51 episodes
Write What You Love (And Be Lucky): Unfiltered Advice from Fantasy Legend Garth Nix
08/09/2026 | 32 mins.There are few more beloved voices in fantasy writing than Australia's own Garth Nix - with Luke accounting for a fair share of that love himself.
Here, the two finally sit down to discuss Garth's hesitant awakening as a writer, his process of using 'bad maps' to great novels, how his landmark work Sabriel was originally intended to be very different, his latest venture (and adventure) into science fiction with Massif - and even why he thinks that if he weren't a writer, he might well be in jail!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Book Club: My Personal 'GOOD BOOK', the Book That Saved Me - Magician by Raymond E Feist
01/09/2026 | 29 mins.Luke dives into his own personal "Good Book": Raymond E. Feist's fantasy classic, Magician. From picking up a paperback copy fresh out of rehab, to examining how Pug and Tomas's journeys inspired his own path to recovery, Luke shares why this epic story changed his life—and analyzes what it’s like to come back to it now.
Stay connected on our socials:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast
Thanks to Hachette - for the list of their expert readalikes for Magician and other Good Book Club picks, go to https://www.hachette.com.au/news/in-the-good-books
and for more, visit www.hachette.com.au
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information."Nothing Makes Me Hornier Than Books": Em Rusciano on Smut, Self-Discovery, and Her New Single Life
27/08/2026 | 47 mins.Luke is joined by Em Rusciano—the powerhouse singer, comedian, author, broadcaster, podcaster and more—for an uninhibited, laugh-out-loud, and deeply honest conversation about midlife awakenings, the transformative power of putting yourself first and the liberating world of spicy romance novels.
Em opens up about her love for literary smut and why bookstores urgently need a dedicated "middle-aged horn aisle". She retells how ADHD and autism influenced her reading, why books were a safe-haven, overcoming dyslexia, and turning personal trauma into her raw autobiography, 'Blood, Sweat and Glitter'. Em also shares the hilarity and liberation of stepping into her single era in her 40s, dating younger men, and why her stand-up show Addicted to Love is a rallying cry for women to stop sacrificing themselves for others and finally choose their own happiness.
For tour dates and tickets head here: https://emrusciano.com/addicted-to-love/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.- Liane Moriarty, author of mega best-sellers Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers and more, joins Luke in the studio for a candid, hilarious, and insightful conversation on her writing process, career origin story, and long-awaited return to her most famous literary world.
In this episode, Liane opens up about growing up in a story-obsessed household of six kids—where her dad funded her earliest writing efforts—and reveals how a sudden flash of sibling envy over her sister's debut novel finally kicked her own multi-million-copy career into gear.
She offers a fascinating look into Big Little Truths, her new book and first-ever sequel, sharing how Hollywood adaptations subtly reshaped how she visualized her own characters, like Nicole Kidman's Celeste, and the unique pressure of writing characters ten years later.
Plus, she reveals how even after all this time and all those copies sold, she sometimes still has to trick herself to write (using some very ornate equipment), and why her fans are her biggest source of joy.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. - You wouldn't expect constructing a crime thriller to be a time of laughter and healing after a tragic loss. But that's exactly what it was for Matt Nable.
In this conversation, the multi-talented ex-sport star, actor and author talks about why writing is his biggest love above all, the encouragement another legendary Australian writer gave him that changed everything, the moment he felt safe revealing his creativity to his fellow footy-mates, everything that went into crafting his latest book Mire.
Find more of Matt's books here: https://www.hachette.com.au/matt-nable
Thanks to Hachette Australia.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More Arts podcasts
Trending Arts podcasts
About In The Good Books with Luke Bateman
What’s your story? Everyone has one — the ones we read and the ones we live.
In The Good Books is a new weekly podcast that serves as a community for those who believe in the power of a good story.
Each week, host Luke Bateman shares the books that have shaped his world, from timeless classics to buzzy bestsellers. He’ll also sit down with the most fascinating voices in the literary world — from bestselling authors to emerging new talent — as they reveal the inspirations behind their work.
This is more than a book club; it's a space to explore how the stories we consume influence the lives we lead.
We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at GoodBooks@nine.com.au.
Follow all the action on our socials:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast
Podcast websiteListen to In The Good Books with Luke Bateman, The Book Club and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app
- Stations and podcasts to bookmark
- Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- Supports Carplay & Android Auto
- Many other app features
Get the free radio.net app
- Stations and podcasts to bookmark
- Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- Supports Carplay & Android Auto
- Many other app features


In The Good Books with Luke Bateman
Scan code,
download the app,
start listening.
download the app,
start listening.
In The Good Books with Luke Bateman: Podcasts in Family
























