Authorised with Kevin Hillier

Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus bring an interesting dynamic to this episode as co-autors of Love Overdue (Allen & Unwin), their fourth book together. The combination obviously works well and the pair explain how they juggle plot lines, character development, new babies and day jobs. Ali and Michelle also have a side hustle: 'Books on the Rail,' a genius idea to get more books in the hands of pote...

Michael Thompson's second novel poses a fascinating question for us all to ponder as it takes us on a emotion-charged journey. All The Perfect Days is the story of Dr. Charlie Knight, a small town GP who is wrestling with his new 'gift'. Charlie knows how many days his patients, friends and loved ones have to live. What does he do? What would you do?  Michael tells us the story behind the sto...

Murder and intrigue and mental health and wellbeing are polar opposite genres, but they come together in this episode of Authorised. Author Joan Sauers delivers her second novel Whisky Valley (Allen & Unwin), a delicious cocktail of mystery, romance and pastries set in the brooding Southern Highlands of New South Wales. Nathan Dunne's When Nothing Feels Real (Murdoch Books) brings a mystery of...

Jenny Pattrick came to writing novels after a very successful life in teaching and in the jewellery industry where she is something of a revered figure. The New Zealand born and raised author chats about her 11th novel, Sea Change. Jenny takes us to a coastal community reeling from a tsunami and the aftermath brings out the best and worst in those affected.  My second guest is author A.M.Jaxo...

It's another double-barrelled episode of Authorised, with two authors who come to our bookshelves via very different paths. Muriel Cooper was the queen of talkback radio for many years and a trailblazer in broadcasting for the women who have followed her. These days she is a psychologist and author and her latest book is the most refreshing self help guide you will find anywhere. The title says it...

Peter Norris has led an extraordinary life by any measure. His childhood was unlike anyone else's and like us all, he made some good and bad choices, but the options he had to choose from were very different to most kids. Peter's father was a career criminal and it looked like Peter was following in his footsteps until he made a difficult choice.  Peter's story is harrowing, confronting, sad,...

Sarah Hayden now adds author to her very impressive list of life credentials which include wife, mother of 5, foster mother of 55, qualified social worker and equine assisted psychotherapist and Mayor of Golden Plains Shire Council. Her book Parenting Different - How to raise your neurodivergent kids to be their authentic and awesome selves (Murdoch Books) is both a personal journey and a practica...

It's not exactly chalk and cheese, but it's not far from it, with the combination of authors in this episode. Victoria Brownlee's third novel 'Eat Your Heart Out' (Affirm Press) is a food fight with a difference as rival food writers vie for the much sought-after biographer's byline for a high-profile, high maintenance French celebrity chef. Is it a dream job or a nightmare? That's a great story,...

It's variety with a capital V in this episode of Authorised. Maryrose Cuskelly's latest book The Campers is more a How Dare They? than a Whodunnit, making it an even more intriguing read and featuring a subject matter sure to evoke much discussion.  On the other hand, John Wayne Parr has bled in the pursuit of his life goal. He carries the scars from 110 wins in the ring all over the world an...

Emma Pignatiello is beginning her journey as an author, while Mike Coward is a man with many miles on his writing odometer. Emma talks about her first novel 'Last Shot' (Penguin) and Mike shares tales about his latest 'The Baggy Green' (Gelding Street Press). Emma takes us into a wine making family dynasty full of drama and suspense while Mike has his share of both those qualities in stories of th...

In this episode, meet two unique and talented authors discussing two vastly different pieces of work. Mark Smith's Three Boys Gone and Everald Compton's Walking with the Man but not to Church come from very different places. Mark's ficticious novel is action packed and packed with thought provoking human, moral and ethical dilemmas. Everald's book is all that as well, but it is also the thoughts,...

Andrea Barton joins me for a most interesting chat about her pathway to becoming an author and her first novels The Godfather of Dance and A Killer Among Friends. Andrea take us through developing the main character of this series, Jade Riley, using her own life experiences in her writing and dealing with the ups and downs of being a writer.   All thanks to our podcast partners CSCG. Whe...

Another holiday weekend double banger with a couple of very talented Aussie authors, Pip Drysdale and David Batty. Pip's new book takes you to LA for a thriller that will keep you guessing and glued until the very end and her personal story is quite a tale in itself. David's travels are very different and his personal adventures across the length and breadth of Australia make for very entertaining...

Authorised returns for 2025 thanks to my podcast partners CSCG.                                We go international for the first episode of this series with author Nick Harkaway. Nick is a successful author in his own right but also happens to be the son of world famous novelist John le Carré and in this new nov...

Another double banger December episode with two authors discussing their latest work. Steve Woods' third volume of his For the Record books 'As the Days Go By' is a day by day chronicle of events in music, television, movies and more from an Aussie point of view. A huge undertaking and one Steve has conquered brilliantly. He shares some great stories with Kevin in the opening chat for this episode...

Double banger December gets underway with two fabulous but very different books. Karin Keays' 'It's Because I Love You' is a real life rock 'n roll romance but it is also the story of a mother's quest to find the truth behind the death of her baby boy. Karin and her late husband Jim Keays, the lead singer of the Masters Apprentices, were living a wonderful life when tragedy struck and it was not t...

Bill Edgar returns with his second book dealing with his colourful career as the Coffin Confessor, the man who speaks for the dearly departed and not always in the most reverend of ways. Bill shares stories from his hilarious, harrowing and haunting work as the man hired by the deceased to have the final word. It is not for the faint hearted but the book, The Afterlife Confessional (Penguin) is on...

Living the Dream is an expression that is hard to live up to, but if ever there was someone who could claim it with both hands, it is Ken Piesse. From dedicated sports fan to cadet journalist to the author and creator of nearly 100 books, Ken is living his dream and probably many others as well. A master storyteller with an encyclopaedic memory, Ken brings reflections from his decades of watching,...

Books for young readers have improved so much over the years in presentation, content and availability that readers are spoilt for choice. With so much product on the shelves finding the good ones can be tricky, but you wont go wrong with the latest offering from Kristin Darell - Taronga presents Poo at the Zoo and Party Animals (Penguin Books). The first two books in the series follow the adventu...

Hayley Scrivenor's Dirt Town was an impressive debut novel and her follow up - Girl Falling (Pan MacMillan) - cements her arrival as a bestselling author. Hayley's style is unique, fresh and compelling and her insights into creating her work make for a very interesting chat with Kevin.      And it is thanks to our podcast partners CSCG. When it comes to the world of finance, change is constant, wh...

Sophie Green has a catalogue of best sellers already and no doubt her latest will join them. Join us for Art Hour at the Duchess Hotel (Hachette Australia) showcases Sophie's unique writing style and her great ability to bring strong stories to life with interesting and relatable characters. Sophie talks about her inspirations for this story and her passion for country music.  And it is thanks to...

It is another double banger episode featuring authors Diane Armstrong and Miranda Daring. Two very different genres and methods but both bringing exceptional storytelling. Diane's The Wild Date Palm (Harper Colins) is historical fiction set in the halcyon days of Lawrence of Arabia. Miranda on the other hand has produced a though provoking dark comedy titled Thunderhead (Scribe Publications). Hear...

Superlatives in the sporting arena are overused, often premature and sometimes unwarranted, but you can't say that about those profiled in two new books from authors Andrew Clarke and Gordon Bray. Immortal is not a word to be used lightly, and Andrew and Gordon have gone to great lengths to ensure there is no doubt everyone in their books is befitting of such a revered title.  Andrew anoints eight...

Best selling author Victoria Purman joins Kevin to talk about her latest novel 'The Radio Hour,' a nostalgic trip back to the golden days of radio. This is the story of Martha Berry, a reluctant hero, who emerges from the backroom to the spotlight at a pivotal time of change. It's 1956 and radio was under threat as Australians welcomed television into their homes.       And it is thanks to our pod...

It is referred to as the world game and with that in mind, we showcase two books in this episode. Sally Freedman brings 'Get Your Tits Out For The Lads' and Lucas Gillard the more soberly titled 'George Best Down Under' Both authors' books are well worth your time and attention, even if you have little passion for the round ball game. These are books with great stories and messages and both very w...