Edits & Annotations

Melanie Saward is a proud Bigambul and Wakka Wakka woman and a writer, editor, academic and 'publishing all rounder'. Her debut novel Burn was published in 2023 and her first romantic comedy novel, Love Unleashed, was published in 2024. Her newest work, A Good Kind of Trouble, is a heart-warming collaborative project with Brooke Blurton full of high-school longing, friendship and footy. In this episode, Melanie shares her knowledge of the industry, what it means to be a writer online today, finding literary community, the co-writing process, and hopping from one genre to another. 

In this special feature episode, Tenille speaks with Alice Robinson (Anchor Point, The Glad Shout, If You Go) and Kate Mildenhall (Skylarking, The Mother Fault, The Hummingbird Effect) about the related themes across their work: the environment, time, motherhood, and where technology may take us.  

Hannah Kent is the author of three novels: Burial Rites, The Good People and Devotion.  She also wrote the screenplay for the psychological thriller, Run Rabbit Run. She chats to Bethany about finding stories in the archives and the ethical considerations when it comes to speculating someone else’s story.  

Naag Mountain is a book born from a dream. In this episode, writer and artist Manisha Anjali describes the craft of writing from the subconscious to explore cultural identity and hidden histories. She delves into the process of producing writing that is rich in sensory and imaginative description while drawing from archives and dreams.  

How does a book come into being? What does the creative process entail? How do you build a writing life?

Join creative writing PhD candidates Bethany, Mia and Tenille on season one of Edits & Annotations as they discuss these questions (and more!) with an array of talented writers and storytellers.

Episode 1 will be released on Tuesday 4th February, with new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Edits & Annotations is a project of the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing at James Cook University. This podcast is produced on the lands of the Bindal and Wulgurukaba people of Thul Garrie Waja, Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun. Always was, always will be.