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Artwork for Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

Better Reading Podcast
Writing Process
Mental Health
Belinda Audio
Historical Fiction
Australian Literature
Crime Fiction
Australia
Children's Literature
Journalism
Identity
Palestine
Empathy
Australian Crime Fiction
Better Reading
Publishing
Social Media
Literature
Colonialism
Creative Writing
Gaza

Cheryl Akle discusses the world with her favourite authors.

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes719Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

Latest Episodes

Kate Mildenhall (The Hummingbird Effect, The Mother Fault) and Kate Forsyth (Psykhe, Dragonclaw) have a laugh and talk about the complexities of writing. Learn more about the two authors, Forsyth's impressive and long writing career, Mildenhall's new... more

Rosalie Ham talks to Cheryl about the beauty of ageing, the impact of her novel The Dressmaker, and her earlier career in aged care. She also reflects on the importance of staying mobile and how social connection supports overall wellbeing. Her new b... more

Mohammed Massoud Morsi talks to Cheryl about belonging, his career in journalism and the ways propaganda can shape worldviews. He reflects on the power of tradition and culture, as well as the personal losses that have influenced his life and writing... more

Linda Martin talks to Cheryl about her career in publishing, editing techniques she's uncovered over the years, and her transition from editor to author. She also highlights the value of writing competitions and celebrates the richness of the Austral... 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

Mohammed Massoud Morsi
Novelist, journalist, and photographer
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Mohammed Massoud Morsi on Journalism and Belonging
Linda Martin
Author, editor, and publisher
Night Parrot Press; Fremantle Press; UWA Publishing
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Linda Martin on Her Journey from Editor to Author
Durkhanai Ayubi
Author and culinary writer
Author, chef, and advocate for Afghan food and culture
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Durkhanai Ayubi on Displacement, Food and Hope
James Colley
Crime writer
Unspecified
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: James Colley & Christian White on Crime, Comedy and Their Kids
Christian White
Crime writer
Unspecified
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: James Colley & Christian White on Crime, Comedy and Their Kids
Bernice Barry
Writer and historian whose work bridges historical botany and historical fiction
Independent author; Wadandi country, Western Australia
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Bernice Barry on Historical Fiction, Botany and Writing
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

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 373 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 Kingdom3 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
    Australia3 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
#90
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#245
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#198
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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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Book Show
2. The Bookshelf
3. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
4. Good Weekend Talks
5. Conversations

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 719 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. Mohammed Massoud Morsi
2. Linda Martin
3. Durkhanai Ayubi
4. James Colley
5. Christian White
6. Bernice Barry
7. Jessica Stevens
8. John M. Green

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