Stephen Whiteside has been walking and skiing through the Australian mountains for most of his life. He has also been writing for many years - mostly rhyming verse, but also short stories, and articles about Australia's history and natural environment. Many of his poems have been published in magazines or anthologies, both in Australia and overseas, or won awards.

In 2014, Walker Books published a collection of his poetry for children, "The Billy that Died with its Boots On and other Australian Verse." In 2015, the book won a Golden Gumleaf for "Book of the Year" at the Australian Bush Laureate Awards during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. In 2016 he judged the Secondary School Section of the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. Last year he self-published his first novella, 'Snow, Fire and Gold - the story of Bill Spargo and Evelyn Piper's life in the Australian mountains.' This year he is publishing another novella, 'Pearl Bradshaw - Princess of Hotham.' Whiteside works as a GP in Melbourne.

In the 161st episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Stephen about:

• the inspiration to explore particular time periods and story in Stephen’s work Australian History Snow, Fire and Gold
• what research methods he undertook to bring authenticity to his novella while keeping the narrative engaging
• challenges in balancing historical fact with storytelling
• Stephen’s advice to writers looking to craft compelling historical narratives while staying true to the past and much more.

https://snowfireandgold.com.au/