Episode 29 - Sasha Wasley - Writer

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Sasha Wasley on Writing, Class, and The Society of Literary Marauders

Host Kath Dolheguy interviews writer Sasha Walsley on Not a Rich Kid about growing up working class in WA with a single mother, frequent moves and school changes due to rental instability, and finding refuge in libraries; she discusses understanding class, social and cultural capital through university study and teaching. Walsley describes a messy path through multiple degrees before completing a PhD in feminist literature, then shifting from academia to copywriting and finally becoming a published author at 40; she is now a full-time author supported by workshops, mentoring, and other writing work, and speaks candidly about financial insecurity, nepotism, and the pressure of book sales in publishing. They discuss her 20th novel, The Society of Literary Marauders, set at Oxford in 1928, following working-class student Annie and exploring class, empire, banned books, and romance, informed by Walsley’s research trip and lived experience.

Sasha’s Social Media and Website

The Society of Literary Marauders OUT MARCH 30th 2026

00:00 Podcast intro

02:02 Sasha’s childhood and books

04:11 Mum’s work and instability

06:28 Class awareness and capital

10:12 Uni detours and burnout

14:38 PhD path and feminism