Genre Fiction Podcast

Interview with author Ben Hobson

Part 1 of 3 - interview with author Ben Hobson

Ben Hobson is a Brisbane based author. To Become a Whale, his debut novel, was released in 2017. It was longlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards Debut Fiction award and shortlisted for the Courier-Mail's People's Choice Award. His second novel, Snake Island, a literary thriller, was released in 2019. The Death of John Lacey, an Australian Western, was released in 2023, and is his third novel. He also runs Ben's Book Club, a monthly online book club, and does in-person interviews with authors (some big names). Ben was recently featured as a panellist at the Qld Writer Centre’s Genrecon. He has also hosted the Burgers, Beers and Books podcast.

In part 1 of this series Jack Roney and Harry Colfer chat with Ben about his books and his publishing journey. 

Khaiah Thompson interview (part 2)

In part 2 of our chat with Khaiah Thompson, we discuss blurring the lines between heroes and villains, how conflict drive stories and develops characters, and what it is about the morally grey that readers love. 

Conversation with author Khaiah Thompson

Our special guest for this episode is Khaiah Thompson from Perth, Western Australia.

Khaiah is the author of the Welcome to Blackwood (Young Adult, Paranormal Fiction) series. The first book in the series, titled Welcome to Blackwood, won the Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize in 2020. Khaiah was a finalist in the Qld Writers Centre ADAPTABLE competition. Book 2 in her series Leaving Blackwood has been released with book 3, Redeeming Blackwood currently in production.

Khaiah runs workshops about the importance of conflict in driving the plot of a story. The workshops explore character development of the protagonist (hero/anti-hero) and antagonist (villain/anti-villain) and the progressive change in writing/reading trends from your typical hero vs villain story, to different shades of morally grey.

In part 1 we deep dive into what makes compelling anti-heroes and anti-villains and the morally grey that will keep your readers guessing.

Interview with award winning author Gary Crew

In this episode we have a colourful chat with multi-award winning author Professor Gary Crew where he discusses his writing processes and tips for conducting research for your manuscript. A very candid chat and one not to be missed.

Part 2 Stephen M Irwin

In part 2 of our chat with show-runner, producer, screenwriter and novelist, Stephen M Irwin, we discuss his experiences creating the reimagining of the classic Australian tale 'Wake in Fright'. Stephen also gives advice for budding screenwriters on how to get your screenplay before someone who could turn it into a screen production. An unmissable episode for novelists and screenwriters alike.

Interview with novelist, show-runner, producer and screenwriter, Stephen M Irwin

Stephen M Irwin is a show-runner, producer, screenwriter and novelist. He was co-creator, co-executive producer and head writer of the forensic crime drama series Harrow. Stephen also wrote the original crime drama Secrets & Lies (remade in U.S. by ABC Network), the award- winning miniseries Wake in Fright, the feature film Australia Day, and co-created the Netflix drama series Tidelands. His critically acclaimed supernatural novels The Broken Ones and The Dead Path (aka The Darkening) have been published around the world.

In part 1 of this intriguing interview we discuss Stephen's journey of learning as he made a name for himself in the publishing and television industry as well as his tips for what it takes to tell a compelling story.

Part 2 of 'writing spicy scenes' with Anne Freeman

Part 2 of 'Writing Spicey Scenes' with Anne Freeman. In this episode Jack, Harry and Anne have a laugh about the more cringey aspects of using cliche language when writing sex scenes. Anne also provides sobering insight regarding toxic masculinity and gender equality issues. The conversation moves back into lighter conversation around puppet sex, throbbing members, thrusting manhood, heaving bosoms and other terms that will make you cringe. We discuss more strategies to improve your writing and add depth to your story by using well crafted spicy scenes. All in all, it's a candid but fun conversation that all writers can relate to. Anne was such a good sport. Don't miss it. 

Anne Freeman discusses how to write non-cringey sex scenes

Author Anne Freeman puts Jack and Harry in a bit of a headspin as she explains how to write non-cringey sex scenes. We had an absolute ball chatting about the dos and don'ts when it comes to writing spicy scenes and strategies to keep your reader engaged. As Anne explains, don't 'plonk a bonk' into your story just for the hell of it. Well written spicy scenes can add depth to your plot and raise the stakes for your characters.

This episode promises to make you smile, and maybe even laugh out loud. 

To find out more about Anne and her writing workshops go to www.annefreeman.com.au