Australian Writers' Centre Podcast

Michelle Bridges is a trainer and fitness instructor. Since 2006 she has been a trainer on Channel 10’s The Biggest Loser

Annette Hughes wanted to be an artist, but married an art dealer and the art world instead. After the marriage failed, she went into book publishing with an independent small publisher. Annette's first book is called Art Life Chooks. Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has written 26 books. His first book Great Moments In Science was published in 1984 and his latest book Please Explain was released in November 2007. According to New Scientist Magazine Karl's last five books have all become best-selling popular science books in Australia. Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

John Birmingham freelanced as a journalist for ten years taking feature commissions from a wide variety of magazines such as Playboy, Rolling Stone and even the Long Bay Prison News. His first book, He Died with a Felafel in His Hand, was a cult comedy success which went on to be filmed by indie amateur Richard Lownstein and was adapted for the stage. Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

Sean Williams has written over 27 science fiction and fantasy books. He has won over 11 awards for his books. His latest award was the 2007 Ditmar Award for Best Novel for his book Saturn Returns. His latest book is book two of the Broken Land called The Dust Devils. Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

Holly Hill is an author who gained notoriety after writing her controversial book, Sugarbabe, about her experience finding a sugar daddy. Facing bankruptcy, Holly posted an advertisement online for a sugar daddy, describing herself as an "attractive, educated, well-spoken 35-year-old professional woman who LOVES sex, gives a great massage, can provide gourmet meals and above all requires a generous weekly allowance in return for all of the above of $1000." Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

Duncan Ball is the best-selling author of seventy-five books of children's fiction including the Selby and Emily Eyefinger series. He moved to Australia in 1974. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA and lived for some years in Anchorage, Alaska, and later in Madrid and Paris. Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

Michael MacConnell has been writing crime stories in the second grade. His father loved Sherlock Holmes and watched old remakes so crime fiction has always been an influence for him. He wrote his first novel Maelstrom which was released in October 2007. Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

Christine Harris has written over 50 books. She has written all sorts of books for children and young adults she has written historical fiction, fantasy, joke books, spy books and series books. Christine’s first book in the series Audrey of the Outback is set in Northern South Australia in 1930. Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

Hugh Mackay is the founder of the Australian quarterly research series The Ipsos Mackay Report (previously The Mackay Report). He is a psychologist, social researcher, a regular columnist in The Age and a regular commentator appearing on radio and television. Hugh has just launched his latest book Advance Australia Where? Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

Lawrence Hill's book Someone Knows My Name won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize 2008 award. It is called The Book of Negroes in Canada and it is about the history of slavery. It follows African slaves from Africa to America and delves into the struggles for the character Aminato Diallo. Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

Jackie French has been writing for over 17 years and has had 132 of her books published. She wrote her first children's book called Rainstones in 1991 while she was living in a shed. She said it was probably the messiest manuscript that Angus and Robertson has ever received (and accepted). Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

Bronwyn Parry was awarded the prestigious Golden Heart Award in July 2007 for her romantic suspense manuscript which has now been published as the book My Darkness Falls just out in Australian bookshops. Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

Alan Sunderland is a television journalist and a children's author. He has written three books about a rat called Inspector Octavius O'Malley. His third book in the series has just been released called Octavius O'Malley and the Mystery of the Criminal Cats. Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com

Kate Mosse is the author of the bestselling book Labyrinth - a book about archaeology, love and mystery set in contemporary and medieval France. Her books are described as well researched absorbing historical mysteries with wonderful interlinking female characters. Interview by Valerie Khoo, director of Sydney Writers' Centre. www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au www.valeriekhoo.com