Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

Libby Trainor Parker talks to Cheryl about endometriosis, chronic pain, infertility, pregnancy loss, grief, and finding healing through advocacy, storytelling, and foster care. Her book,  A Common Misconception , is out now.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Trad talks to Cheryl Akle about Lebanon and the culture’s deep connection to hospitality, her travels around the world, renovating and creating her dream house, and the influence of her mother. Her cookbook, Beit Trad, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joan Sauers talks to Cheryl Akle about her love of mystery series, the writing skills she learned from her father, Hollywood, and the differences between writing novels and screenplays. Her latest book, Murder at Thornwood Park, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victoria Purman talks to Cheryl Akle about her former career in journalism, her path into publishing, her writing routines, and her love of both vintage and contemporary books. Her latest novel, The Marriage Trap, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheryl talks to Caroline about Better Reading’s new project, What Are You Reading? The App , an Australian, community-focused book tracker that lets readers log and follow their reading directly from their phone. Think of it as Goodreads and StoryGraph had a baby - but this one grew up Australian. Best of all, it's FREE. Download the app today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...

Francesca Albanese talks to Cheryl about the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the impact of technology on modern warfare, and her career in academia and the United Nations. Her book, When the World Sleeps , is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dervla McTiernan talks to Cheryl about her brain tumour diagnosis, her writing routine, the brutality of editing, and how living in Australia has reshaped her connection to her Irish heritage. Her new book, Three Reasons for Revenge, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Antoinette Lattouf talks to Cheryl about her childhood, her love of reading and writing, her legal dispute with the ABC, and the lessons she’s drawn from the inspiring women featured in her new book Women Who Win , which is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheryl talks to Ann Mossop, Artistic Director of the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival, for a special episode of Stories Behind the Story . Together, they explore this year’s festival theme, highlight standout events, and discuss the exciting lineup of attending authors. The 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival runs from 17–24 May, with tickets now available via the official festival website. Hosted on Acast...

Cheryl talks to Mali Cornish about her relationship with her own mother, her career in law, and how becoming a parent reshaped her perspective on life. They also explore the inspiration behind her new book, The Missing Mother , which is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate Mildenhall (The Hummingbird Effect, The Mother Fault) and Kate Forsyth (Psykhe, Dragonclaw) have a laugh and talk about the complexities of writing. Learn more about the two authors, Forsyth's impressive and long writing career, Mildenhall's new kids book, and as always, the publishing industry in this new episode of Authors on Authors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...

Rosalie Ham talks to Cheryl about the beauty of ageing, the impact of her novel The Dressmaker, and her earlier career in aged care. She also reflects on the importance of staying mobile and how social connection supports overall wellbeing. Her new book, Look After Your Feet, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mohammed Massoud Morsi talks to Cheryl about belonging, his career in journalism and the ways propaganda can shape worldviews. He reflects on the power of tradition and culture, as well as the personal losses that have influenced his life and writing. His book, The Hair of the Pigeon , is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda Martin talks to Cheryl about her career in publishing, editing techniques she's uncovered over the years, and her transition from editor to author. She also highlights the value of writing competitions and celebrates the richness of the Australian writing and reading community. Her book, A Tale of Two Publishing Houses , is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

Durkhanai Ayubi talks to Cheryl about displacement, the beauty of food and its power to bring communities together. She also reflects on hope, resilience, and her family’s restaurant, sharing how these experiences have shaped her writing. Her book, She Who Tastes, Knows , is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christian White (The Ledge, Clickbait) and James Colley (The Next Big Thing, Gruen) have a laugh and talk about writing with their partners, the difference between crime and comedy (and how they're also strangely similar), and how their habits have impacted their kids. Learn more about the two authors, James' inspiration behind his debut, Christian’s love for the film industry, and as always, the...

Bernice Barry talks to Cheryl about the magic of writing, the ways readers connect to stories, the complexities of historical fiction, Bernice’s transition from nonfiction to fiction, botany, Bernice's writing routine, and more. Her new book, The Names of a Hare, is out now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

JP Pomare (Seventeen Years Later, In The Clearing) and Michael Robotham (Bombproof, When You Are Mine) talk about what it means to be guilty, their book tour in New Zealand and the crazy twists and turns that unfold during crime investigations. Learn more about the two authors, the reason behind the title of JP's newest book, tips and tricks on how Michael writes sequels, and as always, the publis...

J.A. Stevens talks to Cheryl about her unique childhood, creating miniature love stories with her sister, and how living with a disability has shaped both her life and her writing. She also reflects on the importance of diversity in modern literature and the power of seeing complex characters on both the page and on screen. Her debut novel A Change of Pace is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

Matt Stanton ( Funny Kid series, The Odds series) and Sarah Ayoub ( The Yearbook Committee, The Cult of Romance ) have a laugh and reminisce on their relationship, their children and how they write books. Learn more about the two authors, how Matt wrote his latest Funny Kid novel, the different challenges Sarah faces when writing novels and kids picture books, and as always, the publishing industr...

John M. Green talks to Cheryl about the power of asking “what if,” how the editing process can transform a book, the challenges and rewards of writing across different genres, and his thoughts on how AI is changing the world. His new book Staged is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Kemish talks to Cheryl about the Australian economy, how global conflicts ripple across borders, and his decades of experience working in Australian foreign affairs. He also reflects on the complexities of diplomacy, the challenges of navigating international relationships and what it means to engage with a rapidly changing world. His new book, Two Islands , is out now. Hosted on Acast. See ac...

Michael Mohammed Ahmad talks to Cheryl about supporting his community, how his writing has evolved over time and the deeply emotional heart of his latest book, Bugger . He also reflects on grief, vulnerability and what it means to write difficult themes and ideas. Bugger is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Cheryl Akle as she sits down with Christian White ( The Long Night ) and Tim Ayliffe ( Dark Desert Road ) for an insightful conversation about the Australian literary landscape. Together, the three explore the surge in Aussie crime and thriller books, the realities and roadblocks of getting published, and what it really takes to build a career as an Australian author. Hosted on Acast. See aca...

Joanna Nell ( Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year, The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village ) and Ali Lowe ( The School Run, The Trivia Night ) talk about their families and the hard work that goes into publishing a book. Learn more about the two authors, Ali's writing ritual, which involves a candle, Joanna's process on assessing in editing notes, and as always, the book industry in this n...