Australian Writers' Centre Podcast

Steph Bowe is a 19-year-old author and blogger whose second YA novel, All This Could End, has just been published. Her first book, Girl Saves Boy, was published in 2010 – when she was just 16 years old.   Interview by Danielle Williams, course manager of Australian Writers' Centre. www.WritersCentre.com.au

Sydney Writers' Centre interviews author Kristin Cashore on her novels, "Graceling" (2008), "Fire" (2009) and her upcoming novel "Bitterblue". Her books are set in a vivid fantasy world and several characters are present in both stories. Cashore's strong characterization and evocative, visual writing have earned her a legion of fans across the world.

Sydney Writers' Centre interviews London-based rare book dealer, writer and broadcaster Rick Gekoski on the world of rare book dealing and his book "Outside of a Dog". Described as a biblio-memoir "Outside of a Dog" is an account of the 25 books that shaped Gekoski's life, and explores the impact of books on personal development. Gekoski is also one of the three judges of the Man Booker prize.

Author Toni Jordan's latest book is "Fall Girl" (2010), about a biologist called Ella who wants to prove that an extinct animal still roams in one of Australia's most popular national parks. The problem is that Ella doesn't really exist! Toni did a science degree and started her career in science before studying professional writing. While studying, she began writing "Addition", which has been published in Australia, the UK and Holland.Toni is also a freelance writer who contributes regularly to The Age.

Sydney Writers' Centre interviews acclaimed author David Mitchell. His latest book is The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, set in Japan in 1799. It is about a young clerk, Jacob de Zoet, who leaves Holland and his fiancee to go to Japan where he meets the daughter of a Samurai.David is also author of the novel Black Swan Green, which was selected as one of the 10 Best Books of the Year by Time and Cloud Atlas, which was a Man Booker Prize finalist.

Sydney Writers' Centre interviews New Zealand author Bernard Beckett at the Sydney Writers' Festival (May 2011). Bernard has published 10 books and won many awards. As a high school teacher, Bernard has written mainly for young adults (such as "Genesis") but has also written two novels for adults (including "August").

Sydney Writers' Centre interviews Man Booker Prize winner 2010 Howard Jacobson at the Sydney Writers' Festival (May 2011). Jacobson is author of the comic novel "The Finkler Question". He is also a journalist/columnist for The Independent in the UK.

Sydney Writers' Centre interviews Shamini Flint at the Sydney Writers' Festival 2011. Shamini is a children's writer and crime writer based in Singapore.

Amber MacArthur is the best-selling Canadian author of "Power Friending". We spoke to her about the writing process and why blogging is great for aspiring authors.   Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

Craig Silvey was only 19 when he finished his first novel, Rhubarb. It was published two years later in 2004 and won Craig the Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Novelist award. The book was hailed by critics and readers alike and was chosen as the 'One Book' for the Perth International Writers' Festival in 2005, and was included in the national Books Alive campaign.   Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com