102 | 'You had me at bog people' with Zahid Gamieldien, author of 'All the Missing Children'

James and Ashley Stay at Home

'I wasn't even sure I was going to write a novel.'

Author Zahid Gamieldien joins us to discuss his debut novel, All the Missing Children. Zahid speaks about his start writing short stories, his decision to transition to novel writing based on the advice of a publisher, and how he sees the differences between prose and screenwriting.

He also speaks about the challenge of fitting in writing time while raising children, and his four-year-old son's assessment of his work.

Plus, more spec fiction talk!

Zahid Gamieldien is an author, screenwriter, editor and writing tutor. His short fiction has been published in literary journals including Overland, Meanjin, Kill Your Darlings, Island Magazine and many others. His co-written screenplays have been listed for awards such as the Australian Writers’ Guild’s John Hinde Award and the AMC One-Hour Pilot Award at the Austin Film Festival. His debut novel is All The Missing Children.

Books & authors discussed in this episode:

• 2666 by Roberto Bolaño;
• A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan;
• Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor;
• The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin;
• The Guest List by Lucy Foley;
• Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Get your copy of All the Missing Children from your local bookshop or library. Supporting libraries and neighbourhood bookshops supports authors.

Zahid and James will be appearing in conversation together to discuss 'All the Missing Children' at Manly Library on Tuesday 15 October.

And make sure to check out Zahid at Bad Crime Sydney on Friday 13 September.

Upcoming events

• Ashley is part of the Northern Beaches Readers Festival, 27-28 September
• Ashley is teaching Online: Creative Nonfiction for Writing NSW, a six-week online course starting 30 September
• Ashley is in conversation with Heather Taylor Johnson in celebration of her latest novel, Little Bit, on Thursday 3 October, 6.30pm
• Ashley is teaching Crafting Memoir for the New England Writers Centre online, Saturday 12 October, 2-3.30pm
• James is teaching Writing Setting and Landscape for Writing NSW, Saturday 26 October, 10am-4pm

Learn more about Ashley's bestselling psychological thriller Dark Mode and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library.

Learn more about James' award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from your local bookshop or your library.

Get in touch!

• ashleykalagianblunt.com
• jamesmckenziewatson.com
• Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson