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 - 00:57
Book Spotlight - Songs of Shadow, Words of Woe - 02:44
Bio - Matthew R. Davis - 03:58
Book Spotlight - The Dark Man, By Referral - 05:14
Bio - Chuck McKenzie - 6:22
Book Spotlight - Careful with that Axe - 07:52
Bio - David Schembri - 09:06
Horror and short form writing - 10:50
How has the horror genre evolved in the last decade or so? - 21:30
National Australian Horror Convention - 43:44
Best writing advice - 50:20
Author Reading: My Clare by David Schembri

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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 thriller
2. Broken by Magick by T.W. Howis – urban fantasy, police procedural
3. Cherish (A Blemished Tale) by Faye Hall – romance
4. Against the Rising Sun by Jeff Steel – biography military history
5. The Vandemonium: Wall Street and Silicon Valley Collide by Allan Charles Branch – memoir
6. Come on Australia: The Great War Service of Lieutenant Colonel Terence McSharry CMG DSO MC by Lewis Frederickson & Victor Nurcombe – non-fiction
7. Under the Same Moon by Peter Mitchell – non-fiction

Intro - 0:57
News - 13:05
Book spotlights - 23:36
Author interview - 42:11
Post interview chat - 1:25:00
Quotes - 1:27:27

Read 'The Magpies have Unionised' HERE

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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, suspense
Bethan's Flame by AJ Miles - fantasy
Dragon Rising by Stuart Buchanan - military thriller
Wanted Dead or Alive by Ramona Riot - memoir
The Happy Ending by Christopher Keenan - Aussie tales and humour
The Calloways Reincarnation by Big Dog - Fantasy
Miss Metamorph by Camille Fitzgerald - memoir

Intro - 0:57
News - 06:25
Shay Leighton (Tough Guy Book Club) - 8:03
Book spotlights - 21:42
Author interview - 34:18
Post interview chat - 1:26:12
Quotes - 1:28:30

Support the show

Thanks for listening.
Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.