The First Time

S5 Ep180: Kylie Maslen + Featured Book MARSHMALLOW by Victoria Hannan

04 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our main interview this episode is with writer and critic Kylie Maslen. We talk about what writing looks like from a disabled perspective, balancing b...

S5 Ep179: Masters Series: Kim Scott

28 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Katherine speaks to multi-award winning author Kim Scott about history, identity, culture and language, particularly of his ancestors...

S5 Ep178: Kate and Katherine Catch Up + Featured Book DENIZEN by James Mckenzie Watson

21 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Katherine has pressed send on her MG novel, Kate is visiting an abattoir, they both wax lyrical about Jane McGonigal and encourage you...

S5 Ep177: Masters Series: Christos Tsiolkas Part 2

14 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is Part Two of a conversation Kate has with Melbourne literary icon, Christos Tsiolkas. In this second part they discuss dealing with the success...

S5 Ep177: Master Series: Christos Tsiolkas Part 1

14 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is Part One of a two part conversation Kate has with Melbourne literary icon, Christos Tsiolkas. In this first part they discuss Christos's early...

S5 Ep176: Kate and Katherine catch up + Featured Book Banjawarn by Josh Kemp

07 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Kate and Katherine are IN THE SAME ROOM, hiding out beachside, going to book parties and working on their next books. Amid their bookish ...

S5 Ep175: Masters Series: Chloe Hooper

31 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Katherine speaks to Chloe Hooper about writing about difficult things, nuance and approaching non-fiction like it's a thriller. C...

S5 Ep174: Kate and Katherine Catch up + Featured book Something Blue by Alex Sarkis

24 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Kate and Katherine bask in their respective Fiji/Darwin holiday glows. Katherine is newly obsessed with Julia Cameron's The Artists Way a...

S5 Ep173: Masters Series: Liane Moriarty

17 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Kate speaks with best-selling Australian author, Liane Moriarty, in a wide ranging conversation about her career, writing process and ...

S5 Ep172: Masters Series: Michelle Law

10 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Katherine talks with Michelle Law. Michelle Law is a writer and actor working across print, theatre, film and television. She wrote th...

S5 Ep171: Kate and Katherine Catch Up + Featured Book: Forty Nights by Pirooz Jafari

03 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Kate and Katherine catch up after WEEKS apart and discuss all the things including Katherine's Winter Solstice swim, grief-exhaustion, th...

S5 Ep170: Masters Series: Hazel Edwards plus FEATURED BOOK The Golden Book by Kate Ryan

26 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Katherine talks with Hazel Edwards. Hazel Edwards is an award-winning author of books for children and adults. Her beloved picture boo...

S5 Ep169: Masters series: Michael Christie plus FEATURED BOOK The Eulogy by Jackie Bailey

19 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Kate talks with internationally bestselling Canadian author Michael Christie. They discuss writing his latest novel - the epic histori...

S5 Ep168: Masters Series: Natasha Lester

12 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Katherine talks with internationally bestselling author Natasha Lester. They discuss historical fiction, what's involved in publishing...

S5 Ep167: Masters Series: Gabrielle Wang

05 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Katherine talks with award winning author and illustrator of more than 20 novels and picture books for children and young adults, Gabr...

S5 Ep166: Kate and Katherine catch up + FEATURED BOOK Unknown by Akuch Kuol Anyieth

29 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Kate and Katherine talk about THAT review, transcripts (check out this transcript of The First Time's Fiona Murphy episode), plus what th...

S5 Ep165: Masters Series: Michelle de Kretser

22 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Kate talks with critically acclaimed Australian author Michelle de Kretser about her writing routine, taking risks, nourishing reading...

S5 Ep164: Kate and Katherine catch up + FEATURED BOOK Red (Felicity McLean)

15 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Kate and Katherine talk covid (ugh, again), retreat/workshop envy and what they're reading / watching / listening to. The Featured ...

S5 Ep163: Masters Series: Andy Griffiths on writing for children, collaboration and how much anarchy is the right amount of anarchy

08 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Katherine talks with internationally best selling award winning author Andy Griffiths about writing for children, his long time collabora...

S5 Ep162: Kate and Katherine catch up + FEATURED BOOK The Natural History of Love (Caroline Petit)

01 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Kate and Katherine catch up and talk about all the stuff, including Alice Walker's journals, Jennifer Egan's new novel The Candy House, S...

S5 Ep161: The Second Time - A Wheeler Centre Live Event

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is a special live podcast, recorded at the Wheeler Centre in April 2022. Kate and Katherine interview fellow second time authors Yumna Kassab and...

S5 Ep160: Masters Series: Bernadette Brennan

24 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kate speaks with literary critic, academic and research, Bernadette Brennan. Among many publications, Brennan has published an award winning literary ...

S5 Ep159: Katherine and Kate (covid) catch up + FEATURED BOOK: Meshi (Katherine Tamiko Arguile)

17 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Katherine sympathises with Kate about her covid cancellations and they talk the history of efficiency, books they are loving and an iso-w...

S5 Ep158: MASTERS SERIES: Benjamin Law

10 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode we talk to writer of many things, Benjamin Law. Benjamin Law is the author of The Family Law, Gaysia, the Quarterly Essay: Moral Panic ...

S5 Ep157: Kate and Katherine catch up + FEATURED BOOK: Found, Wanting (Natasha Sholl)

03 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode Kate and Katherine talk wordle strategies, the paths of lost novels (nod to Jane Rawson) and correspondence between famous authors. ...

S5 Ep156: Masters Series: Sarah Winman

27 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In our second episode of our new Masters Series, Kate speaks to British writer, Sarah Winman. Previously an actor, Winman is the author of three novel...

S5 Ep155: Kate and Katherine - book launch post mortem, plus recommendations

20 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Competition was launched two days ago, it's a recap of all the feels. Plus, what the hosts have been watching, listening to and of course, reading...

S5 Ep154: Masters Series: Tony Birch

13 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here it is! The very first episode of our brand new Masters Series. To kick off the season Kate speaks to writer, academic and activist, Tony Birch. H...

S5 Ep153: Introducing the 'Masters Series' plus Kate and Katherine talk Adelaide Writers Festival

13 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kate is fresh off the plane from Adelaide Writers Festival and has been posting blow by blow account of every glorious moment/person she met on Instag...

S5 Ep152: Kate and Katherine discuss perplexingly bad restaurants, reviews and when your three weeks is up

27 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kate and Katherine catch up and talk about the aftermath of book release, including a perplexingly bad restaurant, reviews and and a quote by Ella Bax...

S5 Ep151: Jane Watkins on publicity, second books and (sadly, a lack of) outrageous demands

13 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In keeping with the second book-related mini series -- this episode we talk publicity with Text publicist and all round excellent human Jane Watkins. ...

S5 Ep150: Shay Gardner on social media, algorithms and bringing salad to the dinner party

06 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Get out your pens and pencils because this is an epic lesson in social media! Kate and Katherine talk to marketing, social media and fashion/lifestyle...

S5 Ep149: Excitement and excessive humidity

30 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a while since the Kate and Katherine caught up and there's a lot of excitement amid all the heat and humidity. As always, there's much much ...

S5 Ep148: The Competition (last) mini ep #3: first time vs. second time

23 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're doing something a little bit different the next couple of episodes, in the lead up to Katherine's book The Competition coming out (Feb 2022). (Y...

S5 Ep147: The Competition mini ep #2: writing process

16 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're doing something a little bit different the next couple of episodes, in the lead up to Katherine's book The Competition coming out (Feb 2022). (Y...

S5 Ep146: The Competition mini ep #1: the weird world of competitive public speaking

09 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're doing something a little bit different the next couple of episodes, in the lead up to Katherine's book The Competition coming out (Feb 2022). (Y...

S5 Ep145: 2022 Kick start with Madeleine Dore on productivity guilt, curiosity and labours of love

02 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A special episode to kick of 2022! Kate speaks to writer and podcaster, Madeleine Dore about her creative career and her brand new book I Didn't Do th...

S4 Ep144: Finale! (for now)

28 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's the end of season four! We're looking back on the year that was, with best reads, best listens, best watches... Best everything basically. Ch...

S4 Ep143: Helen Garner on noticing, marriage & the sublime.

21 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For our final interview of Season 4, Kate speaks to the woman herself - lit world legend, Helen Garner. They discuss diaries, editing, triangles, crit...

S4 Ep142: Hannah Kent on boundaries, historical fiction and Devotion

14 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate speaks to acclaimed novelist, lit journal co-founder and now screenwriter, Hannah Kent. They discuss the importance of lit communities, second bo...

S4 Ep141: Kate and Katherine are out of lockdown (again)

07 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate and Katherine are out of lockdown (again) and they take a moment to reflect on the last eighteen months and how the hell they are going to get th...

S4 Ep140: Garry Disher on crime, perseverance and blue pens

31 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Katherine speaks to author Garry Disher. Garry is the author of more than 50 books across multiple genres including crime thrillers, general/literary ...

S4 Ep139: Madeleine Ryan on intuition, labels and Tarot

24 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Katherine speaks to writer and author, Madeleine Ryan. They discuss Ryan's first novel A Room Called Earth, intuition, labels and Tarot. Check out...

S4 Ep138: Kate and Katherine are climbing the walls

17 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate and Katherine are nearly out of lockdown and this episode is unscripted, general delirium. Plus, a considerable amount of gushing over Brendan Co...

S4 Ep137: Brendan Cowell on process, poetry & stirring the pot

10 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate speaks to writer, playwright and actor Brendan Cowell. And okay, maybe she fangirls a bit. They discuss creativity in lockdown, toxic masculinity...

S4 Ep136: Anne Buist on mental health, erotic fiction and co-writing

03 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Katherine speaks with author Anna Buist, who has arguably the most varied writing career of any guest on the show so far. They discuss erotic fiction,...

S4 Ep135: Kate and Katherine and Charlotte Wood talk creativity, resilience and the inner life

26 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate and Katherine talk to award winning best selling author (and our former Agony Aunt) Charlotte Wood about her new book The Luminous Solution, whic...

S4 Ep134: Claire Christian on pleasure, rom coms and writing good sex

19 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate finally speaks to Claire Christian, the author of Kate's most recommended 2020 book IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE, NONI BLAKE, (aka The Orgasm Book Lady...

S4 Ep133: Maggie Shipstead on awe, detail & leaps of faith

12 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate speaks to US writer, Maggie Shipstead. They discuss Shipstead's latest novel, the Booker longlisted novel GREAT CIRCLE, and Shipstead's writing p...

S4 Ep132: Kate and Katherine talk (again)

05 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate and Katherine chat about failure, mudlarking and the real housewives TV show. Also: writing exercises for when you're feeling creatively challeng...

S4 Ep131: Pip Williams on words, gender and class

29 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Katherine speaks to best selling, award winning author Pip Williams. They discuss William’s novel DICTIONARY OF LOST WORDS, language, history and bi...

S4 Ep130: Kate and Katherine are joyful (ish)

22 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate and Katherine are reasonably joyful in this episode, which covers such topics as mini bottles of wine, mandarins and surprise surprise books. ...

S4 Ep129: Alice Pung on class, voice and why she writes

15 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate speaks to award winning Melbourne writer, Alice Pung. They discuss Pung's latest novel ONE HUNDRED DAYS, writing about class, the impact of mothe...

S4 Ep128: Kate and Katherine on great books, great listens and other inspiring things

08 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate and Katherine talk great books, great listens and other inspiring things. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefir...

S4 Ep127: Jane Riley on persistence, Kindle best sellers and asking yourself questions

01 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Katherine speaks to author Jane Riley about persistence and how, even if it takes a while, it does ultimately pay off. They discuss Kindle bestsellers...

S4 Ep126: Kate and Katherine are all cooped up

25 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate and Katherine talk about what they've been doing, which is not a lot. Kate is considering egging someone and needs a personal assistant. Katherin...

S4 Ep125: Iain Ryan on crime rules, choose your own adventure and The Taylor Swift Theory

18 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate speaks to Melbourne crime writer Iain Ryan, author of The Spiral. They discuss the rules of crime fiction, writing to the point of shame, self pu...

S4 Ep124: Ailsa Wild on acrobatics, collaboration & caring

11 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kate speaks to best-selling children's author and now non-fiction writer, Ailsa Wild. They discuss Wild's latest project - a story of nursing and cari...

S4 Ep123: Kate and Katherine talk the big four-oh

04 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's Kate's birthday! She's a hundred years old! Okay, she's forty. Katherine has specific questions and Kate admits she loves the word 'skitterish'. ...

S4 Ep122: Sarah Krasnostein on ghosts, awkwardness and ethics

27 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Katherine speaks to best-selling, multi-award winning writer Sarah Krasnostein. They discuss the ethics of writing about other people, how awkward it ...