Jacqueline Maley and Debra Oswald speak with Susan Wyndham about their enthralling works of fiction bound by sudden tragedy, motherhood and rage. Sydney Morning Herald columnist Jacqueline Maley sheds light on The Truth About Her, her portrayal of a journalist and single mother who learns that a young wellness blogger she uncovered in an exposé has taken her own life. Award-winning Offspring creator Debra Oswald reflects on her thriller, The Family Doctor, about a suburban GP haunted by the murder of a friend and her children by their estranged husband and father. Listen to this powerful and emotive discussion on shame, consequences and the craft of writing compelling narrative conflict and characters. 
Please note, this episode involves discussion of suicide and domestic violence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jacqueline Maley & Debra Oswald

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Fiction

“How other people live is pretty much all I think about,” writes Ann Patchett. 

Since her breakthrough novel, Bel Canto, won the Women’s Prize for Fiction, Ann’s clever, compelling and expertly crafted portraits of other people’s lives have enamoured readers and critics alike. 

The author of bookshelf staples like Commonwealth and The Dutch House returns with another bestseller, Tom Lake – a meditation on young love, marriage and the lives people lead before having children. 

Hear stories from Ann and her writer penpal, Meg Mason (Sorrow and Bliss), on home, family and bookselling – with some Parnassus Books reading recommendations thrown in!
This episode was recorded live at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival.  
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. 
Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 
After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:
Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ann Patchett on Ordinary Joys

[Content warning: misogynistic violence, sexual assault]
When Kate Manne’s first book Down Girl, a tightly argued analysis of misogyny, was published shortly after the full exposé of Harvey Weinstein, she became ‘the philosopher of #MeToo’ – someone who could explain in crisp and compelling terms what misogyny is and how it works. 

With her trademark combination of philosophical rigor and vivid storytelling, her next book Entitled took aim at male privilege and how it hurts women. Her new book Unshrinking: How to Fight Fatphobia targets particularly prevalent and oppressive aspects of misogyny – fatphobia and diet culture – proposing a radical rethinking of our bodies and the world. 

In her closing address, join Kate to build on this extraordinary body of work and consider what recent activism has changed, what has resolutely stayed the same and what has worsened. What might the future of misogyny look like?
This episode was recorded live at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival.  
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. 
Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 
After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:
Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Closing Address: Kate Manne on the Future of Misogyny

Join Annabel Crabb and Artistic Director Ann Mossop as they discuss the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival program.
The pair talk about the 2024 Festival theme, Take Me Away, and how books let us escape into different worlds, live other lives and travel in time and space. 
The 2024 Sydney Writers' Festival is out now. Head to our website to explore the program: https://www.swf.org.au/
Tickets on sale Saturday 9 March at 10am. 
Thank you to 2SER for facilitating the recording of this podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2024 Program Announcement: Annabel Crabb and Ann Mossop

[Content warning: Child sexual abuse]
Join internet darling Daniel Lavery as he lifts the lid on his writing life and Dear Prudence, a collection of the weirdest and wildest questions received during his tenure as Slate’s agony aunt. Filled with his always sympathetic, thoughtful and good-humoured advice, it offers a good dose of sense and compassion in an increasingly wonky world. Daniel reveals the secrets to dispensing wise counsel and talks about his broader career as the co-founder of legendary website The Toast and a New York Times–bestselling author. In conversation with Mon Schafter.
This episode was recorded live at the 2023 Sydney Writers’ Festival.  
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. 
Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 
After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:
Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Lavery: Dear Prudence and more

The Curiosity Lecture series returns to the Festival with a line-up of our most thought-provoking speakers delivering one-time talks on topics of intrigue, interest and importance. In this entertaining talk, author Tabitha Carvan shares the story of how falling for Benedict Cumberbatch while stuck at home with two young children became an unlikely catalyst for self-discovery. She casts light on what becomes of women’s passions in adulthood and what happens if you subvert the narrative and simply love something like you used to.
Supported by UNSW Sydney.
This episode was recorded live at the 2023 Sydney Writers’ Festival.  
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. 
Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 
After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:
Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tabitha Carvan on Finding Your Passion (For Benedict Cumberbatch)

Sydney Writers' Festival

Jacqueline Maley & Debra Oswald

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