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Stories Behind The Story: Harriet Constable and Her Commitment to Crafting a Narrative That Brings the Past to Life
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Harriet Constable talks to Cheryl about her unconventional path to writing, her immersive research process in Venice, and the significant historical themes she explores in her work. Her latest novel,The Instrumentalist, is out now.
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Stories Behind The Story: Madeleine Cleary on Dedication and Teamwork Behind Crafting Compelling Narratives
28:48|Madeleine Cleary talks to Cheryl about her path to publication, the importance of collaboration with editors, and how balancing a full-time job with writing has shaped her creative process. Her latest work, The Butterfly Women, is out now.Stories Behind The Story: Omar Sakr on How Art Can Serve as Both Witness and Weapon
39:28|Omar Sakr talks to Cheryl about resistance, censorship, and the power of poetry to bring clarity, connection, and hope in turbulent times. His latest work in collaboration with illustrator Safdar Ahmed, The Nightmare Sequence, is out now.Stories Behind The Story: Andrew HC McDonald on His Love for Languages
27:53|Andrew HC McDonald talks to Cheryl about his journey to publication, the editing process that transformed The Monticello School of Swearing, and his love for languages, including his experience learning Mandarin. He shares insights into the charm of Sicily, where his novel is set, the realities of book marketing, and the balance between passion and practicality in a writing career. His latest novel, The Monticello School of Swearing, is out now.Cassie Hamer on How Her Background and Life Experiences Shape Her Fiction
30:25|Cassie Hamer talks to Cheryl about the importance of character development, the dynamics of the plot, and how Cassie’s personal experiences influence her storytelling. Her latest novel, A Stranger at The Table, is out now.Stories Behind The Story: Isabel Allende on Being Honoured with a Barbie Tribute
29:00|Isabel Allende talks to Cheryl about being honoured with a Barbie doll in her likeness, writing during uncertain global times, and the importance of small acts of resistance and connection. Her latest novel, My Name is Emilia Del Valle, is out now.Stories Behind The Story: Natasha Lester on Balancing Creativity with The Demands of Daily Life
25:23|Natasha Lester talks to Cheryl about her writing process, the challenges of balancing creativity with the demands of daily life and how personal experiences influence her writing. Her latest novel, The Mademoiselle Alliance, is out now.Stories Behind The Story: Renee Salt and Kate Thompson on the Importance of Sharing Stories to Honour the Past
28:31|Renee Salt and Kate Thompson talk to Cheryl about Renee’s harrowing experiences during the Holocaust, her survival, and the lasting impact of trauma and resilience. Kate discusses how she captured Renee’s vivid memories through recorded conversations, exploring both the pain and the significance of remembering. Co-written by Kate Thompson and Holocaust survivor Renee Salt, A Mother’s Promise is out now.Stories Behind The Story: Patricia Wolf on How the Australian Landscape Becomes a Character in Her Latest Book
27:24|Patricia Wolf talks to Cheryl about identity, belonging, and the power of landscape in storytelling, as Patricia reflects on her two-decade-long life away from Australia and how the distance has changed her perspective on home. Her latest novel, Opal, is out now.Stories Behind The Story: Jessie Burton on How Storytelling is a Compulsion and an Artistic Escape
28:09|Jessie Burton talks to Cheryl about her fascination with World War I and its impact on ordinary people, the pressures of deadlines, and how storytelling is both a compulsion and a form of artistic escape. Her new novel, Hidden Treasure, is out now.