Podcasts about rwr mcdonald

BEST OF SERIES - QWS: Troy Hunter and RWR McDonald on Gus and the Missing Boy

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.

In this episode Rob chats with Bel Schenk about his debut novella, The Most Famous Boy in Town, published by Spineless Wonders in April 2024. They chat about writing fiction versus poetry, the creative pathway to publication, and Bel offers great writing advice. CW: This episode contains discussions about sexual assault, which some listeners may find distressing. Resources and support are available through 1800 Respect (Australia) and Lifeline at 13 11 14. Bel Schenk's shout out book this episode: A Growing up Queer in Australia, edited by Benjamin Law Bel Schenk has written three collections of poetry, Ambulances & Dreamers, Urban Squeeze and Every Time You Close Your Eyes. Her debut novella, The Most Famous Boy in Town, was published by Spineless Wonders in April 2024. Queer Writes Session (QWS) Podcast, a Words & Nerds spin off series hosted by Rob aka R.W.R. McDonald and Jonathan Butler, in partnership with Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy.

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

S3E5 Queer Writes Session: R.W.R. McDonald with Troy Hunter In this episode Rob chats with Troy Hunter about his debut YA novel, Gus and the Missing Boy, published by Wakefield Press in March 2024. They chat about Troy's serendipitous pathway to publication, crime fiction, author identity, and Troy offers great writing advice. Troy Hunter's shout out books this episode are: A Man and His Pride by Luke Rutledge (check out our interview with Luke QWS S2E3) Mona of the Manor by Armistead Maupin Queer Writes Session (QWS) Podcast, a Words & Nerds spin off series hosted by Rob aka R.W.R. McDonald and Jonathan Butler, in partnership with Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy.

S3E1: QWS with Dr Yves Rees and RWR McDonald & John Butler

5. BEST OF SERIES 2023 QWS: RWR McDonald and Stuart Barnes

6. BEST OF SERIES 2023 QWS: RWR McDonald and Amee Wilson

7. BEST OF SERIES 2023 QWS: RWR McDonald and Luke Rutledge

QWS Podcast S2E12 – Episode Description – Michael Earp S2E12. Queer Writes Session: RWR McDonald with Michael Earp In this episode Rob chats with Michael Earp about their latest anthology, a queer retelling of fairy tales - Everything Under The Moon: Fairy tales in a queerer light. Also, Michael shares their experience of creating anthologies, #loveozya, bookselling and LGBTIQAplus own-voices, and of course excellent writing advice. Rob also chats with Grace from Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy who reviews Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour. Queer Writes Session (QWS) Podcast, a Words & Nerds spin off series hosted by Rob aka R.W.R. McDonald, in partnership with Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy. Books mentioned and reviews can be found on QUEER WRITES SESSIONS | Blarney Books and Art Resources mentioned and a transcript for this episode's interview is available at QWS Podcast · R.W.R. McDonald https://rwrmcdonald.com/

In this episode Rob chats with Hayley Scrivenor who gives a master class with incredible writing advice, and generously shares her writing process, how her bestselling, award-winning Dirt Town came to be, the Lambda Literary Awards, and putting the queer into crime fiction. A must listen for all emerging writers! Rob also chats with Grace from Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy who reviews We Didn't Think it Through by Gary Lonesborough. Queer Writes Session (QWS) Podcast, a Words & Nerds spin off series hosted by Rob aka R.W.R. McDonald, in partnership with Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy. Books mentioned and reviews can be found on QUEER WRITES SESSIONS | Blarney Books and Art Resources mentioned and a transcript for this episode's interview is available at QWS Podcast · R.W.R. McDonald https://rwrmcdonald.com/

S2E8. Queer Writes Session: RWR McDonald with Jeremy Lachlan In this episode Rob chats with Jeremy Lachlan about world building including creating cultures and languages, writing action, advice on writing a series, queer kids lit, censorship and more – a great and generous writing discussion you will not want to miss — not to mention insider Jane Doe info, and her latest adventure in Jane Doe and the Quill of All Tales. Rob also chats with Jo from Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy who reviews Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta by James Hannaham. Queer Writes Session (QWS) Podcast, a Words & Nerds spin off series hosted by Rob aka R.W.R. McDonald, in partnership with Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy. Books mentioned and reviews can be found on QUEER WRITES SESSIONS | Blarney Books and Art Resources mentioned and a transcript for this episode's interview is available at QWS Podcast · R.W.R. McDonald https://rwrmcdonald.com/

QWS Podcast S2E7 – Episode Description – Katia Ariel S2E7. Queer Writes Session: RWR McDonald with Katia Ariel PRIDE MONTH In this episode Rob chats with Katia Ariel about writing, memoir, family and Odessa — and all about her new book, The Swift Dark Tide Rob also chats with Jo from Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy who reviews Stone Fruit by Lee Lai. Queer Writes Session (QWS) Podcast, a Words & Nerds spin off series hosted by Rob aka R.W.R. McDonald, in partnership with Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy. Books mentioned and reviews can be found on QUEER WRITES SESSIONS | Blarney Books and Art Resources mentioned and a transcript for this episode's interview is available at QWS Podcast · R.W.R. McDonald https://rwrmcdonald.com/

QWS with RWR McDonald and Jordan Collins

QWS Podcast S2E4 – Episode Description – Jasper Peach S2E4. Queer Writes Session: RWR McDonald with Jasper Peach In this episode Rob chats with Jasper Peach about writing, Rainbow Families and those questions — and all about their new book, You'll Be a Wonderful Parent: Advice and Encouragement for Rainbow Families of All Kinds Rob also chats with Jo from Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy who reviews Confessions of the Fox by Jordy Rosenberg. Queer Writes Session (QWS) Podcast, a Words & Nerds spin off series hosted by Rob aka R.W.R. McDonald, in partnership with Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy. Books mentioned and reviews can be found on QUEER WRITES SESSIONS | Blarney Books and Art Resources mentioned and a transcript for this episode's interview is available at QWS Podcast · R.W.R. McDonald https://rwrmcdonald.com/

QWS Podcast S2E3 – Episode Description – Luke Rutledge S2E2. Queer Writes Session: RWR McDonald with Luke Rutledge Queer Writes Session (QWS) Podcast, a Words & Nerds spin off series hosted by Rob aka R.W.R. McDonald, in partnership with Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy. S2E3: In this episode Rob chats with debut author Luke Rutledge, about the gay apps (basically Grindr), that marriage plebiscite, and his debut book, A Man and his Pride. Rob also chats with Jo from Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy who reviews State of Origin by David Owen Kelly. Books mentioned and reviews can be found on QUEER WRITES SESSIONS | Blarney Books and Art Resources mentioned and a transcript for this episode's interview is available at QWS Podcast · R.W.R. McDonald https://rwrmcdonald.com/

QWS Podcast S2E2 – Episode Description – Amee Wilson S2E2. Queer Writes Session: RWR McDonald with Amee Wilson Queer Writes Session (QWS) Podcast, a Words & Nerds spin off series hosted by Rob aka R.W.R. McDonald, in partnership with Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy. S2E2: In this episode Rob chats with Amee Wilson, creator of the TikTok sensation, Queer Chameleon. Amy shares her tips on digital storytelling, and they discuss her debut book, Queer Chameleon and Friends. Rob also chats with Jo from Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy who reviews At Certain Points We Touch by Lauren John Joseph. Books mentioned and reviews can be found on QUEER WRITES SESSIONS | Blarney Books and Art Resources mentioned and a transcript for this episode's interview is available at QWS Podcast · R.W.R. McDonald https://rwrmcdonald.com/

A regular question we always ask our quests on Queer Writes Sessions is “What is your hope for LGBTIQA plus communities?” In celebration of World Pride we have created this Hope Episode, where we have brought together all our wonderful guests' responses, sharing their hope for the Rainbow communities. Featuring Renee, Lil O'Brien, Alison Evans, Nevo Zisin, Nigel Featherstone, Professor Gregory Phillips, Cadance Bell, Peter Coleman, Tobias Madden, Jemimah Brewster, Jonathan Butler and Kate Hall. Happy World Pride everyone.

BEST OF QWS with RWR McDonald and Cadance Bell

BEST OF QWS wth RWR McDonald and Gregory Phillips

BEST OF QWS with RWR McDonald and Nigel Featherstone

BEST OF SURPRISE TAKEOVER with Dani Vee, Adrian Beck, Matt Cosgrove, RWR McDonald and Dani's mum

Queer Writes Sessions: RWR McDonald and Jonathan Butler

6. Queer Writes Session: RWR McDonald with Jemimah Brewster Queer Writes Session (QWS) Podcast, a Words & Nerds spin off series hosted by Rob aka R.W.R. McDonald, in partnership with Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy. Episode 6: In this episode Rob talks to Jemimah Brewster about creating newsletters, indie publishing and listicles! Jemimah Brewster is a queer writer and editor based in Gippsland, Victoria, working in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and book reviews. Rob also chats with Grace, Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy book reviewer. This episode Grace reviews Raised by Wolves by Jess Ho and A History of Dreams by Jane Rawson. Books mentioned and reviews can be found on QUEER WRITES SESSIONS | Blarney Books and Art. Resources mentioned and a transcript for this episode's interview is available at QWS Podcast · R.W.R. McDonald https://rwrmcdonald.com/

QWS Podcast: Tobias Madden with RWR McDonald

Queer Writes Sessions with RWR McDonald and Peter Coleman

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.

SURPRISE TAKEOVER: My EXTRAordinary Mum with Dani Vee interviewed by Adrian J Beck, Matt Cosgrove, RWR McDonald and Dani Vee's Mum!!!

'Denizen,' the Penguin Literary Prize winning novel from James McKenzie Watson is finally out in the world! In this episode, Ashley asks James about the experience of taking 'Denizen' from idea to published novel. He shares insights into how to seriously improve your writing craft and how to understand your work as a reflection of your life. James also answers the big question – what does his mum think of 'Denizen?' James McKenzie Watson writes fiction with a focus on health and rural Australia. His novel 'Denizen' won the 2021 Penguin Literary Prize. 'Denizen' also received a 2021 Varuna Residential Fellowship and a 2021 KSP Residential Fellowship. His writing has appeared in Meanjin and the Newtown Review of Books. He works as a nurse in regional New South Wales. Get your copy of 'Denizen' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else good books are sold. Shout out to Australia's hardworking independent booksellers! Books and authors discussed in this episode: David Vann (of course); Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor; The Liars by Petronella McGovern (from ep 12), out in September 2022; The Writer Laid Bare by Lee Kofman (from ep 4); RWR McDonald (from ep 32);   Lyn Yeowart (from ep 39)  Denizen launch events: Dubbo Launch – Macquarie Regional Library, 19 July at 6:30pm (hosted by Book Connection, with special guest Nic Healey). Free, book here! Online Launch – hosted by @daniveebooks_wordsandnerds, 21 July at 8pm (with special guests Petronella McGovern and Lyn Yeowart). Follow Dani Vee Books – Words and Nerds Podcast on Facebook to join on the night! Sydney Launch – Gleebooks, Glebe, 28 July at 6:30pm, with special guest Ashley Kalagian Blunt, $12/$9/free, book here! Melbourne Launch – Readings Emporium, Melbourne, 3 August at 6pm, with special guest Lee Kofman. Free, book here! Ashley's next online writing workshop, The Joy of Creative Writing, is on Monday 25 July, 7:45-9 pm AEST online via Zoom. Book in 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

Queer Writes Sessions with RWR McDonald and Cadance Bell

Queer Writes Session: RWR McDonald with Professor Gregory Phillips

RWR McDonald and David Howard Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

1. Queer Writes Session: RWR McDonald with Nigel Featherstone Queer Writes Session (QWS) Podcast, a Words & Nerds spin off series hosted by Rob aka R.W.R. McDonald, in partnership with Blarney Books & Art in Port Fairy. Episode 1: In this episode Rob talks to book reviewer Grace about Anything But Fine, by Tobias Madden and Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. Next Rob interviews Australian author, Nigel Featherstone, about his new book My Heart is a Little Wild Thing. Books mentioned and reviews can be found on QUEER WRITES SESSIONS | Blarney Books and Art A transcript for this episode's interview is available at QWS Podcast · R.W.R. McDonald rwrmcdonald.com

#3 Most Listened To Spin Off 2021 - Ben Hobson And RWR McDonald

Welcome to the FANZA Fringe – Virginia and Louise from the Diving In podcast in Australia are thrilled to be part of the fringe program for FANZA, the charitable Foundation for Australian and New Zealand Arts.The psychological consequences of hoarding and a murderous small town in New Zealand are just some of the surprising narratives in the books discussed for this episode.Email hello@divinginpodcast.comInstagram @diving_in_podcastVirginia's Instagram @virginia_readsLouise's Instagram @louise_cooks_and_readsSong ‘Diving In' – original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linkt.ree/llauraadelinePodcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher.Graphics by Orla Larkin - create@werkshop.com.auBooksLove Objects by Emily Maguire, 2021, Allen and Unwin, AustraliaHeartsick by Jessie Stephens, 2021, Pan Macmillan, Australia,The Nancys by RWR McDonald, 2019, Allen and Unwin, AustraliaNancy Business by RWR McDonald, 2021, Allen and Unwin, AustraliaOne Hundred Days by Alice Pung, 2021, Black Inc. AustraliaThe Coconut Children by Vivian Pham, 2020, Penguin BooksOtherAustralian Book Reviewhttps://www.australianbookreview.com.au/

CSI: TASMANIA, the Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival, is happening 27 & 28 November 2021, and it's entirely online! In this bonus ep, James and Ashley speak to festival director and author LJM Owen about this year's festival highlights. (This isn't a paid promo, we just love connecting readers and writers.)   TAF2021 - CSI: TASMANIA online, 27 & 28 November 2021 Tasmania's International Crime and Mystery Literary Festival features more than 35 crime and mystery authors speaking across panels, books clubs and mini-masterclasses. The line-up includes David Heska Wanbli Weiden (featured in episode 40), Ann Cleeves, Val McDermid, Liz Nugent, Garry Disher, Naomi Hirahara, Abir Mukherjee, Vanda Symon, JP Pomare, Candice Fox,   Anita Heiss, RWR McDonald (featured in episode 32) and lots more!  For more info and tickets, visit TerrorAustralisFestival.com and follow @terroraustralisfestival on Instagram. 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

James is back! He and Ashley chat about his recent CIDP relapse and ongoing recovery, and how his perspective on living with chronic illness has shifted. Thankfully, the steroids haven't affected his sense of humour.   Disclaimer: None of the information in this episode is medical advice, and if you're concerned about your own health, you should consult a proper medical professional.  Books and authors discussed in this episode: A Carnival of Snackery by David Sedaris;  The Stand by Stephen King The Joy of Creative Writing: an online workshop with Ashley Thursday 2 December, 6:15-7:30 pm AEDT Online via Zoom Tix $9-14 Whether you haven't written creatively since high school or you're the author of 12 books, this fun class will help you get your creativity flowing. Through a series of short, timed writing exercises, we'll explore different ways to access the creative recesses of our minds and surprise ourselves! You might be a writer working on a specific project, a poet searching for new ideas, or someone who just wants to give creative writing a try for the first time in years – wherever you're at, this is the class for you. Get your ticket here. TAF2021 - CSI: TASMANIA online - November 27 + 28 2021  Tasmania's International Crime and Mystery Literary Festival features more than 35 crime and mystery authors speaking across panels, books clubs and mini-masterclasses. The line-up includes: David Heska Wanbli Weiden (featured in episode 40), Ann Cleeves, Val McDermid, Liz Nugent, Garry Disher, Naomi Hirahara, Abir Mukherjee, Vanda Symon, JP Pomare, Candice Fox, Anita Heiss, RWR McDonald (featured in episode 32).  Early bird tickets are $90 and are available until Sunday 14 November. For more information on the festival and ticket follow this link. 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

NaNoWriMo 2021 With The NaNoGang Dani Vee, Adrian Beck, Tristan Bancks & Cristy Burne with special surprise guest RWR McDonald and hot tips from Mark Smith, Claudine Tinnellis and Julianne Negri.

When I first read The Nancys in 2019 I was surprised at how much I enjoyed a crime novel.  I was captivated by the love I had for Tippy Chan as she investigates the murder of her teacher alongside her uncle and his partner. I was so excited to read the sequel when it was released earlier this year. This is a series that is just getting better and better. I completely loved all the Nancy Drew love and the town of Riverstone is one I was so happy to be back in. I was overjoyed and I'm afraid more than  a bit excited to speak with Rob...such 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

Rob McDonald also known as RWR McDonald is the award-winning author of the 2019 novel "The Nancys". A murder-mystery featuring 11 year-old Nancy Drew fan, Tippy Chan, who teams up with her babysitter uncle and his boyfriend to form their own amateur detective club to solve a high-profile murder case. This year Rob released a follow-up called "Nancy Business" (Allen & Unwin). Tippy along with her Uncles Devon and Pike are back, reforming their detective club "The Nancys" to investigate an explosion which rocks the town of Riverstone. A madcap, irreverent and often hilarious read that had me hooked from start to finish. A total must-read. I was thrilled to welcome Rob to the podcast earlier this year.

Dani Vee interviews RWR McDonald for the Sutherland Shire Writers' Festival.

Burgers, Beers and Books: RWR McDonald

This week, book reviewer Catherine Raynes hass been reading a sequal to RWR McDonald's hilarious The Nancys; Nancy Business. She's also giving her thoughts on When You Are Mine, Michael Robotham.LISTEN ABOVE  

Great Conversations features interviews with authors and writers, exploring books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world.Today's episode features RWR McDonald discussing his new novel Nancy BusinessToday on the show...Nancy Business returns to Riverstone. Tippy's been getting on with life after solving the murder of her teacher. Pike and Devon have bought the murder house and are trying to decorate it without murdering each other.So far so normal when the town is rocked by an explosion at the Town Hall. Three people are killed and it looks like the bomber might be a local.The bombing happens on the anniversary of Tippy's father's death and this brings back so much for her. Tippy is now constantly in fear of more violence and of losing more people close to her. The only thing to do is reform the Nancys and solve the mystery of the lone bomber.

James and Ashley interview RWR McDonald about his new novel 'Nancy Business,' follow-up to the bestselling 'The Nancys.' In it, they discuss the parallels between the original girl detective Nancy Drew and The Nancys' Tippy Chan, the art of balancing the humorous and heavy in fiction writing, and the physical toll of a creative life.  Learn more about Rob on his website, and buy a copy of 'Nancy Business' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Books and authors discussed in this episode: Harold Robbins (contact Rob for title recommendations); The Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene; Girl, 11 by Amy Suiter Clarke; The Silent Listener by Lyn Yeowart; Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake; Goat Mountain by David Vann (who we interviewed in episode 23) 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

Last week I teased a sequel to 2019's The Nancys and today I have come to deliver.First some background…The Nancy's is the debut novel from RWR McDonald. Set in the fictional South Otago town of Riverstone the story follows eleven year old Tippy Chan, her Uncle Pike and his boyfriend Devon as they band together in homage to their favourite girl detective Nancy Drew to solve the brutal murder of Tippy's teacher.Yeah, you thought this might be a middle grade book based on the protagonist right? Think again.The Nancy's won the Ngaio Marsh award for a debut novel and garnered a slew of shortlistings, because, quite frankly, it is gorgeous.Jump forward to now and Tippy, Pike and Devon return in Nancy Business. The stakes are higher, the tone is darker, Tippy has a new haircut and don't even think of going near Devon with green!Get ready for a cosy mystery, with a queer heart and some real questions about what it means to be a part of a community.In Nancy Business Riverstone is rocked by an explosion at the Town Hall. Three people are killed and it looks like a local is the bomber. Straight away things feel darker than the last novel. The bombing happens on the anniversary of Tippy's father's death and this has brought back so much for her. She is now constantly in fear of more violence and of losing more people close to her.Pike and Devon are triumphant in their return to Riverstone but they two are hiding a darkness. Growing up Riverstone was never a place Pike could safe as a young gay man. Despite a level of fabulous acceptance with Devon by his side, the two are struggling to navigate the growth and maturing of their relationship. Could they really settle down in Riverstone?The undercurrent of Nancy Business is that communities have secrets and those secrets have consequences. Tippy is single minded in uncovering the truth but she's also twelve years old. As she navigates the various stories of her town she is learning that some secrets are not hers to tell.RWR McDonald's expanding Nancys universe is an absolute delight. The first thing I want to say is start with The Nancys. Nancy Business is a stand alone story but there is so much to both why not start at the beginning.Riding along with Tippy you'll find yourself wondering at the mix of genres McDonald is working (actually to be fair you probably won't - his writing is seamless and you'll likely be buckled in for the ride). The story feels like it should be YA and why not. I'm not going to stop any YA or other acronym for a loosely defined age demographic. But many of the themes of Nancy Business also feel like maybe a twelve year shouldn't be… but then that's the point; young adults always have and always will have to deal with these (scare quotes) adult themes. As much as Pike and Devon check in with Tippy it's also them as so-called adults who need a hug and a bit of a moment to deal with the trauma.Nancy Business is terrific - the dialogue is tighter than Devon's hot pants and the characters are the sort that make you want to move to their town (just as soon as they sort out all the death)

Supporting Victorian Authors in Lockdown: Hosted by RWR McDonald

I've got a bit of a weird book club this week... An absolutely incredible sequel to a stunningly fun book was released last week. It's called Nancy Business and is the sequel to 2019's The Nancys from RWR McDonald. I've only just started Nancy Business and rather than revisiting my book club on The Nancys, I thought we'd go back further still to a piece I wrote on the history of what would become one of RWR McDonald's inspirations Nancy Drew.Our tale starts one hundred years ago...So Nancy Drew is best known as an unassuming, always ready, teen detective from River Heights. Her father Carson Drew is a crime fighting lawyer and her asexual boyfriend is Ned Nickerson. She's the star of hundreds of novels and several screen adaptations, but she's also been around for close to a hundred years and has gone through numerous iterations.So right now it may sound like Nancy Drew is one of the undead and we need to call in one of the various iterations of Buffy to slay her. In fact Nancy is the product of an extremely successful, if highly exploitative publishing syndicate that was able to turn the methods of mass production to teen literature.Nancy Drew, along with her male teen detective counterparts The Hardy Boys, were the brainchild of the publishing empire of Edward Stratemeyer (b.1862). Stratemeyer grew his empire over the early decades of the twentieth century using a shrewd understanding of what children want and how to market it to their tiny allowances. Yay Capitalism!Stratemeyer was capitalising on a confluence of social and cultural changes including an increase in childhood literacy, the popularising of assembly line techniques and a growing appetite for entertainment. This created the audience that would devour series aimed at younger readers for 10-50 cents a pop.Stratemeyer knew what the public wanted and he created characters that would resonate with their ideal lives. He created every-person type characters (at least if you were white and middle class) and employed marketing and cross promoting techniques that would do Amazon proud!Seeking titles for a slightly older audience Stratemeyer launched The Hardy Boys in 1926 and the first Nancy Drew books followed in 1930 written under the pen name Carolyn Keene. These books were incredibly popular and overturned the maxim of the time that girls would happily read boys books.The original writer of Nancy Drew was Mildred Wirt, but there were many more to come over the years. The books were penned by a team of writers working under a pseudonym (so it looked all wholesome and consistent). Much like the comic book industry to come, the Stratemeyer syndicate knew how to screw over its bullpen of writers; with many struggling to survive.Nancy Drew has had many updates over the years but the basic concept was formulaic. Nancy Drew lived in River Heights. Her boyfriend was Ned Nickerson. They had a sunny white-bread relationship and were not particularly troubled by diversity. Each book saw a mystery emerge that was solved by hard work, a bump on the head that never seemed to cause concussion and a whole lot of pluck, luck and coincidence.So across the years and her many faces Nancy became a publishing powerhouse that despite her extremely American origins even penetrated publishing in the antipodes.Nancy Drew's popularity makes her a troubling feminist icon; her freedom and independence offered one vision of equality and in the 1930's and through the war years you can see how she might have inspired the minds of some young girls to dream. However her white suburban privilege firmly situates her freedom as the domain of her dominant culture status and does nothing for a world coming to understand that intersectionality was never a choice but an inevitability.Now RWR McDonald's Nancys' books do not share the troubling history I've just described. They're the heartwarming story of a young girl, her gay uncle and his fashion designer boyfriend solving crimes in a small town in New Zealand. They're equally hilarious and heartwarming and I cannot wait to bring you a boom club on Nancy Business.I just need a little more time for reading!)

Today's guest on Word for Word with host Lisa Daniel is RWR McDonald. Rob is an award-winning author, a Kiwi and queer dad who lives in Melbourne with his two daughters... LEARN MORE The post Rob McDonald appeared first on Word for Word.

Crime Fiction Special Event Livestream Audio. Watch the video on the W&N FB page. Craig Sisterson, Sulari Gentill, Craig Sisterson and Dani Vee chat about Nancy Business and crime fiction.

On Susanna Clarke's Piranesi, Ken Follett's The Evening and the Morning and Edmund White's A Saint from Texas

This episode of Conversations with Friends is with RWR McDonald and Katherine Kovacic.We know you'll understand that this episode has a different quality of audio than you are used to from us. Eventually we'll get back to studio sound, but until then forgive us the odd crackle! Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod.The Conversations with Friends series is supported by the City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Grants. 

Puff quotes!  What exactly are they?  Kate had about a million for Skylarking.  She's now navigating the awkward world of asking other authors to endorse her second novel.  Meanwhile, Katherine got asked to do one herself.  What did she learn? Then we speak to author RWR McDonald about Faber Writing Academy, trilogies and writing on public transport.  Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod.Don't forget you can support us and the making of Season Two via our Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/user/overview?u=14470635! Thanks for joining us!