From the halls of Australia’s Parliament House to the dark corners of the Vatican! In this episode, author Sophie Clark talks about her writing process and how she pitched her debut ‘romantasy’ novel, Cruel is the Light. She chats about her political background and how walking the ‘halls of power’ influenced her writing, as well as offering tips for aspiring writers.

00:00 Introduction
03:06 Nat Newman's writing tip: systematic editing
09:02 WIN! Death in the Arctic by Tom Hindle
10:47 Word of the week: ‘disputation’
12:29 Writer in residence: Sophie Clark
14:25 Defining ‘romantasy’
15:49 Inspiration for her book
18:35 Researching on location
22:29 Writing action and fight scenes
24:28 Drafting and experience in Pitch Wars
26:24 Mentorship and guidance
27:38 Securing an agent
30:11 Sophie’s writing process and challenges
34:30 Political influence in writing
36:31 Building a writing community
39:13 Publicity and promotion
41:17 Asking “who’s my audience?”
45:38 Sophie’s top tips for aspiring writers
48:04 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to know the formula to writing success? In this episode, scientist-turned-author Rebecca Heath discusses her latest domestic thriller novel, The Wedding Party and her unique journey from the laboratory to the library, as well as how she crafts each story and the importance of building a writing community.

00:00 Introduction
03:43 Nat Newman’s writing tip: the art of writing
06:45 WIN! More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova
09:12 Word of the week: ‘Psychrophile’
10:36 Writer in residence: Rebecca Heath
13:10 Rebecca’s scientific beginnings
17:33 Making the move to fiction and thrillers
18:55 Discovering the Australian Writers’ Centre
19:20 Building a community of likeminded writers
21:15 How Rebecca wrote The Wedding Party
23:34 The writing timeline, routine and sprints
27:19 Character development and observations
30:43 How walking and recording works for her
33:05 Rebecca’s challenges and joys in this book
34:13 Future plans
37:35 Rebecca’s advice for authors
40:22 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Please sir, can I have some more Dickens?” In this episode, author Kathy George discusses her latest novel, The Scent of Oranges – a retelling of the classic Dickens story Oliver Twist from the perspective of character Nancy. Kathy shares her love for gothic literature and why she chose this story to rewrite.

00:00 Introduction
04:46 Nat Newman’s writing tip: Character milestones
08:36 WIN! The Hidden Hand by Stella Rimington
10:30 Word of the week: ‘Susurrous’
13:02 Writer in residence: Kathy George
16:25 Getting the narrative voice right
22:22 Researching Nancy’s character
24:51 Kathy’s love for gothic literature
25:53 Understanding what “gothic” means
28:39 Thoughts on Dickens' female characters
30:24 On fleshing out Nancy's story
33:01 Retelling classic stories
36:48 Writing process and discipline
40:26 Kathy’s advice for aspiring writers
44:35 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you like to reinvent yourself as a writer? In this episode, accomplished author Karina May shares her advice on how to grow and setting yourself up for a successful author career. Karina also discusses her third print book, That Island Feeling, staying accountable as a writer, using social media, music playlists and more!

00:00 Introduction
06:05 Nat Newman’s writing tip: Desk love!
10:23 WIN! Pictures Of You by Emma Grey
12:10 Word of the week: ‘Inanition’
12:48 Writer in residence: Karina May
19:06 Advice for setting yourself up for success
22:20 Adjusting goals and rewards
24:01 Finding accountability buddies
25:56 Connecting with fellow writers
27:20 Building an online presence
30:20 Reading outside your genre
31:29 The importance of having a routine
32:30 How Karina uses a playlist
36:34 Ensuring you have the right tools
39:58 Progress on the next book
40:54 Reflecting on the writing journey
43:24 Attention bad spellers!
44:30 Inspiring final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Described as a ‘memoir with a message’, This Is Not A Book About Benedict Cumberbatch deals with many themes including celebrity obsession and shame. In this episode, author Tabitha Carvan discusses her experience writing this uniquely personal story, as well as offering advice for aspiring memoir writers.

00:00 Introduction
06:20 Nat Newman’s writing tip: Editing
10:23 WIN! Pictures Of You by Emma Grey
11:22 Word of the week: ‘Thalassic’
13:40 Writer in residence: Tabitha Carvan
16:01 How the book came about
20:35 Defining the book's genre
22:47 Incorporating other perspectives
26:00 Exploring the concept of shame
28:10 Writing process and tools
34:41 Publicity and promotion
40:54 Advice for aspiring memoir writers
43:20 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you love fantasy, you’ll love our delightful interview with author Madeline Te Whiu, who shares her journey from writing her first book The Assassin Thief to completing her trilogy with her latest release, The Queen Thief. Madeline talks about her experience writing while working full-time, her planning process, harnessing social media and advice for aspiring writers. 

00:00 Introduction
03:29 Holiday book recommendations
08:33 Nat’s writing tip: Structure
12:24 WIN! The Bogan Book Club by John Larkin
13:51 Word of the week: ‘Chrestomathy’
16:51 Writer in residence: Madeline Te Whiu
27:05 Finding time for writing
28:56 The journey to getting published
31:05 Madeline’s experience pitching her trilogy
31:58 Experiencing reader reactions
35:36 Writing the second and third books
37:15 Overcoming writer's block
43:11 Balancing writing and full-time work
45:36 Madeline’s approach to social media
53:21 Advice for aspiring authors
56:07 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fasten your seatbelts and stow those tray tables, as we interview Joe Aston about his latest book, The Chairman's Lounge – The inside Story of How Qantas Sold Us Out. Joe is a former Australian Financial Review columnist and he discusses his experience writing about Qantas, its CEO and the company’s public branding crisis. He also shares insights on journalism, research and balancing objective reporting with creating a compelling narrative. 

00:00 Introduction
03:36 Nat Newman’s writing tip
08:50 WIN! Murdle Australia by G.T. Karber
11:16 Word of the week: ‘penetralia’
12:32 Writer in residence: Joe Aston
21:10 Joe’s switch from corporate life to journalism
27:25 The evolution of journalism
28:04 The pressure of producing quality content
29:02 Balancing reporting and opinion
31:18 The role of CEOs in public perception
34:06 Joe’s experience writing his book
37:28 Research versus the writing process
42:34 Future plans and new ventures
49:02 Joe’s advice for aspiring authors
50:50 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Susannah Glenn, author of Between Husbands and Wives. Susannah discusses her writing process, overcoming self-doubt, and the importance of setting and character development. She highlights the impact of persistence, learning from setbacks, and taking writing courses.

00:00 Introduction
01:53 The importance of doing the work
07:07 Writing tip: Keep it simple
11:13 WIN! Literary Journeys by John McMurtrie
13:07 Word of the week: pedicular
14:26 Writer in residence: Susannah Glenn
21:57 The writing process: Finding the sweet spot
22:35 Character development
24:23 Balancing writing with everyday life
25:51 From manuscript to book deal
31:54 The importance of writing routines
37:38 Navigating the emotional roller coaster of writing
44:45 Top writing tips for aspiring authors
46:57 Conclusion

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Sebastian Smee, a Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic, who discusses his new book Paris in Ruins, its historical context, and the challenges of writing it. He also touches upon his previous book The Art of Rivalry, how to approach writing art criticism, and tips for aspiring writers. Sebastian now writes for The Washington Post, but got his start writing for The Sydney Morning Herald. He then went on to write for The Boston Globe, The Spectator, The Guardian, The Australian and more.

00:00 Introduction
02:35 Nat Newman’s writing tip
10:28 Win Endgame by Sarah Barrie
12:44 Word of the week: Hypnagogic
16:47 Interview with Sebastian Smee
20:27 Diving into historical context
20:59 Early career and education
21:49 Breaking into art criticism
23:55 Writing art reviews
25:50 Journey to America
27:34 The Art of Rivalry
31:02 Crafting Paris in Ruins
38:30 Challenges and reflections
42:21 Advice for aspiring art critics
47:57 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Mitch Jennings, author of A Town Called Treachery, who shares his journey to becoming a novelist and his advice for aspiring writers.

00:00 Introduction
00:27 Reinvention
04:02 Writing opportunities and taking chances
07:58 Writing tip: The Pomodoro Technique
14:23 WIN: Everyone this Christmas Has A Secret by Benjamin Stevenson
15:12 Word of the week: Claque
18:32 Mitch Jennings and his page-turning novel A Town Called Treachery
26:16 Balancing writing and family life
28:00 Discovering writing process during COVID
29:26 The role of mentorship and courses
32:30 Crafting the story of A Town Called Treachery
37:40 Journalism's influence on writing
44:24 Entering and winning the Banjo Prize
50:34 Advice for aspiring writers
53:30 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.