Author Oliver Phommavanh talks about his middle grade novel What About Thao? How to get over your fears - and more.
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WRITER 509: Meet popular middle grade author Oliver Phommavanh, who talks about his book What About Thao?

Everything you&rsquo;ve always wanted to know about succeeding in the world of writing and publishing. Learn practical writing techniques, go behind-the-scenes and discover how real-life authors got their big break. Uncover the creative processes of writers who have made it. Your host is Valerie Khoo &ndash;&nbsp;author, journalist, creative and CEO of the Australian Writers&rsquo; Centre.&nbsp;

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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 & updates
02:03 Nat Newman’s writing tip
05:15 Crafting secondary characters
07:44 Book giveaway: Ghost Cities by Siang Lu
10:39 Word of the week: Desultory
11:26 Writer in residence: Jo Peck on Suddenly Single at Sixty
24:23 The journey of writing a memoir
25:58 From school gate to bookshelf
29:12 Structuring a memoir
34:16 Jo’s writing process
38:18 Exploring future writing projects and reflections
41:09 Receiving feedback and sharing advice for aspiring writers
46:27 Closing thoughts and fun facts
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Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook 
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WRITER 602: Meet Jo Peck, author of the memoir 'Suddenly Single at Sixty'.

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 publishing
01:09 Busting myths about writing for kids
02:30 Guest spotlight: Nat Newman's writing tips
04:38 Words at dawn: A creative writing initiative
15:27 Deborah Abela: A deep dive into middle grade novels
27:12 The Kindness Project: From concept to creation
29:57 Exploring kindness through storytelling
31:38 The creative process and writing in verse
32:05 From pitch to publication
34:06 Character development and creative inspiration
37:55 Rejections and successes in the publishing world
39:16 From film to children's books: A career journey
43:21 The art of writing across different formats
50:51 Engaging with young readers: The importance of school visits
55:13 Top tips for aspiring middle grade writers
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Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook 
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WRITER 601: Meet Deborah Abela, author of 'The Kindness Project', her 29th book!

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 publishing
01:19 Upcoming seminar: Mastering action in storytelling
03:45 Nat Newman’s writing tips
10:40 Book giveaway: The North Wind by Alexandra Warwick
13:00 Word of the week: propinquity
15:06 Writer in residence: Indah Ahmad Zahri’s multifaceted career
24:25 A magical moment at the beach: The power of picture books
25:28 From inspiration to authorship: The journey begins
26:57 Celebrating diversity and heritage through children's literature
29:09 The challenges and joys of writing for children abroad
31:44 Embracing new creative ventures
33:13 Balancing creativity and parenthood
35:07 Exploring new horizons in writing and art
41:36 Leveraging courses for creative growth
43:36 Top writing tips and a call to action for writers
47:18 Closing thoughts and fun facts
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Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook 
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WRITER 600: Meet Inda Ahmad Zahri, author of 5 picture books.

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.
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Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook 
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WRITER 599: Becky Holmes on her memoir 'Keanu Reeves Is Not In Love With You'

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.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WRITER 509: Meet popular middle grade author Oliver Phommavanh, who talks about his book What About Thao?

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