In conversation with best-selling author Madeleine Gray

WE'RE BACK! In this week's episode, our very own Allie Daisy King sits down with acclaimed (literally) Australian author Madeleine Gray, whose debut novel Green Dot became an instant literary sensation - earning praise from icons ranging from Nigella Lawson to the one-and-only Gillian Anderson. Maddy is back with a much-anticipated second novel, Chosen Family. In this chat, Allie and Maddy unpack the intersection of writing, academia, and creativity - with Maddy reflecting on her process, rituals, and how her academic background shapes her fiction. She also opens up about the whirlwind success of Green Dot, from surreal celebrity dinners to the realities of debuting a breakout hit, and how she navigated the pressure of following it up with her next novel. They also discuss the moments of transition and uncertainty that define modern womanhood, the blurred line between intimacy and toxicity in friendship, and the emotional power of queer storytelling. Maddy shares what inspired Chosen Family, why she wanted to write friendship as a kind of romantic epic, and how she approached spanning 18 years of her characters’ lives with nuance and empathy. It's a bumper chat - so dive in  and get a copy of Chosen Family ASAP!