Australian Book Lovers

In episode #182, Veronica and Laurie get to fly into magical and supernatural places and stories, with our three fantasy authors: T.L. Brechin, Stephanie Bosshard and Ingrid J. Adams. We chat story inspiration, monsters, world building and so much more.Intro - 00:57Bio and story inspiration - T. L. Brechin - 02:38Book Spotlight - Pentark - 03:42Bio and story inspiration- Stephanie Bosshard - 05:33Book Spotlight - The Trials of Browid - 08:06Bio and story inspiration - Ingrid J. Adams - 09:49Book Spotlight - Descended - 12:28Why do found families ring such a bell - 15:15Ordinary to extraordinary - 21:14How did you make your fantasy world come alive? - 23:56What is your writing day like? - 33:40Has fantasy become more mainstream? - 37:16Advice for aspiring authors - 48:59Research with a First Nations healer - 53:17Support the showThanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

In episode 181 Veronica and Laurie explore some Other Wordly words from Yee-Lum Mak (fuubutsushi, kintsukuroi and nunchi), share industry news and events, and chat all about writing. Laurie has a brilliant catch up with author Nicole Kelly about her middle-grade book Shifters and the joy of an on-the-run, over-the-shoulder review. And of course there are quotes and book spotlights.Book spotlights this ep:1. Three Times Buried by Jane Smith – historical2. Dogs of War by Nigel Allsop – non-fiction3. Hidden Scars: From Crime Scenes to Crisis, The Price of Service by Justyn Backhouse – memoir4. Juniper’s Painting by Catherine Bauer – children's5. It’s You. Oh F**K. It’s ME by Chad Taylor – non-fiction6. Start at the End by Emma Grey - contemporary7. The Couples Retreat by Mercedes Mercier - thrillerIntro - 0:57News - 6:42Book spotlights - 14:09Author interview - 30:49Post interview chat - 1:22:06Quotes - 1:24:57Support the showThanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

Episode 180 has Veronica and Laurie chatting about the benefits of reading (some of the many), sharing new and events (TGBC Book Day Out), comparing book reading habits (page corner turner or bookmarker), quotes and so much more. Veronica has an inspiring chat with author Sarah Cochrane Ridout about Sisters in Arms: Oodgeroo Noonuccal, Kathie Cochrane and the Battle for the 1967 Referendum.Book spotlights this ep:1. Australia’s Coastal War by Dr Tom Lewis – non-fiction, military history2. Dreaming Soldiers by Catherine Bauer – children’s3. Wobbles by Ian Hunter – biography4. Calm your Farm by Dale Baker – children’s5. I love to draw by Dale Baker – children’s6. Pain Bleeds Crime by Pamela Nathan – non-fiction7. Under the Ottoman Veil by Grozdana Lukic - romanceIntro - 0:57News - 7:48Book spotlights - 21:25Author interview - 36:05Post interview chat - 1:24:37Newsletter giveaway sneak peak - 1:28:00Quotes - 1:30:53Author reading - 1:33:06Support the showThanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

In episode #179 Veronica and Laurie have collected a trio of terrifying storytellers to delve into all things horror: Matthew R. Davis, Chuck McKenzie and David Schembri. Scary tales and useful advice for budding writers of all genres. And a fabulous author reading of 'My Clare' from David Schembri.Intro - 00:57Book Spotlight - Songs of Shadow, Words of Woe - 02:44Bio - Matthew R. Davis - 03:58Book Spotlight - The Dark Man, By Referral - 05:14Bio - Chuck McKenzie - 6:22Book Spotlight - Careful with that Axe - 07:52Bio - David Schembri - 09:06Horror and short form writing - 10:50How has the horror genre evolved in the last decade or so? - 21:30National Australian Horror Convention - 43:44Best writing advice - 50:20Author Reading: My Clare by David Schembri - 1:01:50Support the showThanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

Episode #178 is a celebration of words, writing competitions, festivals and short stories. Veronica and Laurie chat with Kailum Graves, the winner of the 2026 Furphy Literary Award about his writing and art. (There's a link in the show notes to read his winning story 'The Magpies have Unionised'. A beautiful Australian tale a decade in the making.Book spotlights:1. BANG! by Taliyah Stone - crime thriller2. Broken by Magick by T.W. Howis – urban fantasy, police procedural3. Cherish (A Blemished Tale) by Faye Hall – romance4. Against the Rising Sun by Jeff Steel – biography military history5. The Vandemonium: Wall Street and Silicon Valley Collide by Allan Charles Branch – memoir6. Come on Australia: The Great War Service of Lieutenant Colonel Terence McSharry CMG DSO MC by Lewis Frederickson & Victor Nurcombe – non-fiction7. Under the Same Moon by Peter Mitchell – non-fictionIntro - 0:57News - 13:05Book spotlights - 23:36Author interview - 42:11Post interview chat - 1:25:00Quotes - 1:27:27Read 'The Magpies have Unionised' HERESupport the showThanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

In episode #177 Veronica and Laurie share their writing progress, publishing news (Ingram Spark Share & Sell), special guest reading news from Shay Leighton (Tough Guy Book Club), events, and quotes. Laurie has a fascinating chat with Penny Tangey, author of What Rhymes with Murder? Plus lots of lovely book spotlights and a sneak peak at this month's book giveaways.Book spotlights:Dead on the Dolmen by Cameron Trost - mystery, thriller, suspenseBethan's Flame by AJ Miles - fantasyDragon Rising by Stuart Buchanan - military thrillerWanted Dead or Alive by Ramona Riot - memoirThe Happy Ending by Christopher Keenan - Aussie tales and humourThe Calloways Reincarnation by Big Dog - FantasyMiss Metamorph by Camille Fitzgerald - memoirIntro - 0:57News - 06:25Shay Leighton (Tough Guy Book Club) - 8:03Book spotlights - 21:42Author interview - 34:18Post interview chat - 1:26:12Quotes - 1:28:30Support the showThanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

Ep 176 has Veronica and Laurie on writing groups (Ascolta Women Inc), reading groups (Book Doof), book bedazzling classes (Romancing the Novel Bookshop), first sale doctrine and machine learning, and the latest from the ASA on publishing push and pull market forces. Veronica chats with Emma Gerts and Esme Stevenson AKA Alexis Roberts on their debut Revelation (Book 1 of The Second Coming Trilogy). Plus seven book spotlights, quotes, and lots of writing and publishing tips.Book Spotlights:1. Dogtooth by S.F. Sowter - Aussie Tales2. The Trials of Browid by Stephanie Bosshard - Fantasy3. Home for Christmas by Clare Anne McGrory - Romance4. Ancient Odyssey by K. D. Wright - Historical Fantasy5. Murder and Masquerade by Catherine McCullagh - Thriller6. Crow by Rhonda McCoy - Contemporary7. The Sawmillers Daughter by Sarah Smith - HistoricalIntro - 0:57News - 06:17Book spotlights - 22:18Author interview - 35:36Post interview chat - 1:17:06Quotes - 1:20:47Support the showThanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

It's episode 175 and we are back in school. Veronica and Laurie chat with middle-grade authors Leisa Fail, Tina Strachan and Charlie Archbold about story inspirations, animals, adventures, learning from messing it up, caring for the environment and solving injustices together. *How many writers does it take to remember the word 'exclusive'? Have a listen ...Intro - 0:57Book Spotlight - Stormy Normy's Christmas Surprise - 5:19Bio - Leisa Fail - 7:05Book Spotlight - Neeka and the Great Search - 12:15Bio - Tina Strachan - 13:19Book Spotlight - The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage - 15:39Bio - Charlie Archbold - 16:57Writing for kids - 21:42Finding the balance between education and entertainment - 26:46Keeping track of a large character cast - 32:50Advice for emerging middle-grade authors - 44:21What's on your writing horizon? - 49:13Support the showThanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

It's episode 174, Veronica & Laurie chat writing and publishing, share news and events, including Bernadette Eden telling us all about 'Queens of the Desert', this year's Romance Writer's Australia conference. Laurie shares her great feedback on Alan Baxter's Write the Fight Right Workshop, and we sneak a peak at next month's book giveaways. Plus Laurie has a fabulous with 'debut' romance author, Bride Blake.Book spotlights:1. Might Cry Later by Kay Kerr – rom com2. My Invisible Battle with Multiple Sclerosis by Shruti Ghate – memoir3. The Case of the Hydegild Sacrifice by David Cairns – historical mystery4. The Battle for Victoria Street by Gabiann Marin – middle grade5. The Truth About Love by Mark Worthington – non-fiction6. Midnight Angel by Kevin Klehr – urban fantasy7. Three Ghosts by Kevin Klehr – urban fantasyIntro - 0:57News - 08:34Book spotlights - 25:18Author interview - 44:38Post interview chat - 1:31:14Quotes - 1:33:17Support the showThanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

Episode 173 has Veronica and Laurie on a deep dive into non-fiction writing. We chat with Debbie O'Shea, Hacia Atherton and Valentyna Solowij, on their writing inspiration, their incredible experiences and generously sharing their life changing messages through their books.Intro - 0:57Book Spotlight - The Stalagmite Effect - 4:50Bio - Debbie O'Shea - 5:54Book Spotlight - Billion Dollar Blindspot - 9:04Bio - Hacia Atherton - 10:14Book Spotlight - Banishing Back Pain - 13:55Bio - Valentyna Solowij - 15:27Who's your audience and what's your message? - 19:45Tell us about your book journey - 34:07With all the channels available these days, how impactful are books in sharing a message? - 40:13What's next? - 58:29Support the showThanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.