Backstory

In this episode, host Mel Cranenburgh talks to 2019 Nature Writing Prize co-winner Jenny Sinclair about her book An Orchard For My Father. Jenny’s previous non-fiction books include Much Ado About Melbourne (Affirm Press, 2015) (first published as When We Think About Melbourne, 2010) and A Walking Shadow (Arcade Publications, 2012). As a journalist, she has been on staff at The Age and at local newspapers, and written for a wide variety of publications.

Mel’s then joined by author Alice Robinson to chat about her novel The Glad Shout, set in a frightening future Melbourne where storms and floods have ravaged the city; families have been separated, and food and water supplies are limited. Alice’s first novel Anchor Point was long-listed for the Stella Prize.

On this episode of Backstory, Mel Cranenburgh chats to writer Melanie Cheng about her debut novel, Room for a Stranger Melanie is best known for her award winning collection of short stories, Australia Day. Then Julie Ganner and Sarah Runcie drop in to talk about the launch of Inclusive Publishing in Australia: An Introductory Guide.

On this episode of Backstory, host Mel Cranenburgh chats about two new novels: one from Andrea Goldsmith titledInvented Lives and another from the one and only Melina Marchetta, The Place on Dalhousie

Mel Cranenburgh is joined by two special guests. Graeme Simsion talks about his new novelThe Rosie Result- the final in the widely acclaimed Rosie trilogy.

She's then joined byVicki Leaveau-Harvie, whoseStella prize winning, beautifully told memoir,The Erratics, explores the universal ways in which aging parents, mental illness and addictions complicate families.

Host Mel Cranenburgh catches up with novelist Kate Richards about her debut novelFusionand writer/critic Mel Campbell reviews Annaleese Jochem's novelBaby.

In this episode, host Mel Cranenburgh is joined by author Carrie Tiffany to talk about her latest novel, Exploded View. Spare, poetic and intensely visual,Exploded Viewfollows on from Carrie's previous works,Everymans Rules for Scientific LivingandMateship with Birds.She is one of Australias most celebrated writers and winner of the inaugural Stella Prize.

Mel is then joined by Beth Wilkinson,the founder, editor and creative director ofLindsay, to talk about the latest issue of themagazine which is based in Melbourne but celebrates the importance of culture and place across the planet.

Editor Louise Swinn and contributors Amy Gray and Monica Dux join Mel Cranenburgh to tell us about their powerful new collection of writing, Choice Words. Including fiction, non-fiction and poetry, the collection explores the dominant narrative and taboos surrounding abortion and gives invaluable insight into how this impacts on Australian women today.

Mel's then joined by City of Yarra Mayor, Cnr Danae Bosler, and writer and musician Justin Heazlewood (author of Get Up, Mum) to hear about the Fitzroy Writers Festival. (https://library.yarracity.vic.gov.au/fitzroywritersfestival)

On this episode of Backstory, CEO of Readings Mark Rubbo drops in to speak to Mel Cranenburgh about the 50th anniversary of the flagship Carlton store.

Plus, scholar and writer Julienne van Loon discusses her latest book,The Thinking Woman.

On this episode of Backstory, host Mel Cranenburgh chats to Danish author Mads Peder Nordbo talks about his arctic crime thrillerThe Girl Without Skin.

She's then joined by local author Ella Holcombe to talk about the recent release of her Young Adult fiction piece,The House On The Mountain, a beautifullypoignant portraitof one family's experience of the Black Saturday bushfires.

Sonia Orchard joins host Mel Cranenburgh to tell us about her new novel,Into the Fire, out now through Affirm Press. Into the Fire is Sonia's third book and second work of fiction that authorRosalie Ham (The Dressmaker) has described as 'a perceptive, provoking story of friendship and intimacy'.

Mel is then joined byMatters Journaleditor Megan Anderson to chat about their new issue (https://mattersjournal.com/shop/issue3) and the pleasures of reading long form articles away from the screen.