Are you an author who struggles to pinpoint your genre? Or maybe a reader who loves stories that blend genres in unexpected ways? You'll love this week's episode where I chat with Dmetri Kakmi about his compelling new book, The Woman in the Well.

Having written in different genres, Dmetri shares about how he leaves the genre designation to the publishers and the importance of bringing truth to every project, fiction or non. I was so impressed with the way he managed to weave the atmosphere of several different genres into a compelling narrative that reflected what he personally enjoys reading and watching. I appreciated hearing about how he worked with his characters in this novel and the ways it morphed and deepened as part of the editorial process. We also spoke about ways to bring the concept of 'own voices' to stories where the character/s are not a like-for-like expression of the writer and more.

A bit more about The Woman in the Well:

This is a brilliant work of gothic literary fiction set against the stark backdrop of the Central Australian desert and has been described by one editor as ‘an astonishing mix of literary horror and folklore.’ Themes among others include: identity, diversity, cross culture, sexual orientation, Australian immigrants, Indigenous Australians.

IFWG Publishing says:

“This is a special work. It is among the select few of our novels that beautifully bridges between literary and speculative fiction. Kakmi is an insightful artist and his eyes catch images and concepts and relates them to his life’s experiences. This work draws from his childhood, finding meaning in life, the place where he can feel comfortable, as does the protagonist of The Woman in the Well. Most notably – and certainly what initially drew us to the book in the first place – is the superimposition of his multicultural background (a ‘stranger in a strange land’) with many of the characters in his work. It’s about fitting, in every sense of the word. This is a novel that we are proud of publishing and we believe it will be critically and commercially successful. I certainly hope that you, the reader, will join in on the celebration of Kakmi’s masterpiece by reading it.”

Find the book and follow Dmetri here:

https://ifwgpublishing.com/2025/04/15/new-release-the-woman-in-the-well-by-dmetri-kakmi/

https://www.instagram.com/dmetrikakmi/

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I was SO excited to read this thrilling debut from the moment I heard it was being published June 2025!! Angie Faye Martin was kind enough to join me on the podcast to share all about her debut novel. She opens up about how long she worked on the manuscript, what her plotting approach looks like, the best advice she got from early industry mentoring and so much more.

Let me know... would you love a panel interview with Angie and a couple of other authors who write with dual timelines and highlight cultural dynamics that aren't explored often enough? Personally, I find it so amazing to see how these writers manage their research to ensure they weave underrepresented facts into an authentic and moving narrative!

In the meantime, get your hands on this bestseller and find out more about Angie here:

https://angiefaye.net/

https://www.instagram.com/angie_faye_martin/

'A page-turner with purpose. Refreshing, surprising, and propulsive. Angie Faye Martin is a name to watch.' Tracey Lien, author of All That's Left Unsaid

'Melaleuca is rich with authenticity and heart. Angie Faye Martin skillfully paints a picture of outback Queensland so that the scents, sounds and heat become a physical experience for the reader.' Laura McCluskey, author of The Wolf Tree

'Atmospheric and blistering. Melaleuca will leave you wanting more. What a remarkable debut.' Fleur McDonald, author of The Prospect

'A fresh, authentic perspective to the much-loved genre of the Australian outback thriller. Compelling, thought-provoking and twisty, Melaleuca is both a gripping, tightly plotted mystery and an unflinching exploration of the dark underbelly of institutionalised racism and corruption in Australia.' Kate Horan, author of The Inheritance

'This intense, heart-wrenching and beautifully written novel introduces a bold, and important voice in Australian crime fiction. Set in a small, outback Queensland town, it features the resilient, courageous, and marvelously flawed Aboriginal detective, Renee Taylor. An atmospheric, compulsive read that I defy you to put down.' Karen Brooks, author of The Good Wife of Bath

'Powerful First Nations crime noir that interrogates law enforcement and how it intersects with Indigenous victims. Melaleuca is a compelling exploration of a police officer caught between two worlds, small-town complicity and justice long overdue.' Dinuka McKenzie, author of The Torrent

'Angie Faye Martin brings an important new voice to Australia's rich rural crime tradition. With a gutsy First Nations heroine, an atmospheric setting and a shocking crime that exposes a small town's prejudices, this is a book that deserves a large and enthusiastic audience.' Cassie Hamer, author of The Stranger at the Table

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Welcome to a check-in episode with the inimitable Emma Grey where she shares what she's been up to amidst book 3 edits and screen adaptation learnings. It was fascinating! And then we both get vulnerable talking about what book promotion looks like (and costs) authors. I am so appreciative of how open and honest Emma always gets and we each got to share our awkward feelings about balancing gratitude and enjoyment with boundaries around different sorts of industry events.

Haven't read The Last Love Note or Pictures of You yet? Get onto it! And find out more about Emma Grey here:

https://www.emmagrey.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/emmagreyauthor

https://www.facebook.com/emmagreyauthor

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