Libsyn Directory

97 | Needing to know – Ashley discusses narrative drive

Release Date: 05/16/2024

118 | Cybercrime, murder and audiobooks - behind the scenes on 'Like, Follow, Die'

James and Ashley Stay at Home

Ashley's brand new thriller Like, Follow, Die is out now as an audiobook exclusive from Audible! In episode 118, Ashley discusses the book's unique development and what it was like working with an ensemble cast of prominent Australian actors to bring her third book to life. Like, Follow, Die is a "shattering and provocative psychological thriller that dives into the darkest corners of the internet and the powerful bonds between parents and children." Books & authors discussed in this episode: John Sandford (narrated by Richard Ferrone) JP Pomare Why Can't I Just Enjoy Things? by Pierre...

117 | Writing towards your greatest fear with Melanie Cheng, author of 'The Burrow'

James and Ashley Stay at Home

Award-winning author Melanie Cheng joins James and Ashley to discuss her writing practice, her pet rabbit, and The Burrow, her 'most personal book' and its many parallels to her own life. She also shares her experience of writing toward her greatest fear, coming to terms with her cyclical writing process, and how teaching narrative to medical students can help increase communication between doctors and patients. Melanie Cheng is a writer and general practitioner. She was born in Adelaide, grew up in Hong Kong and now lives in Melbourne. Her debut collection of short stories,...

116 | Bonus ep! 'Cold Truth' Live with Ashley & James

James and Ashley Stay at Home

If you missed hearing Ashley and James live in conversation at the launch of Cold Truth, we've got the full event recording for you here, complete with fake nazi invasions, terrifying cybercrime stats, and the satisfying crunch of James being forced to try genuine Manitoban dill pickle chips. Thanks to local bookseller Roaring Stories for hosting this event! Upcoming events: Join Ashley and podcast fav Hayley Scrivenor for the Mystery and Mayhem Readers Retreat at the 5-star Tamborine Mountain Glades, 3-5 October Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and...

115 | Where's my 'Menopause: What's Happening to Me?' book with Jay Martin, author of 'Boom Town Snap'

James and Ashley Stay at Home

How did Jay Martin go from an award-winning memoir to a fiction manuscript she ultimately abandoned? And what did she learn that helped her craft her debut novel, Boom Town Snap? Jay talks with Ashley and James about what toxic workplaces have in common with abusive relationships, and how we get trapped in toxic relationships at the community level as well. Jay Martin’s first book, Vodka and Apple Juice: Travels of an Undiplomatic Wife in Poland, won the Hungerford Award and was published in 2018. She has worked in a range of roles including in community development, government...

114 | Bonus ep! Winter Writing Retreat with Lynne Ainsworth

James and Ashley Stay at Home

Lynne Ainsworth is the founder of Writers at the Woolshed, an emerging writer, and a person who 'loves hanging out with people who read and write'. She loves it so much, she not only created a pop-up festival to connect authors with regional readers and writers, she's now hosting the first Winter Writing Retreat, featuring masterclasses with Eleanor Limprecht, Betty O'Neil, Audrey Molloy, Ashley Kalagian Blunt and Lee Kofman (from eps 3, 76 and 112). In this special bonus episode, Lynne tells us how she first became a festival director, and shares details of the...

113 | Rewriting your stalker with Pip Drysdale, author of 'The Close-Up'

James and Ashley Stay at Home

How does having a stalker change your life? We talk with bestselling novelist Pip Drysdale about her latest novel 'The Close-Up,' its real-life inspirations, and how surviving a stalker shifted her worldview. We also discuss how to navigate public image and the role anxiety has to play in creative pursuits. Plus, this ep's What Are You Reading? inspires a debate about what's derivative and what's inspired, and if those can be the same thing. . Pip Drysdale is an author, musician and actor. She grew up in Africa, Canada, and Australia, became an adult in New York and...

112 | Choosing to have children as a creative with Dinuka McKenzie and Lee Kofman

James and Ashley Stay at Home

What considerations come into choosing to have a baby for creatives? And once baby enters the picture, how do you balance parenting with your creative practice? We ask Dinuka McKenzie and Lee Kofman, two beloved past guests who happen to be both authors and parents, about their decision to have children and how they manage their writing lives as parents. Plus, James has a big announcement – you'll never guess what it is. Lee Kofman is a Russian-born, Israeli-Australian memoirist, novelist, editor and writing coach. She’s the author of three fiction books and two memoirs,...

111 | Surviving second book syndrome - James and Ashley talk 'Cold Truth'

James and Ashley Stay at Home

Cold Truth, Ashley's new thriller, is out now. James and Ashley discuss just how difficult writing this book was, plus why she chose to set in a city that makes headlines for being colder than the surface of Mars. They also chat about real-life research, including the time Ashley learned how to pick a lock with a credit card. Plus, James horrifies Ashley with a true story about digital privacy. Cold Truth is , your and your library. Books & authors discussed in this episode: Everyone and Everything by Nadine Cohen My Dream Time by Ash Barty Upcoming events: ...

110 | Back to the 90s with Michelle See-Tho, author of 'Jade and Emerald'

James and Ashley Stay at Home

'I always knew I wanted to write a novel, but I didn’t have any ideas that I thought could extend to a novel-length work.' In episode 110, Michelle See-Tho shares her journey from aspiring writer to winner of the 2023 Penguin Literary Prize for her debut novel, Jade and Emerald. Though she started out writing short stories and video game reviews, she discusses how drawing on inspiration from her own life, including her passion for video games, helped her shape the world of her novel. Michelle See-Tho is a freelance writer and copywriter. She has had articles and stories published...

109 | What have we read? Every book recommendation from 2024

James and Ashley Stay at Home

Here it is - the annual end-of-year book recommendation extravaganza! This bumper episode contains every single edition of 'What are you reading?' from 2024, in which James, Ashley and guests discuss the books on their shelves, and why you should read them too (or not). Use it as a last-minute Christmas shopping guide or a wishlist for your own personal library in 2025. Books and authors discussed in this episode (brace yourself, this is a long list): From episode 92 (Kylie Ladd, author of 'I'll Leave You With This') The Vitals by Tracy Sorensen (Kylie) The Wolves of Eternity by Karl Ove...

More Episodes

Throughout their careers, James and Ashley have each picked up some excellent writing tricks, plus developed a few of their own. Now, they’re each sharing a few of their most effective writing techniques (starting with episode 94 - James’ shortcut to compelling characters).

In this episode, Ashley gives a mini-masterclass on narrative drive and shares some revelations inspired by a book she refuses to name. She breaks down the four components of narrative drive in writing and explores the importance of each.

Plus, she shares the official title of her forthcoming thriller!

Books and authors discussed in this episode:

Gears of War: Aspho Fields by Karen Traviss;
Candice Fox;
JP Pomare;
In the Woods by Tana French;
Red River Road by Anna Downes;
The Secret History by Donna Tartt;
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga;
Rattled by Ellis Gunn (from ep 56);
Toni Jordan;
How to Be Australian by Ashley Kalagian Blunt;
The Cop Who Fell From the Sky by Craig Semple;
Demon Copperhead by Barbara;
Annette Higgs (from ep 86);
Indira Naidoo (from ep 82)

Upcoming events

Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.

Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy here or from your local bookshop.

Get in touch!

ashleykalagianblunt.com
jamesmckenziewatson.com
Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

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