Episode 3

Career apathy and doomed affairs with Madeleine Gray

Madeleine Gray is a writer and critic from Sydney. She was a 2021 Finalist for the Walkley Pascall Prize for Arts Criticism and has written for many publications. She also lived in the UK for several years, has an MSt in English Literature from the University of Oxford and is a current (remote) doctoral candidate at the University of Manchester. Green Dot is her debut novel.

Our interview begins at  20.00

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Mini book club: Reputation by Lex Croucher

Mean Girls meets Bridgerton in this Regency-era romance. Add in a queer focus and we're absolutely here for it. Reputation is a delightful read, perfect for a holiday or devouring over a weekend. We can't wait to read Lex's other romance novels.

In this interview, we chat about:

  • Hera's job as a comment moderator at a large news publication
  • Exploring Hera's experience as a bi woman in her first straight-passing relationship
  • Hera and her single dad's relationship (and why it's the best)
  • Madeleine's unique journey to publication
  • International cover (and name) changes
  • The reception from readers and what that means to Madeleine

Books and other things mentioned:

  • Listen to our interview with Lex Croucher
  • Gentleman Jack (TV series)
  • 'The first modern lesbian' Anne Lister
  • We Had to Remove This Post by Hanna Bervoets
  • In At the Deep End by Kate Davies
  • Pride (film)
  • Gay's The Word bookshop, London
  • Neon Roses by Rachel Dawson
  • Book Bar bookshop, London

Follow @gray_madeleine_ on Twitter or visit Madeleine's Website

Green Dot is available now in Australia and the UK. Thank you to the publishers for providing copies of the book in preparation for the interview.

Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

About the Podcast

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Better Words

About your hosts

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Caitlin Toohey

Hi, I'm Caitlin! I've been on bookstagram since 2016, a podcaster since 2017, and worked in publishing since 2019. So books and reading are my entire life. When I'm not reading, I like listening to Taylor Swift, watching sitcoms, and generally being a theatre kid.
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Michelle Gately

Hi, I'm Michelle! I'm an Aussie living in the UK, working as a bookseller at Waterstones. I'm obsessed with storytelling in all its forms – I spend as much time watching TV or listening to podcasts as I do reading. Other hobbies include bouldering, hiking and generally obsessing about my pug Percy.