"We're been working hard to ensure this year's program has a new story," said artistic director Michael McGuire.

Some of the funding for the podcasts has come from the Copyright Agency, which Ms McGuire called a "lifeline" for the festival.

"[It] allows us to celebrate and promote Australian writers' incredible work, encourage sales of their books and connect them with the festival's audiences," she said.

The first six of the podcasts were released Friday morning and include a conversation between author Jess Hill and journalist Georgie Dent about her 2020 Stella Prize winning book See What You Made Me Do, which investigates Australia's domestic abuse crisis.

Ann Patchett (The Dutch House) and fellow Tennessean Kevin Wilson (Nothing To See Here) will also be discussing their work and their close friendship of more than 20 years.