Former bookshop owner/seller and director of books at Booktopia, John Purcell, joined me to discuss his latest novel, ‘The Lessons’.

Topics discussed include:

The origins of ‘The Lessons’ stemming from an idea from an unfinished novel twenty years ago - to unexpected arrival of the the voice of Harry, launching what would become the completed novel.

The change in process of the novel (pantser) - how it differed greatly to John’s other works and the challenges it presented.

The study in contrasts in characters - from their understanding of themselves and others - the masculinity/femininity (real or imagined) some characters might feel they have or lack and how that is perceived by others.

How we as people can struggle to accept the people we know and love can change - the desire to want them to be ‘that’ version as we cherish and remember. The problems this can cause and how people can dedicate their lives to pursuing ‘that’ version of someone.

How writers can often have the hardest time trying to articulate themselves to others when speaking - the power of the written word/form.

And so much more!

Thanks so much to John for talking to me on the program, get your copy of ‘The Lessons’ now!

Writer and novelist, Robert Lukins, joined me on the show to discuss his second and latest novel, ‘Loveland’.

Topics discussed include:

Crafting the Nebraska that May visits, capturing its essence and making the fictional township of Loveland come alive - right down to the Goyle tours and the time capsule.

Why people obsess over previous generations and eras - how everything is gilded with nostalgia, particularly when you didn’t live in that previous generation/era.

Water - what draws us to bodies of water - even poisoned lakes.

Robert’s writerly journey - from writing novels he deleted the instant he finished, to now releasing two published novels of his own.

The best of conversation trajectories - describing the writing process and pursuit and everything in between.

And so much more!

Thanks so much to @ for having such an epic and earnest chat with me - especially about the writing. I loved the way that conversation went.

Writer of both fiction and non-fiction works and novelist, Maryrose Cuskelly, joined me on the show to discuss her novel, ‘The Cane’.

Topics discussed include:

The inspiration for the novel, including several high-profile cases of abductions and murders of young Queenslander girls that occurred during Maryrose’s own childhood.

The setting - the township of Quala & Kaliope - surrounded by the titular cane. A place with a strong sense of community, but tensions and injustices easily noticeable, burbling under the surface.

How a community rallies together in times of crises, such as a young local girl’s disappearance - but then just as easily transforms and turns in on itself when faced with the likelihood that the killer could be ‘one of theirs’ - including a willingness to single out anyone remotely different.

And so much more!

Thanks so much to Maryrose for chatting with me on the program - you can pick up a copy of ‘The Cane’ from her publisher, Allen and Unwin, now!

Former festival director of the Sydney Writers Festival, and publisher at Penguin Random House Australia, Meredith Curnow, joined me on the show.

Topics discussed include:

Meredith’s journey to becoming a publisher, from being a festival director and her life before that. Along with some career highlights and challenges she’s encountered along the way.

How the ever-changing industry has changed since the pandemic. How TikTok has become a great platform for finding literary talent.

Insights into the process of publishing, from how Meredith selects titles (and what makes a title stand out) to the ‘end’ of the journey, with the title on the shelves.

Advice for aspiring authors, as well as those looking to work in the industry.

And so much more!

Thanks heaps to Meredith for appearing on the show - and for everything she does at PRH!

Writer and now novelist, Alicia Thompson, joined me on the show to discuss her debut novel, ‘Something Else’.

Topics discussed include:

The fictional small-town setting of Bruce - a place that’s not much to look at. How a place has an impact on the shaping of a character and a story, as much as a character shapes the place in which they live.

The instant and profound connection David feels with Martin. How these chance encounters can happen and can permanently alter us.

Acceptance - an acceptance of self and an acceptance of others. How we can be confused, or devastated, when we find that those we love and supposedly know are not who we thought they were, but how we can and do move forward with a newfound appreciation for them, as well as ourselves.

How people can come into our lives and cleanse or free us from what has haunted or burdened us, be it trauma or guilt or anything else impairing us - allowing us to go on and live the lives we’ve denied ourselves.

And seriously so much more! We went down a veritable rabbit-hole of a discussion we did.

Thanks heaps to Alicia for chatting with me on the show, you can pick up a copy of ‘Something Else’ from the good folks at Ninestar Press, here:

https://ninestarpress.com/product/something-else/

Former actress, screenwriter and film director, Mia Hansen-Love, appeared on the program to discuss her latest film, ‘Bergman Island’.

Topics discussed include:

How the soul of an influential creative such as Ingmar Bergman, can inhabit a place for long after they have passed away. How Mia herself felt Bergman’s presence during her time spent at ‘Bergman Island’/Fårö and what a positive effect this can have on oneself and their creativity.

Noticing the similarities between totally different locations. How someone can visit a place they’ve never been before, but be reminded of another place including from their youth i.e. places from Mia’s youth and their peaceful silence, reminding her of Bergman Island.

The connection and resonance one feels with a natural landscape, such as Bergman did with Fårö - ‘it was as if he found a place that had lived inside him all along.’

Why people/aspiring creatives embark on pilgrimages to places hallowed by their idols - i.e. those that visit Bergman Island and how, in Mia’s experience, she encountered people that found the island to ignite creativity, not just for filmmakers but for all creatives.

And much more!

Thanks be to Mia for joining me all the way from France to discuss ‘Bergman Island’. The film is out in Australian cinemas now, so go see it!

Journalist, travel writer and now novelist, Lizzie Pook, joined me to discuss her debut novel, ‘Moonlight And The Pearler’s Daughter’.

Topics discussed include:

How Lizzie’s research process of visiting such idyllic, historic sites along W.A.’s coastline, paired with her travel writing repertoire, served as the groundwork for the novel.

Creating Bannin Bay - along with featuring the frequently ugly and often underknown history of pearling and the pearler trade.

The father and daughter dynamic at the core of the story that Lizzie wanted to explore - how we can consider our parents to be perfect in our youth and how we accept their flaws as we age. The goodness/badness and moral quandary in all people and how acknowledging its existence, is what can bring us together.

How trauma can propel us, as much as leave as in a state of stasis.

The unique writing of the novel, how pandemic-related circumstances prompted the novel and how Lizzie managed to write a novel during such a tumultuous time.

And so much more!

Huge thanks to Lizzie for appearing on the program, all the way from London, be sure to pick up your copy of ‘Moonlight And The Pearler’s Daughter’ now!

Doctor, writer and now novelist, Anke Zet, joined me to discuss her debut novel, ‘Deception’ (Book 1 in the Unearthly Talents Series).

Topics discussed include:

The unique writing process for writing the story - the decision to split the mammoth novel into separate installments and what challenges that presented.

Her persistence and need for self-belief, which was especially crucial in the decision to tell the story that she wanted to, despite pressure from editors etc to change elements/the entire story.

Anke’s publishing journey, from exploring and undertaking the more ‘traditional’ publishing routes of established publishing houses and literary agents, to taking the plunge into self-publishing. The challenges encountered with the ‘red-tape’ of self-publishing and how she feels now, looking back on it all.

The importance of making writerly promises - and keeping them. How one promise Anke made to herself, propelled her through the tumultuous and tough journey to get to this point.

And so much more!

Thanks be to Anke for appearing on the show, you can pick up your copy of ‘Deception’ and all others to follow here:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Deception-Book-one-Unearthly-Talents-ebook/dp/B09Q311C1L/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1644809797&sr=8-4

Writer, author, editor and Ambassador for Thailand’s Save Elephant Foundation, Irma Gold, joined me to discuss her debut adult fiction novel, ‘The Breaking’.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses the ongoing plight of elephants in Thailand.

Topics discussed include:

The novel’s genesis, blending fact and fiction, Irma’s own experiences and imagination. How central characters Deven and Hannah led her by the hand in the writing of the story.

How Irma captured the essence of, and depicted the ‘real’ Thailand - how her diary keeping and photography documenting her visits helped achieve the novel’s sense of place.

Depicting animal abuse, including the Phajaan, ‘the breaking’ - along with many other atrocities still faced by elephants. How it was necessary to include such scenes in order to truly depict the situation.

What draws people from all over the world, to take up the cause of elephant conversation and liberation.

The beauty and the ugliness, the balance between the two and blending the two in the novel’s story.

And so much more!

Thank you so much to Irma for appearing on the show, you can pick up your copy of ‘The Breaking’ from the good folks at MidnightSun publishing.

First episode for 2022!

Journalist, author and writer Emma Young joined me on the program to discuss her novel, ‘The Last Bookshop’.

Topics discussed include:

- The plight of the brick and mortar/independent bookshop. How many are subjected to constant rent hikes, sometimes resulting in relocating to more affordable locations, or going out of business altogether.

- What makes bookshops such a unique and vital fixture within a community. How the pandemic has strengthened ties with communities and their local independent bookshops.

- Examples of times when independent bookshops have nearly been forced to close their doors, and the communities have rallied together to support them.

- And so much more!

Thanks heaps to Emma for appearing on the show, you can get your copy of ‘The Last Bookshop’ from the good folks at Fremantle Press.