Conversations With Writers

Gabriel Bergmoser is a playwright, author, screenwriter & international Emmy award winner. His latest novel, The Hunted, is set for release in 2020 & already in active development in Hollywood.In conversation we discuss Gabe's creative journey from stage to page, the costs of early success, & take a very personal dive into the doubts & delusions of pursuing a creative life.Gabe is a founding member of the Bitten By Theatre Company & author of the previously published Boone Shepard YA adventure trilogy. You can find Gabe via his website www.gabrielbergmoser.com & via twitter: @gobergmoserThe Hunted will be published by Harper Collins and is the first in a new action thriller series. It's also one hell of a ride!

Author Sarah Bailey’s international breakout debut ‘The Dark Lake’ garnered major awards and global praise, introducing tortured protagonist Detective Gemma Woodstock to the world of crime fiction.With the recent release of Sarah’s proposed final book in the Woodstock series, ‘Where the Dead Go’, Sarah joins the show to discuss the attraction and challenges of writing a selfish female lead; the deliberate narrative drivers of grief and guilt; the influence of a life in advertising; and the honesty of judgemental 8-year olds.You can follow Sarah Bailey on twitter @sarahbailey1982 and you can follow us via @conversationsww

With a Sydney dominated by sly grog , street gangs, and the nation’s security services infiltrated by soviet spies, the reality of Australia's 'patriotic' response to World War Two doesn’t match the war memorial view. Authors Michael Duffy and Nick Hordern have delved into the truth of our war effort in their new non-fiction work World War Noir, a follow up to the highly regarded Sydney Noir. In conversation, Nick Hordern discusses the influence and importance of the many criminals and spies who helped determine Australia’s response to the war with Germany, and to reiterate the need for a nation not to shy away from its more human, if somewhat darker past.

Tony Cavanaugh is one of Australia's most successful television screenwriters and the author of the highly acclaimed Darian Richards thrillers. His latest novel Blood River features the hunt, catch and conviction of an alleged serial killer, questioning what happens when they're due for release after serving a 'life sentence'. Heavily informed by real-life crime events and trials, including the injustice of Lindy Chamberlain, Tony is extremely candid about what drove him to tell this story. Warning: there is some seriously colourful swearing in the second half of our conversation as Tony's passion for truth in storytelling bursts through. You can follow Tony on twitter @tonycavanaugh1

Launched to the world in 1941, Wonder Woman has been an icon and inspiration for millions, surviving supervillains and poor characterisation in equal measure. Recently, she has returned to global dominance and dignity via the work of superstar comic book artist Nicola Scott. In conversation, we explore Wonder Woman's fascinating and fractured history, as well as the Amazing Amazon's critical influence upon Nicola's life and career decisions. You can follow Nicola via Twitter @nicolascottart and purchase original artwork from her website www.nicolascottart.com

JP Pomare's breakout suspense thriller Call Me Evie plays with the issues of memory and trauma, drawing heavily from psychological theory to inform his many twists and character motivations. In conversation we take a deep dive into his life experiences and studies, dissecting the darker edges of memory and the human psyche.

Talking Celtic legends, Nazi history, the circle of life and the story of the Irish Thor, John Connell's The Cow Book tells the critical role of the cow in history and his own life working the family farm in Ireland. This is a fascinating, fun and very personal exploration of Irish traditions. John is an award-winning playwright, filmmaker, author and journalist. You can follow John on Twitter @jconnelj2

Chris Hammer’s best-selling debut thriller Scrublands is set in the sun-ravaged heart of regional Australia. Chris is a former foreign correspondent and political journalist and has stolen from his real-life experiences to inform this bold addition to the outback noir genre. In conversation we delve into his connections to the towns of Australia's bush, and discuss what drove him to steer his story through the eyes of a PTSD-affected protagonist. This is a slight change in pace for our conversation series as we spend much of our time exploring the writing of the book, instead of the author himself.

Multi-million copy bestselling thriller author Michael Robotham in a deeply personal conversation about his fear of failure, the badge of journalism, the driving force of his father, and the power of sharing your story. A surprising and intimate insight into one of the world's favourite thriller writers. Michael's latest book is The Other Wife.

In his book The Lebs, Mohammed reinterprets events from his own life growing up during the peak of anti-muslim rhetoric. His work capturing the racism, anger & struggles confronting young Australians of migrant heritage who found power in the scaring of the white middle class.In conversation we discuss the influence of Malcolm X, the cultural significance of a Big Mac, and how boxers and writers need to remain focused, even when they’ve taken too many laxatives.Mohammed is an author, academic, playwright, activist and the director of Sweatshop, a literary movement devoted to empowering marginalised communities in Western Sydney.Follow Mohammed and the team at Sweatshop on Twitter: @sweatshopws

Jay Kristoff has consistently topped the New York Times Bestseller list with his Science Fiction and Fantasy works, often using the genres to address real world issues of slavery, race, class divide and political injustice.Jay's latest series is LIFELIKE, a fast-paced action tale set in a post-apocalyptic world, questioning the ethics of giving life to robots and demanding they live to serve.In conversation we discuss the responsibility of building worlds; the value of sensitivity readers; how not to swear; and the power of science fiction to call for social change.Jay is the author of the Lotus War series, Nevernight series and co-author of the phenomenally successful Illuminae series with Amie Kaufman. Lifelike is the first in a new YA Sc-Fi trilogy.Jay can be found on twitter @misterkristoff 

Journalist Bridie Jabour's debut novel "The Way Things Should Be" is a fierce & amusing deconstruction of millennial angst & mother issues, questioning what it takes to get, be & stay married amid a family in constant disarray. In conversation we reflect on Bridie's own family; becoming a hashtag when the Prime Minister tells you to "calm down"; the bad wrap of the millennial generation; and the influences that have forged her journalism career. You can find Bridie's writing at the Guardian Australia and follow her on Twitter: @bkjabour

Professor Toby Walsh is one of the world's leading researchers in Artificial Intelligence & recently returned from lobbying the UN to ban lethal autonomous weapons, aka Killer Robots.In his book "It's Alive", Toby considers the broader societal and philosophical questions of what happens when robots think and will they really fill our battlefields, take our jobs and eventually rule the world. You can follow Professor Toby Walsh on Twitter @tobywalsh

Journalist Eileen Ormsby was accused of running the world's most successful Murder-For-Hire website, following her investigation into the scams, drug markets and hurtcore sites of the Dark Web. Working with white-hat hackers, Eileen has become an authority on the darkest areas of this hidden online world, exposing the vices, blackmail and murders conducted away from the spying eyes of the global security services. Everything is true. Eileen's book The Darkest Web is available now and Eileen can be found at her website www.allthingsvice.com 

Journalist and author Caroline Baum's memoir 'Only' is a fascinating insight into growing up an only child in a world of privilege to controlling parents. In conversation Caroline shares the conspiracy of being the lost child of JFK; how MI5 & the KGB came to sit outside her London home; & the challenges of being the precious cargo of immigrant parents escaping their own secretive worlds of grief. This is an intimate and long conversation exploring Caroline's life and the techniques used to capture it.

Jack Heath is the author of more than 20 novels, with his most recent thriller "Hangman" an international success. Featuring a cannibal working for the FBI, Jack explains the fine line between anti-hero and deplorable. In conversation, we explore his publishing career writing for children; what he learned from Brett Easton Ellis; a date at the morgue; and the many influences driving him to break with tradition wherever he reads it. You can find Jack on Twitter: @jackheathwriter

Robert Lukins' debut novel The Everlasting Sunday is an eloquently sorrowful tale of a manor house for troubled boys, set within London's great freeze of December 1962. In conversation, Robert shares the driving forces of his need to create something beautiful from shadowy ruins, his use of rare and evocative language, and the powerful isolation and compulsion of a life spent writing. Robert can be found on Twitter @robertlukins

Up to 80 gay men were murdered along Sydney's beaches during the 70s, 80s & 90s, with their cases remaining unsolved or excused as suicides. Duncan McNab's award winning 'Getting Away With Murder' digs into the stunningly dark history of a homophobic NSW Police Force & the numerous cases of poor judgement, lost evidence & miscarriages of justice committed at a peak of anti-gay violence in the harbour city. Duncan is a former police officer, journalist and the author of 10 non-fiction true-crime tomes to date. Duncan can be found on Twitter @duncanmcnab

Author & Walkley Award winning journalist Catherine Fox outlines the economic benefits & societal need for equality in the workplace. Her deeply researched & optimistic book "Stop Fixing Women" challenging the belief corporate women haven't 'leaned in' & taken advantage of their opportunities. In conversation we discuss: the daughter syndrome; the #MeToo movement; the unconscious bias of employment practices; & the leaders forcing genuine change across industry & the Australian Defence Force. Follow Catherine on Twitter at: @corporatefox

Walkley Award winning political correspondent Michael Brissenden's first fictional work 'The List' is a dark tale of domestic terrorism, tapping into the racist flashpoint of the Cronulla riots & the increasing threat of Sydney-raised jihadists. In conversation we discuss his life in Moscow covering the insanity of the Yeltsin regime; the draw of young Australians to the Yugoslav wars; the balance between media & Government agendas; and the need for absolute truth in reporting. 

Gabby Tozer's hit novels The Intern, Faking It, & Remind Me How This Ends capture the doubts, ambitions and romantic failings of 20-something life. Her work connecting with  the global YA market in search of real stories reflecting their lives and losses. In conversation Gabby shares her personal struggle of balancing success with ambition, revealing how an understanding of her own anxieties has led to a richer, more fulfilling life and career. Follow Gabby on Twitter @gabrielletozer

Hugh Riminton is one of Australia's most experienced foreign correspondents. Blown up, shot at & first-on-scene at some of the world's most terrifying disasters, Hugh's autobiography 'Minefields - A Life in the News Game', is a richly entertaining & deeply empathetic global adventure. We discuss: the dangers of self-assumed power; being held at gunpoint; bribing his way into Moscow; the joy of Mandela; & an agreement to one last war. WARNING: We also briefly discuss the Aramoana & Port Arthur massacres, which may be difficult for some listeners (timecode: 24:25 - 30:51). Find Hugh on Twitter: @hughriminton  

International bestseller R.A Spratt is the creator of the Friday Barnes and Nanny Piggins kids book series. With a love of the absurd and a rapid-fire wit, Rachel started her career writing political comedy before making the unexpected leap into kids TV and becoming a global writing star. In conversation, Rachel shares how 10 jokes broke her into writing for Good News Week; the black humour of the Clinton era; the joys of writing for a boisterous anarchic pig; how to break the rules of kids TV; and where the clues for an 11 year old girl detective come from. The very funny and engaging R.A Spratt can be found on Twitter: @RASPratt and via her website: www.raspratt.com

A Season One finale featuring unaired short conversations with our first season guests Maria Lewis, Patti Miller, Alan Baxter, Heather Rose, Dr Sarah Edelman & Louise Remond , With topics as diverse as: your first murder; Cro-Magnon cave art; the trinkets of memory; writing the narrative of game based learning; the importance of diet on mental health; and finding the perfect co-author.We'll be back with Season Two in a few short weeks. Thanks for listening. Twitter: @conversationsww  

Garth Franklin has been at the forefront of online film criticism for the past 20 years, breaking news via scoops, leaks and non-disclosure breaches from every corner of the Hollywood system. His news and reviews site Dark Horizons changed the way studios engaged with online media and established new release and feedback models across the publicity and production industries. In conversation, Garth also discusses his recent treatises on masculinity in film. Garth can be found at www.darkhorizons.com. NOTE: Apologies for the sound issues on this episode. An unfortunate accident we couldn't repair on this rare occassion.

Patti Miller is one of Australia’s most successful memoirists. The author of several best-selling award-winning biographies and autobiographies, capturing the cultures, legacies and life-stories of herself and hundreds of others.Patti has recently published Writing True Stories and in conversation discusses her discovery of memoir; the unreliable narrator of memory; the richness of uncovering the Australian indigenous culture and the memoirs of white settlers. Writing true Stories is available in stores and online now.

Multi-award winner Alan Baxter fills his dark urban horror thrillers with realistic violence from first-hand experience. The author having spent a lifetime training and teaching Kung Fu. In conversation Alan provides an insight to his love of mashing genres and writing across formats; how the cowardice of bullies drove him towards competitive martial arts; and we tap into the injustice of losing loved ones while the less deserving live on. Alan can be found via Twitter @alanbaxter   

According to recent studies, one in four young people are at risk of serious mental illness. The issues of body image, coping with stress, school and studying identified as the key drivers of concern.In response, Clinical Psychologists Dr Sarah Edelman and Louise Remond have authored Good Thinking - a teenager's guide to managing stress and emotions using CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). An evidence based guide to changing how teenagers think to improve the way they feel.In conversation Sarah and Louise discuss the multiplying issues affecting teens today, the impacts of comparisons in a world of instagrammers, the terrible power of perception over reality and most critically, how to quickly acquire the skills to challenge anxiety, depression and anger.Sarah is the best selling author of Change Your Thinking and Louise was for many years the professional voice of Dolly Doctor in that bastion of teen advice Dolly magazine.

Sami Shah is a comedian, journalist and author, renown for his insightful and often hilarious dissection of the culture, religion and politics of his birthplace of Pakistan and adopted home in Australia. In this episode Sami shares with us the world of his latest fiction release, "Earth Boy", the conclusion to last year's unique dark urban fantasy "Fire Boy" set above and below the streets of Karachi. Featuring the Djinns of Islamic lore and drawing from the stories of his family, The Boy of Fire and Earth series is a welcome addition to a landscape too often populated by middle class anglo-saxon heroes.This is a shorter episode than usual, as we break with our format and conduct our conversation on location. Rest assured, Sami shall return for our more traditional deep dive into his rich history in comedy and journalism at another time.You can find Sami Shah on every type of social media. Seriously, he's a freak for the stuff.  

Publisher Joel Naoum has been editor, adviser and disciplinarian for many of Australia's biggest authors, advising them to kill more characters and turn their work in on time. A herald for the birth of digital publishing and the proliferation of e-books, in conversation Joel shares what it takes to find, nurture and influence the next generation of bestsellers and looks back at the seismic shift in the economics and distribution channels of traditional publishing. You can find Joel at www.critmassconsulting.com

Bestseller Dianne Blacklock has forged a writing career finding the romantic drama of everyday conflict. With nine books on shelves to date and more to follow, Di continues to steal from contemporary life to build a series of complicated heroines facing the familiar challenges of love, family and career. In conversation, Di shares the need for conflict to drive story; the discovery of reading; how family informs a world view; and the sheer Englishness of Enid Blyton.   

Bram Connolly served 15 years with Australia's Special Forces, including two tours of the Badlands of Afghanistan, before using his unique frontline experience to forge a new career as an action author. Bram's debut novel The Fighting Season carving itself onto the bestseller list and reclaiming shelf space for a new Australian military action hero. In conversation Bram discusses the need to write strong intelligent women; the rigours of Special Forces selection; the blending of fact & fiction from his own battles; and why his leading man is too busy to stop for sex.

2017 Stella Prize winner Heather Rose crafted her best-selling The Museum of Modern Love from the real-life  durational performance of Marina Abramović at the New York Museum of Modern Art. Inspired by Marina's devotion to her art and trance-like transformations, Heather has also drawn from own experiences of endurance and creative expression to tell a complex fictional account of love in modern society.

By 2006 Middle Eastern Organised Crime dominated South West Sydney. The drive-bys, drug deals and public gun battles between warring families signalling a new generation of criminals. In his book ‘The Squad’, award-winning journalist and author Yoni Bashan details the exploits of Middle Eastern Organised Crime’s gang leaders and the elite police squad (MEOCS) forged to take them down. In conversation, Yoni tells how a criminal mastermind ran a drug empire and ordered executions while locked in solitary confinement; the prolific flipping of witnesses; the need for public violence; and the sacrifices of the men and women tasked with breaking the cultural cycle. This is crime as tradecraft, superbly told.

Will Kostakis has published three hugely popular YA novels to date, reinventing himself on each occasion. Proactively engaging with his audience of teenagers facing an uncertain future, Will talks about his media-darling rise, humbling fall and literary resurrection; coming out mid press tour; the value of a tortured teen diary; the debate between gay, too gay and not gay enough; and the power of teachers in shaping the identity of young people. With a self-deprecating wit and laugh capable of blowing the doors off, Will Kostakis is carving an important niche in the YA market. His latest book The Sidekicks is available in stores and currently set to conquer the United States.

Maria Lewis burst onto the bestseller list with her first novel Who's Afraid. Bold, blunt and tattooed with pop culture, Maria talks about serial killer bedtime stories; the representation of violence against women; the commercial risks of keeping her own name; punching celebrities; her experiences with murder in real life; and the rise of the Merman! ..."I'm never gonna see a Merman." Who's Afraid is the first in a five book series, with the sequel Who's Afraid Too recently released and selling faster than Maria can speak. The urban fantasy series is also loved by action filmmaker Lexi Alexander and hopefully destined for screen greatness very soon. 

International bestselling author Tony Park talks of a life shared between Australia and Africa; running from lions in your underwear; using writing to address post traumatic stress disorder; how stable government drives major social change;  and what it's like to write while serving in Afghanistan with the Australian Army. Tony is the author of 13 bestselling action adventure novels set across the wilds of the African continent, capturing the majesty and terror of a unique world of eco-terrorism, poachers, oil pirates and assassins. He's been labelled Australia's answer to Wilbur Smith and is also the author of five non-fiction works to date. Cruelly, he chose to kill the host of this podcast in one of his books... and it didn't affect his sales.