Episodes
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In our final Words on the Waves interview for 2026, prolific bestselling Central Coast author Anna Downes joins Ed and Amanda to discuss her atmospheric psychological thrillers. Anna touches on the power of setting, and the real-life hotel that inspired her latest novel. We spend some time musing on the appeal of horror as an immersive, embodied reading experience, before Anna reflects back on the “ordeal” of writing her second book, and the value of collaboration in surviving the creative process. Find out more on Anna's website
At Words on the Waves 2026, Maame Blue joined Ed and Amanda to discuss writing about family, drawing on her novel ‘The Rest of You’, a multi-generational story set between London and Ghana. Maame shared with us the importance of understanding one’s motivation for writing about family, as well as why exploring emotional truth is more important than simply recounting facts. We also talked about writing unlikeable characters… because what family doesn’t have at least one of those? Learn more at Maame's website.
At Words on the Waves 2026, Darren Rix and Craig Cormick joined Ed and Amanda to discuss their multi award winning book, Warra Warra Wai, a project that began by uncovering Aboriginal place names, but evolved into something much bigger. The two men shared with us the responsibility of acting as custodians of stories that confront the truth about colonisation, violence and dispossession. Find out more about Warra Warra Wai.
At Words on the Waves 2026, Jennifer Mills joins Ed and Amanda to discuss her experience reimagining Hansel and Gretel for the stage. We talk about adapting a classic fairy tale into a story shaped by modern-feeling power and survival, the unique experience of seeing other artists bring her work to life, and the challenge of exploring dark themes with young audiences. Find out more at Jennifer's website.
At Words on the Waves 2026, Ed and Amanda catch up with Kate Holden to discuss The Ruin of Magic, her collection of six essays exploring longing, belonging, and what it means to find our place in an increasingly uncertain world. Together, we examine why enchantment isn't something we've lost forever, but something we can learn to notice again, leaning on each other as allies in the process. Find out more at Kate's website.
Ed and Amanda put up their feet to talk to Rosalie Ham at the 2026 Words on the Waves writers festival. Rosalie is probably best known for her breakout debut novel, ‘The Dressmaker’, but she was at the festival to discuss her most recent memoir, ‘Look After Your Feet’, in which she shares her observations on ageing with vitality. Find out more at her website.
George Kemp is the author of Soft Serve, a poignant coming of age novel set in a McDonalds against a backdrop of bushfires. We spoke with George at Words on the Waves about Soft Serve, and his approach to writing his second novel. Find out more at George's website.
Have you ever had the sense that your corporate job is killing your soul? Ed and Amanda met with Hannah Forsyth, author of ‘Virtue Capitalists: The Rise and Fall of the Professional Class in the Anglophone World’ at the 2026 Words on the Waves writers festival to talk about class, capitalism, and corporate amorality. Find out more at Hanna's Substack
At the Words on the Waves writers festival 2026, Ed and Amanda were joined by author Sam Elliott, who shared multiple spoilers about his debut novel, Haze. Sam spoke to us about how Australian mateship comes to the fore in times of natural disaster, and how he used fire as a character in his novel. We also talked about Home & Away, because… why not? Find out more: Website
Tara Rae Moss has enjoyed a diverse career, much of it in the media spotlight. Ed and Amanda spoke to Tara Rae at the 2026 Words on the Waves writers festival about her latest hard boiled 1940s detective novel, The Italian Secret. Tara Rae shared her goal of bringing working class people into fiction, and the contrast and challenge of cross-genre writing, not to mention the benefits of setting your novel where you’re happy to travel for research! Find out more: Website
Prolific cross-genre author, Fiona Kelly McGregor, sits down with Ed and Amanda to chat about her 9th novel, an historical fiction set in Sydney, The Trap. It’s Fiona’s third time at our local coastal Words on the Waves writers festival, and this time she’s here to chat queer politics, power, and abuse of power. Find out more: Website
Author and journalist Michael Burge joins us to discuss his experience wrangling multiple authors across two panels, and his experience as a bush journalist. Michael is the author of Dirt Trap and Tank Water. Find out more at Michael Burge Media
At Words on the Waves 2026, Ed and Amanda spoke to journalist and royal correspondent, Juliet Rieden, about her biography of Australia’s first female Attorney General, Dame Quentin Bryce. Juliet shared what it was like to wrangle Dame Quentin’s extensive personal archive, along with insights into how the Dame handled the misogyny that chased her throughout her career. Quentin Bryce: The Authorised Biography by Juliet Rieden - Penguin Books Australia
Ed and Amanda chat with 2025 Words on the Waves Writers Festival board member and prolific short story writer, Robert Wilcher. Robert shares his experience creating and running the collaborative writing website, The Moving Pen, and expounds on the importance of building and sustaining a community of writing friends. Check out Robert's website, The Moving Pen Learn more about the Words on the Waves Writers Festival Connect with us at https://notquitewritepodcast.com Register for the next Not Quite Write Prize at https://notquitewriteprize.com
Ed and Amanda chat with prolific Australian author, journalist and cricket aficionado, Gideon Haigh, ahead of the Blood Lines panel at the 2025 Words on the Waves Writers Festival. We talk about Gideon's memoir, My Brother Jaz, and how in just 72 hours of drafting, he came to reckon with the death of his teenage brother some 37 years ago, and its lifelong impact on a shattered family. Buy Gideon's books Learn more about the Words on the Waves Writers Festival Connect with us at https://notquitewritepodcast.com Register for the next Not Quite Write Prize at https://notquitewriteprize.com
Ed and Amanda sit down with wanted men, Peter Greste and Sean Turnell, following the Wrongfully Imprisoned panel at the 2025 Words on the Waves Writers Festival. The "terrorist and the spy," imprisoned in Egypt and Myanmar respectively, share what it was like to face trial on trumped-up charges, their battles for freedom, and the lingering impact of wrongful imprisonment on their lives today. Buy Peter's books Buy Sean's books Learn more about the Words on the Waves Writers Festival Connect with us at https://notquitewritepodcast.com Register for the next Not Quite Write Prize at https://notqu
Ed and Amanda chat with author, journalist and book critic, Jessie Tu, ahead of the Power and Privilege panel at the 2025 Words on the Waves Writers Festival. We asked Jessie how her role as a critic impacts her own work. Buy Jessie's books. Learn more about the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Connect with us at https://notquitewritepodcast.com Register for the next Not Quite Write Prize at https://notquitewriteprize.com
Ed and Amanda chat with influential Australian literary figure, Nikki Gemmell, ahead of the Power and Privilege panel at the 2025 Words on the Waves Writers Festival. We talked about writing as a day job, what it looks like to 'do menopause badly,' and of course about Nikki's latest book, Wing, a contemporary thriller in the vein of Picnic at Hanging Rock. Buy Nikki's books. Learn more about the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Connect with us at https://notquitewritepodcast.com Register for the next Not Quite Write Prize at https://notquitewriteprize.com
Ed and Amanda chat with debut author, Natasha Rai, in the lead up to the Power and Privilege panel at the 2025 Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Natasha is a podcaster in her own right, co-hosting The Book Deal podcast, offering motivation and inspiration for emerging writers. Natasha shared with us details of her publishing experience, offering a little insight into just how long it takes to become an "overnight" success. Buy Natasha's book. Learn more about the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Connect with us at https://notquitewritepodcast.com Register for the next Not Quite Write Pr
If you think the world is going to pot, you're not alone! Ed and Amanda chat with US/Australian political expert and commentator, Bruce Wolpe, about his book, What Trump's Second Term Means for Australia. Bruce featured in the 2025 Words on the Waves Writers Festival's, New World Order panel, and shared with us his thoughts on how the United States lost its place as the 'leader of the free world'. Buy Bruce's books. Learn more about the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Connect with us at https://notquitewritepodcast.com Register for the next Not Quite Write Prize at https://notquitewritepr
Ed and Amanda chat with critically acclaimed poet and inaugural Poet in Residence at The University of Melbourne, Maxine Beneba Clarke. Maxine featured in a range of poetry events at the 2025 Words on the Waves Writers Festival, including a live performance at the Saturday night Poetry Slam. Maxine shared with us her thoughts on the place of poetry in Australia today, and treated us to a reading of one of her fun-loving poems for kids. Buy Maxine's books for kids. Buy Maxine's books for adults. Learn more about the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Connect with us at https://notquitewritepo
Ed and Amanda sit down with award-winning investigative journalist, Quentin McDermott, following the Australia’s 'Most Hated Woman’ session at the 2025 Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Quentin's book, Meadow's Law, chronicles the notorious Kathleen Folbigg case, and calls into question the law's presupposition that, "one sudden infant death is a tragedy, two is suspicious and three is murder until proved otherwise." Buy Quentin's book. Learn more about the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Connect with us at https://notquitewritepodcast.com Register for the next Not Quite Write Prize at
Ed and Amanda chat with newly minted spicy crime fiction author, Blanche d'Alpuget, following The Bunny Club with Blanche d'Alpuget session at the 2025 Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Blanche is best known as the second wife of the late Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, but we take a broad look at Blanche's extensive writing career across both fiction and non-fiction, and find out what inspired her to start writing spicy crime. Buy Blanche's books. Learn more about the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Connect with us at https://notquitewritepodcast.com Register for the next Not Qu
Ed and Amanda chat with renowned Australian psychologist, social researcher and writer, Hugh Mackay AO, following The State of Australia Today with Hugh Mackay session at the 2025 Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Hugh brings his analytical eye to the state of Australian mental health today, and offers uplifting insights into the simple ways we can reconnect in a world set to tear us apart. Buy Hugh's books. Learn more about the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Connect with us at https://notquitewritepodcast.com Register for the next Not Quite Write Prize at https://notquitewriteprize.c
Ed and Amanda chat with Aboriginal Australian author and academic, Debra Dank, ahead of the Do you Know Stella and Historical Amnesia panels at the 2025 Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Debra offers insight into Australia's oldest form of written storytelling, and why Aboriginal iconography should be seen as far more than just 'art'. Buy Debra's books. Buy Ryhia's book. Learn more about the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Connect with us at https://notquitewritepodcast.com Register for the next Not Quite Write Prize at https://notquitewriteprize.com
