Luke is joined by Shen Tao, the brilliant debut author behind The Poet Empress—a novel Luke proudly declares as his favorite book of the year so far! 

But despite being a debut, it was far from Shen's first work. In fact, as she reveals, there were many unpublished books before it...

Shen details exactly what made The Poet Empress different, the breakthrough that allowed its first four chapters to "flow like water," how dark themes of forbidden female literacy and systemic corruption shaped the narrative, and how ancient Chinese philosophy and different views of masculinity helped humanise her complex antagonists.

Plus, she reveals the books that most influence her life, and why writing to her is a true form of magic.

Luke is joined by Shen Tao, the brilliant debut author behind&nbsp;The Poet Empress&mdash;a novel Luke proudly declares as his favorite book of the year so far!&nbsp;
But despite being a debut, it was far from Shen's first work. In fact, as she reveals, there were many unpublished books before it...
Shen details exactly what made The Poet Empress different, the breakthrough that allowed its first four chapters to "flow like water," how dark themes of forbidden female literacy and systemic corruption shaped the narrative, and how ancient Chinese philosophy and different views of masculinity helped humanise her complex antagonists.
Plus, she reveals the books that most influence her life, and why writing to her is a true form of magic.

What’s your story? Everyone has one — the ones we read and the ones we live.

In The Good Books is a new weekly podcast that serves as a community for those who believe in the power of a good story.

Each week, host Luke Bateman shares the books that have shaped his world, from timeless classics to buzzy bestsellers. He’ll also sit down with the most fascinating voices in the literary world — from bestselling authors to emerging new talent — as they reveal the inspirations behind their work.

This is more than a book club; it's a space to explore how the stories we consume influence the lives we lead.

We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at GoodBooks@nine.com.au. 

Follow all the action on our socials: 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast

What&rsquo;s your story? Everyone has one &mdash; the ones we read and the ones we live.
In The Good Books is a new weekly podcast that serves as a community for those who believe in the power of a good story.
Each week, host Luke Bateman shares the books that have shaped his world, from timeless classics to buzzy bestsellers. He&rsquo;ll also sit down with the most fascinating voices in the literary world &mdash; from bestselling authors to emerging new talent &mdash; as they reveal the inspirations behind their work.
This is more than a book club; it's a space to explore how the stories we consume influence the lives we lead.
We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:GoodBooks@nine.com.au">GoodBooks@nine.com.au</a>.&nbsp;
Follow all the action on our socials:&nbsp;
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast

Luke Bateman shares the books that have shaped his world, from timeless classics to buzzy bestsellers. A community for those who believe in the power of a good story.

In The Good Books with Luke Bateman

Shen Tao: The Real Magic of Words & the Poet Empress

Prepare for a peek inside the one-of-a-kind mind behind some of the most seriously kid-approved stories ever!

In this episode, record-breaking and internationally bestselling children’s author and Australian Children’s Laureate Andy Griffiths shares:
How telling neighborhood kids fibs about his bath time led to his love of storytelling
How his path to being an author first led to teaching and punk-rock
Why iconic children's stories like Hansel & Gretel have a special blend of horror and humour
The 5 Essential Elements of Children's Fiction
How Andy still listens closely to his inner ten year old
Andy's mission as Australian Children’s Laureate to defend endangered school libraries and rebuild long-form focus in a screen-obsessed world.
How all his books (including his latest You and Me and the Gigantic Knucklehead) are always true stories (even if nothing true happens in them)
How absurd, uninhibited play is the key to imagination and creativity for anyone

And much much more. 

Prepare for a peek inside the one-of-a-kind mind behind some of the most seriously kid-approved stories ever!
In this episode, record-breaking and internationally bestselling children&rsquo;s author and Australian Children&rsquo;s Laureate Andy Griffiths shares:
<ul>
<li>How telling neighborhood kids fibs about his bath time led to his love of storytelling</li>
<li>How his path to being an author first led to teaching and punk-rock</li>
<li>Why iconic children's stories like Hansel &amp; Gretel have a special blend of horror and humour</li>
<li>The 5 Essential Elements of Children's Fiction</li>
<li>How Andy still listens closely to his inner ten year old</li>
<li>Andy's mission as Australian Children&rsquo;s Laureate to defend endangered school libraries and rebuild long-form focus in a screen-obsessed world.</li>
<li>How all his books (including his latest&nbsp;You and Me and the Gigantic Knucklehead) are always true stories (even if nothing true happens in them)</li>
<li>How absurd, uninhibited play is the key to imagination and creativity for anyone</li>
</ul>
And much much more.&nbsp;

The Serious Power of Uninhibited Imagination, with Andy Griffiths

Luke becomes acquainted with this regency romance classic, with it themes, characters and moments, and what they all have to show us about modern romance today.

Stay connected on our socials:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ 
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast 

Thanks to Hachette - for the list of their expert readalikes for Pride and Prejudice and other Good Book Club picks, go to https://www.hachette.com.au/news/in-the-good-books 

and for more, visit www.hachette.com.au

Luke becomes acquainted with this regency romance classic, with it themes, characters and moments, and what they all have to show us about modern romance today.
Stay connected on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/&nbsp; TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast">https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast</a>&nbsp;
Thanks to Hachette - for the list of their expert readalikes for Pride and Prejudice and other Good Book Club picks, go to <a href="https://www.hachette.com.au/news/in-the-good-books">https://www.hachette.com.au/news/in-the-good-books</a>&nbsp;
and for more, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hachette.com.au">www.hachette.com.au</a>

Book Club: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

From relentless research, to battling book bans, to a career of 30 bestsellers and counting, Jodi Picoult is a literary force unlike any other.

In this conversation, Luke and Jodi trace her journey from reading at three years old and surviving over 100 agent rejections (and getting the ultimate petty revenge decades later) to the eerie 10-word postcard that inspired her new book, Hollow Bones, and a peek into what she's working on next. Jodi pulls back the curtain on her creative process—explaining the "tornado" moment when a book’s first line finally touches down, and the deeply personal reasons behind the big topics she chooses to explore.

Jodi also pulls zero punches on culture and society, exposing the infuriating inadequacies within women's healthcare, the true political motive behind censorship in schools, and her hot take on why she 'calls BS' on William Shakespeare. Complete with warm reflections on her legacy, this episode is a masterclass in craft, courage, and conviction.

From relentless research, to battling book bans, to a career of 30 bestsellers and counting, Jodi Picoult is a literary force unlike any other.
In this conversation, Luke and Jodi trace her journey from reading at three years old and surviving over 100 agent rejections (and getting the ultimate petty revenge decades later) to the eerie 10-word postcard that inspired her new book, Hollow Bones, and a peek into what she's working on next. Jodi pulls back the curtain on her creative process&mdash;explaining the "tornado" moment when a book&rsquo;s first line finally touches down, and the deeply personal reasons behind the big topics she chooses to explore.
Jodi also pulls zero punches on culture and society, exposing the infuriating inadequacies within women's healthcare, the true political motive behind censorship in schools, and her hot take on why she 'calls BS' on William Shakespeare. Complete with warm reflections on her legacy, this episode is a masterclass in craft, courage, and conviction.

Shen Tao: The Real Magic of Words & the Poet Empress

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