Fiction

How hard is it for New Zealand authors to make a living from their craft? Audio

Pulitzer Prize winning American author Annie Proulx talks to Kathryn about her latest book, Fen, Bog and Swamp. The 87 year old writes about the history of wetland destruction and the role it plays in… Audio

Marlborough-based author Luke Elworthy dives into the life of esteemed New Zealand writer Godfrey Cheathem, who sadly died before publication of his great novel. It's based on a series of letters… Audio

Author and bookshop co-owner Catherine Robertson is in to talk about the gap between how fiction is categorised, and the actual experience of reading novels. Audio

Monica Ali's debut novel Brick Lane catapulted her to fame in 2003 which she followed with Alentejo Blue, In the Kitchen, and Untold Story. Her latest novel, Love Marriage, is her first book in 10… Audio

Ralph McAllister reviews Lily by Rose Tremain, published by Penguin Audio

Famous fictional historians: Are there any? Archaeologists have Indiana Jones and Lara Croft. Lawyers have Atticus Finch and Harvey Specter. But what about historians? Who are the fictional… Audio

What happens when there are questions that only your father can answer, and you have no idea who he is? That's Tom's predicament in The Other Side of the World, a novel by Jenni Francis, whose family… Audio

Ōtepoti writer Emma Neale speaks about her latest book The Pink Jumpsuit,  a mix of short through to ultra short flash fiction. Audio

Historically, those who read sci-fi and fantasy have been stigmatised as nerds, but research by Professor Esther Jones shows sci-fi and fantasy may help young people cope, especially with the stress… Audio

The author of Cloud Atlas, Black Swan Green, and number9dream, David Mitchell, has just released a new novel: his first in five years. Utopia Avenue, is a magical, musical story about '...the… Audio

RNZ producer and bookworm Robert Kelly is in to defend genre fiction that follows the rules. Audio

Prize-winning Australian crime writer Michael Robotham has applauded Craig Sisterson for his "passion for stories that thrill, frighten, puzzle and surprise us". Craig is a Kiwi feature writer… Audio

Author Neil Gaiman has been coming to NZ for appearances for years now, but he never envisaged he'd be locked down here for the better part of a month along with his wife, musician Amanda Palmer and… Audio

Writer Peter Swanson says there are eight examples of the perfect murder in fictional writing. Swanson's latest novel, Rules for Perfect Murder, highlights a series of unsolved murders with one thing… Audio

This time of imposed home time is the perfect opportunity to dust off that unfinished painting, sculpture, music score, poem or book. But if taking on a big project is a bit much, how about trying… Audio

At the NZ Arts Festival 2020, RNZ's Lynn Freeman talks to Rajorshi Chakraborti about his novel Shakti, a fantastical story which has insights into the real-life world of India today. Audio

This week on Lately Book Club Dr Carolyn McKay speaks with Karyn Hay from Sydney about the colour green and its close association with crime books. Audio

William Gibson has imagined the near future more convincingly than anyone else for four decades now. His latest sci-fi thriller, Agency, is a book with both feet placed firmly in the future that will… Audio