James and Ashley Stay at Home

James and Ashley are staying at home. Partly because there’s a pandemic, partly because they’re writers, and partly because of their health. Through discussions and interviews with other writers, they’ll try to inspire, build fellowship and entertain, or at the very least, explore how staying at home has its benefits.

Ashley Kalagian Blunt is author of two books, How to Be Australian, a memoir, and My Name Is Revenge, a thriller novella and collected essays. My Name is Revenge was a finalist in the 2018 Carmel Bird Digital Literary Award, and was shortlisted for the 2019 Woollahra Digital Literary Awards. Her writing appears in Griffith Review, Sydney Review of Books, The Australian, The Big Issue, Westerly, Kill Your Darlings and more. She lives and works in Sydney, NSW. Find her on Twitter or visit her website.

James McKenzie Watson writes short and novel length fiction. He's been recognised in competitions including the International InkTears Flash Fiction Contest, the Newcastle Short Story Award and the Grieve Writing Competition, and featured in publications such as Baby Teeth Journal and Brave Voices Magazine. In 2017 he was shortlisted in the Kingdom of Ironfest prize for his novel Denizen. He works as a nurse in regional NSW. Find him on Twitter or visit his website.

10 | Living with chronic illness: James and Ashley talk health

Sep 15, 2020

James and Ashley discuss health - more specifically, their own chronic illnesses. In this episode, they explain their conditions, discuss how these affect day to day life, and explore how illness has impacted their senses of self.

Get in touch!

Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com

Ashley's Twitter:

9 | The healing power of creativity with Karin Foxwell, art therapist

Sep 1, 2020

James and Ashley interview Karin Foxwell, an art therapist and counsellor from South Australia’s Adelaide Hills. In this fascinating conversation, Karin describes the profound therapeutic power of art, as she's observed in her work with military and emergency services personnel who've sustained PTSD in the course...

8 | A pack of dog lovers with Kate Leaver, author of 'Good Dog'

Aug 18, 2020

James and Ashley interview journalist, author and speaker Kate Leaver about her new book, 'Good Dog.' They discuss the remarkable therapeutic power of dogs, extraordinary pups from around the world, and the impact canine companionship has had on Kate's own mental wellbeing. (As if that wasn't reason enough to listen...

7 | Speaking secret languages with Katherine Tamiko Arguile, author of 'The Things She Owned'

Aug 2, 2020

James and Ashley interview Katherine Tamiko Arguile, author of 'The Things She Owned.' They discuss the traumas that shaped Katherine's writing, the troubled mother-daughter relationship at the centre of the novel, and the secret, hybrid languages that develop when cultures overlap. You can find Katherine on Twitter, or...

6 | Where's my Man Booker? James and Ashley share writing tips

Jul 19, 2020

James and Ashley tell the stories of their writing journeys to date and each offer three tips that have helped them along the way.

Get in touch!

Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com

Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt

James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com

James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

Ashley's book 'How to Be...