Australian Book Lovers

In episode #123, Veronica and Laurie take you in a myriad of directions, from industry and upcoming news, including Wilderness Society's Karajia and Environment Award winners, fascinating first lines, and exciting events, to reminders to join your local and state writing group for more opportunities and events. Laurie chats with the wonderful Donna M Cameron about her eco-fiction/thriller/lov...

If you find people fascinating, then episode 122 is a must. Veronica and Laurie chat with authors Bruce Lowery, Jessica Mudditt and David Hume about memoir and biography. Why does this creative non-fiction genre continue to fascinate and inspire readers? Our authors share why they're willing to put a slice of their lives on the pages for the world to read. Book spotlights: Catch the Wind by B...

In episode 121, Veronica and Laurie are joined by fabulous Australian speculative fiction authors E. J. Dawson and Pauline Yates. The conversation tackles the history of Speculative Fiction, the three key elements of any good spec fic story, and far ranging wonders about future 'what ifs'. There's a good deal of hilarity about zombies and space ships, so strap in and engage the hype...

Episode 120 has Veronica and Laurie chasing down speculative fiction rabbit holes as they bring you industry news, writing opportunities, book festivals and more. We share two new words from John Koenig (ecsis and craxis) that segue into a brilliant chat with climate fiction author Vanessa Lee.  Our book spotlights are wonderful children's picture books from the Wilderness Society Australia -...

Episode 119 is chock full with Veronica and Laurie winding their way through news, words, book spotlights, and quotes as well as sharing their promised pitches. Veronica chats with author Andrea Putting about compassionate prosperity and purpose, and life long learning. Book spotlights: Talon Marked by Sue-Ellen Pashley - fantasy Secondhand Daylight by Eugen Bacon and Andrew Hook - speculative fic...

In Episode 118, Veronica & Laurie bring you AI news and reminders for ASA pitching and literary speed dating events, and new words from John Koenig (nighthawk, heartmoor and furosha). Laurie chats with award winning author Catherine McNamara about writing workshops, flash fiction, short stories, and running retreats at her home in Italy. Plus Laurie reviews The Changing Room by Belinda Cransto...

Episode 117 is bursting at the seams. Veronica and Laurie chat and laugh with three amazing Aussie authors who build a bridge and take us over the writing abyss from book 1 to book 2. Hayley Walsh, Nikky Lee and Dr Helen Edwards inspire and entertain us as they share wisdom from their own journeys, fess up to their procrastination games, and tell us why they champion diversity and inclusion in the...

Veronica and Laurie host a super special writing workshop in episode #116. Dr Rachel Matthews creates a space where readers become writers. Through chat and exercises, an amazing group of people explore different approaches to storytelling and finding your natural voice and style. Many gems are written in the moment, and shared with laughs, sighs and damp eyes. Book Spotlights (giveaways) courtesy...

In a super special Writer's Room for Ep115, we're celebrating NAIDOC week with Indigenous authors Victor Steffensen and Isobel Bevis.  Both shortlisted for The Wilderness Society Australia Karajia Awards for Children's Literature, Victor and Isobel share with Veronica and Laurie how close to their heart the writing stories for children and adults is. They want to educate everyone ab...

In episode 114, Veronica and Laurie realise the word ludiosis (a John Koenig original) describes their podcast planning magnificently. As well as all the regular events, news and the Melbourne weather, there's book spotlights, quotes, and reviews. And much laughter. Veronica chats with the wonderful Dr Monika Schott about her art, books, and being an advocate for marginalised communities. Boo...

In Episode 113 we give a big shout out to our newest subscribers Hayley Walsh and Nadine Abrahams. We talk Victorian library and Aus vs US best seller stats, NAIDOC week awards and Karajia Awards shortlists, pitching tips, reading trends, and ideas for the literary Olympics. Plus, congrats to Helen Edwards and Nikky Lee for recent book cover reveals. In a dragon-laden interview with multi-talented...

In episode 112, Veronica and Laurie bring you libraries, warm winter reads, Lego adventures, Story Dogs, fellowships, industry news, made up words, reminders about the free online RAW (readers are writers) workshop with Dr Rachel Matthews and so much more... (Did you know, karanoia is terror of the blank page?)  Veronica has another go at the PMI Victorian History Library's Friday Riddle. You...

In Episode 111, Veronica & Laurie bring you news, reviews and rabbit holes about phonics, olympic cyclists, AI surveys, festivals, events and anthologies (two from Deadset Press: Rebels and Rainbows + Embrace the Silence). Plus Laurie takes a deep dive interview with the amazing author Les Zig (Lazaros Zigomanis). Our book review is the final volume in the YA series Blackbirch. Blackbirch 4: T...

In the Writer's Room for Ep110, Veronica and Laurie chat with the brilliant, multi-talented crime authors Andrea Barton (The Godfather of Dance) and Kirsten Hunter (Murder at the Narssisus Gardening Club). We explore the adventures and experiences that brought them to writing and publishing their debut crime novels. Both have recently released first in a series starring a fabulous female sleu...

Veronica & Laurie wrestle with feline critics, share findings from the Indie Author Survey results, and manage to use the words poggled and nyctous in conversation. Plus we bring you Darren Kasenkow's final interview with inspiring author Tania Blanchard, more news, book spotlights, quotes, and reviews. Book spotlights this episode include: Edward's Cat: Three Cats, a Magical Legacy....

Veronica & Laurie are nerding out on words in episode #108. We have an inspirational and educational interview with the amazing middle grade author of The Rebels of Mount Buffalo, Dr Helen Edwards. Plus industry news, Book Spotlights, and tips for growing readers from Australia Reads. Veronica reviews YA dystopian fantasy, 'Sky on Fire' by Jesse Greyson. Book spotlights: A kids book...

Veronica and Laurie are in the Writer's Room for episode 107! We chat with fabulous Australian authors Rachel Matthews and Michael Fitzgerald about their latest works, the themes within their stories, how they explore literary relationships, the absurdity and colour of real life, older women protagonists, and growing old gracefully - or not so gracefully. Plus some practical facts on when and...

Veronica and Laurie are in their element in Episode #106 talking all things words and writing. Veronica chats with the wonderful and inspiring Eugen Bacon about her writing and her life. We  have industry news, book spotlights, and quotes. We review Blood Fever written by Laurie Bell and a whole lot more. Book spotlights: The Unexpected Heiress by George Mallory - contemporary family saga The Godf...

Veronica and Laurie Bell are together again for Australian Book Lovers podcast episode 105.  Darren Kasenkow is back briefly and shares his second last interview with the brilliant and prolific Australian author Simon Higgins. Plus we chat Friday Fictioneers with Laurie, laugh at the inconsistencies of the English language, and share some fabulous quotes! And yes, we have some video. Our YouTube c...

Veronica is joined by Laurie Bell for Australian Book Lovers podcast episode 104. We have an amazingly generous and educational interview with renowned Australian author Catherine Jinks. And of course we have book spotlights, industry news, made up words and a book review by Naomi Shippen of The Girl She Was Before by Jess Kitching + a whole lot more! Including, for the first time with video! Chec...

Join hosts Veronica and Darren for episode 103, featuring an inspiring and heartfelt interview with author Alison Booth. We have industry news, helpful tips for writers and the Reader's Café featuring book spotlights, chats about panexperiential philosophy, standing in freezers for too long, how to tell if someone's anxious, a book review of Memories Don't Lie by Pauline Yates and a...

It's time to hit the groovy sixties, and that means episode 102 is here! We have a soul searching interview with author Michael Buxton who discusses the magic hidden within his novel 1964! Join hosts Veronica and Darren for some Australian trivia, words that are the same but different, chats about digital coffee cups, industry news, Reader's Café and lots of book spotlights. We have a ca...

Join hosts Veronica and Darren for a jam packed episode featuring an interview with authors Ned and Shane Heaton, who reveal insights into their mission to reduce plastic across the globe and disrupt the toothbrush industry! There's a cameo from author Damien Linnane, industry news, book spotlights, chats about trivia, wild strawberries, new words, all sorts of sci-fi, and prison terms for Fr...

Join hosts Veronica and Darren as they celebrate reaching 100 episodes and chat about what's made the journey so special, so far, and what's going to make the journey ahead even more so. It's completely unscripted, off the cuff and proof that the silly season is never without victims...  Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation goes to all our listeners, all our guests and their brilli...

Dive into episode 99 with hosts Veronica and Darren for a thought provoking and thrilling interview with author David Cohen. We have a Reader's Cafe featuring a whole bunch of book spotlights, an author cameo by Simon Higgins, industry news, chats about the fragility of a normal day, magic mushrooms, a review by Hayley Walsh of Sandy Barker's One Summer in Santorini, and a whole lot more...