Better Words

This week we're discussing binge-worthy crime dramas (The Cry and Dirty John), sitcoms (Derry Girls and New Girl), and our brand new Facebook group . Our guest is Angela Meyer , author of genre bending novel A Superior Spectre. We're talking about choosing to abandon the 'safe' writing path, why words are so important and the creative anxiety so many writers experience.

This week we're talking about that New Yorker article, You, and Mary Queen of Scots. We're also thrilled to be joined by our friend Carly Findlay, whose memoir Say Hello is now on shelves. She's discussing the long editing process, the cover design, and what she wasn't expecting after publication. If you enjoyed this episode, we recommend you also listen to Carly chatting to Zara and Michelle from...

Welcome to our first interview of 2019. This week we're delighted to welcome Cristy Burne: science writer and educator, with a swag of children's adventure novels to her name. She's also the author of Zeroes and Ones: The geeks, heroes and hackers who changed history . We're chatting about our fear of science, how we can help children become more literate in the universal language, and the inspiri...

Before we kick off the podcast properly in 2019, we're back to discuss what we read and watched over the Christmas/New Year break.

Listen in as we discuss and gush all of our favourite things in 2018. From books, movies, TV shows and podcasts to other fabulous things that happened in between. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We've had a heatwave, fires, storms and a stand up show. That's just our intro! In this wonderful chat with Aussie writer Zoya Patel, we discuss feminism, equality, her migrant experience and fangirl over Mama and Papa Patel. If you've ever felt like you don't belong, this episode and book is for you.

Jane Caro is an Australian writer and social commentator. We we're very excited to chat to her about her young adult trilogy about Queen Elizabeth I, discussing her research, writing and women in history. Listen also as we wrap up Crimes of Grindelwald!

This week, author Karen Foxlee is talking to us about her writing process, creativity and the timing of ideas. Caitlin and Michelle are also discussing Bohemian Rhapsody and the brilliance of the new Queen bio-pic.

You think your Harry Potter collection is big? Step aside, because Peter Kenneth's magical library of roughly 1300 Harry Potter editions will take your breath away. In this episode, we chat to Peter about all things Potter from falling in love with Hogwarts to becoming an expert on JK Rowling signatures and the best covers of the series. Grab your wand and join us for a spellbinding interview!

Michelle Elman is an all-round fabulous woman. She's spoken at TEDx and has built a powerful social media following after the #scarrednotscared tag went viral. Her memoir Am I Ugly? is a moving journey through multiple surgeries and the way they've shaped her body confidence. Michelle explains how she learned to love her body and how you can too. Listen up pod squad, it's time to share the love.

Queensland might be hot, but the gorgeous landscape makes up for it. Fiona Bell joins us to chat about her debut, Waterhole! We discuss writing, publishing, inspiration, English in high schools and what it's like to have your novel taught in the next classroom.

This week we're joined by editor and agent Danielle Binks for a special minisode celebrating Australian Reading Hour - as if the BW squad needed an excuse to set aside some reading time, right?! Listen for some great recommendations from Danielle including new releases to keep an eye on.

This week Sally Piper joins us to talk about how her love of nature and the Australian bush influenced her latest novel, The Geography of Friendship. We're also discussing how Sally's previous career as a nurse helps her writing in the most unlikely ways, and the pressure of winning literary awards.

This week's guest is a writer, mother and former rock groupie. She’s done every job from TV acting to legal counselling to check-out chick and cleaner. We're chatting to Nikki all about her ideas, writing and the difference between writing fiction and non-fiction. There's something for everybody in this episode!

Michelle is back from her holiday! But that's not the most exciting thing! 'Does My Head Look Big In This?' and 'When Michael Met Mina' author Randa Abdel-Fattah joins us for an amazing discussion. Michelle and Caitlin say 'wow' a lot and just soak up everything Randa says.

'Palace of Tears' and 'The Opal Dragonfly' author Julian Leatherdale is the first male guest of Better Words! We're discussing theatre, documentaries, historical fiction, writing and publishing. There's something for everybody in this episode.

This week we're joined by Sarah and Alex of Melbourne's young adult book club, The YA Room. Chatting all about how they got started, hosting book launches and events, to the first YA Day! Hopefully next year we can attend, but until then, listen to our chat (and find out our dream dinner guests!)

Want to spread the bookish love? Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus are Melbourne's own book ninjas and their mission to add a little literature to everyone's day has become a national success. This week they're joining us to talk about Book on the Rain and their brand new YA debut based on the venture.

This week Caitlin and Michelle are sharing the stories behind some of their books! We have souvenirs, gifts and books we came across randomly. All the books on every bookshelf have a story, and we're sharing some of ours in this episode.

What if you made a decision you couldn't take back? This week, Caitlin and Michelle are joined by author Gabrielle Reid to chat about her debut, 'The Things We Can't Undo'. Listen in to our discussion about writing with teens in mind and how important starting conversations is. Please note we had some connection problems while recording so some moments may be hard to hear.

Have you ever stumbled upon a strange fact and wanted to know more? This week Lauren Chater shares the story behind her beautiful historical fiction debut, sparked by a book about Estonia lace weaving. Lauren, who also has a talent for delicately decorated book-themed cookies, shares some insights from the kitchen with us as well.

She's well known as the award winning author of four novels, but Fiona Wood had a successful screenwriting career before turning her hand at books. This week, we discuss what goes on behind the scenes and off the set, as well as how three friends write a novel.

How do you create a better understanding of the many diverse lives we're living without representation in the stories we're told from childhood? Faced with a disappointing lack of diverse picture books, Jessica Walton crowdfunded and published her own story about gender identity. In this episode, we discuss diversity in publishing and how it can be improved.

What are you going to do after high school? The dreaded question for anyone without a five-year plan. But Kate O'Donnell explains why it's okay not to have a plan post-graduation, the dilemmas faced by teens growing up in rural and regional areas and how passion guided her career choices.

This week we’re joined by blogger, speaker and appearance activist Carly Findlay. She’s discussing the mammoth task of memoir writing, ableism and the positive and negative impacts of speaking out online.