Charlotte McConaghy: Finding Ghosts, Skipping School and Using Your Biggest Feelings

Charlotte McConaghy: Finding Ghosts, Skipping School and Using Your Biggest Feelings

June 26, 2026 · 35 min

About this episode

Charlotte McConaghy discusses her writing process and emotional inspirations behind her novels.

Charlotte McConaghy ( Wild Dark Shore, Migrations, Once Were Wolves ) is one of Australia's most acclaimed authors; known for her lush prose, fiercely emotional tone and environments so rich you feel instantly transported. And turns out, her process is every bit as wild as what it creates. In this episode, Charlotte tells Luke all about how she practically skipped school homework after starting her first book at fourteen, how she intentionally channels her biggest emotions—from intense sadness and rage to deep fear—into her protagonists so they can fight their way toward healing, peace, and love, and how a wild research trip to a haunted island was the biggest breakthrough of her recent novel.  Don't forget to check out the Good Books Club episode discussing Charlotte's work  Migrations ! What are your thoughts? Let us know and have your voice notes featured on the podcast: email goodbooks@taptmedia.com.au. Stay connected on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Luke Bateman

Guest: Charlotte McConaghy

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Wild Dark Shore, Migrations, Once Were Wolves

Places: Australia

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