Literati Glitterati

Mel speaks to the author of 'Woo Woo', a feminist thriller about making art, online performance, and voyeurism.

Mel chats with Evie Wyld on her new book The Echoes, a love story from the perspective of a ghost.

The monthly Lit Glit salon returns with A Manual For Cleaning Women, a pulverising selection of short stories from the previously unsung queen of story, Lucia Berlin.

Berlin wrote in binges, brilliantly, throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s until her death in 2004. Ten years later, with the release of this book, she became a New York Times Bestseller and the kind of writer that Mel says "I’d start a fight with my then boyfriend about".

You think Bukowski lived a life? Maaaate. If there can only be one true cataloguer of the ugly-beautiful, the itinerant, the mundane-transcendent, the gurgling bottle, to imbue the city dump with the majesty of a field of wildflowers, then Lit Glit decrees: it is she.

Listen back as writer Grace Yee and painter Kirsty Budge have a belter of a conversation about the woman who could be described as the godmother of autofiction. As Berlin herself said – “The story is the thing.”

On this weeks episode of Literati Glitterati, Irish author Caoilinn Hughes is on to talk about her new book, The Alternatives.

Caoilinn says there’s a little bit of her in all her characters, but in this conversation she talks about the way she employed her friends expertise to form complex and fully fleshy characters.

The novel (written without drafts if you can believe it) is about adult siblings, and the dynamics of sisters as they grow up together without parental guidance. And according to Mel, The Alternatives gives the reader “ideas on how to cope right now in real time” - which we all need.

Plus, don't forget, the Lit Glit salon returns at the end of the July with A Manual For Cleaning Women, a pulverising selection of short stories from the previously unsung queen of story, Lucia Berlin.

Mel speaks with Ella Mitas on her new cookbook Ela! Ela! and Leah Jing McIntosh, curator/writer and founder of Liminal Magazine, for an overview of inagural Liminal festival at The Wheeler Centre.

Brrr! It’s cold out there… come cuddle up and get cosy with Mel Fulton and debut author, Sophie Matthiesson.

Sophie’s novel, Together We Fall Apart, is a stunning debut telling the story of Clare, who has a complex family life - with both her born into family and her created one - and must toe the line to find the best outcome for all the people she loves…

This conversation may bring up uncomfortable feelings for some, there are people out there to call and talk to if you need help:

Family Drug Help: 1300 660 068

Lifeline: 13 11 14

And don't forget, the Lit Glit salon returns at the end of the month with A Manual For Cleaning Women, a pulverising selection of short stories from the previously unsung queen of story, Lucia Berlin.

The Literati Glitterati Salon returns for edition #2.

Mel Fulton is joined by novelists and legends Peggy Frew and Ella Baxter to discuss Miranda July’s sparkling new novel, All Fours. Together they break down the novel and chat through their thoughts and feelings, and answer and respond to listener thoughts on the text line.

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NEXT MONTH'S BOOK: A Manual For Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin

The Lit Glit salon returns with A Manual For Cleaning Women, a pulverising selection of short stories from the previously unsung queen of story, Lucia Berlin.

Berlin wrote in binges, brilliantly, throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s until her death in 2004. Ten years later, with the release of this book, she became a New York Times Bestseller and the kind of writer I’d start a fight with my then boyfriend about.

You think Bukowski lived a life? Maaaate. If there can only be one true cataloguer of the ugly-beautiful, the itinerant, the mundane-transcendent, the gurgling bottle, to imbue the city dump with the majesty of a field of wildflowers, then Lit Glit decrees: it is she.

On Wednesday 31 July from midday to 1pm AEST at rrr.org.au - join Mel, writers Tony Birch and Grace Yee, and painter Kirsty Budge for a belter of a conversation about the woman who could be described as the godmother of autofiction. As Berlin herself said – “The story is the thing.”

This week, Mel Fulton is joined by RRR broadcaster and Author, Sam Elkin as they discuss his new book "Detachable Penis: A Queer Legal Saga" and his journey from Lesbian to Transgender Lawyer in the aftermath of the 2017 Marrige equality postal survey. The two delve deep into the honest nature of the book and touch on the complexities of identity.

This week Mel Fulton is virtually joined by Sydney-born author, Lauren Aimee Curtis.

Her new novel, Strangers At The Port is longlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award 2024, and is a tale of two sisters and an archdukes navigating their time on an Italian island best known for it's production if sweet wines...

In this chat Lauren describes the somewhat torturous task of writing as her characters, working through the “bad” writing, and creating a mixed emotional atmosphere - which she usually achieved by listening to music and this episode is soundtracked by her listening playlist!

Find Strangers At The Port by Lauren Aimee Curtis here!

And don't forget to get ready for this months Literati Glitterati Salon by reading All Fours by Miranda July.

Dominic Gordon, author of Excitable Boy: Essays on Risk, joins Mel to talk about his collection of non-fiction stories, memories, and feelings from his young life and coming of age in Melbourne's inner city suburbs. He speaks on his use of writing as catharsis and release, of working through confusion and anger, and making sense of the choas in what we can see mirrored in those around us, strangers or otherwise.

Emily Westmoreland, program director of the Williamstown Literary Festival, is on the show to talk about the festival, the importance of literature, book-shops, cultural exchange and conversational engagement, spurred by reading and story-sharing.

And don't forget to get ready for this months Literati Glitterati Salon by reading All Fours by Miranda July.