**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 o…

Cassie Hamer is not only an Australian bestselling author of 3 novels - 'After the Party', 'The End of Cuthbert Close' and the 'Truth About Faking It' - but a colleague, a writing buddy and most importantly, a dear friend. This month, Cassie has a new novel out. And listener’s it’s an absolute cracker. ‘The Stranger at the Table’ published by HQ Fi…

Sara Foster is a Perth-based author of six best-selling psychological suspense novels that include ‘You Don’t Know Me’ The Hidden Hours’ and ‘All that is Lost Between Us’, along with the acclaimed dystopian thriller ‘The Hush’. Two of Sara’s novels have been optioned for TV and ‘You Don’t Know Me’ - a book I have read and absolutely loved - was ada…

Listeners, I may have mentioned once or twice on the podcast before that I’m a huge francophile. So whenever I have the chance to read a book that takes me back to France or immerses me in the sensory heaven that is French food and wine, I’ll savour it like a glass of Moet and Chandon. And so when a book called ‘Eat Your Heart Out’ set in France cr…

Listeners, if you tune in regularly, I’m sure you appreciate that I read eclectically and I’m fascinated by how books come into being - whatever path that happens to take. Indie or trad, I’m interested in it all. So when my fellow writer and friend, Sal Gallaher took the plunge and decided to self-publish her debut, I was keen to have a chat about …

Listeners I last spoke to my next guest, Maryrose Cuskelly, when her debut novel ‘The Cane’ was published by Allen & Unwin back in 2022. "The Cane" was an atmospheric crime novel set in a fictional sugarcane town in North Queensland in the 1970s. A terrific story reminiscent of 'The Dry' and other Australian rural and outback noir, that became an A…

Listeners today I’m so excited to introduce you to another Aussie author whose book has simply floored me. Fiona Hardy - a writer, bookseller and reviewer from Melbourne - is the author of a new book published by Affirm Press earlier this year called ‘Unbury the Dead’. A contemporary crime fiction novel about two best friends who are hired to under…

Marion Taffe is a Melbourne-based writer who after a 20 year career as a journalist, decided to turn her hand to novel-writing. A graduate of the RMIT degree in Professional Writing and Editing, Marion was named Creative Industries Student of the Year in her graduating year of 2023. She was also runner-up in the Grace Marion Wilson Emerging Writers…

When a friend that you've been toiling alongside in the writing space for years can finally call themselves a published author, there's many reasons to celebrate. Chrissie Bellbrae is a talented Australian writer who took control of her writing career by self-publishing her debut novel 'The Florentine Quilt' early in 2025. I'd had the pleasure of r…

There are many Australian writers out there producing quality book after quality book each and every year - satisfying the voracious demands of their eager fans. Penelope Janu definitely falls into that category. And if you haven’t heard of Penelope’s work as yet, then dear listeners you’re in for a treat. Penelope is a former lawyer - a longtime l…

Unsurprisingly, I’m very much drawn to the work of debut Australian authors. And this year, I’m delighted to be interviewing a number of them, one of whom is my next guest. Kate Horan is Sydney-based ex-English teacher who once taught at high schools in Western Sydney loving being able to inspire teenagers with a love of reading. For the last seven…

Ella Ward is a Melbourne-based author of memoir '27 Letters to My Daughter' and a brilliant debut novel 'The Cicada House'. Released by HarperCollins in January 2025, 'The Cicada House' is a gorgeously uplifting, magical coming of age story that starts out one way and takes readers on an unexpected but utterly delightful journey. Following 40-year-…

I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off a brand new season of Talking Aussie Books than with my next guest author, historical fantasy writer, Kell Woods. I've had the pleasure of interviewing Kell once before on the podcast - and that was for Kell’s debut novel ‘After the Forest’ back in 2023. I remember distinctly finishing that book and thin…

If you’re a fan of crime fiction, you may have noticed that cosy crime is making a come back in a big way of late - certainly in Australia in any event. A sub-genre of crime that many attribute to Agatha Christie has spawned many wonderful Australian novels that recently include 'The Tea Ladies' Mysteries by Amanda Hampson, the Poppy McGowan Myster…

Alexandra Almond is a Melbourne-based author who, before turning her hand to writing, worked in a variety of roles - which included being a stable hand and a clown! Her debut novel, 'Thoroughly Disenchanted', was recently published by HarperCollins Australia. And what a delightful, romantic - and despite its title - enchanting novel it is. It’s abo…

'The Last Love Note' written by Canberra-based author Emma Grey was one of my most memorable reads for 2023 - a book that Emma wrote in the wake of her husband’s sudden death. It’s been incredibly successful both in Australia and NZ (selling more than 100,000 copies so far) and it was also picked up in the US and was selected for Book of the Month …

'Immortal Dark' (Hachette Australia) by Tigest Girma heralds a new and exciting era of vampire fiction. As a debut it is a remarkable, fresh, rich and clever reimagining of a tale as old as time. An Ethiopian writer based in Melbourne, Tigest is passionate about exploring East-African stories and myths - weaving them with dark and fantastical theme…

Sydney-based Joanne Fedler is an international bestselling author of 15 books. A writing mentor, women's activist and keen ocean swimmer, Joanne's books have sold over 750,000 copies worldwide. Earlier this year, Joanne's new novel 'The Whale's Last Song' was released by HarperCollins Australia. And what a beautiful, magical and portentous book it …

Brisbane-based author Christine Wells is the author of sixteen novels and is a powerhouse in the historical fiction space. Her new novel, ‘The Paris Gown’ (published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins) is about three women who meet at the Paris Cordon Blue cooking school in the 1950s and become firm friends, only to go their separate wa…

'Double Happiness' (Midnight Sun Publishing) by Melbourne-based writer, editor and arts journalist Rochelle Siemienowicz is a work of auto fiction and explores the complexities of non-monogamy and what it’s like to love two or more people - equally but differently. Set in Melbourne, the book is told from three different perspectives and spans a sev…

Listeners, it was a joy to welcome one of my favourite Aussie authors back to the podcast this week. Tania Blanchard is an Australian, bestselling author whose skill as a storyteller has gone from strength to strength in the 6 or 7 years that I have known her. From her debut novel ‘The Girl From Munich’ to her latest, Tania has cemented her place a…

Tricia Stringer is a multi-award winning bestselling Australian author of 17 novels which include 'Back on Track', 'Keeping Up Appearances', 'Birds of a Feather', 'The Model Wife' and 'Table for Eight' amongst others. Tricia's brand new novel 'Head for the Hills' has just been released by HQ Fiction and what a joyful, insightful and timely read it …

Julie Bennett is a Sydney-based author of two wonderfully rich, intriguing historical novels. 'The Understudy' published in 2022 and now 'The Lost Letters of Rose Carey' published earlier this year by Simon & Schuster Australia. Storytelling is in Julie’s blood and that first novel was the most magnificent story - taking readers back to Sydney in 1…

Christine Paice is the author of the incredible new novel ‘The Oxenbridge King’ which has just been published by HarperCollins Australia. Listeners to say that this was a novel I enjoyed, would be an understatement. 'The Oxenbridge King' takes you back in time, giving you a glimpse into a by-gone era and ruminates on events we can only speculate ab…

Petronella McGovern is the author of 4 crime novels and two non-fiction titles. Her first book, Six Minutes - published in 2019 was an instant bestseller and was shortlisted for the Ned Kelley Awards in 2020. The Good Teacher was next, followed by The Liars. All masterful stories that examine the human psyche and what makes people behave the way th…

When Lizzy Dent’s new book landed on my desk a couple of months ago, I was excited. 'Just One Taste' (HarperCollins Australia) is a book with all the feels. Unforgettable characters, delightful romance, humour, food to salivate over and destinations to dream of. An homage to Italy and complete sensory experience from an Aussie author that global be…

JP Pomare is a bestselling, award-winning author originally from New Zealand and who now lives in Australia. His first novel, 'Call Me Evie', published in 2018, won the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel, while 'Tell Me Lies' - his third novel, became a #1 Audible Bestseller and was shortlisted for the Ngaio Marsh Best Crime Novel award along w…

Courtney Collins is an accomplished author screenwriter producer and podcaster. Her first novel, 'The Burial' was published back in 2012 in ten countries and shortlisted for multiple prizes - including the NSW Premiers Literary award and the Stella Prize. Courtney’s second novel, ‘Bird’ has just been released by Hachette Australia. To say that this…

Listeners, some of you may recall back in March of this year, I decided to mix things up a little on the podcast, by interrogating a panel of bookish experts about what they were reading. Because, let’s face it, as much as I would like to think of myself as an authority on what Australians read, the truth is - my reading is mostly guided by what I’…

Few of us who have a keen interest in history and literature - particularly Australian history and literature - will not have heard of Henry Lawson and his short story - 'The Drover’s Wife'. First published in 1892, Lawson’s story centres on an unnamed woman living in the outback, in an isolated hut, with her four children while her husband is away…

The best kind of YA novels are the ones that appeal to a broad audience. Ones that teenagers, younger and older adults alike can relate to on a multitude of levels. In my time as a podcaster I’ve been fortunate to encounter some truly engaging, highly relevant YA stories that offer a glimpse into the lives of young adults and the issues they face m…

Sandie’s sixth novel, 'The Lyrebird Lake Ladies Choir' (Penguin) is a moving and empowering story about three women set between 1973 and the present day. It explores deeply emotional and confronting issues in a heartfelt, sensitive and hopeful way - in true Sandie Docker style. Sandie’s debut novel 'The Kookaburra Creek Cafe' was published back in …

Nicola Moriarty’s brand new novel ‘Every Last Suspect’ has just been released by HarperCollins Australia. And what an absolute cracker it is!! For those who are not familiar with Nicola or her writing, she is a Sydney-based novelist and copywriter whose previous works include: 'Those Other Women', 'The Fifth Letter', 'The Ex' and 'You Need to Know'…

It's been a long five years since I last chatted with BM Caroll. In the time since, she has written another four novels - one of which is her newest release 'One of Us is Missing' published by Affirm Press. A thoroughly gripping novel that follows the O'Sullivan family after the unimaginable happens: one of them goes missing during a a Cold Play Co…

Barbara Sumner is a writer and filmmaker from New Zeleand who’s debut novel, The Gallows Bird has just been published by Pantera Press. Whilst The Gallows Bird is Barbara’s debut foray into fiction, she is no stranger to storytelling. Barbara’s career has covered production of three highly acclaimed feature documentaries, stints in journalism and t…

‘To Sing of War’ is a novel by Catherine McKinnon - the Miles Franklin Award shortlisted author of Storyland- set in the final months of WW2. An epic story that examines the events in the lead-up to the United States’ decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki - ending the war in the Pacific and leading to Japan’s surrender. Taking …

Pip Fioretti is a Sydney-based author who has been writing fiction since 2006 alongside a career in visual arts. In the 2021 Sydney lockdown and inspired by walks she’d taken though the arid rangelands of western NSW, Pip wrote the first draft for a novel that would become her first crime novel - 'Bone Lands'. Released by Affirm Press at the end of…

Art, history, lies and family secrets are at the heart of another stunning debut Aussie novel I recently had the utter pleasure of reading. Lisa Medved’s mesmerising novel, The Engraver’s Secret is the story of two women linked over the span of 400 years through a mysterious map and a family secret. Set between Antwerp in the Spanish Netherlands in…

Any book that explores the role fate plays in our lives is always going to be one I will enjoy. So it was with great interest that I read Rhianna King's and brilliant debut novel ‘Birds of a Feather’ published at the end of March by Affirm Press. Rhianna is a Melbourne-based author who has spent more than two decades working as a communicator in th…

Debut Australian novelists are enjoying their heyday at the moment. It seems that every other day I’m learning about another fabulous Aussie writer ticking getting published off their bucket list. Moreover, the quality of these stories are simply outstanding. None more so than the debut novel from my next guest author. Maxine Fawcett is a Sydney-ba…

Regular listeners might remember a few years back I welcomed debut novelist Kelli Hawkins to the podcast. Kelli is a Newcastle-based author who landed a rare four-book deal with HarperCollins for two adult books and two children’s books in 2020. Back then we were chatting about her bestselling gripping psychological thriller - Other People’s Houses…

Listeners, as you can imagine I read a lot of books. Mostly Australian fiction - given that this is the genre on which the Talking Aussie Books podcast was founded. I do try and read the international titles everyone is talking about (I think Yellowface was the latest) and then of course, I throw in a couple of non-fiction titles for good measure. …

The Black and Bright Festival is a literary festival dedicated to the diverse expressions of First Nations storytelling. Established in 2016 this four-day festival is based in Naarm (Melbourne) and covers all genres from oral stories, novels, to plays and poetry. With over 60 first nations artists set to appear at the upcoming festival between 14 a…

Jane Tara is an author and wanderer who is best known in Australia for her role as general manager of Better Reading - one of Australia's largest online book communities. Jane is the author of more than 100 books, several plays and five novels. Recently, Jane's new novel, 'Tilda is Visible' was released by Affirm Press. A wonderfully surprising, qu…

Dervla McTiernan is an international best-selling critically acclaimed author of 4 novels (think of The Ruin, The Scholar and The Murder Rule) as well as several audio novellas. Since becoming published in 2018, Dervla's books have regularly graced Amazon bestseller lists. She has won a Ned Kelly Award, a Davitt Award and a Barry Award and has been…

Today listeners I’m introducing you to another author whose gorgeous debut novel, called ‘All the Golden Light’ has just been published by HarperCollins. A richly detailed, sweeping historical novel, 'All the Golden Light' is a snapshot of life for one woman living on the south coast of NSW at the tail end of WWI. A time of darkness, deprivation an…

Liz Foster is a Sydney-based author originally from Britain who began her writing journey some seven years ago. 'The Good Woman’s Guide to Making Better Choices', published by Affirm Press is her first novel. And listeners, it’s a cracker. A thoroughly enjoyable read about marriage, parenting, fraud, infidelity and…of all things…goat’s cheese! I wa…

Michelle Upton in a Brisbane-based author whose first novel ‘Terms of Inheritance’ was shortlisted for the Banjo Prize in 2021. A little over 12 months later 'Terms of Inheritance' was published by HarperCollins Australia. And I can see why. With a strong hook and a cast of strong, vibrant female characters, this was one heck of a good story. Hard …

After more than 260 interviews to this point and attendance at bookish events too numerous to count, I meet a lot of Australian authors. Some are well into their writing careers, others are just at the start or trying to break in like me while many are somewhere in the middle. So when someone I know - someone who has been trying to get published fo…

It’s impossible not to be excited about interviewing an author whose career I have been fortunate to witness from it’s infancy. From the first interview I conducted with this author more than five years ago until now, this woman’s skill as a storyteller has simply gone from strength to strength. With 4 bestselling books under her belt now, Tania Bl…