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

In October, Newcastle Writers Festival hosted a special event with best-selling US writer Jodi Picoult. Mamamia executive editor Jessie Stephens hosted the conversation, which centred on Jodi's well-researched and imaginative new book By Any Other Name about two women, living 400 years apart, who aspire to be playwrights and the battles they must fight for recognition. Jodi speaks about the myths surrounding Shakespeare, the challenges of being a female artists, and her extensive research. 

Thank you to our partner University of Newcastle, Allen & Unwin, and podcast funder Create NSW. 

In October, Newcastle Writers Festival hosted a special event with best-selling US writer Jodi Picoult. Mamamia executive editor Jessie Stephens hosted the conversation, which centred on Jodi's well-researched and imaginative new book <a href="https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Jodi-Picoult-By-Any-Other-Name-9781761471001">By Any Other Name</a> about two women, living 400 years apart, who aspire to be playwrights and the battles they must fight for recognition. Jodi speaks about the myths surrounding Shakespeare, the challenges of being a female artists, and her extensive research. 
Thank you to our partner University of Newcastle, Allen &amp; Unwin, and podcast funder <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>.

Jodi Picoult - By Any Other Name

In November, Newcastle Writers Festival hosted a special event with ARIA-winning musician and songwriter Kasey Chambers at the University of Newcastle's Conservatorium of Music. Danni Carr, Kasey's friend and host of the acclaimed podcast How I Quit Alcohol, hosted the conversation about her new memoir Just Don't Be a D**khead and Other Profound Things I've Learnt!, which features compelling stories, rock-solid life lessons and heartfelt observations.

Kasey also performed three songs with Brandon Dodd.

Thank you to our major partner The University of Newcastle, publisher Hardie Grant Books, and podcast series funder Create NSW. 

In November, Newcastle Writers Festival hosted a special event with ARIA-winning musician and songwriter Kasey Chambers at the University of Newcastle's Conservatorium of Music. Danni Carr, Kasey's friend and host of the acclaimed podcast <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3W5jvchS5gXOauQHTr0OCn">How I Quit Alcohol</a>, hosted the conversation about her new memoir <a href="https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-au/books/kasey-chambers-just-dont-be-a-dkhead-by-kasey-chambers/9781761451027">Just Don't Be a D**khead and Other Profound Things I've Learnt!</a>, which features compelling stories, rock-solid life lessons and heartfelt observations.
Kasey also performed three songs with Brandon Dodd.
Thank you to our major partner <a href="https://www.newcastle.edu.au/">The University of Newcastle</a>, publisher <a href="https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-au/publishers/hardie-grant-books">Hardie Grant Books</a>, and podcast series funder <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>.

Kasey Chambers - Lessons I've Learnt

In October 2024, Newcastle Writers Festival hosted a special event with acclaimed Australian writer Tim Winton. Festival director Rosemarie Milsom hosted the conversation which centred on Tim's most recent novel Juice, described by Tara June Winch as a 'masterful story for the ages'. Tim speaks about its central theme of climate devastation and contemplates whether a book can change the world.  

Thank you to presenting partner University of Newcastle.

This podcast series is supported by Create NSW. 

In October 2024, Newcastle Writers Festival hosted a special event with acclaimed Australian writer Tim Winton. Festival director Rosemarie Milsom hosted the conversation which centred on Tim's most recent novel <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/juice-9781761344893">Juice</a>, described by Tara June Winch as a 'masterful story for the ages'. Tim speaks about its central theme of climate devastation and contemplates whether a book can change the world.  
Thank you to presenting partner <a href="https://www.newcastle.edu.au/">University of Newcastle</a>.
This podcast series is supported by <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>.

Shankari Chandran - Miles Franklin Award winner

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