
The Second Book Episode #08: Fiona McFarlane
Fiona McFarlane + Michaela Kalowski
Online Program / The Second Book
TSB008
#Performances
#About the event
Duration: 45 minutes
Fiona McFarlane’s first novel, The Night Guest (2013), was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award as well as winning the Voss Literary Prize. Her second novel, When the Sun Walks Down, was published in late 2022. Ann Patchett, among many others, raved about it saying “this is the book I’m always longing to find: brilliant, fresh and compulsively readable.” McFarlane also writes short stories and has had writing in the New Yorker and Southerly. But what pressure was there between first and second novel? Fiona will discuss the reality of writing her second novel, the highs and lows of the publishing business, who she shows her work to (and when) as well as the magic of being a writer.
#Season Pass
Individual tickets are available for single episodes, or click below to purchase a season pass to watch the whole series.
Supported by
Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund

#Artists
Fiona McFarlane
Fiona McFarlane is the author of the novel The Night Guest, which was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award, and the collection of short stories The High Places, which won the International Dylan Thomas Prize. Her second novel, The Sun Walks Down, is set in the Flinders Ranges. Fiona teaches fiction at the University of California, Berkeley.
Michaela Kalowski
Michaela Kalowski is an interviewer, moderator and curator for writers and ideas festivals. In 2023 she's the curator and interviewer of Brisbane Writers Festival's online series The Second Book, and curator of ABC RN's on-air writers festival, Big Weekend of Books. She's conducted radio interviews for ABC RN's The Music Show, Big Ideas and The Bookshelf, ABC Classic and has presented programs across ABC radio. Recent interviews include Margaret Atwood, David Mitchell, Trent Dalton and Robert Jones Jr.