Diabetes and choosing words carefully with Carly Nugent

Carly Nugent lives in Bright, Victoria. Her short fiction has featured in numerous publications, including the Bellevue Literary Review and Award Winning Australian Writing. Her first novel, The Peacock Detectives, won the Readings Children's Book Prize, was a CBCA younger readers Honour Book, and was shortlisted for the Text Prize, the Australian Book Design Awards and the Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards. But today we are discussing Sugar, her first novel for young adults.

Our interview begins at  00:16:15

Caitlin recommends: All My Mothers by Joanna Glen

A sweeping familial drama exploring all the motherhood relationships a woman experiences throughout her life. 

*Caitlin received a PR copy through her role at Harper Collins Australia.

Michelle recommends: The Long Drop by Denise Mina

A fascinating blend of fact and fiction imagining lost hours in the life of Glasgow serial killer Peter Manuel.

In this interview, we chat about:

• How Carly’s experience with Type 1 Diabetes inspired Persephone’s story
• The way language and numbers help tell the story in a unique way including in the opening pages
• Why Carly decided to include some difficult and traumatic moments in Persephone’s story, rather than just exploring how she lives with Diabetes
• How Carly felt writing for an older audience after her debut middle grade novel, The Peacock Detectives
• The journey to publication, including a special Text Publishing signing

Books and other things mentioned:

• Redhanded episode 230: Peter Manuel: The Beast of Birkinshaw
• All Killa No Filla episode 80: Peter Manuel
• The Babysitter’s Club
• Something Rhymes With Purple (podcast)
• Vikki Wakefield's writing (all brilliant)
• Sick Bay by Nova Weetman 

Follow Carly @carly_nugent

Sugar is available now. Thanks to Text Publishing for sending us copies of the book in preparation for the interview.

Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod