Tea Time with Mirela

In this episode, I chat with Senator Mehreen Faruqi about her memoir Too Migrant Too Muslim Too Loud and her life in Australian politics, what her writing process looks like, and on the importance of being true to oneself.

In this episode, I chat with Zeynab about her debut novel The Scope of Permissibility, on writing multiple points of view that make characters feel alive on the page, and on finding beauty in being human.

In this episode, I chat with Winnie about what it takes (and means) to be a bad writer but in a good way, on being the first Tongan-Australian published author with her debut Dirt Poor Islanders, and what the Sweatshop Literacy Movement is all about.

In this episode, I chat with Shirley about critical love as a form of writing empowerment, how her debut Funny Ethnics challenges traditional storytelling, and the wonder that comes when embracing the chaos.

In this episode, I chat with Tess Cullity about her experience as an editor, how Slingshot Books brightens the little minds of our future, and the importance of making space for anti-imperialist voices.

In this episode, I chat with Alli about her debut historical fiction novel At the Foot of the Cherry Tree, how her script writing influences her novel writing practice, and the art of balancing fact with fiction.

In this episode, I chat with Katherine about the power of our bodies, the delicate construction of her characters, how swimming can tell us a lot about life, and why Body Friend was a story that needed to be told.

In this episode, I chat with Inda about the power of storytelling for children, her wonderful traditional publication of The Month That Makes the Year by Allen & Unwin, and how her love of writing inspired her love of art making.

In this episode, I chat with Vidya about the power of love in her Australian debut The Days Toppled Over, how to write warm and relatable characters, and what drives her writing practice.

In this episode, I chat with Sara about the importance of celebrating diverse voices, how stories help preserve identities, and the inspiration behind her debut novel Songs for the Dead and the Living.

In this episode, I chat with Kat about Issue 3 of Mona Magazine, the importance of literary magazines in Australian literature, and the power of championing women's voices in literary (and other) spaces.

In this episode, I chat with Amra about managing cultural expectations, how writing her memoir Things Nobody Knows But Me helped her heal, and the secret to writing a great editorial.

In this episode, I chat with Maiya about getting lost in fantastical Arabian worlds, the inspiration behind her story making and her debut Spice Road, and the importance of subverting literary genres and tropes.

In this episode, I chat with Amanda about her 2023 release The Tea Ladies, the secret to becoming a success, and what makes good historical (non-)fiction — all while battling a crazy windy day!

In this episode, I chat with Tee (Tiffany) about her journey into self-publishing, the perks of being an editor and writing your own books, and what inspired her to write her paranormal women’s fiction debut Be Careful What You Witch For.

In this episode, I chat with Sarah about her author journey, why advocating for author rights is important for Australia’s literary future, and what inspired her 2022 release The Cult of Romance.

In this episode, I chat with H. Hayek about drawing inspiration from what you know, how teaching informs her creative writing, and the beautiful prose of Huda and Me, her debut middle grade novel.

In this episode, I chat with Bronwyn about the craft of writing, the delicacies of writing a book as an 'outsider looking in', and the many adventures that inspired her debut novel, Time and Tide in Sarajevo.