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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
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
Grief
Lifelong Love
Our Holiday
Writing Process
J.P. Pomare

Cheryl Akle discusses the world with her favourite authors.

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes694Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

Latest Episodes

Greg Haddrick talks to Cheryl about his acclaimed career in film and television, what drew him to the chilling real-life case of The Mushroom Murders, the complexities of covering the high-profile Erin Patterson trial, and the challenges faced by jur... more

Chris Hammer talks to Cheryl about his lifelong love of writing and how his career in journalism, including international reporting for Dateline, shaped his storytelling. He reflects on developing his craft, transitioning from nonfiction to fiction, ... more

Soren Tae Smith talks to Cheryl about the deeply personal process of writing her memoir, Honey from the Ground. She reflects on the loss of her son, the ongoing journey through grief, and the emotional challenges of continuing to parent after such a ... more

Award-winning author Tim Winton joins Cheryl to talk about his first nonfiction book for children, Ningaloo. He shares fascinating facts about the iconic reef and its diverse marine life, the creative challenges of making science both fun and visuall... 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

Greg Haddrick
Acclaimed Australian screenwriter and true crime author
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Greg Haddrick on The Mushroom Murders and the Art of Storytelling
Craig Silvey
Award-winning Australian author and screenwriter
Author of 'Jasper Jones', 'Honeybee', and 'Runt'
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Craig Silvey on Writing Challenges, Fatherhood, the Legacy of Jasper Jones, and His Evolving Career
Garry Disher
Prolific Australian crime writer and author of the Hirsch series
Independent Author
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Garry Disher on Being an Aussie Author, Touring Germany, and What Makes the Hirsch Series Unique
Allison Rushby
An Australian author with over 30 published books across children's, YA, and adult fiction.
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Allison Rushby on Writing Across Genres, 25 Years of Storytelling, and the Journey to Slashed Beauties
January Gilchrist
Debut fiction author and owner of a Pilates studio
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: January Gilchrist on Writing Beginnings, Blue Mountains Adventures, and Finding Her Voice at a Retreat
Karen Brooks
Best-selling author and passionate chronicler of the past
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Karen Brooks on Brewing, Her Writing Journey and Bringing History to Life Through Fiction
Marly Wells
Debut author and a woman of the Walpurg people, raised in Alice Springs
Episode: Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight - Episode 7: Marly Wells
Joshua Gilbert
Warramai man, author and academic specializing in Indigenous affairs, sustainability, and agriculture
Episode: Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight - Episode 6: Joshua Gilbert
Wanda Gibson
Debut author and illustrator of the picture book 'Three Dresses'
Episode: Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight - Episode 5: Wanda Gibson

Host

Cheryl Akle
Engaging host and interviewer known for her ability to draw out the intimate stories behind the narratives of authors. Her conversational style encourages depth and authenticity in discussions about literature and the writing process.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 371 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.

The dynamic between the host and guests is often praised for its authenticity, demonstrating a genuine interest in authors' backgrounds and experiences.
Listeners appreciate the engaging interviews with authors, expressing gratitude for the insights into their stories and creative processes.
Many reviews highlight the podcast's ability to introduce new authors and provide valuable recommendations for readers, enhancing the discovery of diverse literary voices.
Some feedback indicates a desire for less focus on the host's personal anecdotes, suggesting an interest in a more streamlined discussion format focused on the authors themselves.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#43
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#114
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#177
New Zealand/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Stories Behind The Story: Chris Hammer on Journalism, Storytelling Craft and His Latest Thriller
Q: When you decided to write Scrublands, in terms of day-to-day approach to work, were you doing it after work, or did you think, I'm going to write this book?
Chris states that he had no plan initially and wrote it whenever he felt like it, as he missed the act of writing without pressure.
Stories Behind The Story: Chris Hammer on Journalism, Storytelling Craft and His Latest Thriller
Q: Can I just ask you, I mean, this is going back to being a journalist and being in Canberra and covering politics. That whole art has gone, hasn't it?
Chris agrees that journalism has changed, particularly due to the internet and the lack of resources, which has altered the practice and experience of journalism today.
Stories Behind The Story: Chris Hammer on Journalism, Storytelling Craft and His Latest Thriller
Q: Do you miss journalism?
No, I miss some of my friends, but I don't miss journalism itself as it has changed significantly over time.
Stories Behind The Story: Chris Hammer on Journalism, Storytelling Craft and His Latest Thriller
Q: You said, you know, you wanted to read and reading came easy to you. You had been a journalist for some years. Tell me about that part of your career.
Chris reflects on his career as a journalist, describing it as a golden era where he gained significant experience and traveled widely for his reporting.
Stories Behind The Story: Craig Silvey on Writing Challenges, Fatherhood, the Legacy of Jasper Jones, and His Evolving Career
Q: How has your writing changed since becoming a father?
It affects the time I have to write significantly and makes me more present.

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?

A platform that explores the world of literature through intimate conversations with authors, focusing on the stories behind their works and the personal journeys that influence their writing. The discussions often touch on themes of culture, identity, and personal experience, providing insights into the creative process and literary industry. Notable topics include the significance of setting and historical context in storytelling, as well as the challenges authors face in various genres, particularly in relation to representing marginalized voices and experiences.

This space champions a diverse array of authors, including debut writers and established professionals, creating a rich tapestry of narratives that resonate with a wide audienc... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Sydney Writers' Festival
2. The Book Show
3. The Bookshelf
4. Conversations
5. Chat 10 Looks 3

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 694 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. Greg Haddrick
2. Craig Silvey
3. Garry Disher
4. Allison Rushby
5. January Gilchrist
6. Karen Brooks
7. Marly Wells
8. Joshua Gilbert

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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