Australian Book Lovers

It's time to delve into the shadows and join hosts Veronica and Darren as they discuss the psychology and neurological reward system of horror, lamingtons and the symbolism of jam, the importance of discipline and moving your body and all things reading and writing... It's episode 24 and we are so very honoured to present a spine tingling, yet amazingly motivational interview with none o...

Hosts Veronica and Darren are proud to present our first academic based industry special!  In this episode we were delighted to speak with the warm and wonderful Dr. Annika Herb from the University of Newcastle, who not only so passionately shared her current exploration of the readers experience of queer representations in young adult literature, but also delved into the importance of "own v...

Hosts Veronica and Darren are back with another jam packed episode! Join us as we discuss ducks and basketball shirts (yes, we somehow managed to find a connection!), the wonderful books we enjoyed growing up, book spotlights and industry news, and Veronica has a super awesome chat with author Lynne Lumsden Green who's beautiful voice and stories about farms and passionate young readers will...

Episode twenty one is here which means the Australian Book Lovers podcast is all grown up! Join hosts Veronica and Darren for a jam packed episode featuring book spotlights, industry news, thought experiments on whether a global, unified language would enhance our species as well as discussions around colour television, buying lollies at the corner shop and a whole lot more! Not only that, but the...

Episode 20 is here! Join hosts Veronica and Darren for industry and book news, discussions about the beautiful importance of themes in art and literature, a small dive into the Voynich manuscript and a brief chat about a failed hot water bottle/winter jacket hybrid concept... but more importantly, there's a truly wonderful interview with renowned author Kim Kelly, who was also gracious enough...

Episode 19 is here and it's huge... Join hosts Veronica and Darren for an absolutely jam packed show including industry and book news, discussions about space operas and how historical definitions don't always hold water. We have an electrifying interview with the amazing E.J. Dawson and an exclusive world premier sneak preview chapter reading from a coming soon blockbuster,  Behind the...

Episode 18 is here, and that means our podcast is finally allowed to enjoy a wine or three without breaking the law! Join hosts Veronica and Darren for an amazing, inspiring and above all motivational interview with the spectacular Kate Cuthbert from Writers Victoria. Kate shared so many fascinating insights and behind the scenes reveals about all of the fantastic programs and resources Writers Vi...

Episode 17 is here... Join hosts Veronica and Darren for discussions about building fantasy based worlds to explore what it means to be human, the possibly secret link between toilet paper companies, mainstream publishers and lockdowns, and a truly beautiful interview with author L.A. Webster who teaches us that today is the perfect day to chase your dreams! Not only that, but there's a gripp...

Strap yourself in with hosts Veronica and Darren for the biggest ABL podcast yet! In this episode we spotlight some fantastic reads to be found on the website, have a chat about gothic literature and what our Australian version looks like, and are bedazzled by a truly epic interview with author Phil Hore. From dangerous plants to dinosaurs, and from sea monkeys to Jack the Ripper in Rockhampton, w...

Love is in the air for episode 15... Join hosts Veronica and Darren for a romance soaked interview with  bestselling author Sandy Barker and be swept away to exotic lands ready to capture your heart! There's website and industry news including current writing competitions, some great quotes centred around passions of the heart, and best of all a captivating reading from One Summer In Santorin...

Episode 14 is here and so is another fantastic Industry Special Edition! Join hosts Veronica and Darren as they chat with Theresa Smith from the Australian Women Writers Challenge who is without doubt a book loving force to be reckoned with! A volunteer based organisation that's been established for almost ten years, the AWWC is a powerhouse driver of support for Australian women writers and,...

Tune in to our latest episode where hosts Veronica and Darren explore climate change themes in literature and how it allows us to discuss the survival of the human race! There's a spectacular interview with author T.S. Simons who delves into the philosophical inspirations for her Antipodes series, plenty of industry and website news, another fabulous author reading and a whole lot more...  ww...

Episode 12 is here and it's our biggest one yet! Hosts Veronica and Darren are inspired to delve into all things dark and haunting thanks to a fabulous interview with author Matthew R. Davis, with topics including horror sub genres, why we like to scare ourselves, and the perceived creepiness of outback towns. Oh, and there's also an audio book trailer and a mesmerising reading from auth...

The ABL Podcast is officially a teenager, and what a fantastic episode to usher our way into double digits! Join hosts Veronica and Darren for a whole stack of industry news, book reviews, and an amazing, thought provoking interview with Historical Fiction author G.S. Johnston who gives us insights into the art of bringing the past to life. There's also discussions about the importance of his...

Welcome to our very first Industry special podcast! In this episode hosts Veronica and Darren have the absolute pleasure of speaking with two fantastic and important members of the TasWriters team, Program Coordinator Arianne James and Director Cassandra Wunsch, who discuss the motivations and challenges that come with running an amazing Writer's Centre as well as some of the changes that the...

In this episode hosts Veronica and Darren delve into the magic of pop culture and its influence on literature... or does literature influence pop culture? From the symbolic meaning of zombies to bobble heads and fan fiction, it proved to be a super fun subject that brought plenty of deep thoughts and laughter!  There's an absolutely amazing interview with author Laurie Bell who shares a whole...

Join hosts Veronica and Darren for their latest episode where they share some of the wonderful responses to the competition question of what romance means to you, bring you some industry and website news, and dive into a deep discussion about why a government is always an easy antagonist in fiction! There's also a fantastic interview with author Rebecca Bowyer, who discusses her approach to w...

Episode 7 is here and that means the first of our special edition Podcast Panels. Join us for a fun filled debut as we discuss all things romance with hosts Veronica and Darren and extra special guests and best selling authors Sandy Barker, Sue Horsnell and Clare Rhoden! If you've ever wondered what it takes to bring love to the page then this episode is for you – from jigsaw puzzles to roman...

In this episode hosts Veronica and Darren bring you some latest news from the website and from the Australian publishing industry, discuss the upcoming special panel edition of the podcast featuring some amazing romance writers, delve into whether redemption plays a role in dystopian settings or if hope has a place within dark literature, and we enjoy a deep and thought provoking interview from au...

In this episode hosts Veronica and Darren discuss the wonders of word count, how short stories and anthologies can be a powerful tool for writers, explore some of our favourite quotes, and enjoy a fabulous interview with feisty author Natasha O'Connor.  Will our end tagline come together this time? It's time to put your judging hat on...! Visit www.australianbooklovers.com to learn more....

In this episode hosts Veronica and Darren introduce a new segment or two, as well as discuss the different ways romance can be embedded in science fiction. There's website and industry news, a trip down memory lane involving a bookstore and mysterious quote (Veronica solves the mystery!), and an awesome interview and exclusive excerpt reading with author Kevin Klehr. If you love writing, read...

In this episode, hosts Veronica and Darren delve into Non-fiction rabbit holes and the double sided blade of the internet, before interviewing the fabulous Dale Lorna Jacobsen whose literary works take us from isolated huts in the Gippsland mountains to the frozen wonderland that is Antarctica... Visit www.australianbooklovers.com to learn more! Support the show Thanks for listening. Visit austral...

In this episode, hosts Veronica and Darren discuss publishing industry insights, the curious wonders of smart globe technology, and enjoy a wonderful interview with much loved author K.M. Allan of the YA, Urban Fantasy series Blackbirch. Visit www.australianbooklovers.com to learn more! Support the show Thanks for listening. Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

In this episode, hosts Veronica and Darren discuss the inspiration for creating the website and podcast, then present an interview with debut author Gary Lonesborough who discusses his contemporary YA #ownvoices book, The Boy From The Mish. Visit www.australianbooklovers.com to learn more! Support the show Thanks for listening. Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.