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 26, 2023
'I was still in that really optimistic, sort of naive, wonderful space as an early writer, where you think everything you write is just publishable.' Debut author Jonathon Shannon shares his journey from aspiring writer to published author – including the decision to join James and Ashley's writers' group.
We discuss how he took his debut romcom from a four-word pitch to a publishing contract, the rejection of his first manuscript, and his transition to writing romantic comedy alongside his wife, author Elodie Cheesman.
Plus, do you have a book you're saving to read before you die?
Jonathon Shannon is a Sydney-based writer and creative director. His work has been recognised at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, screened at the St Kilda Film Festival, and is housed in the permanent archives of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Bound to Happen is his debut novel.
Get your copy of Bound to Happen or from your local bookshop.
Upcoming events
- James is in conversation with Hayley Scrivenor as part of the National Young Writers Festival, 28 Sept to 1 Oct
- Ashley is appearing in-person at the Mount Beauty Writers Festival, happening Saturday 7 October.
- Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival is happening October 26 to 29, and Ashley will be part of two days of panel sessions happening that weekend in the Huon Valley, Tasmania
- Online: Creative Nonfiction – Ashley is teaching her six-week online Writing NSW course starting 30 October
- Crafting Narrative Drive – an in-person workshop with Ashley at Avid Reader in Brisbane, Sunday 26 November, 10am-1pm
Books and authors discussed in this episode:
- 'I’m the Wrong Ghost for This Haunting' by Ren Arcamone
- Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
- A Mile Down by David Vann
- A Burglar's Guide to the City by Geoff Manaugh
- The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
- Love, In Theory by Elodie Cheesman
Ashley's psychological thriller Dark Mode is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy.
James' novel Denizen is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy.
Get in touch!
- ashleykalagianblunt.com
- jamesmckenziewatson.com
- Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt + @JamesMcWatson
- Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson