139 episodios

A podcast for readers who want to know the stories behind the pages 📖 Join Caitlin and Michelle, two book nerds who bring you in-depth conversations about writing and publishing from those on the inside. Grab a cuppa and get ready to chat books.

Better Words Michelle Gately & Caitlin Toohey

    • Arte

A podcast for readers who want to know the stories behind the pages 📖 Join Caitlin and Michelle, two book nerds who bring you in-depth conversations about writing and publishing from those on the inside. Grab a cuppa and get ready to chat books.

    Food, family and expectation with Lottie Hazell

    Food, family and expectation with Lottie Hazell

    Lottie Hazell is a contemporary literary scholar, board game designer and writer in Warwickshire. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing and her research considers food-writing in 21st Century fiction. Today, we’re discussing her debut novel Piglet.
    Our interview begins at  16:00
    We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!
    Caitlin recommends: So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong*
    A fascinating look behind the scenes of the iconic movie with so many interesting tidbits from those involved.
    Michelle recommends: The Whalebone Theatre by Julia Quinn
    A beautiful family saga following three children growing up in a crumbling English manor house by the sea, spanning from 1919 to the end of World War Two.
    In this interview, we chat about:
    Family, aspiration and why perception is so vital to PigletThe 'contract' between the author and the reader and why Lottie wanted to play with that in revealing aspects of Piglet's storyFood, desire and the connection with familyLottie's academic focus on food-centred fiction and how this led to writing PigletLottie's venture into boardgame designing with her partner
    Books and other things mentioned:
    Sex and the City and Us by Jennifer Keishin ArmstrongSimple Comforts by Mary BerryRamsey in Ten by Gordon RamseyThe Roasting Tin series by Rukmini IyerThe Farm Tabel by Julius RobertsLeague of Lexicon (game)
    Follow Lottie on Instagram @LDHazell
    Piglet is available in the UK, US and Australia now! Thank you to the publisher for providing us with copies in preparation for the interview.
    Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

    • 57 min
    Career apathy and doomed affairs with Madeleine Gray

    Career apathy and doomed affairs with Madeleine Gray

    Madeleine Gray is a writer and critic from Sydney. She was a 2021 Finalist for the Walkley Pascall Prize for Arts Criticism and has written for many publications. She also lived in the UK for several years, has an MSt in English Literature from the University of Oxford and is a current (remote) doctoral candidate at the University of Manchester. Green Dot is her debut novel.
    Our interview begins at  20.00
    We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!
    Mini book club: Reputation by Lex Croucher
    Mean Girls meets Bridgerton in this Regency-era romance. Add in a queer focus and we're absolutely here for it. Reputation is a delightful read, perfect for a holiday or devouring over a weekend. We can't wait to read Lex's other romance novels.
    In this interview, we chat about:
    Hera's job as a comment moderator at a large news publicationExploring Hera's experience as a bi woman in her first straight-passing relationshipHera and her single dad's relationship (and why it's the best)Madeleine's unique journey to publicationInternational cover (and name) changesThe reception from readers and what that means to Madeleine
    Books and other things mentioned:
    Listen to our interview with Lex CroucherGentleman Jack (TV series)'The first modern lesbian' Anne ListerWe Had to Remove This Post by Hanna BervoetsIn At the Deep End by Kate DaviesPride (film)Gay's The Word bookshop, LondonNeon Roses by Rachel DawsonBook Bar bookshop, London
    Follow @gray_madeleine_ on Twitter or visit Madeleine's Website
    Green Dot is available now in Australia and the UK. Thank you to the publishers for providing copies of the book in preparation for the interview.
    Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

    • 1h 7 min
    Teenage pregnancy and abortion in Northern Ireland with Kelly McCaughrain

    Teenage pregnancy and abortion in Northern Ireland with Kelly McCaughrain

    Kelly McCaughrain is a YA writer from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Her first book, Flying Tips for Flightless Birds won the Children's Books Ireland Book of the Year Award and NI Book Award. She was the Queens University Belfast Children's Writing Fellow 2019-2021. Her new YA, Little Bang, is about teen pregnancy and was published by Walker Books in January 2024. When she's not writing she's mentoring teen writers with Fighting Words NI or travelling in her ancient VW campervan, Gerda.
    Our interview begins at  27.00
    We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!
    Caitlin recommends: Cherry Beach by Laura McPhee-Browne
    Childhood best friends Hetty and Ness leave Melbourne to live abroad in Canada. This is a beautiful exploration of friendship and love, found through a library 'blind date with a book'. It felt like it took a while to read, but I really wanted to savour this writing.
    Michelle recommends: Everyone On This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
    This is a sequel, but you don't have to have read Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone to enjoy this witty and clever murder mystery. In this fiction disguised as a memoir, several mystery writers on a literary festival train journey must utilise their 'expertise' to investigate when one of their own is killed.
    A copy was provided by the publisher for review.
    In this interview, we chat about:
    The inequality of pregnancy and motherhood and how Kelly tackled this in a novel for teen readersWhy a dual perspective was the best way to tell this storyHow to represent the nuance of the abortion debate and teen pregnancy through Mel and SidThe importance of exploring friendship dynamics alongside the pregnancy storylineHow growing up in Northern Ireland during The Troubles impacted Kelly's writingThe importance of humour in dealing with tough situationsHow a story competition helped Kelly score an agentThe difference between writing her debut novel and this second novelWhy it's so inspiring to teach creative writing to teens
    Books and other things mentioned:
    I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamaraBrooklyn by Colm TóibínRebecca Kuang (author)The Afterparty (TV series)Shameless (podcast)Olive by Emma GannonDerry Girls (TV series)Sinéad Morrissey (poet)
    Follow @kmccaughrain on Instagram
    Little Bang is available now. Thank you to Walker Books for sending copies of the books in preparation for the interview.
    Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

    • 1h 20 min
    The Re-Read: Libby Page

    The Re-Read: Libby Page

    Welcome to The Re-Read: bonus episodes where we chat with previous Better Words guests and catch up on what's happened since they joined us on the pod.

    Libby Page became a Sunday Times bestselling author with her debut The Lido and has since become a staple of the 'up-lit' genre with her following novels The 24-Hour Cafe, The Island Home, and The Vintage Shop. Before becoming an author, Libby worked in journalism and marketing. She is a keen outdoor swimmer and lives in Somerset with her husband and young son. Today, we're discussing her upcoming novel, The Lifeline, which sees the return of a beloved character from The Lido.
    You can follow Libby @libbypagewrite on Instagram and read more of her writing over on Substack – where you can also follow us for lots of extra book recommendations.
    In this interview, we chat about:
    Why returning to the world of The Lido was never inevitable How becoming a mum influenced The Lifeline and why Libby wanted to explore the (still somewhat taboo) topic of post-partum mental healthKeeping the love for something when it becomes your careerWhat Libby's learned about the publishing process since her debut novel
    The Lifeline is published on April 25 in Australia and the UK. Thanks to Orion for providing copies of the book in preparation for the interview.
    Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

    • 41 min
    Welcome to Better Words Podcast

    Welcome to Better Words Podcast

    Welcome to Better Words. Hosted by book-loving besties Caitlin and Michelle. We share interviews with authors talking about their books, writing and publishing journey.
    We've got a Substack publication as well! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!

    • 1m
    Our 2023 favourites

    Our 2023 favourites

    Welcome to our favourite episode: the yearly wrap! We're sharing our reading stats, 2024 goals and the books, TV, film and audio we loved in 2023.
    Make sure you're also following us on Substack. On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to – and we try to keep these separate from regular episode recommendations. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!
    Thank you for joining us in 2023 and supporting our wonderful authors. We love hearing your thoughts on the episodes and what books you've been inspired to pick up – even if it's an older episode. You can also connect with us on Instagram @betterwordspod
    We're keeping recommendations brief. If we've featured or discussed the book before, we'll link to the episode.
    Any PR/review copies marked with *
    We kick off with a wrap-up of our reading stats for the year: how many books and pages, the moods and re-reads.
    Our awards category of favourite books kicks off at 21:00
    2023 debut book Caitlin: One Day We’re All Going To Die by Elise Esther Hearst* (our interview)
    Michelle: In Memoriam by Alice Winn
    Non-fictionCaitlin: The House that Joy Built by Holly Ringland*
    Michelle: Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
    By someone who has never been a podcast guestCaitlin: After the Forest by Kell Woods*
    Michelle: The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donohue
    Australian fictionCaitlin: Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton*
    Michelle: Duck a l’Orange for Breakfast by Karina May* (our interview)
    RomanceCaitlin: Bound to Happen by Jonathon Shannon* (our interview)
    Michelle: Wild Things by Laura Kay
    Honourable mention: The Wake Up Call by Beth O'Leary
    General fictionCaitlin: One Love by Matt Cain* (our interview)
    Michelle: Playing Games by Huma Qureshi* (our interview)
    Young adultCaitlin: Two Can Play That Game by Leanne Yong* (our interview)
    Michelle: Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain*
    Honourable mention: Happy Head by Josh Silver (our interview)
    Most surprisingCaitlin: West Side Honey by Claire Christian* (our interview)
    Michelle: Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
    Fave CoverCaitlin: Yellowface by Rebecca Kuang*
    Michelle: Homecoming by Kate Morton – Australian cover
    Recommendations for each otherCaitlin: We Could Be Something by Will Kostakis
    Michelle: Factory Girls by Michelle...

    • 1h 43 min

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