Australian Book Lovers

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...

Ep 148 has Veronica and Laurie in the Writer's Room and under the (book) covers with Miranda Luby and Holly Cardamone. They're two writers who capture some of life’s most precious and unique moments through a young adult (YA) lens.  Intro - 0:57 Miranda Luby Bio - 3:47 Book Spotlight - The Edge of Everything - YA contemporary - 04:13 Holly Cardamone Bio - 6:23 Book Spotlight - Summer, In...

Episode #147 has Veronica and Laurie sharing the latest literary news and views, quotes and new book spotlights. Veronica chats with the trio of talented creatives behind The Brownout Murders, a graphic novel based on a horrifying true event. Luke Jackson, Maya Graham and Kelly Jackson share their inspiration and creative process. Book spotlights: 1. Dogs, A Counting and Comparing Book by Frances...

In episode 146, Veronica and Laurie talk quirky second hand book shops, literary events and industry news. Laurie chats with speculative fiction author and musician Stephen Higgins about his words, music and Aurealis the magazine. We preview next month's book giveaways, share book spotlights, quotes and so much more. Book spotlights: 1. Friends of the Flood by Rhyll Ganter – children’s 2. Gol...

Love stories? Then join Veronica and Laurie in Australian Book Lovers podcast episode #145. They're in the Writer's Room with Madeleine D'Este and Zena Shapter talking dark and stormy stories, worldbuilding, Australian flavour, and writing advice for emerging writers. Intro - 0:57 Zena Shapter Bio - 2:49 Book Spotlight - When Dark Waters Burn by Zena Shapter - science fantasy - 04:4...

In Episode 144, Veronica and Laurie discover John Koenig's meaning of vellichor, keir, and keta. They share industry news, writerly events, quotes, ideas for getting your books into libraries and local stores, and book spotlights. Laurie chats with Elly Both, author of 'A Kids Book about ADHD'. Book spotlights: Killer by Joe Villanti - mystery, thriller & suspense Breaking Schoo...

In Australian Book Lovers podcast episode #143, Veronica and Laurie are in the Writer's Room with Christina Giuffré & Suzi Samuel. Two wonderful authors who write beautifully about what they know, sharing their life experience in unique ways. Intro - 0:57 Christina Giuffré Bio - 3:32 Suzi Samuel Bio - 5:05 Book Spotlight - Dear Friend by Christina Giuffré - self-help/personal development...

In episode #142 Veronica and Laurie discover beloiter and ecury, share industry news, giveaways and quotes. They both chat with the brilliant mother daughter author team of Linda and Marly Wells about their YA time travel fantasy 'Desert Tracks', which is based in and around Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Marly is a proud woman of Warlpiri and white Australian descent and Linda is of white se...

In Australian Book Lovers podcast episode #141, Veronica and Laurie are exploring crime fiction in the Writer's Room with Andrea Barton and Zane Lovitt. We chat about how to use your friends and contacts (nicely) to write better stories. We also dive into fictional financial grey areas and tortured twists on romantic notions of love. Intro - 0:57 Zane Lovitt Bio - 2:42 Andrea Barton Bio - 3:4...

Episode 140 has Veronica and Laurie exploring epic fantasy and imposter syndrome, sharing industry news and events, and learning the meanings of momophobia and siso. Plus Veronica chats with WA fantasy author Abigail Mader about 'The Crystal Dynasty' series. Book Spotlights: 1. The Spirit Circle by Tara Calaby – speculative historical fiction 2. The Body Next Door by Zane Lovitt – suburb...

In Australian Book Lovers podcast episode 139, Veronica and Laurie are back in the Writer's Room, diving into suspense and speculative fiction with Ann Dombroski and lifting the contemporary theatre curtain with Deborah Pike, two authors with some unexpected things in common. Intro - 0:57 Deborah Pike Bio - 2:58  Ann Dombroski Bio - 4:03 Book Spotlight - After the Great Storm by Ann Dombroski...

Episode #138 has Veronica and Laurie delivering industry news and events, and getting sidetracked on their favourite authors and the meaning of bildungsroman. Laurie shares a fabulous interview with prolific Australian author John Kinsella. Book Spotlights: After the Great Storm by Ann Dombroski - Speculative Fiction Thriller The Unintentional Medium by Suzi Samuel - Non-fiction The Dark at the Th...

In episode 137 Veronica and Laurie are in the Writer's Room with wonderful picture book authors Frances Mackay and Richard LeCouteur. Both generously share their experience, their passion for picture books, tips for educating and entertaining children, and advice for authors. Intro - 0:57 Frances Mackay Bio - 3:25 Richard LeCouteur Bio - 6:35 Children's books and resources 12:25 Book Spo...

In Episode 136 Veronica and Laurie bring you industry news and events from the world of publishing including the Understanding Australian Readers Report from Australia Reads, and how to find your own writing group. They share more treasures from the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows and dive down twisty writing rabbit holes. Plus Laurie interviews author Stephen Downes about his inpsiration and writin...

In episode #135 Veronica and Laurie dissect what goes into creating a great story villain, and share news, events and grants for the writing community. Laurie gets the long straw and has a chat with fabulous sci-fic and fantasy author S.F. Sowter. Book spotlights: A Night So Dark and Full of Stars by Nikky Lee - fantasy/sci-fi/horror The Rarkyn's Fall by Nikky Lee - fantasy Out of Time: Roari...

In episode #134 of the Australian Book Lovers podcast, Veronica and Laurie chat industry news, writing events, trends in Australian book sales. Plus made up words from John Koenig, a shout out to Holden Sheppard for the launch of Invisible Boys on Stan, and a delightful interview with super early rising, middle-grade author Tina Strachan (no relation). Book Spotlights: The Subjugate by Amanda Brid...

In episode 133, Veronica & Laurie tap into the inner worlds of two wonderful non-fiction authors. Bronwyn Frazer and Adrian Emery share their life and writing stories, philosophies and reflections on life purpose. It's a wide-ranging chat that gives listeners an opportunity to look at life from a different angle. Intro - 0:57 Bronwyn Frazer Bio - 2:40 Adrian Emery Bio - 3:41 Change and tr...