Ed and Amanda chat with Ben McKelvey, an author who had to relearn how to read and write following a stroke at just 27 years old, and Craig Semple, former homicide detective turned mental health advocate, following the ‘Back from the Abyss’ panel at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Both men shared with us their incredible stories of loss and resilience. We discussed post-traumatic growth, and the unique challenges men face when undergoing breakdowns and breakthroughs.

Ed and Amanda chat with bestselling historical fiction author, Lauren Chater, following the Beauty and the Beasts panel at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Lauren shared with us her research process, and the opulent seventeenth-century inspiration for her new historical fiction novel, ‘The Beauties’, which poses the question, “In a world where beauty is a woman’s only currency, who pays the price?”

Ed and Amanda chat with Bruce Pascoe and Lyn Harwood, partners, business partners and co-authors of ‘Black Duck: A Year at Yumburra’. The book, written in diary form, chronicles a year at the Black Duck farm, touching on the impact of devastating bushfires, as well as the rebuilding of a marriage. Bruce and Lyn shared with us their personal journey, as well as insights into how to live and eat in harmony with this wide brown land.

Ed and Amanda chat with Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist of the AI Institute of the University of New South Wales, and Carla Wilshire, founding CEO of The Social Policy Group. Both authors have a keen interest in the way AI is redefining the world as we know it. But should we be pessimistic or optimistic? And does AI even care what we think?

Ed and Amanda chat with beloved picture book author and illustrator, Matt Cosgrove, of “Macca the Alpaca” fame, and his wife and co-author, Eva Amores. They’ve been working together on the ‘Worst Week Ever’ series, and they shared with us what it’s like to collaborate as a married couple. They also shared the unique challenges of translating picture books and graphic novels to an international audience.

Ed and Amanda chat with journalist, author, and romance scam victim, Stephanie Wood, following the ‘Trust Issues’ panel at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Stephanie is on the cusp of watching her real life play out on the small screen in the Paramount+ TV series, FAKE, starring Asher Keddie and David Wenham. The series is an adaptation of Stephanie’s memoir of the same name, and she shared with us what it was like to watch a “devastating” time of her life being played out by actors.

Ed and Amanda chat with children’s author, Nat Amoore, at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival, where she played host to the festival’s family fun day. In our interview, Nat shares how she lives out her wildest dreams through her books, before revealing the secret ingredient for how to write graphic novels.

Ed and Amanda chat with Australian reality TV megastar, Julie Goodwin, at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Julie’s memoir, ‘Your Time Starts Now’ chronicles her life, from highest highs to dizzying lows. Julie has been open about her struggles with depression, and candidly shared with us what it felt like to overcome her internal critic and finally seek the help she needed.

Ed and Amanda chat with internationally bestselling author, Kate Forsyth, ahead of the ‘Beauty & the Beasts’ panel at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Kate sheds some light on the darkness of myth and fairytale, and why she was drawn to telling the story of Psykhe, the Greek mythical origin of ‘Beauty and the Beast’, with a surprising feminist twist at its core.

Ed and Amanda chat with columnist and author, Kerri Sackville, ahead of the ‘The Art of Parenting… Enough!’ panel at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Kerri’s book, ‘The Secret Life of You,’ asks why it’s so scary to be alone with your own thoughts. Ed and Amanda get a mini therapy session, and learn Kerri’s unusual strategy for passing the time, alone, at traffic lights.

Ed and Amanda chat with Australian political historian and author, Frank Bongiorno, ahead of the ‘Bad Cop, Good Cop’ panel at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Frank’s book, ‘Dreamers and Schemers’ charts Australia’s political history from pre-settlement Indigenous systems to the present day. We ask his well-informed opinion on exactly what goes into Australia’s unique democracy sausage.

Ed and Amanda interrupted Benjamin Stevenson’s goat sacrificing ceremony to chat ahead of the ‘Saturday Murder Club’ panel at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. A stand-up comedian and crime novelist, Benjamin shares his unique perspective on murder mysteries, and how he pays homage to the classics with his tongue firmly planted in cheek.

Ed and Amanda chat with crime authors, Amanda Hampson and Steven Carroll in the lead up to the ‘Saturday Murder Club’ panel at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Our rich conversation traverses the field from unexpected detectives (“The tea lady knew where the bodies were buried”) to philosophy, and how writing crime novels may just be the answer to our existential dread.

Ed and Amanda chat with Arthur C. Clarke, Victorian Prize for Literature, and ABIA award-winning author, Laura Jean McKay, following the Strange Creatures panel at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Laura shares her experience of preempting the Covid pandemic with her book, ‘The Animals in That Country,’ and what it was like to watch life mimicking her art.

Ed and Amanda chat with former Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, and co-author, Sue Smethurst, following their panel at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Australians will know Rosie as a fierce advocate for victims and survivors of domestic violence following the murder of her son by his father while at cricket training in 2014. In their book, ‘Hope,’ Rosie and Sue reflect on a decade of advocacy, and on how Rosie has helped shift the narrative around what she calls “family terrorism”.

Ed and Amanda chat with critically acclaimed literary author, Catherine Chidgey, as she prepares for the Strange Creatures panel at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Catherine shares the feathered inspiration behind her book, The Axeman’s Carnival, and the creative liberation she experienced in writing from the perspective of an Australian magpie.

Ed and Amanda chat with author and crime fiction reviewer, Sue Turnbull, as she prepares for the Saturday Murder Club panel for the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Sue is an academic and the chair of the BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival, and we ask for her insights on crime novel adaptations and why audiences keep coming back to the same stories when they already know how they end.

Ed and Amanda chat with versatile author, Suzanne Leal, as she kicks off the Central Coast Reads program for the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Suzanne is on the board of the BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival, and we touch on her career as a criminal lawyer and how it inspired her new book ‘The Watchful Wife,’ which looks at the consequences for the families of those convicted of crimes.

Ed and Amanda chat with beloved author, Judy Nunn, as she kicks off the Central Coast Reads program for the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. We delve into Judy’s illustrious creative career and the intersection between acting and writing. Plus, we get a sneak peek into what Judy’s “bin” up to lately.

Last but not least, number 8 in our series of 8 interviews at the 2023 Words on the Waves Writers Festival was with festival programmer, Mandi McIntosh.

Mandi shares her biggest “gets” for the 2023 author program, as well as some behind-the-scenes insights into what goes into making a successful arts festival.

Number 7 in our series of 8 interviews at the 2023 Words on the Waves Writers Festival, we enjoyed a detour into the world of ageing with Melissa Levi.

Melissa’s book, ‘We Need to Talk About Ageing,’ is the must-have guide for anyone navigating the ageing journey with a loved one.

Number 6 in our series of 8 interviews at the 2023 Words on the Waves Writers Festival, we enjoyed a conversation with conversation expert, Jane Hutcheon.

Most will remember Jane from her decades-long career as an ABC journalist, and her hit show, ‘One Plus One,’ interviewing some of Australia and the world’s biggest names.

Jane discusses her latest book, ‘Rebel Talk,’ in which she shares her expertise in the art of conversation. We also delve into her role as moderator of the festival’s ‘Reimagining Ageing’ panel, and her quest to reimagine her own ageing journey.

Number 5 in our series of 8 interviews at the 2023 Words on the Waves Writers Festival, we spoke with Eleanor Limprecht. Eleanor is the chair of the Board of Directors at Writing New South Wales, and is the author of four novels, including her most recent, The Coast.

We chatted with Eleanor about her love of Australian History, the challenges faced by writers in an evolving technological landscape, and whether it’s time for writers to consider selling their children.

Number 4 in our series of 8 interviews at the 2023 Words on the Waves Writers Festival, we chatted with thriller author, Petronella McGovern, about her latest book, ‘The Liars.’

Petronella shares what it was like writing through the pandemic, and how she uses writing as therapy. Plus, she answers the question, “Does it get any easier after your first book?”

Number 3 in our series of 8 interviews at the 2023 Words on the Waves Writers Festival, we meet with thriller author and long-time Aussie-in-training, Ashley Kalagian Blunt.

Ashley walks us through the twists and turns of her new book, ‘Dark Mode’ and details the challenges she faces merging creativity and chronic illness.

Number 2 in our series of 8 interviews at the 2023 Words on the Waves Writers Festival, we chat with Jock Serong — reformed lawyer and multi award-winning author of several books including ‘The Rules of Backyard Cricket’ and his most recent novel, ‘The Settlement.’

We enjoyed a wide-ranging chat with Jock about Australian culture: from the lie-addled history of colonial Australia, to modern surf culture, and the real truth behind ‘The Castle.’

Number 1 in our series of 8 interviews at the 2023 Words on the Waves Writers Festival, we chat with the festival’s children’s program coordinator and middle grade author, Fiona Lloyd. Fiona’s debut children’s novel ‘Being Jimmy Baxter’ launches with Penguin Random House on 4 July. In our chat, we talk dark themes in middle grade and why she cried when she first saw her book’s cover design.

We also meet with fellow podcasters Two Lit Chicks and ponder the logistical intricacies of Virginia Woolf’s final swim.