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'

Writer, podcast host, and now novelist, James McKenzie Watson, joined me to discuss his 2021 Penguin Literary Prize-winning debut novel, ‘Denizen’.
Trigger Warning: Mental health/mental health issues were discussed.
Topics discussed include:
- The origins of ‘Denizen’ - an examination of family and friendship dynamics and mental health in small-town rural Australia. 
- The notion of ‘just be good’. 
- The cycle of ‘tension’ endemic to rural Australia. 
- The importance of writing the story as earnestly and unflinchingly as possible. How to tone it down, or to otherwise make it more palatable would be a disservice to the real-life issues/subject matter. 
- Writing for self vs an audience. 
- And so much more!
Thanks again to James for discussing all things ‘Denizen’ and writing with me on the show. What a superb guest to close out the year! 
Get your copy of ‘Denizen’ now!

James McKenzie Watson Talking 'Denizen'

Speaker, podcast host, author and writer, Ashley Kalagian Blunt, appeared on the 1st episode of the show for 2023 - discussing her thriller novel, ‘Dark Mode’.

Topics discussed include:

The inspiration for ‘Dark Mode’ - Ashley’s research into infamous cases of stalking and murders, along with her own educational excursions onto the dark web.
The era (2017) - the last time someone could get away without having a smartphone, along with Donald Trump’s comments embodying a new online misogynistic movement. 
Enmore/Inner-West - writing a psychological thriller set in the location Ashley first wrote about, very differently, in ‘How To Be Australian’.
The unshakable presence of “the other” - knowing they would/could be anywhere and everywhere - how this can detrimentally alter and define a victim’s life. 
How contemporary life and society make it almost impossible for an individual to be ‘off-the-grid’ i.e. no smartphone, no social media accounts.
The terrifying reality of how technology has enabled unprecedented access to, and power over, an individual - i.e. deepfake technology, invasion/control over finances/assets/entire life.
Ashley’s experiences with long-form writing with her C.F.S. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).
And so much more!
Thanks again to Ashley for talking all things ‘Dark Mode’ with me. What a brilliant guest to kick off the show’s 2023! 
Get your copy of ‘Dark Mode’ now!

Ashley Kalagian Blunt On 'Dark Mode'

Film director, Brandon Cronenberg, joined me on the show to discuss his latest science fiction/horror film, ‘Infinity Pool’, starring Alex Skarsgard, Mia Goth and Cleopatra Coleman.

Topics discussed include:

The themes of self-control and self-identity and their variations found in Brandon’s previous movie, ‘Possessor’ and ‘Infinity Pool’.
What types of people are drawn to dangerous and exotic locations.
The demarcation between those that commit transgressions and are remorseful, and those that aren’t. 
Subverting/trivialising punishment - when punishment without true or lasting repercussions becomes tokenistic and what can arise from that both within the offender and for the society they inhabit.
Strength and cowardice - what constitutes both - what both are seen as by characters in ‘Infinity Pool’. 
And so much more!
Big thanks to Brandon for chatting with me on the show. ‘INFINITY POOL’ is in cinemas May 11 - go and see it!

Brandon Cronenberg Talks 'Infinity Pool'

Journalist, editor, writer, poet and co-artistic director for Addi Road Writers Festival 2023, Mark Mordue, joined me on the show.

Topics discussed include:

A brief overview of Addi Road Writers Festival, and its pandemic/post-pandemic journey. 
The festival’s theme for the year - ‘inner worlds’. 
Festival highlights, including events and appearing guests.
And so much more!

Thanks to the festival’s artistic directors Mark Mordue and Sheila Ngọc Phạm, along with Addi Road CEO Rosanna Barbero and all others involved in putting on such an epic and important local writers' festival! 

The gorgeous illustration of this post is by Peter Bainbridge.

So, get your tix to attend the festival on (next) Saturday, May 20th here: 

https://addiroad.org.au/writers-festival/#

Addi Road Writers Festival 2023 Preview With Artistic Co-Director Mark Mordue

Writer and novelist, Mercedes Mercier joined me on the show to discuss her second novel, ‘Black Lies’.

Topics discussed include:

- The genesis of ‘Black Lies’ - how Mercedes work within the criminal justice system has inspired her novel(s).
- The writing of interrogation/conversation scenes - where minute changes in facial expressions and body language are vital. The challenges such scenes present and the fun Mercedes’ had writing them.
- MC Criminal Psychologist Laura Fleming’s incredible talent for connecting with others (from chatting with cold-blooded killers about their love of dogs, to talking babies with the wives of motorcycle gang leaders) - how it serves as the basis and drive for some scenes.
- The disparate nature of the work as a criminal psychologist - speaking with offenders and suspects of all types.
- And so much more!

Thanks to Mercedes for chatting all things ‘Black Lies’ with me on the program. Get your copy now!

Mercedes Mercier Talks 'Black Lies'

Writer, producer, comedian and now novelist, Carolyn Swindell, joined me on the show (all the way from Korea!) to discuss her debut novel, ‘We Only Want What’s Best’.

TRIGGER WARNING: There were brief mentions of child grooming and child abuse and citing a real-life case. If you are triggered by such subjects/themes - please reconsider listening to this episode. 

Topics discussed include:

The inspiration behind the novel - its themes, characters and unique setting.
The allure of performing at Disneyland - how this (supposedly) glamorous goal/destination can entice even the most reluctant, or wary, of performers and their parents. 
The fictional ‘Expressions’ Dance Troupe - what it represents - how it fosters a cult-like culture and environment that affects parents and performers alike. 
The disconnect/disparity between what parents think their daughters are like and up to - and the reality. 
The tightrope presented to teenagers - of respecting the power/rule of a monolithic institute, while at the same time developing one’s own agency. 
The differences/similarities in Carolyn’s comedic work and writing a novel depicting such serious subjects and themes. 
And so much more!

Huge thanks to Carolyn for discussing ‘We Only What’s Best’ with me on the show. Get your copy from Affirm Press now!

Carolyn Swindell On 'We Only Want What's Best'

Professional communicator, writer and novelist, Michelle Prak, appeared on the show to talk about her debut crime novel, ‘The Rush’.

Topics discussed include: 

- The genesis of ‘The Rush’ - including Michelle’s extensive travelling and road-tripping through some of the country’s remotest locations. 
- The importance of getting the setting right - including the ‘character’ of the rain/flood - how Michelle went about doing this. 
- The nature of trust - as applied to random people thrust together.
- The gut instinct(s) we feel - trusting/being suspicious of someone - how our gut instincts and first impressions can be wrong. Or how ignoring our gut instincts can be to our detriment! 
- And so much more!

Thanks heaps to Michelle for discussing all things ‘The Rush’  with me on the program.

Grab your copy from Simon & Schuster now! 

Michelle’s photo is credited to Kalyn Woodbury.

Michelle Prak Discussing 'The Rush'

Writer and novelist, Rae Cairns, joined me on the show to discuss her 2nd crime/thriller novel, ‘Dying To Know’.

Topics discussed include: 

The origins of ‘Dying To Know’.
The theme of belonging, the desire to belong to a group/family found in several characters throughout the novel.
Rae’s boots-on-the-ground research into Sydney’s motorbike scene - from the social clubs to meeting ex-members of outlaw gangs - how all that served to bring the novel to life.
The juggling act of Gen - the day-to-day of raising Charlie and Lily, while investigating the abduction of her sister, Amber.
‘Second Book Syndrome’ - what it was for Rae with writing this novel, and how she prevailed. 
And so much more!

Thanks so much to Rae for discussing ‘Dying To Know’ with me on the program!

Rae Cairns On 'Dying To Know'

The first guest for 2024 is writer and novelist, Dinuka McKenzie!

She joined me to discuss her latest novel, the 3rd in the Detective Kate Miles series - ‘Tipping Point’.

Topics discussed include: 

- The inspiration for Tipping Point - the brother and sister dynamic and the decision to open the novel with a chapter not from Kate’s perspective - a series first!
- The importance of family/the goings-on of a family in Kate’s life/this series.
How our understanding of others can be shaken/changed by certain events - contrasted with a family’s blind belief in one of their own. ‘They aren’t capable of this’ etc.
- Guilt as a driving force.
- Writing a series with a recurring central protagonist - the freedoms and restrictions it presents.
- And a whole ton more!

Thank you muchly to Dinuka for talking all things ‘Tipping Point’ and Kate Miles with me on the show!

Dinuka McKenzie Talks 'Tipping Point'

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

Rod Barton On 'The Life Of A Spy'

The Write Way Podcast

Related tracks