AustLit

'Fiona Capp is the internationally published, award-winning author of three works of non-fiction, including her memoir That Oceanic Feeling - which won the Kibble Award - and five novels, including Gotland, which was shortlisted for the 2014 Queensland Literary Awards. Fiona lives in Melbourne and works as a freelance writer and reviewer. Her latest novel, To Know My Crime, is a story of blackmail, risk, corruption, guilt and consequences set on the Mornington Peninsula. We asked Fiona to tell us about the books that have shaped her view of the world.' (Publication abstract)

'In her latest novel, Melbourne author Jane Rawson adds an air of otherworldliness to the story of her ancestor who survived a 19th-century shipwreck. She talks to Maureen Eppen about history, aliens and the benefits of having been a 'hack writer' for 25 years.' (Publication summary)

'Creativity is often thought of as a special gift bestowed on only a handful of lucky people. But as Australian novelist Sue Woolfe points out, it's a skill that you can cultivate. Here are five tips she used to create her latest collection of stories, Do You Love Me or What?' (Publication abstract)

'Australian novelist Nicola Moriarty is the youngest of six siblings, two of whom - Jacyln and Liane - are also accomplished novelists. Her latest novel, The Fifth Letter, examines the relationships of a group of friends after a letter-writing dare uncovers a festering cache of secrets and resentment. Angus Dalton reports.' (Publication abstract)

' 'Children are born accepting everybody as equal, and it's only as we grow older that we start to notice differences and become curious,' says Adelaide-based bookseller Mike Lucas. 'Sometimes this can result in embarrassment, isolation or bullying. They should be taught to see that being different is what makes us who we are and that a disability, though to be possibly inherently restricting can be made less so by inclusion, understanding and acceptance.' Mike's new book, Olivia's Voice, is about a girl who wakes up every morning to silence. She can't hear anything, but she can follow the smell of breakfast down to the kitchen, feel her mum's heart beating against her chest during a hug, watch the 'galloping' shapes of her friends' mouths and see words tumble into images as she reads.' (Publication abstract)