Authorised with Kevin Hillier

On October 24th 2023, Wayne Holdsworth's life changed forever. LIke he had done many times before, Wayne had gone to his son Mac's room to wake him up for work. But on this occasion, Wayne discovered Mac had ended his life. 

Just on three years since that fateful morning, Wayne joins me to talk about surviving such a traumatic event and the path that has led to creating a movement for saving young lives www.smacktalk.org.au and writing the book Smack Talk (Melbourne Books)    www.melbournebooks.com.au     

As Wayne mentions, if you need to talk to someone, help is as close as Lifeline: 13 11 14.  

Thanks to my podcast partners CSCG, a one stop destination for your financial planning. The CSCG team is dedicated, talented and committed. It is this team who make CSCG a trusted and valuable part of your financial future.Call them to find out more (03) 9974 8333 or visit www.cscg.com.au 

Authorised with Kevin Hillier...where writers speak  

Post-production by Chris Gates

for Howdy Partners Media 2026 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is a great time for readers with a never ending supply of great books coming for summer. In this episode the spotlight falls on two excellent new releases. Nautilus (Simon & Schuster) by Nick Croydon and  A Suitable Man (Harper Collins) by Jock Serong.

Nick follows up his debut novel' The Turning Protocol' with another page turner, carrying on from the last big adventure. As well as being an emerging writer, Nick is CEO of QBD Books. We delve into his thoughts on all aspects of the industry. 

Jock Serong is best known as a popular novellist but turns his hand to a memoir of Fletcher Jones, the man behind the very successful clothing empire. Fletcher is a most fascinating figure in the Australian business world and has a most remarkable story that Jock has brilliantly brought to print.  

Thanks to my podcast partners CSCG, a one stop destination for your financial planning. The CSCG team is dedicated, talented and committed. It is this team who make CSCG a trusted and valuable part of your financial future.Call them to find out more (03) 9974 8333 or visit www.cscg.com.au 

Authorised with Kevin Hillier...where writers speak  

Post-production by Chris Gates

for Howdy Partners Media 2026 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two first-time authors join me to share their pathway to publication - and they are very different literary journeys.

Andrew Upton has carved a very successful international career in theatre and film work as a writer, producer and creator, including a stint as co-artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company with his wife Cate Blanchett. Andrew's ambition to be a novellist has been brewing for many years and he takes us through creating 'Krank Fuss' (Puncher & Wattmann) from start to finish.  

Nadine Browne has a fascinating and somewhat unique background which has had a major influence on the theme of her debut novel and the process that made it come to be. Gone Guru (Fremantle Press) is the result of a long, interesting and different trek into the world of being a writer and producing a book.          

Thanks to my podcast partners CSCG, a one stop destination for your financial planning. The CSCG team is dedicated, talented and committed. It is this team who make CSCG a trusted and valuable part of your financial future.Call them to find out more (03) 9974 8333 or visit www.cscg.com.au 

Authorised with Kevin Hillier...where writers speak  

Post-production by Chris Gates

for Howdy Partners Media 2026 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Music and cars is always a winning combo and our featured authors in this episode bring some great stories from those worlds through the pages of their latest work.

Jeff Apter returns to Authorised with Reckless - The Saga of Australian Crawl, while debut author but well-known motoring writer Stephen Corby has produced Drives a Bit Funny. 

Writing the Australian Crawl story seems a natural progression for Jeff, Australia's best-selling music biographer. He was a Crawl fan and saw the band's first Sydney shows back in the late seventies supporting The Knack. 

Stephen Corby has been described as Australia's Jeremy Clarkson - just younger, funnier and less pompous - but he has his own views on that, as you will hear. We bring you Stephen's journey, in and out of a moving vehicle, to becoming Australia's favourite motoring writer and now an author. 

Thanks to my podcast partners CSCG, a one stop destination for your financial planning. The CSCG team is dedicated, talented and committed. It is this team who make CSCG a trusted and valuable part of your financial future.Call them to find out more (03) 9974 8333 or visit www.cscg.com.au 

Authorised with Kevin Hillier...where writers speak  

Post-production by Chris Gates

for Howdy Partners Media 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The things that happen on breakfast radio. You could write a book! Happily, Stephanie MacFie has done just that with her debut novel Once Upon a Breakfast Show (Text Publishing). Stephanie combines some of her own experiences from a long and successful media career with a romantic adventure (or misadventure) playing out with the star of a popular city breakfast radio show. 

Robyn Dennison's crime novel In Plain Sight (Text Publishing) is an impressive debut from a fresh voice in this genre. Detective Lara Wilton and a cast of strong, relatable characters bring this powerful and unpredictable story to life.        

Thanks to my podcast partners CSCG, a one stop destination for your financial planning. The CSCG team is dedicated, talented and committed. It is this team who make CSCG a trusted and valuable part of your financial future.Call them to find out more (03) 9974 8333 or visit www.cscg.com.au 

Authorised with Kevin Hillier...where writers speak  

Post-production by Chris Gates

for Howdy Partners Media 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode emerging authors Mali Cornish and Jane R. Miles share the stories behind their latest work. Mali's The Missing Mother (Allen & Unwin) and Jane's Stay Buried (HQ Fiction) are both captivating thrillers with unique Australian settings and page turning intrigue. 

Thanks to my podcast partners CSCG, a one stop destination for your financial planning. In this episode you will meet one of the CSCG team Roza Josevska Cloud Bookkeeping Executive. As you will hear, it is the people who make CSCG a trusted and valuable part of your financial future.Call them to find out more (03) 9974 8333 or visit www.cscg.com.au 

Authorised with Kevin Hillier...where writers speak  

Post-production by Chris Gates

for Howdy Partners Media 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another double banger episode and it is a beauty. Travel and food writer Jane Lawson takes us inside the Japan she has known for more than 40 years with her latest book 'Secret Japan' (Simon & Schuster). Jane shares some unique insights into making the most of your time in Japan. 

And then we go from your bucket list to a f*#*it list.   

Author Rachel Fox McLeod explains what that means as we discuss her latest novel 'Disgraceful' (Simon& Schuster). Her book's main character Grace is a woman on a mission and it is not from God.   

Thanks to my podcast partners CSCG, a one stop destination to plan your financial future. CSCG is a team of dedicated professionals who will help you identify and achieve your financial goals. Call them to find out more (03) 9974 8333 or visit www.cscg.com.au 

Authorised with Kevin Hillier...where writers speak  

Post-production by Chris Gates

for Howdy Partners Media 

© 2026

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode meet authors Emma Styles and Matt Rogers. Emma's second book The Shark (Hachette Australia) proved to be a real challenge for Emma as a writer but one she navigated successfully to deliver a page turning thriller. 

Matt Rogers is a seasoned writer, having self-published more than 30 books - but his latest The Damned is his second for traditional publishers Simon & Schuster. Matt chats about the different perspective this latest venture has given him.  

Thanks to my podcast partners CSCG, a one stop destination to plan your financial future. CSCG is a team of dedicated professionals who will help you identify and achieve your financial goals. Call them to find out more (03) 9974 8333 or visit www.cscg.com.au 

Authorised with Kevin Hillier...where writers speak  

Post-production by Chris Gates

for Howdy Partners Media 

© 2026

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kirsty Manning's latest book Murder in Paris (Allen & Unwin) is the second of her Charlie James mysteries and takes the reader to pre-World War 2 France, a hot spot for the rich and well-to-do, but one with a bubbling undercurrent of drama and mystery. 

Kirsty explains how the story developed as well as her cast of characters and how, at the age of 40, she made the leap to beginning life as a writer. From an online writing course to navigating the challenging path to publication, Kirsty's own story is as fascinating as her novels.    

Thanks to my podcast partners CSCG, a one stop destination to plan your financial future. CSCG is a team of dedicated professionals who will help you identify and achieve your financial goals. Call them to find out more (03) 9974 8333 or visit www.cscg.com.au 

Authorised with Kevin Hillier...where writers speak  

Post-production by Chris Gates

for Howdy Partners Media 

© 2026

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another double banger episode with authors Laura McCluskey and Steve Worland. 

Laura brings The Cursed Road (Harper Collins), her second book and the next instalment of with her main characters Lennox and Stewart. Laura takes us through her creative and writing process and the unusual places ideas come from.

Swear Wolves (Penguin) is a children's book with a big difference, as the title suggests. Author Steve Worland shares the thinking behind this book and how it came to be and his passion for getting kids into reading books.     

Thanks to my podcast partners CSCG, a one stop destination to plan your financial future. CSCG is a team of dedicated professionals who will help you identify and achieve your financial goals. Call them to find out more (03) 9974 8333 or visit www.cscg.com.au 

Authorised with Kevin Hillier...where writers speak  

Post-production by Steve Visscher 

for Howdy Partners Media 

© 2026

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.