Podcasts about better read than dead

How did Jay Martin go from an award-winning memoir to a fiction manuscript she ultimately abandoned? And what did she learn that helped her craft her debut novel, Boom Town Snap?  Jay talks with Ashley and James about what toxic workplaces have in common with abusive relationships, and how we get trapped in toxic relationships at the community level as well.  Ashley is in conversation with Jay Martin to launch Boom Town Snap at Better Read Than Dead on Sunday 18 May, 3pm Jay Martin's first book, Vodka and Apple Juice: Travels of an Undiplomatic Wife in Poland, won the Hungerford Award and was published in 2018. She has worked in a range of roles including in community development, government policy and consulting. This included positions in federal government in Canberra, as well as in consulting firms in Australia and Canada. Jay designs and runs writing workshops and programs around Western Australia. Her debut novel is Boom Town Snap.  Books & authors discussed in this episode: Arna Radovich (from ep 105) Anatomy of a Secret by Gerard McCann The Hollow Girl by Lyn Yeowart The Silent Listener by Lyn Yeowart (from ep 39) Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams Tender Is the Flesh by Augustina Batzerrica Upcoming events: Ashley is in conversation with Jay Martin to launch Boom Town Snap at Better Read Than Dead on Sunday 18 May, 3pm Ashley is in conversation with Dinuka McKenzie at Sutherland Library, Thursday 5 June, 6.30pm Ashley is part of the Sisters in Crime – Death in a Cold Climate panel, Friday 27 June, 7-10pm, South Melbourne Ashley will be doing an in-conversation in Meeniyan with Jacinta Dietrich, Saturday 28 June, 6.30-7.30pm Ashley is speaking at Bendigo Library, Monday 30 June, 1-2pm Ashley is teaching a multi-day memoir masterclass as part of the Writers at the Woolshed Winter Writing Retreat in the Southern Highlands, 13-18 July  Join Ashley and podcast fav Hayley Scrivenor for the Mystery and Mayhem Readers Retreat at the 5-star Tamborine Mountain Glades, 3-5 October Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Lynne Ainsworth is the founder of Writers at the Woolshed, an emerging writer, and a person who 'loves hanging out with people who read and write'. She loves it so much, she not only created a pop-up festival to connect authors with regional readers and writers, she's now hosting the first Winter Writing Retreat, featuring masterclasses with Eleanor Limprecht, Betty O'Neil, Audrey Molloy, Ashley Kalagian Blunt and Lee Kofman (from eps 3, 76 and 112).   In this special bonus episode, Lynne tells us how she first became a festival director, and shares details of the retreat, happening 13-18 July in Mittagong, NSW.  An alumna of Varuna and Faber Writing Academy, Lynne Ainsworth has several short stories published, and was awarded a Masterclass with Patti Miller at Varuna in 2017, a one-month placement as Artist in Residence at The Old School House at Mt. Wilson, and a CreateNSW Small Project Grant for her current memoir, Sambio, set in Papua New Guinea.  Find out more from Writers at the Woolshed. Books & authors discussed in this episode: Clare Keegan Girl in a Pink Dress by Kylie Needham  The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra Freedom by Lea Ypi Upcoming events: Ashley & Pip in conversation at Five Dock Library speaking about Cold Truth, Five Dock Library, Wednesday 30 April 5.30 for 6pm start. Free, book online.  Ashley is teaching Online: Writing Crime for Faber, 8 weeks starting Tuesday 6 May  Ashley is launching Jay Martin's debut novel at Better Read Than Dead on Sunday 18 May, 3pm Ashley will be doing an in-conversation in Meeniyan with Jacinta Dietrich, Saturday 28 June, 6.30-7.30pm Ashley is teaching a multi-day memoir masterclass as part of the Writers at the Woolshed Winter Writing Retreat in the Southern Highlands, 13-18 July  Join Ashley and podcast fav Hayley Scrivenor for the Mystery and Mayhem Readers Retreat at the 5-star Tamborine Mountain Glades, 3-5 October Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

How does having a stalker change your life? We talk with bestselling novelist Pip Drysdale about her latest novel 'The Close-Up,' its real-life inspirations, and how surviving a stalker shifted her worldview.  We also discuss how to navigate public image and the role anxiety has to play in creative pursuits.  Plus, this ep's What Are You Reading? inspires a debate about what's derivative and what's inspired, and if those can be the same thing.  Join Ashley & Pip in conversation at Five Dock Library speaking about Cold Truth, Five Dock Library, Wednesday 30 April 5.30 for 6pm start. Free, book online.  Pip Drysdale is an author, musician and actor. She grew up in Africa, Canada, and Australia, became an adult in New York and London, and lives on a steady diet of coffee, dreams, and literature. Her first four books – The Sunday Girl, The Strangers We Know, The Paris Affair and The Next Girl – have been bestsellers in Australia. Her latest book, The Close-Up is out now in Australia/NZ and North America. She lives in Sydney. Books & authors discussed in this episode: 'My Stalker, My Novel' by Pip Drysdale for Crime Reads;  I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman;  We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer;  Anna Downes;  House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski Upcoming events: Ashley & Pip in conversation at Five Dock Library speaking about Cold Truth, Five Dock Library, Wednesday 30 April 5.30 for 6pm start. Free, book online.  Ashley is the guest author of the Bloom & Bound 'Bound to Roam' bookshop crawl happening Saturday 26 April, Sydney  Ashley is teaching Online: Writing Crime for Faber, 8 weeks starting Tuesday 6 May  Ashley is launching Jay Martin's debut novel at Better Read Than Dead on Sunday 18 May, 3pm Ashley is teaching a multi-day memoir masterclass as part of the Writers at the Woolshed Winter Writing Retreat in the Southern Highlands, 13-18 July  Join Ashley and podcast fav Hayley Scrivenor for the Mystery and Mayhem Readers Retreat at the 5-star Tamborine Mountain Glades, 3-5 October Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

The upcoming 18th Annual Sydney Underground Film Festival kicks off in Newtown, NSW, on Thursday 12 September with a Smell-O-Rama screening of John Waters cult classic Female Trouble, celebrating its 50th anniversary. The festival runs until Sunday 15 September with a huge array of films and features ranging from the truly bonkers Vulcanizadora to the superbly surreal Can't Stop the Music extravaganza, alongside frightfully great features like the Aussie dark comedy The Organist to the latest work of the provocative filmmaker Bruce LaBruce, The Visitor.There will also be a book launch from myself on Friday evening at Better Read Than Dead, where I'll be joined by Jack Sargeant and Platon Theodoris to kick off my new book, Lonely Spirits and the King.Tickets for all of these films, and more, are available via SUFF.com.au.Ahead of the festivals launch, I caught up with Festival Director Nathan Senn to chat about what makes an underground film festival an underground film festival, how important it is to showcase films from different genre backgrounds, and what it means to amplify Australian filmmakers like Saara Lamberg, whose film The Lies We Tell Ourselves screens at the festival on Sunday 15 September.We dig into a bunch of recommendations, stories about the films screening at the fest, and a bunch more in this in depth discussion.If you're in Sydney for the fest, come along and say hello. It's going to be one heck of a festival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The upcoming 18th Annual Sydney Underground Film Festival kicks off in Newtown, NSW, on Thursday 12 September with a Smell-O-Rama screening of John Waters cult classic Female Trouble, celebrating its 50th anniversary. The festival runs until Sunday 15 September with a huge array of films and features ranging from the truly bonkers Vulcanizadora to the superbly surreal Can't Stop the Music extravaganza, alongside frightfully great features like the Aussie dark comedy The Organist to the latest work of the provocative filmmaker Bruce LaBruce, The Visitor.There will also be a book launch from myself on Friday evening at Better Read Than Dead, where I'll be joined by Jack Sargeant and Platon Theodoris to kick off my new book, Lonely Spirits and the King.Tickets for all of these films, and more, are available via SUFF.com.au.Ahead of the festivals launch, I caught up with Festival Director Nathan Senn to chat about what makes an underground film festival an underground film festival, how important it is to showcase films from different genre backgrounds, and what it means to amplify Australian filmmakers like Saara Lamberg, whose film The Lies We Tell Ourselves screens at the festival on Sunday 15 September.We dig into a bunch of recommendations, stories about the films screening at the fest, and a bunch more in this in depth discussion.If you're in Sydney for the fest, come along and say hello. It's going to be one heck of a festival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is a lot of excitement for the latest Doctor Who episode, 'Boom', starring Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson, and the list of theorisable themes in the first three episodes is growing!Catch Adam live in conversation with Troy Hunter for the Syndey launch of his book Gus and the Missing Boy at Newtown's Better Read Than Dead on July 10. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A garden shop owner goes out for her morning run and discovers the body of a woman who looks just like her. As more murders shake the city, she fears her past is catching up with her.  A riveting psychological thriller drawn from true events, Ashley's debut novel 'Dark Mode' delves into the terrifying reality of the dark web, and the price we pay for surrendering our privacy one click at a time. Ashley discusses how and why she wrote the novel, what authors inspired her, and the major mistake she made when sharing the manuscript with James. Plus, she reads an excerpt to get you in a 'Dark Mode' mood.  This is the last of four weekly mini-episodes in celebration of the March 1st Australian release day! You can pre-order Dark Mode in Australia and in the UK, from these links or your favourite bookshop.  Join Ashley and Anna Downes at the Sydney launch of Dark Mode! (James will be there too!) Friday 3 March, 6.30-7.30pm, Better Read Than Dead, Newtown – free, bookings essential. Join Ashley and JP Pomare at the Melbourne launch of Dark Mode! Thursday 9 March, 6.30-7.30pm, Readings Carlton, 309 Lygon St – free, bookings essential. Books and authors discussed in this episode Tana French; Candice Fox; JP Pomare; John Sandford; The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris James' novel 'Denizen' is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy here.  Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt + @JamesMcWatson Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Keen for insights into how to get an agent and a book publisher? This is the ep for you!  This is one of four weekly mini-episodes in celebration of the March 1st Australian release day! A riveting psychological thriller drawn from true events, Ashley's debut novel Dark Mode delves into the terrifying reality of the dark web, and the price we pay for surrendering our privacy one click at a time. You can pre-order Dark Mode in Australia and in the UK, from these links or your favourite bookshop.  Join Ashley and Anna Downes at the Sydney launch of Dark Mode! (James will be there too!) Friday 3 March, 6.30-7.30pm, Better Read Than Dead, Newtown – free, bookings essential. Join Ashley and JP Pomare at the Melbourne launch of Dark Mode! Thursday 9 March, 6.30-7.30pm, Readings Carlton, 309 Lygon St – free, bookings essential. James' novel 'Denizen' is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy here.  Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt + @JamesMcWatson Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Ashley wrote 40,000 words into the first draft of Dark Mode before scrapping most of it and restarting. Then she ploughed through to the end of a clunky draft in order to create a scene-by-scene outline of the plot mechanics. The outline became the blueprint for the next major revision – the one that landed her an agent. In this ep, Ashley also talks about how she draws on her writers' group (or as James calls it, emotional focus group) throughout her writing process in order to craft her scenes and story.   Plus, she shares why she's glad she waited until she'd been writing for 20 years to try a crime manuscript. This is one of four weekly mini-episodes in celebration of the March 1st Australian release day! A riveting psychological thriller drawn from true events, Ashley's debut novel Dark Mode delves into the terrifying reality of the dark web, and the price we pay for surrendering our privacy one click at a time. You can pre-order Dark Mode in Australia and in the UK, from these links or your favourite bookshop.  Join Ashley and Anna Downes at the Sydney launch of Dark Mode! (James will be there too!) Friday 3 March, 6.30-7.30pm, Better Read Than Dead, Newtown – free, bookings essential. Join Ashley and JP Pomare at the Melbourne launch of Dark Mode! Thursday 9 March, 6.30-7.30pm, Readings Carlton, 309 Lygon St – free, bookings essential. James' novel 'Denizen' is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy here.  Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt + @JamesMcWatson Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

A riveting psychological thriller drawn from true events, Ashley's debut novel Dark Mode delves into the terrifying reality of the dark web, and the price we pay for surrendering our privacy one click at a time. But it didn't start there! Ashley began the manuscript while recovering from a major rejection, and envisioned it as Black Mirror inspired spec fic. Hear how the manuscript developed into the thriller it became, and the inspiration Ashley discovered while coping with chronic illness.   This is one of four weekly mini-episodes in celebration of the March 1st Australian release day! A riveting psychological thriller drawn from true events, Ashley's debut novel Dark Mode delves into the terrifying reality of the dark web, and the price we pay for surrendering our privacy one click at a time. You can pre-order Dark Mode in Australia and in the UK, from these links or your favourite bookshop.  Join Ashley and Anna Downes at the Sydney launch of Dark Mode! (James will be there too!) Friday 3 March, 6.30-7.30pm, Better Read Than Dead, Newtown – free, bookings essential. Join Ashley and JP Pomare at the Melbourne launch of Dark Mode! Thursday 9 March, 6.30-7.30pm, Readings Carlton, 309 Lygon St – free, bookings essential. James' novel 'Denizen' is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy here.  Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt + @JamesMcWatson Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

What happens when your job results in PTSD, forcing you into unexpected retirement? You write a memoir, of course! At least, that's what Dr Hilton Koppe did when he suddenly had to leave his practice as a rural GP.  Hilton speaks to James and Ashley about his PTSD diagnosis, the secret of work/life, how he turned to creative writing as a form of therapeutic intervention, and seeking permission to share his patients' stories in his memoir.  Hilton Koppe is a writer, workshop facilitator, podcaster and doctor living on Bundjalung land on the east coast of Australia. He co-hosts the podcast Dementia In Practice, and is the author of One Curious Doctor: A Memoir of Medicine, Migration and Mortality.  Visit Hilton's website to learn more and get your copy of One Curious Doctor.  Books and authors discussed in this episode: The House of God by Samuel Shem; Any Ordinary Day by Leigh Sales; Dear Memory: Letters on Writing, Silence, and Grief by Victoria Chang; The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill  You can pre-order Dark Mode in Australia and in the UK, from these links or your favourite bookshop. James' novel Denizen is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy here.  Upcoming events: Make 2023 the Year You Write Your Book with Ashley: Monday 30 January, 7:45-9pm AEDT, online via Zoom Launch of Taken with Dinuka McKenzie in conversation with Ashley: Sunday 5 February, 4pm, Better Read Than Dead, Newtown; free, RSVP Dark Mode launch – Melbourne: Ashley in conversation with author JP Pomare, Thursday 9 March, 6.30 to 7.30 pm, Readings Carlton, 309 Lygon St. Free, bookings essential Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt + @JamesMcWatson Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

This special episode gathers the best 'What Are You Reading?' segments from 2022 into a comprehensive summary of book recommendations from Australian and international authors. These well-informed highlights will give you plenty of last-minute gift solutions and ideas for how to spend your Christmas gift cards! Plus, James and Ashley each declare their book of the year for 2022.  Books discussed in this episode: From episode 48, with Shankari Chandran: Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell; Song of the Crocodile by Nardi Simpson (from ep 18); Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie; They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall; Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian translated by Mabel Lee From episode 49, with Jacinta Dietrich: Certain Prey by John Sandford; Mortal Prey by John Sandford From episode 50, with Sarah Sentilles: Bewilderment by Richard Powers; A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet The Rabbits by Sophie Overett; This Accident of Being Lost by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson From episode 51, with Dinuka McKenzie: Her Pretty Face by Robyn Harding; How to End a Story: Diaries 1995-1998 by Helen Garner; Theft by Finding by David Sedaris; A Carnival of Snackery by David Sedaris From episode 55, with Katherine Collette: Found, Wanting by Natasha Sholl; Love Stories by Trent Dalton; After Story by Larissa Behrendt From episode 56, with Ellis Gunn: The Writing Life by Annie Dillard; The Luminous Solution by Charlotte Wood; How to Be Australian by Ashley Kalagian Blunt; Outline by Rachel Cusk; The Break by Katherena Vermette From episode 57, with Yumna Kassab: Blindness by Jose Saramago; The Autumn of the Patriarch by Gabriel Garcia Marquez; Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellmann; The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enríquez Divorce Is in the Air by Gonzalo Torne; Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au From episode 56, with Rae Cairns: Autumn by Ali Smith; The Children's Bible by Lydia Millet; Negative Space by BR Yeager; Goat Mountain by David Vann; Black and Blue by Veronica Gorrie From episode 63, with Bronwyn Birdsall Indelible City by Louisa Lim; The Writer Laid Bare by Lee Kofman; A Kind of Magic by Anna Spargo-Ryan From episode 65, with Al Campbell The Signal Line by Brendan Colley; Denizen by James McKenzie Watson; The Writer Laid Bare by Lee Kofman (who we spoke to back in ep 4); Curlews on Vulture Street by Darryl Jones From episode 67, with Darryl Jones: The Writer Laid Bare by Lee Kofman (featured in ep 3); One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez; Auē by Becky Manawatu James' novel 'Denizen' is out now! Learn more about it and buy your copy here.  Make 2023 the Year You Write Your Book! Monday 30 January 2023, 7:45-9pm AEDT. Online via Zoom. Tix $9-14. Launch of Taken with Dinuka McKenzie in conversation with Ashley Sunday 5 February, 4pm. Better Read Than Dead, Newtown (in person). Free, RSVP required. Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

My book I, Millennial: One Snowflake's Screed Against Boomers, Billionaires & Everything Else is out in the world! Gosh.  We launched it in Melbourne with a lovely event at the Easey Street Concert Hall in Collingwood, featuring me in conversation with my mate Osman Faruqi. Oz and I discussed the guts of the book and why I wrote it, and I read some bits out and took questions and we all had a great time. I hope you enjoy listening back to our conversation.  If you're in Sydney, you can come along to the launch at Better Read Than Dead tonight where I'll be chatting to Jan Fran; or if you're in Brisbane, come along to Avid Reader on Tuesday night to hear me chatting with my Serious Danger comrade, Emerald Moon.  Join the LIASYO Facebook group here please and thank you If you've got the means please support this show by becoming a Patron I'm doing some big fun shows at Just For Laughs Sydney this weekend, too   

Early this month workers at Better Read Than Dead, a bookshop in Newtown Sydney had their first EBA ratified at the Fair Work Commission. This ground-breaking agreement has ramifications for other retail workers in Australia. We hear about their struggle.  We follow up with a speech by Dave Noonan, National Secretary of the CFMMEU Construction Division, in support of Julian Assange on July 3rd, Julian Assange's 51st birthday.

At our age, anything that promises to add more years to our lives catches our attention. A recent study shows that book-readers live an average of almost two years longer than those who do not read books. Do you keep books on your shelves that you revisit like long-time friends? Come meet some of my special friends – join me for an insider's tour of my very own bookshelf!

This week, co-host Devin guested on the podcast Better Read than Dead to discuss Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley (1955). If you like literature, leftism, and the figure of the fail son, you simply must check out this great podcast-- they even have an episode on Dune (the novel). Follow them on twitter at @betterreadthandead or give them a listen wherever you get your podcasts.follow the pod on twitter at @youretallpod or email us at youretallpod@gmail.com. follow Devin at @stalecooper and Ethan at @Mathissippi.

The NSW Government almost got scammed out of half a billion dollars, and who knows what McKinsey are up to? At least we have a strong opposition to keep things in check.   Please stop making us do this Origin Energy is writing down a bunch of their fossil fuel assets. Origin Energy is Australia's most polluting corporation, and Angus Taylor has worked hard to make sure they stay that way. NSW Mask watch The NSW Government almost paid $430 million to a scammer, for 50 million N95 masks that didn't exist. He also scammed investors out of $1.2 million dollars in oil and gas deals. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has been involved with corrupt individuals for some time. She's now dating her ICAC lawyer though, I'm sure he'll keep her on the straight and narrow. Grifting goes national The government has paid McKinsey $2.2 million for two months work, but won't say what it was for. McKinsey was also paid $1.89 million for “strategic supply chain support services”. They were also paid $600,000 to tell the government to not do anything. Dave Chappelle's friend didn't know he couldn't do that. Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor, and his brother Charlie, both previously worked for McKinsey. Check out Episode 20 for more fun facts. Only 25% of the JobKeeper fund was passed on from companies to their workers. McKinsey says Australian governments need to “Build trust with citizens”. At least we have a strong opposition The Labor party has agreed to keep the Liberal's massive tax cuts. They've also dumped their plan for cancer care & dental coverage. Murdoch rag the Australian gave the policy changes a small thumbs-up. Labor leader Anthony Albanese has taken some very serious profile pictures. The tweets are bad. Shoutouts Workers at Better Read Than Dead have reached an agreement with management in historic industrial action. New Renters Union dropped in in Queensland! Join SEQUR, if you're in the area. Citations Needed did a great episode on the Olympics and why they're bad. Listen to Auspol Snackpod with Tom Tanuki on the lockdown protests. Actions Chuck us a review on Apple Podcasts. Change your power provider, if you're still buying power from a polluting company like Origin.  

Featuring the latest in activist campaigns and struggles against oppression fighting for a better world with anti-capitalist analysis on current affairs and international politics. Presenters: Jacob Andrewartha, Felix Dance, Arie Huybregts.Interviews and DiscussionsA recording of a talk by Dave Holmes member of Socialist Alliance for the online forum organised by Green Left that took place on Tuesday 27 July "Behind the Cold War on China'. Dave Holmes talks about what's behind the hysteria against China and it's purported rise as a economic power, what the left's position should be in response to these events, and why we should oppose any imperialist-led war against China. You can listen to the individual talk here. Interview with Osman Farqui journalist and the editor of Schwartz Media's daily news podcast about the Australian government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic raising criticisms about the government's approach to lockdowns which have relied on punitive policing and milliarisation of borders that have the impact of disproportionately affecting marginalised communities especially in the case of what's currently happening in Sydney along with a discussion on the causes of the reactionary right-wing anti-lockdown protests that happened on the 24th of July. You can listen to the individual interview here.Interview with Josh Cullinan secretary of Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU) about the recent victory of workers at Better Read Than Dead (BRTD), a bookshop in Newtown, who have been campaigning for improved conditions since the beginning of May and have since secured an in-principle agreement with management which Josh describes the agreement as creating conditions that are superior to any major retail or fast-food agreement in Australia and it demonstrates what is possible when workers organise in a fighting union and implement direct unwavering protected industrial action. You can listen to the individual interview here. 

FM radio hosts are sick of Morrison's shit. The reef is fine, guys, don't even worry about it. Gronks go wild across Australia.   Grilling the PM Scott Morrison went on KIIS FM and got grilled. He then doubled down. He finally apologised in the most petulant way possible. Horrifyingly, Barnaby Joyce and Matt Canavan have a podcast. Paying for the pleasure of digging our own graves Australia is shoveling shit-tonnes of cash into fossil fuel companies. Reef madness Sussan Ley is back from a whirlwind lobbying jaunt to convince the world to not list the Great Barrier Reef as in danger. The lobbying worked! The Government has been fighting against any suggestion the reef might be in trouble for years. Unesco tried to list it in 2014, and australia has been successfully fighting to pretend everything's fine ever since. Ring cycle Brisbane has won the hosting rights for the 2032 Olympics. Japan's Olympics have become an incredibly expensive boondoggle for the host nation. Australian Olympics Commission President John Coates told QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk what to do in a very weird, condesending manner. He has has long presided over a culture of bullying. Gronks gone wild People around Australia protested against lockdowns, vaccines, Q, whatever. The government has abandoned vulnerable people by continuing to lock down, while refusing to give support. When you're the victim of a grift, it's hard to admit it. To help people out of their belief systems, you need to “cool the mark”. The man didn't punch the horse. Horses are weapons when used by the police. Emma Alberici just making things up in her head about Black Lives Matter marches. Actions Get a vaccine! It's annoying but you gotta do it. Here's a website that can help. Our brains are not wired to understand very rare risks. Support the strike fund for workers at Better Read Than Dead. Listen to Evie's interview with Dr Susie Allanson and Lizzie O'Shea on the fight for safe access to abortion. Chuck us some stars on iTunes.

Content warning for discussions of transphobia, homophobia, eating disorders & violence. Welcome back to Talking Queer, Talking Words’ summer special, here today with not one, but two incredible queer multi-hyphenates: Fiona Wright and Tea Uglow. Hailing from Sydney’s southwest, Fiona is a writer, editor, critic and tutor of creative writing and creative non-fiction. She hosts Six Degrees from the City, a podcast about writers and Western Sydney, holds a PhD in Literature and Creative Writing from Western Sydney University, and has authored four award-winning books – two collections of poetry, and two essay collections; all remarkable, challenging, and beautifully intimate.Tea is the Creative Director for Google’s Creative Lab in Sydney. Interested in the generative potential of intersections between technology and the arts, this self-described ‘atypical creative’ and fan of physics, reality, and doubt, has contributed world-altering talks to TED, the Sydney Writer’s festival, and the AIGA annual conference in Minneapolis. Most recently, Tea authored the beautiful book Loud and Proud, an anthology of speeches from the LGBTQIA+ community and our allies. Fortunately, Fiona and Tea are both currently based in Sydney, so we were able to meet in person to discuss creativity, vulnerability, and queer history.Settle in for the long haul – this one’s a journey worth taking.[One final note - since this episode was recorded, Leona's preference of pronoun leans more towards 'they' than 'she' - but they won't be offended if you occasionally forget!]

Content warning for discussions of racism & violence. Welcome to Talking Queer – a summer special of Talking Words. This is the first of two exciting features of writers whose ideas, opinions and perspectives attempt to make queer sense of the world, exploring the complex and shifting spectrum of human sexuality- and gender-diversity through literature. Our first is with award-winning writer of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, Ellen van Neerven. Ellen, of Mununjali Yugambeh (South East Queensland) and Dutch heritage, has authored three gorgeous and galvanising books – their first, Heat and Light, is a work of fiction which earned Ellen the David Unaipon Award, the Dobbie Literary Award and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards Indigenous Writers Prize. Comfort Food, Ellen’s first poetry collection was shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards Kenneth Slessor Prize and highly commended for the 2016 Wesley Michel Wright Prize. Throat, their second poetry collection, is hot off the presses, having been released at the end of March this year, and boldly and dauntlessly delves into the complexities of love, language, and land. Throat was shortlisted for the 2020 Queensland Judith Wright Calanthe Award for a poetry collection, and was awarded the inaugural UQP Quentin Bryce Award.Leona had the honour of speaking to Ellen on August 26th of this year, recording their conversation remotely to account for pandemic travel restrictions.[One final note - since this episode was recorded, Leona's preference of pronoun leans more towards 'they' than 'she' - but they won't be offended if you occasionally forget!]

Bestselling author Jane Harper discusses her latest exciting crime thriller, The SurvivorsSHOW NOTES: Nicole AbadeeWebsite: https://www.nicoleabadee.com.auFacebook: @nicole.abadeeTwitter: @NicoleAbadeeJane HarperWebsite: https://janeharper.com.auhttps://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760783945/Pan MacMillan "The Survivors" Facebook: @janeharperauthorTwitter: @janeharperauthoInstagram: @janeharperauthorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back, but not quite...Welcome to the second teaser of Talking Words, a podcast presented by Better Read Than Dead and hosted by Olivia O'Flynn. Over the upcoming season you will hear from an array of fascinating authors. From oral story-tellers, to memoir writers, from fictional autobiographies to reference writing, Talking Words is a haven for people who love storytelling. We dive into the importance of literature whilst celebrating its quirks along the way, getting elbow-deep in the exploration of reading, writing and everything that happens in between.They've been writing them, we've been reading them. Now, let's talk about them.

Welcome to Talking Words, a new podcast presented by Better Read Than Dead and hosted by Olivia O'Flynn. Over the season you will hear from an array of fascinating authors. From oral story-tellers, to memoir writers, from fictional autobiographies to reference writing, Talking Words is a haven for people who love storytelling. We dive into the importance of literature whilst celebrating its quirks along the way, getting elbow-deep in the exploration of reading, writing and everything that happens in between.They've been writing them, we've been reading them. Now, let's talk about them.

Rebecca Sullivan, Damien Coulthard, and Maree Lowes are three incredible people who we're thrilled to have with us on this episode. Recorded at the bookstore Better Read Than Dead on the night of the launch of Rebecca and Damien's latest book, Warndu Mai, Georgia gets into the importance of native Australian ingredients, to health, society, and soil, as well as many other topics. Great for the foodies in your life, the regenerative farmers, and everyone in between. Liking the show?Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here!Support us directly on Pozible! Community CornerCaroline Danaher — Songs and poems for climate actions — Persistent Presence (Facebook) / Thrive for Future (Instagram) Special Guests: Damien Coulthard, Maree Lowes, and Rebecca Sullivan. Support Climactic Links: Warndu | Shop Online | Australian Gifts | Tea | Olive Oil Rebecca Sullivan Damien Coulthard Maree Lowes Official See /privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rebecca Sullivan, Damien Coulthard, and Maree Lowes are three incredible people who we're thrilled to have with us on this episode. Recorded at the bookstore Better Read Than Dead on the night of the launch of Rebecca and Damien's latest book, Warndu Mai, Georgia gets into the importance of native Australian ingredients, to health, society, and soil, as well as many other topics. Great for the foodies in your life, the regenerative farmers, and everyone in between. Liking the show? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here! Support us directly on Pozible! Community Corner Caroline Danaher — Songs and poems for climate actions — Persistent Presence (Facebook) / Thrive for Future (Instagram) Special Guests: Damien Coulthard, Maree Lowes, and Rebecca Sullivan. Support Climactic Links: Warndu | Shop Online | Australian Gifts | Tea | Olive Oil Rebecca Sullivan Damien Coulthard Maree Lowes Official Support the show: https://www.climactic.fm/p/support-the-collective/

Rebecca Sullivan, Damien Coulthard, and Maree Lowes are three incredible people who we're thrilled to have with us on this episode. Recorded at the bookstore Better Read Than Dead on the night of the launch of Rebecca and Damien's latest book, Warndu Mai, Georgia gets into the importance of native Australian ingredients, to health, society, and soil, as well as many other topics. Great for the foodies in your life, the regenerative farmers, and everyone in between. Liking the show?Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here!Support us directly on Pozible!Community CornerCaroline Danaher — Songs and poems for climate actions — Persistent Presence (Facebook) / Thrive for Future (Instagram)Special Guests: Damien Coulthard, Maree Lowes, and Rebecca Sullivan.Support ClimacticLinks: Warndu | Shop Online | Australian Gifts | Tea | Olive Oil Rebecca Sullivan Damien Coulthard Maree Lowes Official See /privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

 After a very competitive game of rock, paper, scissors, CJ and Ben read "Better Read than Dead" by Victoria Laurie. A psychic romp/love story/drama novel about a psychic detective getting involved with the mob and a dreamy FBI agent. It's real fun. We riff about the show Psych a lot. Goofs include screaming in italics, Taco Bell and it's effects on your tum, weird college majors, and mob lingo.  The world's funniest book podcast-Page 69 is sponsored by Audible. Get a free 30 day trial and a free audio book download at audibletrial.com/page69 Stay in touch with the show! Twitter: https://twitter.com/Page69podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/page69podcast/ Email: page69podcast@gmail.com  

Dream of working in a bookshop? Us too! This week we're joined by Mischa from Better Read Than Dead, an iconic store in Sydney's Newtown. We're discussing the weird things customers say, how much of a difference awards and adaptations actually make and how booksellers balance their budgets when they're surrounded by the things they love.

This week we're finishing our discussion of Better Read Than Dead by Victoria Laurie. Things are starting to heat up for Abby (literally and figuratively) as she finds herself being forced into helping the head of the Greek Mafia find his long-missing wife. The serial rapist is still active in Detroit and has begun to escalate. Just some scary shit all around. Katy has exciting news (!!), Frannie thinks everything is a cookie, and we uncover the LSATs of the Mafia.  Follow Chick Lit Murder Mysteries:  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chicklitmm  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicklitmm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicklitmm/  Email us at chicklitmurdermysteries@gmail.com Chick Lit Murder Mysteries Music Credit: Candy (c) by Jahzzar (betterwithmusic.com) CC BY-SA Candy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution – ShareAlike 4.0 International License, available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Hey everyone, we're back!! And LOVING this week's book: Better Read Than Dead, by Victoria Laurie. Abby gets caught up in the mob and Dutch, now an F.B.I. agent, has a super sexy and super bitchy partner who does not like Abby one bit. Also, Abby's sister Cat is just the worst at reading Tarot cards. Katy explains her illness, Frannie has strong feelings about nuggets, and we both HATE Dutch's new partner. Follow Chick Lit Murder Mysteries:  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chicklitmm  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicklitmm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicklitmm/  Email us at chicklitmurdermysteries@gmail.com Chick Lit Murder Mysteries Music Credit: Candy (c) by Jahzzar (betterwithmusic.com) CC BY-SA Candy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution – ShareAlike 4.0 International License, available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/  

It's TRASHSOLO II time, baby. Riley's (@raaleh) been back at the books, and talks about what Byung Chul Han's new Psychopolitics, out now on Verso. It's a fantastic book that speaks to a lot of where we are today with data, control, and predictability. I think it encapsulates a lot of the intellectual underpinnings of the show. Why we don't like Jay Shetty, why we hate the daycare world, and why we all think being an idiot is so important. It seems weird in the context of this review to ask, but do follow us on twitter @trashfuturepod Let me know if you liked this format/if you want to do more of Riley's Commie Book Club, because I really enjoyed doing it. Please direct all criticism of my grasp of theory to @coplandresident. The book is here, I encourage everyone to read it: https://www.versobooks.com/books/2505-psychopolitics xoxo love riley

Find out more about this years winners of the Children's Book Council of Australia Book Week Awards with Amelia Lush, Children's book buyer from Better Read Than Dead.

Episode 81 Allegory our American Member is over in England so we decided to to a one shot of Dresden Files! A power vacuum in London has caused all of the various supernatural players in the City to organise a neutral meeting to discuss splitting up the Hoard of the now deceased Dragon. With the […]