Final Draft - Great Conversations

Great Conversations features interviews with authors and writers, exploring books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world.

Today's episode features Sofie Laguna discussing her novel Infinite Splendours.

*Content Warning - This podcast discussion explores childhood trauma and may not be suitable for some listeners

Lawrence lives an idyllic life with his mother and younger brother Paul. Lawrie’s father was killed in the second world war and the boys roam free around their homestead in the shadows of the Grampians.

Lawrie’s a good student, and a faithful brother and son. Art is his passion and Lawrie can see the world differently to others until a horrific trauma robs him of his sense of freedom in the world.

Join me as we discover Sofie Laguna’s Infinite Splendours.

Great Conversations features interviews with authors and writers, exploring books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world.

Today's episode features Ceridwen Dovey discussing her new novel Life After Truth.

On the eve of their fifteenth reunion five friends return to Harvard University; the scene of their fondest memories. Now spread around the world, the reunion propels them back towards younger conceptions for themselves.

Unfortunately a reunion is not limited to friends and the group must confront old flames, bullies and the ubiquitous jerk, now the son of the American President.

Fred Reese is one of the most despised men in the country but when he winds up dead - did anyone hate him enough to kill him?

In part two of our conversation Ceridwen discusses themes of parenthood and power, post humanism and android selves, as well as addressing some of the political parallels Life After Truth throws up.

Great Conversations features interviews with authors and writers, exploring books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world.

Today's episode features Ceridwen Dovey discussing her new novel Life After Truth.

On the eve of their fifteenth reunion five friends return to Harvard University; the scene of their fondest memories. Now spread around the world, the reunion propels them back towards younger conceptions for themselves.

Unfortunately a reunion is not limited to friends and the group must confront old flames, bullies and the ubiquitous jerk, now the son of the American President.

Fred Reese is one of the most despised men in the country but when he winds up dead - did anyone hate him enough to kill him?

In part one of our conversation Ceridwen discusses ideas around genre and flipping the murder/mystery on its head.

Great Conversations features interviews with authors and writers, exploring books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world.

Today's episode is a special bonus featuring an essay on Australia's literary culture.

As part of 2ser's 40th birthday celebrations Andrew created a piece exploring where we are at with our reading and writing; looking forward to the work still to be done.

Great Conversations features interviews with authors and writers, exploring books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world.

Today's episode takes us back to November 2015 and Charlotte Wood's fifth novel The Natural Way of Things.

In a desolate outback town a group of women awaken to find themselves imprisoned. Strangers to each other they are locked away for reasons only dimly apparent.

At the mercy of increasingly brutal captors, in turn the servants of a distant master, will these women be able to understand their fate and escape the shackles of their present?

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Thank you for joining me on this encore performance. This interview has never been broadcast in its entirety.

It was a journey to listen back to this interview which was such a favourite at the time of recording. Taking the time to listen back has taught me a lot about my recording, editing and interviewing style and allowed me to learn from my past experiences.

I hope you enjoy this favourite and timeless Australian novel. Thanks for joining me each week to discover Australian literature!

Andrew

Great Conversations features interviews with authors and writers, exploring books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world.

Today's episode features Petronella McGovern discussing her new novel The Good Teacher.

The beginning of the school year brings a late enrollment into Allison Walsh’s Kindergarten class. Gracie has moved to Wirriga to be closer to the hospitals and treatments that hold the only hope for saving her young life.

Allison prides herself as a caring person but since her husband left, taking their son she's been struggling. Taking Gracie and her Dad into her home Allison determines to save the family. But can she help this little girl with the tragic story, and what are the lines that a good teacher should never cross?

Join me as we discover Petronella McGovern’s The Good Teacher...

Great Conversations features interviews with authors and writers, exploring books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world.

Today's episode features Paul Dalgarno discussing his new novel Poly.

Poly is the story of Chris and Sarah, or maybe it’s the story of Chris and Biddy, or it might even be the story of Chris and Zac because Chris and his wife have decided to have an open relationship. After years of marriage Chris and Sarah figure this could be what their relationship needs to stay vital.

As they try to be radically open and honest with each other Chris finds out that jealousy is more than a little difficult to suppress.

And while going Poly may mean twice the love Chris is also finding out it’s sometimes more than twice the work...

Join me as we discover Paul Dalgarno’s Poly...

Great Conversations features interviews with authors and writers, exploring books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world.

Today's episode features Anna Whately discussing her debut novel Peta Lyre's Rating Normal.

Peta Lyre lives in a world that isn’t made for her brain. She’s got an alphabet to contend with and a list of rules about what to do and what to avoid. But she’s also got her best friend Jeb and the school ski trip to look forward to.

When a new girl starts at school, Peta suddenly finds herself with two best friends and a whole lot of confusion.

Peta’s always been told she needs to follow the rules to be normal. But is normal really the best thing for her?

Great Conversations features interviews with authors and writers, exploring books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world.

Today's episode features Laura Elvery discussing her latest story collection Ordinary Matter.

Ordinary Matter celebrates an extraordinary group of women who have won the Nobel prize for Science.

Laura imaginatively recreates moments and imagines worlds that explore the creative lives that have changed the ways we look at science.

Told through a selection of vignettes and short stories; we have a brother remembering his sisters talent for painting, a couple reuniting on a train to Paris and a woman thrown into a strange and shadowy world of bureaucracy after an incredible find on a beach.

Join me as we discover Laura Elvery’s Ordinary Matter.

Great Conversations features interviews with authors and writers, exploring books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world.

Today's episode features Rawah Arja discussing her debut novel The F Team.

Tariq’s got his life together. He’s got his boys, the girls all love him and school’s a breeze… except for the bit where the media says they’re terrorists in training and the department of education is going to shut them down.

But Tariq and his friends have a chance; play in a footy comp, with some white boys from Cronulla, and actually become a team. If Tariq can pull all that off his whole world might not implode.

Discover Rawah Arja's The F Team