Episode #120 has Veronica and Laurie chasing down speculative fiction rabbit holes as they bring you industry news, writing opportunities, book festivals and more. We share two new words from John Koenig (ecsis and craxis) that segue into a brilliant chat with climate fiction author Vanessa Lee.

Our book spotlights are wonderful children's picture books from the Wilderness Society Australia - Karajia Award Shortlist.

• Gurril Storm Bird by Trevor Fourmile (illustrated by Jingalu)
• The Trees by Victor Steffensen (Illustrated by Sandra Steffensen)
• Gurawul the Whale by Uncle Max Dulumunmun (illustrated by Laura La Rosa)
• In My Blood It Runs by Dujuan Hoosan, Margaret Anderson & Carol Turner (Illustrated by Blak Douglas)

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 7:17
Book spotlights - 22:59
Author Interview - 37:37
Post interview chat - 1:16:26
Quotes - 1:21:26

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Episode 119 is chock full with Veronica and Laurie winding their way through news, words, book spotlights, and quotes as well as sharing their promised pitches. Veronica chats with author Andrea Putting about compassionate prosperity and purpose, and life long learning.

Book spotlights:
Talon Marked by Sue-Ellen Pashley - fantasy
Secondhand Daylight by Eugen Bacon and Andrew Hook - speculative fiction
Ask Aunty: Seasons, written by Aunty Munya and illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis - picture book
Nedingar: Ancestors, written by Isobel Bevis and illustrated by Leanne Zilm - picture book

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 5:05
Book spotlights - 16:31
The pitches - 32:55
Author Interview - 46:07
Post interview chat - 1:22:58
Quotes - 1:26:22

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In Episode 118, Veronica & Laurie bring you AI news and reminders for ASA pitching and literary speed dating events, and new words from John Koenig (nighthawk, heartmoor and furosha). Laurie chats with award winning author Catherine McNamara about writing workshops, flash fiction, short stories, and running retreats at her home in Italy. Plus Laurie reviews The Changing Room by Belinda Cranston.

Book spotlights:
The Photograph by Diane Clarke - historical mystery
Happy Millionth Birthday by RWR McDonald & Alexandra Colombo - picture book
Tipping Point by Dinuka McKenzie - crime thriller.

Intro - 00:59
Industry news - 12:36
Book spotlights - 28:32
Author Interview - 41:03
Post interview chat - 1:34:13
Quotes - 1:36:12
Book review - 1:41:31

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Episode 117 is bursting at the seams. Veronica and Laurie chat and laugh with three amazing Aussie authors who build a bridge and take us over the writing abyss from book 1 to book 2. Hayley Walsh, Nikky Lee and Dr Helen Edwards inspire and entertain us as they share wisdom from their own journeys, fess up to their procrastination games, and tell us why they champion diversity and inclusion in their stories.

Book spotlights:
Scattered Scones by Hayley Walsh - light-hearted contemporary fiction
Once We Flew by Nikky Lee - science fantasy space colonisation novella
Legends of the Lighthouse Moon by Helen Edwards - middle-grade adventure

Intro - 00:59
Book Spotlights - 45:25

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Veronica and Laurie host a super special writing workshop in episode #116. Dr Rachel Matthews creates a space where readers become writers. Through chat and exercises, an amazing group of people explore different approaches to storytelling and finding your natural voice and style. Many gems are written in the moment, and shared with laughs, sighs and damp eyes.

Book Spotlights (giveaways) courtesy of Transit Lounge:
Never Look Desperate by Rachel Matthews - contemporary
All You Took From Me by Lisa Kenway - psychological thriller
Beam of Light - John Kinsella - contemporary stories

Intro - 00:25
Writing Prompt 1 (My life as a book) - 15:53
Writing Prompt 2 (The extraordinary in the ordinary) - 22:33
Writing Prompt 3 (Three items, one sentence) - 1:02:55
Book Spotlights - 1:11:58

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In a super special Writer's Room for Ep115, we're celebrating NAIDOC week with Indigenous authors Victor Steffensen and Isobel Bevis.
Both shortlisted for The Wilderness Society Australia Karajia Awards for Children's Literature, Victor and Isobel share with Veronica and Laurie how close to their heart the writing stories for children and adults is. They want to educate everyone about the importance of caring for Country and leaving only your footprints so it becomes a shared connection and responsibilty for all Australians. We chat about Indigenous Land management, stories in language, accidental authors, the amazing art their illustrators bring to their words, and how children love the songs that accompany Victor's books.

Book Spotlights:
The Trees - written by Victor Steffensen and illustrated by Sandra Steffensen
Nedingar: Ancestors - written by Isobel Bevis and illustrated by Leanne Zilm

2024 National NAIDOC week logo by Indigenous artist Deb Belyea.

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In episode 114, Veronica and Laurie realise the word ludiosis (a John Koenig original) describes their podcast planning magnificently. As well as all the regular events, news and the Melbourne weather, there's book spotlights, quotes, and reviews. And much laughter. Veronica chats with the wonderful Dr Monika Schott about her art, books, and being an advocate for marginalised communities.

Book Spotlights:

• Artemisia, Aurora and Aphrodite (Regency Goddesses Series) by D.G. Rampton - regency romance
• Once We Flew by Nikky Lee - science fiction
• Weekend Friends by Bella Ellwood-Clayton - contemporary

Book Review: Naomi Shippen reviews Lucky Number 11 by Jess Kitching

Intro - 00:25
Industry news - 09:03
Book spotlights - 20:05
Author Interview - 32:55
Post interview chat - 1:13:20
Quotes - 1:17:10
Book review - 1:22:40

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In Episode 113 we give a big shout out to our newest subscribers Hayley Walsh and Nadine Abrahams. We talk Victorian library and Aus vs US best seller stats, NAIDOC week awards and Karajia Awards shortlists, pitching tips, reading trends, and ideas for the literary Olympics. Plus, congrats to Helen Edwards and Nikky Lee for recent book cover reveals.
In a dragon-laden interview with multi-talented Sue-Ellen Pashley, she shares her wisdom, experience and advice, as well what Darth Vader wears under his suit.
Our book review is Secondhand Daylight by Eugen Bacon and Andrew Hook.

Book spotlights:
The End and Everything before it by Finegan Kruckemeyer - contemporary
Oblivion by Patrick Holland - science fiction
All You Took From Me by Lisa Kenway - psychological thriller
Humidity - by Dan Kaufman - Aussie noir crime

Intro - 00:25
Industry news - 06:29
Book spotlights - 20:06
Author Interview - 38:22
Post interview chat - 1:26:39
Quotes - 1:32:16
Book review - 1:34:22

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Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.