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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 GuardianMeanjinKill 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.

Oct 27, 2020

James and Ashley interview Kate Mildenhall, bestselling author of 'The Mother Fault' and 'Skylarking.' They discuss the craft of novel writing, the challenges of penning a second book, and the creative anxieties that plague writers. 

Find out more about Kate on her website and buy a copy of 'The Mother Fault' from your...


Oct 13, 2020

James and Ashley interview Petronella McGovern, bestselling author of 'The Good Teacher' and 'Six Minutes.' They discuss the allures and dangers of fringe healthcare, the similarities shared by many Australian communities, and the differences between writing a first and second novel.  

Find out more about Petronella at...