Susan Midalia and Laurie Steed discuss their latest novels, Western Australian books to watch and the very special art of mentoring with Emma Young

Show Notes

In this special Love to Read Local edition of the Fremantle Press podcast, novelist, journalist and Fogarty Literary Award shortlister, Emma Young, interviews her writing mentor Laurie Steed as well as her writing mentor’s mentor, Susan Midalia. Sound complicated? It’s not, it’s awesome.

The podcast highlights the supportive network of Western Australian writers who, while working on their own craft and their own manuscripts, give back by helping less experienced writers develop their craft. The fact that Laurie and Susan have been particularly active in the mentoring space is strongly evident here as they discuss a long list of new and forthcoming Western Australian books they’re excited about – many of which they’ve read as early manuscripts.

Susan and Laurie are both avid and intelligent readers, and skilled writers of short stories, which get a special mention here. If you’ve ever thought a short story is just a precursor to a novel, think again. This podcast will help you understand why the short story is its very own art form!

Music: ‘Letter to a Daughter of St George’, from the Meat Lunch EP: Songs from Floaters. Written by Alan Fyfe. Performed by Trevor Bentley (guitar and vocals – @trevormb) and Chris Parkinson (harmonica). Produced by Blake Carnaby of Nuglife studios with impresario work by Benjamin P. Newton.

Producer: Claire Miller

Mastered and edited by: Aidan d’Adhemar

Sponsor: This show was made possible with a grant from the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund

Show Notes

Other Episodes

Episode

How to Avoid a Happy Life podcast – episode 3: Author Julia Lawrinson explores her relationship with her grandparents and the generation gap between them

Episode 8

Crime writing 101 with Dave Warner (the writer and musician, not the cricketer)

Episode

2026 Hungerford Award shortlister David Harris introduces ‘Moments in the Dust’