Literary Bites

The story for this episode is titled Granny Killer and it was highly commended in the Scarlett Stiletto awards, a competition for crime-based short stories. It represents a slight departure from my usual work in short stories but is perhaps more consistent with the intrigue of my novels in that there is a definite twist in this tale of a young woman assisting her grandmother on her journey to deat...

The story for this episode is inspired by a holiday I had on the Gold coast with husband and three daughters who were all quite young - that perfect age for the theme parks. They specifically wanted to visit Sea World – an aquatic themed park with incredible marine life exhibits and thrilling rides. My middle child – who loves snorkeling and scuba diving – was absolutely thrilled to be chosen duri...

While Literary Bites is primarily a fiction series, this episode is a brief departure into the world of narrative non-fiction. The story is titled Bernie’s Tree and it is entirely factual. It is the story of a rough sleeper with whom I became quite familiar in the mid two thousands. I wrote it as part of my studies for a master’s in creative writing where the assignment was to write about place. B...

Today’s story is titled Thylacine which, as you may know, is the name of what we commonly know as the Tasmanian Tiger – a large carnivorous marsupial now thought to be extinct. Or is it? Every so often, blurry photos and videos make their way into the media that purports to be imagery of the striped, dingo like creature. None have been verified and it’s thought that the last Thylacine died in capt...

The story for this episode is ‘The Thirtieth Anniversary’ - a tale of a woman who discovers her husband’s infidelity in the week before they are to celebrate their three decades of wedded bliss. A bliss that is proven to be a sham. The story also draws much inspiration from jazz music – an interest that initially binds the couple together but then ultimately breaks them apart. This is a public epi...

A stonemason becomes protective of his latest creation - a labyrinth in one of Sydney’s most popular parks - but experiences enlightenment of a different kind when the sandstone monument is defaced by vandals. Inspired by the construction of the Centennial Park Labyrinth in Sydney’s East, Cassie narrates the story and discusses real-life inspiration behind it. This is a public episode. If you woul...

Today’s story - ‘Sculptures by the Sea’ is inspired by a yearly art exhibition in Sydney’s eastern beaches where, for nearly three weeks in late October, an incredible cliffside walking track becomes the backdrop to a major sculpture exhibition, showcasing works from all over the world. This story, however, is less about the sculptures themselves and more about love in a long marriage and the grie...

A short story about a young Italian woman migrating to Tasmania, Australia in the 1950s to meet her husband for the very first time. She carries little but her hopes and a few precious possessions in her trousseau. But what does she make of this strange new land and the man she is now expected to love? Episode includes a brief explanation of the real life inspiration behind the story. This is a pu...

Cassie Hamer presents an ‘odd-couple’ tale of dare-devilry in the midst of a rare meteorological phenomenon in northern Australia and a Greek myth that brings about an unlikely friendship between two people, trying to escape their grief. Episode includes an explanation of the inspirations behind the story. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...

An introduction to Literary Bites - a podcast of short fiction, written and narrated by Australian author, Cassie Hamer This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cassiehamerauthor.substack.com