Talking Aussie Books

I recently had the pleasure of chatting to author Holly Cardamone about her sparkling debut novel 'Summer, In Between' (Hawkeye Publishing). When not writing Holly runs a boutique communications and writing consultancy from Melbourne where she helps people tell their story and grow their brand. ‘Summer, In Between’ won the 2024 Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize and has now be...

Katharine Pollock holds a PhD in creative writing from Western Sydney University and is the Program Manager at Writing NSW. Katharine contributes regularly to 'The Guardian' online and has been published by Fremantle Press, Vitagraph Publishing and 'Folly Journal' amongst many others.  Katharine’s debut novel ‘Her Fidelity’ was published by Penguin Random House in 2022  - a book I...

January Gilchrist is a Brisbane-based author  and mother of two whose debut thriller 'The Final Chapter' was recently published by HQ Fiction.  An atmospheric locked-room thriller reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel, 'The Final Chapter' was inspired by January’s stint at the prestigious Varuna Writer’s House in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and her desire to write about wom...

Tune in as Cassie Hamer chats to Angie Faye Martin about her incredible debut novel 'Melaleuca' published by HQ Fiction. An evocative, dual time line crime novel that draws on Angie's Indigenous heritage and explores themes of identity as well as racism, intergenerational trauma and corruption. A propulsive read from a refreshing new voice in Australian fiction. A wonderful interview w...

Alison Booth writing as AL Booth is the author of 8 novels that include titles  such as 'A Distant Land', 'The Indigo Sky', 'Stillwater Creek', 'The Painting' and 'Bellevue' amongst others.  Born in Melbourne and raised in Sydney, Alison is not only a novelist, but an award-winning academic and emeritus professor at the Australian National University in Canb...

Apologies to all the Jason Bourne fans out there, but there's a new guy on the block - an Aussie ex-cop turned vigilante called Jack Carlin. He's starred in other books, but 'High Rise', the new action-packed heart-in-your-mouth thriller from Melbourne-based author Gabriel Bergmoser, is Jack's most death-defying challenge yet. From the top floor of a crumbling Melbourne high ri...

Kimberley Freeman is an award-winning bestselling author of some thirty novels across a variety of genres. Based in Brisbane, Kimberley is a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland and this year her new novel 'The Secret Year of Zara Holt' was published by Hachette Australia. A novel inspired by the life of Dame Zara Bate - fashion designer and business woman - known as the wife of...

Marcia van Zeller is a Canadian-born writer who arrived in Australia in the 1980s and embarked on a long career in journalism and professional writing. Completing her first novel as part of her PhD thesis back in 2015, Marcia's second novel 'Be A Good Girl Valerie' was recently published by Ventura Press. Exploring issues arising from toxic masculinity in the work place and the often v...

Holly Brunnbauer is a Victorian based, multi-award winning emerging fiction author whose debut novel 'What Did I Miss?' was recently released by HarperCollins Australia. An absolutely delightful kind of coming of age novel with humour and heart that will leave you wanting more. It was an absolute joy to welcome Holly to the podcast recently to talk about her journey to publication and her...

Kimberley Allsopp is a Brisbane-based author of two novels who is in the unique position of also working for one of Australia's largest publishing houses as a Senior Campaign Manager. However, in between working with some of Australia's best authors and raising her children, Kimberley writes clever novels which offer a unique perspective on modern life. 'Rise and Shine' is her new...

Emma Babbington is a London- born, Sydney-based author and journalist who not only writes brilliant novels, but works as the News Editor for one of Australia’s bestselling weekly magazines, ‘Woman’s Day’.  Emma is a dear friend, writing buddy, confidante and all-round talented wonderful woman who’s gripping book, ‘The Neighbours’ was published by HQ Fiction in both the UK and Australia recently. ...

Deb Jordan is a Perth-based author whose debut novel 'The River Whispers' was published by Bloodhound Books UK earlier this year. A novel set between the Swan Valley and the Margaret River - two wine growing regions of WA - 'The River Whispers' centres around a tragic accident and its deadly aftermath. A terrific story that was as compulsive as it was entertaining. I was thrilled t...

I may not have previously shared with my podcast listeners that I'm a huge whisky fan! I love learning about it and have travelled extensively to sample different whiskies. So when I learnt Tasmanian-based author Karen Brooks not only co-owns a brewery/distillery in Hobart where they make their own spirits - including whisky - but has written a book about whisky, I knew I had to chat with her....

Matt Rogers  is a Melbourne-based million copy bestselling writer who’s written more than 36 thrillers.  He wrote his first novel at the tender age of 16 and published his first at 18.  This year, however, Matt makes his debut in the traditional publishing world with the first instalment of a new series featuring the absolute kick arse ex-contract killer for the CIA, Logan Booth.  A thrilling, fas...

Laura McCluskey is a debut author whose novel was described to me as ‘the hottest debut crime novel of 2025’. Since the book’s release  back in February I have watched in awe at the manner in which this book has shot to success.  It was the Book of the Month for QBD Books, Dymocks, Booktopia AND WHS Smith. It’s a spooky Scottish detective mystery called ‘The Wolf Tree’ published by Harper Collins...

Fleur McDonald is the author of 24 novels clocking up more than 850 000 book sales across a career that has spanned more than 16 years. She is a best-selling rural crime author and has built a loyal fanbase of readers with her incredible cast of characters and settings - the most popular and recognisable of course is Detective Dave Burrows.  But in a move that is set to cement Fleur’s reputation a...

Hilde Hinton is a bestselling author of three novels, as well as a big sister to Connie and Samuel Johnson.  A one-time prison officer and second hand book seller, a mother and carer of people in need of temporary housing and support, Hilde’s stories are filled with the kinds of characters that reflect her larger than life experiences and her writing is infused with empathy and insight into the im...

Valerie Miller is a Brisbane-based writer who teaches high school by day and writes stories at night. In late 2024, Valerie decided to self-publish her debut novel 'There's Something About You Olivia Bennett'. A dual-time line historical novel which flips between Sydney of the 1960s and late 1980s. This is a book that Valerie has coloured with her experiences as a child of Italian migr...

Maithree Wijesekara is an Australian-Sri Lankan writer based in Melbourne who graduated with a Masters in Dentistry in 2021, and who, this year, became a published novelist with her debut novel, 'The Prince Without Sorrow' (Harper Voyager). Now, Maithree splits her time between telling people to brush their teeth, and writing stories inspired by the fantastical and the real world. A richly imagine...

Natasha Lester is a international bestselling author whose novels have been translated into 21 languages. Novels which include 'A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald', 'Her Mother’s Secret', 'The Paris Seamstress', 'The French Photographer', 'The Paris Secret', 'The Riviera House', 'The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre' and "The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard'.   Natasha’s latest book is inspired by yet another...

Chris Flynn is the author of several novels that include the astonishing novel ‘Mammoth’ - told from the point of view of a 13000 year-old fossilised mammoth. A book which was shortlisted for a number of awards in 2021 - and which drew praise from some of the brightest literary minds.  His new book, ‘Orpheus Nine’, published by Hachette Australia, is a deeply thought-provoking, compelling book set...

Listeners it’s been almost 3 years since I last welcomed my next guest to the podcast.  Back then we were talking about a truly remarkable novel which just over a year later went on to win the prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award.  That book was, of course, Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens and the author, Shankari Chandran.  In the time since that first podcast chat, I’ve watched in absolute awe...

Jackie French is one of Australia's best-loved, bestselling authors and earlier this year, she released another new novel.   Called ‘The Whisperer’s War’ (published by HQ Fiction) it’s an incredible war-time story set in England between 1938 and 1947. A story that examines - amongst many other things - the cost of war and the quest for wealth, power and status that drive it.  A unique and enti...

**Discussion of Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Abuse and Other Mature Themes. Please proceed with caution.** Jo Skinner is a Brisbane based author of two novels, a practising GP as well as a long-distance runner. I connected with Jo online a couple of years ago now and have watched on with delight as she achieved her publication dream last year with the release of her debut novel ‘The Truth A...

**Discussion of some mature themes** While Lauren K McKellar is no stranger to publishing, this year marks the release of her first foray into women's fiction with a thoroughly delightful, uplifting and thought-provoking novel entitled 'The Calendar Mums'. Published by HQ Fiction, 'The Calendar Mums' is a novel about motherhood and the importance of female friendships. A novel...