Laura J Fitzwilson dive deep into fantasy, fan-fiction and Laura's book, The Fool. Plus, listen all the way to the end, you'll hear a special reading from The Fool by the author. 

Book Spotlights:
1.The Favourite of the Harem by Cindy Davies – Historical
2.The Final Chapter by January Gilchrist – Mystery Thriller
3.Tchaikovsky (Almost) in Love by David Reiter – Romance
4.Heart and Soul of Marketing by Matt Romania – Non-fiction
5.The Haunting of Mr & Mrs Stevenson by Belinda Lyons-Lee - Historical
6.Minoan Footsteps by Coleen Clare – Mystery

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 8:12
Book spotlights - 16:13
Author Interview - 32:19
Post interview chat - 1:21:11
Quotes - 1:23:28
Author reading - 1:29:18

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In episode #151 Veronica & Laurie explore alternate realities, world building and writing sci-fi with a panel of fantastic speculative fiction authors: Alistair Conwell, Clare Rhoden & Ishmael A. Soledad. 

Intro - 0:57
Alistair Conwell Bio - 2:58
Book Spotlight - Circadian Web by Alistair Conwell - 3:38
Clare Rhoden Bio - 4:32
Book Spotlight - The Chronicles of The Pale by Clare Rhoden - 6:26
Ishmael A. Soledad Bio - 7:43
Book Spotlight - Diathesis by Ishmael A. Soledad - 9:02
How did you choose what to include in your fictional world - 11:05
Does your fictional world reflect your own dreams/nightmares/passions? - 24:03
What are you trying to reflect in your alternate reality? - 31:51
What puts you in the mood for writing sci-fi? - 46:20
Advice for new writers - 49:11

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Episode 150 has Veronica & Laurie chatting about their favourite topic - Australian authored books - and industry news, events and some John Koenig words. Want to know how to use agnosthesia, tarrion or proluctance in a sentence? Then have a listen. Veronica chats to the wonderful Ginny Grant, founder of Bakers Lane Books, Fearless Press and the recently launched Fearless Prize for an unpublished manuscript by an Australian woman writer. Plus book spotlights, quotes and so much more...

Book Spotlights:
1. Mistress of Amber and Flame by Maria Linwood - fantasy
2. Flight by Anne Vines – Historical
3. Shitty Grit by Claire Parkinson – memoir
4. Always eat the weird stuff by Bo Kitty – memoir
5. Life In Instalments by Danielle Sartorelli – memoir
6. Cobra Pose by Susan Rogers and John Roosen – thriller
7. Klaria’s Battle by Heather Ewings – Fantasy short story
8. Outback Odyssey by Paul Rushworth-Brown – Historical

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 8:07
Book spotlights - 20:38
Author Interview - 43:53
Post interview chat - 1:19:18
Quotes - 1:21:19
Giveaway peeks - 1:24:18

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Ep149 has Veronica & Laurie back in school chatting all things middle grade with authors Eileen O'Hely, Rosie Schonell & Ingrid Laguna. We cover '50 Ways to Die in Space', how 'Breaking School Rules is Easy' and what happens when 'Edie Tells a Lie' - and that's just the book titles. How much harder is it to engage middle-graders in reading? These authors share some brilliant and helpful answers to this and many more questions.

Intro - 0:57
Eileen O'Hely Bio - 3:34
Book Spotlight - 50 Ways to Die in Space by Eileen O'Hely - middle grade - 06:09
Rosie Schonell Bio - 8:22
Book Spotlight - Breaking School Rules is Easy by Rosie Schonell - middle grade - 09:00
Ingrid Laguna Bio - 10:44
Book Spotlight - Edie Tells a Lie by Ingrid Laguna - middle grade - 12:32
Book idea inspirations - 20:22
Has it become harder or easier to reach middle grade readers? - 25:20
Share your writing routine - 41:31
The best writerly advice you were ever given - 52:44

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