Through discussions and interviews with writers, artists and health professionals, author friends James McKenzie Watson and Ashley Kalagian Blunt explore the big questions: how do books get written? How do people navigate life with chronic illness? And just what are you reading?
Ashley Kalagian Blunt is the author of Dark Mode, an internationally published psychological thriller. Her earlier books are How to Be Australian, a memoir, and My Name Is Revenge, collected fiction and essays. Her writing appears in the Sydney Morning Herald, Overland, Griffith Review, Sydney Review of Books, and more. Ashley is an enthusiastic teacher of writing and creativity. Originally from Canada, she has lived and worked in South Korea, Peru and Mexico. Find her on Twitter and Instagram or visit her website.
James McKenzie Watson is the author of Denizen, which won the 2021 Penguin Literary Prize and was shortlisted in 2023 Ned Kelly Awards for Best Debut. His writing has appeared in The Guardian, Meanjin, Kill Your Darlings and the Newtown Review of Books. He has appeared at events including the Sydney Writers Festival, Newcastle Writers Festival and BAD Crime Sydney. He works as a nurse. Find him on Twitter and Instagram or visit his website.
Sep 17, 2024
What's it like putting your creative work out in the world and discovering that some people hate it?
In episode 103 of James and Ashley Stay at Home, international bestselling author Robyn Harding joins James and Ashley to explore her extensive career in writing. She shares her experience of releasing her first book in 2004, and how her journey has evolved up to the launch of her latest novel, The Haters.
Robyn also shares insights into the challenges of dealing with online negativity, the psychological impact of reviews, and what inspired her to write a story centered around an author’s worst nightmare. We also discuss managing negativity bias and maintaining a long-term career in the ever-changing literary world.
Robyn Harding is the author of numerous international bestsellers, including The Party, The Arrangement and The Drowning Woman. She is also the screenwriter and executive producer of the independent film, The Steps. She lives in Vancouver, BC, with her family and two rescue chihuahuas.
Books & authors discussed in this episode:
- Troll Hunting by Ginger Gorman;
- This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead;
- The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead;
- Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor;
- Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor;
- Tyranny of the Minority by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt;
- How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt;
- Catherine Wheel by Liz Evans
Get your copy of 'The Haters' 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
- James is teaching an online creative writing workshop for Laneway Learning, Wednesday 11 Sept, 6.15pm AEST
- Ashley is teaching Crafting Memoir for the New England Writers Centre online, Saturday 12 October, 2-3.30pm
- James is in conversation with Zahid Gamieldien at Manly Library on Tuesday 15 October, 6:30pm
- 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!