The Write Way

Writer, academic, researcher and now published novelist Victoria Brookman appeared on the show to discuss her debut published novel, ‘Burnt Out’. Topics discussed include: - The Blue Mountains. The very real threat of fires in the region and the lasting devastation they can cause on the locals, such as the unprecedented 2019/20 Black Summer Fires. - Victoria’s own experiences with living in the re...

Former youth worker turned crime writer, Rae Cairns, joined me to talk about her Ned Kelly award nominated debut novel, ‘The Good Mother’. Topics discussed include: The origins of the novel, including Rae’s time spent as a youth worker in Northern Ireland - learning about ‘The Troubles’. A mother’s protecton of her children - how a mother can prevail over terror and threats, even revisiting sites...

The show returns after a brief mid-year break with the next instalment in the ‘Publisher talk’ series - with Martin Hughes, CEO and publishing director at Affirm Press. Topics discussed include: - Changes that Martin/Affirm Press have experienced with the industry and role of a publisher, post-pandemic. - The importance of authors and publishers establishing a long-term relationship. How a shared...

Advocate, documentary host, interviewer, writer and novelist Tara Moss appeared on the program to discuss her latest novel, ‘The Ghosts of Paris’. Topics discussed include: - The inclusion of real-life historical characters within a fictional novel/novel series, why they can be included and the respectful balance required to include them. - Weaving in the societal sensibilities and attitudes of th...

Writer, interviewer, podcaster (of ‘Words & Nerds’ fame), novelist and now children’s author, Dani Vee, joined me on the program to discuss her debut published children’s picture book, ‘My EXTRAordinary Mum’. Topics discussed include: - The importance of self-expression in a mum - how that is conducive to a child becoming/embracing themselves and their own identity too. - The many different versio...

Writer Ashley Goldberg joined me on the program to discuss his debut novel, ‘Abomination’. Trigger warning - child sex abuse/instituional sex abuse was discussed (briefly). Topics discussed include: How faith can define us - either our own identity, our how we think others view us - how the two can differ greatly. Friendship - the core of the story - that of Erza and Yonatan. How friendships can e...

In the second instalment of TWW’s ‘Publisher Talk’ series, Catherine Milne, Head of Fiction at Harper Collins, joined me on the show to talk shop: Topics discussed include: - What changes the industry has undergone post pandemic. - Titles Catherine has/is looking for - what makes a title stand out. - Harper Collins’s Banjo Prize - the idea behind it and how it has launched careers since its incept...

Former journalist, lawyer, writer and now novelist, Lyn McFarlane, joined me on the show to discuss her debut children's novel, ‘The Scarlet Cross’. TRIGGER WARNING: Topics discussed include schizophrenia, mental health/illnesses, self-harm, suicide. Topics discussed include: - The process of creating the fictional hospital - St. Jude Hospital - its backstory and architecture, its patients and doc...

Writer and now novelist, Maggie Jankuloska, joined me on the show to discuss her debut children's novel, ‘The Rat-Catcher’s Apprentice’. Topics discussed include: Bringing 17th century plague-ridden provincial France to life - creating the fictional township of Saint-Ophelie. The elements required in any good historical fiction novel in order to create a strong sense of place. How this differs for...

In this very special episode, recorded live on location at Better Read Than Dead, I had a discussion with writer, former director of the Wollongong Writers Festival and now novelist, Hayley Scrivenor at the Sydney launch of her debut novel, ‘Dirt Town’. Topics discussed include: The origins of the novel, its writing process and how it differed greatly from the writing of short stories. The ‘voices...

Writer, essayist, playwright, novelist and dramatague Nigel Featherstone chatted with me on the show, discussing his latest novel - ‘My heart is a little wild thing’. Topics discussed include: Landscapes - our ties to them - how they can shape us and define us. How we feel such strong, ineffable ties to them. How the other living beings that inhabit them (from birds to trees and everything else in...

Former bookshop owner/seller and director of books at Booktopia, John Purcell, joined me to discuss his latest novel, ‘The Lessons’. Topics discussed include: The origins of ‘The Lessons’ stemming from an idea from an unfinished novel twenty years ago - to unexpected arrival of the the voice of Harry, launching what would become the completed novel. The change in process of the novel (pantser) - h...

Writer and novelist, Robert Lukins, joined me on the show to discuss his second and latest novel, ‘Loveland’. Topics discussed include: Crafting the Nebraska that May visits, capturing its essence and making the fictional township of Loveland come alive - right down to the Goyle tours and the time capsule. Why people obsess over previous generations and eras - how everything is gilded with nostalg...

Writer of both fiction and non-fiction works and novelist, Maryrose Cuskelly, joined me on the show to discuss her novel, ‘The Cane’. Topics discussed include: The inspiration for the novel, including several high-profile cases of abductions and murders of young Queenslander girls that occurred during Maryrose’s own childhood. The setting - the township of Quala & Kaliope - surrounded by the titul...

Former festival director of the Sydney Writers Festival, and publisher at Penguin Random House Australia, Meredith Curnow, joined me on the show. Topics discussed include: Meredith’s journey to becoming a publisher, from being a festival director and her life before that. Along with some career highlights and challenges she’s encountered along the way. How the ever-changing industry has changed si...

Writer and now novelist, Alicia Thompson, joined me on the show to discuss her debut novel, ‘Something Else’. Topics discussed include: The fictional small-town setting of Bruce - a place that’s not much to look at. How a place has an impact on the shaping of a character and a story, as much as a character shapes the place in which they live. The instant and profound connection David feels with Ma...

Former actress, screenwriter and film director, Mia Hansen-Love, appeared on the program to discuss her latest film, ‘Bergman Island’. Topics discussed include: How the soul of an influential creative such as Ingmar Bergman, can inhabit a place for long after they have passed away. How Mia herself felt Bergman’s presence during her time spent at ‘Bergman Island’/Fårö and what a positive effect thi...

Journalist, travel writer and now novelist, Lizzie Pook, joined me to discuss her debut novel, ‘Moonlight And The Pearler’s Daughter’. Topics discussed include: How Lizzie’s research process of visiting such idyllic, historic sites along W.A.’s coastline, paired with her travel writing repertoire, served as the groundwork for the novel. Creating Bannin Bay - along with featuring the frequently ugl...

Doctor, writer and now novelist, Anke Zet, joined me to discuss her debut novel, ‘Deception’ (Book 1 in the Unearthly Talents Series). Topics discussed include: The unique writing process for writing the story - the decision to split the mammoth novel into separate installments and what challenges that presented. Her persistence and need for self-belief, which was especially crucial in the decisio...

Writer, author, editor and Ambassador for Thailand’s Save Elephant Foundation, Irma Gold, joined me to discuss her debut adult fiction novel, ‘The Breaking’. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses the ongoing plight of elephants in Thailand. Topics discussed include: The novel’s genesis, blending fact and fiction, Irma’s own experiences and imagination. How central characters Deven and Hannah led...

First episode for 2022! Journalist, author and writer Emma Young joined me on the program to discuss her novel, ‘The Last Bookshop’. Topics discussed include: - The plight of the brick and mortar/independent bookshop. How many are subjected to constant rent hikes, sometimes resulting in relocating to more affordable locations, or going out of business altogether. - What makes bookshops such a uniq...

Podcaster, actor and filmmaker Dasha Nekrasova joined me from New York to discuss her directorial debut, ‘The Scary Of Sixty-First’. TRIGGER WARNING: the Jeffrey Epstein case is discussed. Topics discussed include: - The origins of the idea – how the infamous case served to shape a Giallo-influenced, 70s-esque horror film. - Why the world is obsessed with the case of Jeffrey Epstein. - Filming in...

The official Year In Review for The Write Way podcast. Topics include: - The history of me – an overview of the past 17+ years of my writerly pursuits, the endless trials and tribulations, all of which have been vital to getting to this crazy junction. - The lead-up to podcasting – the scary point, taking the plunge from written interviews, into the seemingly technical realm of podcasting. How Dan...

Writer, essayist, screen-writer, playwright and novelist Christos Tsiolkas joined me to discuss his latest novel, ‘7 ½‘. Topics discussed include: - The journey from writing an entirely different novel, Damascus, to undertaking 7 ½. How Christos’s experience with the outbreak of COV-19, further drove him to write what would ultimately become 7 ½. - How nature and its beauty are tied in with the cr...

Filmmakers and co-directors, Justin Krook and Luke Mazzaferro, joined me to discuss their feature-length documentary, ‘A Fire Inside’. TRIGGER WARNING: Topics discussed include the devastating effects of the 2019-20 bushfires that decimated Australia. Including discussing the resultant loss of lives, human and animal, and property, along with mental health/PTSD issues. Topics discussed include: -...