Tea Time with Mirela

In this episode, I chat with Ayesha about her debut novel Untethered, the complexities of migrant identity, how to make setting its own character in a story, and the act of learning to love. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Senator Mehreen Faruqi about her memoir Too Migrant Too Muslim Too Loud and her life in Australian politics, what her writing process looks like, and on the importance of being true to oneself. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Zeynab about her debut novel The Scope of Permissibility, on writing multiple points of view that make characters feel alive on the page, and on finding beauty in being human. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Winnie about what it takes (and means) to be a bad writer but in a good way, on being the first Tongan-Australian published author with her debut Dirt Poor Islanders, and what the Sweatshop Literacy Movement is all about. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Shirley about critical love as a form of writing empowerment, how her debut Funny Ethnics challenges traditional storytelling, and the wonder that comes when embracing the chaos. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Sharlene about the power of truth telling in challenging colonial narratives of First Nations experiences, the inspiration behind her debut novel The Great Undoing, and what goes into writing good prose. There is also an unexpected (hilarious!) interruption midway… This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Tess Cullity about her experience as an editor, how Slingshot Books brightens the little minds of our future, and the importance of making space for anti-imperialist voices. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Alli about her debut historical fiction novel At the Foot of the Cherry Tree, how her script writing influences her novel writing practice, and the art of balancing fact with fiction. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Katherine about the power of our bodies, the delicate construction of her characters, how swimming can tell us a lot about life, and why Body Friend was a story that needed to be told. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Inda about the power of storytelling for children, her wonderful traditional publication of The Month That Makes the Year by Allen & Unwin, and how her love of writing inspired her love of art making. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Vidya about the power of love in her Australian debut The Days Toppled Over, how to write warm and relatable characters, and what drives her writing practice. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Sara about the importance of celebrating diverse voices, how stories help preserve identities, and the inspiration behind her debut novel Songs for the Dead and the Living. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Kat about Issue 3 of Mona Magazine, the importance of literary magazines in Australian literature, and the power of championing women's voices in literary (and other) spaces. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Amra about managing cultural expectations, how writing her memoir Things Nobody Knows But Me helped her heal, and the secret to writing a great editorial. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Maiya about getting lost in fantastical Arabian worlds, the inspiration behind her story making and her debut Spice Road, and the importance of subverting literary genres and tropes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Amanda about her 2023 release The Tea Ladies, the secret to becoming a success, and what makes good historical (non-)fiction — all while battling a crazy windy day! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Tee (Tiffany) about her journey into self-publishing, the perks of being an editor and writing your own books, and what inspired her to write her paranormal women’s fiction debut Be Careful What You Witch For. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Sarah about her author journey, why advocating for author rights is important for Australia’s literary future, and what inspired her 2022 release The Cult of Romance. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with H. Hayek about drawing inspiration from what you know, how teaching informs her creative writing, and the beautiful prose of Huda and Me, her debut middle grade novel. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Bronwyn about the craft of writing, the delicacies of writing a book as an 'outsider looking in', and the many adventures that inspired her debut novel, Time and Tide in Sarajevo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Amani about the beauty of motherhood, intergenerational trauma, and how her personal experiences gave her the strength and voice to write her memoir, The Mother Wound. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Lana about the traditional publishing process, the inspiration behind The Sadie Series, and why writing for children matters. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with Farah about her debut self-published middle grade novel Douha and the Mystery of the Oak Tree, the importance of giving voice to minority communities, and what inspired her to get into writing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mirelacufurovic.substack.com