Founder, producer, host and all-round brilliant human, Dani Vee, of the ‘Words And Nerds Podcast’ discussed with me her incredible, hundreds-episodes-strong program and related accomplishments. 
Topics we delved into include:
-	What drew us to podcasting and interviewing, what did we want to focus on, thematically, with our shows? 
-	Funny stories with guests/interviewees encountered along the way.
-	Some book titles that have blown us away this year.
-	Hopes/dreams/aspirations for the future of the shows. 
-	What we’re up to, chip-chipping away with our own big writing projects. 
-	One question of mine that I thought was a good one – but never expected to be directed back towards me! 
-	And much, much more. 

Thanks so much to Dani for chatting with me on this epic mash-up episode. Be sure to get stuck into the Words And Nerds Podcast program available for your listening pleasure on Spotify and Soundcloud now!

Dani Vee and 'Words & Nerds' Podcast Mashup With 'The Write Way'

In an unprecedented first for the show - documentary filmmaker, criminologist and novelist, Cassandra Austin, chatted with me today, all the way from the U.S. of A., about her 3rd novel, ‘Like Mother’.
Topics discussed include: 
-	The novel’s setting, Bennelong, how a small township causes big problems with its treatment of its denizens. How the stain of a tragedy can affect oneself and their treatment in a town, for life.
-	The decision to set the novel in the 60s and how Cassandra went about bringing it all to life. The subtlety of the referencing and references, illustrating everything nicely for the reader. 
-	The opinions people form of others (and refuse to change). How oftentimes they have a serious disconnect, or inaccuracy to the way people perceive themselves or who they know themselves to be. Delving into this human condition being featured on a grand scale (the town vs the central characters) and a narrowed one (the family members views of each other at the novel’s core). 
-	The common, but seldom depicted familial relationships at the novel’s centre – a mother’s devotion that can, at face value, appear dysfunctional to fanatic, yet throughout the course of the story, show clear elements of true love and devotion. The inherent difficulties in creating such realistic and complex relationships and dynamics. 
-	The pitfalls and challenges faced with the creation of the central character, Louise, both within the writing of her and her admittedly bizarre behaviour and getting it ‘right’.
-	An overview of Cassandra’s career thus far, including some of the serious writerly trials she’s faced and prevailed over to keep penning her novels.
-	And much more! 


Thank you again to Cassandra for talking to me all the way from the U.S. today, you can pick up your copy of ‘Like Mother’ from the good folks at Penguin Random House, here:
https://www.penguin.com.au/books/like-mother-9781760895556#:~:text=Secrets%2C%20lies%20and%20crying%20babies,won't%20leave%20her%20alone.

Cassandra Austin On 'Like Mother'

Today, in yet another first for the program, I was joined by Rod Barton – a former high-ranking Australian Intelligence Officer. Rod appeared on the show to discuss his remarkable life and career that he has now committed to paper with, ‘The Life Of A Spy’. Topics discussed include:
-	Growing up in a small town with an intriguing Weapons Research Establishment – how that, along with his extensive Boy Scout work and passion for chemistry might’ve aggregated into shaping him to take on such a unique career. 
-	The serendipitous turn of events, applying for a vague-sounding job, that would lead to him becoming a Junior Analyst and ultimately see him pursue a career within the national intelligence sector. 
-	The Yellow Rain/Bee Poo scandal – how that put him out of odds with CIA (being branded by the then-Director of the CIA as ‘perverse and mischievous’) and how a later sharing of information obtained by his work with a Russian defector might’ve restored that somewhat.
-	Being present at (and contributing to) historical events and meetings, from Bob Hawke’s Kuwait-related outburst, to serving as advisor to Kofi Annan and Hans Blix. 
-	Risking life and limb – from using his boy scout training to try saving the life of a gunshot victim in Somalia, to nearly plunging into the highly-volatile ‘volcano’ in a bombed-out plant facility in Iraq. 
-	His decision to become a whistle-blower with the Camp Cropper story, what led to that and what arose from that. Including major change within the U.S. and Australia’s policies. 

Big thanks to Rod for appearing on the program, and for Black Inc books for publishing such a unique and cracking book! You can purchase your copy of ‘The Life Of A Spy – An Education In Truth, Lies and Power’
https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/life-spy

Rod Barton On 'The Life Of A Spy'

The winner of Allen & Unwin’s prestigious Vogel Award for 2021, Emma Batchelor, dropped by on the show to discuss her Vogel-winning novel, ‘Now That I See You’. 
TRIGGER WARNING: We touched on a great many topics and issues, including trans/non-binary transitioning, gender identity, use of pronouns, depression, suicide/suicidal ideation etc. 
Topics discussed include:
-	Emma’s real-life experience inspiring and framing the story, the inherent complexities and difficulties of writing such a novel and how she went about that.
-	Love – the double-edged sword – how it can be splendorous and allow us to achieve amazing things, but also, how one can destroy themselves with futilely trying to keep a love or relationship that could be already over. 
-	Communication – the unique way in which the story is told, largely through emails and diary entries – but also exemplify both good and communication between partners and a disintegrating relationship. How communication, much like love, progresses in stages.
-	Societal misconceptions – exemplified in a few characters, what they include and how they could be changing in real life.
-	Education – how educating and the desire to learn and generally be better is on the rise.  
-	Mental health – the beautiful hospital analogy – what that means for the story and what it says about mental health in general. 
-	And so much more!

Thanks so much to Emma for appearing on the show, you can pick up your copy of ‘Now That I See You’ here:
https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/fiction/Now-That-I-See-You-Emma-Batchelor-9781760879761

For a wealth of information on trans/non-binary issues, please check out the excellent site listed below:
https://www.transhub.org.au/

Emma Batchelor On 'Now That I See You'

Best-selling author and novelist Maya Linnell dropped by on the program to discuss her latest novel, ‘Magpie’s Bend’: 
Topics discussed include:
-	The general store that the novel is centred around, how it is emblematic of the Australian small-town spirit.
-	How her own small-town upbringing and life informs and inspires her work. 
-	How she went about creating the gorgeously realised and distinctly Australian – Bridgefield and its equally distinctly Australian inhabitants. 
-	Families – the support a family provides, enabling members to achieve greatness and overcome trauma. 
-	The potential difficulties faced with writing characters that span across several different books – Maya’s 4-sister-4-book plan and how she’s gone about achieving it. 
-	How attraction, romantic interest and ultimately love, happen, but are woven into a story with many other goings-on. Delaying the kiss between the main characters that the reader so desperately want. (I used a JAWS analogy for this question that might cause you to scratch your head). 
-	 And much more!
Thanks heaps to Maya for appearing on the program, you can pick up a copy of ‘Magpie’s Bend’ and Maya’s other novels from Allen & Unwin here:
https://www.allenandunwin.com/authors/l/maya-linnell

Maya Linnell Talks 'Magpie's Bend'

Writer and debut novelist Sally Bradfield appeared on the program, to discuss her debut novel, ‘Not Quite 30-Love’. Topics discussed include:
-	Sally’s own career within the world/behind-the-scenes of professional tennis. The decision to write the novel, and how she went about fictionalising it (in order to tell it).
-	The potential problems faced when blending fictional characters with real life, mega-famous athletes. Whether or not this factored into the writing of the story. 
-	Including the less-glamorous side of the sport and culture she loves. How the warts and all approach was necessary to telling the story she envisioned. 
-	Friendship, enduring and supportive – how friends can remain friends and help them through tough times (even from the opposite side of the world). The real-life origins of the Marine character.
-	Sally’s decision to go the self-publishing route – how the self-publishing course offered at Writing NSW proved invaluable to the cause. 
-	And so much more! 

Huge thanks to Sally Bradfield, be sure to pick up a copy of ‘Not Quite 30-Love’ from here:
https://www.notquite30love.com/how-to-buy

Sally Bradfield On 'Not Quite 30 - Love'

Writer and novelist Angela O’Keeffe joined me on the show to talk about her latest (first published) novel, ‘Night Blue’. Topics we discussed include:
-	Writing from the perspective of a (seemingly) inanimate object, in this case Jackson’s Pollock’s iconic ‘Blue Poles’ painting – the formation of its voice, its perception, and its interaction with its environment and Alyssa (the novel’s other perspective character).
-	The symbiotic relationship between a creation and its creator.
-	Perception – how the perception of oneself is forever changing, how our perception of others, of art, also forever changes. 
-	The journey to get to this point in her writing – invaluable advice gifted her along the way and how that has enabled her to embrace writing such a unique and original novel. 
-	And so much more! 
Thanks again to Angela for appearing on the program, and for Transit Lounge for publishing such a cracking book. You can pick up a copy of ‘Night Blue’ and all other titles from Transit Lounge, here:
https://transitlounge.com.au/shop/night-blue/

Angela O'Keeffe Talking 'Night Blue'

Former journalist and travel writer, Rosie Ayliffe, appeared on the program to discuss her memoir, ‘Far From Home: A True Story Of Death, Loss, And A Mother’s Courage’. TRIGGER WARNING – This memoir is about the tragic murder of Rosie’s twenty-year-old daughter, Mia, during completing her 88-day work scheme in exchange for a 2nd-year visa for Australia. 
Topics discussed include: 
-	Her life with Mia – how it was mostly just the two of them for much of Mia’s young life – forging the strongest bond (that has endured after Mia’s death). How Mia is still with her. 
-	The hurdles faced with trying to accurately describe such a vivacious person, to capture their spirit, in only a few hundred pages.
-	The 88-day work scheme – a government scheme that is unregulated – with no vetting of potential employers and allowing for dangerous, oftentimes fatally dangerous, workplace conditions. Also, the practice of debt bondage and passport withholding – enabling Modern Day slavery. The countless people that came forward to Rosie to tell their horrific stories of abuse of every kind, within these environments. 
-	The international attention thrust on Rosie – from communicating with the then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, to having the case specifically (wrongly) mentioned by then-U.S. president Donald Trump. 
-	Coming to terms with such an unimaginable loss – how Rosie wanted to use her grief for ‘something’ – and that something potentially leading to major reform within Australia. 
-	Her thoughts on if the situation has, is, improved/improving. Has the Modern Day slavery legislation passed had any positive effect? What needs be done to continue to improve the situation? 
Thanks so much to Rosie for appearing on the program – please check out these below sites: 

https://www.facebook.com/tomandmiaslegacy
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/migrant-workers

(and check out all the others, listed in the back of the book) – when you pick up a copy of ‘Far From Home: A True Story Of Death, Loss, And A Mother’s Courage’ from Penguin Random House, here: 

https://www.penguin.com.au/books/far-from-home-9780143796398

Rosie Ayliffe Discussing 'Far From Home'

Former policeman, private investigator, writer and journalist, Duncan McNab, appeared on the show to discuss his latest book ‘The Ruby Princess’ – an exhaustively researched probe into the now-infamous ship and its ill-fated voyage ending in Sydney.
Topics discussed include: 
-	The history of luxury cruising, from its humblest of humble origins where cruisers were fuelled by ‘the smell of an oily rag’ to Carnival’s CEO awarding himself a 90,000,000 bonus during the year of the Oceania disaster.
-	A perennial pattern of illegal acts chronicling the company’s history (quite probably the entire industry) of dumping bilge/grey water and tons of plastic into pristine environments. How this serves as a fine indicator of Carnival and others habitually doing the wrong thing and silencing those that work within their fleet to cover up the truth.
-	What happened that fateful morning of arrival back to Sydney harbour – decisions made and not made. How communication was key. How almost all of the perfect storm that was the Ruby Princess’s arrival, docking and disembarking of passengers, can be traced back to horrendous communications by parties of well-meaning individuals. 
-	The oft-forgotten plight of the crew remaining on the Ruby Princess – both during and after the disastrous cruise, including being ‘stashed away’ in Port Kembla and being forced by the powers-that-be to wave and smile on-deck when departing from the port. 
-	The Special Inquiry Into The Ruby Princess – how much of a sideshow it became, what were the findings etc. 
-	And so much more! 
Thanks to Duncan for appearing on the program. You can grab a copy of ‘The Ruby Princess’ and Duncan’s other books here:

https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760982973/the-ruby-princess/

Duncan McNab On 'The Ruby Princess'

Teacher, writer and novelist R.W.R. McDonald joined me on the program to discuss the follow-up to his hugely-popular debut novel, ‘Nancy Business’.
Topics discussed include: 
-	The joys and potential challenges of returning to now beloved characters. How he always envisioned the series and how that’s been going. 
-	Balancing traumatic subject matter (suicide, tragic death, murder etc) with humour, the banter and spirit on the titular Nancys. 
-	Tippy growing older as a character – including engaging in acts of teenage rebellion – the authenticity of the character and how that was achieved. Also, her grief for her father – how the grief never goes away, but changes as time passes. 
-	From a whodunit to a whydunit – along with the difficulties, moral and logistical, faced with trying to depict something as innately chaotic as a bomb-blast.
-	The media’s misogynistic tendency to describe victims in association with their male partners etc.
-	And so much more! 
Thanks so much to R.W.R. for joining me on the program, you can pick up ‘Nancy Business’ and the debut, ‘The Nancys’ from Allen and Unwin, here:
https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/fiction/Nancy-Business-RWR-McDonald-9781760878870

R.W.R. McDonald Talks 'Nancy Business'

https://open.spotify.com/show/7LJJydii5AIlKRZXxwTkcq
Former butcher, model, actor and now prolific playwright, Nick Thomson, a.k.a. The Modern Playwright, appeared on the program. 
Topics discussed include:
- Nick’s acting provenance, entwined with his butcher trade – how he always maintained his lifelong passion for acting, while continuing the butcher trade.
- How his experiences and some of the skills within his butcher trade have served him with his acting and playwriting. 
- The jump from acting to playwriting – the real-life story Nick encountered in London that served as the main inspiration for his first play – ‘The Cost Of Love’. 
- Balancing his current playwriting and acting work, with his endeavour to create a platform for the burgeoning playwriting community to share their plays and maybe have others perform them. 
- The importance of finding one’s creative community. 
- And so much more.
Thanks heaps to Nick for appearing on the program. Be sure to follow @the_modern_playwright to keep updated on all his many playwriting and acting projects. 
#actor #acting #playwright #playwriting #theatre #drama #talk #chat #podcast #program #episode #craft

Nick Thomson - The Modern Playwright

Writer and novelist, Laura Elizabeth Woollett, appeared on the program to discuss her second novel, ‘The Newcomer’.
Topics discussed include:
-	What drew Laura to writing this story, from the real-life case of Janelle Paton, to her own extended stays in Norfolk Island. How she went about corralling her time in the location into her narrative and creating the completely fictional Fairfolk Island. 
-	‘The Newcomer’ as her first attempt at a crime novel – yet it is not a traditionally told crime novel. Why Laura has chosen to tell the story the way she has. 
-	The mother/daughter relationship at the core of the novel. How the love is there, how it endures. How Laura showed a realistic, sometimes dysfunctional relationship that still had love at its core. 
-	The writing of the titular newcomer, Paulina – challenging the stereotypical ‘perfect’ victim. 
-	Grief – the authentic depiction of Judy’s grief. What can trigger someone grieving. 
-	The sisterly dynamic between Judy and Caro – another prominent relationship in the story. 
-	The inherent pressure of writing a second book, after such a highly-acclaimed debut novel. 
-	And so much more! 
Thanks heaps to Laura for talking on the show. You can pick up ‘The Newcomer’ and Laura’s other works from the good folks at Scribe Publishing, here:
https://scribepublications.com.au/books-authors/books/the-newcomer

Laura Elizabeth Woollett On 'The Newcomer'

Writer and novelist, Amanda Hampson, joined the program to talk about her new novel, ‘Lovebirds’.
Topics discussed include:
-	Lifelong, enduring friendships – forged in youth, carried through life – how they can assist us in trying times. How close friends can see the best qualities, parts, and potential of our character that we ourselves cannot – as exemplified in what Ginny sees in central character Lizzie.
-	The lasting impact of the Vietnam War on those that were conscripted, indelibly altering the life and character of Ray, how that impacted on not only his life, but caused a multi-generational problem within each male member of the family - the trickle-down effect of PTSD. 
-	Animals as supporters – Eric the bird, Vlad the goat – how Amanda’s experiences with goats helped write this component. And the delightfully unexpected response with readers. (Eric has his own Goodreads account!) 
-	Love – how love can still be going strong, even when those that love one another, might barely see one another for years, decades, on end. How love can return to us and guide us during every stage of life, including its end. 
-	And much more! 
Thanks so much to Amanda for appearing on the program, you can pick up ‘Lovebirds’ and her other novels from Penguin Random House, here: 

https://www.penguin.com.au/books/lovebirds-9780143792130

Amanda Hampson Talking 'Lovebirds'

Writer Hannah Bent, appeared on the program to discuss her debut novel, ‘When Things Are Alive They Hum’.
Topics discussed include:
-	The ten-year writing and gestation process of the novel, balancing real-life with fiction – the difficulties and freedoms this can and did impose on Hannah. 
-	In a novel called ‘A gift’ by Trent Dalton – how Hannah went about passing on the gifts given her by her real-life sister, Camilla, into the book. An appreciation of life, of beauty and so much more. 
-	How she went about making the literary voice of the character of Harper, authentic. 
-	The sibling bond at the core of the story between Marlow and Harper. Its complexities. A Ying and Yang dynamic. 
-	Another main component – a love-story between the two down (up) syndrome characters featured. How real-life institutions have discouraged such loving relationships before and how that both informed and compelled Hannah to write such a one. 
-	A central theme of - respecting the wishes of a loved one, but wanting to do what (one thinks) is best for them, even if that goes against said wishes. 
-	How in a novel full of love, everything is traced back to love. How it endures us through a lifetime and its hardships. 
-	Plus, a whole bunch more!
Thanks so much to Hannah for appearing on the program, you can pick up your copy of ‘When Things Are Alive They Hum’ from Ultimo Press here:
https://www.ultimopress.com.au/

Hannah Bent On 'When Things Are Alive They Hum'

Writer, teacher and novelist, Katherine Kovacic, appeared on the program to discuss her latest book – ‘Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries – Just Murdered’ (on publication day no less!). 
Topics discussed include:
-	The unique way in which Katherine came by the project. 
-	The writing process for the story – originally based on a screenplay – how Katherine balanced the need to make the novel a faithful adaption of the source material while ensuring her own writerly vision was realised.
-	How Katherine, an already accomplished historical and true-crime fiction author, went about bringing the 1960s Melbourne to life. From cars (Austin Healey 3000) to the fashion, exquisite dresses and a giant faux cake!
-	The writing of the Adventuresses’ Club Of The Antipodes – a place where Peregrine might’ve finally found her community, her people. 
-	Fun! Fun found in the writing of Peregrine - the intrepid sleuth. 
-	What, if any, alteration to Katherine’s own writing style were made in order to deliver what the pre-existing fans might’ve wanted/expected. 
-	And so much more!
Thanks heaps to Katherine for appearing on the program, you can pick up ‘Just Murdered’ from Allen & Unwin, here:
https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/fiction/Just-Murdered-Katherine-Kovacic-9781760879396

Katherine Kovacic Talks 'Just Murdered'

Writer, editor, lecturer and novelist, Dr Josephine Taylor, appeared on the program to discuss her novel, ‘Eye Of A Rook’. Topics include:

-	Josephine’s real-life experience with vulvodynia – how her experiences formed into creative and academic writings that eventually culminated in ‘Eye Of A Rook’ - and the long, innately tough journey to writing the novel. 
-	The history of modern medicine’s treatment of the condition, from the days of Isaac Baker Brown’s butchering of female patients, to the more contemporary – where much is still not known about vulvodynia (though medical practitioners are perhaps more forthcoming about their not knowing). How the belief that vulvodynia is perhaps a psychosomatic condition has still not been completely eradicated, despite the passage of 100+ years. 
-	Finding a community – how meeting others with vulvodynia helped forevermore shape Josephine’s life. The invaluable support this community provided. 
-	The theme and myriad applications of the question – what is our body telling us? 
-	And so, so much more!
Absolutely huge thanks to Josephine for chatting with me on the program about her incredible story and novel. You can purchase ‘Eye Of A Rook’ from the good folks at Fremantle Press here:

https://www.fremantlepress.com.au/products/eye-of-a-rook

Josephine Taylor On 'Eye Of A Rook'

Comedian, television personality, writer and true-crime podcaster host of ‘Australian True Crime’, Meshel Laurie, appeared on the program to discuss her book – ‘CSI Told You Lies’. 
TRIGGER WARNING: The discussion including touching on cases, including the tragic manslaughter of cricketer David Hookes and the murder of Melbourne comedian Eurydice Dixon and Aya Maasarwe, along with addressing the ongoing national crisis of violence against women & DV. 
Topics also discussed include:
-	Meshel’s earliest forays into true-crime podcasting. The impact and inspiration she found in Sarah Koenig’s ‘Serial’ podcast series.
-	The titular term ‘CSI Told You Lies’ – coined by Professor ‘Prof’ Stephen Cordner – the lasting negative effect that shows like CSI has had on the judicial system, particularly juries not believing experts etc, along with how these shows have also served to dehumanise a victim, rendering them as just a ‘body on a slab’. 
-	Tales of the luminaries from the VIFM that Meshel has met and formed ongoing connections with through her podcasting. Touching on the astonishing careers (and career-defining cases) of some of them, along with the places in which they orbited and did their thing – including the little-know but historic Flinders Street Extension.
-	The emergence and importance of true-crime podcasts – offering an unprecedented level of discourse on a national level about the issues and policies enabling, or majorly contributing to, offenders of monstrous crimes. 
-	The dos and donts for those looking to enter into true-crime podcasting. 
-	And a whole ton more!
Thanks heaps to Meshel for appearing on the show – you can purchase your copy of ‘CSI Told You Lies’ from Penguin Random House here:

https://www.penguin.com.au/books/csi-told-you-lies-9781760898007

Meshel Laurie On 'CSI Told You Lies'

Crime author and novelist J.P. Pomare appeared on the show to discuss his latest novel, ‘The Last Guests’. Topics discussed include:
-	The inspiration for the novel. 
-	The dual mindset of home-owners – of living in inherently mistrusting times and therefore suspicious of strangers, yet still offering up their place to be used by complete strangers.
-	Normalised ‘stalking’ behaviour – something that most, if not all, of us have done at some point – stalking people’s social media accounts to get an overall and thorough picture of them – also, the frightening ease in which this is possible.
-	The various and disparate types of voyeurs exemplified within the novel – the justifications voyeurs give themselves to continue the behaviour.
-	And so much more! 
Thanks heaps to JP for appearing on the show – you can pick up ‘The Last Guests’ and all others from his publisher, Hachette, here:
https://www.hachette.com.au/jp-pomare/the-last-guests

J.P. Pomare Discussing 'The Last Guests'

Author, writer, editor, S.C. Farrow appeared on the program to discuss her novel, ‘This Is Not A Lie’. Trigger Warning: Drug addiction, homophobia and homophobia-related violence is discussed, among other things. 
Topics discussed include:
-	How S.C.’s own youth served to inform what would become ‘This Is Not A Lie’ from the real-life counterparts to the fictional characters in the story, to the Crystal Ballroom era setting framing the novel. 
-	The depiction of heroin-addiction. The different types and levels of addiction depicted and the self-medicating nature of addiction. Along with the prevalent misconception of the ‘rock & roll’ lifestyle, dismissing this addiction as just a part of such a hedonistic lifestyle.
-	Australia’s of-era homophobia – pervasive even in the supposedly progressive music scene. 
-	Music prevails, music is the best – how music unifies us all, how it is the strongest and most enduring bond between Joel and Harry and their ‘devastating love’.
-	And so much more!
Thanks so much to S.C. for appearing on the program, you can pick up your copy of ‘This Is Not A Lie’ from here:
https://www.scfarrow.com/
Be sure to check out and purchase from The Bookshop Darlinghurst. As many Sydney bookshops are only operating limited hours during lockdown, have paused deliveries, or some services.
The Bookshop Darlinghurst is operating seven days a week, although they are closed to in-store customers. Their staff are in-store from 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and slightly condensed hours on Saturday and Sunday.
They have an excellent website which is very comprehensive for LGBTIQ+ books and DVDs but also includes a curated range of general interest titles.
Phone orders are very welcome on 02 9331 1103.
You can have your order posted – and it’s free if you spend $75 or more. Or you can collect it from the shop if you prefer.
They have regular promotions and are currently offering double loyalty points.
Check them out, here:
https://www.thebookshop.com.au/

S.C. Farrow Talks 'This Is Not A Lie'

Writer, blogger, editor, podcaster/host and novelist, Karyn Sepulveda, joined the program to chat about her novel, ‘The Women’s Circle’:
Topics discussed include:
-	The power of unity – how we all seek out some kind of community. What strength can be found in a community, enabling us all to accomplish great things. How Anna’s narrative of emerging from gaol, and meeting the women’s circle within the novel, exemplifies this. 
-	How objects can be imbued with such power, not necessarily (or not just) magical, but also the power of memories, and other lives, even lives in the past that are running concurrently or transcending time (we got deep!)
-	The titular women’s circle – the power and ineffable sense of unity that can come from meeting and bonding with like-minded people. Anna’s initial scepticism about it all, perhaps partly informed by her upbringing back in Chile - ‘catholic country – it must be in my DNA’. Along with the dichotomy of beliefs that can exist within us all. 
-	Nora’s techniques, ‘breathing my words’ – how Karyn’s own meditation and meditative endeavours helped shape this character. 
-	The appreciation not only for oneself and the hardships one has gone through, but also the appreciation for those of your fellow person – how this can lead to the foundation of a community spirit, even the betterment of society. Leaving the world better than you found it – and so on. (seriously, we went deep!). 
-	And so, so much more! 
Thanks so much to Karyn for talking on the program, you can pick up your copy of ‘The Women’s Circle’ from the good folks at Ventura, here:
https://www.venturapress.com.au/fiction#/the-womens-circle

Karyn Sepulveda On 'The Women's Circle'

Former rugby league player, scientist, podcaster and writer, Max Easton, joined me to discuss his debut novel, ‘The Magpie Wing’.
Topics discussed include:
-	Familial themes and dynamics explored throughout the novel, including how unearthing the secrets of a parent(s) can alter our perception of them, sometimes permanently. Also, how those that have passed away can inspire and inform our outlook and beliefs on life.
-	Max explains his take on the intersection between punk music and the working-class history of rugby league. 
-	The condescension sometimes exhibited by the inner-city/inner-west towards ‘the west’ – how this has maybe become even more evident in the recent lockdown, making the themes explored in the novel, all the more relevant. 
-	Identifying from Western Sydney – how problematic it can be explaining it to others. How contradictory one’s identity can be. How the identity of self and oneself identifying where they come from can be confusing or clash with others from the same area i.e. ‘Mt. Druitt isn’t Marrickville.’ 
-	A gradual acceptance of self, as seen through perhaps Helen, perhaps the most enlightened character of the novel, and her changing outlook – embracing being caught between worlds. 
-	His unique journey and process with writing the novel.
Thanks heaps be to Max for chatting with me on the show – you can pick up your copy of ‘The Magpie Wing’ from his publisher, a very cool publisher, Giramondo, here:

https://giramondopublishing.com/books/the-magpie-wing/

Max Easton On 'The Magpie Wing'

This episode has thriller writer, J.P. Pomare, talking about his new, veritable page-turner,  ‘Tell Me Lies’. 
Topics discussed include (Trigger Warning):
-	Psychology and the tightrope balance of a psychologist’s keeping professional duty and personal well-being/safety in check.
-	Contemporary issues woven into the story and novel – such as the new and inherently traumatic job of a Social Media Content Moderator and the oftentimes malicious world of online gaming/streaming (i.e. doxing/swatting).
-	Familial themes – what limitless lengths one is willing to go to out of a sense of familial obligation, from trying to ‘save’ ones family to trying to destroy another’s out of revenge etc. 
-	J.P.’s writing process and how it has changed, along with the challenges he has faced with writing his new novel.
-	And much more.

J.P. Pomare talks 'Tell Me Lies'

Literary Agents Grace Heifetz and Gaby Naher join the show today. This esteemed duo form the powerhouse of a literary agency that is – Left Bank Literary Agency. Some topics touched on in today’s episode include:
-	Their original meeting (in Frankie’s no less!) and how their literary tastes and sensibilities have aligned to form the agency. How their collaboration approach has worked and worked so well it has earned their agency a rightful place at the forefront of the biz. 
-	The scourge of the COV-19 and how it impacted their agency, oftentimes in surprising, even beneficial ways. How they weathered through that dark period and what changes/trends they’ve noticed with queries to their agency, thereafter. 
-	Invaluable advice on what makes a great query letter– what you, as a burgeoning author, can and should do in order to make yourself stand out and put your proverbial best foot forward into the writing world. 
-	What the future could maybe hold and more! 

You can check out the stellar list of clients for the Left Bank Literary here: 
https://leftbankliterary.com/about

Gaby Naher and Grace Heifetz of Left Bank Literary - talk shop!

A program founded and hosted by author and interviewer Samuel Elliott, that features a broad and disparate range of writer folk guests, ranging from international best-selling authors, to debut novelists or those as-yet unpublished writers. Regardless of what stage of their career they might be at, all of them are united by a love of writing, as well as having overcome some brutal challenges to get to where they are. This program will discuss not only each guest’s latest and greatest work or project, but also delve into what they’ve faced and conquered along their way to inevitable success.
Thanks for your patronage, please be sure to subscribe. 
You can also find out the program’s news and upcoming guests at:
www.instagram.com/thewritewaypodcast
www.facebook.com/thewritewaypodcastaustralia

The Write Way Podcast

Popular tracks