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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 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.

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  2. 36 | Deafness, secrets and solace with Fiona Murphy, author of 'The Shape of Sound'

36 | Deafness, secrets and solace with Fiona Murphy, author of 'The Shape of Sound'

Aug 3, 2021

James and Ashley interview Fiona Murphy about her memoir 'The Shape of Sound.' In it, they discuss the complexities of Deaf culture and identity, the corrosive power of secrets, and the challenges of being deaf in the healthcare industry. 

Learn more about Fiona on her website, and buy a copy of The Shape of Sound from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold. 

Books and authors discussed in this episode

  • Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon;
  • The Past by Tessa Hadley;
  • The Iceman by John Sandford;
  • Storm Prey by John Sandford;
  • Love, Clancy by Richard Glover
  • Flesh Wounds by Richard Glover 

Join Ashley and a great line-up of authors for the Writers Unleashed Festival happening online, Saturday 21 August.

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