Nadine Browne Discusses Debut Novel Gone Guru and the Pressures of Being an Emerging Writer

Western Australian author Nadine Browne has published her debut novel Gone Guru with Freemantle Press. The book follows aspiring writer Noni Barlow, who moves to New York City for an MFA at New York University and faces a devastating critique from her teacher, literary giant Joyce Carol Oates. When Barlow's flatmate disappears, she sees a potential story to revive her career. Browne's own experiences mirror her protagonist's: she won a full scholarship to NYU, received a putdown from Oates, and had a panic attack in her first week in New York. She turned to meditation and non-dualism podcasts, drawing on teachers like Adyashanti, which inspired the novel's guru world. The missing person element stemmed from Browne realizing she hadn't seen her flatmate since moving in. Browne, also known for the short story collection The Whip Hand and her poetry and essays, spent 20 years writing unpublished novels. She applied to NYU on a whim with a self-deprecating essay that Zadie Smith liked. Browne notes the MFA system in America acts as a class filter, while Australia has fewer pathways and less funding. She hopes Gone Guru resonates with anyone who has felt like an imposter or taken a harebrained risk. The novel is published by Freemantle Press.