130 How to be a career author with JP Pomare, author of The Gambler

Bestselling crime author JP Pomare joins us to discuss his latest novel The Gambler, and reflects on how his writing process has changed since his debut in 2018. He discusses his start as a sandwich artist, his impulse to write away from cliche, and his advice for aspiring authors.   JP Pomare is an award-winning author whose debut novel, Call Me Evie, won the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel. In the Clearing was made into a Disney+ Original Series, The Clearing, while Tell Me Lies was shortlisted for the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Novel and the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction. The Last Guests was made into a Stan Original TV series, Watching You. Seventeen Years Later was shortlisted for both the 2025 Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction and the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Novel, and is currently being adapted for the screen. The Gambler is his eighth novel. Find The Gambler through Booktopia or from your local bookshop or library.    Books & authors discussed in this episode   On Writing by Stephen King  Karl Ove Knausgaard Tierney Page  Sally Hepworth  He Read, She Read podcast with author Sarah Bailey The Genetic Book of the Dead by Richard Dawkins Land by Maggie O'Farrell The Correspondent by Virginia Evans In the Woods by Tana French  Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman  Dune by Frank Herbert (aka 'June')  Vigil by George Saunders  Departure(s) by Julian Barnes  The Bee Sting by Paul Murray  Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung The Midnight Timetable by Bora Chung The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton Upcoming events  Darwin – join Ashley for her first-ever Darwin event, part of NT Writers Festival, Sunday 31 May, 10.15am  Darwin – join Ashley in conversation for a Book Besties Darwin special event, Monday 1 June, 6pm  Sydney – join James for the launch of Touch Grass by Mary Colusi, Tuesday 2 June, 6.30 pm Sydney – join Ashley and Petronella McGovern at Balmain Library, Thursday 4 June, 6.30pm  Sydney – join Ashley for a **free** workshop, Connecting with Your Creative Practice, Friday 19 June, 10am-2pm  Adelaide – Ashley is teaching Crafting Narrative Drive for Writers SA, Saturday 27 June 10.30am Winter Writing Retreat – join Ashley for a multi-day writing retreat from Writers at the Woolshed, 12-17 July in the Southern Highlands  Geelong – join Ashley for her first-ever Geelong event with Dymocks Books in Bars, Wednesday 22 July, 6.30pm  Central Coast – join Ashley for an in-conversation at Umina Book Nook on Friday 21 August, 6pm Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode, Cold Truth, and Like, Follow, Die and get your copies from your local bookshop or library.  Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson