Jeanette Winterson is one of the UK's most beloved and challenging writers. This week, Stephanie and Michelle discuss Winterson's long career, from the publication of Oranges are Not the Only Fruit in 1985, to her recent (fabulously titled) memoir, Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal?

To be or not to be? Is that the question? This week, Stephanie is joined by Professor Tony Cousins to discuss one of Shakespeare's most popular plays. Is this really a play about somebody who can't make up their mind or is it more complicated than that?

This week, Stephanie and Michelle interview Michelle Cahill, writer and managing director of the literary journal Mascara. In this wide-ranging discussion, they talk about the intersection of medicine and literature, interceptionality, and literary gate-keeping.

Show notes:

Michelle Cahill's website: www.michellecahill.com
Letter to Pessoa: https://giramondopublishing.com/product/letter-to-pessoa/
The J.M. Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/jmcoetzeecentre/news-events/

Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence. Or does she? This week, Stephanie is joined by Dr Lee O'Brien to discuss Mr Knightley, Miss Bates, and why Emma's big problem is that she's just so bored.
 
Links:
How Jane Austen's Emma changed the face of fiction - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/05/jane-austen-emma-changed-face-fiction
 
Jane Austen's Emma is the perfect novel: http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2015/12/jane_austen_s_emma_is_the_perfect_novel.html

Generation Women is a storytelling event where women from all walks of life tell stories and celebrate women's voices. This week, Stephanie talks to Macquarie University English alumna Suvi Derkenne about bringing Generation Women to Australia, the importance of women's voices, and what she's been up to since leaving Macquarie. The first Generation Women event will be held at the Giant Dwarf Theatre on Wednesday March 7th. 
 
Generation Women tickets: https://giantdwarf.com.au/events/gen-women/
Generation Women Sydney: https://www.generationwomensydney.com/home

Margaret Atwood's 1996 novel Alias Grace was recently made into a television adaptation, available on Netflix and starring Sarah Gadon as Grace Marks, and produced by Canadian actress Sarah Polley. This week, Stephanie, Michelle and Jimmy discuss the series, focusing on crime, feminism and ambiguous endings (and Stephanie rants a lot). 
 
Links:
 
NY Times review: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/25/arts/television/alias-grace-margaret-atwood-sarah-polley.html
 
The Guardian review: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/nov/02/alias-grace-review-margaret-atwoods-historical-tale-of-female-oppression-simmers-with-rage
 
Buzzfeed review: https://www.buzzfeed.com/annehelenpetersen/margaret-atwood-alias-grace-horror-of-patriarchy?utm_term=.nhbKx2wvO#.opP4xY2bZ
 
Rolling Stone review: https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/features/alias-grace-how-a-true-crime-drama-became-the-most-relevant-show-on-tv-w511208

​Are you a Valentine's Day sap or a grinch? This week, Stephanie, Michelle and Jimmy are joined by Associate Professor Hsu-Ming Teo to talk about all things romance. They discuss Austen, why murder makes romance novels more interesting, why good real estate matters, and Michelle get the giggles over deer. 

Why does this week's guest set rejection goals? This week, Stephanie and Michelle chat to Ashley Kalagian Blunt about her work as a writer. They discuss her writing about the Armenian genocide, moving to Australia from Canada, and Ashley gives her top tips for aspiring writers.

Show notes:
​
Ashley's website: https://fullofdonkey.com/
Ashley's Newswrite article: "Ashley Kalagian Blunt spends a year in the writing ecosphere"
Ashley's Griffith Review article: ​https://griffithreview.atavist.com/life-after-genocide

How does a young writer start their writing career? This week, Stephanie interviews Creative Writing alumna and talented writer Claire Catacouzinos about historical fiction, the impact of her Greek heritage, and her journey as a writer. Claire gives such helpful tips about managing a writing career that this episode is a must for any aspiring young writers out there. 
​
Show notes: 
Claire's website: https://clairecatacouzinos.wordpress.com/

One of the perks of working in an English department is getting to work alongside writers. This week, Stephanie and Michelle are joined by Associate Professor Marcelle Freiman to discuss Marcelle's writing life. They discuss her youth in South Africa, migration to the UK and Australia, her career as a poet, and the life of a creative mind. 
 
Show notes:

Marcelle's profile: https://mq.edu.au/about_us/faculties_and_departments/faculty_of_arts/department_of_english/staff/associate_professor_marcelle_freiman
 
White Lines: https://www.hybridpublishers.com.au/product/white-lines-vertical/
 
Monkey's Wedding: https://www.amazon.com/Monkeys-wedding-Marcelle-Freiman/dp/0909771545
 
Cordite profile: http://cordite.org.au/author/marcellefreiman/
 
Mascara profile: http://mascarareview.com/marcelle-freiman/
 
Poems in TEXT: http://www.textjournal.com.au/april17/freiman_poetry.htm