Bestselling authors Natasha Lester and Tara Moss draw on meticulous research and propulsive storytelling to reanimate overlooked lives. In this conversation with Jane Caro, they explore the remarkable women who inspire their historical fiction. From previously untold stories to unforgettable heroines, they discuss the challenge and joy of bringing women of courage to life on the page, and share insights about balancing fact and fiction. 

 

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.    

Bestselling authors Natasha Lester and Tara Moss draw on meticulous research and propulsive storytelling to reanimate overlooked lives. In this conversation with Jane Caro, they explore the remarkable women who inspire their historical fiction. From previously untold stories to unforgettable heroines, they discuss the challenge and joy of bringing women of courage to life on the page, and share insights about balancing fact and fiction.&nbsp;
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This conversation was recorded at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/donate/">donation</a>. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Natasha Lester and Tara Moss - Bold Women

'Australia's favourite storyteller' Peter FitzSimons brings to life the gripping true story of Australian surgeon and POW Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop. Fitzy speaks to Corrie Perkin about the impact of Dunlop, who inspired fellow soldiers in the face of unimaginable hardship and forged a legacy that continues to inspire. 

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.     

'Australia's favourite storyteller' Peter FitzSimons brings to life the gripping true story of Australian surgeon and POW Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop. Fitzy speaks to Corrie Perkin about the impact of Dunlop, who inspired fellow soldiers in the face of unimaginable hardship and forged a legacy that continues to inspire.&nbsp;
This conversation was recorded at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/donate/">donation</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Peter FitzSimons in Conversation - The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop 

Join Madeleine Gray, Alli Parker and Zoe Terakes for a powerful, candid conversation about what it means to write – and live – queer stories today. Kaya Wilson speaks with the authors about identity, love, resistance, and representation in their most recent works of fiction.

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. 

Join Madeleine Gray, Alli Parker and Zoe Terakes for a powerful, candid conversation about what it means to write &ndash; and live &ndash; queer stories today. Kaya Wilson speaks with the authors about identity, love, resistance, and representation in their most recent works of fiction.
This conversation was recorded at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/donate/">donation</a>.&nbsp;

Madeleine Gray, Alli Parker and Zoe Terakes - Writing Queer Literature

Against a backdrop of shifting laws, social media restrictions and legal and political pressure, Josh Bornstein, AC Grayling, and Antoinette Lattouf examine the impact of censorship – and what we stand to lose. They consider whose stories disappear first, and how silence reshapes culture. Hosted by Peter Greste. 

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. 

Against a backdrop of shifting laws, social media restrictions and legal and political pressure, Josh Bornstein, AC Grayling, and Antoinette Lattouf examine the impact of censorship &ndash; and what we stand to lose. They consider whose stories disappear first, and how silence reshapes culture. Hosted by Peter Greste.&nbsp;
This conversation was recorded at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/donate/">donation</a>.&nbsp;

Josh Bornstein, AC Grayling, and Antoinette Lattouf - Censorship and its Consequences

Recent books by Tyree Barnette, Brandon Jack and Andrew Pippos offer insight into the complexities of men’s lives. They talk to Michael Williams about masculinity and identity, and the impact of men speaking openly– or not – about what hurts.

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. 

Recent books by Tyree Barnette, Brandon Jack and Andrew Pippos offer insight into the complexities of men&rsquo;s lives. They talk to Michael Williams about masculinity and identity, and the impact of men speaking openly&ndash; or not &ndash; about what hurts.
This conversation was recorded at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/donate/">donation</a>.&nbsp;

Tyree Barnette, Brandon Jack and Andrew Pippos - Masculinity and Mental Health

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.  

Charlotte McConaghy&rsquo;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&rsquo;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 &ndash; and the human cost of a vanishing world.&nbsp;
This conversation was recorded at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/donate/">donation</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Charlotte McConaghy in Conversation - A Vanishing World

From the page to the stage, Words & Music is a festival project in which songwriters are invited by Newcastle curator Nick Milligan to write and perform an original work inspired by the written word. Whether it be a novel, poem, short story or something unexpected, pre-existing prose is channelled into new art.

The 2025 edition of Words & Music saw William Crighton, Melody Pool, Charlie Scott, Candle Drum, Dave Wells and Symphony Rain Riley, Chelsea Reed, Ziggy Ramo, Khin Myint and Chain Daisy all perform new original works. The show also includes a live reading by Dylin Hardcastle from their book A Language of Limbs.

This performance was recorded at Newcastle's Conservatorium of Music on Saturday, April 5, 2025 and was hosted by Nick Milligan.

From the page to the stage, Words &amp; Music is a festival project in which songwriters are invited by Newcastle curator Nick Milligan to write and perform an original work inspired by the written word. Whether it be a novel, poem, short story or something unexpected, pre-existing prose is channelled into new art.
The 2025 edition of Words &amp; Music saw William Crighton, Melody Pool, Charlie Scott, Candle Drum, Dave Wells and Symphony Rain Riley, Chelsea Reed, Ziggy Ramo, Khin Myint and Chain Daisy all perform new original works. The show also includes a live reading by Dylin Hardcastle from their book A Language of Limbs.
This performance was recorded at Newcastle's Conservatorium of Music on Saturday, April 5, 2025 and was hosted by Nick Milligan.

Newcastle Writers Festival

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