Backstory

Rochelle Smith, director of the Word for Word Non-Fiction Festival, talks about this year’s program Life, Changing and explores the relationship between literature and non-fiction writing; and Australian cultural historian, essayist and novelist, Maria Tumarkin, discusses her State of the (Writing) Nation oration delivered for The Wheeler Centre and available now on YouTube.

With presenter Mel Cranenburgh.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/backstory

Miles Franklin Award-winning novelist Sofie Laguna talks about her new novel Infinite Splendours, and performance poet Andi Stewart joins the show to talk about Word Travels’ Story Week, an online, week-long event that brings together writers from across Australia and the world for a celebration of both new and traditional forms of oral storytelling.

With presenter Mel Cranenburgh.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/backstory

Jane Harper, award-winning author of The Dry, has written a new novel, The Survivors. Described by one critic as “yet another perfectly balanced, finely honed, deliciously atmospheric thriller”, it is a stand-alone mystery set on the Tasmanian coast. She talks about the book, shares thoughts about writing crime, and reveals tips for crafting thrilling narratives.

With presenter Mel Cranenburgh.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/backstory

Author Robert Dessaix chats about his latest book, The Time of Our Lives: Growing Older Well, a reflective journey across the landscape of growing older and the importance of cultivating a rich inner life; and Nikki Anderson, Director of the Feminist Writers Festival, talks about the highlights of this year’s forthcoming event.
With presenter Mel Cranenburgh.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/backstory

Tegan Bennett Daylight discusses her new book, The Details: On Love, Death and Reading, a collection of essays that examines the connections we form with literature and, in turn, with each other; and Evelyn Araluen, poet, researcher and co-editor of Overland Literary Journal talks about the new issue, where multiple writers tackle questions about health and (un)wellness in the time of Covid.
With presenter Mel Cranenburgh.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/backstory

Yarra Plenty Regional Library librarian Patrick Jovaras talks about coordinating this year’s YPRL Booklovers Festival and making the In The Good Books podcast, and the challenges and joys of getting books into the hands of avid readers during the pandemic.

With presenter Mel Cranenburgh.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/backstory

Author Kate Mildenhall talks about her latest novel, The Mother Fault and her new project about writing, writers and books,The First Time Podcast, co-hosted by Katherine Collette. And writer Lia Hills chats about Put Out Your Poetry, a new initiative by Yarra Ranges Council which invites residents to share their unique experiences of COVID via haiku.
With presenter Mel Cranenburgh.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/backstory

Author Jock Serong talks about his latest novel, The Burning Island, the follow up to his critically acclaimed thriller Preservation; and novelist Laura Elizabeth Woollett chats about her essay ‘Award Rate’, her contribution to the Sydney Review of Books series, Writers At Work.
With presenter Mel Cranenburgh.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/backstory

Editor, Michael Mohammed Ahmad and contributor, Kaya Ortiz Lattimore, discuss After Australia, a new essay anthology that features twelve Indigenous writers and writers of colour exploring the world we are handing down to the next generation; and newly appointed Voiceworks editor Adalya Nash Hussein chats about the latest issue, ‘Butter’, and the unusual Covid style cooking-show literary-event digital hybrid launch that accompanied it’s publication. With presenter Mel Cranenburgh. Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/backstory

Victoria Hannan talks about her debut novel Kokomo, a story of estrangement from kin, friendship, love, self and country; and Jess Hill, author of the award winning See What You Made Me Do, discusses both her book and her role in this year’s Melbourne Writers Festival, which is running online now. With presenter Mel Cranenburgh.
Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/backstory