Podcast spotlight: ABC Radio National’s The Hub on Books

14 June 2018 Books+Publishing

ABC Radio National’s (RN) The Hub on Books is a weekly radio program and podcast featuring author interviews as well as news and analysis about the book industry. Journalist Claire Nichols, who worked on The Hub’s predecessor Books and Arts for three years, signed on to present The Hub’s weekly book segment earlier this year, when the new program was announced. She spoke to Books+Publishing for our ‘podcast spotlight‘ series.

For new or uninitiated listeners, describe your podcast in under 50 words.

The Hub on Books is a weekly podcast focusing on all things fiction, produced by ABC RN. I host the program, which includes in-depth author interviews, news, trends and debates from the publishing world.

What makes your podcast unique?

Can I be cheeky and say we actually read the books we’re talking about? Being an ABC program, we take huge pride in the quality of our research and interviews, our ability to attract big-name guests to the show, and the production standards of the program. It’s something I’m really proud of.

When and how did you get started in podcasting?

I’ve been working for the ABC for more than a decade, covering news and arts for both radio and television. I worked for The Hub’s predecessor, Books and Arts, for about three years before stepping in as the presenter of the new show, The Hub on Books, at the start of the year.

Where and how is your podcast recorded (and how big is your team)?

The podcast is a recording of our live radio program, that goes out on ABC RN every Tuesday at 10am. We broadcast from the ABC studio in Melbourne—it is so much fun making a live program, with guests coming in and out of the studio and stories being dropped and added on the go!

Sarah L’Estrange is the producer of the program and comes up with many of the great ideas for the show, as well as lining up most of the guests. While day-to-day it’s just Sarah and me working on the show, we are part of the greater Hub family on RN—which is a team of more than 15 people making dedicated radio programs/podcasts about books, theatre, visual art, screen and pop culture. It’s a really exciting place to work.

What kind of listeners does your podcast reach?

It’s always fun to look at our social media feeds and website after the show to see who’s engaged with the program. I know a lot of Australian writers listen to the show, as well as publishers and booksellers, creative writing students, book clubs and general bookworms!

What have been your most popular guests or most memorable episodes?

It’s always a thrill to speak to Tim Winton—one of my favourite writers. He’s such a thoughtful and poetic guest, and I loved our conversation about his latest book, The Shepherd’s Hut (Hamish Hamilton). We’ve also had Barbara Kingsolver, Alan Hollinghurst, Rodney Hall, Alexis Wright and A J Finn—the big-name authors are always really exciting.

But some of my favourite conversations have been those quirky or unusual ones where the audience hears something totally unexpected. Just recently I spoke to a couple of male romance writers, including one of the first long-term male writers for Mills&Boon—a guy called Gordon Aalborg, who wrote under the pseudonym, Victoria Gordon. That conversation was just so much fun!

What recent trends have you noticed in podcasting? (Do you have any predictions for this format in the future?)

The world of podcasting just seems to get bigger and bigger! I love that whatever your interest, there is probably a niche podcast (or four) to suit your tastes. And it’s great to see the number of quality Australian podcasts coming into the field.

Why do you think people are drawn to this format?

I’m a huge podcast fan—I love listening to stimulating conversations at all times of the day and night. I think podcasting is a wonderfully simple and intimate form—and allows a very personal connection between host and listener.

How do you fund your podcast? Do you have plans to explore other funding options?

We’re lucky to be part of the national broadcaster.

What plans do you have for your podcast going forward?

We are absolutely flooded with books here at the ABC. Right now I’m looking at three full bookcases, piles on the floor, my desk and a whole bunch more waiting to be unwrapped! We want to keep sifting through these to find the most exciting stories and interesting authors to tell you about—and expose you to as many different types of storytelling as possible. One of my friends told me she likes the podcast because I read the books for her—and she can talk about them to her friends. If people want to use me as a literary cheat-sheet, I am totally fine with that!

What other book-ish podcasts should we be listening to, Australian or otherwise?

RN has a weekly podcast called The Bookshelf, which I just love, hosted by Kate Evans and Cassie McCullagh. It’s a great companion to our show, focusing on book reviews and the reading experience. I also love listening to Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb on Chat 10 Looks 3, which always includes a few book reviews. And if you’re looking for something international, it’s hard to go past the New Yorker’s Fiction Podcast.

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Category: Features