Episode 159 has Christmas written all over it. Veronica and Laurie chat rituals, folklore, food and book stocking fillers with six Australian authors whose work is set in the festive season: Madeleine D'Este, Sandy Barker, Lisa Heidke, Kevin Klehr, BG Hilton & Kay Kerr. Plus we share seasons greetings from 30 Australian Book Lovers authors - a little about their books and a little festive cheer.

Seasons Greetings from James Ynson, Nicole Kelly & Lisa Kenway - 0:57
Intro - 2:18
Seasons Greetings from Faye Hall, DT Bella, Max Jeffries - 5:11
Chat with Madeleine D'Este author of A Very Evangeline Christmas & Black Soil, White Bread - 7:27
Seasons Greetings from Leisa Fail, Verity Croker, Simon Higgins - 17:44
Chat with Sandy Barker author of The Christmas Swap & The Christmas Trip - 19:06
Seasons Greetings from Susan Rogers & John Roosen, Damien Linnane, Gabiann Marin - 28:34
Chat with Lisa Heidke author of Christmas Actually - 30:26
Seasons Greetings from Vanessa Bedford, Scott Leckie, Rowena Mabbott -39:37
Chat with Kevin Klehr author of Midnight Angel & Grayson's Magical Mishaps - 41:18
Seasons Greetings from Maria P Frino, Sandy Barker, George Ivanoff - 49:50
Chat with BG Hilton author of The Grimsdale Claimant - 51:14
Seasons Greetings from Tina Strachan, Heather Ewings, Michele Layet - 1:01:39
Seasons Greetings from Susannah Hardy, Holly Cardamone, Andrea Putting - 1:06:40
Chat with Kay Kerr author of Might Cry Later - 1:08:16
Seasons Greetings from Donna Cameron, Monika Schott, Madeleine D'Este - 1:14:36
More chat with Kay Kerr 1:16:23
Seasons Greetings from Amra Pajalic, David Cairns & SF Sowter - 1:28:05
Post chat - 1:30:12

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Episode 158 is up and humming. We chat book covers, Laurie's BookBub experience for White Fire, and tips for writing flash fiction. Veronica chats with contemporary author Johan du Toit about his stories in 'When Only Today Matters' and Johan reads an excerpt from the title story. Plus we have news, quotes, K.M. Allan's Unpredictability Checklist and so much more...

Book spotlights:

1. Matter of Time by Daniel Caine – science fiction
2. No Dancing in the Lift by Mandy Sayer - memoir
3. Stormy Normy Finds His Forever Home by Leisa Fail– middle grade
4. Stormy Normy and the Tom Quilty Gold Cup by Leisa Fail – middle grade
5. Fly Boy, Ace Pilot, A life cut short by Peter Hodge - non-fiction
6. Exuberance by Bel Vidal – contemporary
7. Dreamy Days and Random Naps by Mawson - picture book

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 17:25
Book spotlights - 28:15
Author interview - 46:32
Post interview chat - 1:29:12
Quotes - 1:33:36
Author reading - 1:35:52

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In episode #157, Veronica & Laurie explore fantasy in many forms with authors Maria Linwood, Dmetri Kakmi, Heather Ewings & Maxx Victor. Why does fantasy speak to so many readers? How do you keep a fantasy story relatable for modern readers? And so much more...

Intro - 0:57
Maria Linwood Bio - 4:37
Book Spotlight - Mistress of Amber and Flame by Maria Linwood - 5:25
Demetri Kakmi Bio - 6:52
Book Spotlight - The Woman in the Well by Dmetri Kakmi - 8:42
Heather Ewings Bio - 10:21
Book Spotlight - Klaria's Battle by Heather Ewings - 11:28
Maxx Victor Bio - 12:29
Book Spotlight - Cinder and Black by Maxx Victor - 14:19
Why does fantasy speak to so many readers? - 28:15
Where is your favourite fantasy world? - 48:31
Advice for emerging fantasy authors - 54:24

Book spotlights:
- Mistress of Amber and Flame by Maria Linwood - epic fantasy
- The Woman in the Well by Dmetri Kakmi - dark fantasy, horror
- Klaria's Battle by Heather Ewings - historical fantasy, folklore
- Cinder and Black by Maxx Victor - paranormal, fairytale retelling, YA

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Episode #156 is packed full of writer's resources. Veronica and Laurie have industry news and discussions (congrats to Holden Sheppard for making the WA Local Hero shortlist), K.M. Allan's Reverse Outlining checklist from her book Writing and Editing Checklist, plus book spotlights and quotes. We chat with Dr Alexandra Dane about Community Publishing in Regional Australia and the DIY Publishing Toolkit (by Beth Driscoll, Kim Wilkins, Sandra Phillips and Alexandra Dane).

Book spotlights:
1. Dear Little One: You're Perfect, Just As You Are by Christina Giuffré - children's
2. Authorpreneurship: The Business of Creativity by Hazel Edwards – non-fiction
3. Writing for Young People by Hazel Edwards – non-fiction
4. Kaleidoscope of Ideas: Hands On Activities for Gifted Minds by Hazel Edwards – non-fiction
5. Dying to Tell Me by Sherryl Clark – YA
6. There is Always Love by Vanessa Maiorano - children's
7. You Choose MEGA: Prehistoric Peril by George Ivanoff – Middle Grade

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 7:51
Book spotlights - 24:47
Author Interview - 40:14
Post interview chat - 1:36:14
Quotes - 1:38:49

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In episode #155, Veronica & Laurie are chasing adventure across the country and diving into dark alleys with mystery, crime and thriller authors Susan Rogers, John Roosen & Sean Gorman. What makes a great Aussie crime? What twists keeps readers turning the page? Have a listen and hear what these story tellers have discovered.

Intro - 0:57
Susan Rogers and John Roosen Bio - 3:31
Book Spotlight - Cobra Pose by Susan Rogers and John Roosen - 4:58
Sean Gorman Bio - 8:07
Book Spotlight - Shootin' Through by Sean Gorman - 8:56
What makes a good twist for a story? - 22:14
How do you balance realism in your story with our social climate? - 27:55
What makes a great Aussie crime? - 45:55
What's the most thrilling thing you've ever done? - 53:09
Advice for new writers - 1:00:01

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It's episode #154, and Laurie's 50th co-hosting. Veronica and Laurie have industry news and events, and discuss K.M. Allan's Foreshadowing checklist from her book Writing and Editing Checklist. Plus book spotlights, giveaways and quotes. Laurie chats with poet Gregory Day about his collection SouthSightedness. And Gregory reads his poem 'Anytime before Byzantium'.

Book Spotlights:
1. Salsa in the Suburbs by Alejandra Martinez - contemporary
2. Looking Out and Beyond by Toby Hammerschlag – historical
3. Wasted? By Hazel Edwards – Young Adult
4. A Song for the Earth by Jade Shannon – poetry
5. In Her Own Time by Delaney Starling – contemporary
6. The Audible Life Stream by Alistair Conwell – non-fiction
7. The One Remaining by Paula McLean – contemporary

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 9:37
Book spotlights - 18:58
Giveaway peeks - 22:17
Author Interview - 38:10
Post interview chat - 1:22:43
Quotes - 1:24:47
Author reading - 1:30:17

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In episode #153, Veronica & Laurie are ramping up the romance with authors Sandy Barker, A.M. Jaxon and Susannah Hardy. Our fabulous authors chat on romance as escapism and activism, how hot is hot enough, the inspiration behind their stories, and so much more.

Intro - 0:57
Sandy Barker Bio - 3:08
Book Spotlight - I knew you were trouble by Sandy Barker - 4:38
A.M. Jaxon Bio - 6:03
Book Spotlight - Saoirse's Story by A.M. Jaxon - 8:27
Susannah Hardy Bio - 10:44
Book Spotlight - My Hot House Mate by Susannah Hardy - 11:34
Romance as escapism and activism - 13:43
Finding new romance stories - 26:12
Balancing timeless ideals of love with modern realities of consent and diversity - 32:23
What makes Aussie romance unique? - 43:12
Writing space and process - 52:03
Advice for new writers - 59:20

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In episode #152, Veronica and Laurie share industry news and events, some brilliant ideas on writing Deep Point of View from K.M. Allan's book Writing and Editing Checklist, book spotlights, giveaways and quotes. Laurie and author Laura J Fitzwilson dive deep into fantasy, fan-fiction and Laura's book, The Fool. Plus, listen all the way to the end, you'll hear a special reading from The Fool by the author.

Book Spotlights:
1.The Favourite of the Harem by Cindy Davies – Historical
2.The Final Chapter by January Gilchrist – Mystery Thriller
3.Tchaikovsky (Almost) in Love by David Reiter – Romance
4.Heart and Soul of Marketing by Matt Romania – Non-fiction
5.The Haunting of Mr & Mrs Stevenson by Belinda Lyons-Lee - Historical
6.Minoan Footsteps by Coleen Clare – Mystery

Intro - 00:57
Industry news - 8:12
Book spotlights - 16:13
Author Interview - 32:19
Post interview chat - 1:21:11
Quotes - 1:23:28
Author reading - 1:29:18

Support the show

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Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.