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.
Feb 17, 2026
It’s been 30 years since award-winning author Anita Heiss made her debut on the Australian literary scene. She reveals the moment she finally felt she’d made it in the industry and why her powerful historical novel, Dirrayawadha, was one of the most challenging books of her career.
Anita opens up about crafting a love story against the violence of the Bathurst War, and how she balances stories of trauma with scenes of profound love and joy. Plus, she shares about her forthcoming rom-com with a political heart, The Paradise Pact, and the insights she’s learned from her latest role as publisher-at-large of Bundyi, a First Nations imprint from Simon & Schuster.
Dr Anita Heiss is an internationally published, award-winning author of over 20 books, including non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial women’s fiction and children’s novels. She is a proud member of the Wiradyuri Nation of central New South Wales and Publisher at Large of Bundyi, an imprint of Simon & Schuster cultivating First Nations talent. Today we’re discussing her career, including her historical fiction novel, Dirrayawadha (Rise Up), about the Bathurst War of 1824, and her latest rom com, The Paradise Pact.
Find The Paradise Pact and Anita’s other books at Booktopia or from your local bookshop or library.
Books & authors discussed in this episode:
- Who Am I? The Diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937 by Anita Heiss
- Not Meeting Mr Right by Anita Heiss
- Secrets by Judy Morrison
- I Am Nannertgarrook by Tasma Walton
- Robbie Arnott
- Larissa Behrendt
- Tell Her She’s Dreaming by Simone Amelia Jordan, from ep 106
- It’s Been a Pleasure Noni Blake by Claire Christian
- The Pearl of Tagai Town by Lenora Thacker
- The Strangers by Katherena Vermette
- Test Cricket: A History by Tim Wigmore
- The Graduate by Rebecca Lim
Upcoming events
- James is speaking at Fresh Voices: The Penguin Literary Prize Shortlist on Wednesday 11 March
- Ashley is on book tour across Australia with events in Canberra, Perth, Bowral, Hobart, Launceston, Brisbane, Melbourne, Mornington, Wollongong, the Central Coast, Sydney and Adelaide (and Darwin TBA)
- Ashley is Teaching Unexpected Editing Strategies in person at Avid Reader on Sunday 15 March
- Ashley is at Manly Writers Festival on Friday 20 March
- James is teaching Setting & Landscape for Writers at the Woolshed on Saturday 21 March
- Ashley is teaching Online: Crime Writing for Faber Academy starting 12 May
Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or library. Plus check out Like, Follow, Die from Audible or pre-order the book – out 24 February 2026!