S4 Ep131: Pip Williams on words, gender and class
Katherine speaks to best selling, award winning author Pip Williams. They discuss William’s novel DICTIONARY OF LOST WORDS, language, history and biases and omissions based on gender and class. Also, navigating being an author when you’re not on social media! Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch v...
46m Aug 29, 2021
46m
S4 Ep130: Kate and Katherine are joyful (ish)
Kate and Katherine are reasonably joyful in this episode, which covers such topics as mini bottles of wine, mandarins and surprise surprise books.    Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter (@thefirsttimepod) (https://twitter.com/thefirsttimepod) or Instagram (@thefirsttimepod) (https://ww...
34m Aug 22, 2021
34m
S4 Ep129: Alice Pung on class, voice and why she writes
Kate speaks to award winning Melbourne writer, Alice Pung. They discuss Pung's latest novel ONE HUNDRED DAYS, writing about class, the impact of motherhood and how her writing process has changed over time. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter (@thefirsttimepod) (https://twitter.com/th...
44m Aug 15, 2021
44m
S4 Ep128: Kate and Katherine on great books, great listens and other inspiring things
Kate and Katherine talk great books, great listens and other inspiring things.      Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter (@thefirsttimepod) (https://twitter.com/thefirsttimepod) or Instagram (@thefirsttimepod) (https://www.instagram.com/thefirsttimepod/?hl=en) .
28m Aug 08, 2021
28m
S4 Ep127: Jane Riley on persistence, Kindle best sellers and asking yourself questions
Katherine speaks to author Jane Riley about persistence and how, even if it takes a while, it does ultimately pay off. They discuss Kindle bestsellers, books coming out just prior to and during lockdown/s and how writers need to ask themselves questions.  Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via T...
37m Aug 01, 2021
37m
S4 Ep126: Kate and Katherine are all cooped up
Kate and Katherine talk about what they've been doing, which is not a lot. Kate is considering egging someone and needs a personal assistant. Katherine is reading a lot of Maeve Binchy and... No, that's it. Just a LOT of Maeve.     Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter (@thefirsttimepod)...
43m Jul 25, 2021
43m
S4 Ep125: Iain Ryan on crime rules, choose your own adventure and The Taylor Swift Theory
Kate speaks to Melbourne crime writer Iain Ryan, author of The Spiral. They discuss the rules of crime fiction, writing to the point of shame, self publishing vs traditional publishing and the Taylor Swift Theory. There is a some explicit content at the 20 minute mark, so maybe keep those earpods in! Kate also laughs. A lot. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttime...
56m Jul 18, 2021
56m
S4 Ep124: Ailsa Wild on acrobatics, collaboration & caring
Kate speaks to best-selling children's author and now non-fiction writer, Ailsa Wild. They discuss Wild's latest project - a story of nursing and caring during the Covid pandemic, along with how she creates her best-selling kid's books, and her top tips for school visits. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or g...
47m Jul 11, 2021
47m
S4 Ep123: Kate and Katherine talk the big four-oh
It's Kate's birthday! She's a hundred years old! Okay, she's forty. Katherine has specific questions and Kate admits she loves the word 'skitterish'. She also wants to be reincarnated as a coastal cushion bush...    Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter (@thefirsttimepod) (https://twitt...
25m Jul 04, 2021
25m
S4 Ep122: Sarah Krasnostein on ghosts, awkwardness and ethics
Katherine speaks to best-selling, multi-award winning writer Sarah Krasnostein. They discuss the ethics of writing about other people, how awkward it can be and ghosts.  Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter (@thefirsttimepod) (https://twitter.com/thefirsttimepod) or Instagram (@thefirs...
36m Jun 27, 2021
36m
S4 Ep121: YVWF: I Didn't Plan it That Way with Jessie Tu
This special episode is brought to you in collaboration with Yarra Valley Writers Festival (https://www.yarravalleywritersfestival.com/) for the series I Didn't Plan it This Way: Conversations about misguided moments, failed ideas and books that stayed in the bottom draw. In this conversation, Kate Mildenhall talks with author Jessie Tu about musical failures, high expectations, review culture...
40m Jun 23, 2021
40m
S4 Ep120: YVWF: I Didn't Plan it That Way with Michael Veitch
This special episode is brought to you in collaboration with Yarra Valley Writers Festival (https://www.yarravalleywritersfestival.com/) for the series I Didn't Plan it This Way: Conversations about misguided moments, failed ideas and books that stayed in the bottom draw. In this conversation, Kate Mildenhall talks with writer and actor Michael Veitch (HELLSHIP) about failed interviews, horror...
48m Jun 23, 2021
48m
S4 Ep119: YVWF: I Didn't Plan it That Way with Rick Morton
This special episode is brought to you in collaboration with Yarra Valley Writers Festival (https://www.yarravalleywritersfestival.com/) for the series I Didn't Plan it This Way: Conversations about misguided moments, failed ideas and books that stayed in the bottom draw. In this conversation, Kate Mildenhall talks with journalist and writer Rick Morton (MY YEAR OF LIVING VULNERABLY) about fai...
51m Jun 23, 2021
51m
S4 Ep118: YVWF: I Didn't Plan it That Way with Sally Hepworth
This special episode is brought to you in collaboration with Yarra Valley Writers Festival (https://www.yarravalleywritersfestival.com/) for the series I Didn't Plan it This Way: Conversations about misguided moments, failed ideas and books that stayed in the bottom draw. In this conversation, Kate Mildenhall talks with author Sally Hepworth (THE GOOD SISTER) about saying no, reading one star ...
50m Jun 23, 2021
50m
S4 Ep117: YVWF: I Didn't Plan it That Way with Meg Mason
This special episode is brought to you in collaboration with Yarra Valley Writers Festival (https://www.yarravalleywritersfestival.com/) for the series I Didn't Plan it This Way: Conversations about misguided moments, failed ideas and books that stayed in the bottom draw. In this conversation, Kate Mildenhall talks with author Meg Mason about how her latest novel SORROW AND BLISS went from bro...
46m Jun 23, 2021
46m
S4 Ep116: Kate and Katherine talk to Fiona Murphy
When deaf poet, author and essayist Fiona Murphy gets in touch, Kate and Katherine re-think a rant they had previously.  Check out show notes for this episode on at www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don't forget you can support the making of Season Four via our Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/user/...
59m Jun 20, 2021
59m
S4 Ep115: Stephanie Smee on the art of translation
Kate speaks with literary translator Stephanie Smee in a fascinating conversation about wordplay, reading in translation, and Smee's latest work ON THE LINE: NOTES FROM A FACTORY by Joseph Ponthus. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod.   Don't forget you...
48m Jun 13, 2021
48m
S4 Ep114: Kate and Katherine don't mention the l word
This episode Kate and Katherine DO NOT talk about lockdown.    Check out show notes for this episode on at www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don't forget you can support the making of Season Four via our Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/user/overview?u=14470635! Thanks for joining us!
24m Jun 06, 2021
24m
S4 Ep113: Loraine Peck on crime, magic and vision boards
Katherine speaks with The Second Son author Loraine Peck. They discuss excellent bios, writing crime, magic and vision boards.  Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod.   Don't forget you can support us and the making of Season Four via our Patreon page htt...
37m May 30, 2021
37m
S4 Ep112: Kate and Katherine talk festival gossip
This episode Kate and Katherine go deep on a festival post mortem after Kate wearily returns from a whirlwind book trip to WA. Highlights, dolphins, fashion tips, name dropping and a story that makes Katherine lose it. This week has it al.   Check out show notes for this episode on at www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @t...
32m May 23, 2021
32m
S4 Ep111: Michael Brissenden on journalism, good stories and (our favourite topic) rejection
This episode Kate talks to political journalist, foreign correspondent and author Michael Brissenden. They discuss journalism, good story telling and--one of our faves--rejection. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod.   Don't forget you can support us an...
41m May 16, 2021
41m
S4 Ep110: Kate and Katherine talk editing
This episode Kate and Katherine discuss the nitty gritty of editing. It's been so long Kate's forgotten what it even is and Katherine has a complicated method involving printing, spreadsheets and long division (thirds?).    Check out show notes for this episode on at www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. ...
28m May 09, 2021
28m
S4 Ep109: Victoria Hannan on the high and lows...
This episode Katherine talks to author Victoria Hannan on the highs and lows of being a writer, and how the writing life is just one part of actual life. They discuss awards (Victoria was the winner of the Victorian Premiers Unpublished Manuscript Award 2019), retreats, massive word counts and wonderful-difficult moments. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepod...
28m May 02, 2021
28m
S4 Ep108: Kate and Katherine talk first drafts
This episode Kate and Katherine discuss first drafts... Are they always terrible?  Does anyone listen to other authors play lists? Do you like long descriptions of trees?  And other questions such as this.  Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don't forg...
31m Apr 25, 2021
31m
S4 Ep107: Evelyn Araluen on Dropbear, community & dislodging language
In our first interview for S4, Kate speaks with Evelyn Araluen - poet, academic, co-editor of Overland Literary Journal and author of Dropbear. They discuss Evelyn's creative practice, how she edited Dropbear with Ellen Van Neerven, why learning Bundjalung language changed the way she writes, and her advice on becoming part of the writing community. Check out show notes for this episode on our...
33m Apr 19, 2021
33m
S4 Ep106: OMG it's season 4
It’s a whole new season and a whole new format but the same old hosts.    Kate and Katherine haven’t spoken in oh about forever and there’s a lot to catch up on. Books they’ve been reading!  Things they’ve been listening to!  Other items!    Unfortunately, they get a little ahead of themselves vis a vis TECHNOLOGY, which is a lesson in a) how to use a microphone and b) failure.    Enjoy :...
31m Apr 19, 2021
31m
S3 Ep105: Season Three Wrap Up, AA on Emerging at Any Age & Maxine Beneba Clarke on Poetry, Picture Books & Twitter
And this is IT! Our final episode of Season Three! There are favourites, laughs, wisdom and news from our amazing Agony Aunt, Charlotte Wood, and relief that we now get to look forward to Season 4 in 2021! Our final cracker interview for the season is with writer and all round literary superstar, Maxine Beneba Clarke. We talk being a poet laureate, the different creative processes in writing a...
1hr 17m Dec 06, 2020
1hr 17m
S3 Ep104: Our Writing Year in review & Karen Wyld on the long road, diverse publishing & revenge
We argue about pronunciation, lament a SA lockdown that is already outdated and consider our Writing Year That Was. Then Kate speaks with novelist Karen Wyld about her path to publication, diversity in publishing and her debut novel WHERE THE FRUIT FALLS. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via ...
1hr 11m Nov 22, 2020
1hr 11m
S3 Ep103: Darebin FUSE festival #5: McKinley Valentine
This episode is a collaboration with Darebin's FUSE festival. Our guest is writer and  author of The Whippet newsletter, McKinley Valentine.  For information on this five-part FUSE series and the FUSE festival check out Darebin FUSE Spring 2020 (https://www.fusedarebin.com.au/whats-on/) . Show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.c...
28m Nov 10, 2020
28m
S3 Ep102: Post-Lockdown, AA on Envy & Nardi Simpson on Storytelling & Unknowing
We are out of lockdown!! (You'll note we recorded this one week before we are now even LESS locked down!) We talk about what we did first, how Katherine is coping with Book Two edits and how Kate blundered through an Instagram takeover. Our Agony Aunt Charlotte Wood responds to a question from a writer who is feeling resentful of other writers getting all the attention. Then Kate speaks with Y...
1hr 9m Nov 08, 2020
1hr 9m
S3 Ep101: Darebin FUSE festival #4: Leanne Hall
This episode is a collaboration with Darebin's FUSE festival. Our guest is author of young adult and children's fiction, Leanne Hall.  For information on this five-part FUSE series and the FUSE festival check out Darebin FUSE Spring 2020 (https://www.fusedarebin.com.au/whats-on/) . Show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or...
36m Oct 27, 2020
36m
S3 Ep100: Kate Mildenhall and #TheMotherFault Deep Dive
It seems fitting that in this our 100th (!!) episode, we do a deep dive into author and co-host Kate Mildenhall’s second novel #theMotherFault.  A warning: This one's riddles with spoilers so if you haven’t read the book yet, then a) what is wrong with you and b) I hope you don’t mind knowing Nick dies on the last page.  OR DOES HE?  Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.t...
51m Oct 25, 2020
51m
S3 Ep99: Darebin FUSE festival #3: Clementine Ford
This episode is a collaboration with Darebin's FUSE festival. Our guest is feminist writer, broadcaster and public speaker Clementine Ford.  For information on this five-part FUSE series and the FUSE festival check out Darebin FUSE Spring 2020 (https://www.fusedarebin.com.au/whats-on/) . Show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.co...
44m Oct 13, 2020
44m
S3 Ep98: Housekeeping, headshots and Trent Dalton on second books & golden hearts
This episode the hosts do some podcast-related housekeeping (really the only kind they're into), and mark the end of #ConversationsWithFriends with a 'Best of'.  It's like picking between your children!    Our Agony Aunt, Charlotte Wood, answers a question on author head shots and then Kate speaks with award winning, best selling author Trent Dalton about his latest novel All Our Shimmering Sk...
1hr 18m Oct 11, 2020
1hr 18m
S3 Ep97: Darebin FUSE festival #2: Yves Rees
This episode is a collaboration with Darebin's FUSE festival. Our guest is award-winning writer, historian and podcaster Dr Yves Rees.  For information on this five-part FUSE series and the FUSE festival (so much great stuff and it's all online this year!) check out Darebin FUSE Spring 2020 (https://www.fusedarebin.com.au/whats-on/) . Show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirstti...
43m Sep 29, 2020
43m
S3 Ep96: The rollercoaster & Sam Coley on perfectionism, road trips & the Richell Prize
Kate's book has been out for three weeks and Katherine asks how it's going. The answer is, it's a rollercoaster. They also exchange interesting things that have piqued their interest this week. Our Agony Aunt, Charlotte Wood, answers a question on puffing and endorsements and then Kate speaks with debut novelist, Sam Coley about his Richell Prize winning State Highway One. We know you'll under...
1hr 14m Sep 27, 2020
1hr 14m
S3 Ep95: Darebin FUSE festival #1: Kate McLennan (The Katering Show, Get Krack!n)
This episode is a collaboration with Darebin's FUSE festival. Our guest is award-winning writer, stand-up comedian and actor Kate McLennan.  Yes, that Kate McLennan!!  Her work includes The Katering Show and Get Krack!n...  For information on this five-part FUSE series and the FUSE festival (so much great stuff and it's all online this year!) check out Darebin FUSE Spring 2020 (https://www.fu...
46m Sep 15, 2020
46m
S3 Ep94: Publication week and Laura Elvery on short stories, setting and science
This episode marks one week since #TheMotherFault's come into the world.  The hosts discuss what Kate's been doing and re-live the launch, which was moving, entertaining and given we're in lockdown, online! Agony Aunt Charlotte Wood answers a question from 'Dispirited' about the quiet novel...    Then Katherine chats to Brisbane author Laura Elvery about her writing life and her STUNNING shor...
1hr 8m Sep 13, 2020
1hr 8m
S3 Ep93: Conversations with Friends #22: Danielle Binks and Fiona Hardy
This episode of Conversations with Friends is with agent and author Danielle Binks and author and bookseller Fiona Hardy.  Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. The Conversations with Friends series is supported by the City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Gran...
54m Sep 10, 2020
54m
S3 Ep92: Conversations with Friends #21: Ashley Kalagian Blunt and Sheila Ngoc Pham
This episode of Conversations with Friends is with Ashley Kalagian Blunt and Sheila Ngoc Pham.  Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. The Conversations with Friends series is supported by the City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Grants. 
39m Sep 03, 2020
39m
S3 Ep91: The art of the interview and Cass Moriarty who is the most generous author you will ever meet
In this episode: - Kate and Katherine discuss the art of the interview - Agony Aunt Charlotte Wood answers a question on self belief - We feature Brisbane author Cass Moriarty  Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod.   Don't forget you can support us and t...
1hr 19m Aug 30, 2020
1hr 19m
S3 Ep90: Conversations with Friends #20: Rachel Mead and Katherine Tamiko Arguile
This episode of Conversations with Friends is with authors Rachel Mead and Katherine Tamiko Arguile. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. The Conversations with Friends series is supported by the City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Grants. 
49m Aug 27, 2020
49m
S3 Ep89: Conversations with Friends #19: Mark Smith and Jock Serong
This episode of Conversations with Friends is with authors Mark Smith and Jock Serong.  Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. The Conversations with Friends series is supported by the City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Grants. 
51m Aug 20, 2020
51m
S3 Ep88: Positivity and Agony Aunt Charlotte Wood
This episode Kate and Katherine are feeling slightly more positive about life and lockdown.  Maybe it's because winning author and creative powerhouse Charlotte Wood is their new new agony aunt.  This week's question is from 'Little Fish' and is about what to expect from your agent.   Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodca...
42m Aug 16, 2020
42m
S3 Ep87: Conversations with Friends #18: Jack Heath and Sam McGregor
This episode of Conversations with Friends is with authors Jack Heath and Sam McGregor. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. The Conversations with Friends series is supported by the City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Grants. 
33m Aug 13, 2020
33m
S3 Ep86: Conversations with Friends #17: Justine Sless and Noe Harsel
This episode of Conversations with Friends is with Justine Sless and Noe Harsel.   Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. The Conversations with Friends series is supported by the City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Grants. 
45m Aug 06, 2020
45m
S3 Ep85: Our Pity Party & Zana Fraillon on young readers, leaving breadcrumbs & stardust
We indulge ourselves with a whinge about lockdown life in Melbourne, but endeavour to leave you on a high with some excellent news! Then Kate speaks with award winning writer Zana Fraillon in a blissful face to face discussion (for the brief moment that was allowed!). They discuss feeling like you've 'fluked it', writing what burns and the creative process in Zana's backyard studio where she h...
1hr 20m Aug 02, 2020
1hr 20m
S3 Ep84: Conversations with Friends #16: Bronwyn Birdsall and Sheree Strange
This episode of Conversations with Friends #16 is with Bronwyn Birdsall and Sheree Strange. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com (http://www.thefirsttimepodcast.com/) or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. The Conversations with Friends series is supported by the City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Grants. 
38m Jul 30, 2020
38m
S3 Ep83: Warm Winter Words #3: Michael Veitch
This is a special episode brought to you in collaboration with the Apollo Bay Word Fest (https://www.apollobaywordfest.com/) for their Warm Winter Words event. This interview with Michael Veitch is the final of three linked interviews, after conversations with Lucy Treloar and Michael Veitch. In this conversation, Kate and Michael talk tales of the high seas, interviewing wisdom, life in the A...
51m Jul 26, 2020
51m
S3 Ep82: Warm Winter Words #2: Lucy Treloar
This is a special episode brought to you in collaboration with the Apollo Bay Word Fest (https://www.apollobaywordfest.com/) for their Warm Winter Words event. This interview with Lucy Treloar is the second of three linked interviews, the first with Tony Birch and the final with Michael Veitch. In this conversation, Kate and Lucy discuss the inspiration in watery places, writing the past and t...
44m Jul 26, 2020
44m