Secrets from the Green Room

Irma and Karen discuss author websites. Then Karen chats with Kris Kneen about writing into deeply uncomfortable spaces and confronting issues like fatness and identity, how to write sex well, why they’re always switching up genres, how to deal with disappointment over missing out on awards, why they almost gave up writing entirely, and the moment that changed their life.About Kris:KRIS KNEEN has written erotica, fiction, short-stories, poetry, memoir, non-fiction and scripts for film and documentaries. They have previously been published under the name Krissy Kneen, and their most recent book, Fat Girl Dancing, was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Award in the non-fiction section. Their collection of poems, Eating My Grandmother, won the Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize in 2015, and their other works have been shortlisted for many prizes.

Irma and Karen talk about prepping for radio interviews. Then Karen chats to Diana Reid about how writing scripts has informed the way she works as a novelist and her approach to being edited, what it was like to be thrown into the spotlight with her bestselling debut novel, how its extraordinary success affected her, advice on how to handle publicity interviews, why writing her second novel was so much harder, how she feels about being called Australia’s Sally Rooney, why COVID was such a positive time for her as a writer, and how the first time she met Helen Garner she was so overwhelmed she began sobbing uncontrollably.About DianaDiana Reid burst onto the literary scene just after COVID with her debut novel, Love & Virtue, which won many awards and earned her the title of Best Young Novelist in 2022. Diana followed up soon after with her second novel Seeing Other People. She is currently living in London and finishing her next novel. 

Karen and Irma chat about point of view and writing from multiple perspectives. Then Irma talks to Peter Papathanasiou about his very long and convoluted journey to publication, how his debut was rejected by 100 agents and took 10 years to get published, why his goal was to get published in the UK first and advice for other writers about how to do the same, how he successfully pitched his own book for screen, the challenges of the book-to-screen process, the devastating impact of being dropped by two agents and then picking himself back up again, and how specialising in law has helped him write crime fiction.About PeterPeter Papathanasiou was born in northern Greece in 1974 and adopted as a baby to an Australian family. His debut book was a memoir, Little One, which he followed with three linked crime fiction novels, The Stoning, The Invisible, and most recently The Pit. The Stoning was longlisted for the prestigious UK Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Awards and the Indie Book Awards. Peter’s writing has also appeared in many publications, including The New York Times, Guardian UK, and The Sydney Morning Herald. 

'Irma and Karen talk about the ins and out of book marketing. Then Karen chats with Melinda Smith about winning the Prime Ministers Literary Award for poetry, the potential of TikTok for poets, how arts grants have sustained her writing and how to write a good application (all the details), how form (or lack thereof) influences the writing of a poem, why poets are not featured much in festival line-ups, sources of inspiration, the important art of poetry editing, and advice for how to get published as a poet.About MelindaMelinda Smith is one of Canberra’s (and Australia’s) most famous poets. She’s also an editor, teacher, arts advocate and event curator. Melinda has had seven collections published. In 2014 she won the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for 'Drag down to unlock or place an emergency call'. She is also a former poetry editor of The Canberra Times. 

Irma and Karen chat about the highs and lows of podcasting. Then Irma talks to Niq Mhlongo about what it was like growing up in Soweto, South Africa, how sleeping in a tiny room with seven brothers got him hooked on reading, why he ditched law to become a writer, how Dan Brown made him think he’d become a millionaire from writing, how his debut novel went from being deemed ‘unpublishable’ to being accepted by the same publisher, why he is sceptical about literary prizes, why living from Berlin gives him freedom to write about Soweto, and why writing in English gives him another kind of freedom.About NiqNiq Mhlongo is the Sowetan-born author of four novels and three collections ofshort stories. He is also the editor of a collection of essays called Black Tax:Burden or Ubuntu, and two short fiction anthologies. His debut novel, Dog EatDog, won the Spanish Literary Award, and his collection of short stories, SowetoUnder The Apricot Tree won the Herman Charles Bosman Literary Prize and theNadine Gordimer Short Story Award. He currently lives in Berlin.

Karen and Irma talk about ten awful publishing truths. Then Karen chats to Daniel O’Malley about writing humour in books and how to develop this skill, how he lost the first 150 pages of his bestseller The Rook, the potential pitfalls of finding an agent, the process of his novel being made into a mini-series, how he used to tweet as one of his characters, and what it’s like to go to a fantasy book conference.About DanielDaniel O’Malley is an internationally bestselling fantasy/sci fi author. He’s published 3 novels, and his fourth is on its way. His debut, The Rook, won the Aurealis Award for Best Science Fiction Novel and has been made into a television mini-series. He’s a rock star in the paranormal and fantasy fiction world, but most days you can find him working in the National Library of Australia. 

Karen and Irma chat about what makes a good book title. Then Irma talks to Kate Mildenhall about how she organised (and survived!) a massive book tour, the brutal experience of her second book being rejected, why writing retreats are invaluable for her creative practice, the challenges of not sticking to one genre, how she approached the writing of her structurally complex third novel, how she sees Australia’s reviewing culture and her new theory about the impact of reviewing momentum, the highs and lows of being a co-host of The First Time podcast, and the unparalleled joy of her first book’s acceptance.About KateKate Mildenhall is author of three novels. Her debut novel, Skylarking, was longlisted for the Voss Literary Prize and the Indie Book Awards. Her second novel was The Mother Fault, and her third and most recent novel is The Hummingbird Effect. Kate is also co-host of The First Time podcast with Katherine Collette.

Karen and Irma discuss the challenges of author photo shoots. Then Irma chats with Christos Tsiolkas about how reading Monkey Grip cross-legged in a bookstore was a seminal moment, and how his father – who couldn’t read – made him the patient reader he is today, how the poor reception to his second novel The Jesus Man deeply bruised him and the overwhelming success of The Slap was the reverse experience, how acting techniques have influenced the way he writes characters, how he approached writing a love story, and the most challenging and joyous writing experiences he’s had.About ChristosChristos Tsiolkas is the author of eight novels, including Loaded and Dead Europe, which were made into feature films, and The Slap and Barracuda, which were both adapted into celebrated television series. He has won numerous awards, including Overall Best Book in the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for The Slap. He has also published a collection of short stories, Merciless Gods, and a critical literary study called On Patrick White. If that wasn’t enough, he is a playwright, essayist and screen writer. His latest novel is The In Between.

Karen and Irma chat about one star reviews and Goodreads. Then Karen talks to Anita Heiss about why she writes across so many genres and which is her favourite, what she learned from writing the script for the 'Tiddas' live-show and how it feels to have your work performed on stage, how she creates sexy, sassy First Nations female characters, how she still feels self-doubt even after writing so many books, how she survived a personal attack from a certain right-wing shock jock, and how a life coach helped her to get organised and meet her goals as well as reminding her to take holidays. Photo: Morgan Roberts

Karen and Irma chat about the impact of AI technologies on authors. Then Irma chats with Chris Flynn about exactly how Bookscan works and how he uses the data to monitor his own sales and make decisions about where to invest time with publicity, why publishing is operating on an outdated business model and how it should change, how to organise a book tour yourself, the ways in which both Ireland and Australia have impacted him as a writer, the challenges of writing humorous literary fiction, an unexpected encounter with Sebastian Barry, and how he is banishing self-doubt.About ChrisChris Flynn is an Irish–Australian author of three novels. His first novel, Tiger in Eden, was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers Prize, and his most recent novel, Mammoth, was shortlisted for the Indie Book Awards and the Russell Prize for Humour. His work has appeared in The Age, The Australian, The Guardian, McSweeney's, The Paris Review and many other publications. He is also the author of a short fiction collection, Here be Leviathans, which won Best Collection at the Aurealis Awards, and the Horridus the Triceratops series of picture books for children. 

Karen and Irma discuss how to craft a good sentence. Then Irma talks to Eliza Henry-Jones about why ‘paddock beanbagging’ is her preferred way to write, how writing a novel every year since she was 14 helped her understand her world, how difficult it was to first be published at the age of 25, why as a writer she is a ‘chaos demon’, how having a child changed her as a writer, why she wrote Salt and Skin from a place of rage, the challenges of writing ‘unlikeable’ female characters, why she resisted Scrivener and then fell in love with it. About ElizaEliza Henry-Jones is an author based on a little flower farm on Wurundjeri land in the Yarra Valley of Victoria. She has published five novels, most recently Salt and Skin, which has just been released in the UK and the US. Her books have been listed for many awards, including the ABIA Awards and the CBCA Awards.

Karen and Irma discuss book tours. Then Irma chats with Aaron Fa’Aoso and Michelle Scott Tucker about the process of ghostwriting (or co-writing) Aaron’s memoir, how they tackled sensitive subjects like suicide, racism and Aaron’s domestic violence history, the decision-making process on what to include and what to not, why Aaron almost pulled the project many times but ultimately never did, how Michelle captured Aaron’s voice, and why recording the audiobook sent Aaron into a dark place. About MichelleMichelle Scott Tucker is the author of Elizabeth Macarthur: A Life at the Edge of the World – a biography of the woman who established the Australian wool industry, and the co-writer for Aaron Fa’Aoso’s memoir, So Far, So Good.About AaronAaron Fa’Aoso is a Torres Strait Islander film producer, director, screenwriter and actor. He is known for his roles in RAN: Remote Area Nurse, East West 101, The Straits, Black Comedy, and as the presenter of Strait to the Plate and Going Places with Ernie Dingo. Aaron is the executive director of his own film and television production company, Lone Star.

Karen and Irma talk about presenting at sales conferences. Then Irma chats with Robbie Arnott about his ‘chaotic’ writing process, how landscapes inspire him and how he approaches writing about climate change to avoid being preachy, why his first book rejection really knocked his confidence, the way he fictionalised family history to avoid friction with family members, how a background in advertising helps him with the editing process, the pressure he puts on himself to get the writing perfect, how his time as a bookseller has shaped his approach to publicity, and weird author interactions in bookshops.About RobbieRobbie Arnott’s acclaimed debut, Flames, won the Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Novelist award and a Tasmanian Premier’s Literary Prize, and was shortlisted for almost every prize going. His follow-up, The Rain Heron, won the Age Book of the Year award, and was shortlisted for another long list of awards, including the Miles Franklin Literary Award. His third and most recent book, Limberlost, has recently won the Age Book of the Year award again. He lives in Hobart. 

Irma and Karen chat about festivals and events they’ve been attending. Then Karen talks to former Canberra Writers Festival Artistic Director Jeanne Ryckmans about how a literary festival is programmed, the role of publicists and why sometimes they don’t work in the author’s best interests, how a writer should pitch themselves to an artistic director, the positive developments as a result of COVID, the writer Jeanne would have donated a kidney to get on her program (and did!), and crazy festival stories – from the author who did a session in his pjs, to another stung by a wasp right before a session, and a melted chocolate incident that incited panic.

Irma and Karen chat about attending festivals as an interlocutor or as a panellist. Then Karen talks to Jock Serong about making the move from lawyer to novelist, why he dives into dark places, the fraught territory of navigating writing First Nations characters and history as a descendant of settler Australians, why he goes on writing excursions with his characters, a surreal green room experience with Ian Rankin, and an utterly disastrous panel event. 

Karen and Irma chat about the pros and cons of online writing courses. Then they chat to Marion Halligan about how Sylvia Plath inspired her to get started, what she bought with her first earnings, how writing is a kind of madness, the challenge of writing a memoir about her late daughter, good and bad editing experiences and what it was like being edited by her sister, why essays are her favourite form, the controversies while serving as Chair of the Australia Council Literature Board, why the government should pay writers a salary, and why she got angry at Bill Bryson at the Melbourne Writers Festival.

Karen and Irma chat about writing residencies. Then they talk to bookseller and sales rep Deb Stevens about what goes on behind the scenes in the book trade, how books are sold into bookshops, if and when and how authors should contact their sales reps, preparing for your book’s release, how authors can work maximise promo of their books, the most wonderful authors Deb has worked with and the divas, and how a puppy rescued Jodi Picoult on tour.

Irma and Karen chat about a new writing book, The Writer Laid Bare by Lee Kofman. Then Karen speaks with Inga Simpson about why choosing a character’s name to boost a word count ended up in a prize and her debut novel, how a childhood spent in nature influenced her writing, her determination not to let the second-book pressure derail her, the risks and challenges around telling stories involving Australia’s first peoples, how she measures success and the value of prizes, the politics of green rooms, and the highs and lows of appearing at writers festivals.

Irma and Karen chat about how organised (or disorganised!) they are with their writing. Then Irma chats to booksellers Katarina Pearson (Harry Hartog), Alison Page (Dymocks) and Peter Arnaudo (The Book Cow) about how to get friendly with booksellers – what to do (when and how) and what not to do, how long you can expect your book to stay on the shelves, how sales and returns work, the important role of sales reps and how they impact book selection, why relationships with local authors are key, when and how to sign books, how to organise events with bookshops, nightmare experiences with authors (and amazing ones too!), and the bizarre things that have happened in their stores. About KatarinaKatarina Pearson helped develop and subsequently owned Electric Shadows Bookshop over 25 years. Since March 2019, Katarina has been Literary Events Coordinator for Harry Hartog Bookshop at the Australian National University and is on the Board of the ACT Writers Centre.About PeterPeter Arnaudo established the Book Cow Bookshop in Kingston, Canberra in December 2020 and it’s his first bookshop. Prior to that he was a senior public servant for 25 years. About AllisonAllison Kay and her husband Richard bought Dymocks, Canberra 19 years ago. It was their first bookshop and they worked as a team to make it a huge success. They have just retired from the business.

In a special series direct from the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival, Irma chats with Natasha Lester about how utter despair before an award ceremony preceded the best moment of her life, the lightbulb moment that changed the course of her career, the rewards of constructive sulking after rejection, how a fraught editing process almost destroyed her current book, how she manages three books at a time in different stages of writing, editing and promoting, the high of hitting the New York Times bestseller list, and why the Muse doesn’t actually exist.About NatashaNatasha Lester is a New York Times bestselling author of ten novels who lives in Perth. Her books have been translated into many different languages and are published all around the world. She is also former marketing executive for L’Oreal and has a love of vintage fashion. The Age newspaper has described her as a ‘remarkable Australian talent’. And we’re very fortunate to have her on the podcast today.