Contemporary Connections

Watch three of Australia’s most compelling authors discuss the themes and ideas animating their new novels. Madeleine Gray, Bri Lee and Kate Mildenhall join host Veronica Sullivan, in a lively panel discussion. Showcasing the depth and scope of Australian literary fiction. Originally presented on Wednesday 19 November 2025 by The Wheeler Centre Madeleine Gray’s sophomore novel 'Chosen Family' offers a funny, sexy and intimate portrait of female friendship in a work that delves into the complexities of queer family, alternative parenting and what it means to love somebody across decades. A relationship is put to the test and secrets are revealed in bestselling author Bri Lee’s suspenseful literary thriller. Dropping readers into the landscapes of Antarctica and the world of the antinatalist movement, 'Seed' offers an uneasy glimpse into isolation, love and our worst fears. Kate Mildenhall’s literary thriller 'The Hiding Place' tells a twisty, razor-sharp tale of deception, self-deception and how far people will go to protect what they feel they ought to have, in a compulsively readable novel billed as 'White Lotus' meets 'The Slap'. 🔔 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭-𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 https://www.youtube.com/@WheelerCentre 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 The Wheeler Centre is where writers, storytellers, thinkers and readers connect through live events, insightful conversations and compelling stories in Melbourne. 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 Live and digital conversations, debates, readings, podcasts and discussions at The Wheeler Centre. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 👇 🔗 Website: https://www.wheelercentre.com 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wheelercentre/ 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wheelercentre/ 🔗Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wheelercentre.bsky.social 🔗 LISTEN wherever you get your podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/TWCLISTEN #WheelerCentre #WheelerCentreTalks #SmartConversations #InspiringTalks #LearnOnYouTube #YouTubeEducation #PublicTalks #Storytelling #books #writing #ideas