Described as a ‘memoir with a message’, This Is Not A Book About Benedict Cumberbatch deals with many themes including celebrity obsession and shame. In this episode, author Tabitha Carvan discusses her experience writing this uniquely personal story, as well as offering advice for aspiring memoir writers.
00:00 Introduction 06:20 Nat Newman’s writing tip: Editing 10:23 WIN! Pictures Of You by Emma Grey 11:22 Word of the week: ‘Thalassic’ 13:40 Writer in residence: Tabitha Carvan 16:01 How the book came about 20:35 Defining the book's genre 22:47 Incorporating other perspectives 26:00 Exploring the concept of shame 28:10 Writing process and tools 34:41 Publicity and promotion 40:54 Advice for aspiring memoir writers 43:20 Final thoughts
Tabitha Carvan is a science writer for the Australian National University and a freelance features writer on the side, focusing on issues of identity, family and pop culture. Her writing has appeared in over a dozen different publications from Crikey to Junkee; Overland to Offbeat Home; Popula to MamaMia. She lives in Canberra.
