Better Words
Episodes
Celebrating your truth and pimping pain with Arvin Ahmadi
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Arvin Ahmadi grew up outside Washington DC, graduated from Columbia University, and worked in the tech industry prior to becoming a full-time writer. ...
Fat acceptance and living life unapologetically with Stephanie Yeboah
24 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Stephanie Yeboah has been part of the fat acceptance and body positivity movement since 2014. She has since then written for multiple publications and...
Fame and music stardom in YA with Frances Chapman
18 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Frances Chapman was born in Henley-On-Thames in England and she spent her childhood pinballed between continents before settling in Sydney. She work...
The balance between history and fiction with Alison Booth
10 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Alison Booth was born in Melbourne, brought up in Sydney and has worked in the UK and in Australia as a professor as well as a novelist. She holds a P...
The fluidity of adolescence and reflections on life and success with Meg Rosoff
03 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Meg Rosoff spent 15 years working in advertising before writing her first novel. That book, How I Live Now, has since sold over one million copies in ...
Fairytale retellings and creating new narratives with Kalynn Bayron
27 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kalynn Bayron is an author and classically trained vocalist. She grew up in Alaska, which apparently means skiing and ice-skating in PE class. She stu...
Nobel prize winners and the craft of short stories with Laura Elvery
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is an award winning writer, she has a PhD in Creative Writing and Literary Studies, her work has been published in Overland, Griff...
Violence, isolation and a changing Ireland with Louise O'Neill
13 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland is a land known for its literary exports and our guest this week is certainly adding to the country’s reputation for impeccable fiction. Lou...
The sorrow and bliss of writing life with Meg Mason
06 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Meg Mason started her career at the Financial Times and The Times of London - definitely not too shabby! Since then, she’s been published in major A...
Asexual pride and publishing as a teenager with Alice Oseman
30 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Alice Oseman is a formidable young writer. Alice's first book was published when she was just 19. Now at 25, our guest has already published fou...
Folklore and circus 'freaks' with Nydia Hetherington
22 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Nydia Hetherington grew up in Leeds in the north of England and moved to London in her twenties to start an acting career. She studied at a renowned F...
Exploring autism through YA fiction with Kay Kerr
15 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kay Kerr is a former journalist and community newspaper editor from Brisbane. She now lives on the Sunshine Coast with her husband and daughter and wo...
Writing romance and escapist fiction with Laura Jane Williams
08 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Jane Williams is an incredibly talented storyteller who has written columns for numerous magazines, published two non-fiction books and has just...
Exploring culture and religion through memoir with Zoya Patel (recast from December 2018)
01 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We apologise for the audio quality of some parts of this episode. It was originally published in December 2018. When we spoke to Zoya we discussed he...
Queer meet-cutes & Kindred stories with Michael Earp (Recast from May 2019)
26 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This interview with Michael Earp was originally broadcast in May 2019.When we spoke to Michael, he was getting ready to launch Kindred: a Queer #LoveO...
Body positivity & the power of pop culture with Jenna Guillaume (Recast from March 2019)
18 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This interview with Jenna Guillaume was originally broadcast in March 2019.When we spoke to Jenna, she was celebrating the release of her debut novel....
Art as activism with Renée Watson (Recast from June 2019)
11 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This interview with Renée Watson was originally broadcast in June 2019It seems fitting to re-release this chat with author, activist, and teacher Ren...
From obsession to contemporary YA with Phil Stamper
17 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 st...
Finding your own voice with Anna Whateley
03 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Writing about the big questions with Emery Lord
11 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
A love letter to people watchers with Libby Page
28 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we chat about writing, friendship, people watching, outdoor swimming and breakfast foods with Libby Page. Her debut novel The Lido has...
New chapters and special places with Vanessa McCausland
14 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Distance doesn't matter with Tara Eglington
22 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is the wonderful Tara Eglington! Tara joins us to talk about her fourth novel, The Long Distance Playlist. We discuss the inspirations f...
Inside an indie publisher with Bella Pearson
10 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is our very first inside look into publishing! We chat to Bella Pearson from Guppy Books about her experience in the publishing, the amaz...
The highs and lows of online life with Fiona Thomas
28 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're joined by freelancer Fiona Thomas to discuss how having a mental breakdown led to a new career as a writer and the publication of her ...
The vulnerability of life writing with Bri Lee
12 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is a lawyer and an award winning, critically acclaimed writer. We are so excited to have Bri Lee on Better Words! We talked about Eggshe...
Writing the stories we needed with Nina Kenwood
29 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It Sounded Better In My Head seems to have been the talk of the Australian bookstagram community for the past few months. Nina Kenwood has worked in t...
Wielding our power with Julie Mayhew
15 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Our first guest for season 4 has done just about everything. Julie Mayhew is an author, radio dramatist, playwright, screen writer, actress and journa...
While you were writing with Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus
23 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Book Ninjas are back! We welcome Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus back to Better Words to discuss their second bookish rom-com, While You Were Reading....
Written in the stars with Danielle Wood
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Danielle Wood, Minnie Darke or Angelica Banks? Our guest goes by a few names but we just called her Danielle. You've probably seen Star Crossed on you...
Learn, write and rise with Renee Watson
26 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Renee Watson is a New York Times best selling author and has published multiple middle grade and young adult novels. Her poetry and fiction explores t...
Grieving in words with Helena Fox
11 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest is very well travelled and is now based in Wollongong, New South Wales. Helena Fox is celebrating the publication of her debut, How It Feels...
Embracing and loving YA with Michael Earp
28 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Michael is a editor, bookseller and writer who loves children's and young adult literature. While chatting to him, we spent the whole conversation gus...
Women make history with Clare Wright
14 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We learned a lot in this episode and we hope you do too. Clare Wright is a historian and award winning author. She talked to us about the Australian's...
Creating your authentic with Sara Tasker
30 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How can we live as our most authentic selves? Sara Tasker is a writer, photographer, business coach, podcaster, Instagram guru and author. She joins u...
Fairy tales and folklore with Kate Forsyth
21 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It's our first LIVE episode! So, we've decided to keep it simple and just present to you our interview with the incredible Kate Forsyth at CapriCon Ro...
An Underdog’s dream with Tobias Madden
02 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We're discussing office sitcoms, British TV dramas and astrology all before being joined by Tobias Madden. He is a man of many, many talents! We chat ...
Revisiting our yesterday with Karen Sepulveda
19 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're discussing Kinky Boots, Harry Potter movies, Underdog short stories, plus an exciting announcement. Our guest is Karyn Sepulveda, auth...
Body positive and pop culture obsessed with Jenna Guillaume
05 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate the release of What I Like About Me, we welcome author and journalist Jenna Guillaume. We discuss her journey to publication, the wonderf...
Life shaped by words with Angela Meyer
19 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're discussing binge-worthy crime dramas (The Cry and Dirty John), sitcoms (Derry Girls and New Girl), and our brand new Facebook group. O...
The winding road to publication with Carly Findlay
05 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're talking about that New Yorker article, You, and Mary Queen of Scots. We're also thrilled to be joined by our friend Carly Findlay, who...
The universal language with Cristy Burne
22 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our first interview of 2019. This week we're delighted to welcome Cristy Burne: science writer and educator, with a swag of children's adve...
I know what you read last summer
15 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Before we kick off the podcast properly in 2019, we're back to discuss what we read and watched over the Christmas/New Year break.
That's a wrap on 2018
18 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Listen in as we discuss and gush all of our favourite things in 2018. From books, movies, TV shows and podcasts to other fabulous things that happened...
Finding your place with Zoya Patel
04 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We've had a heatwave, fires, storms and a stand up show. That's just our intro! In this wonderful chat with Aussie writer Zoya Patel, we discuss femin...
Women in power with Jane Caro
20 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Jane Caro is an Australian writer and social commentator. We we're very excited to chat to her about her young adult trilogy about Queen Elizabeth I, ...
Ideal timing with Karen Foxlee
06 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week, author Karen Foxlee is talking to us about her writing process, creativity and the timing of ideas. Caitlin and Michelle are also discussin...
'You're a collector, Harry!' with Peter Kenneth
27 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
You think your Harry Potter collection is big? Step aside, because Peter Kenneth's magical library of roughly 1300 Harry Potter editions will take you...
Scarred not scared with Michelle Elman
09 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Michelle Elman is an all-round fabulous woman. She's spoken at TEDx and has built a powerful social media following after the #scarrednotscared tag we...
Tropical vibes with Fiona Bell
25 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Queensland might be hot, but the gorgeous landscape makes up for it. Fiona Bell joins us to chat about her debut, Waterhole! We discuss writing, publi...
Australian Reading Hour with Danielle Binks
19 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're joined by editor and agent Danielle Binks for a special minisode celebrating Australian Reading Hour - as if the BW squad needed an ex...
Forces of nature with Sally Piper
28 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week Sally Piper joins us to talk about how her love of nature and the Australian bush influenced her latest novel, The Geography of Friendship. ...
Words spilling out with Nikki McWatters
07 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week's guest is a writer, mother and former rock groupie. She’s done every job from TV acting to legal counselling to check-out chick and clea...
When ideologies clash with Randa Abdel-Fattah
10 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Michelle is back from her holiday! But that's not the most exciting thing! 'Does My Head Look Big In This?' and 'When Michael Met Mina' author Randa A...
Lush histories with Julian Leatherdale
03 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
'Palace of Tears' and 'The Opal Dragonfly' author Julian Leatherdale is the first male guest of Better Words! We're discussing theatre, documentaries,...
We're very jealous of The YA Room
19 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're joined by Sarah and Alex of Melbourne's young adult book club, The YA Room. Chatting all about how they got started, hosting book laun...
Book ninjas unite with Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus
05 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Want to spread the bookish love? Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus are Melbourne's own book ninjas and their mission to add a little literature to everyone'...
Behind the books
01 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week Caitlin and Michelle are sharing the stories behind some of their books! We have souvenirs, gifts and books we came across randomly. All the...
Let's talk about sex, baby with Gabrielle Reid
24 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What if you made a decision you couldn't take back? This week, Caitlin and Michelle are joined by author Gabrielle Reid to chat about her debut, 'The ...
Weaving the tale with Lauren Chater
10 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever stumbled upon a strange fact and wanted to know more? This week Lauren Chater shares the story behind her beautiful historical fiction d...
From screen to page with Fiona Wood
27 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
She's well known as the award winning author of four novels, but Fiona Wood had a successful screenwriting career before turning her hand at books. Th...
Write what you want to read with Jessica Walton
13 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How do you create a better understanding of the many diverse lives we're living without representation in the stories we're told from childhood? Faced...
You don't need a plan with Kate O'Donnell
27 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What are you going to do after high school? The dreaded question for anyone without a five-year plan. But Kate O'Donnell explains why it's okay not to...
Standing up and speaking out with Carly Findlay
30 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re joined by blogger, speaker and appearance activist Carly Findlay. She’s discussing the mammoth task of memoir writing, ableism and...
Staying #relevant with Gabrielle Williams
16 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re chatting social media and digital lives with Gabrielle Williams, author of My Life as a Hashtag. She talks us through her writing pr...
Write, write again with Margot McGovern
05 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We all know if you get knocked down, you get back up again and it couldn't be more true in the publishing industry. This week, writing and blogging bo...
Killing your darlings with Caroline Graham
10 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We're obsessed with podcasts, social networks and the media in general. This week, Caitlin and Michelle talk to Bond University Lecturer Caroline Grah...
Reading hope with Pip Harry
27 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Books can save anyone if they're the right ones, and that's exactly what Caitlin and Michelle are discussing when they chat with Pip Harry about her b...
Gone Bush with Anna Daniels
10 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Wide streets, wider skies and... fibreglass bulls? Rocky's own Anna Daniels joins Caitlin and Michelle as they talk about storytelling in regional are...