John Purcell was asked to review Transformers: The Ultimate Pop Up Universe in 21 seconds, using only sounds and utterances. Can he do it? Let’s find out… Well played John. Well played. Click here to buy Transformers: The Ultimate Pop Up Universe from Booktopia, Australia’s Local Bookstore Read more

The Secret Lives of Emma series has sold more than 50,000 copies and last year made Purcell one of the best-selling debut authors in Australia. As head of marketing for Australian online bookstore Booktopia, Purcell has tracked a further kick in sales since his unmasking. Read more

Alissa Nutting’s Tampa has been one of the most controversial books of 2013. An erotic tale of a hebephilic, sociopathic sexual predator isn’t for everyone. Some Booktopia Blog regulars take a look and share their thoughts. Haylee Nash “Tampa is an enjoyable story when read as just that – a story. Celeste is a character that, despite her obvious moral turpitude, the reader bar... Read more

One of Australia’s biggest television shows has left viewers stunned. John Purcell examines the decisions TV writers wrangle with at every turn. Last night social media went nuts over the decision by the writers of Channel Ten’s drama Offspring to kill off one of the lead characters. The heated emotions displayed by the audience in their reactions were only made possible by effective writ... Read more

As part of Australian Romance Month, Romance Specialist Haylee Nash will be interviewing one Australian Romance author per day. Much like a beauty pageant, each author will be using their charm, wit and grace (and the power of social media) to take home the Booktopia Romance Bestseller crown. Booktopia invites bestselling erotic romance author Natasha Walker. 1. Describe the perfect date. Natas... Read more

Bestselling author and voracious consumer of romance Rachael Johns gives an insider’s perspective on The Secret Lives of Emma: Beginnings by Natasha Walker Before I start, I must admit, I haven’t read Fifty Shades of Grey or any of the supposed spin-offs and had absolutely no inclination to do so. I read 100 pages of Grey because I thought I should – it sold bucket loads and as an author ... Read more

The true identity of one of Australia’s bestselling erotic authors has been kept a closely guarded secret, until now . . . Industry rumours had been circling about intensely private author Natasha Walker since the 2012 release of the first book in The Secret Lives of Emma series until Booktopia’s John Purcell revealed Natasha Walker is a pseudonym and that he is the true voice behind this pheno... Read more

Finally, the true identity of the author behind the bestselling Secret Lives of Emma series has been revealed, and if you’re a regular visitor to The Booktopia Blog, chances are you’ve read her work already. Or rather, his work… Since the release of the first book in 2012, The Secret Lives of Emma series has been met with contention.  In a genre dominated by tales of submissiv... Read more

Booktopia’s John Purcell recently took some time out to sit down with mega-bestselling author Hugh Howey. Before he wrote Wool and its prequel Shift, Hugh worked in the book industry, so his views are from a unique perspective, once a bookseller looking out and now an author looking in. Read more

Looking for things to see at The Sydney Writer’s Festival? Come along and hear some experts from Booktopia chat about the wonderful world of books… Read more