Leon Moriarty is a global sensation who's written numerous bestsellers, including Big Little Lies, Apples Never Fall, and The Husband's Secret.

Several of her novels have been adapted for television starring actors like Nicole Kidman,

Reese Witherspoon, Annette Benning, and Merrill Street.

She has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, and her novels have been translated into 40 languages.

She shares her love of storytelling with her two sisters, who are also authors.

The three of them share manuscripts, words of encouragement,

and writing prompts. In fact, it was Leon's dad who first discovered her love of writing

when she was just a kid, and he commissioned her very first publishing deal, offering her

an advance of one dollar. I sat down with Leon who shared the inspiration for her latest novel,

Here One Moment, and the impact her books have had on readers all over the world.

She also reveals what it's like to write the Big Little Lies sequel

and to revisit some of her beloved characters.

I'm Jenna Bush-Hager.

Welcome to my podcast, Open Book, with Jenna.

Thank you. Bush Hager. Welcome to my podcast, Open Book with Jenna. Leon, thank you so much for being with us. You're obviously a best-selling author here in the United States, and you've written Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, Apples Never Fall, and your latest novel is called Here One Moment. You are beloved. I hope you know that here in the United States and really all over the world,

you have made such a mark with everything that you've written. And in fact, you're the first

Australian author to hit number one on the New York Times bestseller list. Oh, I think I'm the

first Australian author to debut at number one. To debut at number one. Yes, I don't think I'm the first

one to hit number one. To ever hit it?. Yes, I don't think I'm the first one to hit number one.

To ever hit it?

Yes.

Okay, so when you found that out, were you shocked?

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