In this final episode for 2025, I'm talking to a debut Aussie author whose book is being touted as one of the biggest releases of the summer.

If you loved Netflix’s The Crown and devoured all the drama when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped away from the royal family and have wondered what that might have looked like behind the scenes, then this is the perfect book for you.

It’s been released simultaneously here, the UK and the US and is already enjoying some incredible notoriety in the early weeks following publication.

The book is ‘The Heir Apparent’ by Rebecca Armitage - a Tasmanian author and ABC journalist - who, it will not surprise you to learn, has reported extensively on the royal family in the course of her work.

After positively inhaling the book , I am in awe of Rebecca’s immense talent and am more than a little thrilled to have had the chance to chat for the podcast recently.

Michael Burge is an author and journalist who lives at Deepwater in the New England region of NSW.

His debut novel ‘Tank Water’ was inspired by old family stories and explores the shameful legacy of unsolved gay-hate crimes, set in a fictional rural community - not unlike the place Michael calls home.

‘Dirt Trap’ is a follow-up to ‘Tank Water’ - though it can be read as a stand alone. A brilliant example of the rural noir novel Australians have come to love in recent years, but with Michael’s unique angle exploring the complexity and diversity of Australian country towns.

A tense, compelling and rich story, 'Dirt Trap' is about one man’s dogged pursuit of justice and a town having to come clean of generations of secrets.

Without a doubt - a five star read!

And was delighted to welcome Michael to the podcast recently to chat about his work amongst many other things.

Libby Iriks is a Perth-based author and former Commissioning Editor of Romance for a boutique publishing house in the UK.

Combining her passion for story and romance has resulted in publication of her debut novel ‘Home to the Heart Country’ - a moving, beautifully romantic story about one woman’s quest to uncover her identity and a sense of belonging.

Released at the end of November 2025 by HQ Fiction, ‘Home to the Heart Country’ heralds a bright future for this rising star.

I enjoyed a wonderful chat with Libby for the podcast recently.