Category: Interviews with writers

Alumni/Student success stories
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

AWC graduate Penny Morrison: Published picture book author

It wasn’t so long ago that Sydney mum Penny Morrison would have laughed off suggestions that she could be a published picture book author. She never thought of herself ever writing books. However, now with half a dozen books to her name, including an industry recognition, she has no plans to stop anytime soon.

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Interviews with writers
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

Lee Zachariah on his new book “Double Dissolution”

Lee Zachariah is a writer who has worked across film, television and journalism. He has written on politics and the arts for a range of publications and co-hosted the ABC2 film comedy series The Bazura Project. He has also written for The Chaser on The Hamster Wheel, The Checkout and

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Fiction writing
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

Fleur McDonald talks “Sapphire Falls”

We’re no strangers to the talented Fleur McDonald and her seemingly never-ending list of colours with which to incorporate into her book titles. And this week, following the tradition of her bestselling novels like Crimson Dawn and Indigo Storm, she has released her latest fix of rural fiction – the

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Fiction writing
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

How the word “nemesis” inspired a debut novel

If you’re a fan of rom-coms, then have we got the interview for you. Today we’re chatting with Sally Thorne – debut author of new book, The Hating Game. So we’re going to stop talking and let her tell us all about it. Hi Sally. So, how about a quick

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Fiction writing
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

We catch the tube to wartime London with Maggie Joel’s latest book

Author Maggie Joel’s latest book is The Safest Place in London – set in a tube station shelter during the wartime winter of 1944. So, we’re here in this bomb shelter talking to Maggie. (Yes, we’re regretting the location already.) So Maggie, for readers who haven’t acquainted themselves with your

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Fiction writing
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

1000 words in “The Writer’s Room” with Charlotte Wood

Today we’re in a room chatting with writer Charlotte Wood about her book, The Writer’s Room – which has been described as “a rich and sympathetic resource for writers”. So Charlotte, can you tell us more about the book? “It’s a collection of 12 long-form interviews with established Australian writers

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Alumni/Student success stories
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

Tamsin Janu’s award-winning start in children’s fiction

Tamsin Janu published her award-winning book Figgy in the World after completing a course at the Australian Writers’ Centre. After taking the book world by storm, she followed up with a sequel, Figgy and the President and Figgy Takes the City. Her latest books are Blossom and Winston and the Wondrous Wooba Gymnastics Club.

And it all started when she enrolled in a writing course that would change her life. “On the second day of the course I remember that’s when I came up with the idea for my first book!” said Tamsin.

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Fiction writing
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

Dancing with the Tsars: Ninth time lucky for Evelyn Skye

Evelyn Skye’s debut novel is The Crown’s Game – a kind of Russia meets Westeros affair. Evelyn has been described as an avid pizza and cookie eater who was once offered a job in the CIA, yet actually wishes she could go on a dancing reality show. She seemed worth

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Fiction writing
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

A rendezvous with Gary Kemble, author of “Bad Blood”

Today we’re sitting in a crowded train station waiting to chat with crime and thriller author Gary Kemble, author of Bad Blood – the second novel in his Harry Hendrick series. When he arrives, we’re not supposed to turn around so we don’t draw suspicion. Hi Gary. (Is that you

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Fiction writing
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

Isabelle Li talks “A Chinese Affair”

This week, we’re chatting with writer Isabelle Li – author of A Chinese Affair. So, tell us Isabelle, for those who haven’t read your book, what’s it about? “A Chinese Affair consists of 16 short stories, exploring the experience of recent Chinese migration to Australia – what it means to

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Fiction writing
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

Author Rajith Savanadasa is in “Ruins”

Hot off the press is the first novel from Australian author Rajith Savanadasa, Ruins. “A stunning debut novel from a fresh voice in Australian fiction, for fans of Zadie Smith and Rohinton Mistry,” says the press for this one. So we asked around and tracked him down to answer a

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Alumni/Student success stories
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

Author C.S. Sealey shares her story

C.S. (Carmel) Sealey’s lifelong dream of completing and publishing her first novel, Equilibrium, finally came true.

Making writing a priority

Not long ago, Carmel was stuck in a non-creative role at work. “I had no time to work on my book and not much motivation to make time,” she recalls. “It was stagnating in a folder on my computer with a long to-do list and in much need of some TLC!”

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Fiction writing
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

A chat with author Karyn Sepulveda

Ideas for books can come at any moment, and for author Karyn Sepulveda, hers happened in one of the most common places. But more on that in a moment. We’re talking about the newly released Young Adult fantasy novel, Choosing Xaverique and we’re talking with Karyn. Hi Karyn, so what’s

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Fiction writing
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

Q&A with Cath Ferla – author of Ghost Girls

Not to be confused with the upcoming all-female remake of Ghostbusters, this brand new novel – Ghost Girls (Echo Publishing) – takes place mainly in and around Sydney’s Chinatown district, with enough mystery and intrigue to shake many sticks at. We wanted to get to the bottom of this story,

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Interviews with writers
Australian Writers’ Centre Team

Talking ‘Practical Perfection’ with Kelly Exeter

Editor, graphic designer, freelance writer, blogger, productivity ponderer and self-confessed perfectionist Kelly Exeter is also an author – and her latest book has just been released. It’s called Practical Perfection and it’s all about “smart strategies for an excellent life”. We quizzed everyone in the office and we all wanted

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