Podcasts about dinuka mckenzie

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

What considerations come into choosing to have a baby for creatives? And once baby enters the picture, how do you balance parenting with your creative practice?  We ask Dinuka McKenzie and Lee Kofman, two beloved past guests who happen to be both authors and parents, about their decision to have children and how they manage their writing lives as parents.  Plus, James has a big announcement – you'll never guess what it is.  Lee Kofman is a Russian-born, Israeli-Australian memoirist, novelist, editor and writing coach. She's the author of three fiction books and two memoirs, including Imperfect, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Nib Literary Award in 2019. Her short works have been widely published in Australia, US, UK, Israel and Canada. Lee's most recent book is The Writer Laid Bare (Ventura Press). Dinuka is the author of the Detective Kate Miles crime series, The Torrent, Taken and Tipping Point, published in Australia and the UK. She was the winner of the 2020 HarperCollins Australia Banjo Prize and has been shortlisted for numerous major Australian crime writing awards. Dinuka lives with her family in Southern Sydney on Dharawal country. Mascara Literary Review is looking for essays, flash fiction and poetry from disabled and chronically ill writers – closes 31 March.  Books & authors discussed in this episode: Cyril Connolly  The Lady's Handbook to Her Mysterious Illness by Sarah Ramey  Edenglassie by Melissa Lucashenko  At the Strangers' Gate by Adam Gopnik  Absurdistan by Gary Shteyngart Your Baby Doesn't Come with a Book by Daniel Golshevsky The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus  Upcoming events  James is having a baby! Well, not him personally. His wife. But he'll be there. Date and time TBA.  Ashley is teaching Pathways to Publishing in-person for the South Coast Writers Centre on Saturday, 15 March starting 10.30 am Ashley is doing her first-ever Canberra author talk at Big River Gin Distillery, Thursday 20 March, 6 pm, featuring chocolate martinis   Ashley is returning to the Occasional Wine Bar, Boorowa, on Friday 21 March, 6.30pm Ashley is appearing at Book Face Erina with Anna Downes on Tuesday 25 March, 6pm Ashley is appearing at Newcastle Writers Festival with Anna Downes & Petronella McGovern, and with Shankari Chandran & Jock Serong, 5-6 April Ashley is teaching Online: Writing Crime for Faber, 8 weeks starting Tuesday 6 May  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

BEST OF SERIES 2024 - Dinuka Mckenzie and Dani Vee

In Episode 118, Veronica & Laurie bring you AI news and reminders for ASA pitching and literary speed dating events, and new words from John Koenig (nighthawk, heartmoor and furosha). Laurie chats with award winning author Catherine McNamara about writing workshops, flash fiction, short stories, and running retreats at her home in Italy. Plus Laurie reviews The Changing Room by Belinda Cranston.Book spotlights:The Photograph by Diane Clarke - historical mysteryHappy Millionth Birthday by RWR McDonald & Alexandra Colombo - picture bookTipping Point by Dinuka McKenzie - crime thriller.Intro - 00:59Industry news - 12:36Book spotlights - 28:32Author Interview - 41:03Post interview chat - 1:34:13Quotes - 1:36:12Book review - 1:41:31Support the Show.Thanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.

'I didn't believe that I'd stalked my partner.'  In episode 101, we speak with debut author Khin Myint about the multiple strands of biography he explores in his memoir Fragile Creatures. One of these is the sudden and extreme betrayal he faced from his ex-partner, who accused him of stalking her.  We also discuss the ambiguous illness his sister Theda lived with for years, at times diagnosed as depression, CFS/ME and chronic Lyme disease, and how she chose to end her life after thirteen years of symptoms and divisiveness. We also consider whether our societal silence around suicide is potentially contribuiting to its rise.   Khin also describes how he came to understand masculinity as a shadow, a pressure that follows men and ultimately shapes them. He asks, 'What is this pressure that socialises boys to adhere to some of these toxic expectations of maleness?'   Fragile Creatures is a must-read memoir, and this conversation is only the tip of more than one culturally urgent conversation.   Plus in What Are You Reading, we chat about a surprising number of speculative fiction titles.  Khin Myint is an author based in Perth. His writing has appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald, Liminal and The West Australian, and more. He was selected as one of ten participants in the Wheeler Centre's Next Chapter scheme in 2021. His debut memoir is Fragile Creatures.  Books & authors (and one podcast) discussed in this episode: The Tipping Point by Dinuka McKenzie (from ep 51);  'What do trigger warnings actually do?' from Search Engine;  Detachable Penis by Sam Elkin;  Quiet by Susan Cain;  The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth;  Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb;  Hyperion by Dan Simmons; Orson Scott Card Get your copy of Fragile Creatures from your local bookshop or library. Supporting libraries and neighbourhood bookshops supports authors.  Upcoming events:  Ashley is part of the Northern Beaches Readers Festival, 27-28 September Ashley is teaching Online: Creative Nonfiction for Writing NSW, a six-week online course starting 30 September Ashley is in conversation with Heather Taylor Johnson in celebration of her latest novel, Little Bit, on Thursday 3 October, 6.30pm  Ashley is teaching Crafting Memoir for the New England Writers Centre online, Saturday 12 October, 2-3.30pm  James is teaching Writing Setting and Landscape for Writing NSW, Saturday 26 October, 10am-4pm Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library.  Learn more about James' 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

Emma Viskic, Dinuka McKenzie, Charity Norman & Helen Fitzgerald in conversation with Craig Sisterson. All contributed to the anthology DARK DEEDS DOWN UNDER 2. DARK DEEDS DOWN UNDER 2 features a cohort of criminally good Australian and New Zealand crime and mystery writers. Once again we have a mix of legendary figures, award-winners, bestsellers, and an array of fresh perspectives and rising stars. Spend time with 22 of your favourite Aussie and Kiwi authors and characters, and meet some cracking new heroes and antiheroes - all while you travel the urban and rural landscapes of two stunning countries.You'll travel from the seething underbellies of our cosmopolitan cities to isolated North Island communities or the dusty Outback; from ocean-carved coasts or craggy mountains into times past, present and future.This time the edgy dark deeds are perpetrated by: Emma Viskic - Malla Nunn - Jack Heath - Charity Norman - Natalie Conyer - Ren Hobson - Jennifer Lane - Helen Fitzgerald - Peter Papathanasiou - Chad Taylor - Andi C Buchanan - Anna Downes - Shelley Burne-Field - Ashley Kalagian Blunt - Robert Gott - Dani Vee - Stephen Johnson - Michael Botur - Rene. And three Aussie legends of the genre: Jean Bedford - Dorothy Porter - Peter CorrisRecommendations Doug Johnstone, Denise Mina, Southern Cross Crime, Malla Nunn, Paul Cleave, Michael Bennett, Catherine Chidgey, Sarah Bailey, Hayley Scrivenor, JP Pomare.Craig Sisterson is a features writer and crime fiction expert from New Zealand who writes for newspapers and magazines in several countries. In recent years he's interviewed hundreds of crime writers and talked about the genre on national radio, top podcasts, and onstage at festivals on three continents. He's been a judge of the McIlvanney Prize and Ned Kelly Awards, and is founder of the Ngaio Marsh Awards and co-founder of Rotorua Noir. He lives in London with his daughter. He is the author of  SOUTHERN CROSS CRIME: The Pocket Essentials Guide to the Crime Fiction, Film & TV of Australia & New Zealand.Produced by Junkyard DogCrime TimeCrime Time FM is the official podcast ofGwyl Crime Cymru Festival 2023CrimeFest 2023CWA Daggers 2023& Newcastle Noir 20232024 Slaughterfest, National Crime Reading Month, CWA Daggers

Irish born crime author Dervla McTiernan left her homeland and a career in law after the global financial crisis and now makes her home in Western Australia. The award winning author's most recent book What Happened to Nina, tells the story of the disappearance of a young woman named Nina. Dervla was interviewed recently by fellow crime writer Dinuka McKenzie, author of the Detective Kate Miles crime fiction series.

We made it to 100 episodes! In this celebration of books, reading and creative community, James and Ashley reflect on how the podcast came about, their favourite books and moments from the podcast, and how their lives, health and writing have changed over the four years since episode 1.  You'll also hear from a variety of past guests and listeners, and get an update on the newest books from all our incredible range of previous guests. Plus, we announce the winner of our book pack giveaway.  Authors and books discussed in this episode: Red River Road by Anna Downes (from ep 5) The Shadow House by Anna Downes The Safe Place by Anna Downes Meshi: A Personal History of Japanese Food by Katherine Tamiko Arguile (from ep 7) The Last Trace by Petronella McGovern (from ep 12)  The Good Teacher by Petronella McGovern  The Liars by Petronella McGovern  The Hummingbird Effect by Kate Mildenhall (from ep 13)  The Silent Listener by Lyn Yeowart (from ep 39)  Dirt by David Vann (from ep 23)  Bianca Millroy, upcoming curator of Science Write Now  Josephine Taylor (from ep 20)  Adele Dumont (from ep 93) Little Bit by Heather Taylor Johnson (forthcoming) (from ep 41)  Ten Thousand Aftershocks by Michelle Tom (from ep 38)  The Vitals by Tracy Sorensen (from ep 96) Fragile Creatures by Khin Myint  Madrid: A New Biography by Luke Stegemann (from ep 26)  Happy Millionth Birthday by RWR McDonald (from ep 32)  Ghost Cities by Siang Liu (from ep 99)  The Keepers by Al Campbell (from ep 65)  Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year by Joanna Nell (from ep 33)  Smart Ovens for Lonely People by Elizabeth Tan (from ep 14)  Love & Autism by Kay Kerr (from ep 37)  Australiana by Yumna Kassab (from ep 57)  The Lovers by Yumna Kassab  Politico by Yumna Kassab  Good Dog by Kate Leaver (from ep 8)  Safe Haven by Shankari Chandran (from ep 48)  Unfinished Business by Shankari Chandran Tipping Point by Dinuka McKenzie (from ep 51)  Taken by Dinuka McKenzie The Torrent by Dinuka McKenzie Australian Gospel by Lech Blaine (from ep 52)  Dying to Know by Rae Cairns (from ep 58)  The Good Mother by Rae Cairns  Getting to Know the Birds in Your Neighbourhood by Darryl Jones (from ep 67)  Never Ever Forever by Karina May (from ep 78) Compassion by Julie Janson (from ep 80)  Benevolence by Julie Janson  Madukka the River Serpent by Julie Janson  Love, Dad by Laurie Steed (from ep 87) Greater City Shadows by Laurie Steed Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor (from ep 68)  Imbi Neeme (from ep 98)  A Real Piece of Work by Erin Riley  Sarah Sentilles (from ep 50)  Rattled by Ellis Gunn (from ep 56)  Jacinta Dietrich, favourite friend of the podcast and co-host of Differently Brained (from ep 45) Ada Palmer (from ep 16) The Writer Laid Bare by Lee Kofman (from ep 76)  Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver  David Copperfield by Charles Dickens  Scary Monsters by Michelle de Krester  Upcoming events  James is teaching an online creative writing workshop for Laneway Learning on Tuesday 23 July, 6.15pm Ashley is in conversation with Lisa Kenway to launch her debut thriller on Thursday 1 August, 6.30pm Ashley is part of the Northern Beaches Readers Festival, 27-28 September Ashley is teaching Online: Creative Nonfiction for Writing NSW, a six-week online course starting 30 September Ashley is in conversation with Heather Taylor Johnson in celebration of her latest novel, Little Bit, on Thursday 3 October, 6.30pm  Ashley is teaching Crafting Memoir for the New England Writers Centre online, Saturday 12 October, 2-3.30pm  James is teaching Writing Setting and Landscape for Writing NSW, Saturday 26 October, 10am-4pm Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy from your local bookshop or library.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

We were so lucky to have Australian Literary BOSS Alex Adsett join us on the podcast this week

 In this special Australian Rural Crime episode, Courtney talks to Sydney author Dinuka Mackenzie about her novel – Tipping Point, the third instalment of the Detective Kate Miles series which features, a suicide. a shooting. and a reckoning, decades in the making.  We hear about her writing process and her inspiration for her crime novels, we hope you enjoy. Reserve your copy here: https://bit.ly/4cEhR9ihttps://www.connectedlibraries.org.auhttps://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

We discuss chapters 1-14 of Agatha Christie's notorious serial murder story, 'The ABC Murders'. Captain Hastings has returned to London, and meets his friend Poirot reminiscing of their best days solving murders together. As they long for new thrills, one arrives in the post, as a series of letters herald the arrival of a new murderer in London. Three murders, each of victims with alliterative names, each accompanied by a copy of the ABC Rail Guide, are foretold by ominous, challenging letters to Poirot's residence. How can Poirot tackle this case without waiting for more victims to lend him the clues he needs? The clock is ticking, and three bodies have already fallen. We also talk with Sydney author Dinuka McKenzie about her latest novel in the Detective Kate Miles series; Tipping Point! Kate's brother is embroiled in suspicion around crimes that Kate's department has to investigate. How can Kate juggle the loyalty between the police and family? Only Dinuka McKenzie can tell us (until you read the book, at which point you also will have the power). Thank you to Harper Collins Australia for providing copies of 'Tipping Point' and arranging our time with Dinuka.

Welcome to your Murder Mystery Detour! Once a whenever-we-can, Flex and Herds go live (or undead, as the case may be), to talk about their latest fixations in the crime fiction world, and we hear from you about yours! We're also joined by our editor, Cameron Furlong, producer Max Mahood, and feature an interview from Jonathan Chang. Our guests are Brydon Coverdale, Dinuka McKenzie, and Robert Connolly. This iteration, we spoke about: Good Old Colingwood Forever by Brydon Coverdale, winner of the 2024 ACWA Louie Award. Tipping Point by Dinuka McKenzie You Had It Coming by B.M. Carroll Unfinished Business by Shankari Chandran The Mystery of Mr. E by Sophie Hannah and Martyn Tott Nest of Vipers by Harini Nagendra What I Would Do to You by Georgia Harper The Dry 2: Force of Nature by Robert Connolly, from the Jane Harper novel of the desequelised same name. Untitled 'Tank Water' Sequel by Michael Burge You can chat along live to future episodes via the YouTube page.

649. Dinuka McKenzie and Dani Vee: Tipping Point

15. BEST OF SERIES 2023 - Burgers, Beers and Books Ben Hobson and Dinuka McKenzie

BEST OF SERIES 2023: Dani Vee and Dinuka McKenzie

BEST OF SERIES 2023: Dani Vee and Dinuka McKenzie

It's episode 81 and nothing succeeds like excess! Join hosts Veronica and Darren for a monster episode featuring a soul inspiring interview with author Dinuka McKenzie, industry news and festivals, book releases and discussions about Australia in the year 1981, Reader's Café, Writer's Lounge, some technical glitches, and a whole lot more!!!Visit www.australianbooklovers.com to learn more.Reading from Taken by Dinuka McKenzie - 0:00Intro - 02:21News - 19:14Reader's Café - 35:35Author Interview - 50:44Interview Discussion - 1:44:55Writer's Lounge - 1:55:40Book Review - 2:11:59Support the show

Subscribe to Mamamia Who is Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull and what did she have to do with the shocking scenes that unfolded at a Melbourne protest over the weekend? Plus, there's a new storm around Gwyneth Paltrow and her so-called 'wellness regimen.' We have been dying to talk about it.  And, has Instagram and TikTok's 'Get Ready With Me' craze gone too far when we're doing ‘GRWM: Nan's Funeral' content? Or is it just glorious vulnerability?  The End Bits RECOMMENDATIONS: Holly wants you to read Taken by Dinuka McKenzie. Sign up to the Mamamia Out Loud Newsletter for all our reccos from the week in one place. GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We're listening. Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at outloud@mamamia.com.au Join our Facebook group Mamamia Outlouders to talk about the show. CREDITS: Hosts: Jessie Stephens, Holly Wainwright, and Mia FreedmanProducer: Emma Gillespie Assistant Producer: Susannah Makin Audio Producer: Leah Porges Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Just by reading our articles or listening to our podcasts, you're helping to fund girls in schools in some of the most disadvantaged countries in the world - through our partnership with Room to Read. We're currently funding 300 girls in school every day and our aim is to get to 1,000. Find out more about Mamamia at mamamia.com.auBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join RBC host Fiona Taylor and award-winning author Dinuka McKenzie as they discuss (spoiler free) the second book in her Detective Kate Miles series, "Taken".~ Reading by Candlelight ~A celebration of up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations.Read by Candlelight at Molly's Cottage and join a community where you can share your love of reading, candles, and supporting Australian writers and creators.

Burgers, Beers and Books: Ben Hobson and Dinuka McKenzie

Last year I was privileged to interview an award-winning novelist whose debut novel became an overnight sensation. As the winner of the illustrious Banjo Prize in 2020, Dinuka McKenzie quickly became a household name when her book 'The Torrent' was published by HarperCollins at the beginning of 2022. Now, in 2023, Dinuka has followed up on the success of 'The Torrent' with another brilliant book - 'Taken'. In this novel, we pick up where 'The Torrent' left off. Tense and page-turning, this story had me invested from the get-go - riding alongside Detective Kate Miles as she navigates the emotional rollercoaster that is her life. I was delighted to have the chance to speak with Dinuka about 'Taken' earlier this year.

578. Dani Vee And Dinuka McKenzie - Taken

Such a great thriller! Such a great author!! I love any chat I get to have with the lovely- can't believe she writes thrillers- Dinuka McKenzie. I hope you read, and love, Taken! It's such a cracker!! I know we'll be doing it as a Wondering Women Read and I can see the Aussie Thrill Seekers loving it too!! Such a great bookclub novel; there is so much you need to talk through!! To join our ReadA Book community head on over to www.readabook.com.au. We are a wonderful collective of like minded book lovers where you can mix and mingle and be, and together we can all enjoy reading more

Dinuka McKenzie on her second novel Taken which is already going gang-busters. Cool apps for writer and should to try promoting yourself on video. Win copies of The Book Haters' Book Club by Gretchen Anthony. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A guest episode where 2SER's Irene Diakanastasis is joined in conversation by Dinuka McKenzie to talk about her latest novel 'Taken'. A brilliant follow-up to her debut novel ‘The Torrent', Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is back from maternity leave and faced with a whole new set of challenges. Torn between her own spiraling personal life and taking charge of a child abduction case, this novel is a thrilling, action-packed and touching read that will have you hooked from the start. They talk her upcoming novel and its dynamic female lead, where she explores the novel's central themes on the unrealistic (even contradictory) expectations of women returning to work after having a child and the flaws in police culture. Thank you to Harper Collins AU for providing copies of 'Taken' to 2SER, and Irene for producing this discussion.

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

BEST OF LIVESTREAM with Dinuka McKenzie, The Torrent #1

We've read a lot of murder mysteries off the beaten track this year but by far Dinuka Mckenzie's 'The Torrent' stood out to Herds as the closest to the beating heart of what we do here on Death of the Reader. The Torrent is such a fantastic tale with how it takes the typical tropes of a police drama and turns them on their head, we're all familiar with the cop just one week from breaking retirement, but how many of us are familiar with the cop just one week from breaking their water?

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

'When I sat down to write, it felt like I had killed someone.' Hayley Scrivenor opens up about managing creative anxiety, what it means to write through our feelings, and the experience of having her novel 'Dirt Town' debut as a number one Australian bestseller. Plus James turns the interview into a therapy session. Hayley Scrivenor is the author of 'Dirt Town', published as 'Dirt Creek' in North America. An earlier version was shortlisted for the Penguin Literary Prize and won the Kill Your Darlings Unpublished Manuscript Award. Hayley has a PhD in Creative Writing and is a former Director of Wollongong Writers Festival. Books and authors discussed in this episode: George Saunders;  Sulari Gentill;  Anna Downes (from ep 5); Garry Disher; Dinuka McKenzie; Jane Harper; Kirli Saunders; Madukka the River Serpent by Julie Janson; The Morning Star by Karl Ove Knausgård; Song of the Sun God by Shankari Chandran (from ep 48); My Name Is Revenge by Ashley Kalagian Blunt; Rattled by Ellis Gunn (from ep 56); Curlews on Vulture Street by Darryl Jones (from ep 67) Taken by Dinuka McKenzie (from ep 51) Get your copy of 'Dirt Town' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever good books are sold.  James' novel 'Denizen' is out now! Learn more about it and buy your copy here.  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

Stumped for what to get for Christmas? Our in-house book lovers Amy Evans, Ben Hunter and Shanu Prasad sit down for a special episode to help you find the perfect Christmas present for 2022! Christmas Gift Guide: https://bit.ly/3t4NFid   EXPLORE BOOKS MENTIONED The Boy from Boomerang Crescent by Eddie Betts | https://bit.ly/3ipkYu8 The Price Paid by Tim Paine | https://bit.ly/3OLhwGm Murder In Williamstown by Kerry Greenwood | https://bit.ly/3DMAvfR Desert Star by Michael Connelly | https://bit.ly/3Fwl390 Arent & Pyke by Arent & Pyke, Juliette Arent, Sarah-Jane Pyke | https://bit.ly/3WuKU7g Day's End by Garry Disher | https://bit.ly/3y3Rvux Tonight's Dinner 2 by Adam Liaw | https://bit.ly/3SV0pCl Lune by Kate Reid | https://bit.ly/3UuSxsD What's for Dessert by Claire Saffitz | https://bit.ly/3TSqMKv First, Cream the Butter and Sugar by Emelia Jackson | https://bit.ly/3NojUSv The Battle of Long Tan by Peter FitzSimons | https://bit.ly/3Be0kEi The Prison Healer Limited Collector's Edition by Lynette Noni | https://bit.ly/3SDgahf Nowhere to Hide by Tom Boyd | https://bit.ly/3VCeNRF RecipeTin Eats: Dinner by Nagi Maehashi | https://bit.ly/3VB7ycL The Food Saver's A-Z by Alex Elliott-Howery, Jaimee Edwards | https://bit.ly/3AY5wLP Exiles by Jane Harper | https://bit.ly/3BjOFn9 The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman | https://bit.ly/3FfaeqY The Tilt by Chris Hammer | https://bit.ly/3VAQBiH Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor | https://bit.ly/3OLNeTG Wake by Shelley Burr | https://bit.ly/3XBEnbg The Torrent by Dinuka McKenzie | https://bit.ly/3OOWK8L The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill | https://bit.ly/3VB7YQn Bake My Day by Katherine Sabbath | https://bit.ly/3u9cABF Book Lovers by Emily Henry | https://bit.ly/3uc6jVB Colleen Hoover Collection | https://bit.ly/3ATrbVB The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman | https://bit.ly/3Vl285Z Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid | https://bit.ly/3XOBOTe Chloe Catwalk by Lou Stoppard | https://bit.ly/3B1luoG Bush Life by Beauty in the Bush Collective | https://bit.ly/3VnbyxF Super Bloom by Jac Semmler | https://bit.ly/3Vl9t5D A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles | https://bit.ly/3AVOIoY The Guy Who Decides by Jimmy Rees | https://bit.ly/3ispacl Sleep Through the Night (Teeny Tiny Stevies) by Byll Stephen, Beth Stephen, Teeny Tiny Stevies, Simon Howe (Illustrator) | https://bit.ly/3AUerhs Husband Material by Alexis Hall | https://bit.ly/3EUFb2i   ENJOY THIS EPISODE? Subscribe to YouTube | https://bit.ly/3GLDvJl Check out our Editorial | https://bit.ly/3myzL1U Twitter | https://twitter.com/booktopia Facebook Group | https://www.facebook.com/groups/booktopiatellmewhattoread    CREDITS  Guests: Amy Evans, Ben Hunter & Shanu Prasad Producer: Nick Wasiliev Published on: 1 December 2022 Season: 2 Episode: 87 © 2022 BooktopiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tell Me What To Read pairs with The First Time Podcast, as Ben Hunter, Kate Mildenhall and Katherine Collette sit down to discuss their favourite debut books of 2022!  The First Time Podcast: https://thefirsttimepodcast.com/   EXPLORE BOOKS MENTIONED Son of Sin by Omar Sakr | https://bit.ly/3HsBEsq Only a Monster by Vanessa Len | https://bit.ly/3o5tw9p Sunbathing by Isobel Beech | https://bit.ly/3fHlaDt Everything Feels Like the End of the World by Else Fitzgerald | https://bit.ly/3SEJDbh Found, Wanting by Natasha Sholl | https://bit.ly/3CuFrVM Every Version of You by Grace Chan | https://bit.ly/3ryS3F3 The Whitewash by Siang Lu | https://bit.ly/3ruMcAE The Natural History of Love by Caroline Petit | https://bit.ly/38m6pCp The Furies by Mandy Beaumont | https://bit.ly/3Hg4Xxc All That's Left Unsaid by Tracey Lien | https://bit.ly/3RtMDFX Wake by Shelley Burr | https://bit.ly/3sJr1eE Denizen by James McKenzie Watson | https://bit.ly/3rt7wXf Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor | https://bit.ly/3JDSy7S The Torrent by Dinuka McKenzie | https://bit.ly/3rTJ2Gr Banjawarn by Josh Kemp | https://bit.ly/3uXKQRC Show Me Where it Hurts by Kylie Maslen | https://bit.ly/3EvKuXN Ruth & Pen by Emilie Pine | https://bit.ly/3EvKHKz Hovering by Rhett Davis | https://bit.ly/3oYXI6G Gemini Falls by Sean Wilson | https://bit.ly/3RykZI2 The Upwelling by Lystra Rose | https://bit.ly/3SS3un1   WANT TO KNOW MORE? Follow The First Time | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefirsttimepod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefirsttimepod Follow Kate Mildenhall | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmildenhall/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/katemildenhall/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katemildenhallwriter/ Website: https://katemildenhall.com/ Follow Katherine Collette | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherinecollettewriter/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kecollette Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katherinecollettewriter/ Website: https://www.katherinecollette.com/   ENJOY THIS EPISODE? Subscribe to YouTube | https://bit.ly/3GLDvJl Check out our Editorial | https://bit.ly/3myzL1U Twitter | https://twitter.com/booktopia Facebook Group | https://www.facebook.com/groups/booktopiatellmewhattoread    CREDITS  Guests: Kate Mildenhall, Katharine Collette & Ben Hunter Producer: Nick Wasiliev Published on: 6 October 2022 Season: 2 Episode: 68 © 2022 BooktopiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're joined by Craig Sisterson, Vanda Symon and Lindy Cameron three of the creative minds behind 'Dark Deeds Down Under', to talk about the collection, the impending series, and what you can look forward to when you get a copy of the anthology. Dark Deeds Down Under is a collection of some of the best of Australian and New Zealand mystery fiction, recently released by Clan Destine Press. In this collection, you'll find the work of Alan Carter, Nikki Crutchley, Aoife Clifford, Garry Disher, Helen Vivienne Fletcher, 
Lisa Fuller, Sulari Gentil, Kerry Greenwood, Narrelle M Harris, Katherine Kovacic, 
Shane Maloney, RWR McDonald, Dinuka McKenzie, Lee Murray & Dan Rabarts,
 Renée, Stephen Ross, Fiona Sussman, Vanda Symon, David Whish-Wilson. All this is compiled by editor Craig Sisterson, commissioned by Lindy Cameron. There are two more entries in this anthology series to come, featuring amongst others Emma Viskic, Charity Norman, Jack Heath, Peter Corris, Ben Hobson, Helen Fitzgerald, Anna Downes, Stephen Johnson, Natalie Conyer, Robert Gott, and Dorothy Porter. You can find more information about the collection on the announcement blog post here. Dark Deeds Down Under was purchased independently by Death of the Reader, but we are friends with many of the creatives behind it.

Dinuka McKenzie & Veronica Lando: The Banjo Prize Winners

Australian debut author Dinuka McKenzie burst on to the crime fiction scene early in 2022 with her police procedural The Torrent. What I really like about The Torrent is that the main character Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is heavily pregnant, in her last week of work before maternity leave and has a pretty stable home life - not the usual circumstances for a police officer that we traditionally see in crime fiction.In this episode you'll hear Dinuka talk about her path to publication, how her own life inspired the creation of DS Kate Miles and the crime author she absolutely loves. First, we find out more about Dinuka.You can follow Dinuka on Twitter @DinukaMcKenzieThe Torrent is published by Harper Collins Australia.Your host is Emily WebbFollow Emily on Twitter https://twitter.com/emilybwebbInstagram https://instagram.com/emilywebbcrimeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emilywebbcrimeFacebook facebook.com/emily.webb.podcaster.authorWebsite: https://www.emilywebbcrime.com/Emily is the author of:Suburban True Crime: Cases you'll never forget and some you've never heard of Angels of Death: Doctors and Nurses Who Kill Listen to Killer Content on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/killer-content-with-emily-webb/id1539843342Google Podcasts https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9yc3MuYWNhc3QuY29tL2NyaW1lLWZpY3Rpb24tZnJpZGF5 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1gxxA7IcoTIcarh6sPgbEI See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This is Tell Me What To Read, the podcast of Booktopia, Australia's Local Bookstore. This week, we sit down for the first in a duology of podcasts focused around debut authors, with Ben Hunter, Booktopia's Fiction Category Manager. This is A Date With A Debut!  First up, Ben sits down with Dinuka McKenzie, author of The Torrent, and Maryrose Cuskelly, author of The Cane!  *Producer's Note: Due to our team being in social isolation, the sound quality is more variable. Interviews In this podcast: Dinuka McKenzie - The Torrent: 0:58-26:54 Maryrose Cuskelly - The Cane: 27:05-56:26 Books mentioned in this podcast: Dinuka McKenzie - The Torrent: https://bit.ly/3rTJ2Gr Maryrose Cuskelly - The Cane: https://bit.ly/3LorwTY Host: Nick Wasiliev Interviewer: Ben Hunter Guests: Dinuka McKenzie & Maryrose Cuskelly Producer: Nick Wasiliev Season: 2 Episode: 9 Join us for our bi-weekly show with episodes going out every Wednesday and Friday! Join us on Wednesdays as we speak to authors from Australia and around the world about their latest books, and hit us up on Fridays for the books that we are reading and recommending! Originally Published: 9th February 2022See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Final Draft Great Conversations podcast is all about books, writing and literary culture. We're dedicated to exploring Australian writing, looking into the issues that drive our storytelling to discover more from the books you love.These are the stories that make us who we are.Dinuka McKenzie's debut crime fiction novel, The Torrent, won the HarperCollins Australia 2020 Banjo PrizeDinuka joins Ben Herder from 2ser's Death of the Reader in conversation on the podcast today.Heavily pregnant and about to go on maternity leave, Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is counting down the days. When a violent hold-up at a local fast-food restaurant reveals unsettling connections to her own past, Kate knows her final days are going to be complicated.Meanwhile, a simple informal review into the closed case of man drowned in floods is growing into something more complicated. Secrets and betrayals threaten Kates last days, and Kate is forced to consider how far is she prepared to push to discover the truth?Final Draft is produced and presented by Andrew PopleWant more great conversations with Australian authors?Discover this and many more conversations on Final Draft every week from 2ser.Get in touch with Andrew and Final Draft. We love to hear about what you're reading!Twitter - https://twitter.com/finaldraft2serInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/finaldraft2ser/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/finaldraft2ser/

We discuss chapters 1-12 of Sujata Massey's 'The Bombay Prince', the third novel in the Perveen Mistry series. A young Freny Cuttingmaster visits Perveen at her office, inquiring about her legal options for avoiding the procession of Prince Edward. When Perveen goes to see the procession days later, Freny's corpse is found with her head smashed in, and the local police begin carelessly preparing to assume suicide. The last stop in our Indian tour for 2022 brings all the familiar sights and sounds back to the table as Perveen sets about bringing justice for Freny and her family.Ahead of the 2022 Sydney Writers' Festival, we're joined by author Dinuka McKenzie to discuss her novel 'The Torrent', and the turbulent journey to motherhood for its protagonist. Catch Dinuka in conversation with Suzanne Leal, Jane Caro, and Laura Elizabeth Woollett for 'Mother of All Crimes' at the festival on the 20th of May.

Welcome to a Convo Couch Special: debut crime/thriller authors Rae Cairns and Dinuka McKenzie chat about their novels, paths to publication, writing processes and publishing experiences. Rae Cairns is a former youth worker turned crime writer. She writes crime with heart; thriller and suspense novels featuring everyman (and woman) characters. Her first novel, The Good Mother, was shortlisted for Best Debut Crime Fiction in the 2021 NED KELLY awards. It draws on her background as a youth worker mentoring disadvantaged youth, many of them children of the paramilitaries, in Northern Ireland during the final years of ‘The Troubles'. Dinuka McKenzie is an Australian writer and book addict. Her debut crime-fiction manuscript The Torrent won the 2020 Banjo Prize (entered as ‘Flood Debris') and was published by HarperCollins Australia in February 2022.  When not writing, Dinuka works in the environmental sector and volunteers as part of the team behind the Writers' Unleashed Festival. Both these books are absolute page turners. It's so good to see strong women protagonists in stories that are just that little bit different to what's already out there. Grab a cuppa and sit back and eavesdrop as Rae and Dinuka talk all things books and publishing.     SHOW NOTES: Writes4Women www.writes4women.com Facebook @writes4women Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast   W4W Patreon https://www.writes4women.com/support-us-on-patreon   Rae Cairns Website: click here Facebook: click here Instagram: click here Pre-order The Good Mother here   Dinuka McKenzie Website: click here Facebook: click here Instagram: click here Buy The Torrent here   Pamela Cook www.pamelacook.com.au Facebook: click here Twitter: click here  Instagram: click here   This episode produced by  Pamela Cook for Writes4Women.     Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David and Perry plunge again into the murky depths of crime fiction, both in print and on television. General News (05:04) 2022 International Thriller Writers Awards (01:45) The Stella Prize 2022 longlist (01:22) BSFA Awards (01:44) Crime Fiction we've been reading (52:18) The Dark Remains by William McIlvanney and Ian Rankin (09:44) The Housemate by Sarah Bailey (05:35) Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby (07:48) The Torrent by Dinuka McKenzie (05:14) The Department of Sensitive Crimes by Alexander McCall Smith (06:00) The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield (06:21) The Way It Is Now by Garry Disher (08:29) David responds on The Way It Is Now (02:44) Troppo TV Series (07:21) Windup (01:47) Click here for more info and indexes Photo by Jimmy Chan from Pexels He took my father grossly, full of bread; With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May; And how his audit stands who knows save heaven? Hamlet, Act 3 Scene 3

David and Perry plunge again into the murky depths of crime fiction, both in print and on television. General News (05:04) 2022 International Thriller Writers Awards (01:45) The Stella Prize 2022 longlist (01:22) BSFA Awards (01:44) Crime Fiction we've been reading (52:18) The Dark Remains by William McIlvanney and Ian Rankin (09:44) The Housemate by Sarah Bailey (05:35) Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby (07:48) The Torrent by Dinuka McKenzie (05:14) The Department of Sensitive Crimes by Alexander McCall Smith (06:00) The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield (06:21) The Way It Is Now by Garry Disher (08:29) David responds on The Way It Is Now (02:44) Troppo TV Series (07:21) Windup (01:47) Photo by Jimmy Chan from Pexels He took my father grossly, full of bread;With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May;And how his audit stands who knows save heaven? Hamlet, Act 3 Scene 3

In this week's episode: What to do if you're stuck writing your first line. Crime author Dinuka McKenzie on writing her Banjo Prize-winner 'The Torrent', and we have 3 copies of the novel to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dinuka McKenzie is a crime writer who debuted onto the Australian literary scene with an almighty bang.Winning the Banjo Prize in 2020, Dinuka secured her place in literary history and scored herself a book deal with publishing giant, HarperCollins Australia.More than a year down the track and her debut novel, "The Torrent" has finally hit the shelves. And what a cracker of a story it is.I was thrilled to welcome Dinuka as my first guest for 2022.

Dinuka McKenzie is a crime writer who debuted on the Australian literary scene with an almighty bang. Wining the Banjo Prize in 2020, Dinuka secured her spot in literary history and scored a book deal with publishing giant, HarperCollins Australia.More than a year on from that win, Dinuka's debut novel "The Torrent" hit shelves.I was thrilled to welcome Dinuka as my first guest for 2022.

Dinuka McKenzie talks to Cheryl Akle about the importance of diversity in crime fiction and how winning the HarperCollins Banjo Prize changed her life. Her debut novel, The Torrent, is out now. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What an thrill of a thriller The Torrent is! Winner of the 2020 Banjo Prize and just released police procedural...I couldn't have been more pleased to get to chat with Dinuka McKenzie! What a treat!  To join our ReadA Book community head on over to www.readabook.com.au. We are a wonderful collective of like minded book lovers where you can mix and mingle and be, and together we can all enjoy reading more

Dinuka McKenzie - Book Launch The Torrent with Special Guests RWR McDonald, Ben Hobson, Craig Sisterson, hosted by Dani Vee.

This is Tell Me What To Read, the podcast of Booktopia, Australia's Local Bookstore. Join us for our bi-weekly show with episodes going out every Wednesday and Friday! Join us on Wednesdays as we speak to authors from Australia and around the world about their latest books, and hit us up on Fridays for the books that we are reading and recommending! This week, we sit down for the first in a duology of podcasts focused around debut authors, with Ben Hunter, Booktopia's Fiction Category Manager. This is A Date With A Debut! First up, Ben sits down with Dinuka McKenzie, author of The Torrent, and Maryrose Cuskelly, author of The Cane! *Producer's Note: Due to our team being in social isolation, the sound quality is more variable. Interviews In this podcast: Dinuka McKenzie - The Torrent: 0:58-26:54 Maryrose Cuskelly - The Cane: 27:05-56:26 Books mentioned in this podcast: Dinuka McKenzie - The Torrent: https://bit.ly/3rTJ2Gr Maryrose Cuskelly - The Cane: https://bit.ly/3LorwTY Host: Nick Wasiliev Interviewer: Ben Hunter Guests: Dinuka McKenzie & Maryrose Cuskelly Producer: Nick Wasiliev

When Dinuka McKenzie first sat down to write a novel, she had no dreams of publication or experience in the craft of fiction. She was the working mother of two young kids, feeling like everyone wanted something from her all the time, and in search of something that was purely for herself. Now she's the award-winning author of The Torrent, a police procedural set in small-town Australia. We talk to Dinuka about why she chose a pregnant detective as her main character, how her own experience as a working mum influenced her story, and how she managed to find time to write with everything else going on in her life! Dinuka McKenzie is an Australian writer and book addict. Her debut crime-fiction manuscript The Torrent won the 2020 Banjo Prize. She works in the environmental sector and is part of the Writers' Unleashed Festival team. She lives in Southern Sydney with her husband, two kids and their pet chicken. You can buy a copy of The Torrent from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold. Books and authors discussed in this episode: The Housemate by Sarah Bailey; The Others by Mark Brandi; The Shadow House by Anna Downes (from ep 5); The Good Mother by Rae Cairns; Wake by Shelly Burr; Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor; 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 Catch Dinuka at her upcoming events! Thurs 17 Feb 6.30 pm AEST via Avid Reader online Thurs 24 Feb 6pm AEDT via Bad Sydney Crime online Tips and Tricks to Writing Your Memoir: Tuesday 22 February, 6:15-7:30 pm AEDT, Online via ZoomSo you're thinking of writing a memoir and you're not sure how to start. Or you've already started and you're not sure how to keep going. Learn tips and tricks to make the process easier and rewarding. This is a workshop for novice writers in the beginning stages of writing a memoir or thinking about starting one. Get your ticket here. 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

Burgers, Beers and Books with Ben Hobson and special guests Dinuka McKenzie, Adam Byatt and Alex Dook.

James and Ashley speak with Melbourne-based author Jacinta Dietrich about her debut book 'This Is Us Now', which explores a young couple's relationship as one of them faces a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Based on her boyfriend's experience of surviving lymphoma, the book explores two individuals who don't know where their relationship is going and have to figure out how they feel about each other, all as one of them goes through chemo. Jacinta discusses how cancer treatment 'suppresses every part of a relationship', her decision to write the book she needed to read, and how she managed to write honestly about difficult feelings.  Jacinta Dietrich is a writer and editor who holds a Master of Creative Writing from the University of Melbourne. 'This Is Us Now' is her first book. You can order it from Booktopia and bookshops across Australia.  Books and authors discussed in this episode: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green;  Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott; The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks;   Lee Kofman (featured in episode 3);  Earthlings by Sayaka Murata;  Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata;  Late Bloomer by Clem Bastow;  Kay Kerr (featured in episode 37);   The Rúin by Dervla McTiernan;  Tana French;  Dinuka McKenzie;  Andrew Solomon, of course!  Ten Thousand Aftershocks by Michelle Tom (featured in episode 38);  Lyn Yeowart (featured in episode 39)  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