The HYBRID Author

We've hit 199 episodes of The HYBRID Author Podcast! And to celebrate, here's a mashup of all the guests who have appeared since June this year.   

Bel Vidal is the pen name of an Australian-Bolivian writer based in Sydney. Her fiction, non-fiction and poetry have been published in English and Spanish under her pen name, her real name and other pseudonyms. Soon after arriving in Sydney, she received an Australia Council (now Creative Australia) grant to publish a bilingual collection of poems and stories, Arcoiris de Sueños / 'Rainbow of Dreams'. An earlier draft of her novel ‘Exuberance’ was short-listed for the Varuna-Harper Collins Award for manuscript development and awarded the Varuna Residential Masterclass. It was independently published in 2023, followed by her story collection 'Tales of Suburban Castaways' in 2024. Bel holds a BA in Communications, majoring in Creative Writing (UTS), and a Masters in Writing for the Media (Macquarie University). She works in the not-for-profit sector as a communications and media professional, and is also a mental health advocate, book lover, bush walking enthusiast, traveller, blogger and firm believer it is never too late to start something new. In the 198th 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 Bel on: blending lived experience with fiction Mental Health month, promoting awareness and reducing stigma, particularly about bipolar type 2 in her novel 'Exuberance' ways to give a book several “lives” over time Bel’s advice for authors who want to translate their own mental health journeys into fiction in a way that resonates while still protecting their own wellbeing and much more.

Michael Wendroff is a marketing consultant, and now a debut author with his thriller, ‘What Goes Around.’ It was published by Bloomsbury in the Uk, USA, and Australia, and foreign translation rights were sold in Japanese, Hungarian, and Italian. It is available in hardcover, audiobook, and ebook, and the paperback edition launches this month. In the 197th 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 Michael on: the inspiration for his debut thriller 'What Goes Around' technical aspects to keep readers turning the page surprises, challenges and wins publishing his novel michael's advice to aspiring authors looking to stand out in a crowded market and much more.   

Annie Kwan is a lawyer who runs a construction company with her husband. She is passionate about teaching kids and volunteers at her daughter’s Primary Ethics Program. Annie believes that being kind to others can only start when one is kind to themself first. The Finch Who Lost her Wing is her first children’s book. She is working on more children’s books and is also writing a novel. Annie lives in Sydney with her girls, husband and two cats. In the 196th 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 Annie about: ‘The Finch Who Lost Her Wing’ and her belief kindness starts with being kind to ourselves practicing kindness to onself managing parenting, volunteering, running a business and living life surprises and challenges of publishing as a debut children's author writing across different forms and much more.

Rose Lane’s writing is inspired by the untold stories of people and places. She has travelled to both London and Nepal as a nurse and has written for multiple publications on topics ranging from anti-war activism to music and disability awareness. 'The Last Tibetan Kingdom' is Rose’s first book and was selected for the 2017 Hardcopy Manuscript Development Program at the Australian Writers’ Centre in Canberra. In the 195th 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 Rose about: her travel memoir ''The Last Tibetan Kingdom' grown out of her travels and nursing work in Nepal balancing diverse professional and writing experiences, research, voice and cultural sensitivity in the book being selected for the Australian Writers' Centre hardcopy program  her overall writing advice to authors and much more.   

Cameron Sutter is a YA sci-fi/fantasy author, software developer and the inventor of Plottr – the popular visual planning software for books and stories of all kinds. An avid reader who is endlessly learning how things work, his life’s mission is to help writers write more powerful stories (and to encourage everyone else to read the classics). He lives in Oklahoma City with his wife, six kids and several furry friends. In the 194th 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 Cameron on: practical use of Plottr from initial idea to completed outline Storysnap an exciting new AI-powered addition to Plottr, creating visual book bibles in minutes and instantly organising author information how AI tools like Storysnap complement, not replace, an author’s creativity and Cameron's advice to writers about integrating these tools into their process and much more.  

Mila Maxwell is an author from Clare, Nova Scotia, Canada, with a deep-rooted passion for storytelling and a love of the outdoors. A proud French Acadian, Mila draws inspiration from both her cultural heritage and her adventurous lifestyle, which includes being a volunteer firefighter. She lives in Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada with her husband Jeremy, son Bennett, and two French Bulldogs. When not writing, you can find Mila out in nature, at the gym, or helping others through her work in the community. In episode 193 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 Canadian author Mila on: how her love of the outdoors and French Acadian heritage shaped both the setting and the emotional tone of 'Finding Lady Baltimore' the inspiration and conversations hoped to spark from her novel exploring the complexities of growing up alongside a sibling with disabilities how Mila's background as a volunteer firefighter and active community member real-life experiences found their way into her characters and storytelling what Mila's publishing adventure looks like so far, and her advice to writers balancing deeply personal themes with universal resonance and miuch more.

Julia Lawrinson has published more than fifteen books for children and young people, from a picture book to books for older teenagers, and in 2024 published a memoir called How to Avoid a Happy Life. Her books have been recognised in the Children’s Book Council Awards, the WA Premier’s Book Awards and the Queensland Literary Awards, and she has presented to schools across Australia, in Singapore and in Bali. She is an enthusiastic adult learner of Indonesian, yoga and the cello. Her favourite place on earth is the dog park. In episode 192 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 Julia about: shortlisting for the 2025 WA Premier's Literary Awards blogging on Substack and how this process differs from more traditional publishing or social media how Julia's lengthy hybrid career writing for different audiences and in different forms have challenged and inspired her as a storyteller Julia's sought after advice for writers navigating their own hybrid careers, balancing traditional recognition, digital platforms, personal creative goals and much more. https://www.writersdigest.com/my-first-ideas-arent-my-best-and-ai-only-makes-them-worse?utm_medium=email&utm_source=WDG+-+NL+-+Newsletter&oly_enc_id=0273D2156645J6O  

Burnout. It’s the word no self-published author wants to say out loud, but almost every one of us has felt it. Maybe you’ve been there: staring at your manuscript, feeling resentful instead of inspired. Or pushing out content on social media, but dreading every post. Or just wondering if this author dream is worth the grind.  In episode 191 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 honestly about: what burnout is why it’s so common in self-publishing mindset shifts that might change the game practical, energy-saving strategies creative recovery practices and  reframing the writing life.

Vanessa Maiorano is a passionate children’s author, a mum of two, and a fierce advocate for families navigating hard times. After her own experience facing cancer as a young mother, she was inspired to create gentle, supportive books that help children understand the big feelings that come with life’s challenges. Her mission is simple: to remind children that no matter what happens, there is always love. After years of working in office management, Vanessa started her own Virtual Assistant company. This business began while she was going through cancer. Vanessa needed to keep working to manage medical bills and everyday expenses, so started offering administration and business consulting services remotely. As it grew, she was supporting businesses with revenue growth and operational systems while undergoing treatment, healing from surgery, and raising two small children. Vanessa now consults for a number of companies and helps stay-at-home mums, some who are going through illness and others who are raising children, find flexible virtual work they can do from home. She says, “It’s something that came from a really difficult season but has turned into a purpose-driven part of my life that I’m proud of.” In the 190th 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 Vanessa on: her powerful message 'There is Always Love' and the turning pointe to share her story her publishing and marketing author adventure of 16+ books from office management to running her own virtual assistant business while undergoing treatment and raising children, how this journey shaped Vanessa's identity, not just as an author, but as a businesswoman and advocate Vanessa's advice to those trying to create or grow purpose-driven work while navigating tough periods in life and much more.  https://www.writersdigest.com/mindfulness-and-meditation-for-writers-7-easy-ways-to-stay-present-and-boost-creativity?utm_medium=email&utm_source=WDG+-+NL+-+Newsletter&oly_enc_id=3246I9700301H2H

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: 'A Dolphin’s Wild Journey Home' what sparked the idea for Flute’s story and why it was so important to tell it through the eyes of a dolphin how Kasey goes about translating the wonder of the natural world into storytelling that resonates with young readers balancing educating and entertaining when writing children’s books Kasey's advice on weaving real-world inspiration into meaningful, age-appropriate narratives and much more.  

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: personal experience in his short story collection 'When Only Today Matters' What inspired the title, and how the theme of “living in the moment” resonates across the eight stories balancing emotional tone across short fiction, writing stories fuelled by injustice and frustration, while others carry a whisper of hope identity and displacement, shaping the way Johan tells stories or the kinds of stories he feels called to tell finding your writing voice through a writers’ group collaborative publishing with Broadcast Books Johan's advice for emerging authors interested in hybrid or community-based publishing paths and much more.  

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: the inspiration behind her latest YA novel 'The Lies We Tell Ourselves' tackling some deep and personal themes  balancing writing authentically around tough topics while keeping hope and resilience at the heart of the story challenges and rewards in crafting stories that resonate with both teens and adults Maura's advice to other writers navigating the contemporary YA space, particularly those wanting to tackle difficult emotional or social topics in their work and much more.   

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: understanding bookstore priorities consignment vs wholesale creating a bookstore-ready sell sheet follow-up etiquette and building relationships why local connection matters and much more

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: her new novel 'Looking Out and Beyond', the story rooted from Toby's childhood experiences growing up in Apartheid South Africa, blending personal memory with historical fact covering complex themes—racial injustice, World War II and migration being accessible to young adult readers. how Toby's background as a literacy educator has helped shape this story to align with the Australian school curriculum and still connect emotionally with students Toby's hopes for this book is to empower young people to stand up against racial discrimination via conversations or classroom discussions for Looking Out and Beyond sparking in schools Publishing with Woodslane and embracing a hybrid path to authorship, what Toby's author adventure has been like bringing this important story to life her advice for writers who also want to make a social impact with their work and much more 

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: exploring love, war and forbidden desire in her new novel Flight what draws Anne to this particular period in history and the inspiration behind the story itself Anne's research for Flight and her surprising discoveries about Melbourne during the war that shaped the narrative the relationships portrayed in Flight and what readers will take away Anne's publishing adventure her burning advice for aspiring authors in the historical fiction genre or in the literature/publishing field and much more.

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: the inspiration and personal experience behind his guidebook 101 Rescue Scenarios: Mines Emergency Respond, 2025 edition and why it is so critical for today’s industrial emergency response teams the interactive elements of the work AI training and creation of images Jesse's overall advice to leader’s in their field or authors in general looking to utilise their skillset to give back to their departments and create and publish a guidebook and much more.  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: the inspiration behind writing her book 'YOURU – Find the Guru Within You' sharing her extraordinary journey through life-threatening illness, recovery and personal transformation making writing time inbetween balancing roles as a commercial lawyer, full-time working mum, author and meditation teacher Vedic meditation and how this practice shaped the way Sarah approaches challenges—not only in her personal health journey but in her career and writing life as well  Sarah's advice for listeners who might be facing personal or creative challenges and much more. 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: the inspiration for her new junior fiction book Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost balancing creating a sense of mystery and fun without making the story too scary or dark for young audiences paranormal themes and what Jeanette hopes readers will take away from Terry Fide and the Bakery Ghost, especially about fear, courage and imagination from character development to pacing, what storytelling techniques Jeanette found most effective when crafting ghostly adventures that keep kids hooked from start to finish her advice to aspiring junior fiction authors and much more. 

Cathryn deVries is an award-winning fantasy and sci-fi author who explores themes of restorative justice, empowerment, connection with earth and spirit and finding the true self in her work—all wrapped up in an epic package of immersive world-building and sweet romance. A former Air Force engineer and recovering perfectionist, she now home-schools her children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum. She and her family live in the Gold Coast Hinterland of Australia, where she enjoys living in a rainforest and pretending she’s an elf. In episode 179 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 Cathryn about: her new science fantasy novella Son of Osivirius launching through Kickstarter with exclusive content before its retail release in 2026 balancing science fiction and fantasy genres and what can readers expect in terms of themes or big emotional stakes Cathryn's hybrid publishing adventure navigating the traditional and self-publishing routes her advice for authors considering Kickstarter or other direct-to-reader models and much more https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eclectaperennial/son-of-osivirius  

In episode 178 of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell explores the art of hybrid writing craft—blending genres, forms and creative disciplines to elevate your storytelling and expand your publishing opportunities. Discover how combining fiction with nonfiction, prose with poetry, or novels with screenplays can unlock new creative potential and help future-proof your writing career. Whether you’re traditionally published, indie or somewhere in between, this episode will inspire you to experiment, diversify and embrace the full range of your writing skills.

Dmetri Kakmi was born to Greek parents in Turkey. He is the author of The Dictionary of a Gadfly (under the pseudonym of The Sozzled Scribbler), The Door and Other Uncanny Tales, Mother Land and When We Were Young (as editor). Mother Land was shortlisted for the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards in 2008, and is published in England and Turkey.  His short story ‘The Boy by the Gate’ was first published in England in The New Gothic and reprinted in Australia in The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror 2013. ‘Haunting Matilda’ was published in the horror anthology Cthulhu: Deep Down Under and shortlisted for Best Fantasy Novella in the Aurealis Awards, 2015. His essays and short stories appear in various Australian and overseas anthologies. Dmetri has more than 30 years’ experience in various aspects of publishing, including editing, lecturing, teaching and mentoring. For 15 years, he worked as a senior editor at Penguin Books. As well, he was secretary and fiction/non-fiction co-editor of the online literary journal Kalliope X. Dmetri’s monthly column ‘101 Horror Movie Nights’ appears in the US based Drunken Odyssey literary website. Dmetri Kakmi is a highly respected writer in the literary and speculative fiction fields. His forthcoming gothic novel, 'The Woman in the Well' has been described by one editor as ‘an astonishing mix of literary horror and folklore.’Dmetri is currently working on the psychological crime novel 'The Perfect Room'. He lives in Melbourne. In the 177th 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 Dmetri about: the allure and exploration of the gothic novel genre atmosphere in gothic fiction—how Dmetri uses setting, mood and sensory detail to create the haunting, immersive world of 'The Woman in the Well' the publishing industry today and Dmetri's time working as a senior editor for traditional publishing house Penguin Books Dmetri's overall advice for authors looking to write gothic fiction and have a career as an author or in publishing 101 Horror movies and much more.

Alejandra Martinez is an Australian-Uruguayan writer based in the Blue Mountains of NSW. She migrated to Australia at the age of seven with her family, as a military dictatorship was about to take over the country. Her stories have been published in a range of anthologies and magazines, including Best Australian Stories (BlackInc.), Girls Talk and Puentes Review. She has also written short plays, one of which was performed at the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta. An extract from her debut novel. Salsa in the Suburbs was the winner of the 2022 Newcastle Writers Festival Fresh Ink Emerging Writer Prize. In the 176th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short-nonfiction for authors, chats to Alejandra about: her inspiration to write suburban setting/Latinx culture 'Salsa in the Suburbs' and what it means for her personally approaching writing about cultural identity in a way that feels authentic and accessible, especially for readers who may not share the same background central themes of family, food and community in 'Salsa in the Suburbs' and these elements drive Alejandra's characters’ and shape the heart of her story Alejandra's advice to writers who want to tell stories rooted in their own culture or heritage while also reaching a broad audience and much more.

Peter Gunn is a U.S. Air Force vet, avid bodybuilder, coffee connoisseur and poet who strives to bring epic poetry back from the past. Peter reinvents this narrative style in his masterpiece The Amazons. In the 175th 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 Peter about: epic poetry, defined what modern readers can gain from reconnecting with this ancient form creative challenges working in such a historic style discoveries of epic storytelling that excited him the most during the writing of 'The Amazons' Peter's advice for aspiring writers looking to write epic poetry and much more.  

Can you believe we are mid-way through 2025! Where does the time go. But as always, we'll celebrate with a mashup of the fabulous guests we've had on The HYBRID Author Podcast since January! Episode 151 Overcoming the Shadows: John Walker Pattison on Triumph, Vulnerability and Inspiring Through Memoir Episode 152 Million-copy Bestselling Author Jacqueline Harvey on Creating a Thriving Career in Children’s Fiction and Navigating a Changing Publishing Landscape Episode 153 Relentless Pursuit: Junior Bernard on Overcoming Adversity and Turning Survival into Inspiration Episode 154 Dana Da Silva on Writing Erotica Episode 155 Living with Split: Maggie Walters on the Journey of Multiple Personality Disorder and the Power of Storytelling Episode 156 A.M Jaxon on Balancing Romance and Suspense and The Love Connection Series: Saoirse’s Story Episode 157 Suzi Samuel Revising a Bestseller and The Dark at the Threshold Episode 158 Uncovering Truths in Young Adult Fiction: Karen Cunningham on Writing and Self-Publishing ‘Missing Sarah Harris’ Episode 159 Shane Simonsen on Self-Publishing Books vs. Blogging on Substack Episode 160 How Poetry Serves as a Form of Healing and Self-discovery with Jessie Vong Episode 161 Stephen Whiteside on ‘Writing Narrative Non-fiction Australian History ‘Snow, Fire and Gold’ Episode 162 Deborah Pike on ‘What to do after your first novel is published’ Episdeo 163 The Power of Podcasts to Connect People Through Compelling Storytelling and Meaningful Conversations With Devin Blair Episdoe 164 Reigning in Regency: DG Rampton on Crafting Timeless Romance and Thriving as a Hybrid Author Episode 165 Sandi Parsons on ‘Self-Publishing Children’s Fiction Overseas’ Episode 166 Tackling Tough Topics: Christopher Cheng on Addressing Big Themes in Children’s Literature with Sensitivity Episode 167 Joanne Merrick on ‘empowering readers to make informed decisions’ Episode 169 Writing Good Mystery Books for Kids and Outback Noir with Rosie Schnoell Episode 171 Embarking on Adventures: Yarn Quest and the Magic of Children’s Fantasy with Brooke Scobie Episdoe 172 Retirement Money Secrets with Steven Selengut Episode 173 How to Elevate Your Life and Business to a Higher Level with Rich Kozak

Rich Kozak is The Voice of Impact Driven Branding. After decades languaging and launching brands, he founded RichBrands specifically to serve heart-centered entrepreneurs and professionals. At RichBrands, Rich guides individuals in elevating their unique gifts so their Brand makes higher level impacts, and in creating, writing and publishing books to move their brand forward. The wisdom he shares is:CLARITY for the IMPACTS You Will Make and STEPS for “The Brand YOU Will Become.” In the 173rd 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 Rich about: what it means to elevate a brand—and how that translates into elevating your life and business what role does clarity play in making a brand not only authentic but impactful how someone can begin identifying their gifts—and what’s the shift that happens when they build a brand around them with intention key mindset shifts or branding principles authors can adopt right now to begin operating at a higher level of impact, purpose and much more. https://authorspublish.com/30-magazines-publishing-hybrid-writing/

Steve Selengut is the #1 Amazon bestselling author of ‘Retirement Money Secrets’ (2023). He is an income independence coach with over 40 years of experience in the financial industry. As a retired private investment portfolio manager, Steve managed over 300 different portfolios at a time before selling his business in 2023 with over $110 million under management. He has introduced several proprietary concepts, including the QDI + PT, Smart Cash, The Investor's Creed, and Base Income. Further, he developed the Investment Grade Value Stock (IGVSI) identification system. Today, Steve coaches individuals and other professionals in creating retirement income independence for both themselves and their clients. In the 172nd 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 Steven about: his book Retirement Money Secrets and how it differs from traditional retirement planning guides common misconceptions people hold about retirement planning, and how Steve's book aims to correct or clarify those misunderstandings the role authorship has played in building his authority and reach within the financial education world Steve's writing, publishing adventure and advice for authors and much more.  

Brooke Scobie is a queer, auDHD, First Nations mum, author and poet that lives on Darkinyung land. Ever since she was very little, Brooke has loved books and stories. Which, of course, makes sense since they grew up with a mum whose favourite thing was her overflowing bookcase and reading before bed. Brooke is most passionate about creating stories and worlds where weird, wonderful kids and adults of all shapes and sizes can see themselves in magical places, on extraordinary adventures! She hopes that one day every child who reads her stories will know they can be a storyteller too. In the 171st 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 Brooke about: the inspiration to create her 'Yarn Quest' series and how she used her your own experiences to shape the story and its characters her process for developing the unique elements of the 'Yarn Quest' universe, and how it captivates young readers while remaining relatable balancing the need for engaging storytelling with important life lessons or themes and the messages she hopes young readers will take away from 'Yarn Quest' marketing, social media for authors and much more.

We've hit 170 episodes of The HYBRID Author Podcast, and to celebrate, join host and author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell chatting HYBRID social media strategies via: content stratregy (organic growth) paid promotion (boosting reach) community and collaboration  email and off-platform engagement and much more. 

Rosie Schonell is the author of her debut novel: Middle Grade Mystery, ‘Breaking School Rules is Easy … The hardest part is not getting caught.’ She has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Special Education and has taught English at all levels in schools and specialised in teaching students with learning difficulties. Rosie also volunteers at schools and organisations that teach reading, including teaching newly arrived adult migrants. Rosie lives with her husband and has three adult children she’s raised to love books as much as she does. She spends her time between Balmain and the Northern Beaches of Sydney, loves a game of Pickleball, outrigging on Pittwater, and volunteers as a crisis supporter at LIFELINE.  In the 169th 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 Rosie about: her debut middle grade mystery  developing these characters and what Rosie hopes young readers will take away from their personalities balancing creating a compelling mystery with ensuring it's age-appropriate for younger readers Outback noir and what draws Rosie to this setting, and how it shapes the tone and themes of her story Rosie's advice to aspiring children’s authors or debut authors or just authors in general looking to write in the mystery genre and much more.     https://careerauthors.com/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-make-it-in-publishing/

The HYBRID Author podcast is 4! And your host turns 40 today!  Join Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell for Episode 168 chatting all things hybrid, including why the podcast started and how it's changed over the years, lessons learned, personal and professional growth, what the next 4 years of the podcast looks like, tuning 40, fears hopes, dreams and much more.  www.hybridauthor.com.au 

Joanne Merrick offers over 25 years of global experience in helping individuals and organisations thrive. She has delivered transformative leadership programs across five continents and 22 countries, combining her expertise in neuroscience with a passion for building management and leadership capabilities. As founder of The Leadership Recipe, LLC, Joanne designs impactful programs that enhance communication, emotional intelligence, and team performance. Her global perspective - shaped by living in Australia, Hong Kong, and now the USA - draws on her leadership roles at major organisations like Deloitte, Amazon, and Juniper Networks. This diverse background fuels her fresh, practical approach to leadership development. In her debut book, ‘Game On! Is Management Your Best Career Play?,’ Joanne empowers readers to make an informed decision about stepping into a management role. In the 167th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's ficton and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Joanne about:  what drove her to write her book 'Game On! Is Management Your Best Career Play' and why this conversation is so important right now key questions/tools introduced in the book to help people make more informed decisions about their career direction How 'Game On!' helps shift the pressure narrative to move into management and put the power back into the individual’s hands consulting through The Leadership Receipe and how Joanne sees books like hers playing a role in bridging the gap between career ambition and leadership readiness and Joanne's advice to authors and professionals looking to write their book based on their experiences to tie in with all they do. https://www.theleadershiprecipe.com/ 

Christopher Cheng dwells in an inner-city Sydney terrace and writes fiction and non-fiction for children full time. He taught in city and outback schools for a number of years and at Taronga Zoo. He is Co-Chair of the International Advisory Board for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and has a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature. He presents to people of all ages at schools and festivals worldwide. His many picture books include 'Bear and Rat,' lovingly written for his amazing wife Binni, and illustrated by Stephen Michael King. 'OneTree,' illustrated by Bruce Whatley, shortlisted in the 2020 NSW Premier's Literary Awards, and is a CBCA Notable Book. In the 166th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short nonfiction for authors, chats to Christopher about:  his inspiration to address hard topics and how to approach presenting them in a way that's gentle and age-appropriate for young readers balancing complex themes with accessible storytelling, Christopher shares his creative process for developing narratives that resonate emotionally with children while ensuring they feel safe and understood feedback received from parents and educators regarding treatment of big themes, and how that has influenced his writing and or future projects Christopher's tips and advice to writers looking to write for children and much more. https://www.chrischeng.com/   

Sandi Parsons lives and breathes stories, as a reader, writer and storyteller. Sandi's creative nonfiction has been published in MiNDFOOD, Frankie, Chicken Soup and the Growing Up Disabled in Australia anthology. She currently lives in Western Australia with her favourite husband, some problem puppies and many teetering stacks of books. In the 165th 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 Sandi about her: latest children’s fiction book, Salty self-publishing author adventure: what motivated Sandi to take this route, and how her experiences differed when navigating printing options overseas compared to publishing locally unique challenges making print books and having them shipped from China Sandi’s advice for aspiring children's authors looking to self-publish internationally, creating the best product and much more. https://www.sandiparsons.com/#/

Bestselling author DG Rampton loves to create feelgood romantic comedy, featuring intelligent heroines, dashing men and sparkling banter. An engineer by training but a romantic by nature, she left her corporate career to follow the call of her artistic inclinations and write stories that bring joy and laughter into people's lives. DG Rampton lives in Sydney with her Mr Darcy, their cheeky teenager and emotionally needy fur-baby, and is currently working on a new historical romantic comedy series. In the 164th 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 DG Rampton on: balancing historical accuracy with imaginative freedom to create compelling love stories that resonate with modern readers the regency romance niche hybrid authorship, effective strategies in growing and maintaining readership such as BookBub the challenges of marketing and self-promotion in such a competitive space across Amazon and Facebook DG Rampton’s advice for aspiring romance authors, particularly those looking to break into historical subgenres like Regency and much more. https://dgrampton.com/home

Devin Blair is a graduate in Chemical Engineering Technology and a proud member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. After a few life-changing experiences, he made the leap into the entertainment world. The journey wasn’t linear, but through trial and error, he found his way into podcasting—and that’s how Chemical Rocketeers was born. Today, Devin travels across cities and countries, pushing boundaries in the sci-fi audio space and working to leave a lasting mark through immersive, story-driven content.   In the 163rd 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 Devin about: why podcasts are such a powerful medium for connection storytelling techniques used to weave compelling narratives and create immersive and meaningful experiences on Chemical Rocketeers standout podcast moments on Devin’s podcast that led to an unexpected or lasting connection his advice for authors and creatives looking to leverage podcasting as a storytelling tool on crafting engaging content that resonates with an audience and much more. https://open.spotify.com/show/2rBYK06wyjw8EMsm5IMkc3

Deborah Pike is a writer and academic based in Sydney. She grew up in Northam and Perth, Western Australia. She has an Honours degree in English from the University of Western Australia, and a PhD from the University of Sydney. She is an associate professor of English Literature at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, and is a winner of an Australian Government Award for University Teaching. Deborah has travelled widely and lived in Paris for several years, where she held positions at Shakespeare & Company Bookstore, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the University of Paris seven and the Paris Institute of Political Studies. She is the author of 'The Subversive Art of Zelda Fitzgerald,' which was shortlisted for the AUHE award in literary criticism. 'The Players,' published by Fremantle Press, is her first novel. In the 162nd 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 Deborah about: her literary contemporary fiction work ‘the Players’ key steps authors can take to keep momentum going once their first novel is published strategies Deborah’s found most effective growing her readership after launching her debut book struggling with the ‘what’s next’ feeling after publication how authors can balance marketing their first book while working on their next project and much more. https://www.deborahpike.com/

Stephen Whiteside has been walking and skiing through the Australian mountains for most of his life. He has also been writing for many years - mostly rhyming verse, but also short stories, and articles about Australia's history and natural environment. Many of his poems have been published in magazines or anthologies, both in Australia and overseas, or won awards. In 2014, Walker Books published a collection of his poetry for children, "The Billy that Died with its Boots On and other Australian Verse." In 2015, the book won a Golden Gumleaf for "Book of the Year" at the Australian Bush Laureate Awards during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. In 2016 he judged the Secondary School Section of the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. Last year he self-published his first novella, 'Snow, Fire and Gold - the story of Bill Spargo and Evelyn Piper's life in the Australian mountains.' This year he is publishing another novella, 'Pearl Bradshaw - Princess of Hotham.' Whiteside works as a GP in Melbourne. In the 161st 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 Stephen about: the inspiration to explore particular time periods and story in Stephen’s work Australian History Snow, Fire and Gold what research methods he undertook to bring authenticity to his novella while keeping the narrative engaging challenges in balancing historical fact with storytelling Stephen’s advice to writers looking to craft compelling historical narratives while staying true to the past and much more. https://snowfireandgold.com.au/

Jessie Vong is an emerging artist and poet, currently pursuing Art Therapy studies at the College of Complementary Medicine in NSW, Australia, a journey she began in October 2024. With a passion for creativity and mental health advocacy, Jessie's work bridges the worlds of art and healing, inspired by her deep belief that art is 'food for the soul'.  Her poetry journey began when art therapy lecturers recognised her talent and encouraged her to publish a book combining insightful verses with her personable hand-drawn illustrations. This creative endevour reflects her dedication to expressing abstract thoughts and emotions, encouraging readers to reflect, grow and discover new perspectives.  In the 160th 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 Jessie about:  exploring deeply personal themes in her work The Secret Poems — what first drew her to poetry as a form of self-expression and healing poetry as a powerful tool for self-discovery poems helping others on their own healing journeys Jessie's advice to individuals looking to use poetry as a form of self-reflection and emotional release and much more.  https://feelheartscounselling.com/

Shane is a biochemist turned teacher turned experimental farmer who decided to add author to the list. He writes weekly non-fiction essays about his passion for transformative agriculture on Substack (at Zero Input Agriculture) and released a short non-fiction book, “Taming the Apocalypse” on the enormous potential for novel domestications. Under the pen-name Haldane B. Doyle he has also released the world's first and only hard science fiction novel based purely on biological technology, called Our Vitreous Womb. He loved appearing on other people’s podcasts so much that he started two of his own- the Zero Input Agriculture podcast (launching any day now) and Sci Fi Hi Five (analysing and highlighting the best books in the fourth Self Published Science Fiction Competition). In the 159th 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 Shane on: what the biggest contrasts Shane’s found between self-publishing and substack, particularly when it comes to building a readership and maintaining engagement the differences between self-publishing and Substack and how they impact creative process and the way one might structure writing projects Shane's advice to authors on what factors they should weigh in terms of long-term financial sustainability and audience growth how writers can strategically use both platforms to create a well-rounded and sustainable hybrid author model and much more. https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com/ https://www.amazon.com.au/Kindle-Store-Shane-Simonsen/s?rh=n%3A2490359051%2Cp_27%3AShane%2BSimonsen  

Karen Cunningham is a graphic designer by day, and a closet writer at all other times. An overthinker from way back, she always has a story in her head and is known to become quite panicky when she doesn’t have at least a small stack of books waiting to be read.  Karen is the author and illustrator of Jenny Spaghetti (writing as KarenMargaret), a 2001 independently-published picture book. She was awarded a mentorship from the Australian Society of Authors for her YA manuscript, Missing Sarah Harris, which was independently published in 2024 and is now available in WA book stores and libraries Australia-wide. Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Writing WA. She has a manuscript in progress for YA readers which won the inaugural Buzz Words Page Turner Writing Competition, along with more picture book texts, and plenty of other stories to keep her awake at night. In the 158th 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 Karen about: tackling themes that resonate deeply with young adult readers, such as identity and belonging. the inspiration behind ’Missing Sarah Harris’ Karen’s self-publishing author adventure her advice to aspiring young adult authors and much more. https://www.karenmcunningham.com.au/ https://authorspublish.com/lessons-from-my-most-prolific-year-of-writing-and-getting-published/

Suzi Samuel is the author of The Unintentional Medium and the soon to be published An Unintentional Journey. The Dark at The Threshold is her first foray into fiction and draws largely on her knowledge of France and her own personal experience of the spirit world. Born in England, Suzi spent a large part of her life in Wimbledon where she worked as a French tutor and translator.  After the death of her beloved Grandmother, her first husband and an old clairvoyant lady, Mrs Butterfield, she started to get very bizarre but accurate messages from the other side and thus commenced her pyschic work which spans almost forty years. In 1997 she married her Australian husband David and they later moved to Sydney where she still practices her work as a medium and clairvoyant. In the 157th 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 Suzi on the challenges and triumphs of releasing a revised edition of a bestseller her captivating new book The Dark at the Threshold, and how Suzi's own experiences guided her fiction Suzi's advice to writers looking to revise their published works and write in the supernatural thriller genres and much more.  

 A.M. Jaxon is a romantic suspense writer who grew from tropical Queensland small town wild child to become a pharmacist in Brisbane before attaining a PhD in Business from the University of Western Australia.   Her passion for women’s hockey led her to coaching internationally in Barcelona, Rotterdam and the UK, and also on Australia’s Gold Coast and Perth. In 2014, Allison decided to leave her pharmacy career, and has written six novels since. She lives with her husband and wily Westie Terrier in Perth, Western Australia. In the 156th 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 A.M Jaxon (Allison) on the romance suspense genre balancing high stakes action and deep emotional connection techniques used to maintain a fast-paced, gripping narrative writing a trilogy pacing to keep readers engaged and much more. https://www.amjaxon.com/    

Maggie Walters lives in the Northern Rivers of NSW, where she spends her days developing her writing skills and raising three teenagers. After meeting her husband, she immigrated to Australia from the US, and spent the bulk of her career in various marketing roles before returning to her long-held love of the written word.  Expression through words has become a driving passion in Maggie's life, a tool for healing her own abusive past.  Maggie is an active member of Byron Writers Festival and a member of several writing groups that meet regularly and continue to nurture her craft. As a trauma survivor, she shares her courageous commitment to wholeness, while confronting stereotypes surrounding Multiple Personality Disorder also known as Dissociative Identity Disorder. She educates and encourages others to break down the barriers and stigma around mental health. In the 155th 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 Maggie about: what motivated Maggie to write 'Split' and share her story: a very intimate look at living with Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) how she approached writing about such a personal and complex experience balancing being open about her struggles and crafting a narrative that would also educate readers about the realities of this condition feedback she's received from readers who may be dealing with similar experiences and how sharing her story has impacted her own healing journey and much more.  https://www.maggie-walters.com/

Dana Da Silva is a single mum of two based in Sydney, Australia. Having completed her journalism degree in 2011, she’s spent the past decade working in PR across both the public and private sectors. These days, Dana’s a part-time media adviser, and, on her days off from the corporate world, an aspiring indie author with big dreams. Creative writing, including poetry, is her elixir of joy. She considers putting pen to paper to be an exquisite art, free therapy, and a form of meditation. The Shift is her debut book. In the 154th 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 Dana about:  her brave, powerful and raw memoir ‘The Shift’ coping with writing erotic and intense love affairs in the book her tips for authors lookiing to write erotic scenes and much more. https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0CVFQBJD8 https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/self-care-for-writers-balancing-productivity-with-mental-well-being?utm_medium=email&utm_source=WDG+-+NL+-+Newsletter&oly_enc_id=0273D2156645J6O  

Junior was born and raised in Haiti and moved to the United States in 2010 following the devastating earthquake that claimed the lives of over 100,000 people. He earned his degree from Alvernia University in December 2014 on a full scholarship.His commitment to making a difference has earned him the prestigious Alvernia University’s Four Under Forty Achievement Award, a testament to his philanthropic leadership and the impact he is igniting to boost economic growth in Haiti and inspire individuals from diverse backgrounds. In the 153rd episode of The HYBRID Author podcast host Joanne Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Junior about: what kept him moving forward in the face of such overwhelming challenges, and how writing his book helped him reflect on that persistence how he approached the task of weaving these incredible events into a cohesive narrative that would both inspire and engage readers on a personal level his advice for aspiring writers who are facing their own struggles and doubts the importance of persistence not just in life, but in writing and publishing a book how his story is resonating with readers today and what message he hopes readers will take away from his experiences, particularly when it comes to chasing their own dreams. https://juniorpersist.com/ 

Jacqueline Harvey worked in schools for many years but has had a passion for storytelling since she was a child. She is the author of the popular 'Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose, Kensy and Max and Willa and Woof' series, which have sold almost two million copies in Australia alone. Jacqueline has also released picture books such as 'That Cat, Gloria the Great and Kevin the Sheep', illustrated by one of her former students, Kate Isobel Scott. Jacqueline lives between Sydney, Australia, and Queenstown, New Zealand, and is currently working on several picture book projects and an exciting new middle-grade story. In the 152nd episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne (Zara Ellen) Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short-nonfiction for authors chats to Jacqueline about: creating characters and stories that resonate so deeply with young audiences setting books apart in such a competitive market generative A.I key elements children's authors should focus on building a sustainable career how important balancing creativity with understanding market trends is advantages and challenges of working with a tradtional publisher as opposed to exploring hybrid or self-publishing routes, especially for children's literature and much more.  https://jacquelineharvey.com.au/

John Walker Pattison, a cancer survivor and award-winning author, calls himself a dreamer. After a tumultuous early life, he defied doctors' expectations by surviving cancer and later pursued a successful nursing career. His memoir, Me and My Shadow – memoirs of a cancer survivor, has won multiple awards. Despite facing new health battles, John continues to write, travel, and enjoy the peace of fly-fishing and photography, all while cherishing family as his greatest treasure. In the 151st 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 John about: his writing career in particular 'Me and My Shadow' a deeply personal and emotional journey of his battle with cancer the inspiration to write this memoir, and how the writing process helped John reflect on and process his experiences balancing being open and honest about stuggles while crafting narrative John's advice to authors looking to write and share personal hardships in a way that both heals and inspires and much more. https://johnwpattison.co.uk/

It's the first episode of a brand new year, and we've hit 150!  To celebrate, host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non fiction for authors, shares her trials and triumphs from lessons learned in 2024, her personal journey and how to thrive in 2025.   https://faculty.vt.edu/faculty-development/mentoring-and-support/faculty-writing/articles-for-faculty-writers/a-fresh-take-on-the-pomodoro-technique.html