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

Cheryl Akle discusses the world with her favourite authors.

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes698Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

Latest Episodes

Omar El Akkad joins Cheryl to discuss his latest book, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. Together, they explore his experiences reporting from places like Guantánamo Bay, examine the dangerous allure of ignorance, and reflect on t... more

Susan Wyndham talks to Cheryl about researching her latest book Elizabeth Harrower: The Woman in the Watch Tower, how her mother’s love of books shaped her own, her career in journalism, and her path to becoming one of Australia’s leading literary ed... more

Jessica Mansour-Nahra talks to Cheryl about writing her debut novel, The Farm, how her love of storytelling began, and the emotional challenges she experienced while pregnant. She shares what the publishing journey looked like for her and talks about... more

Marika Sosnowski talks to Cheryl about how her background in law shapes her writing and the challenges of merging academic insight with creative expression. She shares her deeply personal and complex writing process, the role of human connection in h... 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

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
Jessica Mansour-Nahra
Debut Australian author and former communications consultant.
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Jessica Mansour-Nahra on Her Debut, Pregnancy and Creativity
Marika Sosnowski
Legal anthropologist and author
Melbourne Law School
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Marika Sosnowski on Law, Creative Writing, and the Making of 58 Facets
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

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
#33
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#106
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#115
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#191
Saudi Arabia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Stories Behind The Story: Jessica Mansour-Nahra on Her Debut, Pregnancy and Creativity
Q: How do you feel and have you started writing a second book?
Jessica shares that she has finished and submitted her second manuscript to Hachette, which explores new themes alongside personal growth.
Stories Behind The Story: Jessica Mansour-Nahra on Her Debut, Pregnancy and Creativity
Q: Tell me about your story and how you came to writing?
Jessica reflects on her lifelong love for writing, starting from her childhood and various experiences that led her to write a fiction novel.
Stories Behind The Story: Marika Sosnowski on Law, Creative Writing, and the Making of 58 Facets
Q: When did you start writing your book?
The book's stories are drawn from years of research and personal reflections, leading to the publication around 2020-2022.
Stories Behind The Story: Marika Sosnowski on Law, Creative Writing, and the Making of 58 Facets
Q: What is a legal anthropologist?
A legal anthropologist studies how the law manifests in everyday lives and how people experience and understand it.
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.

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. The Bookshelf
2. The Book Show
3. Sydney Writers' Festival
4. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
5. Conversations

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 698 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. Susan Wyndham
2. Jessica Mansour-Nahra
3. Marika Sosnowski
4. Greg Haddrick
5. Craig Silvey
6. Garry Disher
7. Allison Rushby
8. January Gilchrist

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