Skip to main content
Better Words

Better Words

By Better Words

Started by two book bloggers who also happen to be best friends, Better Words is a podcast about books. We'll be having bookish discussions as well as talking to some amazing authors, bloggers and generally awesome people. Grab yourself a cup of tea and join Caitlin and Michelle for Better Words!
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Castbox Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
PodBean Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

What's in the box with The YA Chronicles

Better WordsMay 08, 2018

00:00
45:08
From obsession to contemporary YA with Phil Stamper
Mar 17, 202001:02:35
Finding your own voice with Anna Whateley
Mar 03, 202001:02:26
Writing about the big questions with Emery Lord
Feb 11, 202001:15:57
A love letter to people watchers with Libby Page
Jan 28, 202058:55
New chapters and special places with Vanessa McCausland
Jan 14, 202001:06:03
Distance doesn't matter with Tara Eglington

Distance doesn't matter with Tara Eglington

Today's guest is the wonderful Tara Eglington! Tara joins us to talk about her fourth novel, The Long Distance Playlist. We discuss the inspirations for the story and main characters, the role music plays in the novel and her creative process. You can listen to the offical The Long Distance Playlist playlist on Spotify here. Before the interview, Michelle and Caitlin share their very own friendship playlist! Interview starts at 16:30. 

Check out the shownotes here.

Join our Facebook group to continue the conversation. Follow us on Instagram @betterwordspod and please subscribe and leave a rating or review. 

Please note that Caitlin's job at HarperCollins Publishers did not affect our decision to invite Tara to be a guest, we're delighted to have her and hope you enjoy this episode. 

Dec 22, 201959:04
Inside an indie publisher with Bella Pearson
Dec 10, 201901:01:13
The highs and lows of online life with Fiona Thomas
Nov 28, 201954:18
The vulnerability of life writing with Bri Lee
Nov 12, 201901:02:23
Writing the stories we needed with Nina Kenwood
Oct 29, 201901:04:00
Wielding our power with Julie Mayhew
Oct 15, 201901:06:58
Spilling the tea part 3
Aug 08, 201942:60
While you were writing with Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus
Jul 23, 201948:48
Written in the stars with Danielle Wood
Jul 09, 201901:05:30
Learn, write and rise with Renee Watson
Jun 26, 201901:01:60
Grieving in words with Helena Fox
Jun 11, 201901:13:13
Embracing and loving YA with Michael Earp
May 28, 201901:01:29
Women make history with Clare Wright

Women make history with Clare Wright

We learned a lot in this episode and we hope you do too. Clare Wright is a historian and award winning author. She talked to us about the Australian's women suffragette movement and how women won the right to vote. We also chatted to Clare about her research, writing process and making history cool again. Before that, listen to Caitlin and Michelle's last in person (for them) introduction for a while, as Michelle gets ready to move to the UK.
Join our Facebook group to continue the conversation. Follow us on Instagram @betterwordspod and please subscribe and leave a rating or review.
May 14, 201901:16:44
Creating your authentic with Sara Tasker
Apr 30, 201901:13:22
Fairy tales and folklore with Kate Forsyth
Apr 21, 201943:18
An Underdog’s dream with Tobias Madden
Apr 02, 201958:36
Revisiting our yesterday with Karen Sepulveda

Revisiting our yesterday with Karen Sepulveda

This week we're discussing Kinky Boots, Harry Potter movies, Underdog short stories, plus an exciting announcement. Our guest is Karyn Sepulveda, author of Letters to My Yesterday, chatting about uncovering the extraordinary stories of ordinary women, writing 'apprenticeships' and the classification of women's writing. 

Follow us on Instagram. Thanks to Ventura Books for providing a copy of Letters to My Yesterday for this episode. 

Mar 20, 201954:31
Body positive and pop culture obsessed with Jenna Guillaume

Body positive and pop culture obsessed with Jenna Guillaume

To celebrate the release of What I Like About Me, we welcome author and journalist Jenna Guillaume. We discuss her journey to publication, the wonderful character of Maisie, rom coms, Dirty Dancing, body positivity and more. Michelle and Caitlin also discuss the Oscars, catching up on movies and the Jonas Brothers.

Mar 05, 201901:05:06
Life shaped by words with Angela Meyer

Life shaped by words with Angela Meyer

This week we're discussing binge-worthy crime dramas (The Cry and Dirty John), sitcoms (Derry Girls and New Girl), and our brand new Facebook group. Our guest is Angela Meyer, author of genre bending novel A Superior Spectre. We're talking about choosing to abandon the 'safe' writing path, why words are so important and the creative anxiety so many writers experience. 

Feb 19, 201901:00:46
The winding road to publication with Carly Findlay
Feb 05, 201901:05:10
The universal language with Cristy Burne
Jan 23, 201901:00:34
I know what you read last summer

I know what you read last summer

Before we kick off the podcast properly in 2019, we're back to discuss what we read and watched over the Christmas/New Year break. 

Jan 15, 201937:06
That's a wrap on 2018

That's a wrap on 2018

Listen in as we discuss and gush all of our favourite things in 2018. From books, movies, TV shows and podcasts to other fabulous things that happened in between. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Dec 18, 201801:06:45
Finding your place with Zoya Patel

Finding your place with Zoya Patel

We've had a heatwave, fires, storms and a stand up show. That's just our intro! In this wonderful chat with Aussie writer Zoya Patel, we discuss feminism, equality, her migrant experience and fangirl over Mama and Papa Patel. If you've ever felt like you don't belong, this episode and book is for you.
Dec 04, 201801:12:53
Women in power with Jane Caro

Women in power with Jane Caro

Jane Caro is an Australian writer and social commentator. We we're very excited to chat to her about her young adult trilogy about Queen Elizabeth I, discussing her research, writing and women in history. Listen also as we wrap up Crimes of Grindelwald!
Nov 20, 201801:00:59
Ideal timing with Karen Foxlee

Ideal timing with Karen Foxlee

This week, author Karen Foxlee is talking to us about her writing process, creativity and the timing of ideas. Caitlin and Michelle are also discussing Bohemian Rhapsody and the brilliance of the new Queen bio-pic.
Nov 07, 201858:26
'You're a collector, Harry!' with Peter Kenneth

'You're a collector, Harry!' with Peter Kenneth

You think your Harry Potter collection is big? Step aside, because Peter Kenneth's magical library of roughly 1300 Harry Potter editions will take your breath away. In this episode, we chat to Peter about all things Potter from falling in love with Hogwarts to becoming an expert on JK Rowling signatures and the best covers of the series. Grab your wand and join us for a spellbinding interview!
Oct 28, 201801:01:58
Scarred not scared with Michelle Elman

Scarred not scared with Michelle Elman

Michelle Elman is an all-round fabulous woman. She's spoken at TEDx and has built a powerful social media following after the #scarrednotscared tag went viral. Her memoir Am I Ugly? is a moving journey through multiple surgeries and the way they've shaped her body confidence. Michelle explains how she learned to love her body and how you can too. Listen up pod squad, it's time to share the love.
Oct 10, 201801:11:17
Tropical vibes with Fiona Bell

Tropical vibes with Fiona Bell

Queensland might be hot, but the gorgeous landscape makes up for it. Fiona Bell joins us to chat about her debut, Waterhole! We discuss writing, publishing, inspiration, English in high schools and what it's like to have your novel taught in the next classroom.
Sep 25, 201850:50
Australian Reading Hour with Danielle Binks

Australian Reading Hour with Danielle Binks

This week we're joined by editor and agent Danielle Binks for a special minisode celebrating Australian Reading Hour - as if the BW squad needed an excuse to set aside some reading time, right?! Listen for some great recommendations from Danielle including new releases to keep an eye on.
Sep 20, 201825:25
Bookish life with Lucy from The Literary Edit

Bookish life with Lucy from The Literary Edit

Named London Book Fair's Book Blogger of the Year, Lucy is pretty accomplished. She chats to us about moving internationally, her love for Sydney and rebranding her blog as The Literary Edit! Michelle and Caitlin also give a quick wrap up of their weekend at Brisbane Writers Festival.
Sep 11, 201801:15:42
Forces of nature with Sally Piper

Forces of nature with Sally Piper

This week Sally Piper joins us to talk about how her love of nature and the Australian bush influenced her latest novel, The Geography of Friendship. We're also discussing how Sally's previous career as a nurse helps her writing in the most unlikely ways, and the pressure of winning literary awards.
Aug 28, 201850:41
A quick update

A quick update

Hi everyone, we just have a quick update for you this week. From now on, we'll be doing fortnightly episodes. Thanks! - Caitlin & Michelle
Aug 21, 201807:49
How to change your life with Lisa Stephenson

How to change your life with Lisa Stephenson

This week we are joined by Lisa Stephenson whose debut book Read Me First will help you find a new path to success, however you define it. In what is probably our most inspirational interview to date, Lisa walks us through how she wrote Read Me First after building a successful life coaching career and shares with us the simple ways we can all start to make changes in our daily lives to take us where we want to be.
Aug 14, 201855:38
Words spilling out with Nikki McWatters

Words spilling out with Nikki McWatters

This week's guest is a writer, mother and former rock groupie. She’s done every job from TV acting to legal counselling to check-out chick and cleaner. We're chatting to Nikki all about her ideas, writing and the difference between writing fiction and non-fiction. There's something for everybody in this episode!
Aug 07, 201846:45
Happy 1st Birthday Better Words

Happy 1st Birthday Better Words

We have been doing this for a whole year! Thank you so much for listening and for supporting us over the past year. For our first birthday, we're throwing it back to our first episode and having a Harry Potter party! We're chatting Fantastic Beasts, ships, 20th anniversaries and playing a game of would you rather.
Jul 31, 201839:58
Bookshop antics with Mischa from Better Read Than Dead

Bookshop antics with Mischa from Better Read Than Dead

Dream of working in a bookshop? Us too! This week we're joined by Mischa from Better Read Than Dead, an iconic store in Sydney's Newtown. We're discussing the weird things customers say, how much of a difference awards and adaptations actually make and how booksellers balance their budgets when they're surrounded by the things they love.
Jul 24, 201846:30
Becoming an Instagram guru with Sarah Taviani

Becoming an Instagram guru with Sarah Taviani

Want to build a bookstagram feed which will stop people scrolling and get them double tapping? Insta guru Sarah Taviani is joining us for a special workshop covering all elements of improving your feed including photography, content, and account management. Get some pen and paper - you'll want to take notes!
Jul 17, 201801:23:27
When ideologies clash with Randa Abdel-Fattah

When ideologies clash with Randa Abdel-Fattah

Michelle is back from her holiday! But that's not the most exciting thing! 'Does My Head Look Big In This?' and 'When Michael Met Mina' author Randa Abdel-Fattah joins us for an amazing discussion. Michelle and Caitlin say 'wow' a lot and just soak up everything Randa says.
Jul 10, 201854:59
Lush histories with Julian Leatherdale

Lush histories with Julian Leatherdale

'Palace of Tears' and 'The Opal Dragonfly' author Julian Leatherdale is the first male guest of Better Words! We're discussing theatre, documentaries, historical fiction, writing and publishing. There's something for everybody in this episode.
Jul 03, 201801:00:06
It's a mid year gush fest

It's a mid year gush fest

This year is going by so fast! Join us for a full on GUSH fest of everything we've loved in the first half of 2018. We're talking tv shows, movies, music, podcasts and of course, books. Also, there's another update from Michelle and Jack on their Irish adventure.
Jun 26, 201841:21
We're very jealous of The YA Room

We're very jealous of The YA Room

This week we're joined by Sarah and Alex of Melbourne's young adult book club, The YA Room. Chatting all about how they got started, hosting book launches and events, to the first YA Day! Hopefully next year we can attend, but until then, listen to our chat (and find out our dream dinner guests!)
Jun 19, 201850:13
You're a marshmallow, Veronica Mars

You're a marshmallow, Veronica Mars

Like Kristen Bell? Teenage detectives? Feminist, progressive and sassy TV shows? If you answered 'yes' and haven't watched Veronica Mars then you should! Our discussion about the sassy woman herself will either make you want to watch or rewatch the TV series and movie. Plus enjoy a clip from Michelle and Jack from Dublin!
Jun 12, 201801:14:15
Book ninjas unite with Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus

Book ninjas unite with Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus

Want to spread the bookish love? Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus are Melbourne's own book ninjas and their mission to add a little literature to everyone's day has become a national success. This week they're joining us to talk about Book on the Rain and their brand new YA debut based on the venture.
Jun 05, 201854:15
Spilling the tea (part 2)

Spilling the tea (part 2)

This week we are spilling the tea on the latest bookish news and discussing whether creators should leave their characters alone, how many editions of Harry Potter we'll buy and whether 'Netflix for books' is a good idea.
Listen on Apple Podcast, Overcast, CastBox, Stitcher or Libsyn.
May 29, 201850:59