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Artwork for Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

Better Reading Podcast
Belinda Audio
Mental Health
Australian Literature
Crime Fiction
Writing Process
Murder In Punch Lane
The Days I Loved You Most
Historical Fiction
Australian Wine Industry
Stella Quinn
Down the Track
Michael Robotham
Australian Fiction Prize
Writing
Women's Representation In Literature
Publishing
Lifelong Love
Grief
Our Holiday
J.P. Pomare

Cheryl Akle discusses the world with her favourite authors.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes712Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

Latest Episodes

JP Pomare (Seventeen Years Later, In The Clearing) and Michael Robotham (Bombproof, When You Are Mine) talk about what it means to be guilty, their book tour in New Zealand and the crazy twists and turns that unfold during crime investigations. Learn... more

J.A. Stevens talks to Cheryl about her unique childhood, creating miniature love stories with her sister, and how living with a disability has shaped both her life and her writing. She also reflects on the importance of diversity in modern literature... more

Matt Stanton (Funny Kid series, The Odds series) and Sarah Ayoub (The Yearbook Committee, The Cult of Romance) have a laugh and reminisce on their relationship, their children and how they write books. Learn more about the two authors, how Matt wrote... more

John M. Green talks to Cheryl about the power of asking “what if,” how the editing process can transform a book, the challenges and rewards of writing across different genres, and his thoughts on how AI is changing the world. His new book Staged is o... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jessica Stevens
Author writing under the name JA Stevens; focuses on inclusive Regency romance
Self-published and Generous Press / Echo? (discussed in episode)
Episode: Stories Behind the Story: J.A. Stevens on Disability and Writing Her First Book
John M. Green
Best-selling author and chair of Pantera Press
Pantera Press
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: John M. Green on Writing, Editing and A.I.
Michael Mohammed Ahmad
Award-winning novelist and founding director of the Sweatshop Literacy Movement
Episode: Stories Behind the Story: Michael Mohammed Ahmad on Community, Grief and Writing
Christian White
Australian crime writer and screenwriter known for his debut novel, The Nowhere Child
Author
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Christian White on How His Daughter Changed His Writing
Rachel Perkins
Filmmaker, storyteller, and advocate for Indigenous rights from the Arundur and Kalkatun peoples
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Rachel Perkins on Her Father, Colonisation and Australia's Future
Loubna Haikal
Writer, editor, and one of the contributors of 'Don't Ask the Trees for Their Names'
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Loubna Haikal on Heritage, Immigration and the Power of Cooking
Andrew Sloan
Psychotherapist, author of 'Why Things Feel Fucked'
Episode: Stories Behind the Story: Andrew Sloan on the Human Experience and the Future
Omar El Akkad
Award-winning author and journalist, known for his works on critical global issues.
None
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Omar El Akkad on Truth & Ignorance, From Guantánamo to Gaza
Susan Wyndham
Acclaimed journalist and former literary editor of the Sydney Morning Herald
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Susan Wyndham on Elizabeth Harrower and a Life in Literature

Host

Cheryl Akle
Host of the Better Reading Podcast, known for her warm and engaging interview style, focusing on authors and their stories.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 372 ratings
  • The best

    Love these interviews with authors and hearing their stories, it’s the best. Thank you Cheryl and team x

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LLovegrove
    Australia2 years ago
  • Kate Cebrano

    The Kate Cebrano episode was superlative. Entertaining, enlightening & most of all fun. Brilliant.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Read away 1
    Australia2 years ago
  • Just a great chat

    Great host, good interview manner, interesting people and stories. Not much to dislike here.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    VTK8
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Fantastic conversations

    Loving this show. Just listened to one of Jane Tara’s episodes, it was an incredibly engaging conversation. Wish it was twice as long!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hjfhgfjxbxhdhkvbghcgg anonymoe
    Australia2 years ago
  • Imposter Syndrome

    ‘Imposter Syndrome is only experienced by women…’? Err…

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    original format
    Australia3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Diverse range of topics and authors discussed, making it suitable for a wide literary audience.
Cheryl's interviewing style makes episodes feel intimate and relatable, often connecting with listeners on personal levels.
Some criticisms regarding the host's tendency to dominate the conversation, affecting the guest's narrative flow.
Enlightening and engaging conversations with authors that reveal their personal stories and creative processes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#31
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#89
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#125
New Zealand/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Stories Behind the Story: J.A. Stevens on Disability and Writing Her First Book
Q: What sparked the idea for writing a book centered on disability and openness in Regency romance?
A drive to give her partner and daughter representation, and a broader ambition to show that historical romance can be inclusive and challenge traditional norms, which aligned with the author's experiences and advocacy for minority groups.
Stories Behind the Story: J.A. Stevens on Disability and Writing Her First Book
Q: Tell me again, what was it that you had to fix in your writing to make it publishable?
She explains that the first manuscript needed major developmental edits and that feedback from Romance Writers of Australia helped reveal how much needed to be revised, leading to working with a new editor who streamlined the book into a polished final version.
Stories Behind The Story: John M. Green on Writing, Editing and A.I.
Q: What is your writing process like?
I wake up very early at around four o'clock to write before my business day begins.
Stories Behind The Story: John M. Green on Writing, Editing and A.I.
Q: Was it your idea to establish Pantera Press?
It originally stemmed from my daughter's idea, who saw a chance to merge our family's interests in business, art, and philanthropy.
Stories Behind The Story: Christian White on How His Daughter Changed His Writing
Q: How do you balance writing books with screenwriting?
Christian details that he writes both in parallel, often switching between projects to keep creativity fresh.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast features engaging conversations with a range of authors who share insights into their creative processes, personal journeys, and the themes that influence their work. Listeners can expect discussions on various topics including parenting, collaboration in writing, the impact of cultural identity, and contemporary social issues. The host, known for her warm and approachable interview style, brings authors' stories to the forefront, often delving into the emotional intricacies of their narratives and the significance of their experiences in shaping their literature. The podcast stands out for its inclusive approach to diverse voices and perspectives in the literary world, making it appealing to both avid readers and those interest... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Conversations
2. Chat 10 Looks 3
3. ABC Rewind
4. All In The Mind
5. Big Ideas

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 712 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Jessica Stevens
2. John M. Green
3. Michael Mohammed Ahmad
4. Christian White
5. Rachel Perkins
6. Loubna Haikal
7. Andrew Sloan
8. Omar El Akkad

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