In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, hosts Madeliene Cleary and Tina Strachan talk with Australian debut authors Kyra Geddes and Mark Mupotsa-Russell about their experiences writing, publishing, and promoting their first novels. Kyra discusses her historical fiction, 'The Story Thief,' and the long journey of research and rewriting, while Mark shares insights into his thriller, 'The Hit Woman's Guide to Reducing Household Debt,' and the unexpected path to a screen deal. The episode also includes discussions on manuscript assessments, author community support, dealing with reviews, and tips for aspiring writers.

00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast

00:40 Introducing Our Summer Series

00:56 Meet Kyra Geddes and Mark Mupotsa-Russell

06:32 Kyra's Journey to Publication

20:33 Mark's Journey and Mentorship Award

27:26 The Editorial Process

33:54 Promoting Your Debut Novel

35:17 Maintaining Momentum After Book Release

36:09 Big Wins and Screen Deals

40:04 Rapid Fire Questions: Year in Review

43:02 Challenges and Surprises in the Author Journey

46:50 Navigating Reviews and Mistakes

55:30 What's Next for the Authors?

01:00:35 Top Tips for Aspiring Writers

01:03:05 Conclusion and Farewell

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