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 undertake some morally questionable activities and who then find themselves caught up in a deadly high-stakes drama. Fast-paced, gritty and compulsive, Fiona Hardy is a talented, fresh new voice in Australian crime literature. I was thrilled to have the chance to chat with her on the podcast recently.
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30:21
Talking Aussie Books with Marion Taffe
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 Prize (non-fiction) in 2022 and a recipient of a Varuna Residential Fellowship in 2023.Marion’s novel ‘By Her Hand’ was released in early March by HarperCollins’s Fourth Estate and what an impressive, wondrous and exploration of an historical era along with some of its major players that I knew next to nothing about. ‘By Her Hand’ is a book that examines the plight of women in the Kingdom of Mercia - a place now known as the English Midlands - in the 10th century and follows the story of a young farm’s girl’s fight to ensure she writes her own destiny.I was thrilled to welcome Marion to the podcast recently to chat about her publishing journey, inspiration, research and more in this wide-ranging, fascinating chat.
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50:29
Talking Aussie Books with Chrissie Bellbrae
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 reading an early draft of this novel some five years ago and knew then this story was special.To now see it out in the world in all its stunning glory, is immensely satisfying. A novel set across three timelines and written from the point of view of three exceptional women, with history, mystery and magic effortlessly weaved in, this book will appeal to readers of Kate Forsyth and Kell Woods. It was a joy to welcome Chrissie on the podcast recently to talk about her gorgeous book and journey to publication. Well worth a listen.
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35:59
Talking Aussie Books with Penelope Janu
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 legal academic - whose debut novel ‘In at the Deep End’ was published by HarperCollins in 2017. In the time since, Penelope has gone onto publish another 8 novels and three novellas. Late last year, Penelope’s new novel ‘The Summerfield Saddler’ was published by HQ Fiction and listeners, I think this one is my most favourite yet. An absolutely terrific read.Â
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34:53
Talking Aussie Books with Kate Horan
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 seventeen years, however, Kate has worked in corporate communications - helping executives pitch and present. Early last month her debut novel was released by HQ Fiction. Called ‘The Inheritance’ Kate’s story follows two women whose lives become inextricably entwined when they cross paths over a controversial property development in an exclusive historical enclave in the southern highlands of NSW.A story about wealth, entitlement, corruption and what we inherit from our parents.A gripping, sophisticated story by a talented writer. I was thrilled to welcome Kate to the podcast recently.Â
Australia