Better Words Michelle Gately & Caitlin Toohey

Welcome to The Re-Read: bonus episodes where we chat with previous Better Words guests and catch up on what's happened since they joined us on the pod.

Dr Jodi McAlister is a romance author and romance scholar. Her latest novel is Not Here To Make Friends.
Listen to our previous chat with Jodi here.
You can follow @jodimcalister on Instagram
In this interview, we chat about:
The complex reality TV world Jodi created across her rom-com trilogy, including exploring the series 'villains' in the final bookWriting the third book in dual perspective and why this took Jodi by surprise (and why it was 'harder than all six of my previous books combined')Could Love Island inspire another series in the future?How Jodi planned the series, including plotting a season of a fictional dating showJodi's next romance series and upcoming academic projects
Not Here to Make Friends is available now in Australia, along with Jodi's other books.
Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Emma Darragh spends most of her time on Gadigal and Dharawal Lands. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Wollongong, where she works as a sessional academic. Her writing has appeared in numerous Australian publications, including Cordite, Westerly, Meniscus, TEXT, and The Big Issue Fiction Edition. Emma’s debut novel-in-stories, Thanks for Having Me, is published by JOAN.
Our interview begins at  25:00
We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!
Mini book club: Prima Facie by Suzie Miller
Tessa has built a prestigious career as a barrister, a world away from her working-class roots. But when she is raped on a date with a colleague, she must reckon with everything she's believed about the law and justice. This is a stunning, thought-provoking and emotional novel.
Michelle received a copy for review from the publisher in the UK.
In this interview, we chat about:
The story cycle format of Thanks for Having MeHow the character of Vivienne inspired the novelHow you structure a novel that's intentionally meant to be read out of order and the way Emma approached the writing processEmma's journey to publication
Books and other things mentioned:
The Work by Bri LeeRBG (play by Suzi Miller)Eggshell Skull by Bri LeeOlive Kitteridge by Elizabeth StroutA Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer EganDubliners by James JoyceAlice Munro (author)Rubik by Elizabeth TanThe Flight of Birds by Joshua Lobb
Follow @emmaldarragh on Instagram.
Thanks for Having Me is available in Australia now. Thank you to the publisher for providing copies in preparation for the interview.
Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Lottie Hazell is a contemporary literary scholar, board game designer and writer in Warwickshire. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing and her research considers food-writing in 21st Century fiction. Today, we’re discussing her debut novel Piglet.
Our interview begins at  16:00
We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!
Caitlin recommends: So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong*
A fascinating look behind the scenes of the iconic movie with so many interesting tidbits from those involved.
Michelle recommends: The Whalebone Theatre by Julia Quinn
A beautiful family saga following three children growing up in a crumbling English manor house by the sea, spanning from 1919 to the end of World War Two.
In this interview, we chat about:
Family, aspiration and why perception is so vital to PigletThe 'contract' between the author and the reader and why Lottie wanted to play with that in revealing aspects of Piglet's storyFood, desire and the connection with familyLottie's academic focus on food-centred fiction and how this led to writing PigletLottie's venture into boardgame designing with her partner
Books and other things mentioned:
Sex and the City and Us by Jennifer Keishin ArmstrongSimple Comforts by Mary BerryRamsey in Ten by Gordon RamseyThe Roasting Tin series by Rukmini IyerThe Farm Tabel by Julius RobertsLeague of Lexicon (game)
Follow Lottie on Instagram @LDHazell
Piglet is available in the UK, US and Australia now! Thank you to the publisher for providing us with copies in preparation for the interview.
Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Madeleine Gray is a writer and critic from Sydney. She was a 2021 Finalist for the Walkley Pascall Prize for Arts Criticism and has written for many publications. She also lived in the UK for several years, has an MSt in English Literature from the University of Oxford and is a current (remote) doctoral candidate at the University of Manchester. Green Dot is her debut novel.
Our interview begins at  20.00
We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!
Mini book club: Reputation by Lex Croucher
Mean Girls meets Bridgerton in this Regency-era romance. Add in a queer focus and we're absolutely here for it. Reputation is a delightful read, perfect for a holiday or devouring over a weekend. We can't wait to read Lex's other romance novels.
In this interview, we chat about:
Hera's job as a comment moderator at a large news publicationExploring Hera's experience as a bi woman in her first straight-passing relationshipHera and her single dad's relationship (and why it's the best)Madeleine's unique journey to publicationInternational cover (and name) changesThe reception from readers and what that means to Madeleine
Books and other things mentioned:
Listen to our interview with Lex CroucherGentleman Jack (TV series)'The first modern lesbian' Anne ListerWe Had to Remove This Post by Hanna BervoetsIn At the Deep End by Kate DaviesPride (film)Gay's The Word bookshop, LondonNeon Roses by Rachel DawsonBook Bar bookshop, London
Follow @gray_madeleine_ on Twitter or visit Madeleine's Website
Green Dot is available now in Australia and the UK. Thank you to the publishers for providing copies of the book in preparation for the interview.
Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Kelly McCaughrain is a YA writer from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Her first book, Flying Tips for Flightless Birds won the Children's Books Ireland Book of the Year Award and NI Book Award. She was the Queens University Belfast Children's Writing Fellow 2019-2021. Her new YA, Little Bang, is about teen pregnancy and was published by Walker Books in January 2024. When she's not writing she's mentoring teen writers with Fighting Words NI or travelling in her ancient VW campervan, Gerda.
Our interview begins at  27.00
We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!
Caitlin recommends: Cherry Beach by Laura McPhee-Browne
Childhood best friends Hetty and Ness leave Melbourne to live abroad in Canada. This is a beautiful exploration of friendship and love, found through a library 'blind date with a book'. It felt like it took a while to read, but I really wanted to savour this writing.
Michelle recommends: Everyone On This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
This is a sequel, but you don't have to have read Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone to enjoy this witty and clever murder mystery. In this fiction disguised as a memoir, several mystery writers on a literary festival train journey must utilise their 'expertise' to investigate when one of their own is killed.
A copy was provided by the publisher for review.
In this interview, we chat about:
The inequality of pregnancy and motherhood and how Kelly tackled this in a novel for teen readersWhy a dual perspective was the best way to tell this storyHow to represent the nuance of the abortion debate and teen pregnancy through Mel and SidThe importance of exploring friendship dynamics alongside the pregnancy storylineHow growing up in Northern Ireland during The Troubles impacted Kelly's writingThe importance of humour in dealing with tough situationsHow a story competition helped Kelly score an agentThe difference between writing her debut novel and this second novelWhy it's so inspiring to teach creative writing to teens
Books and other things mentioned:
I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamaraBrooklyn by Colm TóibínRebecca Kuang (author)The Afterparty (TV series)Shameless (podcast)Olive by Emma GannonDerry Girls (TV series)Sinéad Morrissey (poet)
Follow @kmccaughrain on Instagram
Little Bang is available now. Thank you to Walker Books for sending copies of the books in preparation for the interview.
Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

Welcome to The Re-Read: bonus episodes where we chat with previous Better Words guests and catch up on what's happened since they joined us on the pod.

Libby Page became a Sunday Times bestselling author with her debut The Lido and has since become a staple of the 'up-lit' genre with her following novels The 24-Hour Cafe, The Island Home, and The Vintage Shop. Before becoming an author, Libby worked in journalism and marketing. She is a keen outdoor swimmer and lives in Somerset with her husband and young son. Today, we're discussing her upcoming novel, The Lifeline, which sees the return of a beloved character from The Lido.
You can follow Libby @libbypagewrite on Instagram and read more of her writing over on Substack – where you can also follow us for lots of extra book recommendations.
In this interview, we chat about:
Why returning to the world of The Lido was never inevitable How becoming a mum influenced The Lifeline and why Libby wanted to explore the (still somewhat taboo) topic of post-partum mental healthKeeping the love for something when it becomes your careerWhat Libby's learned about the publishing process since her debut novel
The Lifeline is published on April 25 in Australia and the UK. Thanks to Orion for providing copies of the book in preparation for the interview.
Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod