The Write Podcast with Sarah Williams

At every book event lately, I’ve been seeing it—gorgeous special editions flying off tables. Think sprayed edges, foil, bonus art... and readers love them. Even if they don’t plan to read the book right away (guilty!), they still want it on their shelf.

In this episode, I’m joined by Fiona—who also writes as Amelia Shaw—an indie author who’s been ahead of the special edition trend for years. We’re pulling back the curtain on how you can create collector-worthy books that delight readers and grow your income.

✨ We cover:

• What’s actually selling when it comes to special editions (not just hardcovers!)

• Where to source beautiful upgrades without blowing your budget

• Smart strategies for pricing, packaging, and shipping

• How Fiona used special editions to grow a loyal fanbase—and her revenue

• Why this trend is more than a fad (and how to future-proof your author business)
  

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your book as a collector’s item, this episode is your permission slip to go all in.

In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing USA Today bestselling author TL Swan. Recorded live at the Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival in November 2025, TL shares her incredible journey of turning life's challenges into storytelling success.

We delve into her unique approach to writing, the obstacles she has overcome, and her invaluable advice for aspiring authors.

Whether you're a fan of romance novels or simply love a good success story, this conversation is filled with insights and inspiration. Join us for an engaging and inspiring episode you won't want to miss!

What do publishers really look for in a manuscript? Is it still possible to break into traditional publishing in 2026? And how has BookTok changed the game for authors?

In this special episode of The Write Podcast, I sit down with Sophie Hamley—publisher at Hachette Australia and bestselling author under the name Sophie Green—for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry.

We talk about:

• How to pitch your novel to agents and publishers

• Whether you really need an agent in today’s market

• Mistakes writers make when submitting

• The rise of self-publishing and where it fits now

• The truth about BookTok, platforms, and building an audience

• What publishers are acquiring in 2026 (romance, kids, fantasy and more)

Whether you're a self-published author hoping to go traditional, or you're just starting to submit, this is one of the most insightful and practical interviews I’ve ever recorded. Sophie’s seen it all, and she doesn’t hold back.

🎓 Want to learn directly from Sophie? She’s teaching a masterclass at my Queenstown Writing Retreat this March! Book your spot now at serenadepublishing.com

Are you stuck in the hustle of trying to do all the things as a writer—and wondering why some advice just doesn’t work for you?

In this inspiring episode of The Write Podcast, I chat with author success coach Becca Syme about the different phases of building an author business, why quitting can actually be the smartest move, and how knowing your strengths can transform your writing career.

We also dive into the brand-new edition of her bestselling book Writer, You Need to Quit, which is currently available through Kickstarter—with late pledges still open!

✨ Becca shares powerful mindset shifts, real talk on burnout, and a fresh perspective on what it really means to succeed as an author—your way.

🎧 Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting out, this episode will help you filter out the noise and start making aligned decisions that actually move you forward.🔗

Learn more about Becca and grab your late pledge here: https://betterfasteracademy.com/links 📥 Get your free Brainstorming Funsheet: https://serenadepublishing.com

In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by my partner Tim as we share the true story behind creating the Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival—an event that grew 100 times bigger and better than I ever imagined.

We talk about what it really took to bring a brave idea to life: the fears we faced, the strengths we leaned on, and the pride we feel in the community we built together. You’ll hear how courage and collaboration made this festival possible—and why we’re already planning the 2026 event!

🎧 In this episode:

• How fear almost stopped us from starting

• The magic of combining strengths in a partnership

• Why showing up bravely matters more than perfection

• How this one idea sparked powerful collaborations
  

📸 Check out the festival photos and express your interest for 2026 at sunshinecoastfictionfestival.com.au

Tim Coulson is a certified councilor and the host of The Happiness Hack podcast. Learn more about him at www.tim-coulson.com

This week, I chat with romance author Emma Mugglestone about her traditionally published novel In the Long Run—a slow-burn, fake-dating romance set in a Melbourne run club. We dive into how her experience self-publishing gave her the confidence to keep going, and how a fellow writer putting her name forward led to her big break. If you're navigating a winding writing path, this episode is packed with encouragement and insight.

In this episode of The Write Podcast, I’m joined by the amazing Georgia Harper—author of What I Would Do to You, which just won Best Debut Book at the 2025 Davitt Awards. Georgia’s background blew me away: she’s worked as a psychologist with serious violent offenders and victim-survivors of crime, and also as Senior Inspector Prosecutions for RSPCA Queensland.

We talked about how her real-life experiences influence her crime fiction, what it was like to write her debut novel, and how her very first submission landed her an agent and a book deal with Penguin Random House. If you’re curious about drawing from your own expertise or wondering what it really takes to get picked up from the slush pile, you’re going to love this chat.

In this special bookclub-style episode, Sarah is joined by her friend Franny—new to the world of spicy fiction and already running a bookclub that brings women together for laughter, connection, and a few blush-worthy reads.

Together, they dive into Kat T. Masen’s How To Break My Heart—a cozy, small-town romance that’s equal parts heartfelt and steamy. Expect lots of laughs, honest reactions, and a peek into how stories like this one create real connection between women.

Whether you’re a longtime romance reader or just curious about why these books are so addictive, you’ll love this warm, hilarious conversation about love, friendship, and the power of storytelling.

✨ Grab your favorite drink and join the fun!

👉 Visit serenadepublishing.com for free resources and writing support.

🎙️ This Isn’t a Comeback. It’s a Continuation. (What Fiction Writers Can Learn from Taylor’s Showgirl Era)

✨ What if your next big moment isn't a reinvention—but a continuation of everything you've already layered?

In this solo episode, Sarah channels fangirl energy and creative fire to unpack what Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl era can teach us about storytelling, identity, and building a lasting author brand.

You’ll learn:

🪞 How to evolve your author voice without losing yourself 🎭 Why emotional resonance is the long game (and worth it) 🔁 The power of callbacks, consistency, and layered meaning 📖 What fiction writers can borrow from Taylor’s storytelling playbook 🩰 And how your “extra” creative sides can actually feed your writing

Whether you're writing your first book or your fifteenth, this episode will reignite your belief in your work—and remind you that you’re not behind, you’re just still layering.

💌 Want more support on your writing journey? Check out Fiction Writing Academy at serenadepublishing.com/academy

🔗 Visit serenadepublishing.com for free resources and more episodes.

It’s time to get your Halloween romance fix! In this special episode of The Write Podcast, I chat with author Amy Hutton, whose hilarious and heartwarming paranormal rom-com Ghosted is the perfect spooky season read.

We dive into the inspiration behind the book (yes, there’s a ghost!), the delicate balance of humour and heart in paranormal romance, and how Amy crafted such lovable, laugh-out-loud characters. Whether you're a writer looking to add a little supernatural flair to your stories or just love a good ghostly love tale, this episode is for you.

Grab your pumpkin spice latte and tune in for behind-the-scenes insights, writing tips, and lots of laughs as we celebrate Ghosted and all things Halloween romance.

👻✨ Don’t forget to visit serenadepublishing.com for more writing inspiration and free resources!