Talking Aussie Books Claudine Tinellis

Barbara Sumner is a writer and filmmaker from New Zeleand who’s debut novel, The Gallows Bird has just been published by Pantera Press.

Whilst The Gallows Bird is Barbara’s debut foray into fiction, she  is no stranger to storytelling. 

Barbara’s career has covered production of three highly acclaimed feature documentaries, stints in journalism and television as well as the publication of her memoir, Tree of Strangers back in 2020.  

Barbara started writing The Gallows Bird on a trip to Australia almost 20 years ago, feeling a compulsion to look into stories of convicts and their heroic survival - only to realise most of these were men’s stories. 

It is in the pages of this remarkable novel that Barbara sets out to write Australia’s convict women back into the history of this violent and oppressive time and what it took to survive - not only the journey, but to overcome their pasts and make a new life for themselves far from everything they knew. 

Set between London and Sydney in the early nineteenth century, this is a remarkable story of the best and worst of humanity; of tenacity and survival against all odds. 

I was delighted to have the chance to speak with Barbara on the podcast recently.

‘To Sing of War’ is a novel by Catherine McKinnon - the Miles Franklin Award shortlisted author of Storyland- set in the final months of WW2.  

An epic story that examines the events in the lead-up to the United States’ decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki - ending the war in the Pacific and leading to Japan’s surrender. 

Taking us from the Allied campaign in New Guinea, to Los Alamos in New Mexico (where Oppenheimer and a team of scientists were involved in a project to build a weapon to stop all war) and then far away to the sacred island of Miyajima in Japan, we are privy to the lives of those caught in that period of time. 

Alive with breathtaking and heart-wrenching detail, this is a book about conflict, death, sacrifice, friendship, love and forgiveness. 

An unforgettable story from a remarkable story-teller. 

Pip Fioretti is a Sydney-based author who has been writing fiction since 2006 alongside a career in visual arts. 

In the 2021 Sydney lockdown and inspired by walks she’d taken though the arid rangelands of western NSW, Pip wrote the first draft for a novel that would become her first crime novel - 'Bone Lands'.

Released by Affirm Press at the end of March, 'Bone Lands' is a highly evocative, compelling and somewhat confronting novel which delves into Australia’s dark past and prosperity built on the back of the pastoral industry. 

A thoroughly engrossing, sobering novel that heralds a bright future for one of Australia’s newest outback noir writers. 

I enjoyed a wide-ranging, fascinating chat with Pip for the podcast recently. 

Art, history, lies and family secrets are at the heart of another stunning debut Aussie novel I recently had the utter pleasure of reading. 



Lisa Medved’s mesmerising novel, The Engraver’s Secret is the story of two women linked over the span of 400 years through a mysterious map and a family secret.

Set between Antwerp in the Spanish Netherlands in the 1620’s and the Antwerp of Belgium in the present day, The Engraver’s Secret centres of the stories of Antonia Vorsterman and Charlotte Hubert - who share some common traits - a passion for art, their intelligence and fiercely independent natures. 



A rich, fascinating and vividly drawn story that I was genuinely sorry to finish. 



I was thrilled to welcome Lisa to the podcast recently.

Any book that explores the role fate plays in our lives is always going to be one I will enjoy. 

So it was with great interest that I read Rhianna King's and brilliant debut novel ‘Birds of a Feather’ published at the end of March by Affirm Press. 

Rhianna is a Melbourne-based author who has spent more than two decades working as a communicator in the public and not for profit sector.

During the long lockdowns of 2020 and 2021,  Rhianna fancied company of people other than those she was in lockdown with and so decided to create characters with whom to spend time with.

The result was 'Birds of a Feather': an absolutely delightful novel about forbidden romance, second chances, taking yourself beyond your comfort zone and of course, fate. 

I laughed, I cried and just fell in love with this charming and assured story from a talented newcomer. 

Rhianna and I had a wonderful chat for the podcast recently about her inspiration, writing, visiting London and... what we would do if we won the lotto!

Debut Australian novelists are enjoying their heyday at the moment.  It seems that every other day I’m learning about another fabulous Aussie writer ticking getting published off their bucket list. 

Moreover, the quality of these stories are simply outstanding.

None more so than the debut novel from my next guest author. 

Maxine Fawcett is a Sydney-based author who runs a media and marketing business with her husband.

Hailing from England originally, Maxine obtained a BA in Communication and Art History from the University of East London before moving on to gain lots of different experiences doing variable work until landing on her feet with an advertising company and later moving out here to Australia. 

I first met Maxine or Max (as she’s known by many) a few years back as a fellow aspiring author and it has given me immense joy to see Max hit her stride in her publishing journey and find a home for her wonderful novel. 

‘Everything is Perfect’ published by Penguin earlier this year is a book that takes a wry look at marriage, motherhood and how in middle age we can lose sight of our true selves. 

A compulsive novel that had me flipping pages well into the night.

I was simply delighted to speak with Max on the podcast recently.