Better Words

Phil Stamper is currently celebrating the publication of his debut novel The Gravity of Us! He grew up playing piano, writing and looking up at the stars in rural Ohio and now lives in New York City. We talked to him about the space program, reality tv and of course his new book. The Gravity of Us is a queer love story set against the backdrop of a modern space program. Before the interview, Caitlin and Michelle share a few uplifting and joyful recommendations. Interview starts at 14:30. Check out the shownotes here. Join our Facebook group to continue the conversation. Follow us on Instagram @betterwordspod and please subscribe and leave a rating or review. This wonderful episode is our season finale. We're taking a little break and we'll be back soon!

Anna Whateley has a PhD in young adult fiction, first class honours in English Literature and Post-Grad Certificate in Education. We're delighted to talk to her today about her debut YA novel, Peta Lyre's Rating Normal. We chat about her journey to publication and how she's spent years trying to understand her own neurodiversity and exploring that through the novel. Ahead of that wonderful chat, Caitlin and Michelle talk about their recent reads (superheros and outer space are mentioned) and TV favourites. Interview starts at 13:38. Check out the shownotes here. Join our Facebook group to continue the conversation. Follow us on Instagram @betterwordspod and please subscribe and leave a rating or review.

Emery Lord is the amazing young adult author of Open Road Summer, The Start of Me & You, The Names They Gave Us and When We Collided. She is currently celebrating the publication of her fifth novel, The Map From Here To There. We talked to Emery about her writing process, how she started writing, how her first novel was published and The Great British Bake Off! Before the interview, Michelle and Caitlin talk about snow, rainy weekends and our latest TV binges. Interview starts at 21:30. Check out the shownotes here. Join our Facebook group to continue the conversation. Follow us on Instagram @betterwordspod and please subscribe and leave a rating or review.

In this episode we chat about writing, friendship, people watching, outdoor swimming and breakfast foods with Libby Page. Her debut novel The Lido has been sold into 20 territories and is one of Michelle's favourites. Her second novel, The 24 Hour Cafe was just released in Australia and the UK. Before the chat, Caitlin talks about both movies she saw on the weekend, Michelle's latest reality tv obsession and our current reads. Interview starts at 19:05. Check out the shownotes here. Join our Facebook group to continue the conversation. Follow us on Instagram @betterwordspod and please subscribe and leave a rating or review.

Welcome to 2020! Vanessa McCausland has worked as a journalist for 17 years, is currently the weekend editor at kidspot.com.au and her novel The Lost Summers of Driftwood was just released! We talked to Vanessa about how she separates creative writing from work plus the themes and inspirations for her novel. To start, Michelle and Caitlin chat about what they were reading, watching and listening to over Christmas break. Interview starts at 12:10. Check out the shownotes here. Join our Facebook group to continue the conversation. Follow us on Instagram @betterwordspod and please subscribe and leave a rating or review. Please note that Caitlin's job at HarperCollins Publishers did not affect our decision to invite Vanessa to be a guest, we're delighted to have her and hope you enjoy this episode.