Better Words

In this episode, we're chatting about:Rewitched and Uncharmed by Lucy Jane WoodThe Book Thief by Markus ZusakThe Newsreader (TV series)But for your convenience, here's everything we mentioned in this episode:Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TV series)Charmed (TV series)Mhairi McFarlane booksBeth O'Leary booksMarkus Zusak's 20th anniversary posts on InstagramBoy Swallows Universe by Trent DaltonTwilight by Stephanie MeyerThe Guardian's review of The Newsreader season 3Fake (TV series)Fisk (TV series)The Summer I Turned Pretty (TV series)Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

In this episode, we're chatting about:Behind the scenes of setting up a new bookshopSeeing The Thursday Murder Club in the cinemaOur thoughts on the movie as an adaptation (yes, there are some spoilers here)But for your convenience, here's everything we mentioned in this episode:The Rest is Entertainment podcast (specifically, the episode 'Noel Clarke Loses to The Guardian' from August 26)Richard Osman on the film's castingEnjoyed this episode? Share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Oh, hello! We're back and trying a new format. In short: we burnt out and lost the love for making the podcast (although we loved speaking to authors). While we've not been recording podcasts, we have been sharing monthly recommendations on Substack. You can take a look (and subscribe!) here. In this episode, we're chatting about:Watching some classic 2000s TV and the joy of not bingingA preview of books we're excited for coming out in the last months of 2025Our favourite read of the year so farBut for your convenience, here's everything we mentioned in this episode:Veronica Mars (TV)Supernatural (TV)Charmed (TV)The Summer I Turned Pretty (TV)The Traitors UK (TV)Married at First Sight Australia (TV)The Americans (TV)Katabasis by R.F. KuangBabel by R.F KuangYellowface by Rebecca KuangUncharmed and Rewitched by Lucy Jane WoodThe Love Of Our Lives by Emma Steel (listen to our interview)Paper Heart by Cecila Ahern (listen to our interview)Sad Girl Hours by Anna Zoe Quirk (listen to our interview)The Killer Question by Janice Hallett (listen to our interview)When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between by James Corden and Ruth JonesCat: On The Road to Findout by Yusuf/Cat StevensWings by Paul McCartneyThe Mushroom Tapes by Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper and Sarah KrasnosteinIf you missed the 'Mushroom murder' you can catch up with this episode of Just the GistThe Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie GilmoreGravity Let Me Go by Trent DaltonChosen Family by Madeleine Gray (listen to our interview)This House of Grief by Helen Garner (which was picked for Dua Lipa's book club)One Golden Summer by Carly FortuneConsider Yourself Kissed by Jessica StanleyEnjoyed this episode? Share it with a bookish friend to help spread the word. We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Welcome to our favourite episode: the yearly wrap! We're sharing our reading stats, 2024 goals and the books, TV, film and audio we loved in 2024. Make sure you're also following us on Substack. On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to – and we try to keep these separate from regular episode recommendations. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Thank you for joining us in 2024 and supporting our wonderful authors. We love hearing your thoughts on the episodes and what books you've been inspired to pick up – even if it's an older episode. You can also connect with us on Instagram @betterwordspodWe're keeping recommendations brief. If we've featured or discussed the book before, we'll link to the episode.Any PR/review copies marked with *We kick off with a wrap-up of our reading stats for the year: how many books and pages, the moods and re-reads. Our awards category of favourite books kicks off at 2023 debut book Caitlin: I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue*Michelle: The Silence in Between by Josie Ferguson* (listen to our interview)Non-fictionCaitlin: If You Would Have Told Me by John StamosMichelle: Everything is Everything by Clive MyrieBy someone who has never been a podcast guestCaitlin: This Summer Will Be Different by Carley FortuneMichelle: Prima Facie by Suzie Miller* (listen to our book club chat)Australian/UK fictionCaitlin: Appreciation by Liam Pieper* (our interview)Michelle: The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey* (our interview)RomanceCaitlin: Sit Stay Love/Love From Scratch by Amy Hutton* (our interview)Michelle: You Belong with Me by Mhairi McFarlane (our 2021 interview)General fictionCaitlin: Tom Lake by Ann PatchettMichelle: Alone in Berlin by Hans FalladaHonourable mention: Family Politics by John O'FarrellYoung adultCaitlin: I’m Not Really Here by Gary Lonesborough* (our interview)Michelle: Dead Happy by Josh Silver (our 2023 interview)Most surprisingCaitlin: How To Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie* (our book club chat)Michelle: The Bee Sting by Paul Murray*Fave CoverCaitlin:  Experienced by Kate Young* (

Jennie Godfrey was raised in West Yorkshire and her debut novel, The List of Suspicious Things, is inspired by her childhood there in the 1970s. Jennie is from a mill-working family, but as the first of the generation born after the mills closed, she went to university and built a career in the corporate world. In 2020 she left and began to write. She is now a writer and part-time Waterstones bookseller and lives in the Somerset countryside.Our interview begins at  24.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Caitlin recommends: Thoroughly Disenchanted by Alexandra AlmondA time slip novel set in regional Victoria where a couple become stuck in a property. Now, 100 years on they get a visitor who helps them uncover the mysteries of the property. Michelle recommends: Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood and So Thrilled For You by Holly Bourne*Rewitched is a cosy delight for anyone who grew up watching Sabrina The Teenage Witch. And if you grew up with that? You're probably also the right age to feel like Holly Bourne's new contemporary novel is incredibly relatable. Both are amazing. In this interview, we chat about:Jennie's recollection of growing up during the time police were searching for serial killer The Yorkshire Ripper and how this inspired the novelHow audiences interact with true crime and how we talk about crimes and the impact of crime on everyday peopleThe influences from Jennie's real life that can be seen in the novelThe process from writing to publishing the novel (including how Jennie knew which editor would 'get' the book)Jennie's stint as a bookseller and how this helped her understand the publishing processBooks and other things mentioned:Charmed (TV show)Ghosts (TV show)The Longest Shadow (TV series)The Yorkshire Ripper Files (TV series)Sarah Everard's murder, which happened in lockdown 2021The Peepshow by Kate SummerscaleThe Crime of the Century by Hallie RubenholdFollow Jennie @jennie.godfrey on Instagram and The List of Suspicious Things is available now! Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Emma Grey is a novelist, feature writer, photographer, professional speaker and accountability coach. She wrote her first adult novel, The Last Love Note, in the wake of her husband’s death. It’s a fictional tribute to their love, an attempt to articulate the magnitude of her loss and a life-affirming commitment to hope, which has gone on to win hearts around the world. In the US, it was selected as a featured title for the Book of the Month and Target Book Clubs, a Washington Post noteworthy book and listed in the top 25 new releases by the American Bookseller’s Association. Emma lives near Canberra, where her world centres on her family, writing, photography and endlessly chasing the Aurora Australis.Our interview begins at  33.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Mini (film) club: WickedOf course, we had to hold space and discuss the movie of the moment. In short: we loved it. In this interview, we chat about:How can we tell stories about complex issues like violence against women in fiction?Why Emma also wanted to explore amnesia through the storyThe experience of having an American bestsellerThe parenting email that launched Emma's writing careerExploring grief in her first adult novel and the interesting journey to publication via a YA novel inspired by Harry StylesHow Emma dealt with the way the book was received in the UK given the difficult subject matterBooks and other things mentioned:Pulp Kitchen (podcast)Deadpool and Wolverine (film)It Ends With Us by Colleen HooverNational Women's Safety OrganisationTuesday Evenings at the Copeton Craft Resistance by Kate SollyMoms Don't Have Time to Read Books Podcast by Zibby OwensFollow @emmagreyauthor on InstagramPictures of You is available now. The publisher provided us with copies of the book in preparation for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Pip Drysdale writes ‘sexy-cool’ thrillers with a dash of witty humour. She grew up in Africa, Canada, and Australia, became an adult in New York and London, and lives on a steady diet of coffee, dreams, and literature. Her books — The Sunday Girl, The Strangers We Know, The Paris Affair and The Next Girl — have been bestsellers. She currently lives in Sydney and we're chatting about The Close Up. Our interview begins at  15.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Caitlin recommends: Lovestruck by Laura Jane WilliamsA very enjoyable Sliding Doors-style concept romance, where a woman manifests her dream life. But which life is the right one?Michelle recommends: Rare Singles by Benjamin Myers*A gem of a novel about an ageing American singer whose trip to a fading English seaside town reveals more than he expected. A heartwarming character-driven novel. In this interview, we chat about:The inspiration for Pip's new novel, The Close UpWhy she wanted to set it in LA and the importance of research tripsHow Pip visualise while writing (and how we read)How Pip uses scent to help her writingPip's process for plotting and writingBooks and other things mentioned:Listen to our previous interview with Laura Jane Williams How to Build a Life with Laura Jane Williams on SubstackThe Husbands by Holly GramazioA Novel Love Story by Ashley PostonNobody Wants This (TV show)Melrose Place (TV show)Follow @pipdrysdale on InstagramThe Close Up is available in Australia and the US now. Thank you to the publisher for providing us with copies of the book to prepare for the interview. Please note that we choose podcast guests independently of Caitlin's job at HarperCollins Publishers. Although her job does help put us in touch with authors, we choose our guests based on what we've enjoyed reading and think you'd find interesting. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Melanie Cheng is a writer and general practitioner. She was born in Adelaide, grew up in Hong Kong and now lives in Melbourne. Her debut collection of short stories, Australia Day, won the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript in 2016 and the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Fiction in 2018. Room for a Stranger, her highly acclaimed first novel, was published in 2019. Today we're discussing her new novel, The Burrow. Our interview begins at  31.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Mini book club: Intermezzo by Sally RooneyOne of the most talked about books of 2024 and not one Michelle even finished. However, Caitlin explains why she enjoyed Intermezzo and who she'd recommend it to. In this interview, we chat about:The inspiration for The Burrow and choosing to explore grief several years on from a traumatic eventHow to strike the right balance between realism and hopeWhy Melanie is so fascinated by mothers and daughters in her writingMelanie's work as a GP and how she started writing Books and other things mentioned:Yellowface by Rebecca KuangRare Singles by Benjamin MyersThe Bee Sting by Paul MurrayAny Ordinary Day by Leigh SalesGary Lonesborough interviewLucy By the Sea by Elizabeth StroutThe Sitter by Angela O'KeefeFollow @cheng_melanie on InstagramThe Burrow is available in Australia and the US now. Thank you to the publisher for providing us copies of the book in preparation for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Steph Tisdell is a rising star of the comedy scene in Australia. Her acting credits include Class of ’07, Total Control, Bump and Netflix Original Love is in the Air, while her writing credits include Fisk, Bump and Rosehaven. Steph lives in Meanjin with her pet parrots, Parky and Eddie. Today we're delighted to discuss her first novel, The Skin I'm In. *There is a lot of swearing in this ep*Our interview begins at  27.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Caitlin recommends: Taylor Swift Style by Sarah ChapelleRecommended by a Swiftie! This book is a beautiful journey through the eras of Taylor's style, analysing how they work in with her songs. The perfect treat for Swifties. Michelle recommends: The Crow Road by Iain BanksAn all-time favourite book. This is the story of a family, focusing on 20-year-old Prentice, his dad and uncle. It's beautiful, darkly comic and the kind of character-driven story you'll get something new out of every time. In this interview, we chat about:Why Steph wanted to tell this story in novel formatConfronting the dark parts of Australian history in schools and everyday racismSteph's writing process for the book and how it differed from other projects, plus where she struggled versus where she thrivedThe best advice about taking risks in life and creativity (and how this has paid off for Steph)How Steph connected with Layla's voiceBooks and other things mentioned:Brooklyn by Colm ToíbínFollow @stephtisdellcomedy on InstagramThe Skin I'm In is available now. Thank you to the publishers for providing us copies of the book to prepare for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Kate Young is a writer and cook. Her award-winning Little Library Cookbooks feature food inspired by beloved works of literature. After a sunny Australian childhood, spent indoors reading books, she moved to London, which suited her much better. She now lives in a converted mill in a Gloucestershire town. Today we're discussing her debut novel, a queer rom-com called Experienced.Our interview begins at  30.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Mini book club: How to Kill Your Family by Bella MackieA book we both missed when it was published in 2021. This is a witty and wickedly funny crime novel about a young woman working through a plan to kill off the members of her extended family. Grace is such an anti-hero we couldn't help but fall in love with her. We give plenty of spoilers in this chat but we give lots of warnings if you want to skip them. In this interview, we chat about:Why Kate lives in the UK even though she grew up in AustraliaKate's amazing New Year's traditionQueer adolescence and working out what you need in relationshipsKate's scientific study of rom-com (and what it reveals about writing them)Writing cookbooks and Kate's journey into writing fictionBooks and other things mentioned:What a Way to Go by Bella MackieThe window display with Spare and How to Kill Your FamilyUnleashed and Unhinged displayLaura Kay (listen to our most recent interview with her here)Emily Henry Casey McQuiston Harriet by Jilly CooperFollow Kate @kateyoungwrites Experienced is now available in the UK and Australia. Michelle bought the book in preparation for the interview, but Caitlin accessed a copy through work as Kate is published by Harper Collins. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Gary Lonesborough is a Yuin man, who grew up on the Far South Coast of New South Wales as part of a large and proud Aboriginal family. Gary was always writing as a child, and continued his creative journey when he moved to Sydney to study at film school. Gary has experience working in youth work, Aboriginal health, child protection, the disability sector (including experience working in the youth justice system) and the film industry, including working on the feature film adaptation of Jasper Jones. His debut YA novel, The Boy from the Mish, won multiple awards. It was published in the US in 2022 as Ready When You Are. His second novel, We Didn’t Think It Through, was published in 2023. Today we're discussing his new novel, I'm Not Really Here. Our interview begins at  19.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Caitlin recommends: Gilmore Girls and The Pumpkin Spice Cafe*This autumnal sensation was inspired by Gilmore Girls and although the seasons are different, this is a delightful romantic read. Michelle talks about the books she bought in Edinburgh. Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonaldA Little Trickerie by Rosanna PikeThe Peepshow: The Murders at 10 Rillington Place by Kate SummerscaleCult Classic by Sloane CrosleyMary: The Birth of Frankenstein by Anne EekhoutAffinity by Sarah WatersHis Bloody Project by Graeme MacRae BurnettIn this interview, we chat about:The very personal experience that inspired Jonah's storyHow the story developed from a dark horror into a contemporary storyWriting authentic teen boysWhy it was so important for Gary to explore the youth justice system through his second book, We Didn't Think It ThroughGary's journey to publication and what it's like to hear from teenage readersBooks and other things mentioned:Nobody Wants This (TV show)Veronica Mars (TV show) Only Murders In the Building (TV show)Gilmore Girls (TV show)Sophie Green (listen to our interview here)Happy Head by Josh Silver (listen to our interview)The Rest is Entertainment podcast episode: Showmance or Romance? Inside Celebrity Relationship ContractsA Monster Calls by Patrick NessPanther by David OwenArt Hour at the Duchess Hotel by Sophie Green (listen to our interview)Banged Up: Stars Behind Bars (TV show)Follow @garylonesborough on InstagramI'm Not Really Here is available now. Thank you to the publishers for providing us with copies of the book in preparation for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Anna Zoe Quirke is a queer and autistic author and librarian from the North of England. She currently lives in Manchester with her partner, Rachael, and their very angry tortoise, Sheldon. They’re at their happiest writing stories about queer and neurodivergent people finding and claiming their place in the world, exploring the literary wonders of the UK, or making a big ol’ mess in the kitchen baking things for their loved ones. Something to be Proud of is their debut novel.Our interview begins at  15.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Book club: Prima Facie (NTL re-release)Earlier this year we read and discussed Prima Facie and we finally got the chance to see the National Theatre Live recording of Jodie Comer performing in the West End. We were absolutely blown away by her incredible performance. In this interview, we chat about:The characters of Ollie and ImogenWhy Anna wanted to explore divorce and parental relationships through OllieThe importance of having Imogen's autism part of the storyOllie and Imogen's beautiful friendship love storyNew Writing North and Anna's journey to publicationBooks and other things mentioned:Code Name Verity by Elizabeth WeinRBG (play by Susie Miller)Julia (play)Follow @annazoequirke on InstagramSomething to Be Proud Of is available now! Thank you to the publishers for sending us copies of the book to prepare for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Welcome to a bonus episode where we catch up on things we've recently bought, read and watched. We've shared bits of this over on Substack, where we post monthly wraps of things we've loved. Books and other things mentioned:Caitlin's trip to PEI Anne of Green Gables by LM MontgomeryI Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue* (listen to Caitlin chat about it here)The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia ThompsonThis Summer Will Be Different by Carley FortuneThe American Roomate Experiment by Elena ArmasThe Movement by Petra HůlováIf You Change Your Mind by Robby WeberA Five Letter Word for Love by Amy James*Guilty By Definition by Susie Dent*We Solve Murders by Richard Osman*The Examiner by Janice Hallett (listen to our previous chat with Janice here)The Great Gatsby musical Water for Elephants musical The Notebook musicalSuffs musicalOnce Upon a Mattress musicalMrs Doubtfire musical (listen to Michelle talking about John O'Farrell's novel Family Politics here)The makeover montage from Mrs DoubtfireBack to the Future the musicalABBA Voyage Eras: ABBA interview with Vogage producersConnect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Sophie Green is an author and publisher who lives in Sydney. In her spare time she writes about country music on her website, Sunburnt Country Music. Sophie's debut novel, The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club, was a Top Ten bestseller and was shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards for General Fiction Book of the Year 2018, longlisted for both the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year 2018 and the Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction 2018. Her following novels were also published internationally. Today, we're talking about her new book, Art Hour at the Duchess Hotel. Our interview begins at  12.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Caitlin recommends: A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston*Romantic comedies with a dash of magic? Yes please. Elsie finds herself stuck in a small town that's suspiciously like that of her favourite book series and must work out how to conclude the story left in limbo by the death of the author. A very fun, delightful read. Michelle recommends: Kala by Colin Walsh*A literary page-turner set in a small Irish village. We meet Helen, Mush and Joe 20 years after the disappearance of their best friend Kala. The discovery of Kala's body forces them all to confront the truths they've been running from since they were teenagers. This is character-driven, picking up pace as the novel builds to a gripping conclusion. In this interview, we chat about:The hotel stay that inspired Sophie and the long process from idea to bookSophie's view on creativity and ideas, plus her advice to aspiring writersHow Sophie's characters make their voices heardHow Sophie chooses when to set her books (and why 1999 was the setting this time)Sophie's journey to publication including working as a publisher and writing Home&Away fictionThe writing lessons we can all learn from long-running soapsHow Sophie juggles writing and working full-time as a publisherThe career journey into publishing and then becoming an authorBooks and other things mentioned:Just Like Heaven (film)Helly Acton (author)The Husbands by Holly GramazioBrooklyn and Long Island by Colm ToibinSmall Things Like These by Claire KeeganBig Magic by Elizabeth GilbertHunted (TV)Home & Away (TV)Heartbeat (TV)Blue Heelers (TV)All Saints (TV)Follow @sophiegreenbooks on InstagramArt Hour at the Duchess Hotel is available now in Australia. Thank you to the publishers for providing us with copies in preparation for the interview.Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Amy Hutton writes contemporary romantic comedies from her home on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. An award-winning Television Producer by trade, she walked away from a successful career in network television, to follow her dream of becoming an author. Amy is a Romance Writers of America and Romance Writers of NZ Award Winner and the 2023 runner-up in the Romance Writers of Australia Emerald Award. Amy's debut rom-com Sit, Stay, Love was released in August 2023. Love from Scratch was released in June, 2024. Our interview begins at  17.00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Caitlin & Michelle recommend: Who's That Girl? and You Belong With Me by Mhairi McFarlaneIn Who's That Girl? Edie's life explodes when a colleague kisses her on his wedding day. She's labelled a homewrecker and bullied by other colleagues so her boss sends her back home to Nottingham to ghostwrite the memoir of up-and-coming actor Elliot. (Small spoiler alert!)You Belong With Me picks up after a knock at Edie's door on Christmas Day where Elliot is waiting to confess his love. But how will the couple cope with Elliot's soaring fame and celeb gossip pages?We had the pleasure of chatting with Mhairi a few years ago, you can listen to that here!In this interview, we chat about:The connection between Amy's books (but why you can still read them as a standalone) and why she wanted to continue Ethan's storyWhy Amy chose to set the book on Queensland's Sunshine CoastHow Amy feels about the way tropes have become a major discussion point among readersQuitting TV production to write full time and Amy's path to publication (including a brilliant way to look at pitching)Books and other things mentioned:A Family Affair (film) Jodi McAlister's reality TV romance series (listen to our interview here)The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'LearyPets in Rom Coms with That Rom Com PodPuppy Love (film)Follow @amyhuttonauthor on InstagramThank you to Simon & Schuster Australia for providing copies of the book in preparation for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Emma Steele was born and raised on the west coast of Scotland before studying law at The University of Aberdeen. Working as a solicitor in Edinburgh, she continued to dabble in her childhood passions of art and creative writing for several years. Emma now writes big love stories with a twist, and with a particular focus on phenomena. The stunning city of Edinburgh is generally her setting of choice, but she likes to weave in elements of the wider world too. The Echos of Us is her first novel.Our interview begins at  30.00 We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! It's a bit of a different intro this week as Caitlin shares the details of her bookish Anne of Green Gables-inspired trip to Canada, including the books she's read in preparation. While Michelle chats about 2.22: A Ghost Story and meeting one of her favourite actors. In this interview, we chat about:Shared death experiences and how the phenomena inspired the story of Robbie and JennRobbie's flawed character and why we enjoy seeing this in male main charactersThe process of writing a book with so many shifts in timelines and perspectiveEmma's incredibly unique publishing experience – being published as a debut author in German before the UKBooks and other things mentioned:Anne of Green Gables (1980s adaptation)Into the Uncanny by Danny RobbinsPrima Facie by Suzie Miller (novel and script - we talk about the book here)Shake & Stir productions in AustraliaBig (film)Good Material by Dolly AldertonFollow @emmasteeleauthor on InstagramThe Echoes of Us is available in the UK now. Thank you so much to the publishers for sending us copies in preparation for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Avi Duckor-Jones trained as a lawyer before gaining his MA in creative writing from Victoria University's International Institute of Modern Letters in 2013. His travel writing has been published with BBC Travel, The NZ Listener and Lonely Planet, among others. Avi has worked as a writing instructor and trip leader for National Geographic, directed a school in Ghana, and is the winner of the reality television competition Survivor New Zealand. His first book, Swim, won the 2018 Viva la Novella award. He currently lives on Waiheke Island with his wife and two children, where he enjoys open-water distance swimming and works as an English Teacher Our interview begins at  25.00 We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Caitlin recommends: I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue*An incredibly funny and relatable workplace comedy where a woman gets access to the emails of everyone in her company. Michelle recommends: Family Politics by John O'FarrellA left-wing campaigning couple's son comes home from uni and tells them he's... a conservative. If you've read a comment thread that's been controversial online in the past few years, you'll relate to many of the conversations. In this interview, we chat about:The duality of identity, and exploring this through the character of MaxChoosing the time period to set the book and how changing this affected the storyMasculinity and the influence of the 'Southern Man' advertising campaign in New ZealandExploring bisexuality and the feeling of needing to 'choose'Max's journey to finding and connecting with his birth parentsThe character of Busby and the found family that supports MaxAvi's long and winding road to becoming a writerBooks and other things mentioned:Making It by Laura Kay (a friend of the pod, listen to our previous episode here)Experienced by Kate YoungWe Are History (podcast)The VB advertising campaign I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl (TV series)The Primal Wound by Nancy VerrierFollow @aviduckorjones on InstagramMax is available in Australia and New Zealand. Thank you to the publisher for providing us copies of the books in preparation for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Born in Sweden, to a family of writers and readers, Josie Ferguson moved to Scotland when she was two. She returned to Sweden in her twenties, where she completed a vocational degree in Clinical Psychology (MSc). Upon graduating, she moved to London to pursue a career in publishing, something she had dreamed about since delving into fictional worlds as a child, hidden under the duvet with a torch.She later moved to Asia in search of an adventure and a bit more sun. She currently works as a freelance book editor in Singapore, where she lives with her husband and two young children. While training to become a clinical psychologist, Josie learned about the complexity of human nature, something she explores as a writer. She believes books about the past can change the future and she aspires to write as many as possible. The Silence in Between is her debut.Our interview begins at  29:00We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi! Caitlin recommends: Wrong Answers Only by Tobias MaddenWe love Tobias' novels and Wrong Answers Only is just as delightful. Marco is overwhelmed by what life looks like after school and escapes to a gap-year cruise with his best friend. Brilliantly fun and heartfelt, as always. Listen to our previous chat with Tobias here. Michelle recommends: Water by John BoyneWater is a heartfelt novella following a woman who moves to an isolated Irish island to escape tragic events in her past. Stunning writing, a beautiful short story. It's the first in a quartet of novellas related to the elements. In this interview, we chat about:The incredible true story that gave Josie the spark of inspiration for Lisette's storyHow Josie approached the dual timeline and the research involved for bothWhy is life in East Berlin still so fascinating?How Josie once went on holiday in North KoreaThe 20-year journey to publication for Josie*Since we did this interview, The Silence in Between has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction prize. Congratulations, Josie!*Books and other things mentioned:Anne of Green GablesYou Belong With Me by Mhairi McFarlaneJacqueline Wilson (author)Michelle working at the Buxton International Festival. Take a look at the pop-up shop. Small Things Like These by Claire KeeganCode Name Verity by Elizabeth WeinNudism in East Germany by We Are History PodcastMichelle's Berlin recommendationsStasiland by Anna FunderThe War on Women by Sue Lloyd-RobertsTunnel 29 by Helena Merriman (and associated podcast)Follow @josie_ferguson_author on...

Welcome to The Re-Read: bonus episodes where we chat with previous Better Words guests and catch up on what's happened since they joined us on the pod. Lauren Draper is a Melbourne-based writer and marketing professional. She is a graduate of RMIT's Professional Writing and Editing program and now works in publishing - she loves nothing more than a story infused with magic, hijinks and a touch of nostalgia. Her debut novel, The Museum of Broken Things, was acquired after it was shortlisted in the 2020 Text Prize, and went on to be shortlisted for The Readings Prize and Indie Book Awards, and longlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year (Older Readers). She grew up in Western Australia, mostly on land but often in water. She now lives in Melbourne, where she can be found almost exclusively complaining about the weather.Listen to our previous chat with Lauren here.You can follow @laurendraperwrites on InstagramIn this interview, we chat about:Dead letter offices, abandoned buildings and the inspiration for Return to Sender Dual timelines and choosing to keep technology to a minimumLauren on skipping 'second book syndrome' by starting to write Return to Sender before the publication of her debut The effect of critical acclaim on Lauren as a writerDifferent covers in different markets and prepping for a US releaseBooks and other things mentioned:Feed by Mira Grant10 Things I Hate About You (film)Return to Sender is available now in Australia and from August 13 in the US and UK. Thank you to the publishers for providing copies of the book in preparation for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Welcome to The Re-Read: bonus episodes where we chat with previous Better Words guests and catch up on what's happened since they joined us on the pod. Libby Page became a Sunday Times bestselling author with her debut The Lido and has since become a staple of the 'up-lit' genre with her following novels The 24-Hour Cafe, The Island Home, and The Vintage Shop. Before becoming an author, Libby worked in journalism and marketing. She is a keen outdoor swimmer and lives in Somerset with her husband and young son. Today, we're discussing her upcoming novel, The Lifeline, which sees the return of a beloved character from The Lido.You can follow Libby @libbypagewrite on Instagram and read more of her writing over on Substack – where you can also follow us for lots of extra book recommendations. In this interview, we chat about:Why returning to the world of The Lido was never inevitable How becoming a mum influenced The Lifeline and why Libby wanted to explore the (still somewhat taboo) topic of post-partum mental healthKeeping the love for something when it becomes your careerWhat Libby's learned about the publishing process since her debut novelThe Lifeline is published on April 25 in Australia and the UK. Thanks to Orion for providing copies of the book in preparation for the interview. Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod