The HYBRID Author

Kasey is a marine biologist, educator and children’s author with a passion for connecting children to science and nature through storytelling and education.

Growing up on the coast of Victoria, Kasey spent her days beachcombing, surfing and exploring the rocky shores. As a child (and still as an adult), she was fascinated by the rock pools teeming with life, eagerly learning the names of the all the creatures she discovered.

Her passion for the ocean led her to the World Heritage listed Shark Bay Marine Park in Western Australia, where she had the incredible opportunity to work with the famous Monkey Mia dolphins and loggerhead sea turtles.

Inspired by her work and dedicated to nurturing the next generation of ocean warriors, she’s turned her enthusiasm into pages by diving into the colourful world of picture books.

In the 189th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Kasey on:

Johan du Toit grew up in a remote community eight hours drive from Cape Town in South Africa. He immigrated to Australia with his family in 1994. Through membership of a writers’ group Johan found an opportunity to write short fiction. His two collections, ‘Meandering Road’ and ‘When Only Today Matters’ have been published in collaboration with Broadcast Books.

The eight stories chosen for ‘When Only Today Matters’ were shaped by Johan’s personal journey. The human truth element came from a place of gratitude or a sense that tomorrow may be a better day. There are stories fuelled by injustice and frustration, others with a whisper of hope.

In the 188th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Johan on:

Maura Pierlot is the author of seven titles for children and young adults and the creator of the award-winning web series on youth mental health, Fragments. Maura holds a PhD in philosophy, specialising in ethics, and is a qualified art therapist and founder of The Book Bench Project. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, Maura divides her time between Canberra and Jamberoo on the NSW south coast, where her family grows walnuts, macadamias and avocados.

In episode 187 of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Maura on:

Episode 186, a lonersode with your host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats on:

Toby Hammerschlag grew up in South Africa, immigrating to Australia with her husband and two daughters in 1986.

She was a Special Education teacher for many years, specialising in literacy. While teaching, she would write passages and stories for her students when she couldn’t find an appropriate text for them.

After retiring from teaching, she did an oral history course with the chief oral history librarian at the State Library of NSW. She then interviewed people in order to preserve their family stories. Some of the characters in her recent novel have been inspired by these interviews.

Her first book, ‘The Rooftop’, was published in 2015. It is a story of friendship between four young students from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. The book celebrates freedom and diversity. That book has been widely used in schools.

‘Looking Out and Beyond’ is her second novel. The research and writing of her novel has taken five years.

Toby and her husband live on the upper North Shore of Sydney and is now a grandmother of five.

In the 185th episode of The HYBRID Author podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Toby about:

In the 184th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, takes you behind the scenes of her latest women’s fiction novel, 'The Writer, The Hairdresser and The Nurse' published under her pen name Zara Ellen. This book is incredibly close to Joanne's heart. In this episode she shares "the why" behind the story, how these characters came to life and what she hopes readers take away from their lives. If you're a writer working on emotionally-charged fiction—or just love a good story about messy, resilient women—this one’s for you.

Anne Vines is a Melbourne-based fiction writer. Her novel, The Ship Wife was published in 2023. Her short stories have won a slew of awards including the Boroondara Award in 2014 and the Keith Carroll Award in 2020. She was also commended in the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript in 2008, and in the Varuna HarperCollins Award in 2007. She was also short-listed for the Alan Marshall Award, The Age Short Story Award and the international Wasafiri New Writing Prize. Anne has worked on both her novels at Varuna Writers’ Centre.

She completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne in Literature and History, and taught in secondary schools and adult education in Victoria and London, which led her to co-write the VCE English and Literature courses.

Flight is her latest novel. 

In the 183rd episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Anne about:

Jesse McNeilly is the Founder of Rescue Connect and also mentors Industrial Emergency Response departments. Having trained over 20,000 students with his work globally, Jesse is passionate about sharing knowledge so rescue teams can be safer, more capable and better prepared. Jesse holds a Medical Science Masters Degree in Disaster and Emergency Response. He has dedicated his professional life to his vocation of emergency response and rescue. Jesse has worked in eight countries in a range of military, private security, disaster response, training and leadership roles. Jesse continues to develop his industry networks so rescue workers can learn from and help each other.

In the 182nd episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Jesse about:

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1764099400?psc=1&smid=ANEGB3WVEVKZB&ref_=chk_typ_quicklook_seeDetailsToDp

Sarah Susak is a full-time working mum. A commercial lawyer with over two decades of experience, Sarah has led the legal function of some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Coca-Cola and Colgate-Palmolive across the South Pacific and Europe.

She is also a lifetime supporter of the Wayside Chapel for the homeless in Sydney. In 2017, shortly after becoming a mother, Sarah was diagnosed with a rare and deadly head and neck cancer. Her journey through major facial reconstructive surgeries, intensive radiation treatment and ongoing medical challenges led her to discover the ancient practice of Vedic meditation, which became a cornerstone of her recovery and inspired her to train as a Vedic meditation teacher. In 2023 she launched Medi Steady Go®, a business dedicated to sharing the wisdom and techniques that she credits with saving her life.

After being in remission from cancer for almost seven years while completing YOURU in 2024 Sarah was diagnosed with a metastasis to the lung. Though the lesion on her lung was safely removed, she developed a rare autoimmune condition which saw her on life support and hospitalised for almost three months. With the help of holistic health practices and her daily meditation routine, Sarah made a remarkable recovery, defying medical expectations. She is now living a joyful and purpose-filled life in Sydney with her husband and daughter. YOURU is her first book.

In episode 181 of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Sarah about:

www.sarahsusak.com/my-book

Jeanette Stampone was born in a spooky three-hundred-year-old house in the English countryside. She grew up with stories of local legends, pixies, ghosts, and fairies. These childhood experiences inspire Jeanette to write fun, imaginative and quirky stories. A country girl at heart, Jeanette now lives in regional Western Australia with her husband and two boys.  

In 2022, Jeanette’s debut picture book, 'Shadow and the Girl' was released by Red Paper Kite. Her second book, 'The Dragon Guest Handbook' was published by Wombat Books in 2024.

This year, Jeanette was thrilled to release her new junior fiction book 'Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost', published by About Kids Books.

Jeanette is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and is passionate about sharing and creating books for kids of all ages.

In episode 180 of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Jeanette about: