85 | 'These men do exist:' the Dark Mode spoilers episode

10/17/23 • 60 min

Ashley reveals the inspiration behind the twists and turns in her bestselling psychological thriller, Dark Mode.

Together with return guest Jacinta Dietrich and self-described enthusiastic reader Ali Thomas, Ashley and James delve into every scintillating Dark Mode detail they normally can’t discuss, including the novel's real-life inspirations.

Jacinta Dietrich is the author of This Is Us Now, and co-hosts Differently Brained, a podcast focussed on neurodivergent celebration and mental health awareness. Ali Thomas is a former high school English teacher and featured as part of the inaugural Boorowa Literary Festival.

Upcoming events:

Books and authors discussed in this episode:

The Reader by Bernard Schlink
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon
Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz
The Tilt by Chris Hammer
A Mother's Reckoning by Sue Klebold
Troll Hunting by Ginger Gorman
Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates
The Guest List by Lucky Foley
Elizabeth Finch by Julian Barnes
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
The Joy Thief by Penny Moodie
We Didn't Think It Through by Gary Lonesborough
This Is Us Now by Jacinta Dietrich

Ashley's psychological thriller Dark Mode is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy.

James' novel Denizen is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy .

Get in touch

ashleykalagianblunt.com
jamesmckenziewatson.com
Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt + @JamesMcWatson
Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Ashley reveals the inspiration behind the twists and turns in her bestselling psychological thriller, Dark Mode.

Upcoming events:

Books and authors discussed in this episode:

The Reader by Bernard Schlink
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon
Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz
The Tilt by Chris Hammer
A Mother's Reckoning by Sue Klebold
Troll Hunting by Ginger Gorman
Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates
The Guest List by Lucky Foley
Elizabeth Finch by Julian Barnes
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
The Joy Thief by Penny Moodie
We Didn't Think It Through by Gary Lonesborough
This Is Us Now by Jacinta Dietrich

Ashley's psychological thriller Dark Mode is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy.

James' novel Denizen is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy .

Get in touch

ashleykalagianblunt.com
jamesmckenziewatson.com
Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt + @JamesMcWatson
Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Previous Episode

84 | How hard can a book be? with Jonathon Shannon, author of 'Bound to Happen'

'I was still in that really optimistic, sort of naive, wonderful space as an early writer, where you think everything you write is just publishable.' Debut author Jonathon Shannon shares his journey from aspiring writer to published author – including the decision to join James and Ashley's writers' group.

We discuss how he took his debut romcom from a four-word pitch to a publishing contract, the rejection of his first manuscript, and his transition to writing romantic comedy alongside his wife, author Elodie Cheesman.

Plus, do you have a book you're saving to read before you die?

Jonathon Shannon is a Sydney-based writer and creative director. His work has been recognised at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, screened at the St Kilda Film Festival, and is housed in the permanent archives of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Bound to Happen is his debut novel.

Get your copy of Bound to Happen or from your local bookshop.

Upcoming events

Books and authors discussed in this episode:

'I’m the Wrong Ghost for This Haunting' by Ren Arcamone
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
A Mile Down by David Vann
A Burglar's Guide to the City by Geoff Manaugh
The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Love, In Theory by Elodie Cheesman

Ashley's psychological thriller Dark Mode is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy.

James' novel Denizen is out now! Learn more about it and get your copy .

Get in touch!

ashleykalagianblunt.com
jamesmckenziewatson.com
Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt + @JamesMcWatson
Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Next Episode

86 | Starting late with Penguin Literary Prize winner Annette Higgs

‘When I was a lawyer, I knew what was good enough, because if you did the job properly, you were paid, and if you didn’t do the job properly, you were sued. It was very clear-cut. With writing, you never know. There’s a lot of subjectivity.’

James speaks with Penguin Literary Prize winning author Annette Higgs about her debut novel, On a Bright Hillside in Paradise. They discuss the process of researching family ancestry to craft historical fiction, as well as the challenge of taking up writing later in life. Plus, Annette shares the story of how she learned she won the Penguin Literary Prize during a trip to Norfolk Island.

Annette Higgs is a writer living in Sydney, Australia. She has lived, worked and studied in Sydney, London and Italy, and holds a Doctor of Arts from the University of Sydney. A Pushcart nominee, her short work has appeared in literary journals and anthologies in Australia, the USA, the UK and India.

You can read Annette's March 2023 essay for the Bangalore Review, entitled 'Starting Late: Reflections on Becoming a Writer' here.

Get your copy of On a Bright Hillside in Paradise from Booktopia or your local bookshop.

Upcoming events

Books and authors discussed in this episode: