Talking Aussie Books

Listeners today I’m so excited to introduce you to another Aussie author whose book has simply floored me. 

Fiona Hardy - a writer, bookseller and reviewer from Melbourne - is the author of a new book published by Affirm Press earlier this year called ‘Unbury the Dead’. 

 A contemporary crime fiction novel about two best friends who are hired to undertake some morally questionable activities and who then find themselves caught up in a deadly high-stakes drama. 

Fast-paced, gritty and compulsive, Fiona Hardy is a talented, fresh new voice in Australian crime literature. 

I was thrilled to have the chance to chat with her on the podcast recently.

Marion Taffe is a Melbourne-based writer who after a 20 year career as a journalist, decided to turn her hand to novel-writing. 

A graduate of the RMIT degree in Professional Writing and Editing, Marion was named Creative Industries Student of the Year in her graduating year of 2023. She was also runner-up in the Grace Marion Wilson Emerging Writers Prize (non-fiction) in 2022 and a recipient of a Varuna Residential Fellowship in 2023.

Marion’s novel ‘By Her Hand’ was released in early March by HarperCollins’s Fourth Estate and what an impressive, wondrous and exploration of an historical era along with some of its major players that I knew next to nothing about. 

‘By Her Hand’ is a book that examines the plight of women in the Kingdom of Mercia - a place now known as the English Midlands - in the 10th century and follows the story of a young farm’s girl’s fight to ensure she writes her own destiny.

I was thrilled to welcome Marion to the podcast recently to chat about her publishing journey, inspiration, research and more in this wide-ranging, fascinating chat.

When a friend that you've been toiling alongside in the writing space for years can finally call themselves a published author, there's many reasons to celebrate.

Chrissie Bellbrae is a talented Australian writer who took control of her writing career by self-publishing her debut novel 'The Florentine Quilt' early in 2025.

I'd had the pleasure of reading an early draft of this novel some five years ago and knew then this story was special.

To now see it out in the world in all its stunning glory, is immensely satisfying.

A novel set across three timelines and written from the point of view of three exceptional women, with history, mystery and magic effortlessly weaved in, this book will appeal to readers of Kate Forsyth and Kell Woods.

It was a joy to welcome Chrissie on the podcast recently to talk about her gorgeous book and journey to publication.

Well worth a listen.

There are many Australian writers out there producing quality book after quality book each and every year - satisfying the voracious demands of their eager fans. 

Penelope Janu definitely falls into that category. 

And if you haven’t heard of Penelope’s work as yet, then dear listeners you’re in for a treat. 

Penelope is a former lawyer  - a longtime legal academic - whose debut novel ‘In at the Deep End’ was published by HarperCollins in 2017. In the time since, Penelope has gone onto publish another 8 novels and three novellas. 

Late last year, Penelope’s new novel ‘The Summerfield Saddler’ was published by HQ Fiction and listeners, I think this one is my most favourite yet. An absolutely terrific read. 

Unsurprisingly, I’m very much drawn to the work of debut Australian authors. And this year, I’m delighted to be interviewing a number of them, one of whom is my next guest.

Kate Horan is Sydney-based ex-English teacher who once taught at high schools in Western Sydney loving being able to inspire teenagers with a love of reading. 

For the last seventeen years, however, Kate has worked in corporate communications - helping executives pitch and present. 

Early last month her debut novel was released by HQ Fiction. 

Called ‘The Inheritance’ Kate’s story follows two women whose lives become inextricably entwined when they cross paths over a controversial property development in an exclusive historical enclave in the southern highlands of NSW.

A story about wealth, entitlement, corruption and what we inherit from our parents.

A gripping, sophisticated story by a talented writer. 

I was thrilled to welcome Kate to the podcast recently. 

Ella Ward is a Melbourne-based author of memoir '27 Letters to My Daughter' and a brilliant debut novel 'The Cicada House'.

Released by HarperCollins in January 2025, 'The Cicada House' is a gorgeously uplifting, magical coming of age story that starts out one way and takes readers on an unexpected but utterly delightful journey. Following 40-year-old protagonist Caitlin, we move from London to Arana Bay in Victoria, this story is beautifully written and heralds an exciting career for author, Ella.

A highly entertaining chat!

I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off a brand new season of Talking Aussie Books than with my next guest author, historical fantasy writer, Kell Woods. 

I've had the pleasure of interviewing Kell once before on the podcast - and that was for Kell’s debut novel ‘After the Forest’ back in 2023. 

I remember distinctly finishing that book and thinking I had just read something incredibly special. A perfect mix of history, fantasy, romance and fairytale, I was utterly captivated by Kell’s storytelling prowess. 

Luckily, this year, Kell is back with her second novel. And in my humble opinion, I think it’s even better than her first. 

Think adventures on the high seas, mermaid and fairytales, this is a book that will capture the imagination of even the most reluctant fantasy readers. Beautifully written, thoroughly researched and with a swoon worthy romantic thread, this was another truly special reading experience.

And I’m just so excited to have had the chance to speak with Kell about this stunning novel recently for the podcast.

Enjoy the listen! 

If you’re a fan of crime fiction, you may have noticed that cosy crime is making a come back in a big way of late - certainly in Australia in any event. 

A sub-genre of crime that many attribute to Agatha Christie has spawned many wonderful Australian novels that recently include 'The Tea Ladies' Mysteries by Amanda Hampson,  the Poppy McGowan Mysteries by Pamela Hart, Miss Fisher' Mysteries by Kerry Greenwood, the hugely successful Ernest Cunningham Mysteries written by Benjamin Stevenson and now Kate Solly’s ‘The Parade Heights Craft Store Stitch Up’ published by Affirm Press.

Kate Solly is a writer, mother of six and enjoys crochet.  In fact crochet and crafting are prominent themes in both her first novel, 'Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance', and her most recent follow up, ‘The Paradise Heights Craft Store Stitch Up’  which I’m was simply delighted to have the chance to chat about with Kate for the podcast recently.

A fun, uplifting episode you won't want to miss!

My final published episode for 2024.

Alexandra Almond is a Melbourne-based author who, before turning her hand to writing, worked in a variety of roles - which included being a stable hand and a clown!

Her debut novel, 'Thoroughly Disenchanted', was recently published by HarperCollins Australia. And what a delightful, romantic - and despite its title - enchanting novel it is.

It’s about 4 friends, a cursed country house and a weekend away that stretched over a hundred years. An example of the romantasy genre (albeit cosy romantasy) that is currently taking the publishing world by storm.

I was delighted to have the chance to speak with Alexandra about her novel and journey to publication on the podcast earlier this month. 

'The Last Love Note' written by Canberra-based author Emma Grey was one of my most memorable reads for 2023 - a book that Emma wrote in the wake of her husband’s sudden death.

It’s been incredibly successful both in Australia and NZ (selling more than 100,000 copies so far) and it was also picked up in the US and was selected for Book of the Month and Target’s book club.  

Having said all that, it may surprise you to learn that this was Emma debut novel for adults. 

Earlier last month, Emma’s second adult novel ‘Pictures of You’ was published by Penguin Random House Australia and Zibby Owens Publishing in the US. 

And as a testament to the incredible readership Emma has garnered already both here and in the US, 'Pictures of You' has already gone into a second print run in Australia and it’s hit the USA Today bestseller’s list!

Now if that doesn’t make you want to run out and find yourself a copy, then perhaps listening to Emma herself talk about the book and her inspiration behind this incredible new story will. 

I was absolutely THRILLED to welcome Emma to the podcast recently.