From being told her books ‘weren’t Australian enough’, to winning the 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award for her third novel Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens, Shankari Chandran’s writing journey has been anything but linear. She speaks with Ailsa Piper about family and memory, and the stories that shape who we become.

This conversation was recorded at the 2024 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. 

From being told her books ‘weren’t Australian enough’, to winning the 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award for her third novel Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens, <a href="https://shankarichandran.com/">Shankari Chandran</a>’s writing journey has been anything but linear. She speaks with <a href="https://www.ailsapiper.com/">Ailsa Piper</a> about family and memory, and the stories that shape who we become.
This conversation was recorded at the 2024 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>.

Podcast by Newcastle Writers Festival

Newcastle Writers Festival

Podcast series by Newcastle Writers Festival

Podcast series by Newcastle Writers Festival

Shankari Chandran - Miles Franklin Award winner

It is the desire of many readers to see themselves reflected on the page, especially when their faces and voices have been excluded from the dominant narrative. Graham Akhurst, Kirli Saunders and Melanie Saward discuss writing First Nations characters in fiction for – and about – young people. Hosted by Yvette Henry Holt.

This conversation was recorded at the 2024 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. 

It is the desire of many readers to see themselves reflected on the page, especially when their faces and voices have been excluded from the dominant narrative. <a href="https://www.grahamakhurst.com/">Graham Akhurst</a>, <a href="https://kirlisaunders.com/">Kirli Saunders</a> and <a href="https://www.littleredwrites.com.au/">Melanie Saward</a> discuss writing First Nations characters in fiction for – and about – young people. Hosted by <a href="https://www.yvettehenryholt.com/">Yvette Henry Holt</a>.
This conversation was recorded at the 2024 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>.

Graham Akhurst, Kirli Saunders and Melanie Saward – Bright Young Things

In their recent fiction, Emily Perkins, Megan Rogers and Christos Tsiolkas created characters at a crossroads, disrupting the traditional narrative of ‘coming of age’ as an experience of youth. They discuss belonging, change, and the perennial journey of ‘growing up’ with Ashley Hay.

This conversation was recorded at the 2024 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. 

In their recent fiction, <a href="https://emilyperkinsauthor.com/">Emily Perkins</a>, <a href="https://www.meganrogerswriter.com/about">Megan Rogers</a> and <a href="https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Christos-Tsiolkas-In-Between-9781761470011/">Christos Tsiolkas</a> created characters at a crossroads, disrupting the traditional narrative of ‘coming of age’ as an experience of youth. They discuss belonging, change, and the perennial journey of ‘growing up’ with <a href="https://www.ashleyhay.com.au/">Ashley Hay</a>.
This conversation was recorded at the 2024 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>.

Emily Perkins, Megan Rogers, and Christos Tsiolkas - Middle Age as Coming of Age

‘If you're doing work that you feel is important, it will be impossible to have everybody like you.’ Bri Lee first captured the literary world’s attention with her debut memoir Eggshell Skull, a very personal interrogation of the injustices experienced by survivors of sexual assault. Now, she’s turned her attention to fiction. Bri talks with Bridie Jabour about her novel, The Work, a story of love, vulnerability, and privilege set amid the art world.

This conversation was recorded at the 2024 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. 

‘If you're doing work that you feel is important, it will be impossible to have everybody like you.’ <a href="https://www.bri-lee.com/">Bri Lee</a> first captured the literary world’s attention with her debut memoir Eggshell Skull, a very personal interrogation of the injustices experienced by survivors of sexual assault. Now, she’s turned her attention to fiction. Bri talks with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/profile/bridie-jabour">Bridie Jabour</a> about her novel, The Work, a story of love, vulnerability, and privilege set amid the art world.
This conversation was recorded at the 2024 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>.

Shankari Chandran - Miles Franklin Award winner

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