Category Archives: Books and Authors – live interviews

Hear authors talk about their work.

Byron Writers Festival Documentary coming soon!

ARTS CANVASS

For your eyes and ears!
For your eyes and ears!

 

 

For all of you who love reading and books and  harbour thoughts of one day writing your own book, stay tuned for the first of two one hour radio documentaries that  will be linked from here to the podcast. Hear famous authors chat about the process of writing, how to research, developing characters and more. Writer’s Festival directors Jeni Caffin ( Byron Bay and  Jan de Neefe ( Ubud Bali) will reveal the joys and trials of directing big Writer’s events ,and  we will have live read  extracts from a number of the festival’s most popular books. These documentaries will be broadcast first on the Community Broadcasting Network Australia which is also available online so you can listen to the broadcast.

I will post dates here sometime this month so you can listen in live online and then the links for the podcasts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

L.A Larkin – author of ‘The Genesis Flaw’ and ‘Thirst’ on writing thrillers.

 

Author L.A Larkin
Author L.A Larkin

Author L.A ( Louisa) Larkin  is not only a top writer of thrillers, she also runs writing courses to help aspiring thriller writers find that special voice that makes a ‘good read’.

I caught up with her in Sydney where she shares some tips about delivering a gripping story.

Louisa’s  current titles – The Genesis Flaw- and Thirst are available on the web.

 

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L.A. Larkin's gripping read about the big business behind genetic manipulation.
L.A. Larkin’s gripping read about the big business behind genetic manipulation.

 

 

 

First in a trilogy based on the struggle to control the wealth of the Antarctic.
First in a trilogy based on the struggle to control the wealth of the Antarctic.

 

 

Graeme Simsion – ‘The Rosie Project’

 

 

the rosie project

 

My partner read this  book before me and kept alternately chuckling and groaning. The first thing he said to the author upon meeting him was’ I know someone exactly like this!’ to which Graeme replied ‘Everyone says that!’ So for all of you who have a true geek in your social circle, lovable, vague, irritatingly pedantic and lovelorn – maybe this is the book you should give them. Just don’t expect them to recognise themselves in the portrait  so expertly depicted here! Graeme started his career as a data programmer and came later in life to writing and he has some good advice for anyone out there who has always wished they could write. ‘The Rosie Project’ has been optioned for a feature film.

 

 

Interview with Graeme Simsion

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Recorded at the Byron Writers Festival 2013

 

graeme simsion portrait

Author Graeme Simsion

Graeme reads from ‘The Rosie Project’

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Graeme has a sequel coming along to this hugely popular book so watch this space!

 

Yes, The Rosie Effect has been published! Check top of list in blog for fresh interview with Graeme..

 

 

Peter Carey – ‘The Chemistry of Tears’

The chemistry of Tears

One of the wonderful things about this book is that it is based on a real and fantastical object- a famous automaton from the 18 century- a silver swan  that floats on a sea of glass rods with leaping fishes before it. Housed in the Bowes museum, it languished unrestored for years until patient conservators like Catherine the   protagonist in Carey’s story restored it to function and beauty. The  story crosses time zones –zipping   between  the  imagined creator of the swan and the reason for  its creation, and the recovery from a tragedy the befalls the present day restorer  at the very start of the book.  Peter Carey lets us in on his inner fears as an author and how  he still delights in the formation of character and story.

 

Peter Carey author
Peter Carey author

 

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Recorded at the Byron Writers Festival 2013

 

220px-Silver_Swan

 

To see the real Swan, click on  www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOXqCuqDOiI

Glenn Carle -The Interrogator

The Interrogator Glenn Carle

 

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Recorded at the Byron Writers Festival 2013

 

It’s not often you get to look deep into the eyes of one of the planet’s top spies-  and think what  a nice mild mannered bloke he looks! But that was my feeling when I interviewed top  ex –CIA operative Glenn Carle about his book ‘The Interrogator’. In this interview he tells why he wrote the book and makes it very clear he is still the man on the mission- and why he felt he had risk his own safety and that  of his family to stand up for what he perceives a growing lack of morality and judgement  in relation to torture as a means to an end in the escalating war on terror post  9/11.

Glenn Carle - Author of 'The Interrogator'
Glenn Carle – Author of ‘The Interrogator’

 

 

 

Hannah Kent- Burial rites

Byron Writers Festival has just passed and I have dozens  of fascinating interviews I will be putting up here through the next few weeks.

To start with- listen to Hannah Kent speaking about her wonderful debut novel ‘Burial Rites’.

burial rites

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Recorded at the Byron Writers Festival 2013

 

Inga Simpson – ‘Mr.Wigg’

 

 

Author Inga Simpson
Author Inga Simpson

 

Inga Simpson’s first novel is a sweet   story about an elderly  man continuing his rural traditions to ease his lonely life after his wife has died. Made me want to rush out and pick fruit and make jam ( and bake cakes!)

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Recorded at the Byron Writers Festival 2013

wigg

Steve Bisley ‘Stillways’

Steve Bisley has become  well known on TV and film for  portraying knockabout Australian characters.  His memoir comes a complete surprise and delight because of its sensitive and beautiful language depicting his recollection of his difficult rural childhood.

Book cover

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Recorded at the Byron Writers Festival 2013

 

Author and actor Steve BIsley
Author and actor Steve BIsley

Steve Bisley – Live read from ‘Stillways’

Here’s Steve reading from his book about the beach of his childhood.

 

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