Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard The Hidden Lives of Writers

S06 E02 Marina Auer

Loading player...
Marina Auer is the author of the thrilling and highly successful series of medical suspense novels, including DOUBLE EDGED, SINGLE MINDED, and most recently THREE ECHOES, which is now available from Kwela.

Marina joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about drawing on real-life experiences for inspiration, and how to make writing a priority in the midst of a demanding professional and personal schedule.

For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup

Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform

Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here:

Email: hiddenlivesofwriters@gmail.com
Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod
Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod
YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers
Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters
Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers
Chapters
  • 00:01 Introduction and writing challenges
  • 03:15 Media recommendations
  • 06:49 Introduction of guest Marina Auer
  • 08:12 Marina's writing process and schedule
  • 11:27 Marina's novels and writing timeline
  • 13:25 Marina's journey to becoming an author
  • 18:35 Marina's writing approach and editing process
  • 21:39 Marina's publishing journey
  • 26:12 Marina's experience with editing
  • 29:30 Marina's genre and writing style
  • 39:04 Writing about cultural issues and traditional medicine
  • 42:36 Creating distinct doctor characters
  • 46:40 Writing about South African healthcare
  • 49:32 Motherhood's influence on writing
  • 52:22 Protecting mental health while writing difficult content
  • 55:34 Where Marina gets her ideas
  • 58:30 International publishing aspirations
  • 01:01:22 Marina's media recommendations
  • 01:04:20 Conclusion and hosts' reflections
15 Sep 2025 English South Africa Books · Arts

Other recent episodes

S08 E06 Máire Fisher

Máire Fisher is the author of Birdseye and The Enumerations, both currently republished internationally by Catalyst Press. Her work has been described as 'masterful' and 'unputdownable'. Máire joins Fiona and Gail to talk about writing the sequel to Birdseye, and dabbling in Regency Romance writing. She talks about how she…
12 Oct 1 hr 11 min

S08 E05 Mpho Boshego

Mpho Boshego served as a South African diplomat in Belgium from 2007 to 2011. Her novel DIPLOMATIC TIES is inspired by her experiences. A striking debut, her book has been described as ‘a captivating story' that ‘captures the realness of a South African township life'. Mpho joins Fiona and Gail…
5 Oct 1 hr 09 min

S08 E04 Nadia Cassim

Nadia Cassim is a novelist and short story writer whose most recent book NOT ANOTHER SAMOOSA RUN is currently longlisted for the Sunday Times Fiction Prize. A brave and ground-breaking novel, her book has been described as 'funny, thought-provoking, and empowering'. Nadia joins Fiona and Gail to talk about how…
28 Sep 1 hr 05 min

S08 E03 Sarah Lotz

Sarah Lotz is a prolific and hugely popular author who won the British Fantasy Award in 2015. She lived in South Africa for many years before moving back to the United Kingdom. Sarah is known for her many writing collaborations, as well as her solo work. Her most recent novel…
21 Sep 59 min

S08 E02 Deon Meyer

Deon Meyer is a multi-award-winning and bestselling author whose books regularly smash sales records. His latest book SKORPIO is available in Afrikaans, while SCORPIO RISING will be released by Pan Macmillan on 1 October. Deon joins Fiona and Gail to talk about his early days of writing as a single…
14 Sep 1 hr 04 min
All episodes