Author Interviews

Guest User

24 April 2014

ABC Radio National - 'Books and Arts Daily' and 'Books Plus' interview with Kate Evans.

Sally Piper on Instagram

I’m kind of literally off to Grandma’s house with baked goods in the morning. My mum’s aged care home has an EKKA stall for residents and I figured those lovely older folk, many of whom don’t have the memory they once had, might recall some of the flavours from when they were younger and just about every Australian household had an Australian Women’s Weekly cookbook (or ten) on the shelf. There’s no publication page in this one, but I reckon I’ve had it since the 1980s. I haven’t opened it for years.

We both look a bit stern with our arms crossed but I can assure you we’ll aim for a robust but also playful conversation. Come along if you can, I’d love to see you there. It’s a ticketed event to include food and wine and you can book your place at the link in my bio. @dranitaheiss @uqpbooks @scrumptiousreads

Huge thanks to @kaitlynhudsonofarrell_ and Saturday’s Sydney Weekend magazine for interviewing Susan and I about how we came to work together in our mission to address the issue of the 400,000 older single women in Australia who are at risk of homelessness - me by writing about the issue in my novel PEOPLE LIKE US and Susan by providing solutions through her work with @sharingwithfriends_foundation 🏘️ @uqpbooks @dmcprmedia @susandavies9232 #homelessnessweek2026 #affordablehousingforall #housingisahumanright #cohousing

When I talk to people about insecure housing experienced by older single women, these are some of the statistics I mention, along with some of the factors that contribute to the problem and some of the solutions that would help make a difference. Homelessness Australia’s slogan for Homelessness Week 2026 (3-9 August) is “Homelessness action NOW!” The statistics would agree. @uqpbooks @dmcprmedia #homelessnessweek2026 #securehousing #affordablehousingforall #endhomelessness #peoplelikeusnovel

Thanks to @bigissueaustralia for running my article about near homelessness experienced by older single women, a crisis which is often hidden. “These women are not invisible because they are unusual. They are invisible because their stories rarely become part of our national conversation.” Homelessness Week helps raise awareness and build that conversation. I wrote PEOPLE LIKE US to put a human face to what could be one of the 400,000 older single women experiencing insecure housing in Australia and to highlight the forces that put and keep her there. And organisations like @sharingwithfriends_foundation are providing solutions, with the First Five (pictured) set to move into the first gentle density co-housing project in Brisbane very soon. @uqpbooks @dmcprmedia #homelessnessweek #affordablehousingforall #housinginsecurity #cohousing

The Brisbane Writers Festival Program was officially launched at Brisbane Powerhouse this evening. It’s packed with a fantastic line-up of authors. Tickets can be booked at bwf.org.au @briswritersfest #brisbanewritersfestival #bwf2026 #literaryfestival

Everybody’s Home is a coalition of housing, homelessness and welfare organizations trying to bring about the change needed so everybody has a safe, secure and affordable home. They are currently conducting their Everybody’s Home Campaign 2026 Housing Survey and they are asking everyone to take part. Whether you’re a renter, homeowner, have a mortgage, are experiencing homelessness or looking to buy a home, they want to hear from you. The survey only takes 7-10 minutes. Please consider adding your voice. Link in my bio. 🏘️✍🏻 @everybodyshomecampaign @uqpbooks #affordablehousingforall #endhomelessness

It was a warm afternoon, but this brown tree snake seems to be out and about a bit early. Plus, I nearly stepped on it, but thankfully it’s only ‘mildly venomous’ and (fun fact) it has rear-facing fangs making it difficult for it to bite a human.

Homelessness Week starts today and the publication that puts this issue on peoples’ radars more than any other is The Big Issue. That this issue is called Can You See Me? is apt given it is also Census night on 11 August when every Australian is counted and importantly, for whether or not they have a roof over their head that night. On our last Census night, in 2021, 122,494 people didn’t. I fear this number will be even higher in 2026 as there has been little substantive policy change in the past five years to make a difference. I have an article in this issue that looks beyond the statistics to solutions. Thank you to Susan Davies at Sharing with Friends for collaborating with me for the piece. @uqpbooks @dmcprmedia @sharingwithfriends_foundation @bigissueaustralia #peoplelikeusnovel #housingsecurityforall #affordablehousingforall

I’m so pleased to have this spotlight put on the good work of Sharing with Friends and the First Five women soon to move into their forever homes in Brisbane. I’d love to see this co-housing model replicated right round the country. Thanks @marieclaireau for the opportunity to write about this important issue. @uqpbooks @dmcprmedia @sharingwithfriends_foundation #peoplelikeusnovel #cohousing #affordablehousing