Talking Aussie Books

Ten years on from her husband’s death, Emma Grey has become someone others can look to as an example of how you can not only survive such devastating loss, but thrive. As anyone who has been following Emma’s career over the last few years can readily attest to.  An award-winning USA Today and Australian best selling author, Emma's books have attracted multiple foreign translations deals and a...

From the bestselling author of 2025 smash hit novel 'The Wolf Tree' comes a brand new novel. 'The Cursed Road' by Laura McCluskey (published by HarperCollins Australia) picks up roughly ten months after the events of 'The Wolf Tree' and sees DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart head to the Scottish Highlands to investigate the murder of a young woman found on a road in a...

In this final episode for 2025, I'm talking to a debut Aussie author whose book is being touted as one of the biggest releases of the summer.  If you loved Netflix’s The Crown and devoured all the drama when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped away from the royal family and have wondered what that might have looked like behind the scenes, then this is the perfect book for you.  It’s been re...

Michael Burge is an author and journalist who lives at Deepwater in the New England region of NSW. His debut novel ‘Tank Water’ was inspired by old family stories and explores the shameful legacy of unsolved gay-hate crimes, set in a fictional rural community - not unlike the place Michael calls home.  ‘Dirt Trap’ is a follow-up to ‘Tank Water’ - though it can be read as a stand alone.  A brillian...

Libby Iriks is a Perth-based author and former Commissioning Editor of Romance for a boutique publishing house in the UK. Combining her passion for story and romance has resulted in publication of her debut novel ‘Home to the Heart Country’ - a moving, beautifully romantic story about one woman’s quest to uncover her identity and a sense of belonging.  Released at the end of November 2025 by HQ Fi...

The last time I chatted with Pamela Cook for the podcast was back in 2019 - to celebrate her self-published release 'Cross My Heart'. Six years later and 'Cross My Heart' is being re-released by Vinci Books and I took the opportunity to talk to Pamela about her journey from traditional published author, to indie publishing and back to traditional and the lessons she's learned a...

Brooke Crawford is a Melbourne based author of the terrific debut novel ‘Better Than the Real Thing’ published by HQ Fiction. Described as ‘Notting Hill’ meets ‘Bridget Jones’ Baby’ this novel is smart, pacy, funny, drama filled and utterly romantic.  I can’t recommend it highly enough!! The perfect summer read and one I suspect will be filling Christmas stockings around the country before too lon...

Darry Fraser is a bestselling Australian author of some twenty books the latest of which is 'The Adventuress of Albany'. Published by HQ Fiction, 'The Adventuress of Albany ' follows Molly Bentley who in 1881 chafes against the constraints of English society and with her father's help ventures to the unknown in the bustling port city of Albany in Western Australia. What starts...

Darcy Green is a Melbourne-based queer author whose debut novel 'After the Siren' (Penguin) has got readers hot under the collar for all the right reasons. A footy rom-com inspired by Darcy's own love of AFL and experience as a player, 'After the Siren' is a delightfully playful, sexy novel that will leave you wanting more. To learn more about Darcy and their book, tune in to t...

Fiona McKenzie Kekic's debut novel ‘Eva Reddy’s Trip of a Lifetime’ was published by HQ Fiction earlier this year and what a cracker novel it is! A tale about one middle-aged woman’s quest to get back to the person she knew she could be. A literal and figurative journey set between Sydney and India that had me laughing out loud. Funny, insightful and heartwarming, this is a book you'll wan...

Ky Garvey is a Brisbane-based author and host of the Totally Lit Podcast. A podcast dedicated to the celebration of reading, writing and creating literature.  With 100 episodes on offer right now, Ky has chatted with a wide-range of authors, industry professionals and booksellers while also managing to showcase events and other happenings that are important to her.  Things like the Totally Lit Mic...

'The One Remaining' (Fearless Press) is Paula McLean's debut novel. A stunningly written story about a novelist coming to terms with the grief and trauma she experienced as a child as she works through the writing of her memoir. As the first book published by new publishing imprint Fearless Books, it heralds the start of a new and exciting chapter in the lives of novelist Paula McLean...

Rhonda McCoy is a Tasmanian-based author whose debut novel 'Crow' was released by Ventura Press recently. A gripping family drama combined with medical intrigue, 'Crow' explores the tragic death of Harold Crow following routine surgery and the dark secrets his death exposes that threaten to tear two families apart. Cassie Hamer enjoyed a wide-ranging, insightful and deeply touching...

Amy Hutton is a Sydney-based author who grew up on the northern beaches and became an award-winning television producer. But about 7 years ago now, Amy gave up her job in network television to pursue her love of writing.  ‘Sit Stay Love’  - Amy’s first novel - was published by Simon & Schuster in 2023 and Amy followed that up with her second novel ‘Love from Scratch’ only a year later.  Amy de...

I recently had the pleasure of chatting to author Holly Cardamone about her sparkling debut novel 'Summer, In Between' (Hawkeye Publishing). When not writing Holly runs a boutique communications and writing consultancy from Melbourne where she helps people tell their story and grow their brand. ‘Summer, In Between’ won the 2024 Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize and has now be...

Katharine Pollock holds a PhD in creative writing from Western Sydney University and is the Program Manager at Writing NSW. Katharine contributes regularly to 'The Guardian' online and has been published by Fremantle Press, Vitagraph Publishing and 'Folly Journal' amongst many others.  Katharine’s debut novel ‘Her Fidelity’ was published by Penguin Random House in 2022  - a book I...

January Gilchrist is a Brisbane-based author  and mother of two whose debut thriller 'The Final Chapter' was recently published by HQ Fiction.  An atmospheric locked-room thriller reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel, 'The Final Chapter' was inspired by January’s stint at the prestigious Varuna Writer’s House in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and her desire to write about wom...

Tune in as Cassie Hamer chats to Angie Faye Martin about her incredible debut novel 'Melaleuca' published by HQ Fiction. An evocative, dual time line crime novel that draws on Angie's Indigenous heritage and explores themes of identity as well as racism, intergenerational trauma and corruption. A propulsive read from a refreshing new voice in Australian fiction. A wonderful interview w...

Alison Booth writing as AL Booth is the author of 8 novels that include titles  such as 'A Distant Land', 'The Indigo Sky', 'Stillwater Creek', 'The Painting' and 'Bellevue' amongst others.  Born in Melbourne and raised in Sydney, Alison is not only a novelist, but an award-winning academic and emeritus professor at the Australian National University in Canb...

Apologies to all the Jason Bourne fans out there, but there's a new guy on the block - an Aussie ex-cop turned vigilante called Jack Carlin. He's starred in other books, but 'High Rise', the new action-packed heart-in-your-mouth thriller from Melbourne-based author Gabriel Bergmoser, is Jack's most death-defying challenge yet. From the top floor of a crumbling Melbourne high ri...

Kimberley Freeman is an award-winning bestselling author of some thirty novels across a variety of genres. Based in Brisbane, Kimberley is a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland and this year her new novel 'The Secret Year of Zara Holt' was published by Hachette Australia. A novel inspired by the life of Dame Zara Bate - fashion designer and business woman - known as the wife of...

Marcia van Zeller is a Canadian-born writer who arrived in Australia in the 1980s and embarked on a long career in journalism and professional writing. Completing her first novel as part of her PhD thesis back in 2015, Marcia's second novel 'Be A Good Girl Valerie' was recently published by Ventura Press. Exploring issues arising from toxic masculinity in the work place and the often v...

Holly Brunnbauer is a Victorian based, multi-award winning emerging fiction author whose debut novel 'What Did I Miss?' was recently released by HarperCollins Australia. An absolutely delightful kind of coming of age novel with humour and heart that will leave you wanting more. It was an absolute joy to welcome Holly to the podcast recently to talk about her journey to publication and her...

Kimberley Allsopp is a Brisbane-based author of two novels who is in the unique position of also working for one of Australia's largest publishing houses as a Senior Campaign Manager. However, in between working with some of Australia's best authors and raising her children, Kimberley writes clever novels which offer a unique perspective on modern life. 'Rise and Shine' is her new...

Emma Babbington is a London- born, Sydney-based author and journalist who not only writes brilliant novels, but works as the News Editor for one of Australia’s bestselling weekly magazines, ‘Woman’s Day’.  Emma is a dear friend, writing buddy, confidante and all-round talented wonderful woman who’s gripping book, ‘The Neighbours’ was published by HQ Fiction in both the UK and Australia recently. ...