Podcast appearances and mentions of fiona mcfarlane

In addition to being an established novelist, James Bradley is also a journalist and writer of non-fiction, much of it concerned with the natural world and the myriad threats it faces. Set in the near future, in a world that is in the grips of climate catastrophe, his latest novel, Landfall, is a crime thriller at its heart. This week, Michael and James discuss what it means to write into a specific genre and why kindness is so important in both this novel and the world. Reading list: Clade, James Bradley, 2015 Ghost Species, James Bradley, 2020 Deep Water, James Bradley, 2024 Landfall, James Bradley, 2025 Highway 13, Fiona McFarlane, 2024 You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store. Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: James BradleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anna and Annie discuss the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards Shortlist for fiction, including WOO WOO by Ella Baxter and HIGHWAY 13 by Fiona McFarlane. Our book of the week is THE SEASON by Helen Garner. This is a memoir of a year Garner spent following her grandson's club football team. It explores masculinity, the sense of community at the local club and being a grandmother. As always with Garner's books, there is much to discuss.  Coming up: SOMEBODY DOWN THERE LIKES ME by Robert Lukins. Follow us! Email: booksonthegopodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @abailliekaras and @mr_annie Substack: Books On The Go Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz

Writer and critic Stephen Romei is in conversation with Jock Serong and Fiona McFarlane. Jock discusses part three of his Furneaux trilogy, The Settlement, which was short listed for the 2023 ARA Historica Novel Price. Part two of the trilogy won the ARA Prize in 2021.  Fiona discusses her second novel, The Sun Walks Down, which was shortlisted for the 2023 Walter Scott Historical Fiction Prize. Imagining the Past is listed in the Top 25 Historical Fiction Podcasts.  

This week on From the Front Porch, it's another New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia are sharing the August releases they're excited about to help you build your TBR. When you purchase or preorder any of the books they talk about, enter the code NEWRELEASEPLEASE at checkout for 10% off your order! To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (type “Episode 488” into the search bar and tap enter to find the books mentioned in this episode), or shop on The Bookshelf's official app: Annie's books: Five-Star Stranger by Kat Tang (8/6) Heavy Hitter by Katie Cotungo (8/20) That Librarian by Amanda Jones (8/27) Olivia's books: I Need You to Read This by Jessa Maxwell (8/13) Not Nothing by Gayle Forman (8/27) The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs (8/27) Erin's books: Hum by Helen Phillips (8/6) Highway Thirteen: Stories by Fiona McFarlane (8/13) What's Next? by Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack (8/13) From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is reading Playworld by Adam Ross.  Olivia is reading Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman.  Erin is listening to The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella. If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Jennifer Bannerton, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Susan Hulings, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, and Amanda Whigham.

Fiona McFarlane reads her story “Hostel” from the March 11, 2024, issue of the magazine. McFarlane is the author of two novels and a story collection, “The High Places,” which was awarded the International Dylan Thomas Prize, in 2017. A new collection, “Highway Thirteen,” will be published in August.

Our most popular episode of the year is back! James has gathered the best 'What Are You Reading?' segments from 2023 into a comprehensive summary of book recommendations from our guests.   We discuss a huge variety of books, including thriller, mystery, memoir, rom com, literature, essays, poetry, nonfiction, plays and audiobooks. We also delve into reading habits. Do you read several books at a time, or restrict yourself to one? Do you finish most books you pick up, or allow yourself to quit? And so much more.  This episode features Hilton Koppe, Sanchana Venkatesh, Lee Kofman, Anna Spargo-Ryan, Karina May, Hannah Bent, Holden Sheppard, Hayley Scrivenor, Danielle Binks, Julie Janson, Mark Brandi, Indira Naidoo, Amy Lovat, Jonathon Shannon, Ali Thomas, Jacinta Dietrich, and Annette Higgs.  Books and authors discussed in this episode: Dear Memory: Letters on Writing, Silence, and Grief by Victoria Chang; The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill;  Lost Connections by Johann Hari; Homesickness by Janine Mikosza; The Fire and the Rose by Robyn Cadwallader; Turning Points in Medieval History by Dorsey Armstrong; Crying in H Mary by Michelle Zauner; Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata; Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason; Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner; Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom; The Wych Elm by Tana French; In the Woods by Tana French; The Others by Mark Brandi; Stolen Focus by Johann Hari; Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka; Crushing by Genevieve Novak; No Hard Feelings by Genevieve Novak; The Shot by Naima Brown; The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka; The Road by Cormac McCarthy; The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy; Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy; The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho; Ghost Music by An Yu; Eta Draconis by Brendan Ritchie; We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson; The Long Knives by Irvine Welsh; We Could Be Something by Will Kostakis; Windhall by Ava Barry; The Sun Walks Down by Fiona McFarlane; Limberlost by Robbie Arnott; Benevolence by Julie Janson; Compassion by Julie Janson; Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami; The People of the River by Grace Karskens; Nardi Simpson (from ep 18); Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte; Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky; Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright; The Trial by Franz Kafka; Mistakes and Other Lovers by Amy Lovat; Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier; Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier; A Country of Eternal Light by Paul Dalgarno; Brilliant Lies by David Williamson; Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller; Summer of the Seventeenth Doll by Ray Lawler; A Swim in the Pond in the Road by George Saunders; Lee Kofman (from ep 76); Kate Mildenhall (from ep 13); Sarah Sentilles (from ep 50); From Bhutan to Blacktown by Om Dhungel; Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver; Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe Stolen Focus by Johann Hari; Yellowface by Rebecca Kuang;      Dress Rehearsals by Madison Godfrey; Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey; Lucy Clarke; Echolalia by Briohny Doyle; Bunny by SE Tolsen; On a Bright Hillside in Paradise by Annette Higgs; When One of Us Hurts by Monica Vuu; Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld; A Mile Down by David Vann; A Burglar's Guide to the City by Geoff Manaugh; The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger; The Reader by Bernard Schlink; The Tilt by Chris Hammer; The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes; The Joy Thief by Penny Moodie; We Didn't Think It Through by Gary Lonesborough; Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo; Obsession by Nicole Madigan  Learn more about Ashley's psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.  Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy here or from your local bookshop. Upcoming events  Ashley is teaching Online Feedback: Manuscript Development for Writing NSW starting 4 March 2024 Ashley is teaching Writing Crime Fiction, a six-week online course with Faber starting 15 May 2024  Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Hear from acclaimed storytellers Robbie Arnott, Fiona McFarlane and James McKenzie Watson about their beautiful novels, which chart very different lives set against unmistakably Australian backdrops. Robbie's Limberlost tells the story of a man's journey through life, while evoking Tasmania's diverse natural habitat. Fiona's The Sun Walks Down unfurls the narrative of a missing child in 1883 South Australia, depicting the distinct landscape and unsettling history of the Flinders Ranges. James McKenzie Watson's gothic thriller Denizen is a simultaneous celebration of harsh country and stoic people, set against the backdrop of remote NSW. Listen to them in conversation with Susan Wyndham. Supported by the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund. This episode was recorded live at the 2023 Sydney Writers' Festival.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.  Sydney Writers' Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.  After more? Follow Sydney Writers' Festival on social media:Instagram: @sydwritersfestFacebook: @SydWritersFestTwitter: @SydWritersFestTikTok: @sydwritersfestSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘I conflate so many experiences throughout my life with the level of pain I was in at the time.' Amy Lovat, debut author of Mistakes and Other Lovers and founder of Secret Book Stuff, gets real with us about the challenges of maintaining a creative practice with endometriosis. She also discusses writing about the dark side of modern evangelical Christianity, setting her novel in her hometown of Newcastle, and that time she was rushed to emergency in agonising pain and – well, you'll just have to listen. Plus, James and Ashley receive personalised reading recommendations from this master bibliophile! Amy Lovat is a writer, editor and the founder of Secret Book Stuff. She has a PhD in English and Writing from the University of Newcastle and lives with her partner Laura, two dogs, a bird and thousands of books in Gadigal Country, Sydney. Get your copy of Mistakes and Other Lovers or from your local bookshop. Upcoming events  Ashley is appearing at Bloody Scotland on 15 September! Catch her in person in Stirling, UK, or online!  James is in conversation with Hayley Scrivenor as part of the National Young Writers Festival, 28 Sept to 1 Oct Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival is happening October 26 to 29, and Ashley will be part of two days of panel sessions happening that weekend in the Huon Valley, Tasmania Online: Creative Nonfiction – Ashley is teaching her six-week online Writing NSW course starting 30 October Crafting Narrative Drive – an in-person workshop with Ashley at Avid Reader in Brisbane, Sunday 26 November, 10am-1pm Books and authors discussed in this episode: Stolen Focus by Johann Hari;  Hot Little Hands by Abigail Ulman; Just a Girl by Kirsten Krauth; Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney; Normal People by Sally Rooney; A Lonely Girl Is a Dangerous Thing by Jessie Tu; Friends and Dark Shapes by Kavita Bedford (from ep 24); Adult Fantasy by Briohny Doyle (read Ashley's review); Yellowface by Rebecca Kuang;      Dress Rehearsals by Madison Godfrey; Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey; Lucy Clarke; Echolalia by Briohny Doyle; Bunny by SE Tolsen; On a Bright Hillside in Paradise by Annette Higgs; The Sun Walks Down by Fiona McFarlane; When One of Us Hurts by Monica Vuu; Plus hear Amy talk about Secret Book Stuff in ep 34!  Ashley's psychological thriller Dark Mode is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy. James' novel Denizen is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy.  Check out Writing NSW's online course program, and Podcasting 101.  Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt + @JamesMcWatson Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Bel Moneypenny from Scorpio Books in Christchurch reviews The Sun Walks Down by Fiona McFarlane, published by Sceptre.

In September 1883, the South Australian town of Fairly huddles under strange, vivid sunsets. A child has gone missing and the whole town is intent on finding him. More than a mystery, Fiona McFarlane explores the varied townsfolks' relationship with the complex landscape and unsettling history of the Flinders Ranges.  Tsundoku's Annie Hastwell loved it from start to finish and joins the critics in their unanimous praise. + Self-declared fan of Barry Humphries, Annie Warburton, reviews the late comic's opus, pays tribute to his satirical genius and comes down firmly on the right of “grumpy old conservatives” to be free to speak their minds. = Two very different takes on the Australian experience. Guests Fiona McFarlane, author of “The Sun Walks Down”, “The Night Guest” and a collection of short stories, “The High Places”  http://www.fionamcfarlane-writer.com/ Annie Warburton, retired ABC Tasmania broadcaster and Barry Humphries aficionado Other books that get a mention: Cath and Annie mention this year's joint Pulitzer Prize winners, Barbara Kingsolver for “Demon Copperhead” and Herman Diaz for “Trust”. They go on to reference a number of past winners; “The Good Earth” by Pearl Buck, “Beloved” by Toni Morrison, “A Visit from the Goon Squad” by Jennifer Egan, “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway, “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck and “A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole. Annie Warburton mentions “The Adventures of Barry McKenzie” written by Humphries for Private Eye magazine. Also, “Dame Edna's Coffee Table Book: A Guide to Gracious Living and the Finer Things of Life by One of the First Ladies of World Theatre”, “Neglected Poems and Other Creatures”, “More Please” and “Women in the Background”.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In September 1883, the South Australian town of Fairly huddles under strange, vivid sunsets. A child has gone missing and the whole town is intent on finding him. More than a mystery, Fiona McFarlane explores the varied townsfolks' relationship with the complex landscape and unsettling history of the Flinders Ranges.  Tsundoku's Annie Hastwell loved it from start to finish and joins the critics in their unanimous praise. + Self-declared fan of Barry Humphries, Annie Warburton, reviews the late comic's opus, pays tribute to his satirical genius and comes down firmly on the right of “grumpy old conservatives” to be free to speak their minds. = Two very different takes on the Australian experience. Guests Fiona McFarlane, author of “The Sun Walks Down”, “The Night Guest” and a collection of short stories, “The High Places”  http://www.fionamcfarlane-writer.com/ Annie Warburton, retired ABC Tasmania broadcaster and Barry Humphries aficionado Other books that get a mention: Cath and Annie mention this year's joint Pulitzer Prize winners, Barbara Kingsolver for “Demon Copperhead” and Herman Diaz for “Trust”. They go on to reference a number of past winners; “The Good Earth” by Pearl Buck, “Beloved” by Toni Morrison, “A Visit from the Goon Squad” by Jennifer Egan, “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway, “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck and “A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole. Annie Warburton mentions “The Adventures of Barry McKenzie” written by Humphries for Private Eye magazine. Also, “Dame Edna's Coffee Table Book: A Guide to Gracious Living and the Finer Things of Life by One of the First Ladies of World Theatre”, “Neglected Poems and Other Creatures”, “More Please” and “Women in the Background”.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can winning an artistic residency impact your creative career? Hear from four Australian authors about their experiences entering and winning the ASA/Varuna Ray Koppe Young Writers Fellowship, and how their careers have developed since.  Hannah Bent is the author of When Things Are Alive They Hum. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art and Film from Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design in London. She undertook further study in both directing and screenwriting at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School and has a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Technology, Sydney. She won the Ray Koppe Young Writers Award in 2013. Holden Sheppard is a multi award-winning author from Geraldton, Western Australia. His debut young adult novel, Invisible Boys, won multiple accolades including the 2018 TAG Hungerford Award and the 2019 Western Australian Premier's Book Award. His writing often focuses on themes of masculinity, sexuality and mental health.  Hayley Scrivenor is the author of the number one Australian bestseller, Dirt Town, published as Dirt Creek in North America. An earlier version of the book 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. To hear more from Hayley, listen to ep 68. Danielle Binks is a writer, reviewer, agent and book blogger. She edited and contributed to Begin, End, Begin, an anthology of new Australian young adult writing inspired by the #LoveOzYA movement. The Year the Maps Changed, Danielle's debut middle-grade novel, was a CBCA Notable Book for Younger Readers 2021. The Monster of Her Age is Danielle's debut YA novel. We also speak with Hilton Koppe, author of the memoir One Curious Doctor. To hear more from Hilton, listen to episode 70. The ASA/Varuna Ray Koppe Young Writers Fellowship for 2024 is open for applications from 15 June 2023. Each year, thanks to the generosity of the Koppe family, the Australian Society of Authors awards a two-week residential fellowship to an aspiring or emerging writer under the age of 35. The fellowship includes a two-week Varuna residency, a one-hour consultation, a year's membership to the ASA, and travel subsidy for writers outside of NSW. For more information and to apply, visit the ASA website.  Upcoming events: See James at Yarrum Storyfest – 1-2 July, Yarrum Regional Theatre, Yarrum, VIC ($25-$40, book here)  Boorowa Literary Festival will take place on July 14 and 15 this year – see Ashley and James in person! Mark Brandi in conversation with Ashley Kalagian Blunt, Thursday, 20 July, 6.30-7.30 pm Save the date – Ashley and James in conversation on Dark Mode at Mona Vale Library, Tuesday 8 August, 7pm Books and authors discussed in this episode: Ghost Music by An Yu; Eta Draconis by Brendan Ritchie; Jacinta Dietrich (from ep 45); We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson; The Long Knives by Irvine Welsh; Jackie Bailey (from ep 66); Candice Fox; Tracey Lien; Garry Disher; Lee Kofman (from ep 76); We Could Be Something by Will Kostakis; Windhall by Ava Barry;  Fiona McFarlane; Limberlost by Robbie Arnott Ashley's psychological thriller 'Dark Mode' is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy. James' novel 'Denizen' is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy.  Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt + @JamesMcWatson Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

At first drawn to short stories, Louise Kennedy couldn't resist expanding this ill-fated love story set at the peak of the Irish Troubles into a full and vividly depicted novel, “Trespasses”. + Is it too much to say that the author of Captain Cook's “Voyages”  was “cancelled” by his contemporaries and the sexual exploits of Joseph Banks “went viral”? Not according to US literary academic Saar Shahar who has researched the writings around Captain Cook's voyages. = The next best thing to reading is listening to writers talk about their creations.   Guests Louise Kennedy, author of “Trespasses” and a collection of short stories “The End of the World is a Cul de Sac”  Saar Shahar, 18th century scholar and PhD candidate in English at the University of Southern California,  puts the exploits of Captain Cook and Joseph Banks into historical literary context with surprising results. Other books that get a mention: Cath and Annie mention “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee, “The Anniversary” by Stephanie Bishop, “The Sun Walks Down” by Fiona McFarlane, “The Tilt” and “Treasure & Dirt” by Chris Hammer, and “Summer Water” by Sarah Moss. Saar Shahar refers to “An Account of the Voyages….” by John Hawkesworth, and “An Epistle from Mr. Banks, Voyager, Monster-Hunter, and Amoroso, to Oberea, Queen of Otaheite”, by John Scott. Both were published in 1773. Emma has just finished reading “Never” by Ken Follett and her favourite book of all time is “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At first drawn to short stories, Louise Kennedy couldn't resist expanding this ill-fated love story set at the peak of the Irish Troubles into a full and vividly depicted novel, “Trespasses”. + Is it too much to say that the author of Captain Cook's “Voyages”  was “cancelled” by his contemporaries and the sexual exploits of Joseph Banks “went viral”? Not according to US literary academic Saar Shahar who has researched the writings around Captain Cook's voyages. = The next best thing to reading is listening to writers talk about their creations.   Guests Louise Kennedy, author of “Trespasses” and a collection of short stories “The End of the World is a Cul de Sac”  Saar Shahar, 18th century scholar and PhD candidate in English at the University of Southern California,  puts the exploits of Captain Cook and Joseph Banks into historical literary context with surprising results. Other books that get a mention: Cath and Annie mention “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee, “The Anniversary” by Stephanie Bishop, “The Sun Walks Down” by Fiona McFarlane, “The Tilt” and “Treasure & Dirt” by Chris Hammer, and “Summer Water” by Sarah Moss. Saar Shahar refers to “An Account of the Voyages….” by John Hawkesworth, and “An Epistle from Mr. Banks, Voyager, Monster-Hunter, and Amoroso, to Oberea, Queen of Otaheite”, by John Scott. Both were published in 1773. Emma has just finished reading “Never” by Ken Follett and her favourite book of all time is “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chair: Jo Case A six-year-old child disappears in a dust storm in the Flinders Ranges. It's a familiar literary trope about lost white children and reflects the anxiety in 19th century colonial Australia about the dangers of the wilderness. The same anxiety, unsurprisingly, did not accompany the Stolen Generations, forever lost to their families and cultures. In her latest novel of competing parallel narratives, The Sun Walks Down, Fiona McFarlane explores who belongs to the land and who are the interlopers. Event details: Thu 09 Mar, 5:00pm on the West Stage

Neil talks to Fiona McFarlane about her Australian outback set novel The Sun Walks Down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi friends, After a short break last week, we're back with your pop culture chats. First of all, Elizabeth Holmes has been sentenced to 11 years in jail. We discuss scammers in pop culture as well as Elizabeth's impact in the media. We reference this article for the Sydney Morning Herald by Thomas Mitchell.Pete Davidson is back on his BS after he was recently seen with Emily Ratajkowski. Is this legit? Just some fun? Or a clever marketing tool for them both? Jennifer Aniston has been featured on the front cover of Allure magazine. We discuss the key takeaways from the interview as well as how important infertility conversations are to people. It's been a rollercoaster of a month for Taylor Swift. After her album Midnights broke (and is still breaking) multiple records, Taylor announced a 52-date US tour. But after a chaotic presale. Ticketmaster has ended up cancelling general sale of tickets for the rest of the tour. We discuss the fall-out and what it means for Ticketmaster.If there's one thing nepotism babies love, it's denying that their success is a result of nepotism. Not one, but three of them, have spoken out about their nepo baby labels this week — Lily Rose-Depp, Willow Smith & Zoe KravitzWe chat about the discourse and model Vittoria Ceretti's response to nepotism babies. In recommendations, Maggie recommends the podcast, Celebrity Memoir Book Club and Jas recommends The Sun Walks Down by Fiona McFarlane.Chat next week! x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest host Hope Davis presents three uncanny stories featuring children.  In Simon Rich's hilarious “The Baby,” a novelist faces competition from his unborn son.  Jason Mantzoukas is the reader.  A children's game takes a strange turn in Fiona McFarlane's “Buttony,” read by Jin Ha.  And Etgar Keret offers up an unusual mother-son story—and lots of calories--in “Crumb Cake,” performed by Andy Richter. Join and give!: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/symphonyspacenyc?code=Splashpage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest host Hope Davis presents three uncanny stories featuring children.  In Simon Rich’s  hilarious “The Baby,” a novelist faces competition from his unborn son.  Jason Mantzoukas is the reader.  A children’s game takes a strange turn in Fiona McFarlane’s “Buttony,” read by Jin Ha.  And Etgar Keret offers up an unusual mother-son story—and lots of calories--in “Crumb Cake,” performed by Andy Richter.

This week, the boys return after a lengthy hiatus and discuss Spider-man's lack of journalistic ethics, what they've been up to in the year-long hiatus (babying, drinking) and "Demolition" by Fiona McFarlane, this week's fiction offering in the New Yorker magazine. Have a listen, won't you?

Fiona McFarlane reads her story from the May 25, 2020, issue of the magazine. McFarlane is the author of the novel “The Night Guest” and the story collection “The High Places,” which was awarded the international Dylan Thomas Prize in 2017. 

Cairns entrepreneur Fiona McFarlane talks to Jayne Cuddihy in Beating Around the Bush.She is the founder of cherrygift.com, an SMS gift service.Associated with https://www.skal.org/ Fiona says contacts are everything when it comes to starting a business.http://www.cairnspost.com.au/business/new-skal-president-from-cairns-is-youngest-in-australian-history/news-story/1317eb9c555ea4cd91974cfbd3ba7324Cherrygift.com was a finalist at the Queensland Pitchfest event https://regionalpitchfest.com/qld/She cites The Space in Cairns http://thespacecairns.com/ as a huge support and a vibrant showcase of the local startups and ideas about the region.Fiona has also been involved in the establishment of the FNQ Angels- a funding option for startups.She says a huge amount of her inspiration and information comes from the internet, not least following everyone she can on Twitter @Twitter has been priceless- follow everyone you can! And follow @cherrygiftedFind her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cherrygifted/

Helen Ellis, Virginia Reeves and Fiona McFarlane join our Event Manager Chris Gordon for a discussion about writing, feminism, and poker.

Hugo Race takes us on a journey through music, time and history in his reminiscence, 'Road Series', and provides insights about life as a musician.Fiona McFarlane has characters reviewing themselves at the end of each short story in 'The High Places'

Which writer is spending Stephen King's money? How you can make 50k a year without hitting the bestseller list, writing letters to strangers is making a comeback, Fiona McFarlane writes about her journey to being published, how to revive your creativity, Writer in Residence and daddy blogger Reservoir Dad, tracking your writing expenses, what you should charge for content marketing and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com

The Night Guest, Fiona McFarlane’s striking debut novel, has been shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award and was the winner of the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards' 2014 UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing. It’s a gripping story of love, dependence, fear and the end of a life. Join Fiona for an evening of dinner, drinks and great literary company, as she talks about the inspiration behind her latest work –and her thoughts on its sensational reception - with Melbourne Writers Festival director Lisa Dempster. Presented in partnership with Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove.

Are journalists miserable, over educated and underpaid? The Best Australian blogs are announced, the secret libraries of New York city, write a novel... in a game, how Reading Australia are making a difference to Australian schools and universities, the importance of staying published, Writer in Residence Fiona McFarlane, our Working Writer's Tip, our Web Pick and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com

With Kirsty Lang. Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong, writers of the comedy series Peep Show and Fresh Meat, discuss their new TV drama, Babylon, in which they've joined forces with Danny Boyle. It focuses on the people and politics of the Metropolitan Police - both in the command rooms and on the streets - as they struggle to keep law and order under the constant scrutiny of social media. The Mistress Contract, a book written by an anonymous couple, has been adapted for the stage by Abi Morgan. Morgan, who is best known for her screenplay for the Thatcher biopic, The Iron Lady, documents the couple's relationship over the decades after they agreed to sign a "mistress contract." Sarah Dunant reviews. English National Opera is the latest opera company to start screening their productions live into cinemas around the country and worldwide. ENO's Artistic Director, John Berry, and Kasper Holten, Director of Opera at the Royal Opera House, talk about the creative challenges of making an opera production that can simultaneously fill an opera house and a cinema screen. The Night Guest is the first novel by Australian writer Fiona McFarlane. Ruth, an elderly widow, lives in a secluded house on the coast of New South Wales when she receives an unexpected visit from a woman who says she has been sent by the government to help out. Fiona McFarlane discusses the themes of confusion and mental disintegration that lie at the heart of the book. Producer: Rebecca Nicholson.