‘The act of writing is, fundamentally, an act of seduction’: Author Susan Orlean on luring readers

The Sydney Morning Herald - Oct 6, 2026

The American journalist and bestselling author on the sexy – and unsexy – sides of her craft. Plus: the special superpower that helps someone become a writer.

Read full article

MORE NEWS

Empowering a sustainable future: International Gas Union summit to be held in Hong Kong this October
Oct 6, 2026
Empowering a sustainable future: International Gas Union summit to be held in Hong Kong this October

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Against a backdrop of persistent geopolitical uncertainties, global energy price trends and energy security have returned firmly to the spotlight. Taking place in Hong Kong late this month, the International Gas Union (IGU) Council 2026 and the “Empowering a Sustainable Future” Summit will offer an essential platform for cross-sector leaders to exchange perspectives on these pressing challenges.  Hosted by The Hong Kong...

Forget Buc-ee's, this is the US's favorite convenience store, new report shows
Oct 6, 2026
Forget Buc-ee's, this is the US's favorite convenience store, new report shows

Depending on where you live, you may not have even been aware that this brand offers gas.

Hong Kong approves average fee hikes of up to 4.75 per cent for non-public schools
Oct 6, 2026
Hong Kong approves average fee hikes of up to 4.75 per cent for non-public schools

Hong Kong’s private, semi-private and international schools have been given the green light to raise tuition fees by an average of 4.75 per cent, 4.07 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively. The Education Bureau said on Tuesday it had received applications from 185 schools as of August 31 to adjust tuition fees for the 2026-27 academic year. They comprised 49 semi-private schools under the government’s Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS), 74 private schools and 62 international ones. One application from...

U.S. Trade Deficit Hits 17-Month High Despite Trump’s Tariffs
Oct 6, 2026
U.S. Trade Deficit Hits 17-Month High Despite Trump’s Tariffs

Imports and the trade deficit have ballooned in recent months, defying the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce it through tariffs.

Cornell students protest school’s response to gang rape allegations
Oct 6, 2026
Cornell students protest school’s response to gang rape allegations

At a campus demonstration students, faculty members and others wore purple ribbons and held signs with such messages as “support survivors, expel rapists."

Chinese team creates ‘lifelike’ hydrogel that changes shape for smart devices
Oct 6, 2026
Chinese team creates ‘lifelike’ hydrogel that changes shape for smart devices

Chinese researchers have developed a “lifelike” shape-changing hydrogel they say could provide a platform for next-generation developments, such as flexible tissue engineering scaffolds, brain-computer interfaces and humanlike robots. Inspired by living organisms, the team created a light-triggered system called STERS, which uses liquid metal particles to generate slow, self-sustaining chemical reactions that allow a hydrogel to change its structure over time. Capable of growing and changing...

Paramount closes deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery
Oct 6, 2026
Paramount closes deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery

Paramount Skydance officially closed its multibillion-dollar deal to acquire fellow media giant Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) on Tuesday, creating the largest provider in news, sports and entertainment offerings in the world. The deal hands control of WBD's sprawling movie and television studios, as well as its cable channels and news outlet CNN to billionaire media...

‘Let ’em take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego, Trump says of Iran
Oct 6, 2026
‘Let ’em take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego, Trump says of Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump drew cheers, then criticism for musing about Iran taking out U.S. cities during his rally Monday night in Nebraska.

Registration on both sides of border needed for Huanggang ‘joint clearance’
Oct 6, 2026
Registration on both sides of border needed for Huanggang ‘joint clearance’

Hong Kong and mainland Chinese residents will have to register with immigration authorities on both sides of the border to use automated “joint clearance” channels at the revamped Huanggang Port crossing, with around 100,000 travellers a day expected to use the control point when operations begin. Hong Kong’s Immigration Department would deploy sufficient manpower to help passengers register at the checkpoint, assistant director Jacky Wong Ki said on Tuesday. “The whole registration process at...

US firm to make battle-tested drones in Taiwan, boosting supply chain resilience
Oct 6, 2026
US firm to make battle-tested drones in Taiwan, boosting supply chain resilience

Two combat-tested American drones could become part of Taiwan’s expanding unmanned arsenal as the island seeks to build a “drone shield” against the People’s Liberation Army. California-based defence technology company Aevex Aerospace is working with Taiwan’s Coretronic Intelligent Robotics Corporation (CIRC) to produce its Vandal and Onyx drones locally, combining lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine with the island’s electronics and manufacturing capabilities. Both aircraft have been tested...

Superquiz, Wednesday, October 7
Oct 6, 2026
Superquiz, Wednesday, October 7

Trivia buffs, test your knowledge with today’s interactive superquiz.

How traditional Chinese medicine is shaping Kazakhstan’s health system
Oct 6, 2026
How traditional Chinese medicine is shaping Kazakhstan’s health system

China has pledged to expand its health partnership with Kazakhstan by helping the Central Asian nation integrate traditional medicine directly into its national healthcare system, shifting away from simple product exports. The Chinese embassy in Kazakhstan on Monday called for the alignment of high-level policy to enhance bilateral health cooperation for both countries’ benefit. “Both nations should promote the qualitative upgrading of cooperation in smart healthcare, hi-tech diagnostics and...


News On Express

Fills you in with all the breaking world news and brief news articles so that you can read them on-the-go. Grab yourself a coffee and enjoy reading on News On Express.

NEWSLETTER

Copyright © 2015 - 2026 News On Express. All Rights Reserved.