How do you write about a subject not often represented in fiction? In this episode, Sean Wilson shares his latest novel You Must Remember This and his unique journey bringing a story of dementia to the page.

00:00 Introduction
07:36 Writing tip: Goodreads trolling
09:36 WIN! Perspectives by Laurent Binet
11:40 Word of the week: ‘Leaguer’
12:18 Writer in residence: Sean Wilson
14:25 Why Sean wanted to tell this story
15:40 Writing child characters
17:00 Self-care while writing
19:06 Crafting authentic secondary characters
21:01 Storytelling the challenges of ageing
23:09 How Sean drew inspiration from real life events
25:35 The prevalence of dementia
27:48 From play to novel: The writing journey
31:19 Crafting a nonlinear narrative
35:37 Publishing journey and future projects
38:45 The art of writing across different forms
42:34 Future projects
46:37 Final thoughts

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Author Emma Pignatiello wondered why romance novels didn’t have more murders in them – so she wrote her own! In this episode, she discusses her book Last Shot, the inspiration behind it and the Australian Writers' Centre course that helped her get there.

00:00 Introduction
02:57 Writing tip: Follow the guidelines
10:33 WIN! Headcases by John McMahon
12:30 Word of the week: ‘Redolent’
15:43 Writer in Residence: Emma Pignatiello
17:20 Emma’s inspiration for the story
24:20 Mapping out the plot points and character arcs
25:49 The writing process
29:42 Balancing her day job and parenting with writing
32:11 The publishing journey
40:51 Two amazing things happen in one day
41:40 Receiving the “yes” from her agent
44:53 Pitching two books to publishers
50:25 Future projects
52:32 How the Australian Writers' Centre Romance Writing course helped her
55:41 Top tips on finding publishing success
1:00:51 Final thoughts

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Belle Gibson fooled the world as a health influencer who lied about having brain cancer. In this re-released conversation, we speak with Beau Donelly – co-author of the book that inspired the hit Netflix series, Apple Cider Vinegar.

00:00 Introduction
02:41 Nat Newman’s writing tip: Write what you want to write
07:57 WIN! You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego
09:55 Word of the week: ‘Tintinnabulation’
12:41 Re-release conversation: Beau Donelly
18:50 Beau’s first connection with the scandal
22:55 Initial research on Belle’s story
26:00 Fundraising fraud
27:25 Archiving social media
30:30 Categorising the information
32:49 Turning the story into a book
35:11 Dividing the workload between two authors
40:25 Exposing the ‘wellness’ influencer phenomenon
41:42 Painting a picture of Belle’s parents
46:20 The biggest challenge of writing the book
54:20 Belle Gibson’s lack of remorse
55:34 Final thoughts

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A ‘folk horror’ that spans 40 years – awash with intrigue, magic and dark secrets! That’s what awaits you in this episode as we meet British author Olivia Isaac-Henry and discuss her latest suspense novel, Sorrow Spring. Olivia shares what inspired the location and themes, how she blended historical events with fiction, and the challenges of straddling two time periods and different character narratives.

00:00 Introduction
02:22 Nat Newman's writing tip: You’re not ‘bad’
10:17 WIN! The Last Days of Kira Mullan by Nicci French
12:10 Word of the week: ‘Wolver’
15:41 Writer in residence: Olivia Isaac-Henry
18:47 Olivia’s inspiration for her story and themes
19:59 Setting the scene: Time periods and locations
21:35 Character backgrounds and motivations
23:40 Crafting distinct voices for characters
26:03 Incorporating real-life events into fiction
26:58 Writing process and challenges
28:19 Upcoming projects and future plans
32:37 Olivia’s tips for aspiring writers
33:56 Final thoughts

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Feeling cosy? Then you’ll love meeting author Alexandra Almond, as she shares her cosy fantasy novel, Thoroughly Disenchanted. Alexandra unpacks how she built her distinct characters, the role of magic in everyday life and her experience in finding an agent and getting published, along with advice for aspiring writers.

00:00 Introduction
04:08 Words at dawn: a unique writing practice
09:55 Nat Newman’s writing tip: change things up
13:43 WIN! Chickenpox by Remy Lai
15:33 Word of the week: ‘diaphanous’
18:16 Writer in residence: Alexandra Almond
21:17 Character origins and development
23:42 The unexpected romance
26:21 Magic in everyday life
27:44 The historical setting and character evolution
32:05 Alexandra’s writing process and challenges
36:28 Finding an agent and publisher
40:22 Advice for aspiring writers
43:01 Current and future projects
43:57 Final thoughts

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Crafting a novel is one thing, but author Kate Solly loves crafting ‘crafty’ novels – including her latest title, The Paradise Heights Craft Store Stitch-up. Kate shares her journey from casual writing in her family group chats to getting her first publishing contract, as well as how she manages to stay accountable and fit writing in while bringing up six kids! 

00:00 Introduction
05:37 Nat Newman’s writing tip: overcoming ‘the doldrums’
10:28 WIN! The Last Fashion House in Paris by Renee Ryan
12:52 Word of the week: ‘ravel’
14:11 Writer in residence: Kate Solly
15:34 Getting started in writing
17:11 How she kept accountable
20:04 Kate’s inspiration for her first book
22:30 Writing the next book
26:14 Pre-kids career and charity work
28:40 Getting the first novel published
34:29 The second novel: process and challenges
35:30 Balancing writing with family life
42:15 Editing and future plans
45:25 Building an author platform
47:42 Final thoughts

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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

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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

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“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

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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

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