Before The Names, Florence Knapp was Flossie Teacakes

What's in a name? Florence Knapp reclaimed her own name for her novel The Names, but before that she had a crafting blog with the moniker "Flossie Teacakes".
As Florence Knapp (florenceknapp.com) describes to Claire Nichols, names are intrinsic to how we see ourselves and how others see us. The Names (hachette.com.au/florence-knapp/the-names-the-b…) is about a woman's choice of name for her newborn son - should she call him Gordon, Julian or Bear? There are deep questions about what shapes us - nature versus nurture - and the 'what if' sliding door moments. Florence reveals her own sliding door moment when she moved to Australia as a child.
The story also explores the power of the handmade, and if you feel like making something with your hands after reading The Names, look up Flossie Teacakes' Guide to Paper Piercing (penguinrandomhouse.com/books/630074/flossie-te…).
This conversation discusses domestic violence, if you or anyone you know needs assistance call 1800Respect (1800respect.org.au).
This event was recorded at the 2026 Sydney Writers Festival (swf.org.au/stories/2026/podcast-florence-knapp…) with Florence Knapp via satellite.
The Book Show interview with Florence Knapp (abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-book-show/flore…)Love Agatha Christie mysteries? Dive into The Book Show's new series The Agatha Christie Murder Club (abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-book-show/the-a…) as we solve mysteries about Christie, her books and legacy. Each week you'll have a chance to solve a cryptic puzzle devised by puzzle master, David Astle.
Download a printable Top 100 Australian Books 1-100 ranked (abc.net.au/listen/radionational/top-100-austra…).
Relive your favourite moments (abc.net.au/listen/radionational/countdown/top1…) of the Top 100 Books countdown.