Beyond The Plot Podcast

Lisa El-Behnaihy
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Books

Ever wonder about the person behind your favourite book? I'm diving deep with authors to uncover the real personal stories behind their work. If you love reading, writing or you're simply interested in learning more about your favourite authors, this podcast is for you!

  1. 5d ago

    Other People Are Like the Weather | Vicki Anstey on Resilience, Self-Trust, Ocean Rowing & Finding Your True Self

    What happens when you stop trying to control other people's reactions and start focusing on your own choices? In this episode, Lisa speaks with adventurer, keynote speaker, stress and resilience coach, and author Vicki Anstey about her powerful memoir Other People Are Like the Weather. Vicki shares the deeply personal journey behind the book, from leaving a long-term relationship and rebuilding self-trust to overcoming fear, navigating difficult relationships, and finding the courage to create a life that truly felt like her own. Vicki reflects on her transition from a career in advertising to becoming an endurance adventurer, including her appearance on SAS: Who Dares Wins and her experiences rowing across the Pacific Ocean. Together, Lisa and Vicki explore emotional regulation, resilience, psychological safety, stress, self-belief, and why the most transformative adventures often happen within ourselves. In this episode: • The story behind Other People Are Like the Weather• Rebuilding confidence after a life-changing breakup• Lessons from SAS: Who Dares Wins• Overcoming a lifelong fear of water• Rowing across the Pacific Ocean and managing extreme stress• Difficult team dynamics and emotional resilience• Why we can't control other people's behaviour• The importance of psychological safety and self-trust• How small, intentional steps can create lasting change Memorable Quotes "Other people are like the weather." "The most radical thing that any of us can do is not to row oceans or climb peaks or cycle across continents. It's literally just to be intentional in our lives." "We spend half our lives becoming who we're told to be. And then maybe the rest of our life is trying to unravel that and find out who we really are."

  2. Sep 22

    Building a Spicy Romance Career: Jade May on Escapism, Indie Publishing, and Landing a Penguin Deal

    Lisa sits down with Jade May, contemporary spicy romance author and creator of the completed Eden Series, including her newest release Unleash for Eden. Jade shares how she began writing during COVID after a lifetime of reading—especially as books helped her escape long hospital stays growing up. She walks through the entire arc of her publishing career: her first 10,000 words, an early bad contract, raising money to buy back her rights, self‑publishing, building a loyal readership, and eventually landing a traditional deal with Penguin. Along the way, Jade breaks down the business side of authorship, the marketing grind behind her success, and why she prioritizes themes like escapism, feminism, sexuality, therapy, and body autonomy in her work. This episode is a deep dive into the realities of modern romance publishing, the craft of writing emotionally rich spicy romance, and the discipline required to build a sustainable author career. What You’ll Learn Romance world‑building rooted in escapism, feminism, and emotional depth Indie vs trad publishing from someone who has done both How Jade bought back her rights and rebuilt her career from scratch Why author marketing matters more than viral moments How chronic illness, motherhood, and a film‑industry job shape her writing routine The craft behind writing authentic, emotionally driven spicy scenes How Unleash for Eden explores addiction, trauma, and second‑chance love Practical advice for new authors on contracts, agents, and self‑publishing If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to follow the show, leave a rating, and share this episode with a romance‑loving friend. Your support helps more listeners discover powerful author stories like Jade’s — and keeps these deep‑dive conversations coming. Want more interviews like this? Hit subscribe and never miss an episode.

  3. Sep 17

    Katherine Kovacic: The Long Road to Crime Fiction & No Good Deed

    Melbourne-based crime writer Katherine Kovacic joins Lisa to talk about the long and unexpected road to becoming a published author. Katherine began her career in veterinary science before moving through family business, art history and academia. A Faber Academy writing course helped her reconnect with her creative voice, eventually leading to a pitch event, a publishing deal and a career in crime fiction. In this conversation, Katherine reflects on the realities of publishing and sustaining a writing career — from finding ideas and researching crimes to managing deadlines, social media, AI concerns and the challenge of protecting time for the writing itself. They also explore Katherine’s latest novel, No Good Deed, featuring retired geologist Rena Novak, whose solo journey through the Kimberley takes a sinister turn when she discovers a burnt-out car and a dead body. Katherine discusses the inspiration behind Rena, researching the Kimberley, the role of landscape in the novel, and some of the wonderfully strange questions that come with researching crime fiction. A conversation about crime writing, publishing, creativity, research and what it really means to build a life around writing. Topics Covered Katherine Kovacic’s journey from vet to crime writer Childhood reading and early influences Art history and the rediscovery of writing Faber Academy and developing a creative voice Landing a publishing deal Finding an agent Life after publication Writing routines and research The pressures facing authors today Social media and AI No Good Deed and Rena Novak The Kimberley as a setting Researching crime, diamonds and crocodiles Why writers need to protect their creative time

  4. Sep 8

    From YA to Adult Fiction: Julia Tuffs on Writing, Rejection & Creative Reinvention

    In this episode of Beyond the Plot, I chat with author Julia Tuffs about her unconventional journey from childhood writing, to television and teaching, and eventually back to fiction. Julia shares how exhaustion, boredom and becoming a parent unexpectedly led her back to writing — and how joining a local writing group helped her rebuild her confidence and take her creative ambitions seriously. From SCBWI and an MA in Writing for Children to querying agents, going on submission and navigating rejection, Julia offers an honest look at what it really takes to build a writing career. She talks openly about the manuscripts that ended up in the “drawer,” the lessons hidden inside rejection, and the importance of continuing to write even when the publishing journey feels uncertain. The conversation also explores Julia’s move from YA into adult fiction, the inspiration behind 45 Things to Do Before You’re 45, and how writing something funny, honest and joyful helped her reconnect with her voice. Julia also discusses publishing with Audible and a smaller press, the changing publishing landscape, the future of books and reading, and why writer communities and genuine connection with readers matter so much. If you’re a writer navigating rejection, considering a creative reinvention, thinking about changing genres, or simply wondering whether it’s ever too late to return to the work you love, this episode is for you. In this episode; ​Julia’s early love of writing and her journey through TV and teaching​How becoming a parent helped bring her back to fiction​Joining a writing group and finding confidence as a writer​The role SCBWI played in understanding the publishing industry​Studying for an MA in Writing for Children​The realities of querying agents and going on submission​Dealing with rejection and the emotional ups and downs of publishing​Why some manuscripts end up in the “drawer” — and why they still matter​Julia’s transition from YA to adult fiction​The inspiration behind 45 Things to Do Before You’re 45​Writing about midlife, identity and perimenopause​Publishing with Audible and a smaller press​The changing landscape of publishing and books​Finding your voice by writing for joy​The importance of writer communities, creativity and reader connection Julia Tuffs is an author whose writing journey has taken her through television, teaching, YA fiction and adult fiction. Her work explores creativity, identity, relationships and the messy, funny realities of life — with a particular focus on finding your voice and making space for creativity at every stage of life. ​Hexed​Twice Hexed​45 Things to Do Before You’re 45​Nesting for Beginners

  5. Sep 1

    Victoria Hannon on Finding Her Voice, Writing in Bursts & I Love the Whole World

    In this episode of Beyond the Plot, I talk with award-winning Australian novelist Victoria Hannon about finding her voice, building a writing life that works for her, and the journey behind her third novel, I Love the Whole World. Victoria has been a professional writer for more than 20 years, beginning in advertising as a copywriter before moving into fiction. Her breakthrough came in 2017, when she quit her job, won a writing residency in Brazil, and wrote the first draft of Kokomo in around a month. That manuscript went on to win the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for an unpublished manuscript, launching Victoria’s fiction career and leading to a two-book publishing deal. Victoria talks candidly about what happened next: the pressure of following up a successful debut, the emotional experience of writing Marshmallow, and the freedom she found in writing a novel without a contract. She also shares how reading widely became one of her most important forms of writing education, why relentless drafting helped her discover her authentic voice, and how travel, immersion and periods of intense focus have shaped the way she works. For her newest novel, I Love the Whole World, Victoria travelled to Las Vegas to research the setting and wanted to create something playful, human and hopeful. In this episode; Victoria’s journey from copywriting to fictionThe writing residency in Brazil that sparked KokomoWriting a first draft in just one monthWinning the Victorian Premier’s Literary AwardThe importance of reading widely as a writerFinding an authentic voice through experimentation and draftingThe pressure of writing a second novel after a successful debutThe emotional challenges behind MarshmallowWriting without a publishing contractWhy Victoria writes in bursts and builds her life around focused workResearching Las Vegas for I Love the Whole WorldThe shift in tone and perspective behind her third novelWhy she wanted I Love the Whole World to feel playful, human and hopeful If you’re a writer, reader, or simply interested in how novels come into being, this is a conversation about creative courage, finding your voice, and making a writing life your own.

  6. Aug 25

    Riley James on Writing Thrillers, Academia & The Wreck

    What happens when an academic career, a lifelong love of suspense, and one of Tasmania’s most enduring mysteries collide? In this episode of Beyond the Plot Podcast, I speak with Australian author Riley James — the pen name of academic Jackie Broad — about writing thrillers, life in academia, and the inspiration behind her upcoming novel, The Wreck. Riley takes us from her book-loving childhood in Tasmania through journalism, a PhD, and a long academic career researching the history of women’s philosophy. She explains why she keeps her academic and fiction writing separate, and how journalism taught her one of the most important lessons of her writing life: draft first, edit later. We also explore Riley’s lifelong fascination with horror, suspense and survival stories, including her very first unpublished novel — a werewolf story inspired by Tasmania’s thylacine. At the heart of the conversation is The Wreck, a survivalist thriller inspired by the mysterious 1978 disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich over Bass Strait. Riley talks about transforming that real-life mystery into a story of isolation, survival and human nature, set against the harsh and mythic landscape of Bass Strait and Tasmania. We discuss character creation, writing process, Hobbes and human nature under pressure, and why Riley wants readers to be scared, entertained and left wondering what really happened. Riley James explains her pen name and why she separates her academic and fiction writing.Growing up in Tasmania and discovering a love of books through the local library.How journalism and sub-editing taught Riley to write clearly and edit ruthlessly.Her academic career researching the history of women’s philosophy.The early horror and suspense influences behind her fiction.The unpublished werewolf story inspired by the thylacine.Why survivalist thrillers appeal to Riley.How the mysterious disappearance of Frederick Valentich inspired The Wreck.Bass Strait, shipwrecks, mutton birds and Tasmania’s gothic atmosphere.Writing Marlin and exploring loneliness, resilience and storytelling.Hobbes, survival and human behaviour under extreme pressure.Riley’s approach to plotting, character motivation and drafting.What she hopes readers feel when they finish The Wreck. Subscribe to Beyond the Plot Podcast for conversations with authors about books, writing, publishing and the stories behind the stories. #BeyondThePlot #RileyJames #TheWreck #AustralianAuthors #AustralianThrillers #ThrillerBooks #BookPodcast #WritingThrillers #Tasmania #BassStrait

  7. Aug 18

    Anne Freeman: Writing Through Perfectionism, Motherhood, and the Journey to The Time After Now

    In this episode of Beyond the Plot, I sits down with author Anne Freeman to talk about the winding path from lifelong reader and reluctant beginner to published novelist. Anne shares how motherhood, perfectionism, accountability, and one pivotal writing craft book helped her stop waiting for the “right” time and start writing. She takes us behind the scenes of drafting her first novel on her phone while breastfeeding, setting a simple 400-word-a-day goal, and discovering that finishing a novel might be less about confidence and more about simply starting. Me and Anne also explore Anne’s latest novel, The Time After Now — a dual-timeline story inspired by the idea of resurfaced intimate photos and shaped by Anne’s own experience with type 1 diabetes. We talk about writing invisible disability, motherhood and identity, creating messy and believable characters, and the courage it takes to put your inner world on the page. In the episode: Anne shares how books became a refuge for her as a quirky kid who found it difficult to make friends — and how writing was part of her life long before she thought of herself as a writer. She recalls the moment after the birth of her second child in 2018 when she decided to finally “have a go” at writing fiction. A conversation about psychology and accountability prompted her to ask: “What can I do today in service of that dream?” Anne talks about discovering perfectionist block and recognising how it had been keeping her from starting. She explains how Save the Cat Writes a Novel demystified the novel-writing process and finally gave her a way in. Her first novel, Returning to Adelaide, was drafted on her phone in Google Docs while she was breastfeeding her daughter. She set herself a daily goal of 400 words and completed the first draft in around four and a half months. Contest submissions led to recognition in the Romance Writers of Australia Valerie Parv Award and the Hawkeye Prize — opportunities that ultimately helped lead to a publishing deal. Anne reflects on the reality of being an author today: part writer, part marketer, part event host and part community builder. She shares how Instagram, book events and simply asking for help helped her build a supportive network of writer friends. Anne reveals how The Time After Now grew from an idea about resurfaced intimate photos into a story shaped by her own experience with type 1 diabetes. We discuss the emotional truth of motherhood, identity shifts and why readers connect so strongly with messy, believable characters. Anne talks about the vulnerability of writing invisible disability and putting parts of your own “inner weirdness” onto the page. They explore perfectionism, creative courage and why sometimes the best thing you can do is write the imperfect first draft. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Beyond the Plot on YouTube or follow the podcast on Spotify, and share the episode with a writer who might need the reminder that the first draft doesn't have to be perfect.

  8. Aug 11

    Joanna Jenkins: From Corporate Lawyer to Author of Bad Neighbours | Publishing, Thrillers & Starting Again

    What happens when a life-changing accident makes you rethink everything you thought your future would look like? In this episode, I’m joined by Australian author Joanna Jenkins, who made the remarkable transition from a 30-year career as a corporate lawyer to pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a published author. Joanna shares the story behind her unexpected career change, her journey from childhood storytelling to writing and publishing her first novel, and the persistence it took to navigate manuscript revisions, rejection, publishing contracts, and the realities of building a career as an author. We also dive into her latest novel, Bad Neighbours, a gripping mystery set in Sydney’s vibrant Potts Point. Joanna explains what drew her to the area and how its contrasts between wealth, poverty, privilege, and vulnerability helped shape the story and its characters. With a background in law, Joanna brings a unique perspective to her fiction, drawing on her professional experience, family life, research, and observations of the world around her. We discuss character development, plotting, pacing, research, social media, book marketing, and the importance of finding a supportive community as an author. Whether you’re a fan of Australian crime fiction and psychological thrillers, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about changing careers later in life, Joanna’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pursue a creative dream. In this episode; Joanna Jenkins’ journey from corporate lawyer to published author How a life-changing bike accident prompted a major career change From childhood storytelling to writing her first novel Writing about the realities of law firm life The five-year journey of drafting and revising her debut novel Overcoming rejection and finding the resilience to keep going Moving between non-fiction, mystery, and thriller writing The inspiration behind Bad Neighbours Why Potts Point became the perfect setting for the novel Exploring wealth, poverty, privilege, and community through fiction Creating characters inspired by family and real-life observations Researching locations, characters, and storylines The challenges of plotting, pacing, and developing suspense Building a readership through social media and author communities Lessons Joanna has learned after publishing three books Advice for aspiring Australian authors Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations with Australian authors, debut writers, bestselling novelists, and publishing professionals discussing writing, books, publishing, creativity, and the stories behind the stories.

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About

Ever wonder about the person behind your favourite book? I'm diving deep with authors to uncover the real personal stories behind their work. If you love reading, writing or you're simply interested in learning more about your favourite authors, this podcast is for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa El-Behnaihy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lisa El-Behnaihy
  • Show Website
    Beyond The Plot Podcast

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