Here at Book Matters we are great supporters of Australian writers, especially those who are publishing their first novels. Today we shine a light on two debut novelists  Lynne Johnson  is an Australian writer and the author of crime fiction novel, The Bait trap. She writes crime with feeling, that deals with gritty social issues, like addiction. The Bait Trap is about powerlessness, forgiveness, redemption and freedom all set in a fictional rural Australian town. Abbey Lay is a Melbourne writer whose novel Lead us Not is an emotionally charged novel of female friendship. Her debut n ..read more

On this episode we have two Australian mystery rural crime writers to chat to.  Courtney speaks with Vicki Wakefield about her latest release “To the River” about a fire in a remote caravan community which kills 9 people.    Then Janine speaks with Glenna Thompson about her novel “Gone” which is a gripping rural crime novel of a grieving family and their forty-year journey to discover the truth.   We hope you enjoy. https://www.connectedlibraries.org.au https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/ https://twitter.com/CasCarLibraries https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2 ..read more

On the podcast today Sam speaks with debut Australian author Michael Thompson about his novel How to be Remembered which is a heartwarming, poignant and ultimately inspiring novel about the important things in life. Then Kate talks to Tara Calaby about her debut Australian historical fiction novel House of Longing which is set in 1895 and takes place largely in Kew Asylum. It explores loss, grief and the building of community, with a touch of romance on the side. https://www.connectedlibraries.org.au https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/ https://twitter.com/CasCarLibraries https ..read more

On Book Matters this month Janine chats to Sydney based crime writer Rae Cairns about her heart stopping thriller Dying to Know which is a page turning novel about A desperate phone call. A decade of questions and A deadly race to find the truth. Then we go across the world to New York City where Sam speaks with debut novelist Mikki Brammer about her book The Collected Regrets of Clover, which reminds us all to live our best life with fewer regrets. https://www.connectedlibraries.org.au https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/ https://twitter.com/CasCarLibraries https://www.youtube.co ..read more

This month on Book Matters we have a Historical Fiction episode.  First up Janine talks to South Australian author Victoria Purman, where we find out all about her new novel “A Woman’s Work’’ which takes us back to Australia in the 1950’s and the Australian Women’s Weekly cooking competition, where two women have the possibility of a new kind of future. Then Carol speaks with well-known author Jackie French about her new novel "Becoming Mrs Mulberry" which is about the secrets we carry, those that we unearth - and those that are too dangerous to tell. And of course we have some more great ..read more

Today on the podcast Janine speaks with Sydney Author Genevieve Gannon who is an award-winning Sydney-based journalist and author of four novels. Her new book The Gifted Son, explores the subject of “one punch” when a talented student is a victim and the consequences of everyone around him.   Genevieve is fast becoming the Australian version of Jodi Picoult  where she writes about moral dilemmas in her novels.  Then Courtney speaks with Aussie writer Simon Rowell about his crime thriller series. His latest novel is a fast-paced crime story, vividly set in the towns along the Mu ..read more

In our first episode for 2023 we celebrate Library Lovers Day!  Courtney speaks with Nina Kenwood about her new novel Unnecessary Drama which is a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers story. And a coming-of-age story, and a moving-out-of-home story, and a making-new-friends story, and a dealing-with-anxiety story. And according to the author it’s funny! Then Carol speaks to Canberra author Emma Grey about her new novel The Last Love Note, which she wrote in the wake of her husband’s death. It’s a fictional tribute to their love, an attempt to articulate the magnitude of her loss and a life-affirmi ..read more

Sue shares an interview with author Heather Morris who tells us about her global bestselling novel "Three Sisters" which is based on the incredible true story of the Meller sisters - a beautiful story of hope in the hardest of times and of finding love after loss.    Three Sisters is her third novel, and the final piece in the phenomenon that is the Tattooist of Auschwitz series.   We hope you enjoy https://www.connectedlibraries.org.au https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/ https://twitter.com/CasCarLibraries https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g ..read more

Back in February last year we had the pleasure of speaking with Sydney author Mary-Anne O’Connor for Library Lovers Day.   She spoke about her writing process and told us all about her inspiration for her new novel “Dressed by Iris”, which is a vivid, romantic story of Sydney in the 1930s Depression - the heartbreak, the glamour, the dark underbelly, the struggle towards a better day - and one young woman's dream of designing her way from rags to riches. She also speaks about her work with the Hornsby Ku-ring-ai Women’s Shelter which offers safe emergency accommodation and support service ..read more

Welcome to our Summer Series where we look back at some of the In-Conversation online events over the previous year.  Back in lockdown we had the utmost pleasure in speaking with Australian Author Judy Nunn via Zoom who told us all about her new novel Showtime,  which will take you from the cotton mills of England to the magnificent theatres of Melbourne, on a scintillating journey through the golden age of Australian showbusiness.   Judy also tells us about her transition from Actor to Author and what goes on behind the scenes in the theatre world as well as what inspired her ..read more