Writers Talking

Kathryn Heyman is an actor, playwright, performance poet, novelist, and director of the Australian Writers' Mentoring Program. Her new novel Circle of Wonders (HarperCollins) is unlike anything she's written before. In this winding, generous conversation, Kathryn takes us inside what she describes as the "beautiful grapple" of writing this book about Roni Bloom, a charismatic woman at the end of her life who has, by her own reckoning, made a mess of things. The novel gathers the women in Roni's orbit to help her live a good death...even if not all are convinced she earned it with a good life.We talk about her intentional structure of this story alongside the muddier, more mysterious work of finding it on the page. Kathryn pushes back on the old idea that the novel is the realm of the intellect, making the case for fiction as the territory of feeling, and explains why she wanted to write something AI couldn't write! We also get into the craft questions she fields as a mentor: protecting creative energy through building real boundaries, the false binary of plotter vs. pantser, why "the facts are not always the same as the truth," and her dance teacher in Scotland, who taught her that encouragement does what shame never can.This is a conversation for readers, writers, and anyone interested in what it means to sit, even briefly, in our "messy and magnificent mortality."Find out more about Kathryn and follow her here:https://kathrynheyman.com/https://www.instagram.com/kathrynheymanwriter/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amra Pajalic and I had so much more to chat about, so we continued our conversation!Some of the larger topics we cover in this second part include:Creating from passion rather than market pressureA big throughline is choosing creative projects based on personal passion and integrity, not trends, algorithms, or sales expectations. We talk about following curiosity across genres, letting reading habits shape writing, and resisting the pressure to “write to market” in favour of work that feels meaningful and sustaining.Midlife creativity: confidence, permission, and letting goWe also spend a significant time on how midlife brings less need for validation, more self-trust, and greater freedom to create without shame or apology. Amra shares about letting go of frantic energy, external approval, and the fear of judgment, and embracing creative work as self-expression rather than performance.The long game of creative practice (process over outcome)We repeatedly return to the idea that meaningful creative work requires time, repetition, patience, and release. We also highlight burnout, false starts, undercooked drafts, learning by doing, stepping away from projects, and trusting that clarity often comes through continuation rather than force.Writing as learning, healing, and identity evolutionAnother important concept we both speak to is writing as a vehicle for growth and transformation—from working through trauma, to shifting genres as life stages change, to reframing jealousy as a signal of unlived creativity. Writing is not just valued as output, but as a way of understanding oneself and one’s evolving voice.Don't forget to follow the links below to connect with Amra and let her know what insights landed for you...Discover more about Amra here:Website - https://www.amrapajalic.com/Instagram - ​https://www.instagram.com/amrapajalicauthor/Substack - https://substack.com/@amrapajalic?BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amra-pajalicAmazon - https://www.amazon.com/author/amrapajalic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Writers Talking 2026!!I was thrilled to start the year with a fascinating conversation with author Amra Pajalic! In fact, we had so much to chat about that we decided to split it over 2 eps!!In this first episode, we chatted about:Writing fiction grounded in real historical traumaWe discuss the responsibility and ethical weight of fictionalising real events, particularly the Bosnian War and the Srebrenica genocide, and how to honour survivor experiences while still telling a compelling story.Transforming academic research into a novelA major thread is how the book emerged from a PhD project, the tension between historical research and storytelling, and the process of condensing vast research into an accessible narrative.Blending crime fiction with historical realityWe explore why the crime genre was chosen as a framework, how a murder mystery can exist within a war setting, and how genre expectations allow readers to engage with darker material.Identity, displacement, and inherited traumaThe conversation moves into personal and intergenerational experiences of migration, identity, ethnic division, and how political power fractures communities, both historically and in the present day.So good!! We hope you got a lot out of our convo today...and hope you check back in for the second part of our convo tomorrow!Discover more about Amra here:Website - https://www.amrapajalic.com/Instagram - ​https://www.instagram.com/amrapajalicauthor/Substack - https://substack.com/@amrapajalic?BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amra-pajalicAmazon - https://www.amazon.com/author/amrapajalic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our final episode of 2025 is one I have been waiting for... A conversation with two of my favourite Australian authors, Angie Faye Martin and Alli Parker!!This episode gave us an opportunity (thanks to the fabulous suggestion from Angie) to dive into how each of their books was inspired by their culture and their family's stories. Though their novels are pretty different on the surface in terms of genre, they share some common motivations. Angie and Alli generously opened up about the challenge of balancing truth and fiction, especially when dealing with tough topics like racism and historical events. They discuss how they approached research, the editorial process, language choices, and how they try to keep their stories authentic without making them too heavy or sanitised. They even reveal some personal stuff about how they cope with the intense parts of writing. It was a brilliant reminder about why fiction is such a powerful way to connect and learn.I hope you love this episode as much as I did!Find out more about Angie and Alli (and pick up their books!!) here:Angie Faye Martin, author of MELALEUCA (2025)Website: https://angiefaye.net/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/angie_faye_martinAlli Parker, author of AT THE FOOT OF THE CHERRY TREE (2023) and UNTIL THE RED LEAVES FALL (2025)Website: https://www.alliparker.com/books/Instagram: https://instagram.com/alliparkerwriter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We started the year sharing a convo with Kate Horan and we've bookened with another! Well, almost, there's one more Writer's Talking episode coming next week as we farewell 2025.This conversation with Kate, chatting about her sophomore novel (or is it...) and what she's learnt through the process of publishing again with her supportive team at HQ Australia. We unpacked some of the high-level (no spoilers!) plot drivers, how she approached her writing of this story, the patterns she's discovering and, what I really wanted her to share with listeners, the way she's approached 'platform building'...a message for both writers AND readers. We'll definitely be having Kate on the pod again soon!!Get your hands on her new thriller, ON THE EDGE at the end of the month!!Connect with Kate here:https://www.katehoran.com/https://www.instagram.com/kate_horan_author Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I was beyond excited to chat this week with A. Rushby (aka Allison Rushby), author of Slashed Beauties as I had the pleasure of receiving an early copy to review. Sold into mutliple markets and eagerly awaited, Allison's book was pitched as gothic feminist body horror. The concept itself was intriguing (but I'll let you hear directly from Allison about the genisis of the concept) and I was even more keen to dive into things with her about how she balances her disparate writerly projects.As an author of more than 30 books, Allison's used mutliple pseudonyms and writes for every age and stage, from junior through adult fiction. She shared some absolute gold in terms of staying the writerly path, what to prioritise as a working author, how she manages her plotter process and so much more! If I could bold-type audio, I would in several sections of our convo as we are in staunch agreement about so many aspects of the creative and practical parts of the publishing journey. Please, if you're an author at any stage, this is the episode to listen to: for inspiration or motivation!!Grab your copy of Slashed Beauties (in Australia, the US, UK and India) now! Find out more about and connect with Allison here:https://www.allisonrushby.com/https://www.instagram.com/allisonrushbyauthor/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's convo with Alina Bellchambers was fascinating! If you've been on social media or in bookshops in the past year (or more!), you'll KNOW that the love for Fantasty & Romantasy books has reached peak levels and I was lucky enough to be introduced to this bright new voice in the Australian market.A prolific writer who was raised in her family's bookshop, Alina has had a connection to story for a long time and it shows! In our conversation, she shares her path from writing for herself and for escape to writing for an audience. As a self-confessed plotter, she talked about the balance of planning with creative discovery, how she immerses herself in story to stay connected to her characters and the worlds she builds in her fantasy series as well as the other genres that she loves. If you've not yet picked up a copy of the first book in her compelling fantasy duology, The Order of Masks, get to it! And then grab the second book, The Weight of Crowns, that starts off with a bang and doesn't slow down.Find out more about Alina here:https://www.alinabellchambers.com/https://www.instagram.com/alinabellwrites/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you an author who struggles to pinpoint your genre? Or maybe a reader who loves stories that blend genres in unexpected ways? You'll love this week's episode where I chat with Dmetri Kakmi about his compelling new book, The Woman in the Well. Having written in different genres, Dmetri shares about how he leaves the genre designation to the publishers and the importance of bringing truth to every project, fiction or non. I was so impressed with the way he managed to weave the atmosphere of several different genres into a compelling narrative that reflected what he personally enjoys reading and watching. I appreciated hearing about how he worked with his characters in this novel and the ways it morphed and deepened as part of the editorial process. We also spoke about ways to bring the concept of 'own voices' to stories where the character/s are not a like-for-like expression of the writer and more.A bit more about The Woman in the Well:This is a brilliant work of gothic literary fiction set against the stark backdrop of the Central Australian desert and has been described by one editor as ‘an astonishing mix of literary horror and folklore.’ Themes among others include: identity, diversity, cross culture, sexual orientation, Australian immigrants, Indigenous Australians.IFWG Publishing says:“This is a special work. It is among the select few of our novels that beautifully bridges between literary and speculative fiction. Kakmi is an insightful artist and his eyes catch images and concepts and relates them to his life’s experiences. This work draws from his childhood, finding meaning in life, the place where he can feel comfortable, as does the protagonist of The Woman in the Well. Most notably – and certainly what initially drew us to the book in the first place – is the superimposition of his multicultural background (a ‘stranger in a strange land’) with many of the characters in his work. It’s about fitting, in every sense of the word. This is a novel that we are proud of publishing and we believe it will be critically and commercially successful. I certainly hope that you, the reader, will join in on the celebration of Kakmi’s masterpiece by reading it.”Find the book and follow Dmetri here:https://ifwgpublishing.com/2025/04/15/new-release-the-woman-in-the-well-by-dmetri-kakmi/https://www.instagram.com/dmetrikakmi/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I was SO excited to read this thrilling debut from the moment I heard it was being published June 2025!! Angie Faye Martin was kind enough to join me on the podcast to share all about her debut novel. She opens up about how long she worked on the manuscript, what her plotting approach looks like, the best advice she got from early industry mentoring and so much more. Let me know... would you love a panel interview with Angie and a couple of other authors who write with dual timelines and highlight cultural dynamics that aren't explored often enough? Personally, I find it so amazing to see how these writers manage their research to ensure they weave underrepresented facts into an authentic and moving narrative!In the meantime, get your hands on this bestseller and find out more about Angie here:https://angiefaye.net/https://www.instagram.com/angie_faye_martin/'A page-turner with purpose. Refreshing, surprising, and propulsive. Angie Faye Martin is a name to watch.' Tracey Lien, author of All That's Left Unsaid 'Melaleuca is rich with authenticity and heart. Angie Faye Martin skillfully paints a picture of outback Queensland so that the scents, sounds and heat become a physical experience for the reader.' Laura McCluskey, author of The Wolf Tree 'Atmospheric and blistering. Melaleuca will leave you wanting more. What a remarkable debut.' Fleur McDonald, author of The Prospect 'A fresh, authentic perspective to the much-loved genre of the Australian outback thriller. Compelling, thought-provoking and twisty, Melaleuca is both a gripping, tightly plotted mystery and an unflinching exploration of the dark underbelly of institutionalised racism and corruption in Australia.' Kate Horan, author of The Inheritance 'This intense, heart-wrenching and beautifully written novel introduces a bold, and important voice in Australian crime fiction. Set in a small, outback Queensland town, it features the resilient, courageous, and marvelously flawed Aboriginal detective, Renee Taylor. An atmospheric, compulsive read that I defy you to put down.' Karen Brooks, author of The Good Wife of Bath 'Powerful First Nations crime noir that interrogates law enforcement and how it intersects with Indigenous victims. Melaleuca is a compelling exploration of a police officer caught between two worlds, small-town complicity and justice long overdue.' Dinuka McKenzie, author of The Torrent 'Angie Faye Martin brings an important new voice to Australia's rich rural crime tradition. With a gutsy First Nations heroine, an atmospheric setting and a shocking crime that exposes a small town's prejudices, this is a book that deserves a large and enthusiastic audience.' Cassie Hamer, author of The Stranger at the Table Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a check-in episode with the inimitable Emma Grey where she shares what she's been up to amidst book 3 edits and screen adaptation learnings. It was fascinating! And then we both get vulnerable talking about what book promotion looks like (and costs) authors. I am so appreciative of how open and honest Emma always gets and we each got to share our awkward feelings about balancing gratitude and enjoyment with boundaries around different sorts of industry events.Haven't read The Last Love Note or Pictures of You yet? Get onto it! And find out more about Emma Grey here:https://www.emmagrey.com.au/https://www.instagram.com/emmagreyauthorhttps://www.facebook.com/emmagreyauthor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our latest convo with the delightful Sara Foster won't disappoint! Sara is shifting back from book promotion mode (for her latest twisty thriller, When She Was Gone) to writing as she's focussed on finishing her 10th novel. We chat about the challenge (and the solutions) of writing in multiple POV, the passion she has for writing more stories centring mothers as well as getting clear about where we stand (and what we expect from) AI in our creative endeavours. Such a comprehensive conversation!Find out more and follow Sara: Wensite - www.sarafoster.com.au Substack for readers - Story Matters Substack for writers - The Resilient Author Facebook - (/sarafosterauthor) Instagram - (@sarafosterauthor) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I had such a brilliant time this week *finally* talking to Jane Costello (as you'll hear, I've been waiting months to have this chat!) who is not only incredibly experienced as an author of 15 novels, but she is so warm and generous with her stories...which is no surprise if you've read her latest fabulous novel, It's Getting Hot in Here!In this episode, Jane tells us about her experience writing with a pseudonym, we share our love for (and exasperation at the derision for) commercial women's fiction and the ways she's changed (or not!) her approach to writing novels, twenty years on... and so much more.Find out more about Jane here (as well as catch her latest exciting news!):https://www.instagram.com/janecostellobooks/https://janecostello.com/Don't forget to get your hands on her latest novel, It's Getting Hot in Here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's chat with Andrew Matthews is masterclass in validation and motivation for writers everywhere. We chatted about his own writerly journey as well as the biggest takeaways that are important for all writers around perserverance and promotion.Andrew Matthews’ books have sold over 8 million copies in 48 languages and today we're taling about his latest, BOUNCING BACK.Andrew’s first book, BEING HAPPY! became a global bestseller. His other titles, including FOLLOW YOUR HEART, BEING A HAPPY TEEN and HAPPINESS IN HARD TIMES, are bestsellers in 70 countries. His gentle, common-sense philosophy has resonated with readers worldwide.Find out more about Andrew here:Website - https://andrewmatthews.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andrewmatthews.author/Videos by Andrew:How to Survive Tough TimesAcceptance is Power: Michael’s Story  Planning Ahead Happiness – a daily decision Focus on What You Want  Do I Need to Love Myself?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“You put yourself in those shoes as much as you can, in that body and that skin. And when I write scene by scene, at the top of each scene, I do write the emotion I am trying to convey.” - Nanda ReddyDuring this week's writerly convo, I felt as if we just got started! Debut author Nanda Reddy has written a totally compelling, timely and heartwrenching-but-ultimately-hopeful story, A Girl Within a Girl Within a Girl. An instant USA Today bestseller and Apple Books Best Book of March, this is a novel that I can't recommend highly enough (and clearly I'm not alone)!!She shared so much about her process... how she intentionally injects emotion into each scene, her appreciation of beautitful writing (and how it trumps spoilers), the way she used alpha and beta readers to help polish her manuscript before submission, the story of how she landed her agent and so much more! Find out more about Nanda here:https://www.nandareddy.com/https://www.instagram.com/nandareddyauthor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I had the pleasure of chatting with DG Rampton, the fabulous author of highly successful Regency romances (plus one contemporary rom-com!) which have hit a collective 100k+ sales!"As soon as I started to take myself seriously and my job (as a writer) seriously, other people started doing the same!" - DG RamptonThat brilliant quote came early on in the conversation and is, I think, something that all writers should note, but we also dove into: how she creates her own writing deadlines, the things shes learnt about editing, the benefits of taking ownership of different aspects of the publishing process and how she keeps herself connected to the stories she wants to write.You can follow DG Rampton on:Website - https://www.dgrampton.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/DGRamptonInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/fortheloveofjaneausten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Season 4 of Writers Talking!!We are starting this season chatting with the author of a debut novel that's getting a lot of buzz in Australia, Kate Horan...Kate shares how she went from intriguing idea to pantsing her first draft, the (slightly) unexpected path her novel took from query to acquisition, her preferences around plotting during the editorial process and more. I absolutely loved this book AND our convo!!Check out this fantastic book at your local retailer and find out more about Kate here:www.katehoran.comhttps://www.instagram.com/stories/kate_horan_author/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I loved having the chance to catch up with Lisa Darcy again after the release of her most recent book, Christmas Actually!! We dove into topics like bringing real-life anecdotes and experiences into your writing, how to manage a complete storyline pivot suggestion from your editors, staying true to the kind of story you love to write and so much more...Looking for a festive last-minute gift? Buy Lisa's book now:AustraliaUSAUKConnect with Lisa on her socials!Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/lisadarcyauthor.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisadarcyauthor/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisadarcyauthor4Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisa.darcy.author/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lisadarcyauthor?hl=en(X)Twitter:  https://twitter.com/lisadarcyauthor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I had the pleasure of connecting with one of my favourite Aussie authors and writerly friend, Dr Anita Heiss...not only did we talk about the second of her fantastic Historical Fiction novels, DIRRAYAWADHA, but so much more!Listen in as Anita chats about how she's surrounded herself with her passions, what she does on a daily basis to get so much done related to each of those passions, how she finds balance when writing (sometimes) heavy storylines, finding the right fit publisher (and recognising that not every project is best fit for every publisher), how important her relationship with her agent has been over many years and more insight into her personal writerly process.Follow her in these places:https://www.anitaheiss.comhttps://anitaheiss.substack.com/https://www.instagram.com/dranitaheissPhoto credit: Morgan Roberts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's talk is so important - not just for readers and writers, but for all of us, our friends, family, sisters, daughters, mums, neighbours...Emma and Kat get into why bringing serious topics into pop culture is so vital, how the messaging is an important aspect of changing culture and what we might do if we recognise ourselves or our loved ones in the dynamic that is shared so truthfully in Emma's latest novel, Pictures of You!!A review from IG (@karin.heartwell) of the book:Pictures of You is the latest book by Canberra author @emmagreyauthor and it is a must-read.Emma has tackled and mastered the topic of coercive control and emotional abuse in relationships while also giving readers hope that healthy relationships are possible, not just toxic ones.It is a difficult read for me as it is a bit too close to home, having escaped a toxic relationship full of domestic violence. I have yet to experience a healthy relationship and while that seems way out of reach at times, Emma's writing gives me (and others, too) hope.We must talk about abuse, every day, especially to boys growing up right now.Things are changing but only so slowly.More than 80 women have been killed in Australia this year alone due to domestic violence.Men are still in positions of power where they get to abuse, hate and kill us and apparently, no one ever saw it coming because he has always been 'such a good bloke’.Enough with this truth avoidance!We must bring on change, in big and small ways. One way is to read Emma's book and talk about it with the boys and men in your life.Books have always had the power to change the world for the better, and Pictures of You is no different.Thank you, Emma, for this book. Looking for assistance? The following resources may help...USA ResourcesNational Hotline and resources Domestic Violence Support | National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org)Homepage | National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)Start By Believing – Ending the Cycle of Silence in Sexual AssaultAUS Resources National Hotline and ResourcesHome | 1800RESPECTPublic Awareness free training AUSPublic awareness workshops (dvalert.org.au) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a fantastic, fun convo this week with the incredible Australian top 25 fiction author, Tricia Stringer!!This week, we chat about her process, the difference between author-directed vs character-directed writing/plotting, as well as the joy of embracing the editorial process - such fabulous insights!!Check out Tricia's extensive backlist and social media here:https://www.triciastringer.com.au/https://www.instagram.com/triciastringerauthor/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's chat with Shelley Davidow, author of The Girl With the Violin, was full of insight about the creative process... We chatted about her substantial backlist, the differences in writing memoir vs fiction and how each of them dance with truth!Get your hands on a copy of her beautiful novel, The Girl With the Violin, and find out more about Shelley here:https://shelleydavidow.com/https://www.instagram.com/shelleydavidow/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a fabulous conversation this week with Andrea Barton, editor and author of fun new mystery, The Godfather of Dance! We specifically chatted about how she approaches her work as an editor vs her creative work as an author as well as the importance of Point of View in novel writing.Check out more of what Andrea is up to here:Author website: https://andreabartonauthor.com/Editing website: https://brightsidestorystudio.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andreabartonauthorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreabartonauthor/X: https://twitter.com/AndreaBartonAu#murder #ballroomdance#familysecrets#journalistinvestigation #betrayal#loyalty #siblingrivalry #fictionbooks#debutauthor #Intrigue #Secrets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I got to talk with Jane Tara about her fantastic new book, TILDA IS VISIBLE (available now in Australia and soon-to-be released in the US)!We chatted about Jane's process of writing a novel where she intentionally added more of herself to the fictional storyline, the beauty of making friends with that internal critic, what women deal with 'at a certain age', how meditation has been a game changer for her and so much more. Love, love, loved this chat!Discover more about Jane Tara here:https://www.janetara.com/https://instagram.com/authorjanetara Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we talk to Writers Talking favourites, Lorissa Rinehart and Tracy Dawson, getting an update on book deals, TED talks and more! Listen in as we chat about the differing paths to publication, how to build your writerly resilience, the way to embrace manifesting in your writing career (even if you hate the concept of 'manifesting') and why it's more important than ever to learn about (and share) the incredible stories of women in history.Don't forget to check out the work both Lorissa and Tracy are doing by clicking the links to their websites and social pages:https://www.lorissarinehart.com/ https://tracydawson.net/https://instagram.com/lorissa_rineharthttps://instagram.com/dawsontracy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back as we get started with Season 3 of Writers Talking! In this episode, we chat with the ever-insightful Sara Foster, author of multiple books, including the upcoming thriller WHEN SHE WAS GONE. In our conversation, Sara shares what she's observed about the limits of verbal communication, how it affects our understanding of each other and the ways she has begun to explore the other kinds of communication between characters in her stories to show rather than tell. Really thought-provoking and undoubtedly only the start of a compelling and ongoing conversation!Check out Sara's website here: https://www.sarafoster.com.au/And keep your eye out for pre-orders to open on WHEN SHE WAS GONE, available everywhere April 2025! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the end of an incredible year on the podcast, we wrap up Writers Talking with one of our favourite regular writers, the gorgeous Emma Grey, author of The Last Love Note!From her Australian book launch in January to a spectacular US launch in November, Emma shares her takeaways from all the excitement (that's still growing!) and challenge of travelling to promote a deeply personal story. On a personal note from my end, it has been beautiful to watch so many readers connect with her writerly voice and heart. We talk about the highlights of her US tour, and those things she might try to tweak next time.Haven't got your hands on a copy of The Last Love Note yet?!! Check out all things Emma here:https://www.emmagrey.com.au/https://www.instagram.com/emmagreyauthorAnd if you've loved any (or ALL) of the Writers Talking episodes this year, PLEASE share our pod with your friends and followers! https://www.instagram.com/writers_talking_podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you love to read fictionalised history, I think you're going to love today's convo! Angie Elita Newell has written one of the most ambitious novels I've read in a long time. Not only does she manage to draw readers in with multiple POVs and timelines, but she also provides empathetic yet realistic characters who bridge the gaps between the history we've been taught and the reality so many other people lived.To get your hands on a copy of ALL I SEE IS VIOLENCE and to learn more about Angie, her work and her new podcast, check out her website here:https://www.angieelitanewell.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's conversation with Steph Vizard felt fabulously on brand with the themes in her book! Steph’s debut novel, The Love Contract, won the Banjo Prize for fiction. and we discussed everything from how she managed the time to write while on maternity leave to the similarities between her 'day job' and her practice as a writer. We were in total agreement about what makes a swoon-worthy leading man and how looking more closely at societal expectations (and making the needed shifts) can help men AND women navigate family life and work life.To get your hands on a copy of Steph's fabulous book and find out more about her:https://www.stephvizard.com/https://www.instagram.com/stephevizard/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you have wondered about swapping between script writing and novel writing (or have already given it a go) you're going to love today's episode!Alli Parker is not only an incredibly experienced screen editor and coordinator, but she's now written an incredibly powerful novelisation of her own family's experience - a historical fiction story about Australia's first war bride from Japan. Alli generously shares her experience in choosing to fictionalise versus strict biography, how to manage editorial notes, moving past your own creative hurdles and more. We'll definitely be getting Alli back to share more behind-the-scenes insights as it felt like we just got started!Grab a copy of her gorgeous book and find out more about here:http://www.alliparker.com/https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781460763520/at-the-foot-of-the-cherry-tree/https://www.instagram.com/alliparkerwriter/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I had the pleasure of chatting with fabulous London-based author Ivy Ngeow. Not only does she share how her writing process has shifted, but which aspects of her own personality and experience find their way into her novels, making her psychological thrillers totally unique to her!Find out more about Ivy and her books here:https://writengeow.com/https://www.instagram.com/authorivyngeow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we got to chat with the ever-engaging Lorissa Rinehart and Tracy Dawson to catch up on what they've been up to since our last convo! We dove into the beauty of modern research options, the democratisation of so many aspects of writing as an industry, ways we should be wary of AI (and the ways we shouldn't fret too much over), the HUGE win writers in the US are celebrating and SO. MUCH, MORE. Safe to say, we'll be fitting in another chat again soon. If you haven't yet gotten your hands on their books, please do (highly recommend as required reading!):Tracy Dawsonhttps://tracydawson.net/https://www.instagram.com/dawsontracyhttps://www.twitter.com/dawsontracyIf you need more encouragement to check out Let Me Be Frank, look at these endorsements!"An entertaining, astonishing collection celebrating the diverse trailblazers who disguised themselves as men...Let Me Be Frank is a witty, sometimes infuriating, wholly inspiring look at the lengths that women had to go to." - Buzzfeed“A smart, funny journey through history that introduces us to the rule breakers who made history worth traveling through. So well-written.”—Patton Oswalt “Tracy has such a gift for storytelling and making history leap off the page. Her book has a wit that suggests it was written by a man since everyone knows women aren't this funny.”—Kay CannonLorissa Rineharthttps://lorissarinehart.com/https://www.instagram.com/lorissa_rinehartLorissa's book, First to the Front, is out NOW and getting huge buzz..."Jam-packed with colorful details and incisive character sketches, this is a vivid reappraisal of a pioneering journalist." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)"An astonishing story...exquisite. After reading this enthralling book, now, when someone asks, 'What three people from history would you have over for dinner?' My first choice is easy: At the head of the table is the incomparable Dickey Chapelle. Next to her, the other two guests will be fighting for table scraps." ―Buddy Levy, author of Empire of Ice and Stone: The Disastrous and Heroic Voyage of the Karluk"An extraordinary story, told with cinematic flair. Chapelle's groundbreaking career should be studied in every journalism school in the country. Rinehart's vivid prose makes us feel like we're right there with her through all her trials and triumphs." ―J. Martin Daughtry, author of Listening to War: Sound, Music, Trauma, and Survival in Wartime Iraq Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's convo sees us back to one of our fabulous panels with Nina Campbell, Emma Grey and Rachael Morgan, talking all about the dissonance between our expectations vs reality when it comes to our writerly life.Often online, in social and mainstream media we can see all of the exciting aspects of an author's life, but what does it *actually* look and feel like behind the scenes? Does the experience match up to our expectations? I loved how open and honest all three of these writers have been about the peaks and troughs (and enormous levels of 'efforting') that are going on between these snapshot moments.Check out more details about what everyone has been up to on their websites and socials"Nina Campbellhttps://ninadcampbell.com.au/https://www.facebook.com/NinaDCampbellwriteshttps://www.instagram.com/nina.d.campbell.author/Emma Greyhttps://www.emmagrey.com.au/https://www.facebook.com/emmagreyauthorhttps://www.instagram.com/emmagreyauthor/Rachael Morganhttps://www.therealzerofox.com/https://www.facebook.com/realzerofoxhttps://www.instagram.com/therealzerofox/And here's an interesting thread from FB that shows how many writers struggle... https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02m3khDoYTXayLGBUdDMEJrU3HxvDRZHQEKidL7j9XCrpKGohHGvaVtYynFe2bZMzEl&id=100057764975418&mibextid=CDWPTG Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's chat with the author of Why You Feel the Way You Do, Reneau Peurifoy, was filled with so much great info for every type of writer! We talked about how he shifted his knowledge from individual sessions, to an old-school cassette-delivered course, to an incredibly successful book called Anxiety, Phobias & Panic: Taking Charge and Conquering Fear. Reneau talks openly about the importance of learning to take good critical feedback to ensure your writing will make sense to your ideal readers. He shares his process, how he gets good beta readers and a bit about his own experience in the subjective nature of feedback from traditional publishing.This newest book by Reneau Peurifoy can help writers, not only with their own core emotional patterns day-to-day, but in creating characters who resonate deeply with readers!Find more info about Reneau and his work here:https://www.whyemotions.com/https://www.youtube.com/@reneaupeurifoy2956 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a great, truth-filled convo! Louisa Deasey, two time published memoir author, joined me to chat through her experience in getting her first memoir published.Not only did we cover her incredible (and really kind of shocking!) first publisher meeting along with what she's learnt along the way about how literary memoir is often misunderstood, what it takes to really write a compelling memoir as a debut author and we dive into so much more. This ep was already so chock full of great stories, we decided to make it Part 1 of 2, so stay tuned!!To learn more about Louisa and check out all that she offers writers...https://louisadeasey.com/https://www.instagram.com/louisadeaseyhttps://www.youtube.com/@LouisaDeaseytvTo connect with Anjanette, you can email: anjanette (at) storyaslife.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we welcome back the lovely Monique Mulligan, author of Wildflower, which is set for re-release worldwide with Bloodhound Books on 10 August.As always, a vulnerable writerly convo where we chatted about the serious themes in her book, letting a younger voice highlight some of the unexpected ramifications on family and community where domestic violence is seen & heard, but not addressed and so much more!Monique shared her experience with coming back to her own writing after feeling disconnected (for a longer time than she'd expected) and we both chat about ways to move through the ebbs and flows that all writers can expect to experience. I think more emerging authors need to hear the truth of what working writers (all) go through as they navigate their creative expression in the real world!To find out more about Monique and to get your hands on her gorgeous book...https://moniquemulligan.com/https://www.instagram.com/moniquemulliganauthor/https://www.facebook.com/MoniqueMulliganAuthor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you have a preference for novels and don't understand the appeal of biography and history, THIS is the episode for you! Not only are both of today's writers brilliant, they are both women who are passionate about uncovering the real stories that have been hidden in history for far too long.Lorissa joins us again to talk with Tracy Dawson about how they each came to their book writing process, how they sold their first manuscripts and the path toward selling their second. They each share some surprises they've learnt along the way as well as their excitement about bringing MORE readers to a genre that may be overlooked by female readers. This was a definitely a convo that will have a part 2, so jump in to hear what these fabulous writers shared...If you haven't yet gotten your hands on their books, please do (highly recommend as required reading!):Tracy Dawsonhttps://tracydawson.net/https://www.instagram.com/dawsontracyhttps://www.twitter.com/dawsontracyIf you need more encouragement to check out Let Me Be Frank, look at these endorsements!"An entertaining, astonishing collection celebrating the diverse trailblazers who disguised themselves as men...Let Me Be Frank is a witty, sometimes infuriating, wholly inspiring look at the lengths that women had to go to." - Buzzfeed“A smart, funny journey through history that introduces us to the rule breakers who made history worth traveling through. So well-written.”—Patton Oswalt “Tracy has such a gift for storytelling and making history leap off the page. Her book has a wit that suggests it was written by a man since everyone knows women aren't this funny.”—Kay CannonLorissa Rineharthttps://lorissarinehart.com/https://www.instagram.com/lorissa_rinehartLorissa's book, First to the Front, is out NOW and getting huge buzz..."Jam-packed with colorful details and incisive character sketches, this is a vivid reappraisal of a pioneering journalist." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)"An astonishing story...exquisite. After reading this enthralling book, now, when someone asks, 'What three people from history would you have over for dinner?' My first choice is easy: At the head of the table is the incomparable Dickey Chapelle. Next to her, the other two guests will be fighting for table scraps." ―Buddy Levy, author of Empire of Ice and Stone: The Disastrous and Heroic Voyage of the Karluk"An extraordinary story, told with cinematic flair. Chapelle's groundbreaking career should be studied in every journalism school in the country. Rinehart's vivid prose makes us feel like we're right there with her through all her trials and triumphs." ―J. Martin Daughtry, author of Listening to War: Sound, Music, Trauma, and Survival in Wartime Iraq Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wow - what an incredible convo this week with the incomprable Zoë Coyle, whose most recent novel, The Dangers of Female Provocation, had me on the edge of my seat! (and looking up words on Dictionary.com LOL)!!We talk all things surrender, finding the spiritual in our work, the beauty of getting to live vicariously through some characters and so, so much more. I loved hearing about her approach to writing (and starting on a new project as soon as the last has finished, thanks to unprompted-but-insightful advice she once received) and what her first two novels are really about. Without a doubt, if you think you know where the story's going after the first few chapters...you're probably wrong!You'll definitely want to get your hands on her book, so find out more about Zoë here-https://www.zoecoyle.com https://www.instagram.com/zoe.hearts.books/  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever wondered if you novel idea would be better written as a screenplay first? Or maybe you're used to the format of screen writing and wonder if you should transition your story into novel form as well?This week we dive into a convo about the similarities and differences between long form novel writing and the snappier sort of writing expected when writing for screen. Rachael shares her experience in writing both - and how she works bouncing between the two! I absolutely loved her insight (and make sure to hold out for her mic drop moment near the end of the ep) ;)Want to dive into more about Rachael and her writing, check her out here:https://www.therealzerofox.com/https://www.facebook.com/realzerofoxhttps://www.instgram.com/therealzerofox  And run out to get your hands on a copy of her new novel!!DEAD FAMOUS: A Kat Alley Mystery If you'd like more info on Anjanette, check her out here:https://www.anjanettefennell.comhttps://www.facebook.com/storyaslife https://www.instagram.com/anj_fen  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's convo with Kate Solly, author of Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance was a deep dive into, well, almost everything! ;) We chatted about the themes found in her debut novel - racism and religion - as well as her process of writing outside of her lived experience, the importance of working with sensitivity readers and more. She shared her insights into the seasons she has for writing, editing and promo as well as how she's managed to weave some awkward life moments into unfortgetable scenes in her novel! To find out more about Kate (and get your hands on this gorgeous book, follow her here:https://www.katesolly.com/ https://www.facebook.com/katesollywrites https://www.instagram.com/katesollywriter Want to see what Anj is up to? You can find her here: https://www.facebook.com/storyaslife https://www.instagram.com/anj_fen And get onto her newsletter by signing up at the bottom of the page here: https://www.anjanettefennell.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was such a fabulous convo with Alicia Bessette, author of Murder on Mustang Beach (and the first book of the Outer Banks Bookshop Mystery series, Smile Beach Murder)!!We got to chat about setting as a character, the power of observing (yourself and others), how your process can change over time and finding ways of creating a larger story for real life characters who may otherwise go down in history with a whisper instead of the shout they deserve...and, of course, so much more. Murder on Mustang Beach is out now!! Follow these links to find out more about Alicia and her books -https://www.aliciabessette.comhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082843809338https://www.instagram.com/aliciabessettebooks As always, to follow Anjanette or get in touch about being on the podcast, she can be found here - https://www.anjanettefennell.comhttps://www.facebook.com/storyaslifehttps://www.instagram.com/anj_fen Don't forget to follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/writers_talking_podcastAnd please SHARE with your writerly friends and leave us a REVIEW on your fave podcast player!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we have one of our most *vulnerable* convos yet - busting myths around creativity (writing) and medication!NOTE: we talk about depression, anxiety, HRT and neurodiversity in this episode as well as being medicated. Our experiences should NOT be taken as medical advice. We recommend all listeners check with their GP or primary care physician about what sort of support might be needed.As each of the writers express in the episode, it's so important to bring these conversations to light. Mental health (and getting treated for it - either briefly or long term) should NOT be taboo. You deserve to feel GOOD about your every day as well as your creative expression.We would LOVE to hear from you, so please share your own experiences with creativity, mental health, medication and more by emailing us at anjanette (at) storyaslife (dot) com Want to find out more about our fabulous panelists?Emma Grey https://www.emmagrey.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/emmagreyauthorhttps://www.instagram.com/emmagreyauthor Rachael Morganhttps://www.therealzerofox.com/ https://www.facebook.com/realzerofoxhttps://www.instagram.com/therealzerofox  Nina Campbell https://ninadcampbell.com.au/https://www.facebook.com/NinaDCampbellwriteshttps://www.instagram.com/nina.d.campbell.author Anjanette Fennell https://www.anjanettefennell.com/ https://www.facebook.com/storyaslife https://www.instagram.com/anj_fen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode with Lorissa Rinehart has changed the way I see biographies - I absolutely loved this convo!We dove into things by talking about the importance of a compelling narrative in biography that goes beyond 'first this happened, then that happened', but soon were chatting about the (relatable) juggle that writers, who are also mums of young children, have when it comes to research, writing and editing. Lorissa dropped some publishing truthbombs when it comes to choosing your next project and gave us a sneak peek into her next book!I *highly* recommend getting this title on your pre-order list (you will LOVE Dickey Chapelle - her story needs to be shared more widely)!!Check out more about Lorissa here (and click the pre-order button):https://lorissarinehart.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lorissa_rinehart Don't forget to follow us on socials:https://www.instagram.com/writers_talking_podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's chat was a total delight! Talking with author's Kate Solly and Emma Grey about how (and why) they connected...and how important it is to take the time to reach out to the writers whose work moves you.Whether you're reaching out to share how a piece of writing connected or, as in their case, simply reaching out to acknowledge the challenge of putting out vulnerable and transformative work, taking the time to connect with a writer is such an underrated gift.If you'd like to find out more about each of our writers (and get their books!), check them out here...Kate Sollyhttps://katesolly.com/ https://www.facebook.com/katesollywriteshttps://www.instagram.com/katesollywriter Emma Greyhttps://www.emmagrey.com.au https://www.facebook.com/emmagreyauthor https://www.instagram.com/emmagreyauthor  And if you'd like to check out what Anjanette is up to...https://www.anjanettefennell.com https://www.facebook.com/storyaslife https://www.instagram.com/anj_fenhttps://www.instagram.com/writers_talking_podcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we jump into an interesting convo with Emma Grey (author of multiple books including the incredible novel, THE LAST LOVE NOTE) about how to bypass the overwhelm and show up consistently and confidently on social media - both during a busy book promo period as well as every other writerly day. The key is engagement...but maybe not in the way you'd imagined! A great episode for new and experienced authors alike, especially in these days of questioning which platform is 'best' for connecting with readers. If you'd like to find out more about Emma and her books ( and to start your own fun convo with her on social media!)... https://www.emmagrey.com https://facebook.com/emmagreyauthor https://instagram.com/emmagreyauthor https://tiktok.com/emmagreyauthor And if you'd like to find out more about Anjanette's world, you can find her at these links: https://www.anjanettefennell.com https://facebook.com/storyaslife https://instagram.com/anj_fen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I had the pleasure of chatting again with the lovely Lisa Ireland, this time as she was just starting the promo tour for her newest book, The One and Only Dolly Jamieson!We dove straight in to chat about how she (as an ambivert) handles different promo events, what she does to make herself feel more grounded and excited for them as well as sharing more about her writerly process, the themes she's noticed are really resonant for her in her latest novels and some of her fave author-adjecent activites like mentoring new writers and hosting a monthly book club.If you've not yet read her latest book, The One and Only Dolly Jamieson, grab it now! I'm still thinking of the indomitable Dolly weeks after finishing the book :)To learn more about Lisa (and grab her books):https://www.lisairelandbooks.com https://facebook.com/lisairelandbooks https://instagram.com/lisairelandbooks And to join her online book club:https://www.facebook.com/groups/149288140312440/   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're talking to memoir writers who have bared all for their readers...and WOW did they get real, raw and vulnerable.A not-to-be-missed episode if you're in the middle of writing your memoir or just in the planning stages. Kristen Holzapfel and Lisa Barlin shared so much insight into their process as well as some specifics about the focus of their stories - I was honoured to be part of the convo!If you'd like to get your hands on a copy of Kristen's book, SELFLESS: a social worker’s own story of trauma and recovery, send me an email at [email protected]! And, if you're an agent or publisher who would like to read Lisa's no-holds-barred manuscript, send me an email at [email protected] and I'll put you in touch!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we chat with amazing authors Fleur McDonald, Darry Fraser and Lisa Ireland about how they stay connected to the writerly (and readerly!) community - especially as all three of these successful novelists live outside well known capital cities and publishing hubs.We dive into how they experience connection to their writerly peers as well as readers, how they feel about promoting their work and more. Such a juicy conversation!!To find out more about each of these authors, check them out here:Fleur McDonaldW - https://www.fleurmcdonald.com/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/fleurmcdonald FB- https://www.facebook.com/FleurMcDonaldAuthor  Darry FraserW - https://www.darryfraser.com IG - https://www.instagram.com/darryfraserauthor FB - https://www.facebook.com/darry.fraser  Lisa IrelandW - https://www.lisairelandbooks.com IG - https://www.instagram.com/lisairelandbooks FB - https://www.facebook.com/lisairelandbooks  Looking for writerly inspo and support? You can...- Binge the other Writers Talking Podcast eps! - Check out Anj's website at https://www.anjanettefennell.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Season 2 of Writers Talking!!This season we'll be diving even deeper into real conversations with writers you know well...and those who you might just be learning about for the first time.In this episode, I chat with Matthew Quick, writer of novels and screenplays, best known for Silver Linings Playbook, which became and Oscar winning movie. After reading his latest book, We Are the Light, and hearing him talk in my book club, I knew I wanted to have a convo about his passion for Jungian analysis, how he moved past a writerly lull and so. much. more.If you haven't already, grab a copy of his book We Are the Light (sure to be on my top reads of 2023) and check out all of his work via his website at https://www.matthewquickwriter.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I got to fangirl over Catherine Newman for 40+ minutes (and she managed to answer a few questions about her process when I took a few breaths) LOLBut we had a brilliant conversation about choosing to write memoir-ish fiction, the power of surrendering to the writer you are naturally and surprising me with her stance on multi-book deals (at least for her)!!Find out more about Catherine and her books here (and then, for goodness sake, buy ALL of them, especially We All Want Impossible Things):https://www.catherinenewmanwriter.com/ https://instagram.com/catherinenewman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I was absolutely delighted to get to chat with Zibby Owens: author, publisher, media-dynamo and top NYC book-fluencer!! I loved chatting about her process, perseverance and how she approaches non-fiction vs fiction writing.If you haven't heard of her, you've been missing out!! Check out her books below, look at the stunning Zibby Mag (a literary lifestyle destination), her award-winning podcast, Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books and allll of the other beautiful waves she's creating in the world. The first Zibby Books titles launch in February 2023 and I personally cannot wait!!Buy books and connect with Zibby here:https://www.zibbyowens.com/books https://www.zibbyowens.com/zibby-maghttps://www.zibbyowens.com/podcasthttps://instagram.com/zibbyowens Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.