Charlotte McConaghy’s third novel Wild Dark Shore opens with a woman washing up on a remote island halfway between New Zealand and Antarctica. Who she is and why she’s there is the mystery that propels the narrative. In her first festival appearance, Charlotte speaks with Courtney Collins about writing grief and resilience into ecological fiction – and the human cost of a vanishing world. 

This conversation was recorded at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation.