Episode 166 is all about publishing and print on demand. As well as news and book spotlights, we dive into great resources from: Ingram Spark, So You Want to Be A Writer by Allison Tait and Valerie Khoo (book and podcast), About Writing by Gareth L. Powell. And Veronica and Laurie have a fabulous chat about all things self-publishing with the wonderful Chris Munnery from Ingram Spark.

Book spotlights:
1. The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold – middle grade
2. The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage by Charlie Archbold – middle grade
3. Engineering the Australian Dream by Jaideep Padwalar – memoir
4. Crimson Velvet Heart by Carmel Bird – historical fiction
5. The Canvas Killings by Elise Janes – mystery, thriller and suspense
6. Return to Silkeborg by Vanessa Benford – contemporary
7. Tarzan Loves Jane by John Comerford – contemporary

Intro - 00:57
Publishing tips - 4:00
Industry news - 26.05
Book spotlights - 33:52
Author interview - 52:02
Post interview chat - 1:43:12
Quotes - 1:44:29

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In episode 165 Veronica and Laurie share book marketing tips from K.M. Allan, Seth Godin, Bryan Cohen and Joanna Penn. We have news, quotes, book spotlights and lots more. Laurie has a lively chat with the fabulous middle grade and children's author George Ivanoff.

Book spotlights:
1. The Boyfriend Clause by Bridie Blake - romance
2. Forever and Ever by Allanah Hunt - contemporary
3. The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay by Charlie Archibold – middle grade
4. Birthing with Trauma and Fear: A Guide to an Empowering Birth Experience by Moran Liviani – non-fiction
5. Tree Pose by Susan Rogers & John Roosen - thriller
6. Warrior Pose by Susan Rogers & John Roosen - thriller
7. One suitcase, two pets and a breakdown – Athena Martinez – memoir

Intro - 00:57
Marketing tips - 4:32
Industry news - 21:55
Book spotlights - 25:54
Author interview - 43:08
Post interview chat - 1:33:30
Quotes - 1:35:52

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In episode #164 Veronica and Laurie share writing and self-publishing tips, ISBNs, industry news, literary grants, quotes, new segment stings and more. Laurie catches up with thriller author Naomi Shippen about her latest book Before She Killed Him. Plus seven spectacular book spotlights.

Book spotlights:
1. All we need by Magdalena McGuire – contemporary
2. Songs of Shadow, Words of Woe by Matthew R. Davis – horror
3. Stormy Normy Goes Reining by Leisa Fail - middle grade
4. The Sky’s Edge by Clare Anne McGrory – thriller
5. A Child Called Faye by Jess Senff – fantasy
6. Billion Dollar Blindspot: What is Your Workplace Culture Costing You? By Hacia Atherton – non-fiction
7. Bird Deity by John Morrissey – science fiction

Intro - 00:57
Publishing tips - 4:20
Industry news - 17:35
Book spotlights - 22:43
Author interview - 41:40
Post interview chat - 1:24:26
Quotes - 1:26:27

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In episode #163 we're getting down onto the little chairs and exploring the outside world with Australian picture book authors Annie Kwan and Tania Moloney. They share their unique inspiration and writing process, the delights of working with an illustrator and which of their characters would make the best podcast guest.

Intro - 0:57
Bio Tania Moloney - 2:38
Book Spotlight - Nature Ninja Saves The Natural World - 3:26
Bio Annie Kwan - 5:06
Book Spotlight - The Finch Who Lost Her Wing - 05:57
Using Aussie fauna to tell powerful stories - 11:27
Using characters teaching children about emotions and the world - 21:44
Working with illustrators - 31:38
Which of your characters would make the best podcast guest? - 42:21
What surprised you about publishing your book? - 47:23
Advice for new picture book writers - 53:41

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In episode #162 Veronica and Laurie have industry news, literary events, book spotlights and more. The Furphy Literary Awards 2026 are open and we chat with Robyn J Black, coordinator of the award and previous winner who shares the history of the competition, short story writing tips and so much more.

Book spotlights:
1. Lee Gordon Present by Jeff Apter - biography
2. Love Beyond Borders by Joshua Campbell - historical
3. Wending by Bel Hawley - contemporary
4. Soul Comfort by Alistair Conwell - non-fiction
5. The Maskeys by Stuart Everly-Wilson - contemporary
6. Confessions of a Minor Poet by Phil Brown - memoir

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 16:04
Book spotlights - 21:33
Author interview - 35:54
Post interview chat - 1:07:57
Quotes - 1:09:07

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In episode 161 we're riding the coattails of three historical fiction writers into the past. We chat with authors Duncan Graham, Anne Vines and Paul Rushworth-Brown about their story inspiration, their writing process and what period in history they'd love to go back to.

Intro - 0:57
Bio Duncan Graham - 3:36
Book Spotlight - Where the Dust Settles by Duncan Graham - 4:33
Bio Anne Vines - 8:54
Book Spotlight - Flight by Anne Vines - 10:59
Bio Paul Rushworth-Brown - 16:15
Book Spotlight - Outback Odyssey by Paul Rushworth-Brown - 17:46
Research, fact and fiction - 21:54
Writing relatable characters - 33:05
Individual writing process - 45:38
Which historical period would you like to go back to? - 54:51
Advice for new writers - 1:01:05

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And we're back! Ep160 has Veronica and Laurie chatting author incomes, getting teens to read, Anna Featherstone's List of Australian Writers Festivals, and K.M. Allan's Writing Habits Checklist to get you into the New Year groove. So many lovely book spotlights, plus a wonderful chat with January Gilchrist about 'The Final Chapter' and a reading from The Serpent's Kiss from our very own Laurie Bell. And so much more...

Book spotlights:
1. The Serpent’s Kiss: Stones of Power Book 4 by Laurie Bell – YA Fantasy
2. Before She Killed Him by Naomi Shippen – mystery, thriller, domestic suspense
3. The Finch who lost her wing by Annie Kwan – picture book
4. The Wildflower of Asam by Gayatri Sarkar – historical
5. Moor to Sea: A journey along the Cleveland Way by Vicki Foote – memoir
6. The Tyranny of Tomorrow by Magda Mizzi – dystopian scifi
7. Grayson’s Magical Mishaps by Kevin Klehr – fantasy

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 8:10
Book spotlights - 18:06
Author interview - 38:00
Post interview chat - 1:26:53
Quotes - 1:29:11
Author reading - 1:32:17

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Episode 159 has Christmas written all over it. Veronica and Laurie chat rituals, folklore, food and book stocking fillers with six Australian authors whose work is set in the festive season: Madeleine D'Este, Sandy Barker, Lisa Heidke, Kevin Klehr, BG Hilton & Kay Kerr. Plus we share seasons greetings from 30 Australian Book Lovers authors - a little about their books and a little festive cheer.

Seasons Greetings from James Ynson, Nicole Kelly & Lisa Kenway - 0:57
Intro - 2:18
Seasons Greetings from Faye Hall, DT Bella, Max Jeffries - 5:11
Chat with Madeleine D'Este author of A Very Evangeline Christmas & Black Soil, White Bread - 7:27
Seasons Greetings from Leisa Fail, Verity Croker, Simon Higgins - 17:44
Chat with Sandy Barker author of The Christmas Swap & The Christmas Trip - 19:06
Seasons Greetings from Susan Rogers & John Roosen, Damien Linnane, Gabiann Marin - 28:34
Chat with Lisa Heidke author of Christmas Actually - 30:26
Seasons Greetings from Vanessa Bedford, Scott Leckie, Rowena Mabbott -39:37
Chat with Kevin Klehr author of Midnight Angel & Grayson's Magical Mishaps - 41:18
Seasons Greetings from Maria P Frino, Sandy Barker, George Ivanoff - 49:50
Chat with BG Hilton author of The Grimsdale Claimant - 51:14
Seasons Greetings from Tina Strachan, Heather Ewings, Michele Layet - 1:01:39
Seasons Greetings from Susannah Hardy, Holly Cardamone, Andrea Putting - 1:06:40
Chat with Kay Kerr author of Might Cry Later - 1:08:16
Seasons Greetings from Donna Cameron, Monika Schott, Madeleine D'Este - 1:14:36
More chat with Kay Kerr 1:16:23
Seasons Greetings from Amra Pajalic, David Cairns & SF Sowter - 1:28:05
Post chat - 1:30:12

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