110 | Back to the 90s with Michelle See-Tho, author of 'Jade and Emerald'
Release Date: 01/14/2025
125 | An early Christmas present - what we've read in 2025
James and Ashley Stay at Home
It’s that time of year again! (Well, almost … it’s actually a bit early.) Collected here is a varied selection of 2025’s ‘What Are You Reading’ book recommendations, nice and early so you can get your Christmas shopping started sooner rather than later! Books and authors discussed in this episode: From ep. 110 Translations by Jumaana Abdu (Michelle See-Tho) The Profound Benefits of a Stint in Prison by Andrew Hamilton (Ashley) The Third Realm by Karl Ove Knausgård (James) From ep. 111 Everyone and Everything by Nadine Cohen (Ashley) My Dream Time by Ash Barty (James) From...
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124 | How nature can heal your brain with Darryl Jones, author of (Be)Wilder
James and Ashley Stay at Home
In episode 124, urban ecologist and past guest Darryl Jones returns to discuss the power of nature to heal your brain and other topics from his latest book, (Be)Wilder, which delves into elephants in Thailand, bearded pigs in Borneo, and conservationist farmers in the Snowy Mountains. Darryl also speaks about the recent brain surgery he underwent as treatment for Parkinson's, and the story of how the disease got its name. Darryl Jones is a Professor of Ecology at Griffith University in Brisbane, where for over 30 years he has been investigating the many ways that people and...
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123 | How to sell a million copies with Matt Rogers, author of 'The Forsaken'
James and Ashley Stay at Home
How do you write thirty-five novels in a decade and sell a million copies while doing it? Bestselling author Matt Rogers is here to share his secrets. Matt began writing fiction at age six, then dropped out of university to pursue writing full time. He discusses the differences in traditional and self-publishing, how his obsession with philosophy has bled into his thriller writing, and why he believes quantity leads to quality. Matt Rogers is the internationally bestselling author of the Dante Jacoby series. Matt began self-publishing at the age of 18, and in the following eight...
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122 | Bonus ep! How to be a fictional character with Felix Shannon
James and Ashley Stay at Home
In episode 122, Ashley asks fellow crime fiction fan and podcaster what it's like to find yourself as a fictional character in a new novel from one of your favourite authors. Felix 'Flex' Shannon shares his experience of being fictionalised in the latest mystery novel from Sulari Gentill, Five Found Dead. Hear from Sulari in ep 121! Felix Shannon is a radio presenter, producer, technician and educator. Together with Benjamin Herder, Felix hosts the crime and mystery fiction podcast Death of the Reader. Books & authors discussed in this episode: All the Tears...
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121 | The crucial element is not panicking with Sulari Gentill, author of 'Five Found Dead'
James and Ashley Stay at Home
When bestselling author Sulari Gentill was diagnosed with stage four cancer, she decided to write the ending she wanted. In episode 121, she joins James and Ashley to discuss her seventeenth novel, Five Found Dead, which features a main character riding the Orient Express to celebrate his recent cancer recovery – and who ends up solving several murders along the way. Sulari shares her own experience of riding the Orient Express and describes how her creativity and writing reminded her who she was at a time when her illness was reducing her sense of self to 'patient'. Plus she...
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120 | If society collapses, head to the beach with Michelle Prak, author of 'Barren Cape'
James and Ashley Stay at Home
In episode 120, bestselling author Michelle Prak discusses how she set her latest thriller against the backdrop of Australia’s housing crisis and why she writes flawed, sometimes rash characters. She also reflects on how growing up in a lower socio-economic home influenced her love of reading and her ambition to be a writer, and also how it delayed her efforts to make that dream happen. Michelle Prak is a professional communicator with a thirty-year career in PR, social media, and politics. She lives in Adelaide and teaches communication subjects at the University of South...
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119 | Becoming a stranger to yourself with Nathan Dunne, author of 'When Nothing Feels Real'
James and Ashley Stay at Home
In episode 119, debut author Nathan Dunne joins us to discuss his memoir, When Nothing Feels Real, which shares the story of his onset of severe depersonalisation and his quest to find a diagnosis. He shares the challenge of conveying his experience to those unfamiliar with the condition, his multi-year challenge to reach a proper diagnosis, and the long and uneven journey to recovery. We also discuss the community of fellow sufferers that supported him in the completion of his memoir. Nathan Dunne was born in Brisbane and grew up in India. As a journalist and critic, he has contributed...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
info_outline'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 in Kill Your Darlings, Meanjin, Overland and The Big Issue Fiction Edition. Jade and Emerald is her first novel.
You can read Michelle's article 'Why Aren't There More Books About Video Games?' for Nintendo Life here.
Get your copy of Jade and Emerald from Booktopia or your local bookshop or library.
Books & authors discussed in this episode:
- Melanie Cheng
- Katherine Collette
- Annette Higgs
- Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor
- Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
- Translations by Jumaana Abdu
- The Profound Benefits of a Stint in Prison by Andrew Hamilton
- The Third Realm by Karl Ove Knausgård
Upcoming events:
- Ashley is teaching From Memory to Manuscript for Hunter Writers Centre monthly on Monday evenings starting 24 February
- Ashley is teaching Year of the Novel for Writing NSW on Wednesday evenings starting 26 February 2025
- Cold Truth Sydney launch with James – Thursday 6 Feb, 7 pm at the Royal Oak, Balmain
- Cold Truth Melbourne with Sally Hepworth – Monday 10 February, 6.30 at Cheltenham Library
- Cold Truth Melbourne with Kate Mildenhall – Tuesday 11 February, 6.30 at Readings Carlton
- Cold Truth Brisbane launch with Martine Kropkowski – Thursday 13 February, 6pm at Avid Reader
- Ashley is teaching Pathways to Publishing in-person for the Sout Coat Writers Centre on Saturday, 15 March starting 10.30 am
Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode and Cold Truth, and get your copies from your local bookshop or your library.
Get in touch!