Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

What happens when a bestselling crime writer returns to the novel he first wrote in his twenties? Michael Robotham joins Cheryl to reveal the story behind Tell Me Something True, his deeply personal first novel set in Australia, and discusses lost manuscripts, small-town secrets, family, love, loss and why this is a crime story unlike anything he’s written before... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a lifelong book lover becomes a writer? Nina Kenwood joins Cheryl Akle to talk about her new novel People Skills, a slow-burn romance set around a literary festival, and the winding path that led her there. From obsessing over The Baby-Sitters Club and John Marsden as a teenager to abandoned manuscripts, a 10-year writing group and writing a rom-com while parenting a newborn, Nina shares the highs, challenges and unexpected moments behind becoming a published author. People Skills is out now... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when an Australian comedian heads to Hollywood with big dreams and no idea what’s coming? Ash Williams shares the wild, hilarious and unexpected stories behind Almost Killing It in Hollywood, from chasing big opportunities to the moments that didn’t quite go to plan. His latest work, Almost Killing It in Hollywood, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three sisters disappear from a bridal shop at the foot of the pyramids. That’s where Tess Woods’ new novel, The Cairo Bridal Shop, begins. Tess joins Cheryl to talk about the very personal story behind the book, her Egyptian heritage, her beloved grandmother and the unexpected journey that took her from physiotherapy to bestselling author. The Cairo Bridal Shop is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yumna Kassab joins Cheryl Akle to talk about the stories, memories and sense of place behind her new book. Yumna shares how growing up Lebanese-Australian in Parramatta shaped her writing, her unusual path from studying science and teaching to becoming an acclaimed author, and how a short story competition led to her first book, The House of Youssef. She also talks about her unique writing process and why she captures her ideas by hand in notebooks. Her new book, Parramatta, a Dictionary of Place and Memory, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.