Meet Lisa Kenway, author of the psychological thriller All You Took From Me. Lisa shares insights on how her medical background influenced her novel, the exhaustive research involved in writing about medieval reenactment, and the persistence required to secure a publishing deal after three years of pitching. 00:00 Introduction02:25 Nat Newman's creative insights05:43 Writing tips and techniques10:22 Giveaway: Klim by Michael Klim12:20 Word of the week: triskelion15:19 Interview with Lisa Kenway, author of All You Took From Me23:20 NaNoWriMo success strategies25:54 Researching for authenticity30:03 Crafting twists and red herrings32:41 The journey to getting published44:11 Balancing writing with a medical career47:19 Top tips for aspiring writers50:42 Conclusion and final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Bec Nanayakkara who discusses her journey to becoming a published picture book author. Bec reveals how she got her book deals, her writing techniques, the illustration process, and much more. Also discover how our app recommendation can help you keep track of submissions.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:20 Special Series on Children's Authors01:55 App Tip of the Week06:56 Course Spotlight: Writing Picture Books09:07 Interview with Bec Nanayakkara09:53 Bec's Journey to Publication10:32 The Book Star: Inspiration and Process16:02 Grow Big Little Seed: Themes and Illustrations23:15 Future Projects and Final Thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Sandie Docker, who shares her journey and strategies for ensuring longevity in your author career. Sandie emphasises the importance of networking, connecting with readers, and seeking help in areas outside of one’s expertise. She also discusses her role in starting the Northern Beaches Readers Festival and how it has benefited her career. 00:00 Introduction00:19 Upcoming webinar on avoiding infringement in fiction writing03:38 Nat Newman's lighthouse residency experience07:27 Writing tips from Nat Newman12:45 Exciting book giveaway: The Oxenbridge King by Christine Paice16:07 Word of the week: Gravamen17:45 Interview with author Sandie Docker27:06 Establishing an author career28:47 Building industry relationships33:40 Connecting with readers37:02 The role of an agent41:06 Starting a literary festival48:35 Writing routine and final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cassy Polimeni discusses her journey to becoming an author, the process of writing and publishing her books The Garden at the End of the World and Ella and The Amazing Frog Orchestra, and valuable insights into writing for the children's market. 00:00 Introduction to the podcast02:02 Writing tips with Nat Newman09:46 Interview with Cassy Polimeni11:21 Writing and publishing children's books13:34 Crafting Ella and The Amazing Frog Orchestra20:25 Cassy’s writing process and routine27:28 Future plans and final thoughts28:53 Conclusion and course promotion Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet memoirist Louise Southerden about her book Tiny, which details her experience building a tiny house while going through a challenging relationship. Louise shares her journey into travel writing, the dynamics of writing personal stories, and techniques for capturing the essence of travel experiences. 00:00 Introduction04:16 Nat Newman’s writing tip13:15 Book giveaway: Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor15:06 Word of the week: Piscatorial17:12 Writer in residence: Louise Southerden17:36 Introduction to Louise and her memoir Tiny18:11 The emotional journey of building a tiny house19:39 Deciding to write the memoir20:58 Challenges and process of writing24:38 Pitching and publishing the memoir35:16 Insights on travel writing41:49 Defining a tiny house43:08 Conclusion and final thoughts43:35 Fun fact and farewell Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children’s author Carla Fitzgerald is author of the middle-grade novel How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade 5. Carla shares insights into writing compelling stories for children and offers five must-do tips for aspiring middle-grade authors. Additionally, Nat Newman provides a practical app tip about the benefits of using Google Docs. And more. 00:00 Introduction to the podcast00:19 Spotlight on children's authors01:27 Weekly app tip with Nat Newman01:55 Google Docs: A writer's best friend06:24 Course advertisement: Writing children's novels07:16 Interview with Carla Fitzgerald12:28 Five must-do's for writing middle grade novels25:23 Building a sustainable author career32:50 Conclusion Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, we bring you an edited version of the recent webinar featuring bestselling author Kate Forsyth. The episode is jam-packed with insights, focusing on five essential lessons from different genres that can improve your writing. Kate Forsyth delves into historical fiction, crime and mystery, romance, fantasy, and magic realism, sharing her top tips for writing compelling and immersive narratives. Additionally, the episode features a Q&A session where Kate answers questions on writing routines, character development, publishing, and more. The episode offers practical advice and inspirational insights for aspiring and established writers. 00:00 Introduction and welcome00:16 Special episode announcement01:04 Competition announcement02:39 Word of the week03:18 Webinar introduction05:20 Kate Forsyth's writing journey08:59 Lessons from historical fiction11:30 Lessons from crime and mystery14:44 Lessons from romance16:46 Lessons from fantasy19:28 Lessons from magic realism24:30 Q&A session31:37 Exploring new writing territories32:15 Top magic realism books32:39 Advice for unpublished authors33:51 Creating memorable characters34:41 Understanding Psyche's motif35:13 Knowing when editing is done35:52 Starting your writing journey36:40 Musicality in writing37:42 Balancing originality and familiarity38:36 Imagining your protagonists40:02 Publishing your first book40:42 Inspiration from lyrical authors41:31 Setting your novel apart42:27 Establishing a writing routine44:08 Crafting the perfect ending46:13 Incorporating writing tips48:26 Maintaining writing motivation49:43 Finding time to read50:27 Defining historical fiction51:14 Choosing character names51:59 Condensing your story52:46 Crafting satisfying endings53:41 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Deborah Frenkel, author of four picture books including her most recent: 100 Schools Days and The Truck Cat. Deborah reveals her journey to publication, her creative process and tips for aspiring authors. 00:00 Introduction to the podcast00:19 Special series on children's authors01:34 Nat Newman's app tip of the week10:43 Interview with Deborah Frenkel19:29 The journey to getting published20:18 The impact of writing courses22:27 Pitching The Sydney Harbour Fairy24:19 Creating 100 School Days26:15 Showcasing published works31:37 Upcoming projects and writing routine35:12 Tips for aspiring authors37:28 Conclusion and final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JP Pomare on writing gripping crime thrillers and his latest novel 17 Years Later. JP discusses his writing process, research methods, and experiences with book adaptations into TV series. The episode features insights on maintaining creativity, the importance of method writing, crafting captivating crime narratives, and tips for aspiring writers. JP highlights the intricacies of plotting and characterisation in crime fiction, his unique approach to developing a story, and how he navigates the darker aspects of true crime. 00:00 Introduction and upcoming event02:06 Creative catch-up with Nat Newman05:48 Writing tip of the week08:46 Book giveaway: Precipice by Robert Harris10:19 Word of the week: Cantillate11:55 Interview with J.P. Pomare28:12 Challenges of writing crime fiction29:50 Balancing plotting and pantsing32:21 Crafting memorable scenes35:46 Daily writing routine39:16 From book to TV series51:12 Handling dark themes in writing55:24 Future plans and advice for writers01:01:19 Conclusion and fun fact Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Lian Tanner, who reveals 5 strategies you need to build longevity into your author career. Lian also discusses her latest picture book, When the Lights Went Out. Lian covers: writing to your passions rather than market demands, seeking valuable feedback, continually learning the craft, and being open to reinvention. She also shares her process and experiences in writing middle grade and picture books. 00:00 Introduction to the podcast00:17 Special series announcement00:56 Writing for children02:10 Nat Newman's app tip09:18 Interview with Lian Tanner10:23 Lian Tanner's writing journey13:25 Writing for different age groups14:35 Balancing writing projects20:12 Advice for aspiring authors21:39 Writing with passion and originality23:22 Early career temptations and lessons25:33 The importance of quality feedback29:05 Developing thick skin and learning mindset35:17 Reinventing yourself as a writer40:09 Crafting picture books: A deep dive43:16 Conclusion and final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Julie Bennett, author of The Lost Letters of Rose Carey. Julie discusses her writing process, the inspiration behind her novel, researching historical fiction and career journey so far. 00:00 Introduction and welcome00:19 Exploring Rocketbook04:06 Shoutout to Jane Sullivan05:29 Nat Newman writing tip: Introduce a dinosaur14:12 Book giveaway: The Wilds by Sarah Pearse15:55 Word of the week: avoirdupois18:37 Interview with Julie Bennett26:03 Plotting vs. pantsing: A writer's journey26:42 Discovering the inspiration behind the novel28:49 From child performer to author30:52 Committing to writing31:51 A lifelong love for stories32:37 Writing The Understudy: From idea to manuscript34:03 Getting published36:06 Balancing PR work and writing40:38 Researching historical fiction45:51 The reality of being an author48:50 Future plans and writing tips52:27 Conclusion and final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Anna Johnston, author of The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, her rapid success, and her writing process. 00:00 Introduction01:15 Literary competitions and overcoming fear02:58 Nat Newman writing tip: Taking your character on a date10:24 Book giveaway: Two Daughters by Alison Edwards11:52 Word of the week: Desuetude13:23 Interview with author Anna Johnston20:33 The importance of a writing group21:00 Forming and maintaining a writing group22:20 Balancing writing with life23:02 Getting serious about writing24:21 The book deal journey25:42 Pitching at virtual speed dating29:31 The role of an agent31:49 Writing process and character development34:09 Challenges and inspirations41:10 Future plans and advice for aspiring writers45:11 Fun fact: The world’s oldest library Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet author Victoria Purman, an accomplished historical fiction writer, who delves into her research and writing process, the inspiration behind her latest book The Radio Hour. Victoria offers valuable writing tips and the episode provides a deep dive into her journey, character development, and practical advice for aspiring writers. 00:00 Welcome to Episode 61402:42 Upcoming webinar: Matching Style to Genre04:37 Nat Newman’s writing tip of the week12:14 Competition: Win Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlane14:23 Word of the week: Cacography17:21 Interview with Victoria Purman25:49 Exploring the creative process26:59 Researching historical context29:33 The journey to becoming an author32:03 Teaching and learning writing33:07 Writing routines and challenges36:40 Character development insights41:43 Setting and location research49:06 Finding inspiration for stories53:28 Top writing tips for aspiring authors55:35 Fun Fact and conclusion Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Amy T. Matthews, an award-winning author and associate professor, about her varied writing career under different pseudonyms, where she shares her approach to balancing multiple writing projects and her thoughts on the romance genre. All of Amy’s books are traditionally published and she also writes under Amy Barry and Tess LeSue. 00:00 Introduction00:18 TikTok and who is doing it right?02:41 Nat Newman writing tips22:03 Interview with Amy T. Matthews, also known as Amy Barry and Tess LeSue29:55 From bad poetry to a PhD in creative writing31:30 Transitioning to romance writing32:11 The fascination with romance34:01 The birth of Tess LeSue35:23 Navigating the publishing world42:56 Balancing writing and teaching47:06 Intensive writing process57:42 Future aspirations and tips for aspiring writers01:01:38 Conclusion and fun fact Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Petronella McGovern, author of The Last Trace. Petronella shares her top 5 tips on creating narrative tension and so that readers keep turning the page. You'll discover techniques on character development, the challenges of editing, writing cliffhangers, ensuring you have internal and external conflicts and much more. 00:00 Introduction and welcome00:18 TV series based on books02:28 Nat Newman's writing tips on writing accents10:46 WIN: Lies & Weddings by Kevin Kwan13:51 Word of the week: Psephology15:12 Interview with Petronella McGovern, author of The Last Trace23:09 Introducing the multi-generational characters23:46 Crafting emotional connections with characters24:55 Narrative tension and point of view decisions26:40 Internal and external conflicts27:56 Writing realistic teenagers30:41 Drip feeding secrets and foreshadowing34:18 The importance of cliffhangers35:15 The evolution of writing process39:52 Balancing subplots and multiple POVs42:25 Final thoughts and future projects45:16 Conclusion and fun fact Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet award-winning poet, novelist, and translator Lia Hills. Lia reveals her innovative approach of narrating her novel, The Desert Knows Her Name, using voice recognition software while on location in the desert. She completed her first draft in TWO WEEKS! You’ll discover Lia’s methodology, challenges, and the profound connection between place and narrative. 00:00 Introduction and host's update02:00 Nat Newman’s writing tips05:51 Words at Dawn writing community08:00 Keep it simple10:21 Useful apps for writers12:31 Book giveaway: The Haters by Robyn Harding14:53 Word of the week: Imbroglio15:35 Interview with Lia Hills27:01 Immersing in character narration28:23 Writing in the desert29:11 Specific writing spaces31:50 Challenges and reflections34:39 Community engagement and research38:47 Editing and software tips49:23 Future writing methods51:17 Final thoughts and tips53:42 Podcast conclusion and resources Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Kyra Geddes, author of The Story Thief. Kyra discusses her journey from idea to publication, the importance of research, and the challenges of editing her manuscript. The episode concludes with writing tips and a book giveaway: The Wrong Man by Tim Ayliffe. 00:00 Introduction01:33 Nat Newman’s writing tips09:10 Book giveaway: The Wrong Man by Tim Ayliffe11:20 Word of the week: Fuscous11:54 Interview with Kyra Geddes28:48 The journey to starting the manuscript29:53 Overcoming the fear of the blank page30:56 The long writing process31:54 The path to publication32:51 Facing rejections and manuscript assessments34:06 Pitching to publishers35:45 The epiphany: Switching to first person37:58 Securing a publishing deal42:38 The structural edit challenge50:01 Future writing plans51:33 Top tips for aspiring writers53:28 Conclusion and final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special time-sensitive episode of 'So You Want to be a Writer,' Valerie Khoo discusses the prestigious Richell Prize with Vanessa Radnidge, Head of Narrative Nonfiction and Literary at Hachette. The episode dives into the details and benefits of entering this unique prize, which offers a $10,000 reward and a year-long mentorship with a Hachette publisher. 00:00 Introduction and special episode announcement00:35 The Richell Prize: An overview01:47 Interview with Vanessa Radnidge, Head of Narrative Non-Fiction and Head of Literary at Hachette.03:05 Details of the Richell Prize06:08 The mentorship experience10:53 Advice for aspiring writers16:59 Encouragement to enter literary competitions Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Michael Brissenden who chats about his latest novel Smoke. He discusses his research process, where he gets his ideas, how he uses a whiteboard in his writing process and transition from journalism to fiction writing. 0:00 Introduction and welcome00:23 Success story: Sarah Speedie03:40 Nat Newman's writing tips05:58 Finding beta readers12:41 Competition: Win 'Death in the Air' by Ram Murali14:52 Word of the week: Embrocate17:55 Interview with Michael Brissenden, author of Smoke23:30 Facing rejection and finding inspiration24:25 From journalism to fiction writing25:13 Crafting a nuanced story26:42 Developing characters and plot27:36 The writing process and challenges28:35 Exploring themes in 'Smoke'32:45 Research and authenticity34:30 Daily writing routine36:18 Planning and structuring a novel41:23 Journalism skills in fiction writing46:00 Creating a strong female protagonist51:22 Top writing tips for aspiring authors53:54 Conclusion and final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet author Pamela Freeman and illustrator Liz Anelli. They discuss their collaborative process in creating the picture book Seed to Sky: Life in the Daintree. They talk about the research, writing, and illustration process, how they balance text and visuals, and the importance of accuracy in children’s non-fiction. 00:00 Introduction and welcome03:00 Nat Newman’s writing tip11:48 Book giveaway: The Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada14:02 Word of the week: chatoyant15:40 Interview with Pamela Freeman and Liz Anelli27:37 The art of bringing colour and tone28:41 The roughs: what are they?29:32 Fiction vs. non-fiction the writing for kids33:01 The journey of an illustrator36:46 The collaborative process Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valerie interviews B.M. Carroll, whose latest thriller, One of Us Is Missing, revolves around a family dealing with a mysterious disappearance of one family member during a concert. The conversation also touches on B.M. Carroll's writing process, character development, and the importance of feedback and rewriting. 00:00 Introduction and shoutout to AWC graduate Richard Pritchard on this third book01:55 Nat Newman’s writing tips02:50 Words at Dawn writing group05:19 Avoiding info dumps09:32 Book giveaway: Blackwater by Jacqueline Ross15:49 Interview with B. M. Carroll22:44 The creative process and panic23:32 Editing and major rewrites25:59 Timeline of writing and rewriting30:18 Character development and authenticity37:27 Writing routine and word count goals40:09 Name change and genre shift42:35 Top tips for aspiring writers46:34 Conclusion and fun fact Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amy Hutton, author of Love From Scratch and Sit, Stay, Love. Amy discusses her journey from TV producer to successful romance novelist, the importance of social media presence for authors, and practical tips for aspiring writers. Host Valerie Khoo also chats to author Nat Newman who shares her experience with the Meisner acting technique, and provides valuable advice on dealing with rejection as a writer. 00:00 Introduction00:46 Deep dive into chapter structure02:43 Nat Newman’s writing tips03:01 Drama workshop insights07:45 Dealing with rejection11:55 Book giveaway: The Silence Factory by Bridget Collins14:56 Word of the week: cynosure16:25 Interview with Amy Hutton, author of Love From Scratch and Sit, Stay, Love27:19 Pitching through virtual literary speed dating27:58 Romance Writers of Australia conference experience29:32 The chaotic offer moment31:06 Working on multiple projects34:31 Developing 'Love From Scratch'39:35 Daily writing routine and discipline42:17 Engaging with social media as an author47:14 Courses and continuous learning51:37 Future plans and traditional publishing53:56 Top tips for aspiring writers56:33 Conclusion and fun fact Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore the world of ghostwriting with Radek Sali and ghostwriter Bernadette Schwerdt. They explore the collaborative effort behind writing Radek’s book, How to Build a Billion Dollar Business, discussing challenges, the process of ghostwriting, the importance of capturing emotional depth in storytelling, and the profound impact of building a purpose-driven business. The episode touches on effective writing strategies, including the importance of starting your day with creative work and offers listeners a chance to win three copies of The Underhistory by Kaaron Warren. 00:00 Welcome to the podcast & upcoming seminar announcement00:16 Deep dive into writing chapters02:24 Nat Newman's writing tips & personal journey13:29 Win The Underhistory by Kaaron Warren.17:57 Meeting Radek Sali and his ghostwriter Bernadette Schwerdt21:50 From idea to ghostwriter22:32 Challenges, editors, and finding the right partner24:02 Bernadette's approach: From manuscript assessment to starting fresh24:57 Crafting the narrative via nterviews, structure, and voice37:01 The business of ghostwriting: Financials and working with publishers40:08 Insights on ghostwriting47:38 Reflections and future directions Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Megan Daly, author of The Beehive. Megan talks about her passion for children’s literature, her role as a teacher librarian, and her picture book The Beehive. She also discusses her book Raising Readers, which emphasises the importance of instilling a love of reading in children from a young age and offers practical advice for parents. 00:00 Welcome to the world of writing and publishing00:22 Unlocking creativity with story seeds03:48 Nat Newman's writing tip07:54 Crafting engaging openings in writing14:58 Megan Daly: A passion for children's literature and bees21:30 The journey from blog to book: Unveiling a love for reading23:01 Empowering reading habits: Tips for parents and educators23:48 A creative approach to encouraging reading29:34 Encouraging savvy teen readers in a digital age32:41 The path to becoming a teacher librarian34:02 From educator to children's book author36:28 Strategies for busy creatives42:34 From writing dreams to picture book reality44:22 A dive into the history of the exclamation mark Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Jo Peck, whose memoir Suddenly Single at Sixty details her journey through divorce and rediscovery. Jo discusses her writing process, the therapeutic value of journalling, the challenges of constructing a memoir , and her inspirations. She also offers advice for writers on being honest in their writing and the importance of self-analysis. 00:00 Welcome to the podcast & updates02:03 Nat Newman’s writing tip05:15 Crafting secondary characters07:44 Book giveaway: Ghost Cities by Siang Lu10:39 Word of the week: Desultory11:26 Writer in residence: Jo Peck on Suddenly Single at Sixty24:23 The journey of writing a memoir25:58 From school gate to bookshelf29:12 Structuring a memoir34:16 Jo’s writing process38:18 Exploring future writing projects and reflections41:09 Receiving feedback and sharing advice for aspiring writers46:27 Closing thoughts and fun facts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Deborah Abela, author of The Kindness Project. Deborah is one of Australia’s most beloved children's authors. Her latest middle grade novel is The Kindness Project, which is her 29th book. Recently, she also released the Book of Wondrous Possibilities. While Deb writes mainly in middle grade, she has also written chapter books and picture books, such as Bear in Space and the upcoming No More Room in the Bed. Also hear about 'Words at Dawn', a writing initiative for students of the Australian Writers’ Centre. And your chance to win the novel The Many Lies of Veronica Hawkins. 00:00 Welcome to the world of writing and publishing01:09 Busting myths about writing for kids02:30 Guest spotlight: Nat Newman's writing tips04:38 Words at dawn: A creative writing initiative15:27 Deborah Abela: A deep dive into middle grade novels27:12 The Kindness Project: From concept to creation29:57 Exploring kindness through storytelling31:38 The creative process and writing in verse32:05 From pitch to publication34:06 Character development and creative inspiration37:55 Rejections and successes in the publishing world39:16 From film to children's books: A career journey43:21 The art of writing across different formats50:51 Engaging with young readers: The importance of school visits55:13 Top tips for aspiring middle grade writers Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Indah Ahmad Zahri, author of 5 picture books including her latest How To Measure The Ocean. Indah, a doctor turned picture book author, delves into her career transition, the inspiration behind her books, and her advocacy work. 00:00 Celebrating 600 episodes: A journey of writing and publishing01:19 Upcoming seminar: Mastering action in storytelling03:45 Nat Newman’s writing tips10:40 Book giveaway: The North Wind by Alexandra Warwick13:00 Word of the week: propinquity15:06 Writer in residence: Indah Ahmad Zahri’s multifaceted career24:25 A magical moment at the beach: The power of picture books25:28 From inspiration to authorship: The journey begins26:57 Celebrating diversity and heritage through children's literature29:09 The challenges and joys of writing for children abroad31:44 Embracing new creative ventures33:13 Balancing creativity and parenthood35:07 Exploring new horizons in writing and art41:36 Leveraging courses for creative growth43:36 Top writing tips and a call to action for writers47:18 Closing thoughts and fun facts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing Story Seeds! A month’s worth of writing prompts that you get for free. Find out how to get Story Seeds for May. The episode features Becky Holmes, author of Keanu Reeves Is Not In Love With You, a memoir and exploration into online romance scams. Becky shares her journey from opening a Twitter account during lockdown that led to interactions with online scammers, to writing a book that delves deep into the world of romance fraud while intertwining her personal experiences. The episode also includes discussions on writing tips, mental health for writers, and an intriguing conversation about theatre performances. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Mary Anastasiou, picture book author and managing editor at Five Mile Press, as well as a former creative director at Larrikin House. Mary shares her journey from aspiring writer to influential figure in the children's book industry, highlighting the challenges and rewards of publishing picture books. She discusses the importance of illustrator-author dynamics, how to successfully submit manuscripts, and offers invaluable advice to aspiring authors and illustrators. Additionally, the episode includes insights into the process of creating picture books, from conception to finished product, and touches on the nuances of the publishing industry. Mary also talks about her latest picture book Julius Squeezer. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet author Kell Woods, who discusses her approach to writing, her novel After the Forest, a sequel to Hansel and Gretel, and the blend of history and fantasy in her work. Kell shares insights on the research and discipline required to weave together historical accuracy and compelling storytelling. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Carrie Sun, whose memoir Private Equity explores her journey from a high-paced finance role to embracing a writing career. Carrie discusses her writing process, the challenges of memoir writing, and the transformation she underwent during her time in the finance industry. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is indie publishing right for you. Discover the intricacies of indie publishing with author Jodi Gibson. Delve into Jodi’s journey across traditional and independent publishing avenues for her novels. She highlights the distinct processes involved in each. Jodi shares valuable tips for indie authors, ranging from understanding why you want to indie publish to learning to love the hustle of marketing your work. The conversation covers the importance of a professional presentation of your book, meeting genre expectations, and the crucial role of building a mailing list. Additionally, Jodi discusses the necessity of assembling a publishing team, including editors and cover designers, to ensure a book's success. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the dedication required for indie publishing and the importance of defining one's own success in the literary world. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Charlotte Barkla, who discusses her latest novel 11 Ruby Road: 1900, a series set over a hundred years in the same house, capturing the essence of family, friendship, community, and historical events. Charlotte shares her journey from engineering and teaching to becoming a children's author, the challenges and joys of writing for young readers, and her processes in research and idea generation for her books. The episode concludes with insights into authors' careers, tips for writers, and a library's unique cat-themed event promoting book forgiveness. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet author and ghostwriter Liam Pieper about his latest novel Appreciation. The novel centres around a famous artist trying to rehabilitate his fame with the help of a ghostwriter. Liam also discusses his “day job” as a ghostwriter, the importance of getting along with the client and shaping their narrative according to their needs. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Karina May, author of Never Ever Forever, who talks about author branding, the business of writing and publishing 3 books in 15 months. Host Valerie Khoo also chats to author Nat Newman on her writing tip for the week, Valerie’s involvement in the 100-day project, a global initiative that encourages creatives to commit to producing something new every day for 100 days. And much more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Jane Tara, who discusses her latest novel Tilda is Visible, where the female protagonist is diagnosed with invisibility as she progresses into her 50s. Jane discusses experiences of feeling invisible, implications on self-perception, the way society views aging, and the healing journey of self-discovery. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Jamelle Wells, author of The Outback Court Reporter. Both a newsreader and senior court reporter for ABC, Jamelle reveals the intricate and sometimes unexpected dynamics witnessed during her time covering diverse cases in city and rural courts. She chats about the cultural differences, compelling cases, struggles of court reporting, and the importance of accuracy and fairness. Jamelle also reflects on the writing process of her latest book, sharing personal experiences that intertwined her journey. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet author Natalie Murray on her journey to becoming a writer and her contemporary romance novel, Love Just In. Natalie discusses how she's co-written novels, tips on how to work on characters and plot lines, and the benefits of doing courses at Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz Foster shares her journey from discovering writing as a creative outlet during recovery from breast cancer, to becoming a published author with The Good Woman's Guide to Making Better Choices. The podcast episode explores Liz’s habits and strategies for success, including the importance of setting micro-goals, maintaining a daily 1,000-word count, and finding support in the writing community. She shares her experience using Scrivener and how she handled editing and reducing the length of her manuscript. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stepping into Success with Author Jenna Lo Bianco. Are you ready for the upcoming special writing event on Romance writing? Meet special guest Jenna Lo Bianco, author of The Italian Marriage, discusses her journey from aspiring writer enduring rejections to being a successful author. Jenna shares her strategic approach to market her book, the process of acquiring an agent and subsequently publishing her books, and her valuable writing tips on persistence, resilience, and knowing your niche. Author Nat Newman also joins to share a writing tip: 'Kill Your Darlings.' The show wraps up with a competition for Trish Bolton's Whenever You're Ready and the word of the week: 'Posology'. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Developing Skills and Techniques as an Aspiring Writer: Interview with novelist Jo Riccioni. Host Valerie Khoo and Jo discuss Jo’s latest novel The Rising, the process of writing a duology, her love for fantasy writing, and the importance of cultivating a detailed and authentic world in fantasy literature. Jo also shares how she came up with names in her books and gives advice to aspiring writers on how to get started, from mimicking styles to joining a writer's group. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host and CEO of the Australian Writers' Centre, Valerie Khoo, shares her recent experiences, including mentoring members of the freelance writing masterclass program and editing a manuscript. She also talks about the importance of creative curiosity and not limiting yourself to one passion. The guest for this episode is Michelle Upton, an author who shares her journey to becoming a writer after the passing of her father, which led her to question her life's purpose. Michelle speaks about the process of writing her novels Emergency Exit Only and Terms of Inheritance, focusing on dealing with rejection, having perseverance, and the value of preparation and research. The episode also highlights the importance of setting deadlines, venturing into social media platforms for marketing, and advises writers to build a strong pitch before starting a novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Michael Thompson, a journalist, producer, media executive, and author of the novel How To Be Remembered. He shares his journey from being a journalist to becoming a published novelist, his inspiration behind his unique book premise, tackling numerous rejections, the movie deal for his novel, his writing process, and advice for aspiring writers wanting to break into the world of publishing. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet author Vicki Conley. As an award-winning author with 11 internationally published picture books, Vicki shares her journey starting from her childhood experiences, writing career in marketing and journalism to her success as a writer. She discusses the themes and inspirations behind her books and also provides valuable advice for aspiring authors. The conversation also includes Vicki's take on the importance of writer's workshops, the role of an illustrator in a picture book and the process of publishing a book. Throughout the episode, Valerie shares writing tips, a word of the week, and details on the current competition. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to navigate the challenges that often emerge towards the end of the year. Valerie  also discusses her own personal career reinvention from accountant to writer. An interview with leading Australian crime author Chris Hammer, where Chris discusses his latest best-selling novel, The Seven, and his approach to telling stories through multiple timelines. Chris also shares insights into his writing process and advice for aspiring authors. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Alli Parker, author of the Australian historical fiction novel, At the Foot of the Cherry Tree. The novel is based on the real-life story of Alli's grandparents, who were among the first Australian-Japanese couples after the Second World War. The discussion covers Alli's journey as a writer, her transition from screenwriting to novel writing, the process of researching and writing the book, and her advice for aspiring writers. Alli is also a graduate of several courses at the Australian Writers' Centre, including the Write Your Novel program. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We chat to award-winning stand-up comedian and author, Benjamin Stevenson, about his latest novel, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect and the success of his previous novel, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. Benjamin discusses his unique skill set of being both a mystery writer and a comedian, and how he fused both in his books. He also shares that he heavily plots his novels before writing, the benefits of writing what he wants to read and his tips for aspiring writers. Benjamin highlights the importance of reading widely and often, appreciating the element of luck in publishing, and the value of finishing your manuscript.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We chat to best-selling author Jillian Cantor. Jillian shares her experiences with the writing process, and her newest book The Fiction Writer. Discussing her transition from historical to contemporary fiction, how she develops characters, and her writing routine. She also shares her top three tips for aspiring writers. Additionally, Valerie takes a moment to talk about her latest obsession, and the upcoming workshop on writing dual timelines.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 578 of 'So You Want To Be A Writer', Valerie Khoo, the CEO of the Australian Writers' Centre, talks about her passion for fostering a love of reading in young people, her Christmas shopping struggles, and ongoing writing projects. Special guest Nat Newman shares her experiences with theatre and film productions, and offers advice on correct dialogue punctuation. And an inspiring interview with Christos Tsiolkas – novelist, playwright and screenwriter – who provides valuable tips for aspiring writers on reading widely, adopting effective work ethics, and maintaining loyalty in the publishing world. Plus win 'Kill Your Husbands' by Jack Heath. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered why how the pronunciation of words evolves, why accents are formed – and why the way we talk differs depending on who we're speaking to? Rob Drummond discusses this and also phenomena like the Australian tendency to “uptalk” at the end of sentences, the Great Vowel Shift and whether Julia Gillard’s accent really was “too Australian”! Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AWC alumni Joanna Nell is a bestselling author and her fifth novel is Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year. She has carved out a successful literary career alongside her work as s medical doctor. When Joanna first explored the world of writing, she completed several courses at the Australian Writers' Centre. One of the writing exercises she did in her first course planted the seed for what would become her breakout novel The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village! We love her books and are so thrilled for her success. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christine Wells on her journey from lawyer to full time author and her latest novel The Royal Windsor Secret. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lucy Lever on her novel Mystic Ridge. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Literary agent Samuel Bernard on what agents are looking for. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vikki Marmaras scores three book deals and reveals the process behind her latest book, I Spy Treasure. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hedley Thomas on justice, journalism and his memoir The Teachers' Pet. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren Jackson on how she went viral on TikTok and scored her book deals. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzie Miller on transforming her award-winning play Prima Facie into a novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poet and novelist Lang Leav on Others Were Emeralds. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Stacey McEwan's musings on books and writing went viral on TikTok, publishers came knocking. She talks about how it happened, tips for authors looking to use social media, and her latest novel Chasm. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joanne Speirs on how her publishing dreams came true and her novel Second Chance Love in Point Perry. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Gray on landing her six-figure book deal for the The Honeymoon. And how she transitioned from rom coms to psychological thrillers. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claire Thompson on her picture book about the true story of Lily The Inventor. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bestselling author Sophie Green on Weekends With The Sunshine Gardening Society. Should you read other books while you're writing your own? And win Storytellers: Questions, Answers and the Craft of Journalism by Leigh Sales. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Heidi Walkinshaw's inspiring story on how she reinvented her life, transitioning away from a career that no longer served her to become a picture book author and copywriter. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon Higgins on his novel Dragons of Dusk and Dawn. Using moodboards to help create your characters. And win 'The Chasm' by Bronwyn Hall. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jo Dabrowski scored not one, not two, but THREE book deals. She has published two picture books: Higher! and Have Your Seen My Friend? And has now released her middle grade novel Get Your Act Together, Doris Kozlowski. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Ogilvie on The Dictionary People, the fascinating story of the unsung people who helped create the Oxford English Dictionary. Word lovers: this is a must-listen! And your chance to win: Oh Miriam! by Miriam Margolyes. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chenée Marrapodi on her journey to publication for her novel One Wrong Turn. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Craig Semple on his memoir The Cop Who Fell to Earth. What really makes a story? And win The Fraud by Zadie Smith. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zewlan Moor on her first two picture books: Nothing Alike and The Bill Dup. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veronica Lando on The Drowning Girls and what to expect from your first year as an author. The benefits of using a whiteboard and win Writing for Busy Readers by Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Booth, author of You Called An Ambulance for What? Strange, Serious and Silly Stories of Life as a Paramedic. How to find writing partners and win Normal Rules Don't Apply by Kate Atkinson. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lesley Gibbes, author of Dinosaur Dads to the Rescue. How to write like you're at Hogwarts. And much more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Meagher on his memoir Secrets and Lies. How the Pomodoro technique can help your writing. Why do American pronounce aluminium the way they do? And win After She Wrote Him by Sulari Gentill. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allison Tait (A.L. Tait) talks about her latest novel The First Summer of Callie McGee. Also, techniques to look at your writing in a completely new way. Win My Mother, The Spy by Cindy Dobbin and Freda Marnie Nicholls. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Fiona Lloyd, author of Being Jimmy Baxter. We also discuss what to consider when naming characters. And win The Escapades of Tribulation Johnson by Karen Brooks. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Nicole Madigan, author of the memoir Obsession: A Journalist and Victim-survivor's Investigation Into Stalking. And we discuss filter words and the phenomenon of tautological place names. And win None of This is True by Lisa Jewell. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Megan White, author of The Anatomy of Songs. Finding inspiration and the importance of writing great openings. Also win The Little French Village of Book Lovers by Nina George. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Tim Ayliffe, author Killer Traitor Spy. Tim is also Managing Editor of Television and Video for ABC News and the former Executive Producer of News Breakfast. Tim also spoke exclusively to our Write Your Novel and Edit Your Novel students as part of our Industry Author Event series. Also: where to "borrow" documentaries and the difference between serif and san serif. And win The Guest Room by Tasha Sylva. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Anthony McCarten, author of Going Zero. He has been nominated for four Academy Awards. What word count is normal for a writer? And win Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Carolyn Swindell, author of We Only Want What's Best. What are eggcorns and what have they got to do with words? Win Feast by Emily O'Grady. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omny.fm/listener for privacy information.

Meet Stephanie Bishop, author of The Anniversary. Understanding essential tropes in romance writing. Do you write drabble? And more. Also win 'Broken Bay' by Margaret Hickey. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Richard Pritchard, co-author of Wylah The Koorie Warrior series. How to the select the right quotes of praise for your pitch to a publisher. The unique meaning behind lagom. And win The Interpreter by Brooke Robinson. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Janette Paul, author of The Summer Place. She talks about her crime writing alter ego Jaye Ford, her creative process and much more. You'll also discover tips on how to get the most out of a writers' festival, whether or not you should court book bloggers, and much more. And win Fire with Fire, the latest novel by Candice Fox. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet AWC graduate Samera Kamaleddine who reveals the writing process behind her second novel The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart. What you need to do if you have two main point-of-view protagonists. And win Search History by Amy Taylor. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joanna Jenkins, author of How To Kill A Client, talks about her big break.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ilsa Evans on her latest novel Family Baggage. How to motivate yourself to finish your novel. And win Everything and Nothing by Heather Mitchell Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emma Grey on her novel The Last Love Note. Gearing up for the Sydney Writers’ Festival. When should you write a scene versus a summary? And win The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Daddo has written 28 books for all ages including picture books, chapter books, young adult stories and adult books. The multi-skilled creative also juggles this with a career as a TV personality. He talks to us about his latest picture book Grandma's Guide to Happiness and his next one, Poo Face. And here's your chance to win Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leanne Yong, author of Two Can Play That Game, talks about her big break and how she got a publishing deal for her debut novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode: Toni Jordan, author of Prettier If She Smiled More. And how Tetris, Dungeons and Dragons and Super Mario Bros can help with your writing. And win Going Zero by Anthony McCarten. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenny Jackson, author of The New York Times bestseller Pineapple Street. Can text-to-speech apps help your writing? And win The Bowerbird by Julia Donaldson. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karina May, author of Duck À L'Orange for Breakfast. Can you swear in your novel? And win Girl in a Pink Dress by Kylie Needham. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beloved children’s author Lian Tanner on her latest novel Spellhound. How to gamify your writing to get more done. And win Mim and the Disastrous Dog Show from The Travelling Bookshop series by Katrina Nannestad, illustrated by Cheryl Orsini. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AWC alumna Sandie Docker reveals her inspiration and writing process behind The Redgum River Retreat. Plus: how to write your novel faster. And win The Briefest English Grammar and Punctuation Guide Ever! by Ruth Colman. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Wright, journalist and co-author of The Millionaires’ Factory. Should you write about real places? And win The Vein of Gold by Julia Cameron.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicci French – authors Nicci Gerrard and Sean French – on their latest best-seller The Favour. How to explore the stories of your tertiary characters. And win The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica Dettmann on her third novel Without Further Ado. Nurturing your other creative talents. And win Colleen Hoover’s Heart Bones. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kerryn Mayne on her novel Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder. Using Batman to nurture your creativity. And win Margaret Atwood's collection of short stories Old Babes in the Wood. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dinuka McKenzie on her second novel Taken which is already going gang-busters. Cool apps for writer and should to try promoting yourself on video. Win copies of The Book Haters’ Book Club by Gretchen Anthony. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We chat to screenwriter and novelist Elizabeth Coleman on her latest book A Routine Infidelity. Mondegreens and how staring into the eyes of your cat can help your writing! And win The Lorikeet Tree by Paul Jennings. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Luke Rutledge, author of A Man and His Pride. Does visualising your book goal actually work? What’s an oronym? And win Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York Times bestselling author of 20 books, Lisa Unger on Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six. Having a multi-passionate career and how to use diacritical writing marks! And win Why We Sing by Julia Hollander. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two writing apps to help develop your story. And meet AWC alumna Penelope Janu, who has just released her eighth novel! And win Bret Easton Ellis’s latest novel The Shards. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You asked some pretty personal and deep questions - and Valerie went there! She's answered them here. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nikki Crutchley on her novel In Her Blood and how self-publishing led to her agent and book deal, old dictionaries, how John Steinbeck write his books and much more. And win copies of Blurb Your Enthusiasm by Louise Wilder. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie McMahon on her novel The Accident and combining writing with her work as a medical doctor. Claiming your author page on Goodreads even before your book is published, silient letters, how language evolved and much more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jo Riccioni on her young adult novel, The Branded and why she loves mentoring teenagers. Useful apps for freelance writers. And much more. Also win copies of What Writers Read by Pandora Sykes. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children's author Belinda Murrell on her latest novel 'The Silver Sea' and a career spanning more than 35 books. Where did collective nouns originate and techniques on how to make your character drive the story forward when writing fiction. Also, win copies of 'Wish You Were Here' by Karly Lane. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Award-winning young adult author turned crime writer Kate McCaffrey on her first novel for adults, Double Lives. How to get the most of our “morning pages” and what “crutch words” do you use? And win The Tilt by Chris Hammer. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Ben Bravery. His memoir is The Patient Doctor, a fascinating story on how his cancer diagnosis led to him becoming a doctor. How songs are created and the origin of the word ‘bogus’. And win The Brothers by S. D. Hinton. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Bronwyn Hall, author of Gone to Ground. And discover the Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue! And win Back On Country: Welcome to Our Country by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing, illustrated by David Hardy. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Sean Williams, author of Honour Among Ghosts (and six Star Wars novels)! And win 'Superspy Science' by Kathryn Harkup, all about the science and tech in the world of James Bond. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Allie Reynolds, author of The Bay. And Grace Chan, author of Every Version of You talks about how she got her big break. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Julie Fison, author of the compelling novel One Punch. What is the origin of the phrase "steal your thunder"? Plus win your very own copy of the latest Phyrne Fisher adventure, Murder in Williamstown by Kerry Greenwood. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet New York Times bestselling author Ellie Marney on her latest novel The Killing Code. And debut author Grace Chan talks about how she got her book deal. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Oliver Phommavanh talks about his middle grade novel What About Thao? How to get over your fears - and more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet memoirist Lee Kofman, author of The Writer Laid Bare. And how to repurpose the research for your novel so it doesn't go to waste. And win The Whitewash by Siang Lu. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dani Vee talks about her journey to publication of her picture book My EXTRAordinary Mum. And our special book/movie giveaway of Mrs Harris Goes to Paris. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sulari Gentill on her murder mystery The Woman in the Library and her unique way of writing. Wait till you hear this! Also, how to free up your novel writing by putting on a playwright's hat. And do you say "by accident" or "on accident"? Plus win your very own copy of Runt by Craig Silvey. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reece Carter on how his debut novel A Girl Called Corpse started an international bidding war. The essential element of a good opening to a story. And what are 'ghost words'? And win A Kind of Magic, a memoir from Anna Spargo-Ryan. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minnie Darke on her latest novel With Love From Wish & Co and why she also write under the names Danielle Wood and Angelica Banks. Plus: the rise and rise of rom com books. And our new segment: My Big Break. Here, children's author Carla Fitzgerald talks about what she did to get published. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petronella McGovern on building a successful career writing psychological suspense. Her third novel, The Liars, is out now. We also talk about tips for self-editing and more! And win copies of The Book of Phobias and Manias by Kate Summerscale. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian and TV presenter James O'Loghlin on his first novel for adults, Criminals. Author Carla Fitzgerald talks about how she got her big break. And more! Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A.G Slatter (Angela Slatter) talks to Valerie Khoo on how she developed her author career and her latest novel The Path of Thorns. Publishers who accept unsolicited submissions – and how to make sure your manuscript is ready! Plus we have 3 copies of The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode: Ruth Ware, author of The IT Girl, on how she has hit the New York Times bestseller list 7 times! And join our celebration with a mystery guest you all know and love! Plus we have copies of Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson to give away! Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Kate Forsyth, author of The Crimson Thread. Discover how Haruki Murakami turned his health around – and what it did for his writing. And we have copies of Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Polly Phillips, author of the psychological thriller The Reunion. How to write a cosy mystery, win copies of The Unbelieved by Vikki Petraitis and much more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Emily Henry, author of Book Lovers. How to get visual inspiration without leaving the house. And more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Veronica Lando, author of The Whispering, winner of the Banjo Prize. We bring you an actual peek into Kate Forsyth's journals. We have some fun with anagrams – and much more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Children's Laureate Gabrielle Wang, author of Zadie Ma and the Dog who Chased the Moon. Save the date for Northern Beaches Readers Festival, the creative force behind our course on how to design the ideal author website and much more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queen of Crime Kathy Reichs, author of Cold Cold Bones. What you need on your author website and more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patti Miller on her latest memoir 'True Friends'. AWC graduates in The Guardian and The Sydney Morning Herald. Great read-it-later apps – and more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Kimberley Starr on her latest novel The Map of Night. Also: check out Readwise and discovering to write with what you've gort. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Pamela Hart, author of An A-list for Death and discover the burgeoning world of cosy mysteries. Also: should you re-write a book that’s already been published, our new seminar series and much more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet author Karen Foxlee and illustrator Freda Chiu, the creative duo behind Miss Mary-Kate Martin’s Guide to Monsters. How to edit your writing. And win Lying Beside You by Michael Robotham. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Sarah Vaughan, author of ‘Reputation’ and ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’, currently a hit on Netflix. How to prepare for your publicity campaign. And Anthony Trollope’s secret to writing. You can also win ‘The Family Upstairs’ by Lisa Jewell. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew Ryan Davies on his latest novel 'Things We Bury’. How to make time to read. Jack Kerouac’s innovative writing method. And win copies of "The Novel Project" by Graeme Simsion. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Kelly Rimmer, author of ‘The German Wife’. Her books have been translated into 25 languages and have sold over 2 million copies. She's been in New York times bestseller and lives in the central west of new south Wales. Also, find out how to find your writing community and more. And win About Time by David Rooney. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Rebecca Lee, author of 'How Words Get Good: The Story of Making a Book'. What is bionic reading? Where did 'italics' come from? And you could win your own copy of 'Lessons in Chemistry' by Bonnie Garmus. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Rae Cairns, author of The Good Mother, on her journey from indie author to publishing sensation; the most important thing you can do when interviewing someone; where Agatha Christie got all her ideas; and win Anna by Amy Odell, about iconic editor Anna Wintour. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meredith Jaffe on writing her book 'The Tricky Art of Forgiveness'. Writing fictional scenes based on real life. And you could win the gripping novel ‘One Punch’ by Julie Fison. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bestselling middle-grade author Nat Amoore, author of We Run Tomorrow. Cool writing resources and much more. And you could win Family of Liars by E Lockhart in our giveaway. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anna Qu on her powerful memoir 'Made in China: a Memoir of Love and Labour' and trying plotting and pantsing in your other creative pursuits. And we have 3 copies of 'Idol' by Louise O'Neill to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E. Lockhart on her latest novel, Family of Liars, and how her books went viral on TikTok. Should you fix typos as you write? And we have 3 copies of Book Lovers by Emily Henry to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bestselling author Kathy Lette on her latest book, 'Till Death or a Little Light Maiming Do Us Part', why you should start small if you've feeling overwhelmed with your writing, and win the latest novel from bestselling middle grade author Nat Amoore, We Run Tomorrow. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children's author and illustrator Matt Stanton on how he's sold over one million copies of his books. How to get over your fear of self-marketing. And we have 3 copies of Seeking Wisdom by Julia Cameron to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author and columnist Kerri Sackville on her latest book The Life-changing Magic of a Little Bit of Mess. Why audio books are so great! And we have 3 copies of True Friends by Patti Miller to give away! Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet historical fiction author Alison Stuart. Discover why you need to know the genre you're writing in. And we have 3 copies of 'True Friends' by Patti Miller to give away! Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Astrid Scholte, author of 'League of Liars'. And what is "front and back matter" anyway? Plus we have 3 copies of 'Booth' by Karen Joy Fowler to giveaway! Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Patrick Gale, author of Mother's Boy. Discover what to write in an author bio. And we have 3 copies of The Plant Hunter by T.L. Mogford to giveaway. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is a 'comp title' and why you need to know this. Meet Shankari Chandran, author of 'Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens'. And we have 3 copies of Impossible by Sarah Lotz to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rise of BookTok and it's incredible effect on the publishing industry. Books by women now achieving parity in media reviews. Why you need to beware of widows and orphans. Meet Nita Prose, author of the worldwide bestseller 'The Maid'. And we have 3 copies of 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What to do if you're stuck writing your first line. Crime author Dinuka McKenzie on writing her Banjo Prize-winner 'The Torrent', and we have 3 copies of the novel to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crime thriller author Candice Fox on turning her novel 'Crimson Lake' into the TV series 'Troppo'. Also: getting into real estate copywriting and more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How you can build a lucrative career as a children's author. Could a writing accountability buddy help you to achieve your goals? And meet Gary Nunn, author of 'The Psychic Tests'. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Trivia Night' by Ali Lowe to giveaway. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Al Campbell, author of ‘The Keepers’. Also: The unexpected benefits of writing. Do you need to incorporate feedback into your manuscript? Plus, we have 3 copies of ‘Violeta’ by Isabel Allende to giveaway. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Ruth McIver, author of I Shot The Devil. Short story competitions you can enter; an eight-year-old novelist slips his handwritten book in a library shelf and it now has a year-long waiting list. Plus, we have 3 copies of The Keepers by AWC alumna Al Campbell to giveaway. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover 7 tips to improve your writing. Meet Felicity Lewis, national explainer editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, on writing a great explainer and why readers love them so much. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter' by Lizzie Pook to giveaway. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Kay Kerr, author of 'Social Queue'. Discover the adaptability of audiobooks and resources for police procedurals. I catch up with Penelope Janu and talk about her latest book 'Clouds on the Horizon'. There are 3 copies of 'The Bumper Treehouse Fun Book' by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you need to rewrite your first draft completely? You'll meet SAS Australia's Ollie Ollerton, author of the thriller 'All Or Nothing'. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Fancy Meeting You Here' by Ali Berg (AWC alumna) and Michelle Kalus to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how to skyrocket your writing productivity using Focusmate. I chat to Australian icon, author Tom Keneally about his novel 'Corporal Hitler's Pistol'. Plus, you could win a copy of 'Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens' by AWC alumna Shankari Chandran. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the follow-up novel to Kellie’s debut Heiress on Fire, and once again we join billion-heiress Indigo and her assistant Esmerelda as they get involved with murders most fancy.Home for just 48 hours, billion-heiress Indigo-Daisy-Violet-Amber Hasluck-Royce-Jones-Bombberg has already committed two (completely understandable) felonies, reignited a childhood feud, been (possibly) humiliated (again) by her first love, and fallen over a nameless homeless dead man. All while strolling in her grandmother's garden...Kellie loves to entertain her readers, and this book sure does that. So here is Kellie McCourt and her latest novel Murder Most Fancy. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Ed Ayres, author of the beautiful memoir 'Whole Notes'. We have big news! Plus, it's your last chance to enter to win our massive holiday reading 15-book pack! Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deception Creek is the latest novel from the very popular rural fiction author, whose bestselling novels include Red Dust, Blue Skies, Purple Roads, Silver Clouds, Crimson Dawn, Emerald Springs, Indigo Storm, Sapphire Falls, and many, many, many more! In fact, this is her 18th novel. We spoke to Fleur way back in episode 2 of the So You Want to be a Writer podcast, when she had ONLY published 5 books. It’s really fascinating, actually, because that was at the beginning of the Australian rural fiction boom - and it has steadily increased in popularity since then. Before Fleur reads the prologue of her book, she answers a few quite thorny questions about the rural fiction genre. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Sara Foster, author of 'The Hush'. Discover how you could win a massive holiday reading 15-book pack. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Safe Place is the latest novel from the bestselling thriller writer whose previous books include Widow’s Island, Prey and Devour - and she is the presenter of Australian Writers' Centrey popular course Crime and Thriller Writing.Everyone in Eagle Falls knows Jessie Lewis. Ever since she reported her boyfriend, fire chief and local hero, for beating her, she’s been an outcast from the small town. But when someone sets fire to a house not far from Jessie’s, killing the entire Troyer family in their beds, the locals turn on her once again. And when rumors circulate about her very public argument with Paul Troyer, they take it as proof that she killed them.Before she reads from her novel, L.A. Larkin answers a few questions we asked her about the themes in this book so that you can get insight into the mind both of a thriller writer – and a criminal. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Anika Molesworth, author of 'Our Sunburnt Country'. Want to enter the 2022 Penguin Literary Prize? Plus, discover how you could win our massive holiday reading 15-book pack! Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once Burnt, Twice Shy is the latest novel from Karly who is a bestselling rural romance sensation. She is the author of the Callahans of Stringybark Creek series, North Star, Morgan's Law, Bridie's Choice, and too many more to mention! Recently divorced mother-of-two Samantha Murphy agrees to house-sit for her parents for a few weeks-but when the house involves several hundred acres of farming and livestock, it's a little more involved than the usual job. Sam left the family farm years ago for a more exciting, glamorous life on the Sunshine Coast, but now that her kids have grown up and moved out, she's at a crossroads. In this Story Session,Karly talks about rural romance and reads the first chapter of 'Once Burnt ,Twice Shy'. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Inga Simpson, author of 'The Last Woman in the World'. Congrats to Anika Molesworth on her book 'Our Sunburnt Country' being The Sydney Morning Herald's non-fiction pick of the week. Plus, discover how you could win a 5-book pack of new release YA fiction. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dark Rise is the latest novel from the author of the bestselling YA trilogy Captive Prince, and it is the first in what is already shaping up to be an un-put-downable new series. Sixteen-year-old dock boy Will is on the run, pursued by the men who killed his mother. When an old servant tells him of his destiny to fight beside the Stewards, Will is ushered into a world of magic, where he must train to play a vital role in the oncoming battle against the Dark. In this Story Session, C.S. Pacat talks about their writing process and reads the first chapter of Dark Rise. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Nicola Marsh, author of 'Summer of Serenity', 'The Scandal' and 76 other romance and domestic suspense novels. Ayliffe's John Bailey series gets optioned for screen. Learn when you should post your holiday gifts, so they arrive in time. Plus, you could win a book pack of FIVE crime and thriller fiction releases from 2021. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the latest life-lit novel from Rachael, whose previous books include the award-winning 'The Patterson Girls', 'The Art of Keeping Secrets', 'The Greatest Gift' and 'Lost Without You'. This is the fifth in her popular Bunyip Bay series - which was meant to be a trilogy!In this Story Session, Rachael talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of 'Outback Secrets'. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Fiona Murphy, author of 'The Shape of Sound'. Prizes for unpublished manuscripts that are now open. Discover your must-read lists for children's and young adult books. Plus, we have 10 double passes to 'A Boy Called Christmas', in cinemas 25 November to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've been big fans of Tania’s gorgeous historical fiction ever since her first bestselling novel, The Girl From Munich, which she published after attending a few of our courses here at the Australian Writers' Centre. She has since gone on to publish its sequel, Suitcase of Dreams, and another wartime novel, Letters from Berlin - and you can catch the first chapter of that in Story Sessions episode 384. Echoes of War is her fourth novel, again published by Simon and Schuster and it’s sure to be another success.In this Story Session,Tania talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of Echoes of War. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Mark Smith, author of 'If Not Us'. Write to Santa and get a reply. Learn the difference between a romance and a love story. Discover your chance to get signed copies of A.L. Tait books. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Showtime!' by Judy Nunn to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the latest novel by Joanna, whose previous bestselling books include The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village, The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker and The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home. And of course, it’s wonderful to see Joanna doing so well in her writing career as she is one of our AWC graduates. In this Story Session, Joanna talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Sami Bayly, author and illustrator of 'The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature'. Check out these books that have been withdrawn from sale – and why. Our hotly anticipated Romance Writing course will launch this week. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Bewilderment' by Richard Powers to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the latest nail-biting novel from Chris who is the award-winning author of the international bestsellers 'Scrublands', 'Silver' and 'Trust'. Before he reads from his prologue, Chris is going to share with us the inspiration behind this story and also some tips about writing which I know you’re going to love. This does get a bit gruesome and there’s some strong language, so just keep that in mind if you’ve got younger listeners with you. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet NYC literary agent Lucinda Halpern. Discover how to get back into the swing of writing when you're unmotivated. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Blood Trail' by Tony Park to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Sophie’s first adult fiction novel, although she has also published a memoir Running Like China (about her experiences with mental illness) and a YA novel Breathing Under Water. Just like in those books. Sophie doesn’t shy away from painful subjects - but always with a sense of healing or redemption. Below Deck is a powerful and haunting book with beautiful language that is guaranteed to move you.In this Story Session, Sophie talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of Below Deck. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Joyce Morgan, author of 'The Countess from Kirribilli'. We recap the best writing advice you've received. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Echoes of War' by Tania Blanchard to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A.L. Tait is better known as co-host of this very podcast, Allison Tait. The Wolf's Howl is book two in her Maven and Reeve series, and it's another cracking middle grade adventure. This is such a great book and – although you can enjoy it on its own – I highly encourage you to read the first book in the series as well. In this Story Session, Allison talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of The Wolf's Howl. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Wai Chim, author of 'The Surprising Power Of A Good Dumpling'. Learn what nobody tells you about the publishing industry. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The One Impossible Labyrinth' by Matthew Reilly – the internationally bestselling author of the Scarecrow series, the Jack West series and numerous standalone novels. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people will know Marion as a former journalist and political speechwriter, but this is her debut novel - and it is stunning. The subject matter is tough, it deals with terrorism and PTSD and trauma, but Marion has written a compassionate and moving story about friendship.In this Story Session, Marion talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of Here in the After. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet Kyle Perry, author of 'The Deep'. Don't forget to check out our sister podcast, 'So you want to be a copywriter'. Romance is the biggest selling genre in fiction, so learn more about our upcoming course, Romance Writing. Congrats to AWC grad Veronica Lando who has just been announced as winner of 2021 Banjo Prize with HarperCollins. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Prince of the Skies' by Antonio Iturbe to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a special 'betweenisode' because today we’re bringing you an industry insight episode with author Jack Heath. In this chat with Valerie Khoo, Jack goes into the nuts and bolts of his experience in one of the latest developments in the publishing industry – a novel specifically written for audio. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Sofie Laguna, author of 'The Song of Lewis Carmichael'. Discover how to prep for NaNoWriMo. Congratulations to AWC graduate Fiona Murphy on becoming a published author with her debut memoir 'The Shape of Sound'. Plus, we have 3 copies of '2 Sisters Detective Agency' by James Patterson and Candice Fox to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now, this is so exciting as this is Sarah’s fourth published novel, and her first standalone book outside of her very popular Gemma Woodstock crime series. In this novel, we’re introduced to a new protagonist – investigative journalist Olive Groves.  In this Story Session, Sarah talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of The Housemate. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Susannah Hardy, author of 'Loving Lizzie March'. Discover why you should not show off your research skills and why indie publishing could be right for you. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Sweet Jimmy' by Bryan Brown to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the fourth novel from Sandie and it is bound to be as fabulously popular as her previous three. Longtime listeners may remember we spoke to Sandie back in episode 323 when The Banksia Bay Beach Shack had just come out, which was her third novel, and before that she published The Cottage at Rosella Cove and The Kookaburra Creek Cafe.In this Story Session, Sandie talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of The Wattle Island Book Club. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Amy Suiter Clarke, author of 'Girl, 11'. Discover how to join in on 'Australia Reads'. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Cat Who Saved Books' by Sosuke Natsukawa to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you haven’t read any of Tony’s books before, you are in for a treat. His bestselling novels are set in Africa and they are full of action, adventure and thrills - and this one is no exception. As you’ll hear in his intro, Blood Trail is Tony’s 19th novel! So if you love this, then there are plenty more amazing Tony Park books you can sink your teeth into. In this Story Session, Gabrielle talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of Blood Trail. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Matt Murphy, author of Rum: a Distilled History of Colonial Australia, and why you should 'relocate your darlings' instead of killing them. Congrats to AWC alumna Anika Molesworth who shares her powerful story with her debut book, Our Sunburnt Country. Plus, we have 3 copies of Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty to giveaway. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the latest YA novel from Gabrielle, whose previous bestselling books include My Life as a Hashtag, Beatle Meets Destiny, The Reluctant Hallelujah and The Guy, the Girl, the Artist and His Ex. This is a fresh take on the body-swapping/soul-swapping theme and it’s going to be another hit.In this Story Session, Gabrielle talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of It's Not You, It's Me. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Karen Wyld, author of 'Heroes, Rebels and Innovators: Inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from history'. Discover the story behind 'The Bondi to Manly Walk Guidebook' by Tara Wells. Learn how AWC graduate Sandhya Parappukkaran followed her creative curiosity to become a published picture book author. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Housemate' by Sarah Bailey to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'All the Murmuring Bones' by Australian Writers' Centre presenter A.G. Slatter (Angela Slatter). This is a gripping dark novel from Angela, who is well known for her supernatural crime novels 'Vigil', 'Corpselight' and 'Restoration'. We just love Angela’s stories - she creates such evocative settings and complex characters in these fabulous gothic fairytale worlds. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Gabriel Bergmoser, author of 'The Inheritance'. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Dinosaur Dads' by award-winning author and AWC presenter Lesley Gibbes to give away. It's her 10th picture book!  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Rebekah Campbell, author of '138 Dates: The true story of one woman's search for everything'. Discover how to harness community to build book sales. Have you listened to the Your Kid's Next Read podcast? Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Disappearing Act' by Catherine Steadman to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Tim Ayliffe, author of 'The Enemy Within'. Congrats to AWC presenter Lesley Gibbes on publishing her 10th picture book, 'Dinosaur Dads'. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Wolf's Howl' by A.L. Tait to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A.L. Tait, author of 'The Wolf's Howl' on '7 must-dos to ensure a successful writing career'. Discover how your kid can register for A.L. Tait's live author talk on Zoom. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Echo Chamber' by John Boyne to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'The Last Guests' by J.P. Pomare. This is another chilling literary thriller from the award-winning J.P. Pomare, whose previous books are 'Tell Me Lies', 'In The Clearing' and 'Call Me Evie'. Lina and Cain are doing their best to stay afloat. Money has been tight since Cain returned from active duty, and starting a family is proving harder than they thought. But someone is watching their most mundane tasks and their most intimate moments. All the things Lina and Cain want to keep hidden will be exposed. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Max Barry, author of 'The 22 Murders of Madison May'. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'The Dying Diplomats Club' by Matthew Benns. Australian listeners will know Matthew as a journalist who is currently editor-at-large with The Daily Telegraph. He has published several non-fiction books, but this is his first foray into fiction - and it is a wild ride! As you’ll hear in his introduction, Matthew had a lot of fun writing this book and readers are going to have a lot of fun reading it. It’s a classic whodunnit, but set in the Prime Minister’s house - with ample amounts of alcohol. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Amanda Hampson, author of 'Lovebirds'. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 'inbetweenisode', Valerie Khoo sits down with Sam Buckerfield, who has co-written a book called Generation Alpha. Now what’s interesting is that this is a nonfiction book - but Sam’s passion has always been in fiction. But as you’ll hear, Sam was able to use his fiction skills to create a compelling and very readable narrative out of 20 years of social research and case studies and statistics.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take a deep dive into the conventions and tropes in 'charming crime fiction' with Pamela Hart, author of 'Digging Up Dirt'. Winner of flash fiction story stuns husband into silence. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Book Club: A Journal' to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'Thursdays at Orange Blossom House' by Sophie Green. This is another delightful novel about friendship from the bestselling author of 'The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle' and 'The Inaugural Meeting Of The Fairvale Ladies Book Club'. Once again, Sophie has created wonderful characters who feel like friends that you just want to connect with again and again. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Jacqueline Maley, author of 'The Truth About Her'. Impress your friends and family with the word 'otiose'. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The 22 Murders of Madison May' by Max Barry to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'The Others' by Mark Brandi. This is the latest novel from the bestselling Australian author of 'Wimmera' and 'The Rip'. Once again, Mark has crafted an evocative story with a tense underlying thread of fear. Before he reads from his novel, Mark answers some questions about his writing process as well as offering his top 3 tips for aspiring writers. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Cristy Burne, co-author of 'Wednesday Weeks and the Tower of Shadows'. Discover what's happening at the Shoalhaven Readers and Writers Festival and learn about the Australia Book Design Awards. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Instructions for Dancing' by Nicola Yoon to giveaway. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'Widow's Island' by L.A. Larkin. This is the latest from bestselling author and queen of suspense. Louisa is also a presenter at the Australian Writers' Centre, and we're so thrilled she has another thriller for us to devour. Once again, Louisa has crafted a nail-biting tale, taking on cyberbullying and climate science, as well as her trademark twists and turns, murder and intrigue. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet Will Dean, author of 'The Last Thing To Burn'. We have a recap of the Capricorn Coast Writers' Festival to share with you. Plus, there are 3 copies of 'Rum: A Distilled History of Colonial Australia' by Matt Murphy to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'Can't Say It Went to Plan' by Gabrielle Tozer. This is the latest young adult novel from the fabulous Gabrielle Tozer, author of 'The Intern', 'Faking It' and 'Remind Me How This Ends'. This time, Gabrielle is taking on schoolies - that infamous break at the end of high school when Aussie kids hit the beach to celebrate. But this is not a party book, although there are plenty of parties - Gabrielle tackles the complex emotions that teens face at this time with her usual humour, perspicacity and warmth. Before Gabrielle reads from her novel, I asked her to answer some questions about her writing process as well her top three tips for writers. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet Sally Thorne, author of 'Second First Impressions'. Discover how to run an online writers' workshopping group. Plus, we have a cosy winter reading pack of 5 books to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'You Had It Coming' by B.M. Carroll. This is another exciting thriller from the pen of B. M. Carroll, who also writes as Ber Carroll. It’s a tense psychological drama that will hook you in right from the dramatic opening scene until the final pages. Before she reads her first chapter, you’ll hear Ber talk about her writing process and how this is her first time writing this style. It’s fascinating to see how authors change and adapt along their career. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet Irma Gold, author of 'The Breaking'. Discover a new documentary about indie bookstores. Plus, we have 3 copies of the picture book 'Hello Baby!' by AWC alumna Shelly Unwin to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'The Inside Man' by James Phelps. You’ll know James Phelps better as a journalist and true crime writer - but this is his first fiction novel. And as you can expect from Australia’s number one true crime crime writer, it’s an absolute cracker. Before he reads from his novel, James has answered some questions about his writing process and what inspired the novel. The way this novel was commissioned is pretty unique! Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Lynette Noni, author of 'The Prison Healer'. Check out some indie author success stories. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Reading like an Australian writer' edited by Belinda Castles to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'Before You Knew My Name' by Jacqueline Bublitz. Jacqueline has written an astonishing debut with an intriguing and original concept. This is not your usual murder myster or dead girl novel. It’s very powerful and readers have already been raving about how engrossing it is. It’s the sort of book you want to devour in one sitting. Before she reads from her novel, Jacqueline answered some of my probing questions about how the book came to be written and what advice she would give to other aspiring writers. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet A.G. Slatter (Angela Slatter), author of 'All the Murmuring Bones'. You'll discover top tips on how to become a best-selling author and learn what's coming up for A.L. Tait. Plus, there are 10x double passes to LAPSIS to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'Grace Under Pressure' by Tori Haschka. This is a hilarious and honest book about motherhood and parenting in the age of social media and constant scrutiny and the pressure to ‘do it all’. Tori is better known as a food writer and she has written several cookbooks, and this is her debut novel. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of the novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'Tipping' by Anna George. This is a funny, relevant and thought-provoking book. This is a bit of a departure from Anna’s previous two novels - the stunning thrillers 'What Came Before' and 'The Lone Child'. It has the same exciting pace, but this time Anna trains her focus on the domestic sphere, laying bare the challenges (and hypocrisies) faced by many modern women. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of the novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'You Need to Know' by Nicola Moriarty. This is the latest novel from the bestselling author of 'The Ex' and 'Those Other Women' - and once again, Nicola has created an intriguing drama that will hook you right from the start and grip you right to the stunning end. Plus, there are 3 copies of 'Flash Jim' by Kel Richards to giveaway. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'All We Have is Now' by Kaneana May. This is Kaneana’s second novel, following her incredible debut 'The One'. Kaneana has once again weaved together the story of three different women who run a wellness centre together. It’s a beautiful novel full of compassion, hope, love and friendship, all while tackling serious themes. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the prologue and first chapter of the novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 400 is all about YOU! Val and Al answer all your burning questions about the world of writing and publishing: how to edit, publishing a short story collection, getting an agent, career building and much more. Plus, there are 3 copies of 'Julia Makes it Easy' by Julia Morris to giveaway. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Craig Sisterson, author of 'Southern Cross Crime'. Learn 8 practical writing tips from authors. Plus, our popular MOJO MONTH event is back in May, providing you with 31 days of writing motivation. We also have 3 copies of 'Where the Grass is Green' by Lauren Weisberger to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'The Chase' by Candice Fox. 600 of the world’s most violent human beings escape Pronghorn Correctional Facility in Nevada, sparking the biggest manhunt in US history. For John Kradle, this is his one chance to prove his innocence, five years after the murder of his wife and child. He just needs to stay one step ahead of the teams of law enforcement officers he knows will be chasing down the escapees. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of the novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Julietta Henderson, author of 'The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman'. Discover how to write Regency romance. Plus, we have 3 copies of' World Travel' by Anthony Bourdain to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'The The French Gift' by Kirsty Manning. This is the latest breathtaking novel from the bestselling author, whose previous books include 'The Lost Jewels', 'The Jade Lily', and 'The Midsummer Garden'. This time, Kirsty takes readers from the French Riviera and a German labour factory in the past, to present-day Paris, weaving a tale of secrets, bravery and friendship. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of the novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Debra Oswald, author of 'The Family Doctor'. Discover how to write a verse novel and how to name your characters. We're excited about our brand new course launching this week: Historical Fiction. Plus, there are 3 copies of 'The Ripping Tree', a new novel from internationally bestselling author Nikki Gemmell, to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring 'The Performance' by Claire Thomas. As bushfires rage outside the city, three women watch a performance of Samuel Beckett's play 'Happy Days'. As the performance unfolds, so does each woman’s story. By the time the curtain falls, they will all have a new understanding of the world beyond the stage. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this intimate and engaging novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Roland Perry, author of 'The Shaman'. Congrats to those kicking big goals in the AWC community. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Chase' by Candice Fox to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Rebecca Lim, author of 'Tiger Daughter'. Discover a great way to hear dialogue from around the world. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Dear Mum' edited by Samuel Johnson to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Cate Quinn, author of 'Black Widows'. Want to join our brand new Copy Club? Big congrats to our alumni who will be at the Sydney Writers' Festival! You can now preorder A.L. Tait's latest book 'The Wolf's Howl: A Maven & Reeve Mystery'. Don't miss your chance to win an awesome 5-book pack – perfect for some relaxing reading time this Easter long weekend. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Barry Divola, author of 'Driving Stevie Fracasso'. Discover great resources for writing authentic dialogue and tips for how to run an effective writing group. Plus, you could win a 5-book pack in time to curl up for some reading bliss this Easter long weekend. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Alison Lester, author of the classic novel, 'The Quicksand Pony'. Discover what UX writing is and how to prepare for an interview. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Tour' by Andrew Mackie to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Kelli Hawkins, author of 'Other People's Houses'. Discover manuscript awards you should enter in 2021. Our sister podcast So you want to be a copywriter with Bernadette Schwerdt is here. A.L. Tait's 'Fire Star' makes the CBA list of notables for 2021. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Space Hopper' by Helen Fisher to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Gary Lonesborough, author of 'The Boy from the Mish'. Discover the fab writers behind 'Lighthouse', an anthology of short stories. There's a new writers' festival happening on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Rebel Without a Clause' by Susan Butler to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Pip Drysdale, author of 'The Paris Affair' and discover hot tips for writing arguments. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Speechwriter' by Martin McKenzie-Murray to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Felicity Lewis, national explainer editor at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, and editor of 'What's it like to be chased by a cassowary?' Discover short story competitions to enter in 2021 and how to take a good author photo. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Four Winds' by Kristin Hannah to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring 'Letters from Berlin' by Tania Blanchard. Set in 1943 Berlin, 18-year-old Susanna Göttmann accepts the help of an influential Nazi officer to protect her family and the man she loves. But at what cost? Tania once again draws on her own family history to tell an extraordinary tale of tragedy and courage, love and loss, endings and new beginnings. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this book. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Remy Lai, author of 'Fly on the Wall'. Discover the writing competitions you need to enter for 2021. Authors share the most surprising thing about getting published. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Paris Affair' by Pip Drysdale to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring 'All We Dream' by Pamela Cook. Sydney lawyer Miranda McIntyre discovers family secrets and her quest for the truth forces her to question the life she's worked so hard to create. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this book. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet Frances Chapman, author of 'Stars Liks Us'. We also discuss how to write scenes. Plus, there are 10x double passes to see 'High Ground' - in cinemas 28 January.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring 'Starting From Scratch' by Penelope Janu. Return to the town of Horseshoe Hill and Sapphie Brown as she grapples with her injured pride, and questions if it's standing in the way of true love. Narrated by the author herself, we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this charming rural romance. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Will Kostakis, author of 'Rebel Gods'. Discover hot tips on how to write a romantic thriller. Plus, we have 3 copies of '30 Day Kick Start Plan' by Joe Wicks to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult. This is the latest novel from the bestselling author of My Sister's Keeper, Small Great Things, Nineteen Minutes, A Spark of Light, and many, many more. Jodi is well-known for tackling big issues and exploring complicated moral topics, and The Book of Two Ways is no exception. This time it's death, motherhood, choices and regrets. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the prologue of this thought-provoking story. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Ceridwen Dovey, author of 'Life After Truth'. Discover tips on how to share your writing for the first time. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Werewolves Who Weren't' by T.C. Shelley to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring Inheritance of Secrets by Sonya Bates. Juliet's elderly grandparents are killed in their Adelaide home. Who would commit such a heinous crime - and why? The only clue is her grandfather Karl's missing signet ring. This is the debut novel from Sonya, one of our amazing graduates at the Australian Writers' Centre. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this gripping mystery. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Jennifer Niven, author of 'Breathless'. We discuss achieving your essential writing goals for 2021. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'What's it Like to be Chased by a Cassowary?' by Felicity Lewis to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring The Cartographer's Secret by Tea Cooper. Follow Letitia Rawlings on her quest in 1911's Hunter Valley to heal a family rift. An intricately illustrated map offers a clue to the fate of her long-lost aunt. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this mesmerising historical mystery. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Benjamin Stevenson, author of 'Either Side of Midnight'. Valerie and Allison take a look at the words of the year! Plus, there are 10x double passes to 'The Dry' to win, courtesy of Roadshow Films. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Ewa Ramsey, author of The Morbids, a gorgeous story of friendship, love and what it means to truly live when, sometimes, it may seem easier not to. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Nathan Makaryk, author of 'Lionhearts'. Discover the 7 tips you need to know about writing historical fiction and last-minute gift ideas for the writers in your life. Plus, we are giving away a massive 10-book pack to one lucky winner. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This ‘inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor. Set in 1893, The Grandest Bookshop in the World follows the adventures of Pearl and Vally, who live with their father in Cole's Book Arcade in Melbourne. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this riveting adventure. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Lian Tanner, author of 'A Clue for Clara'. Plus we share 10 writing tips you can use today. Discover your chance to be published with Penguin Random House Australia. And we have a huge 10-book pack giveaway in time for the holidays. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Esther Krogdahl, author of the gorgeous Grumbelina. Hear how Esther drew inspiration for the book from her daughter's "terrible threes" and learn about her fascinating career writing for children's virtual reality games. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Meg Keneally, author of 'The Wreck'. Learn how to edit your second draft. Discover the reasons why publishers might reject good writing. Do you have niblings? Plus, we have 3 copies of '2020 Dictionary' by Dominic Knight to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring The Charleston Scandal by Pamela Hart. Narrated by the author herself, we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the prologue and first chapter of this exuberant story. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Sue Brierley, author of 'Lioness'. Discover how long it takes to write a first draft and 6 mistakes to voice when writing a guest blog post. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Charleston Scandal' by Pamela Hart – our amazing AWC presenter and director of creative writing – to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring Hideout by Jack Heath. Hideout is a bloody, twisted roller-coaster of dark action and suspense and we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this thriller. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Monica McInerney, author of 'The Godmothers'. Is it ever too late to write a novel? Discover what percentage of you are plotters and what percentage are pantsers. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Word for Today' by Roly Sussex up for grabs. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring The Champagne War by Fiona McIntosh. Narrated by the author herself, we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the prologue of this heart-stopping adventure. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Chris Hammer, author of the crime thriller 'Trust'. Discover what you need to know about traditional publishing and 8 signs you'd be a great freelance/content writer. Catch up on the Your Kid's Next Read author talk with Jacqueline Harvey. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Life After Truth' by Ceridwen Dovey to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring Death in Daylesford by Kerry Greenwood. Kerry continues the adventures of Phryne Fisher in this mystery and we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first three chapters of this book. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Lili Wilkinson, author of 'The Erasure Initiative'. Discover the one thing you need to improve your writing. Vote in our poll on whether you're a PLOTTER or a PANTSER. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'China Blonde' by AWC alumna Nicole Webb up for grabs. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home by Joanna Nell. Narrated by the author herself, we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this wonderful book. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you a morning writer? Meet Malcolm Knox, author of 'Bluebird'. Learn how dogs are helping kids to read. Discover how to get motivated for NaNoWriMo. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'What Cats Want' by Dr Yuki Hattori up for grabs. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring The Firestar: A Maven & Reeve Mystery by A.L. Tait. Narrated by the author herself, we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this exciting book. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Rose Carlyle, author of 'The Girl in the Mirror'. Learn about the rise and rise of 'stealth help' books. We congratulate the Ned Kelly award winners! Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Windsor Diaries' by Alathea Fitzalan Howard to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring The Good Teacher by Petronella McGovern. Narrated by the author herself, we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this gripping book. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring The Mother Fault by Kate Mildenhall. Narrated by veteran Australian actor Claudia Karvan, we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this book.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Craig Silvey, author of 'Honeybee'. Learn about a cool opportunity to become a bookseller in the Maldives. Enter The Horne Prize for your chance to win $15,000. Alison Rushby shares her tips on how to make writing fun again. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Just Like You' by Nick Hornby to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring The Killings at Kingfisher Hill by Sophie Hannah. Sophie continues the adventures of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot in this mystery and we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this book. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Penguin Random House publisher Laura Harris. Do bookshops make your bowels move? Discover how to enter the Spark prize for narrative non-fiction. And congrats to Dinuka McKenzie for winning The Banjo Prize! Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Nala's World' by Dean Nicholson to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Christie Nieman, author of 'Where We Begin'. Discover what you can learn from being an author-entrepreneur. Plus, we have 5 double passes to 'The Translators' to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Richard Fidler, broadcaster and author of 'The Golden Maze: A Biography of Prague'. Congratulations to AWC alumnae Felicity McVay and Brooke Grahams for publishing their debut picture books. Plus, shout out to AWC alumna Petronella McGovern for being on the 2020 Ned Kelly Crime Awards shortlist with her thriller 'Six Minutes'. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Golden Maze' by Richard Fidler to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn how to edit your own manuscript and meet Fiona Palmer, author of 'Tiny White Lies'. In a shocking plot twist, Allison shares her Word of the Week. Discover when to tune into a special Facebook live Creative Conversations with Allison Tait. Plus we have 3 copies of 'The Fire Star: A Maven & Reeve Mystery' by A.L. Tait to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover what you need to know about writing across age groups. Meet Nick Place, co-author of 'Stalin's Wine Cellar'. It's launch day for A.L. Tait's eagerly anticipated book 'The Fire Star'. Plus, there are 3 copies of 'The Good Teacher' by Petronella McGovern (AWC alumna) to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how to write during a pandemic. Meet Mikey Robins, author of 'Reprehensible: Polite Histories of Bad Behaviour'. Want to win a Zoom call with A.L. Tait? Plus we have 3 copies of 'The Thursday Murder Club' by Richard Osman to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet Adrian Beck, author of the 'Derek Dool Supercool' series. AWC presenter Candice Fox's book turns into a movie. And AWC grad Brooke Graham's picture book 'Go Away, Worry Monster!' to be published. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Girl in the Mirror' by Rose Carlyle to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet Jeff Apter, author of 'Friday On My Mind'. Discover why you need to remember that your genius comes naturally to you. Download Valerie's free printable. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Enid' by Robert Wainwright to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Mary Norris, author of 'Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen'. You'll discover powerful tips on how to finish writing your book. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Across the Water' by AWC alumna Ingrid Alexandra to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Katherine Firkin, author of 'Sticks and Stones'. Discover what you need in an author newsletter template. Impress (or baffle) your friends by casually dropping the word 'autarky' into a conversation. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Utopia Avenue' by David Mitchell to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Sandy Barker, author of 'That Night in Paris' and 'A Sunset in Sydney'. Discover the steps you need to take to build your author platform. Learn how to use Pinterest for book marketing inspiration. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Sandpit' by Nicholas Shakespeare to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you want to be a children's author? Meet literary agent Annabel Barker and discover what you need to do to get published. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Silk House' by Kayte Nunn to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet Gus Gordon, author and illustrator of 'Finding Francois'. Discover who is a plotter and who is a pantser. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Jane Austen Society' by Natalie Jenner to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Chris Flynn, author of 'Mammoth'. Plus 21 ways to promote your book, and how to deal with your inner critic. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet E Lockhart, author of 'Again Again'. Discover how to build good writing habits in your teen. Watch 'Creative Conversations' with literary agent Annabel Barker. Learn tips for writing non-fiction for kids. And we have 3 copies of 'To the Lions' by Holly Watt to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Imbi Neeme, author of 'The Spill'. Discover what to ask publishers before you sign a contract. Learn about the new world of UX/UI writing. And we have 3 copies of the award-winning book 'The Botanical Kitchen' by Elly McCausland to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We chat to Katherine Kovacic, author of 'The Shifting Landscape'. Learn how to increase your opportunities for freelance revenue. Join Amie Kaufman and Allison Tait at the Your Kid's Next Read Author Talk. Plus, we have 3 copies of a mesmerising and unsettling thriller by Elizabeth Kay called 'Seven Lies' to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We chat to Tara Moss, author of 'The Cobra Queen'. Discover how to write your novel while juggling your day job. We're currently developing a Teenage Creative Writers' Program for budding authors which will be available very soon. Plus, we have 3 'Pussweek packs' by Bexy McFly (AWC alumnae) containing 'PUSSWEEK: A Cat's Guide to Feline Empowerment' and 'Cats Are The Worst' to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Christine Bell, author of 'No Small Shame'. Discover how to use guest posting as a book promotion strategy. Learn 5 tips for writing a cracking thriller from L.A. Larkin!  Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Silence' by Susan Allott to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Felicity Harley, author of 'Balance & Other B.S.: How to hold it together when you're doing it all'. Discover how to enter the ARA Historical Novel Prize; and Andy Griffith's top 3 tips for making kids laugh. We're currently developing a Teenage Creative Writers' Program for budding authors (available very soon). Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Australian Code Breakers' by James Phelps to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Rick Held, author of 'Night Lessons in Little Jerusalem'. Put our party in your diaries! Catch the replay of Valerie's conversation with James Phelps and go into the draw to win a copy of 'Pedantic' by Ross Petras and Kathryn Petras. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Anna Whateley, author of 'Peta Lyre's Rating Normal'. Discover how to spark your kid's writing fire. New AWC online courses are in the works. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Husband Replacement Therapy' by Kathy Lette to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet BG Hilton, author of 'Champagne Charlie and the Amazing Gladys'. Andrew Daddo has advice on writing funny books for kids. Val and Al share tips on how to guest post with success. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Up on Horseshoe Hill' by AWC alumna Penelope Janu to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet literary agent and author Danielle Binks, author of 'The Year the Maps Changed'. Discover what you need to know about writing a series and tips from the AWC team for working from home. We also have 3 copies of 'The Cobra Queen' by Tara Moss to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Victoria Mackinlay, author of 'Ribbit Rabbit Robot'. Discover 5 tips on how to nail your second novel. Scenes from 'The Gruffalo' and other books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler have been reimagined to help children through coronavirus. Plus, we have 3 book packs containing Sue Whiting's latest kids books 'The Book of Chance' and 'Good Question' to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We chat to Clare Bowditch about her memoir 'Your Own Kind of Girl'. Discover how to write a page-turning story for kids and 9 manuscript awards you can enter now. Congratulations to Lesley Gibbes and Astrid Scholte being shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2020. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Ribbit Rabbit Robot' by AWC alumna Victoria Mackinlay to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Kate Simpson, author of 'Anzac Girl: The War Diaries of Alice Ross-King'. Discover how to stay connected and learn while you're at home and the joy of artistic collaboration. You'll hear industry insider tips for writing non-fiction for kids. Plus, there are 3 copies of 'The Love That Remains' by AWC alumna Susan Francis to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Sandie Docker, author of 'The Banksia Bay Beach Shack'. Learn how to balance freelance and creative writing. Your Kid's Next Read is hosting a massive book giveaway. Discover tips on where to find ideas when writing for kids. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Banksia Bay Beach Shack' to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Susan Francis, author of the memoir 'The Love that Remains'. Learn how to avoid social media burnout as a writer. Allison shares the cover reveal for her next book. Plus, there are 3 copies of 'Death in the Ladies' Goddess Club' by Julian Leatherdale to win. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Julian Leatherdale, author of 'Death in the Ladies' Goddess Club'. What do you do if you're on an author panel? Should you have a website if you're not published yet? Plus, there are 3 copies of 'The Mothers' by Genevieve Gannon to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Andrew Stafford, author of 'Something To Believe In', a memoir of music, madness and love. What you should NOT expect from an agent. The Children's Book Council of Australia announces Book of the Year Notables 2020. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Cops, Drugs, Lawyer X and Me' by Paul Dale and Vikki Petraitis to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Lian Hearn, multi-million-copy bestselling author of the 'Children of the Otori' series. Also, check out Berbay Books' callout for chapter books and junior fiction. Discover your chance to meet Allison! Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Mrs Groff's Mischievous Book of Motherhood Management' by Maggie Groff to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet Charlotte Barkla, author of 'All Bodies Are Good Bodies' and 'Edie's Experiments'. We share 12 things we've learnt from judging Furious Fiction. You'll learn how to market your book through guest posting. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Death of a Typographer' by Nick Gadd to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Kirsten Alexander, author of 'Riptides'. Discover scientifically proven ways to beat writer's block and Allison has an exciting fundraiser announcement (and teaser for her next book). Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Platform Seven' by Louise Doughty to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Sue McPherson, author of 'Brontide'. Learn why some people are calling for a boycott of the new 50 pence coin. Discover top ways you can reinvent yourself in 2020. Plus, there are three copies of 'Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family' by Mitch Albom to win. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Pamela Cook, author of Cross My Heart. Here's your short story plan of action for this year! Discover 20 words to inspire you to write in 2020. Plus, you could win one of 3 copies of Inner Worlds Outer Spaces: Working Lives of Others by Ceridwen Dovey.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Nick Gadd, author of Death of a Typographer. Hear about the demise of the Apostrophe Protection Society and discover what #authorsforfireys is all about. Plus, we have three copies of That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea by Marc Randolph to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy 2020! Meet Tony Jones, former Q&A host, journalist and author of 'In Darkness Visible'. Plus, there are three copies of '488 Rules for Life' by Kitty Flanagan to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Val and Al wrap up 2019, reveal their top 10 interviews for the year and wish you a wonderful holiday season! Plus, you could win one of three copies of 'The Strayan Dictionary' by Dominic Knight. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you a planster? Meet the best-selling author of The Family Upstairs, Lisa Jewell. Allison shares her top 10 posts about writing for 2019. Plus, there are copies of Last Christmas by Greg Wise and Emma Thompson to be won. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to enter a short story comp about food and drink? Meet Jodi Gibson, author of 'The Memories We Hide'. We have tips to stop procrastinating. Plus, there are five double passes to 'The Truth' (thanks to Palace Films) to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn exercises for writers you can do at your desk. You'll meet Elliot  Perlman, author of 'Maybe the Horse Will Talk'. Discover gift vouchers for writers. Plus, we have three copies of 'The Truants' by Kate Weinberg to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover what to buy the other writers in your life. You'll meet K.M. Levis, author of 'The Search for Adarna'. We found a list of writing competitions you can still enter for 2019, and we have three copies of 'Magical Maths' by Eddie Woo to giveaway. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn tips to overcome your shyness at literary events. Meet Christian White, author of 'The Wife and the Widow'. Discover how you could win a $10,000 advance for your manuscript. We also have three copies of  'Salvation Lost' by Britain's number one science-fiction writer, Peter F. Hamilton, to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover scholarships for young writers. You'll meet Kirli Saunders, author of 'The Incredible Freedom Machines'. Are you a late night or early morning writer? And vote in our poll on whether you prefer coffee or tea when writing.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stay in Stephen King's house and write! Meet Melanie Cheng, author of 'Room for a Stranger'. Discover the biggest mistake newbie travel writers make. And we have three copies of 'The Island at the Edge of the World' by Deborah Rodriguez to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how to get the words written. Meet Nicola Moriarty, author of 'The Ex'. Val and Al discuss what you can learn from hanging out in a bookshop. Plus, we have three copies of 'In Darkness Visible' by Tony Jones to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover top tips for surviving a structural edit, and meet Sarfraz Manzoor, author of ‘Greetings from Bury Park’, now a hit movie. 13 Australian authors share their creative rituals. Plus, we have three copies of 'Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister' by Jung Chang to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does writing books get tougher instead of easier? You'll meet Stephanie Wood, author of 'Fake: A startling true story of love in a world of liars, cheats, narcissists, fantasists and phonies'. Plus, you could win a copy of 'Gotta Get Theroux This' by Louis Theroux. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet middle-grade author Pip Harry, author of 'The Little Wave', and our Furious Fiction superfans. What does 'prodigal' really mean? (Possibly, not what you think!). Plus, there are three copies of 'The Weekend' by Charlotte Wood to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We celebrate 300 episodes! You'll meet journalist, author and podcaster Caroline Overington. Discover ideas to help you revise a book's first draft. Plus, you could win a cracker of a prize for our 300th episode celebration. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can you do when you realise when your book is broken? You'll meet Juliet Marillier, author of 'The Harp of Kings'. We have a new online course in development. Plus, there are three copies of 'The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker' by Joanna Nell to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Tristan Bancks, author of 'Detention' and Ali Berg, co-author of 'While Your Were Reading'. Celebrate Reading Hour this week. Plus, there are three copies of 'TRIM: The Cartographer's Cat' to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Joe Gorman, author of 'Heartland' and discover how to improve your book with beta readers. There are three copies of 'Bake Australia Great' by Katherine Sabbath up for grabs. Plus, the Richell Prize for Emerging Writers longlist has been announced with five AWC alumni making it onto the list.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Patti Miller, author of 'The Joy of High Places'. Discover how the Creative Writing Quest for Kids can help your child improve their writing. Learn why you need to stop apologising for your voice. Plus, we have three copies of 'The Joy of High Places' by Patti Miller to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you need a book curator? Meet AWC alumna Petronella McGovern, author of 'Six Minutes'. MOJO month starts September 1. Discover sweet book nerd merch. Valerie's creative journals are now available to order - perfect for Morning Pages and more. Plus, we have three copies of Little Puggle's Song by AWC alumna Vikki Conley to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk to children's author Mick Elliott about his Squidge Dibley series. Fresh content ideas for your author newsletter, and we have three copies of 'Where the Dead Go' by international bestselling and award-winning author Sarah Bailey to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We chat to Tony Park, bestselling author of 'Ghosts of the Past'. We also share Book Week costume ideas, so you're not stumped for ideas. AWC presenter Patti Miller's book launch for 'The Joy of High Places' was a great success. Plus there are three copies 'Fake' by Stephanie Wood to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Screenwriting competition closing soon and Love Your Bookshop Day is coming up. You'll meet Kaneana May, author of 'The One'. Plus, we have copies of 'Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire' by AWC alumna Nat Amoore to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to get the most out of a writers' festival and meet Meaghan Wilson-Anastasios, author of 'The Emerald Tablet'. Your Kid's Next Read live event is coming up. Plus, we have three copies of 'The Blue Rose' by AWC presenter Kate Forsyth to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask the tough question: should you cull your books? Meet Matt Stanton, author of the popular 'Funny Kid' series. The Adventures In Reading event is this weekend. Plus, we have 10x double passes to the psychological drama/thriller 'Who You Think I Am' to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Historical short story competition is now open. Meet Alex Landragin, author of 'Crossings'. We also have writing tips for kids, and Allison Tait will be at the Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival. Little Bookroom has a charity drive. Plus, we have 3x signed copies of 'The Last Days of the Romanov Dancers' by Kerri Turner to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Megan Daley, author of 'Raising Readers'. Val and Al share writing competitions you should enter. Plus, we have 10 double passes to ‘Apollo 11’ to give away. All that and more in this week’s episode.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, you’ll meet the multi-talented James O'Loghlin. Learn why Allison is heading to the Whitsundays. Discover why you should write what you don't know (yet) and hear about upcoming publishing opportunities. Valerie has banoffee and we have 3 copies of 'Six Minutes' by AWC alumna Petronella McGovern to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What should you do if your book is being pirated? Discover some great blogging tips. And meet Loretta Smith, author of 'A Spanner in the Works: The extraordinary story of Alice Anderson and Australia's first all-girl garage'. We also have 3 copies of ‘Four Dead Queens’ by AWC alumna Astrid Scholte to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Peter Rock, author of “The Night Swimmers”. Discover if your writing is commercial enough and how to master “point of view”. We also have 3x copies of AWC alumna Kaneana May’s debut novel “The One” to give away.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Direct from VIVID Festival, this is the LIVE event. If you couldn't go, this is the next best thing! This episode features your hosts Allison Tait and Valerie Khoo in conversation with historical fiction author Pamela Hart and crime/thriller author Candice Fox. Straight to you from the Museum of Contemporary Art. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Enter The Moth's short story competition. Meet historical fiction author of 'The Land Girls', Victoria Purman. A new course on writing chapter books for kids is coming soon. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The Library Book' by Susan Orlean up for grabs and more.  Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to stay afloat during a freelance writing slump. Meet Melina Marchetta, author of 'The Place on Dalhousie' and hear about her writing career. Why you should take time to live life (not just write all the time) and discover your chance to win ‘Getting There’ by Instagram star Mari Andrew. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Paige Toon, bestselling author of  'If You Could Go Anywhere’. Learn about the best etiquette when approaching agents. Bad ways to open your story. Plus, we have 3 copies of ‘The Beekeeper of Aleppo’ by Christy Lefteri to give away and more.  Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet AWC alumna Astrid Scholte, author of ‘Four Dead Queens’. Discover why you should write your query letter first! We have 3 copies of ‘A Woman of No Importance’ by Sonia Purnell up for grabs. Plus, don’t miss your chance to see So You Want To Be A Writer live. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn what agents look for in authors and meet Renee Knight, author of psychological thriller 'The Secretary’. Don't miss your chance to see So you want to be a writer LIVE! We are giving away tickets to see ‘Long Shot’ starring Seth Rogan and Charlize Theron. Plus, Echo Publishing submissions are open for a short time and more. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet AWC alumna Tania Blanchard, author of 'Suitcase of Dreams'. Why you should encourage your kids to keep a journal. Is it ‘just desserts’ or ‘just deserts’? Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The French Photographer' by Natasha Lester to give away and more. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when writing is hard? Meet AWC alumna Megan Blandford, author of 'I'm Fine (and other lies): Postnatal depression, motherhood and trying to actually be fine'. We share tips on how to cut mundane elements from your story. Plus, there are double passes to ‘The Chaperone’ up for grabs. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International bestselling author Amie Kaufman joins us to chat about her YA and middle grade fiction. We have double passes to ‘Burning’, a film based on a story by Haruki Murakami, to give away. You’ll also learn the meaning of vicissitude and more! Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What you need on your author website. Meet Peg Fraser, author of 'Black Saturday: Not the End of the Story’. Learn how to supercharge your fiction writing. Our new online course Fiction Essentials: Dialogue has launched. Plus, we have 3 copies of Alexander McCall Smith’s latest novel, ‘The Department of Sensitive Crimes’ to give away. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian literary festivals to add to your diary. Meet Jenna Guillaume, AWC alumni and former Buzzfeed editor-at-large and author of 'What I Like About Me'. Valerie tries to impress Allison with more 'Word of the Week' prowess.  Plus, we have three copies of 'Gravity is the Thing' by bestselling author Jaclyn Moriarty to give away. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We chat to Karen Viggers, author of the bestselling book 'The Lightkeeper's Wife' and 'The Orchardist's Daughter'. Allison goes surfing (yes, really). You’ll learn tips for doubling your freelance writing income. So you want to be a writer is going to be at Vivid Sydney 2019 and tickets are now available. Plus, we have a book pack to giveaway and more. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Bren MacDibble, author of 'The Dog Runner'. She chats about how she writes award-winning fiction under two names! Allison and Valerie talk about the perils you might face when your book is translated into another language and you have the chance to win tickets to ‘Sometimes Always Never’ and much more. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dervla McTiernan, author of 'The Scholar' shares her thoughts around writing, plotting and and the best (and worst) day of Dervla’s life. Discover when the next round of Furious Fiction is happening. Plus, we have 3 copies of ‘The Orchardist's Daughter’ by Karen Viggers to give away. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author and musician Penny Flanagan, author of 'Surviving Hal' and one half of acclaimed folk-pop duo Club Hoy chats to Valerie and Allison. Discover your kid’s next read and we have 3 copies of ‘Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables: On the Lookout’ to giveaway.  Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

J.P. Pomare, author of the psychological thriller 'Call Me Evie' discusses plotting, setting and how shaving your legs can help you get into the head of your character. Allison and Valerie talk about how your book covers can impact your sales.  Discover examples of great author Facebook pages, find out how you can win a copy of Candice Fox’s new thriller ‘Gone by Midnight’ and much more. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children’s author R.A. Spratt joins us. Allison and Valerie talk about crime writing for the young adult market. We also have 5 copies of ‘Baby’ – a sunburnt psychological thriller of obsession and escape by Annaleese Jochems to give away. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Laura Sieveking, author of the children's series 'Amelia Chamelia' who shares how she writes for writes for one publisher while working for another. Allison and Valerie confess the mistakes they've made and what they've learnt from them. We also have 10 double passes to give away to 'If Beale Street Could Talk'. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Barbara Lasserre, author of 'Words That Go Ping'. We discuss when does self-publishing become a first choice? Discover which new podcast Valerie’s been hosting. And we have 5 copies of ‘Death on the Derwent’ by Robin Bowles to give away.  Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Jane Harper, author of 'The Dry' and 'The Lost Man'. We have 3 copies of ‘Three Little Lies’ by Laura Marshall to giveaway. Plus, you’ll learn how to avoid a saggy middle in your manuscript and more. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy new year! You’ll meet Fiona McIntosh, author of 'The Pearl Thief' and 'How to Write Your Blockbuster'. Val and Al answer more of your listener questions. Plus, we have 3 copies of ‘Rewording the Brain’ by David Astle to give away.  Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Val and Al open up the podcast to your questions in an “Ask Us Anything” Christmas special! And, have you entered the 12-book summer reading pack competition yet? Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover a whole heap of literary gifts for Christmas. Meet Bernadette Schwerdt, SEO copywriter and author of 'How to Build an Online Business'. Plus we have a 12-book giveaway up for grabs. Don’t miss out. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover planning tips for the next year and meet Alice Pung, author of ‘Close to Home’. We have a HUGE stash of books to give away to one lucky winner. Plus, the Newcastle Short Story Award is now open and more. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tips on how to find and afford good editors. Meet B.M. Carroll, author of 'The Missing Pieces of Sophie McCarthy'. Discover your chance to win a copy of the inaugural 'Australian Literary Diary' and more. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Stuart Coupe, author of ‘Roadies: The Secret History of Australian Rock 'n' Roll’. Congratulations to AWC graduate Frances Chapman for winning the 2018 Ampersand Prize. How to get invited to writers’ festivals and more. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you have NaNoWriMoFoMo? Meet DM Cameron, author of ‘Beneath the Mother Tree’ and discover your chance to win a copy of ‘Believe Me’ by JP Delaney. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn the art of knowing when your manuscript is finished. You’ll meet Karen Foxlee, author of ‘Lenny’s Book of Everything’. Discover your chance to enter the Moth Poetry Prize or win a double pass to the new film ‘The Old Man & The Gun’ and more. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover tips for first time authors and writing advice from Barbara Kingsolver. You’ll meet Joanna Nell, author of ‘The Single Ladies of the Jacaranda Retirement Village’. Our brand new online Fiction Essentials course on Characters has now launched and we’re giving away 3 copies of ‘Rocky Road: The incredible true story of the fractured family behind the Darrell Lea chocolate empire’ by Robert Wainwright. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet John Purcell, author of ‘The Girl on the Page’. Discover how to rock an author reading. Val and Al chat about the upcoming film ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ based on the true story of celebrity biographer Lee Israel. And you can impress your friends by dropping the word 'encomium' in casual conversation. Plus, we have 10x double passes to ‘Beautiful Boy’ starring Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet to give away. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Di Morrissey, author of ‘Arcadia’. Ebury Press is looking for unagented authors and Val and Al chat to Myf Warhurst on Radio National. Shout out to Tasmin Janu, who has been shortlisted for the 2018 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. Plus, discover our new course an online Fiction Essentials course on Characters! Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Eleanor Limprecht, author of ‘The Passengers’. How US listeners can get their hands on a copy of The Mapmaker Chronicles book 4. Join us for Unblocktober, where we cast aside any writing roadblocks and get back on the path to success. Discover how to develop a writing community and more.  Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Sarah Bailey, bestselling author of ‘Into the Night’. Do you know which two words are deadly to your writing career? Discover why you should write for 15 minutes a day and recommended books for 13/14 year old boys. Thanks to all those who took part in Furious Fiction September and congrats to the winner! Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet AWC graduate Margaret Morgan, author of ‘The Second Cure’. Discover why you need an author persona and learn about your chance to win a copy of ‘Amazing Australian Women’ by Pamela Freeman (AWC's awesome Director of Creative Writing). Val and Al will be at the SCBWI Conference in Sydney. What you need to know about author newsletters.   Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Robert Wainwright, author of ‘Rocky Road: The Incredible True Story of the Fractured Family Behind the Darrell Lea Chocolate Empire’. Discover the difference between content writing and copywriting and how a romance author is accused of killing her husband. Plus, learn about your chance to win a copy of ‘A Letter From Paris’ by Louisa Deasey.  Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover short story comps for children’s writers and learn about scholarships to a Writers Retreat in Iceland. Plus, you’ll meet Dianne Blacklock, author of ‘Jack and Kate’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Penelope Janu, author of ‘On The Right Track’. Discover how to not irritate your local bookshop: a guide for authors and learn 1 simple tip to help you get more writing done. You’ll hear about how Graham Frizzell carves out a career writing about beer. We also have copies of ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ by Kevin Kwan to give away. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Kayte Nunn, author of ‘The Botanist’s Daughter’. AWC alumni Sarah Bailey wins the Ned Kelly Awards for Best First Novel. You can submit an idea to Radio National for an audio series. We have 3 copies of 'Best Foot Forward' by Adam Hills to giveaway. Plus authors are supporting Australian farmers and more. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ll meet Tim Harris, author of ‘Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables’. Shout-out to Allison Rushby for winning the Davitt Award for Children's fiction for ‘The Turnkey’. Mandy Foot lands children’s book deal as writer and illustrator and Catherine Pelosi celebrates her second children’s book published this year! Plus, we have double passes to ‘Book Club’ to giveaway.  Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of researchers trained robots to write poetry. Discover when in the writing process you should hire an editor and how some authors got their agents. Allison shares tips for recreating characters from The Ateban Cipher series for Book Week (hot glue gun not required). We have 3 copies of ‘The Biographer’s Lover’ to giveaway. And meet Paul French, author of ‘City of Devils: The Two Men Who Ruled the Underworld of Old Shanghai’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover tips from other authors about how to get the right agent. The 2018 Better Reading Top 50 Kids’ Books list is out. The saga of ‘Cockygate’ and the Amazon algorithm continues. And you’ll meet Anna Snoekstra, author of the YA thriller ‘Mercy Point’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how to sell more books on Kindle and learn the meaning of atavistic. August Furious Fiction is opening soon. Plus, you’ll meet Gabriella Coslovich, author of the enthralling ‘Whiteley on Trial’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ll discover how Dean writes the quirky Q&A for the AWC newsletter each week and what tools you can use when you're writing on the go. We also have 3 copies of ‘The Desert Nurse’ to giveaway. Learn why you should keep your clients updated with your work in progress. And you’ll hear from Pamela Hart, discussing her latest book ‘The Desert Nurse’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet the guy who writes the messages you find in fortune cookies and learn about real estate copywriting. And we chat to Ali Berg, co-author of ‘The Book Ninja’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The perils of striving for perfection, the copywriter who cold called 500 places in one week. And meet Kirsty Manning, author of The Jade Lily. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ll discover why scheduling and routine are keys to success as a writer. Hear tips from a debut author and learn about fellowships for writers. And you’ll meet James Bradley, author of ‘The Buried Ark’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the Wattpad sensation that turned into a Netflix hit and the five mistakes that new writers make (as told by an editor). Learn all about pacing and beat sheets! Submissions for a new anthology, Growing Up Queer in Australia, are now open. Allison Tait’s new course Creative Writing Quest for Kids is officially open for enrolments (kicking off 9 July)! You’ll also meet Belinda Castles, author of Bluebottle. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover murder mystery author Jane Harper’s tips on how to write a bestseller. The Davitt Award long list has been announced. Learn about the new mystery writing prize from Brio. We are announcing our new online course in Content Writing and you’ll meet Megan Goldin, author of ‘The Escape Room’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A.L. Tait is helping kids find their writing superpower. Why you need to make your characters want something right away. We dive into the age-old writing advice ‘show, don’t tell’. Discover your chance to win a book pack. Plus, meet Kali Napier, author of ‘The Secrets at the Ocean’s Edge’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The saga of #Cockygate continues and the curious tale of how animal farts made their way to the NYT bestseller list. Discover a cool writing initiative out of a New York airport. Plus, how to find the next book that your kids will love. We also have a special offer for our new course Professional Business Writing. And you’ll meet children’s author Deborah Abela. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to give a bad author talk (yes a bad one!). You’ll hear about the Kids & YA Festival (now in its tenth year) and learn about The Business of Writing. Discover your chance to win a copy of ‘Bridge Burning and Other Hobbies’ by Kitty Flanagan. And meet Dr Anita Heiss, editor of the anthology 'Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia'.  Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn how you CAN write a publishable first novel, and how female artists get paid less than males – and what to do about it. Discover your chance to win double passes to ‘The Bookshop’. And meet Robyn Cadwallader, author of ‘Book of Colours’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congratulations to Astrid Scholte and her upcoming publication. Cockygate goes nuts, how to write a book when you have a full-time job, and should you read when you’re writing? Discover your chance to win a copy of ‘Sounds Appealing’ by David Crystal. And meet media personality Sami Lukis, author of ‘Romantically Challenged’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ll discover how to avoid query stage with agents and publishers, and how other authors know when their writing is “good enough”. And meet Josephine Moon, author of ‘Three Gold Coins’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valerie and Allison share tips on how to be prolific and why you should enter the Richell Prize. You’ll discover your chance to win movie tickets. Plus, meet copywriter Donna Webeck. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tips for getting into a writing habit and and check out this grammar vigilante from Bristol. Another round of Furious Fiction begins Friday 6 April and discover your chance to win a signed copy of ‘The Book of Answers’ by our very own AL Tait. And meet Danielle Clode, author of ‘The Wasp and The Orchid’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should you write under two names for two different genres? Allison Tait’s The Book of Answers is out now! We congratulate the winner of the latest Furious Fiction contest. And you’ll meet the hilarious and charming Kerri Sackville, author of ‘Out There: A Survival Guide for Dating in Midlife’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new prize is announced for crime authors who do not feature a female victim. The writing myths we tell ourselves and Norwegian Airways writes a poem to a passenger. To celebrate National Indexing Day on 29 March 2018, you’ll meet indexer and crossword creator Denise Sutherland. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allison Tait’s ‘The Book of Answers’ is nearly here! HarperCollins announces a new fiction prize for Australian writers. We share tips for kicking out a first draft fast. Find out more about the Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize. And meet true crime author Campbell McConachie. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover 10 ways to become a more productive writer and tips on how to be a successful freelancer. Our word of the week comes from the back of a toilet door! We have 10 movie vouchers to giveaway. Plus, you’ll meet publishing consultant and self-publishing expert Joel Naoum.  Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover common plot holes and how to fix them. Val and Al discuss the art of the paragraph. We are giving away the opportunity to become a master dream interpreter with ’The Dream Handbook’. Plus, you’ll meet Eliza Henry-Jones, author of ‘P is for Pearl’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to turn your story ideas into amazing stories and how writers organise their personal libraries. We have 3 copies of 'Quark's Academy' by Catherine Pelosi to giveaway. Plus: meet Sally Hepworth, author of ‘The Family Next Door’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new project that hopes to have you fall in love with books at the first chapter. How to write for yourself when you write for a living and should you show a first draft to your agent? Plus: meet children’s author Catherine Pelosi. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to find your fiction writer’s voice when you’ve been working as a journalist. Allison Tait’s tips for author blogging and how one writer won $125,000 in a literary prize. A budget airline is running a rather quirky poetry competition. Plus: you’ll meet Jack Heath, bestselling author of ‘The Hangman’. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We go behind the scenes of ‘The Woman Who Fooled the World: Belle Gibson’s Cancer Con’ by Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano. Plus, there are 3 copies of 'Rooms with a View: The Secret Life of Grand Hotels' by Adrian Mourby to be won. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We made the list for best websites for writers in 2018! Hear some of our favourite freelance writing tips, and polish up your manuscript because the Text Prize for young adult and children’s writing is now open! We also have a two-book pack of rural fiction to give away. Discover ‘The Written World’ by Martin Puchner and much more. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valerie and Allison discuss 10 writing tips from some of their favourite interviews with authors. We have 10 double passes to The Commuter starring Liam Neeson to give away, learn the origin of “to make no bones”, and much more.  Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What name was given to Ice Age fossils found in an LA subway? 3 ways to uncover your character’s true motivation. What does it really mean to be a best-selling author? Go in the draw to win our 12 books of Christmas. Authors you should follow on social media and travel writer Sue White reveals how you can write travel articles without leaving your home town. Read the show notes.  Email Valerie and Allison [email protected]. WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An AWC graduate is on the Indie Book Awards Longlist! We answer what is middle grade fiction and how do you know when your manuscript is finished? Discover your chance to win ‘Dogs with Jobs’ by Laura Greaves. And meet Brett Battles, who is earning more than six figures through his indie novels.  Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how to write a great police procedural and why even new writers need author bios. We send out freelance writer Nat to uncover the curious business of naming colours. We're giving away a signed copy of Tom Hanks’ ‘Uncommon Type’. And meet AWC graduate and crime thriller novelist Sarah Bailey. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why you should enter literary prizes and 3 questions Allison Tait has never been asked. Scrivener gets a huge update and Annie Proulx gives a truly great speech at the National Book Awards. Discover your chance to win ‘Uncommon Type’ signed by Tom Hanks. And meet Jackie French, author of over 200 books.  Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how to write your second book and 5 ways to start your story that aren’t boring. Learn how an underdog author has been nominated for a prestigious literary prize. And meet children’s author Lesley Gibbes. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tips for how to pick the perfect book title. Plus: how you can promote your book and build a mailing list, even before your book is published. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why NaNoWriMo is a great time to draft your novel. Discover a site dedicated to discounted ebook deals and perks. British author Ian Rankin says crime writing is dead. Should unpublished authors have a website? And meet Lexi Landsman, author of ‘The Perfect Couple’. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to find time to write during NaNoWriMo. Enter this new critic award, and discover 10 books that were written on a bet. Meet bestseller Deborah Rodriguez, author of ‘The Zanzibar Wife’. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘The Book of Secrets’ is featured in the Kids’ Reading Guide! Discover how to write authentic American dialogue. What you need to do to become a full time freelance writer. A creative writing fellowship at Stanford is up for grabs! Plus, you’ll meet Jaclyn Moriarty, author of ‘The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone’ and much more.  Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover what makes a good children’s book. We share with you a beginner’s guide to NaNoWriMo as well as tips for filling up your social media as a writer. You’ll also meet content writing expert Kath Walters. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn how to write media releases. We chat about Tom Hanks’s new book ‘Uncommon Type’, and how one woman turned her side hustle into a career. Discover how Kelly Exeter funds her creative life. Plus, we chat to actor and author Steve Bisley about his memoir 'All the Burning Bridges'.  Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We share tips on how to get clients as a ghostwriter. We answer the question, “do cover blurbs work?”. Plus, strategies on how to write a young male protagonist when you are a female author. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We unpack what should you supply a literary agent and how to world-build through your character’s eyes. A new print magazine is about to launch. And you'll meet executive director of NaNoWriMo Grant Faulkner, author of ‘Pep Talks for Writers’. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet internationally best selling author Kate Forsyth! Plus, we have a surprise guest copywriter who undertook a smart strategy 10 years ago that has kept him rolling in clients ever since. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to approach agents, especially when they all seem to say not accepting “unsolicited manuscripts”. Valerie and Allison share their “go to” writing apps. You’ll discover tips on how to tailor your writing to YA readers. And, does the editing process get easier the more you write? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tips for avoiding information dumping in dialogue and strategies for researching your historical novel. One editor reveals big freelance pitching mistakes she sees every day. And meet Torre DeRoche, author of ‘The Worrier’s Guide to the End of the World’. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to teach your kids to write a good story, why social media advice for authors can be tricky, and why freelancers should sample office life from time to time. Plus: meet Tristan Bancks, author of the thriller book for kids, ’The Fall’. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allison new book 'The Book of Secrets' is out now! What is it like to be Obama’s speechwriter? Discover more apps to help with your writing and social media tips for authors. Your chance to win a copy of the latest Candice Fox and James Patterson book 'Fifty Fifty'. Meet Shankari Chandran, author of 'The Barrier. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you indie publish a professionally edited manuscript? What’s the difference between a structural edit, copy edit and proofread? Plus: with multiple submissions, should you mention in your pitch to a publisher that you’re submitting to other publishers? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Useful writing tips from a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and how to balance freelancing with creative writing. Freelance writing skills you can use to write your novel and Google’s most-searched “how-to” questions capture all the magic and struggle of being human. What writing for children can teach you about writing fiction. Discover how you could win signed copies of Allison Tait's books. And meet Jacqueline Harvey, author of the Alice-Miranda series. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is my memoir interesting enough? How to give feedback on horror when you don’t read it. Which laptop should I buy? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Take part in our awesome ‘So you want to be a writer’ community survey. The curious case of whether someone scammed a book’s way onto The New York Times Bestseller List. Plus: how to find time to write and cool character development exercises to help you nail your characters. Our writer in residence this week is Garry Disher, author of ‘Her’. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you need a travel blog to be a travel writer and tips on converting typewritten pages into Word documents. Plus: should you mention to publishers when you're submitting that you have other manuscripts underway? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover lawyers who moonlight as romance writers. The intriguing case of a crime writer arrested for alleged murder, plus short story writing tips from Cathie Tasker. And meet Sophie Green, author of “The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club”. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to use subplots to bring your story together and commuters can enjoy stories from short story vending machines. Plus, how NOT to bury your lede. Meet Catherine Jinks, author of ‘Charlatan: The Dishonest Life and Dishonoured Loves of Thomas Guthrie Carr, Stage Mesmerist’, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you submit your manuscript to multiple publishers as the same time? Tips on how to drag yourself out of a rut when it feels like your novel is going nowhere. Plus: a new Facebook group for the So you want to be a writer community. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The freelancing life and mental health. Writing movie ‘tie-in’ books as a path to publication. Creating a CV for your protagonist and tips on how to be prolific. Introducing a brand new Facebook group. Why you should make it easy for the media to find your book. Plus: Patti Miller on her new book ‘Writing True Stories’. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Tamsin Janu who talks about her third novel ‘Blossom’ and how she has a flourishing career as an author working on it one day a week. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Walkley mid-year award winners have been announced, Keanu Reeves co-founds indie poetry press, and narrative arcs explained. Valerie gives her tips for writing across multiple devices. And meet author Louise Park, who writes under three pseudonyms. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Wattpad useful? Should you send interviewees your article to approve? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how you could win $20,000 for writing 100 words, plus the story of how Stephen King’s pen name was revealed. What your website should include as a freelance writer. Your chance to win a t-shirt with the words from your favourite book. And meet Matthew Benns, author of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you need to experience what your character goes through? There are two types of writers - which one are you? Wow your friends and dinner guests with your use of the word “callipygian”. Also, hear Natasha Lester talk about her new book “Her Mother’s Secret”. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you started your book in the right place? And meet picture book author and AWC alumni Shelly Unwin. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congratulations to both Anne Tonner and Shankari Chandran! Should you keep a reading journal? How to launch your blog with your book in mind. How to write a kick-ass Amazon bio. 10x double passes to ‘Paris Can Wait’ up for grabs! Meet Nicole Alexander, author of ‘An Uncommon Woman’, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Andrew Marmont, author of 'Their Finest Hour' and find out about how he turned his sporting passion into a book. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn how to use a plotting chart in your redrafting process and why this teenager won’t read Young Adult novels. Discover how the ‘Creative Gap’ frustrates writers. Your chance to enter a short story competition and Harry Potter books up for grabs. Plus: meet Hardie Grant Egmont publisher Marisa Pintado, authors you should be following on Twitter and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to prepare for author talks; and meet 2017 Finch Memoir Prize winner Anne Tonner, author of Cold Vein. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to choose and set up a pen name. Should you talk about your book before it’s published? Discover how you could win a copy of ‘Only: A Singular Memoir’ by Caroline Baum and find out how AWC alumna Cat Rodie writes an article a day. Plus: meet Ben Hobson, author of ‘To Become a Whale’. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do publishers like rhyming picture books? How to break into the industry and techniques to edit and revise without going through hell. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valerie launches Shelly Unwin's book! Discover how to get annotated books from your fave authors and how to get back into writing after a long break. Plus: the changing expectations of emerging writers. And we chat to Emily Gale, author of 'The Other Side of Summer'. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to self-publish, author branding when you write for multiple genres, are you writing “new adult” fiction? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How an author wrote a novel via email and what to do when your story stalls. Discover how to get into corporate writing. Meet the spectacularly successful Lauren Child, author of the ‘Charlie and Lola’ and ‘Ruby Redfort’ series! Plus: your chance to WIN all 6 books in the Ruby Redfort series! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What kind of blogging routine do you need as a writer? And meet 2017 Vogel award winner Marija Pericic, author of The Lost Pages. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Make sure you know the 3 different types of editing you need. Discover how to create “scene goals” in your writing. We’re a bit gobsmacked by a plagiarised paper about plagiarism! Meet Jenevieve Chang, author of the memoir “The Good Girl of Chinatown”. Plus 5 tips on how to build your author platform and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to improve your writing. And meet Anne Trubek, author of “The History and Uncertain Future of Handwriting”. And where does the term “John Hancock” come from? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you a writer or an author? We review Amazon’s Whispersync for Voice! Some unexpected writing tools (which do you use?). You could win “Behind Her Eyes” by Sarah Pinborough! Plus: meet Anna Daniels, author of “Girl in Between”, discover authors to follow on Instagram, and much more! Read the show notes. Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do young adult books needs to be set in the present day in order to be marketable? What's the most efficient way of receiving international payments? Read the show notes. Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who gets to write a Star Wars book? Learn why author Paula Hawkins transitioned from writing romance books to thriller novels. Discover 6 unusual habits of creative people. Meet archaeologist turned author Brenna Hassett, learn what an author platform looks like and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the 50th anniversary of “The Outsiders”! You can rent Emily Dickinson’s room by the hour to pen your next masterpiece. Discover how to write a good synopsis and your chance to win a double pass to the film “Whiteley”. Do you know any “apple-knockers”? You’ll meet children’s picture book author Zanni Louise. Plus: tips on using your commute to write and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We chat to the incredibly prolific and talented Pamela Hart, author of "A Letter to Italy". Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you love the smell of old books? What you need to know about your narrator and how to work with beta readers. Win our Mother’s Day book pack! We chat to Australian Idol judge turned barrister Mark Holden on his memoir. Discover how to schedule your Instagram posts in advance and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to get over your wall of self-doubt and discover the art of writing murder mystery characters. Take virtual literary tours of New York! Do you want the chance to win a Mother’s Day book pack with 7 books? Plus: meet Rachael Lucas, author of ‘The State of Grace’ and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you layer more detail into your novel? And how to avoid bright shiny object syndrome when you’re writing.   Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how to write an award-winning screenplay on your commute and the 6 documents you need open when you write. Learn how to edit your work like a New York publisher. Plus: how you could win our special Mother’s Day book pack! Meet beauty writer and author of 'Secrets of a Beauty Queen' Stephanie Darling, and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover new opportunities in content and custom publishing. Learn why writing is rewriting and what makes you a real writer. Meet Samone Bos, who evolved her popular blog into the book ‘Momo Freaks Out’. We have 3 copies of A.L. Tait’s ‘Beyond the Edge of the Map’ to giveaway. Plus: author Instagram accounts you should be following and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What genre am I writing in? And meet Bridget Isichei, author of 'Road No Good' and runner up in the Finch Memoir Prize. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the unfortunate truth about most writers and listen to an awesome playlist for writer’s block. Avoid the top manuscript formatting mistakes and find out how to earn more than six figures as a freelancer. You could win a copy of Pamela Hart’s latest book, ‘A Letter From Italy’. Plus meet Allen & Unwin publisher Louise Thurtell. We also share platform building tips and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Great writing advice from Kurt Vonnegut, how to tell if you’re writing middle grade or young adult fiction, and how to get effective feedback on your writing. Discover how you could win our organisational book pack. Meet Harrison Young, author of ‘The Daughters of Henry Wong’. Plus, how to get noticed on social media and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do I need an overseas literary agent? And meet Penelope Janu, author of ‘In at the Deep End’. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 ways to find time to write. Learn the differences between crime, mystery and thriller novels. How an author used Google Street View and YouTube to write her novel. Find out how you could win a copy of Candice Fox’s latest book, “Crimson Lake”. Meet Carole Wilkinson, author of “Bronze Bird Tower” and the Dragonkeeper series. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do I need to visit a place I write about? Has someone stolen my work? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lessons from a debut novelist’s journey in book marketing, beliefs that will hold you back as a freelance writer, and what to include in your author bio on your website. You’ll meet Caroline Baum, author of ‘Only: A Singular Memoir’. Plus, Gmail add-ons that will make your freelance writing life easier and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do I write my back cover blurb? Am I a prolific writer? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Make writing part of your daily life with the Creative Writing Bootcamp, discover Oxford Dictionary’s new words, and learn how to be more creative in 10 minutes a day. Impress your friends by casually dropping “halcyon” into your conversations. You’ll meet the delightful Hilary Spiers, author of “Love, Lies and Linguine”. Plus: discover what the difference between is between an author blog and an author website and much more!   Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should I get an agent if I can negotiate myself? How do I respond to friends who don't think I'm a real writer when I write children's books? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breathe magazine launches and Yen mag closes. Discover some great tips on how to write historical fiction and learn a neat trick for dealing with research for multiple articles. Meet the dynamic and engaging David Crystal, author of ‘Making Sense: The Glamorous Story of English Grammar’. Plus: play with the 'One Word' app, find out what your minimum author online presence should be and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Debbi wants to know when she can call herself a writer, and Holly queries whether she should pitch her stand alone novel as part of a potential series. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover tips for writing great dialogue, why learning about your craft is vital (even for writing veterans), and how whiteboard planning can help your creative writing. Shoutout to AWC graduate Penelope Janu who landed a two-book deal. Learn the meaning of meretricious and meet author and illustrator Tania McCartney. Plus, why sharing other people's stuff is good for your author platform, and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Layne wants to know about how to write stories with different timelines. And Bohdi asks whether he should write under different pen names for different genres. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to research your genre (and why you should), the counter-intuitive benefits of scheduling your writing, and fortune cookie writer gets writer’s block! Discover how you could win an animal lovers’ book pack. Valerie’s word of the week is ‘petrichor’! You’ll meet Vanessa Carnevale, author of ‘The Florentine Bridge’. Plus: why you should stay within your comfort zone when building your author platform and much more! This episode is brought to you by Travel Writing at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew wants to know how Allison approached her world building and which rugby league teams we support! And we discuss a writer’s dilemma on someone who may have stolen her story. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how to become an insanely good writer, the life-changing magic of tidying up your writing, and learn the meaning of the word "paraph". You’ll meet Nicole Hayes, author of ‘A Shadow’s Breath’, find out how to do a structural edit, and much more! This episode is brought to you by Creative Writing Stage 1 at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill wants to write and create social media platforms under a pen name. Simone asks about different publishing options for her parenting book. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Find out 5 things you can learn by writing every day and 7 steps to help you write your novel. You’ll meet children’s author and standup comedian Oliver Phommavanh. Plus, discover why your author newsletter is so important and much more! This episode is brought to you by Copywriting Essentials at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anna asks whether her smutty fiction past will help or harm her prospects. And we answer a question about whether different types of writing income (book writing and copywriting) can go into the same bank account. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vote for your favourite Australian author, hear about the latest plagiarism scandal, and discover the worst words of last year. Get more writing done in 2017 with some useful writing tips. Find out the benefits of Facebook groups to build your author platform. Also meet Jarett Kobek, author of the runaway hit “I Hate the Internet”, get a bot to nag you to do stuff, and much more! This episode is brought to you by Writing Books for Children and Young Adults at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Awesome hacks that will give you more time to write, famous typos from first editions, and discover how to set your writing goals for 2017. Meet Kristel Thornell, author of “On the Blue Train”. Also: why you need to do a social media audit and more! This episode is brought to you by Inside Publishing: What You Need to Know to Get Published at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Holiday packing tips for writers, top punctuation mistakes, the science behind reading print books for kids. Our word of the week is “fart”. Discover how you could win a copy of “The Girl On The Train” book and DVD pack. Why you need to bring your personality into your author platform and meet Beatrice Colin, author of “To Capture What We Cannot Keep”. This episode is brought to you by Copywriting Essentials at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how you can use your holidays to prepare for 2017. Do you have bibliophilic tendencies? We think you might! You’ll also meet Mark Tedeschi QC, author of “Murder at Myall Creek”. Plus, we reveal our favourite episodes of 2016 and much more! This episode is brought to you by Magazine and Newspaper Writing Stage 1 at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The daily writing habit you need and 8 steps to writing a profile story. Find great gifts for the other book lovers in your life. Discover your chance to win the epic 12 Days of Christmas book pack. Plus, meet young adult author Rachael Craw! We’ll also give you tips on how to transition from journalist to fiction writer, and much more! This episode is brought to you by Advanced Fiction Writing Techniques at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get a random emoji writing prompt generator (yes, you read that correctly), and have you heard about this writing award with a difference? You’ll also get hints on how to craft a good love scene, unearth some great gifts for writers, and learn the meaning of concinnity. Plus, why you absolutely need to meet deadlines and be accountable. Meet award-winning author Hannah Kent, discover tools for scheduling your social media and much more! This episode is brought to you by Magazine and Newspaper Writing Stage 1 at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover 4 huge novels that started in NaNoWriMo and tips from famous authors to help you finally write that book. Stop having a “romantic fantasy” about your life as a writer and find out how you could win a copy of “Pilot: a diary for writers”. Meet rural romance sensation Karly Lane, author of "Third Time Lucky". Also, learn about the Goodreads cataloguing app and let your inner-librarian loose, tips on building your author platform and much more. This episode is brought to you by Creative Writing Stage 1 at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you been mispronouncing words? Find out with a new book on pronunciation. What are the crossroads you'll face when publishing a novel? And what no one tells you about pages proofs and blurb requests. Discover how you could win a Surface Pro 4! Plus: meet Laura Greaves, author of “Incredible Dog Journeys”. Can you repurpose your old Twitter account for building your author platform, and much more! This episode is brought to you by Advanced Fiction Writing Techniques at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover great resources for children’s writers and seven ways to improve your dialogue. Bookworms rejoice: Kindle Unlimited launches in Australia. Learn how you could win a Surface Pro 4. And meet children’s author, Wendy Orr, who talks about how her book was turned into a Hollywood movie starring Jodie Foster. Also: book marketing trends to avoid and much more! This episode is brought to you by Writing Picture Books at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 tools you can use to jumpstart your NaNoWriMo novel and draw your own maps with cartography software for fantasy writers. Learn how to tame your emails! Astound your friends by casually dropping “syzygy” into conversations about the upcoming supermoon. Discover how you could with a Surface Pro 4! We talk to “Divergent” author Veronica Roth about her new book “Carve The Mark”. Plus, building your newsletter list and much more! This episode is brought to you by 2 Hours to Scrivener Power at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazon has changed its review policy and what you need to know. Should you review other authors’ books? Grammar mistakes to avoid, and how to be creative every day. Discover how you could win a Surface Pro 4! Plus, meet Duncan McNab, author of the true crime story of Roger Rogerson. Find out what lessons Natasha Lester has learned this year as a writer, and much more! This episode is brought to you by Copywriting Essentials at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vanity book awards and why you should think twice before buying one. Mistakes made by newbie authors and things you can learn from Man Booker Prize shortlisted authors. Win a pack of books to regift for Christmas (or keep all to yourself). Meet songwriter and novelist Holly Throsby. Plus: the Get Pocket app which makes saving things for later a whole lot easier, and much more! This episode is brought to you by Travel Writing at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover famous writers who had totally unrelated day jobs. Get yourself ready for NaNoWriMo success, and how to say “YES” to your writing career. Valerie digs up the origins of the word “dinosaur”. Meet actor, children’s book writer and illustrator Richard Roxburgh, and much more! This episode is brought to you by Writing Books for Children and Young Adults at the Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover celebrities reading audiobooks, why you should write a “zero draft”, and how to sell 100 million copies of your book. Find out how Australian crime writer Candice Fox ended up co-writing with James Patterson. Meet Giuseppe Poli, IT guy by day, children’s book illustrator by night. Plus, how to recover after receiving some bad feedback, and much more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover if you can turn your short story into a novel and how to write when life is nuts. Tips for setting yourself up as a full-time writer. Your chance to win a graphic novel pack. Meet Katherine Johnson, author of “The Better Son”. Learn the number one tip for building your author platform, and much more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover why John Green might not write another book and get tips on how to write better dialogue. Do you know what writers really earn? Also: how do you know when your writing is “good enough”? Meet author Jay Kristoff. Plus: a serialised publishing website, and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The main factors that stop readers from finishing books. Effective strategies for surviving working alone. How to avoid being sued when writing your memoir. Finding good words for body parts. Impress your friends with the word "ineffable". Meet memoirist Toni Tapp Coutts, how to be interviewed as a writer, and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you be a successful freelance writer with a pen name? Submission tips from Curtis Brown agents; Discover which six of Roald Dahl’s words are now in the dictionary and find out what's happening in Allison Tait's world. Meet science writer Sarah Keenihan. Plus: the one marketing move authors get wrong, and much more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the biggest mistake writers make when applying for jobs and 5 common plotting errors. What happens when a client wants you to deliver more than what was agreed on? Moleskin have opened a Moleskine café! Win a copy of "Rebellious Daughters" and learn the meaning behind antediluvian. Meet debut novelist Nathan Besser, author of “Man in the Corner”, who shows that you should never give up. Plus: find out what works for your author platform, and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gawker is closing down, discover why you’ll never finish your novel and how to write a memoir about a painful experience. Meet Louise Doughty, author of “Black Water”. Plus: writing tools for authors, great content marketing examples for author blogs, and much more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You have written your first draft: now what? Indie magazines are flourishing and reading will help you live longer. We touch on resume writers and reasons why someone will stop reading your novel. Meet AWC graduate Fleur Ferris whose second novel Black has been published by Penguin Random House. Plus: our latest platform building tip and much more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What other writers can teach you about writing, why no writing is wasted, Michelle Field’s plagiarism scandal, and the lost art of letter writing. Impress your friends and readers by using inchoate correctly. Meet James Phelps, author of “Australia’s Toughest Prisons: Inmates”. Plus, our latest author platform building tip and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the art of translating foreign language fiction, a competition for children, how to write for magazines, and why we need teacher librarians. Our word of the week is preternatural. You’ll also meet Alan Baxter, author of the dark, weird and fantastic. Plus: we share the basics of what you need on your author platform, and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why you should submit to literary journals and how to give your writing rhythm. Smart ways to publicise your book, how to cope when your freelance writing client dumps you, and tips for surviving a structural edit. Meet L.A. Larkin, author of the new thriller “Devour”. What’s wrong with your author website, should you call yourself an “author” or a “writer”, and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you writing a hybrid book? Discover the people writing poetry as a service and the predictive text generator writing fan fiction. We dive into the huge self-publishing success of romance writers and share the meaning of ineluctable. Our writer in residence is author John Birmingham. Find out how a literary agency discovered a writer on social media, and much more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new documentary on the romance writing industry, scientists discover what causes writer’s block and seven ways to make yourself a better editor. Scrivener fans rejoice: Scrivener is now on iOS. Plus: discover what editors look for on an opening page, and meet Young Adult and Middle Grade author Nova Weetman. A parenting hack for writers with kids, six tips for getting more traffic on your author blog, and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A book of tweets from writers who should be working on their novels and a history of wordprocessing. Discover some commonly misused words. We ask why do romance authors get a bad rap? Meet Kimberly McCreight, bestselling author of “The Outliers”. The app Cold Turkey Writer which will not quit until you’re done, like, literally will not quit. Find out if writer regression is a thing and why you need to be working on your NEXT book now. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five entrepreneurial tips for authors who want to up their game and an English teacher’s hip hop curriculum is encouraging appreciation of literature. Discover the art of video game writing and and some tips on querying agents and publishers. Wow your readers by using “predilection” and “propensity” correctly. Meet author and journalist Jennifer Hansen. Also: have fun with an automatic story generator, figure out which book you should write first, and when less is more on social media. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover which author broke through after four flops and the author afraid to listen to her own audiobook. We discuss if cursive writing is now obsolete and more reasons to occasionally write by hand. Impress (or tire) your friends with the meaning of soporific and meet Australian graphic novelist Shane W Smith. Is Livescribe or Microsoft Surface better for writers and are you making these author blog mistakes? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was the defining moment that made you become a writer? Find out why women are killing it in crime writing and the reason essay writing services are booming. Impress your friends with the origin of the word "nicotine". Meet bestselling children's author Belinda Murrell. Also: when should you call in a freelance editor and why author manners are important. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grammar mistakes you should correct, visit a book store with no books, and Chuck Palahniuk releases a colouring book for adults. Find out which six dialogue habits are killing your story and discover the meaning of milquetoast. Also: meet romance writer Kylie Scott, find out if it's worth pitching to overseas publishers, and discover how to make an editor happy. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Find out which authors took more than five years to write their books, why Judy Blume opened a book shop at age 78, and what really goes on in an author’s day. Plus: learn the meaning of "bucolic", meet Steve Lewis, co-author of "Secret City", and discover how to use Thunderclap for your next book launch. More advice on using unobtrusive speech tags and why being a good literary citizen will help you sell more books. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The worst ways to begin your novel and other advice for authors. Discover how to turn your “off” writing days into “on” days and how to refill your creative well. Plus how a “mommy blog” ruined the blogger’s life. You’ll learn our word of the week: “avuncular” and how to keep up with multiple social media platforms. Our Writer in Residence is author of “The Paper House”, Anna Spargo-Ryan. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breaking up with your novel, what to look for in a writers' group, bogus writing rules you should ignore, and tax tips for writers who hate maths. Plus: discover the meaning of "stultify" and meet author Sue Whiting. Also: how to use other people's Instagrams to build your author platform. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The benefits of writing longhand and famous writers and their first word processor (can you remember yours?). Discover what “peripatetic” means and meet publishing doyenne Marina Go, author of “Break Through: 20 Success Strategies For Female Leaders”. Check out Litsy, the new social media app for book lovers, find out why you need a decent photo as an author, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beware where you send your manuscript. Do skinny pretty writers get more book deals? Discover writing tips from bestselling YA authors, how to speed up your writing, and what “feckless” mean. Plus: a blog for teen writers and meet Sonya Voumard, author of “The Media and the Massacre”. Hear tips for juggling parenthood and earning a regular income from writing, and much more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How author of "The Girl on the Train", Paula Hawkins, took fourbooks before she really found her voice, how to read a publicationto find out what the editors are looking for, and meet the lawyerwho wrote bestselling books on his daily commute. Plus: get anentire book on a poster, learn about the crazy proposals of theProductivity Commission and how this impacts you. Discover what a "logophile" is and how to get traction on social media. Meet Natasha Lester, author of "A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald". Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get into the mind of your character with Method Writing, handwriting has its advantages; and meet journalist turned novelist Kayte Nunn, author of “Rose’s Vintage”. Plus: an app that spots unnecessary words, how nonfiction and fiction author platforms differ, and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An author discovers her novels were plagiarised by a stranger, common online copywriting errors, apps for writers, and $10,000 up for grabs in the Richell Prize for Emerging Writers. Plus: the meaning of "foment" and getting back into blogging after a break. Our Writer in Residence is Pamela Hart, author of "The War Bride". Also: should you try and find an agent or pitch directly to publishers, and more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The “internet” is now officially lowercase. Beware this children’s writing competition scam and find out what disgraced journalist Stephen Glass is up to now. Our Writer in Residence is children’s author Meg McKinlay. Also: an app that blocks distracting websites, tips on how to build an author platform when you have a common name (and your ideal domain is already taken), and much more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online writing tools for writers, writing habits to avoid, how walking can make you a better writer, and things that make editors stop reading your manuscript. Meet Writer in Residence Alexandra Joel, author of "Rosetta: A Scandalous True Story". Plus: can living in a country where English isn’t the main language affect your English writing skills, and more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women in their 20s and 30s driving sales in “grip lit”, perfect bedrooms for bookworms, tips on how to pitch in a digital age, and up-level your word-geekiness with synecdoche. Meet Andrew Faulkner, author of “Stone Cold” the story of Australia’s deadliest soldier, find out how to format your manuscript for submission, and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To plot or not to plot, self-publishing and the difference between mentors and coaches. Advice for blogging authors including how to blog about your book without giving too much away and why blogging is important. Plus, the book "Between You & Me, Confessions of a Comma Queen" by Mary Norris. We chat with Graeme Simsion on his success since writing “The Rosie Project”. Also: the Ulysses writing app for iPhone and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How writing crime has changed in the last ten years and the increasing demand for content writers. We ask if an app can improve your writing plus give you tips on how to survive writing envy. Meet picture book author Emma Allen. Plus, the most dangerous writing app. What are the benefits of editing a printed manuscript over editing on screen? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An intriguing memoir, how to become an Amazon 'best-seller' for $3 and 40 words for emotions you've felt but couldn't explain. Plus: confessions of a ghost writer and the trouble with using fashionable words. Meet successful children's author Jen Storer. Also: a writing device for nostalgic tech geeks, whether you should put your writing on your website, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Book 2 of Allison Tait’s The Mapmaker Chronicles is shortlisted for the Aurealis Award, punctuation in famous novels and a poem that shows how tricky English can be. Would you write differently if you were anonymous? Also: what NOT to do when you start a novel, the book “Shady Characters: Ampersands, Interrobangs and other Typographic Curiosities” by Keith Houston and meet thriller author Adrian McKinty. Plus: an interesting storytelling app, and more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was left out of Seven Little Australians, the life of a Hallmark card writer, fewer vs less, and how to write a fab press release. Also check out the the book “Wordburger: How to be a champion puzzler in 20 quick bites” by David Astle and meet author Hazel Edwards. Plus: become a word-nerd like Valerie by browsing the Online Etymology Dictionary. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number one problem with backstory and how to fix it, old English insults, and writing tips from the indomitable Chuck Palahniuk. Plus: 10 questions to ask yourself before launching your author website, the 100 best websites for writers, and how to win a copy of The Waiting Room by Leah Kaminsky. Also: meet novelist Tim Baker on his blog tour of his book Fever City, learn how to motivate yourself to edit and rewrite, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Go inside the world of things that look like books but aren’t, writing in a foreign language, a re-usable notebook, how to avoid distractions from writing, and meet slayer of weasel words Don Watson. Also: an app that distills non-fiction works into short reads, giving you the main concepts of an entire book in 15 minutes, how to equip yourself to be interviewed as an author, win a signed copy of Withering-by-Sea” by Judith Rossell, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What writers need to know about defamation when writing memoirs, win a writer's residency in a bridge, a writer is arrested after winning illegal narcotics in a writing competition and a tax return is hailed as a masterpiece of contemporary fiction. Plus: advice on how to juggle multiple writing projects, meet thriller author Jaye Ford, who moonlights as a romance author, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CLEO magazine is closing, Penthouse drops print magazines, copyediting and grammar mistakes to avoid, the book The Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe, and Allison’s top blog posts about blogging. Meet journalist-turned-author Holly Seddon, whose new book is the psychological thriller Try Not to Breathe. Also: the clever note taking app Notability, when to pitch to magazines, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CLEO magazine is closing, Penthouse drops print magazines, copyediting and grammar mistakes to avoid, the book The Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe, and Allison’s top blog posts about blogging. Meet journalist-turned-author Holly Seddon, whose new book is the psychological thriller Try Not to Breathe. Also: the clever note taking app Notability, when to pitch to magazines, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Margret Atwood is writing a graphic novel, writing rituals and why they work, tips on how to get to know your characters and the intricacies of naming them well, and the book Worst Words by Don Watson. PLUS: our 12 Days of Christmas giveaway, we look back at the best of 2015, and the Summer Reading Club Lost Worlds competitions. See you in 2016! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you mourn the loss of a character? How to write a killer elevator pitch for your book, 10 over-writing traps to avoid, tell us your 2016 writing goal, and how to enter our “12 Days of Christmas” giveaway. Also: tips on pitching to a blogger, and meet Writer in Residence epic fantasy novelist Mitchell Hogan, author of “Blood of Innocents”. Plus: a free screenwriting app from Amazon, what to do when agents aren’t taking on new authors, and more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why publishers are giving million dollar advances to debut novelists. Should you write for love or money? Book hotels are now a THING. Also: why a female author wanted a male voice actor to narrate her books. WIN a copy of "The Man With the Golden Typewriter" by Fergus Fleming. Plus: great books about writing, Writer in Residence Ellie Marney, vehicle log app, advice on splitting your personal brand, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congrats to our presenter Judith Rossell for making the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards shortlist. Allison Tait’s “The Mapmaker Chronicles 2: Prisoner of the Black Hawk” is one of the best middle grade books for 2015! Also: would you want to write a novel in a castle? Why you need a professional book cover for your self-published book, phrases to cut from your writing, patience for writers, and the death of the mummy blog. Plus: Writer-in-Residence Drew Chapman, the app “Tape a Call” to record your phone calls (perfect for journalists!), how to approach writing a trilogy, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allison’s “The Mapmaker Chronicles” optioned for a film, new words in the Merriam-Webster dictionary (YAAAS!), the author who assaulted a reviewer, book promotion minus the misery, “China Rich Girlfriend” giveaway, and the book Dictionary of “English Down The Ages” by Linda and Roger Flavell. Meet novelist and film director Shirley Barrett and find out if an unctuous cup of coffee is a good thing. Plus: the Pink Fibro Book Club, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reprint of book one of Allison Tait’s “The Mapmaker Chronicles”, how freelance writers price their work, why you don’t need tragedy in your story, things you can do to save money on editing, #NaNoSix - inspirational six word writing tips, win a copy of Larissa Dubecki’s hilarious book “Prick with a Fork”. Also: 10 novels that were written in about a month, a self-published sensation, AG Riddle, whose books are being turned into Hollywood movies, the motivating writing app Write or Die, should you put footnotes in your articles, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rise of freelance writers, is a co-working space better than working from home? How to trim your manuscript to a workable size, the book “Story” by Robert McKee, writing advice from AWC presenters, Writer in Residence children’s author Tristan Bancks, a new writing app to inspire flow, further advice on writing your author bio, download Allison’s top ten tips, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian self-publishing success Beau Taplin, a vending machine that dispenses short stories, how to write your author bio, super prolific author caught in a plagiarism scandal, and the book “Content Inc.” by Joe Pulizzi. Also: how Candice Fox writes two books at once and keeps them distinct, how to DIY book publicity with uber-publicist Emma Noble, the writing app Novlr (free until the end of November), how much should you charge as a copywriter, Allison Tait’s latest book “Breath of the Dragon”, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why reading a Kindle is different from reading a physical book, the strange phenomenon of bestselling colouring books for adults, mistakes new screenwriters make, how to pick one idea for NaNoWriMo when you have too many, and the perils of writing the confessional personal essay. Writer in Residence is freelance corporate writer Kate Hennessy. Also: an app to easily book people into your calendar, how to break into the world of travel writing, and more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian women authors are making tech work for them, win a $4000 writing scholarship, changing careers to become a writer, Girlfriend and Total Girl magazines are merging, apply your feature writing skills to fiction. Writer in Residence picture book author Danny Parker. Resources to discover what agents really think, listener question: “Should I use a pen name?”, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Direction releases a children’s book (say what?), how to use author events to grow your fan base and sell more books, why dads reading to kids is important, things to think about when co-authoring a book, it’s time to begin prepping for NaNoWriMo (eek!), and starting a blog. Our Writer in Residence this week is Mary-Rose MacColl, who has just released her fifth book “Swimming Home”. Also: how Trello can make blogging easier, how to find out if a publication pays before you pitch, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What writers should’t do on social media, a typewriter that pours beer (instant writing reward!), protecting your freelance identity, how to capture someone else’s voice and be a kick-butt ghostwriter, fashion bloggers are now powerful, the new book “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert, Writer in Residence Robert Hoge, author of the memoir “Ugly”, an app that translates between US and UK English, how to beat writers’ block, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valerie reads 270 short stories, book 3 of Allison Tait’s “The Mapmaker Chronicles”, Bauer Media shutting down Zoo Weekly magazine, what skills a Vogue editor needs, do you agree with brand journalism? Faulty freelance writer assumptions, how to fit freelance writing around a full-time job, kidlit blogger Tara Lazar, Writer in Residence Kevin Kwan, author of “Crazy Rich Asians” and “China Rich Girlfriend”, and team work and productivity app Asana. Also: how do you know when you’ve done enough research for your article? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What literary agents want to see before signing you, ten cool tech tools for writers, grammar mistakes you want to avoid, beware of vanity publishers, and some of the best advice from writing veteran Stephen King. Meet food critic and Writer in Residence Larissa Dubecki, author of the hilarious memoir “Prick with a Fork”, find out how long it takes to write an article, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s podcasting boom, 51 words you might be mispronouncing, freelancing mistakes newbies make, the book “Woe is I” by Patricia O’Conner, a magazine for cats by cats (yes, you read that correctly), Writer in Residence Stephanie Clifford, author of “Everybody Rise”, a one-word writing prompt app, how to write when you’re sick, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tourists pay to run a Scottish bookshop for a week, who exactly is an “emerging” writer, manspreading, fur baby, and other terms that have made it into the Oxford Dictionary, the ballpoint pen’s role in the demise of cursive handwriting, revisiting The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, do writers need self-belief or self-discipline? Five Aussie author blogs to watch, Writer in Residence Tony Cavanaugh, how to dictate to your phone, tips for finding beta readers, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2015 winners of the Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards, 10 things we think we need to do before we start writing, Mark Latham being weird at the Melbourne Writers Festival, author of “Chocolat”, Joanne Harris, forthright about authors’ rights and responsibilities, beware Amazon Prime, preventing writing related injuries, three common mistakes when writing dialogue, Publisher in Residence Meredith Curnow, Allison’s “Where I Write” Periscope recording, and how to get your copywriting invoices paid now, and more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grab your blind date with a book, quirky micro book reviews, one traveller’s odd reading habit, an embarrassing mix up at the Kennedy Awards, the book “Write Better, Faster” by Monica Leonelle, what uber-blogger Heather from Dooce said at this year’s Problogger event, Writer in Residence Jill Margo on her biography of famous businessman Frank Lowy, The Brainstormer app, the importance of a good copywriting quote, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cover reveal for Allison Tait’s latest instalment of The Mapmaker Chronicles, brutally honest writing advice from brutally honest writers, US bookshop offers refunds for Go Set a Watchman, an author sends out manuscripts out under a masculine pseudonym, how women authors were told to promote their books in the 1960s, the Young Writers Award, “tie you over” vs “tide you over”, congrats to Nikki Parkinson from StylingYou.com on her win in the Telstra Business Awards, Writer in Residence John Tesarsch, finding work as a newbie content writer, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five essential podcasts for writers, National Bookshop Day, Richard Linklater is the top choice to direct The Rosie Project movie, the psychology behind writer’s block, an awesome interactive map of the most famous road trips in American literature, Reservoir Dad: the movie, Harry Potter printed on a dress, the Stella Prize 2015, continuously vs continually, Agent in Residence Jacinta di Mase, tax deductions for Aussie writers, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hotly debated “Go Set a Watchman” by Harper Lee, the exciting life of the original Nancy Drew author, cool new Lego visual storytelling app, a 15 minute writing productivity hack, the difference between comprises and consists, Writers in Residence brother-and-sister author duo Nicholas and Alison Lochel from the Zarkora series, how to deal with feeling like an imposter, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The printed word is alive and well in luxurious libraries, maps of fictional worlds, a cunning way to write a best seller and lose weight, science confirms walking fosters creativity, great writing advice from children’s book editors, the difference between fewer and less, survival life, Writer in Residence Sarah Hepola (author of Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget) stay focused by planting a virtual forest, value based pricing, how to build your author platform, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stunning sticky page markers, why journalists should care more about media business models, Ruth Rendell competition, Random House’s kid/teen writing comp, Screenwriter in Residence Tim Gooding, your readability score, protocol when following up with an editor on a commissioned piece, how to boost your author platform, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten works of literature that were seriously strenuous to write, Eat, Pray, Love anthology looking for submissions, The Sydney Morning Herald to reverse “dumb idea” and bring subediting back in-house, Darren Rowse launches new Problogger podcast, Writer in Residence Andy Griffiths, a YouTube channel on pronouncing words, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The word nerd test, what a blogger’s morning routine looks like, new books from EL James and JK Rowling, the book ‘Modern Australian Usage: A Practical Guide for Writers and Editors’ by Nicholas Hudson, why scheduling will make you a better blogger, interview with Managing Editor of Penguin Random House Brandon VanOver, hacks to make you a Scrivener pro, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AWC graduate Belinda Williams published her novel The Pitch with Momentum, two new content marketing agencies launched in Australia, get great deals by signing up to HarperCollins’ new Book Bliss, the 29 Minute Book service for those who want to be smart and fast, facts about the Magna Carta, the book Still Writing by Dani Shapiro, free to use images from Unsplash, Writer in Residence Nicky Pellegrino, how you could win a copy of One Summer in Venice, and social media tips for writers who aren’t published (yet), and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Essay writing competitions with real estate prizes, co-written books, 27 interesting facts about words that you probably didn’t need to know, to outline or not to outline your novel, Damian Madden interviews Gab Tozer, how to approach celebrities for interviews, the book “Hot for Words”by Marina Orlova, Writer in Residence Anne Gracie, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian writers on #WhereIWrite, the ethics of branded content marketing, famous authors who were rejected by publishers, the superpower all published writers have (and you can have too!), Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner on art, a street map made up of book titles, everything you wanted to know about blogging as a career, the book "Who said that first? The curious origins of common words and phrases" by Max Cryer, Writer in Residence Lindsey Kelk, how to back up your writing, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydney Writers’ Festival wrap up, the most borrowed books from Australian libraries, how much (or little) publications pay freelance writers, the rise and demise of the paragraph, crime short stories inspired by Bruce Springsteen songs, the book ‘How I Became a Famous Novelist’ by Steve Hely, an interview with children’s book publisher Suzanne O’Sullivan, Spotify music streaming service, how to stop editing and get on with writing, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long lost sisters meet in a writing class, healthy habits to deal with the loneliness of being a writer, the late William Zinsser’s advice, five websites to visit instead of writing, where you can get fab free pictures for your blog, Writer in Residence Pip Lincolne, how to manage passwords without losing your mind, approaching interviewees for article pitches, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Things to know about getting an agent, how to use Twitter for your career, crime fiction writer Ruth Rendell passes away, how to do an offline book tour, the book 'There Are Tittles in This Title: The Weird World of Words' by Mitchell Symons, why you should write a blog post series, Writer in Residence Nicole Hayes, how to browse the web without embarrassment, landing corporate writing gigs, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The couple suing after their engagement photo lands an erotica novel cover, crowdfunding a novel, famous book titles rewritten as click bait, why a bad review is not the end of the world, the book 'How to Write Short: Word Craft for Fast Times' by Roy Peter Clark, lessons from 15 years of blogging, Writer in Residence and movie star Matt Nable, how to type more with less effort, writers beware: the most common literary scam, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The disappearance of the vocative comma, how to write blog posts when you don't want to, Bundanon Trust residency applications now open, 10 author platform examples, the rules for non-fiction manuscripts, Writer in Residence Pamela Hart, the value in routine, and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brilliant words that we should add to the dictionary, time-saving tools for busy writers, the coffee-shop writer – Jane Costello, the fastest-selling adult novel in history, how to make a motza as a self-published author, the book Why is Q Always Followed by U? By Michael Quinion, Writer in Residence Rachel Power, and is this the biggest improvement to email since spell check? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sydney Writers' Festival kicks off, are "clean words" offensive, the key to keeping clients happy, the one skill you need to write well, how to create a fantastic social media plan, the book "Spell It Out" by David Crystal, Writer in Residence Annabel Smith, understanding Scrivener, how to deal with negative people. Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at [email protected]. Read the show notes.  WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judith Rossell wins an Indie Award! Book 2 of the Mapmaker Chronicles is released, how punctuation marks got their names, 10 tools to keep you writing, first novel published at 95 years old, Anonyponymous: The Forgotten People Behind Everyday Words, Writer in Residence Alice Campion, the one-minute writer, how often you should pitch and more! Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at [email protected]. Read the show notes.  WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Readings Children's Book Prize 2015 shortlist, top authors give their advice on blogging, how to prepare for a writers’ conference, use your writing skills to win an inn, The Hoopla shuts down, bloggers moved from the front row at Melbourne Fashion Week, Writer in Residence Patti Miller, the four mistakes writers make on twitter, and more! Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at [email protected]. Read the show notes.  WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Cumming in Sydney, book-inspired jewellery, self publishing vs traditional publishing, new online property publication, how five writers got started on their first novels, should you start a blog, Writer in Residence Sylvia Day, the Ulysses app, how not to get bogged down in the plot, and more! Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at [email protected]. Read the show notes.  WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The origins of lorem ipsum, how social media started 2000 years ago, how to make friends with creative people, the news writing robots are here, the book "Spilling the beans on the cat's pyjamas: Popular expressions - what they mean and where we got them" by Judy Parkinson, Jane Friedman's blog, Writer in Residence Joanne Fedler, what the Apple watch can do for you, how to write a powerful case study and much more. Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at [email protected]. Read the show notes.  WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agents and editors calling out to authors, internships, publisher forced to retract allegation in Julia Gillard's book, weird writer habits, ideas on how to use your new notebook, the 5-minute journal, Writer in Residence Judith Rossell and more! Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at [email protected]. Read the show notes.  WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The gorgeous typeface that drove men mad, the most important skills you need to start a writing career, literary profiles on Instagram, Neil Strauss crowdsources his next book cover, the book "How not to write bad" by Ben Yagoda, when bloggers are affiliates, Writer in Residence Peg Fitzpatrick, story wars and more. Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at [email protected]. Read the show notes.  WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writers who take themselves way too seriously, Frankie magazine sees its first readership drop, mapping the imaginary, the future of content mills, the book Literary Miscellany by Alex Palmer, all your magazine writing questions answered, hot dudes reading and more! Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at [email protected]. Read the show notes.  WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Kate Forsyth in Oxford, Harper Lee to publish a sequel, Women of Letters travels to New York via Molly Ringwald, how top journalists are pivoting their careers, Australia's new creative grants model, nine famous writing spaces, share your desk, what you should read next, Writer in Residence crime thriller author Candice Fox, the apps we're in love with, how to keep an interview on track and much more! Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at [email protected]. Read the show notes.  WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's in a name? Mapmaker Chronicles cover reveal, why Allison is not sponsored by her husband, getting the most out of writing competitions, how not to write an obituary, why writers have such a hard time writing about sex, what Allison has learned in her fifth year of blogging, the almost million-dollar man Pat Flynn, Writer in Residence Nigel Bartlett, how to find the right PR person for the product, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Become an enthusiastic respite in the lives of your readers, Elizabeth Gilbert to release a book on creativity, ask the HarperCollins editor part three, the basics of endings, winter weekends, Writer in Residence crime thriller author James Phelan, how you teach teach yourself to write faster, the app RescueTime and more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello 2015! A new storytelling platform, write 93,000 words in six weeks, the Thiel grant for online writing, are you at the right age for your breakthrough book? Think small for freelance writing success, the book 'The art and craft of feature writing' by William Blundell, 10 blogs for writers in 2015, Writer in Residence Lisa Heidke (plus a giveaway!), work out in 7 minutes, how to close you can be to your subject, and much more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our last show for the year we reveal our top 10 most downloaded interviews for 2014 (in no particular order): Graeme Simsion, Fleur McDonald, Allison Rushby, Kylie Mason, Deborah O'Brien, Liane Moriarty, Lex Marinos, Kylie Ladd, Chris Ducker and Charlotte Wood. And we put our very own Allison Tait on the spot by surprising her as our Writer in Residence this week! Thanks also for all your support. We've finished the year in the #1 spot for Literature on iTunes. See you in 2015! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Only pizzas are delivered" - the new UK Government style guide, good news about journalism, handwriting versus typing, Seth Godin answers digital publishing questions, blogs versus podcasts versus videos, Copywriter in Residence Bernadette Schwerdt, how to manage your Christmas deadlines and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The best books of 2014, how authors are selling books on YouTube, the Novella competition, why sitting makes you depressed, the art of social media for writers, what kids really want to read, 12 new Harry Potter stories to come, creating your writer platform, an interactive novel, Writer in Residence Sally Collings, gifts for writers, why you should be networking and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The business of freelancing, NaNoWriMo finishes, is blogging dead? The best book notetaking system, print highlighted passages in your kindle, novels written by computers, the Kidspot Voices of 2014, Writer in Residence Rachael Johns, easy transcription, to pseudonym or not to pseudonym and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get your freelancing business up to scratch, the best middle fiction books of 2014, the newest word in the dictionary, 10 words invented by writers, an editor reveals what she wants to read, the future of journalism, The Hoopla launches a quarterly newspaper aimed at teens, is it plagiarism or "mixing"? Why writing businesses fail, Writer in Residence The Minimalists, the clickbait headline generator, how to find the time to read and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The best Australian books you’ve never heard of, a transformative library, is ‘finding your voice’ laughable? Life advice from sponsored posts, an author reveals how she failed, the book Hades by Candice Fox, Writer in Residence Charlotte Wood, how to record phone interviews and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Hanks' book release, should you work from a co-working space?, Twitter etiquette,  whether to double or single space after a full stop, DIY publicity, AWC graduate Lisa Chaplin scores a book deal, Writer in Residence Toby Jenkins, free Microsoft Word app hits the Apple charts, how to find the armpits, Storyology 2014, and should you only take stories that interest you? Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 'Middle Fiction' kids reading guide, blogging Betties, Michel Faber plans to stop writing novels, is Amazon doing the world a favor by crushing book publishers? Perfectionism is slowing your progress, what your handwriting says about you, the Rescue My Site competition, why you must write before you get your perfect writing space, the minimalists are coming to Australia, Writer in Residence Bernadette Foley, get into Google+, Storyology workshops and much more!  Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What publishers really want, swimmers vs togs, why authors should care about Google+, what to do if you have multiple offers, how to tell if your story idea is mediocre, four things you should do to promote your book, the Writer Unboxed Un-Conference, Writer in Residence and Editor of InStyle magazine Kirsten Galliott, Write or Die, know what you're worth, and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrities join rush of authors writing children’s books, why Copyblogger is killing its Facebook page, is it wrong to post from an email? 50 cultural icons on their favorite books, the Australian premiere of 'Fashion Bloggers', Writer in Residence Favel Parrett, post Instagram photos from your computer and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Print books are still selling better than ebooks, how to write paragraphs, how do you take criticism? Top 10 tips for being a successful poet, what winning the Man Booker prize means, the reason why some blogs succeed, creating your writer platform, find your blogging community, 4 things authors can do to promote their work, Writer in Residence Rebecca James, purr your way to productivity, the best place to do an interview and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why typewriters captivate authors, Amazon gets in on the crowd-writing game, the one big reason why blogs succeed, first class train travel for 24 lucky writers, the book 'Blog It! The author’s guide to building a successful online brand' by Molly Greene, Writer in Residence and blogger-turned-blogger Chris Ducker, peek into the mind of your website users, how to organise time off as a freelancer, and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sleep in your favourite literary home, the Times to bring back typewriters...kind of, the business of digital life and death, we are the last generation to remember life without the internet, Moleskine embraces technology in their notebooks, blogging and the law, the one reason blogs succeed, we interview author Kylie Ladd, how to get typography right and we tell you how to find a mentor. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HarperCollins accepting unsolicited manuscripts, Cleo’s man of the year, it's never too late to be published, Laura Ingalls Wilder memoir reveals truth behind Little House on the Prairie, how to use the Fairfax Media Style Guide, the Beer Bloggers Conference, Writer in Residence Joanna Penn, how to collaborate on writing projects, when to disclose your relationship with your case studies and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A book is published every five minutes, the newbie writers' podcast, the book with the world's biggest twist (and how you can benefit), Beattie's Book Blog, meet up with @melbreaders for a quiet read, the 10 must-read books on blogging, what to put on your business card, Writer in Residence Steve Sammartino, accessing multiple gmail accounts at the same time, how to extract your kindle highlights in a usable form and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Hanks releases a writing app, disappointing book covers, do your thing - even if in stolen time, welcoming magazine readers, how to submit your writing to literary magazines, blog like a journalist, Writer in Residence Owen Beddall, typing shortcuts, the ethics of changing a quote and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Debunking the "tortured genius” myth of creativity, stunning writing studios, the most valuable comic of all time, the extreme reading experiment, the book 'From Unknown to Expert' by Catriona Pollard, Writer in Residence Nick Earls, chromecast, how to manage your ideas and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How long should your blog post be? The rules of writing, why you should write love letters, finding your 'discomfort threshold', the secrets for blogging your way to a six-figure income, Writer in Residence Lex Marinos, the best (free) app for scriptwriting, making a living as a freelance writer and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inspired by Jane Austen, how fan fiction can land you a book deal, find freelance writing jobs on twitter, bizarre niche blogs, good news for Australian bookshops, The Aitch Factor by Sue Butler, nine apps bloggers need, Writer in Residence Michael Robotham, what to do when your case studies fall through and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why it's important to write for your goals, the best suggestion I ever got from my editor, the difference between editing features and editing fiction, how to become a productive freelance writer, the book No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty, agents behaving badly, Writer in Residence and New York Times bestselling author Liane Moriarty, a new social networking app for authors, should you advise editors if your pitch is accepted elsewhere, and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kurt Vonnegut's beautiful letter, how to find the time to write, why writing no longer buys a champagne lifestyle (or does it?), how to get 'show, don't tell' right, Writer in Residence and blogging sensation Nikki Parkinson, why you need name dice, what to do when you hear nothing from an editor and much more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Book cover cliches - do they sell? Why writers are opening up about finances, 37 books every creative person should read, how to become a prolific writer while holding down a day job, Writer in Residence Joanna Rakoff (and a giveaway!), the Qwerkywriter, author trademarks and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What not to say when you're a writer, stop using character names as a crutch, the future of libraries, the book Port Out Starboard Home by Michael Quinion, why we write, Writer in Residence and founder of Newsmodo Rakhal Ebeli, unique story prompts, how many pitches you should send to a writer at once and more. Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ghostwriting: what it's like to be a writer for hire, crime writing, 10 writing tips from HarperCollins editors, Stephen King's tips for all writers, should you break up with your agent? 10 tips on blogging from Darren Rowse, bestselling author Kate Forsyth, why you should write 750 words per day, why you need to shift your thinking on pitching and more! Read the show notes.  Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.