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Hannah Bent: on inspiration, grief, and change
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Author Hannah Bent talks to Cheryl Akle about her sister who lives with Down Syndrome, and who contracted Encephalitis with devastating consequences. Hannah discusses how a heartbreaking change in her sister inspired her debut novel, When Things Are Alive They Hum.
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Stories Behind The Story: Lainie Anderson on Kate Cookson's life as South Australia's first female police officer
30:08|Lainie Anderson talks to Cheryl about Kate Cookson's life as South Australia's first female police officer, the complex history of forced adoptions, and the research behind her new novel. The Death of Dora Black is out now.
Stories Behind The Story: Kathy George on the Balance Between Family Life and Creativity
30:26|Kathy George talks to Cheryl about the emotional challenges of publishing, the balance between family life and creativity, and her dedication to her latest book, The Scent of Oranges, which is out now.
Stories Behind The Stories: David Whish-Wilson on His Journey from a Nomadic Childhood to a Successful Crime Novelist
28:58|David Wish-Wilson talks to Cheryl about his unconventional path to writing, his motivations for writing crime fiction and the significant themes he explores in his work. His latest novel Culter is out now.
Stories Behind The Story: Tess Woods on on how tourism continues to strain Venice
32:41|Tess Woods speaks with Cheryl about the ongoing impact of tourism on Venice, her experiences navigating the publishing industry, and her upcoming book set in Cairo, which delves into themes of the Middle East and personal heritage. Her latest novel, The Venice Hotel, is available now.
Stories Behind The Story: Christian White on the importance of trusting readers to engage actively with his stories
35:42|Christian White talks to Cheryl about how personal experiences, especially fatherhood and aging, influence his writing, the differences between crafting novels and screenplays, and the importance of trusting readers to engage actively with his stories. His latest novel, The Ledge, is out now.
Stories Behind The Story: Dr. Emma Beckett on the challenges of breaking free from the restrictive narratives of diet culture.
33:00|Dr. Emma Beckett talks to Cheryl about her passion for food-themed fashion, and the challenges of breaking away from the restrictive narratives that diet culture often imposes, particularly on women. Her latest book, You are More Than What You Eat, is out now.
Stories Behind The Story: Tim Winton on the connections between the personal struggles in his stories and real-world issues.
26:11|Tim Winton talks to Cheryl about his evolving worldview and the importance of community, highlighting how his work speaks to the complexities of life and the enduring hope for a better future. Tim Winton discusses the themes of survival, moral courage, and humanity in his latest novel, set in a dystopian future impacted by climate change. His latest novel, Juice, is out now.
Stories Behind The Story: Michael Connelly on Witnessing a Crime to Becoming a Crime Novelist
31:44|Michael Connelly talks to Cheryl Akle about his writing journey, from witnessing a crime to becoming a crime novelist, mentors, and the importance of place in novels. His latest novel, The Waiting, will be out in October 2024.
Stories Behind The Story: Hasib Hourani on The Displacement and Dispossession of the Palestinian People
33:34|Hasib Hourani talks to Cheryl about the displacement and dispossession of the Palestinian people, as well as the broader context of global politics, media, and the ongoing conflict in Palestine. His latest work, rock flight, is out now.