Australian Book Lovers

Episode 173 has Veronica and Laurie on a deep dive into non-fiction writing. We chat with Debbie O'Shea, Hacia Atherton and Valentyna Solowij, on their writing inspiration, their incredible experiences and generously sharing their life changing messages through their books. Intro - 0:57 Book Spotlight - The Stalagmite Effect - 4:50 Bio - Debbie O'Shea - 5:54 Book Spotlight - Billion Doll...

In episode 172 Veronica and Laurie talk books and writing from opposite sides of the country (and not without some technical glitches). We have news, WA writers resources, and the newly amalgamated Public and Educational Lending Rights. Laurie has a wonderful chat with poet Shannon Jade. Book spotlights this ep: 1. Alba: Hidden Secrets by Verity Croker - mystery 2. The Next Round by Eva Frances -...

Episode #171 has Veronica and Laurie diving into industry news and events, manuscript assessment pros and cons, and science fiction craft writing books. We chat with the fabulous Amie Kaufman about her latest book Red Star Rebels, her writing day, her dissertation topic, useful writing podcasts, thoughts on how we should go to the stars, and so much more. Plus Amie shares practical tips and helpfu...

Episode #170 is Laurie Bell's 2nd podcast co-hosting birthday! Veronica has a chat with the fabulous crime writing duo of Elise Wackett and Jane Abbott. Plus industry news, including cautions on spammers, literary events, books spotlights and a reading from The Canvas Killings. Book spotlights: When Will It Happen for Me by Phoebe Rogers - non-fiction My Brother Otto by Ingrid Laguna - middle...

In episode #169 Veronica and Laurie explore the writer's journey with Maria P Frino, Conchita GarSantiago, Hayley Walsh and Uma Srinivasan from Sydney Authors Inked. The group share how SAI began, and how it's evolved to become a fabulous community for local writers. Their monthly 'Writers at the Pub' events are a wonderful platform for authors to connect, collaborate and share...

Episode #168 has Veronica and Laurie meandering through memoir with Danielle Sartorelli, Angelina Mastrippolito and Bo Kitty. Our three debut authors tell us why they're sharing their very personal stories. We chat about secrets, families and their unique writing processes.  Intro - 0:57 Bio - Danielle Sartorelli - 2:44 Book Spotlight - Life in Instalments - 4:39 Bio - Angelina Mastrippolito...

In episode #167 we're exploring contemporary storytelling, cultural inheritance, identity, family relationships and belonging with Alejandra Martinez, Monica Raszewski and Paula McLean. They share their story inspiration, writing process and great advice for new writers. Intro - 0:57 Bio Alejandra Martinez - 2:36 Book Spotlight - Salsa in the Suburbs - 3:40 Bio Monica Raszewski - 6:58 Book Sp...

Episode 166 is all about publishing and print on demand. Veronica and Laurie have a fabulous chat about all things self-publishing with the wonderful Chris Munnery from Ingram Spark. We have news, book spotlights, and we dive into great resources from: Ingram Spark, So You Want to Be A Writer by Allison Tait and Valerie Khoo (book and podcast), About Writing by Gareth L. Powell. Book spotlights: 1...

In episode 165 Veronica and Laurie share book marketing tips from K.M. Allan, Seth Godin, Bryan Cohen and Joanna Penn. We have news, quotes, book spotlights and lots more. Laurie has a lively chat with the fabulous middle grade and children's author George Ivanoff. Book spotlights: 1. The Boyfriend Clause by Bridie Blake - romance 2. Forever and Ever by Allanah Hunt - contemporary 3. The Suga...

In episode #164 Veronica and Laurie share writing and self-publishing tips, ISBNs, industry news, literary grants, quotes, new segment stings and more. Laurie catches up with thriller author Naomi Shippen about her latest book Before She Killed Him. Plus seven spectacular book spotlights.  Book spotlights: 1. All we need by Magdalena McGuire – contemporary 2. Songs of Shadow, Words of Woe by Matth...

In episode #163 we're getting down onto the little chairs and exploring the outside world with Australian picture book authors Annie Kwan and Tania Moloney. They share their unique inspiration and writing process, the delights of working with an illustrator and which of their characters would make the best podcast guest. Intro - 0:57 Bio Tania Moloney - 2:38 Book Spotlight - Nature Ninja Save...

In episode #162 Veronica and Laurie have industry news, literary events, book spotlights and more. The Furphy Literary Awards 2026 are open and we chat with Robyn J Black, coordinator of the award and previous winner who shares the history of the competition, short story writing tips and so much more. Book spotlights: 1. Lee Gordon Present by Jeff Apter - biography 2. Love Beyond Borders by Joshua...

In episode 161 we're riding the coattails of three historical fiction writers into the past. We chat with authors Duncan Graham, Anne Vines and Paul Rushworth-Brown about their story inspiration, their writing process and what period in history they'd love to go back to. Intro - 0:57 Bio Duncan Graham - 3:36 Book Spotlight - Where the Dust Settles by Duncan Graham - 4:33 Bio Anne Vines -...

And we're back! Ep160 has Veronica and Laurie chatting author incomes, getting teens to read, Anna Featherstone's List of Australian Writers Festivals, and K.M. Allan's Writing Habits Checklist to get you into the New Year groove. So many lovely book spotlights, plus a wonderful chat with January Gilchrist about 'The Final Chapter' and a reading from The Serpent's Kis...

Episode 159 has Christmas written all over it. Veronica and Laurie chat rituals, folklore, food and book stocking fillers with six Australian authors whose work is set in the festive season: Madeleine D'Este, Sandy Barker, Lisa Heidke, Kevin Klehr, BG Hilton & Kay Kerr. Plus we share seasons greetings from 30 Australian Book Lovers authors - a little about their books and a little festive...

Episode 158 is up and humming. We chat book covers, Laurie's BookBub experience for White Fire, and tips for writing flash fiction. Veronica chats with contemporary author Johan du Toit about his stories in 'When Only Today Matters' and Johan reads an excerpt from the title story. Plus we have news, quotes, K.M. Allan's Unpredictability Checklist and so much more...  Book spotl...

In episode #157, Veronica & Laurie explore fantasy in many forms with authors Maria Linwood, Dmetri Kakmi, Heather Ewings & Maxx Victor. Why does fantasy speak to so many readers? How do you keep a fantasy story relatable for modern readers? And so much more... Intro - 0:57 Maria Linwood Bio - 4:37 Book Spotlight - Mistress of Amber and Flame by Maria Linwood - 5:25 Demetri Kakmi Bio - 6:5...

Episode #156 is packed full of writer's resources. Veronica and Laurie have industry news and discussions (congrats to Holden Sheppard for making the WA Local Hero shortlist), K.M. Allan's Reverse Outlining checklist from her book Writing and Editing Checklist, plus book spotlights and quotes. We chat with Dr Alexandra Dane about Community Publishing in Regional Australia and the DIY Pub...

In episode #155, Veronica & Laurie are chasing adventure across the country and diving into dark alleys with mystery, crime and thriller authors Susan Rogers, John Roosen & Sean Gorman. What makes a great Aussie crime? What twists keeps readers turning the page? Have a listen and hear what these story tellers have discovered. Intro - 0:57 Susan Rogers and John Roosen Bio - 3:31 Book Spotli...

It's episode #154, and Laurie's 50th co-hosting. Veronica and Laurie have industry news and events, and discuss K.M. Allan's Foreshadowing checklist from her book Writing and Editing Checklist. Plus book spotlights, giveaways and quotes. Laurie chats with poet Gregory Day about his collection SouthSightedness. And Gregory reads his poem 'Anytime before Byzantium'. Book Spo...

In episode #153, Veronica & Laurie are ramping up the romance with authors Sandy Barker, A.M. Jaxon and Susannah Hardy. Our fabulous authors chat on romance as escapism and activism, how hot is hot enough, the inspiration behind their stories, and so much more. Intro - 0:57 Sandy Barker Bio - 3:08 Book Spotlight - I knew you were trouble by Sandy Barker - 4:38 A.M. Jaxon Bio - 6:03 Book Spotli...

In episode #152, Veronica and Laurie share industry news and events, some brilliant ideas on writing Deep Point of View from K.M. Allan's book Writing and Editing Checklist, book spotlights, giveaways and quotes. Laurie and author Laura J Fitzwilson dive deep into fantasy, fan-fiction and Laura's book, The Fool. Plus, listen all the way to the end, you'll hear a special reading from...

In episode #151 Veronica & Laurie explore alternate realities, world building and writing sci-fi with a panel of fantastic speculative fiction authors: Alistair Conwell, Clare Rhoden & Ishmael A. Soledad.  Intro - 0:57 Alistair Conwell Bio - 2:58 Book Spotlight - Circadian Web by Alistair Conwell - 3:38 Clare Rhoden Bio - 4:32 Book Spotlight - The Chronicles of The Pale by Clare Rhoden - 6...

Episode 150 has Veronica & Laurie chatting about their favourite topic - Australian authored books - and industry news, events and some John Koenig words. Want to know how to use agnosthesia, tarrion or proluctance in a sentence? Then have a listen. Veronica chats to the wonderful Ginny Grant, founder of Bakers Lane Books, Fearless Press and the recently launched Fearless Prize for an unpublis...

Ep149 has Veronica & Laurie back in school chatting all things middle grade with authors Eileen O'Hely, Rosie Schonell & Ingrid Laguna. We cover '50 Ways to Die in Space', how 'Breaking School Rules is Easy' and what happens when 'Edie Tells a Lie' - and that's just the book titles. How much harder is it to engage middle-graders in reading? These aut...