Jessica Au

Jessica Au, editor of Mid-winter takes us from the speculative world of mind-bending literati to a ragtag bunch of rural evangelists. Local house Sleepers has brought out its second debut of the year, Vanessa Russell’s Holy Bible – a darkly…

In What drew you to explore this side of sporting culture? Did you feel that this was a book that needed to be written? It was the unfortunate ‘St Kilda Schoolgirl’ saga that caught my (and many others’) attention back…

Readings Monthly It is possible to think about reading as a series of turning points. Every now and then, a book comes along like a shock – making and breaking, staying with you. It’s an ‘ah’ moment of recognition, when…

Geordie Williamson chats with Jessica Au about his new book, Tell us about writing The germ of an idea came with 2009’s Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature. I thought the project brilliant. It was a physically handsome book…

Andrew Croome chats with Jessica Au about his novel, Tell us about the research process for Before writing the book I travelled to Las Vegas, where I visited most of the poker rooms and spoke to a lot of players…

Lily Brett chats with Jessica Au about her new novel, Lola Bensky I think that one way or another we all write from our own experience. No-one else is creating the characters or the stories. Whether the facts or the…

Jessica Au from Readings St Kilda rounds up the best in new book design for the next instalment of our irregular covers appreciation series. The Newlyweds Sepia tones and an image of old-fashioned domesticity is jacked up and electrified by…

Toni Jordan chats with Jessica Au about her new book, Tell us about writing After I finished Fall Girl, I had no idea whatsoever. Nothing. Unlike many writers I know, I find ideas the hardest part of the process…

Tim Soutphommasane chats with Jessica Au about his new book, What are you reading now? I tend to read a few books on the go. I’m currently going through Thinking the Twentieth Century by Tony Judt and Tim Snyder, and…

Patrick Holland chats with Jessica Au about his new book, Tell us about the genesis of this novel – how did It’s always difficult to say exactly when and where a novel begins. There are always complex and, even for…

Belinda Castles chats with Jessica Au about her novel, Tell us about writing*Hannah & Emil* – where did the idea start for you? Hannah and Emil is based on the lives of my grandparents. As a child I knew bits…

Liza Klaussmann tells us some books that she loves. What’s the last book you loved, and why? Dare Me by Megan Abbott: sinister, funny and sharp as hell. Which literary character do you secretly wish you were? Lady Brett Ashley…