April 11th 2007

Elizabeth Pulford describes herself as a writer and gardener, enjoying both from her home in Waikouaiti. She has a large number of books published, including books for children, junior and young adult novels and Castello Italiano – an adult fiction novel. We’ll be chatting about her writing and her latest books – a young adult novel Sea Dreamer and a children’s book Castlecliff and the Fossil Princess.




I’ll also be talking to Dunedin writer Ella West about her young adult novel Thieves, which has been named as a finalist in the 2007 New Zealand Post Book Awards and as a Storylines Notable Book. Ella has a background in journalism, so as well as talking about her book, we’ll be talking about how her journalistic skills translate to writing fiction.

March 14 2007

My first guest is a visitor from across the Tasman. Pam Bayfield is in Dunedin this week to launch her book A Leading Lady, The Story of Mary Jolly. Mary Jolly was a respected star of the Dunedin Repertory Society from the 1930’s to 1950’s. Pam will be chatting about Mary Jolly and her book. We will also talk about the pros and cons of self-publishing as this is the fifth book Pam has self-published.



My other guest is going to be me! In a bit of a role reversal I will be on the business end of the questions as Tania Roxborogh interviews me about my crime fiction novel Overkill. We’ll be talking about the book and also the joys of having your first novel in print and the process involved in making the dream a reality.

February 14th 2007

Neville Peat is one of New Zealand’s leading nature writers. He has written over 30 books and is also a photographer, providing many of the images for his works. Most of his titles are on natural history, including Wild Dunedin, which won a Montana Book Award in 1996, and his most recent publication Kiwi – The Peoples Bird. He has written two biographies of Sir Tim Wallace, Hurricane Tim and Winging It, specifically for young people. He has also developed and written museum exhibitions, including Antarctica – the big ice, currently on display at the Otago Museum. Neville has recently returned from Antarctica where he was researching a book on the 50th anniversary of United States/ New Zealand co-operation on the continent. Neville serves on the Otago Regional Council, and is its deputy chair.



Dunedin Author Jackie Ballantyne is having her first novel published by Random House this month. Set in rural south Otago in 1961 How to Stop a Heart from Beating tells of life through the eyes of Solly, a nine-year-old girl. I’ll be chatting to Jackie about her book, and the joy of being published for the first time.

January 12th 2007

I'll be talking with Otago University Special Collections Librarian Donald Kerr about his recently released books. The Smell of Powder is a history of duelling in New Zealand, and yes, it did happen here! Amassing Treasures for all times: Sir George Grey, Colonial Bookman and Collector, tells of another side to Sir George Grey - the book collector.



Robyn Belton's children's book illustrations particularly those of our family favourite Greedy Cat will be familiar to many of you. Robyn was the 2006 recipient of the Margaret Mahy Medal for children's literature. I'll be talking to her about life as an illustrator and her most recent books, Greedy Cat and the Sneeze, and Marta and the Manger Straw.