Writes4Women

Insights from the Romance Writers of Australia Conference

In this special bonus episode of 'Writes for Women,' host Pamela Cook shares her key takeaways from the Romance Writers of Australia conference held in Hobart. Pamela provides summaries of workshops and sessions from renowned authors like Sarah McClean, Sarra Cannon, Stacey McEwen, Brenda Novak, and many more.

Topics include writing conflict in romance, writing through fear, different paths to publication, effective marketing tools, and tips for indie authors. Additionally, she offers insights from panels featuring publishers on what they look for in submissions and advice for avoiding common pitfalls.

Grab a cuppa, a pen and notepaper and get ready for some fabulous writing tips!

1:04 Key Takeaways from RWA Conference

03:55 Insights from Indie Hybrid, and Traditional Authors

10:54 Publisher and Agent Panel Highlights

19:08 Tips for Tackling the Saggy Middle

25:39 How to Write a Romcom

28:13 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

SHOWNOTES:

Writes4Women

www.writes4women.com

Facebook @writes4women

Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast

Substack

https://writes4women.substack.com

Pamela Cook

www.pamelacook.com.au

Facebook @amelacookauthor

Twitter @PamelaCookAU

Sarra Cannon on Youtube here

Sarah Maclean on Fated mates here

This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women and recorded on unceded Dharawal land.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us for this week's episode as  host Pamela Cook gives us a post Romance Writers of Australia wrap-up chat and the talented Camille Booker returns to the convo couch.

Camille's latest novel, The Woman in the Waves, is a haunting historical mash-up that is getting a lot of buzz. In this episode she chats historical research, genre-bending and life with a small press. There's something in there for everyone!

And in the bonus ep for paid Substack subscribers Camille talks about the pros and cons of being with a small press AND what she looks for when she judges the Hawkeye Publishing Prize.

SHOWNOTES:

Writes4Women

www.writes4women.com

Facebook @writes4women

Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast

Substack

https://writes4women.substack.com/

Camille Booker

Website: click here

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Pamela Cook

www.pamelacook.com.au

Facebook @amelacookauthor

Twitter @PamelaCookAU

This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women and recorded on unceded Dharawal land.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two sisters, two completely different genres, one fascinating conversation.

In this week’s Writes4Women, Ali Lowe and Joanna Miller talk sibling dynamics, the winding road to publication, and the writing tips they wish they’d known sooner. From Hollywood interest to years of research, it’s a candid look at the highs, lows, and luck that shape an author’s career.

Listen now—and for paid Substack subscribers, there’s a bonus segment packed with influences, career highlights, and unfiltered writing wisdom.

SHOW NOTES:

Writes4Women

www.writes4women.com

Facebook @writes4women

Instagram @w4wpodcast

W4W Substack

Ali Lowe

Website: click here

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Johanna Miller

Website: click here

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Pamela Cook

www.pamelacook.com.au

Facebook: click here

Twitter: click here 

Instagram: click here

Writes4Women on Substack: click here

This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women on unceded Dharawal country.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pam chats to bestselling author Kelly Rimmer, about her new release, 'The Midnight Estate.'

The episode dives into Kelly's storytelling process, including her habit of daydreaming to develop her narratives. They discuss the novel's intriguing mix of historical and contemporary elements, its strong female protagonist, and themes like domestic violence and community.

Kelly also shares insights into writing her characters, the role of the setting and her commitment to addressing real social issues through her writing. The episode includes a special bonus on Kelly's daydreaming process, exclusive to Substack subscribers.

To find out more about Kelly's writing process check out her previous chats with Pam on Writes4Women.

SHOW NOTES:

Writes4Women

www.writes4women.com

Facebook @writes4women

Instagram @w4wpodcast

W4W Substack

Kelly Rimmer

Website: click here

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Check out Carrawobitty here

Pamela Cook

www.pamelacook.com.au

Facebook: click here

Twitter: click here 

Instagram: click here

This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women on unceded Dharawal country.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all have financial responsibilities…but what do you do for your heart?

This week’s episode is a meeting of the mentors with Valerie Khoo, CEO of the Australian Writers’ Centre, sitting down to unpack creativity with our very own Pamela Cook.

Through her work at the AWC, Val has had a hand in shaping the careers of some of Australia’s bestselling authors and writers—showing people you can make a living with your words and how to get started doing it.

In recent years, Val’s own creativity has bloomed (pardon the pun ) when she began exploring painting during COVID. She now has a thriving artistic practise, allowing her to create joyful, beautiful pieces. Believing it’s okay to be multi-passionate, Val’s chat with Pam will be inspiring to those of us who have trouble ‘staying in their lane’.

SHOW NOTES:

Writes4Women

www.writes4women.com

Facebook @writes4women

Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast

Valerie Khoo

Website: click here

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Val's Creative Re-Boot: click here

Pamela Cook

www.pamelacook.com.au

Facebook: click here

Twitter: click here 

Instagram: click here

This episode produced by  Pamela Cook for Writes4Women on unceded Dharawal country.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Guest host Michelle Barraclough chats to best-selling author Jessica Dettman about her latest book, 'Your Friend and Mine'. Jess's fourth novel, it's a warm, witty and wise novel about second chances, friendship and romance for readers of Marian Keyes and Liane Moriarty.

Michelle and Jess discuss Jessica's inspirations, her writing process, and the intriguing narrative which involves a 43-year-old woman, Margot, fulfilling posthumous tasks assigned by her deceased best friend, Tess. They also cover the role of research, the challenges of crafting a compelling ending, and the influence of editors in refining the manuscript 

SHOW NOTES:

Writes4Women

www.writes4women.com

Facebook @writes4women

Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast

Jessica Dettman

Website: click here

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Michelle Barraclough

Website: click here

Facebook: click here

Pamela Cook

www.pamelacook.com.au

Facebook: click here

Twitter: click here 

Instagram: click here

This episode produced by Michelle Barraclough and Pamela Cook for Writes4Women on unceded Dharawal country.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bold debut, a full-circle moment, and the craft of writing funny with heart

This week on Writes4Women, Pam is joined by debut author and former student, Holly Brunnbauer, for a warm, laugh-filled, and insightful conversation about writing her first rom-com What Did I Miss. From school staff rooms and awkward first drafts to awards, agents, and publishing deals, Holly’s journey is one of grit, grace, and great humour.

Pam and Holly delve into:

The path from blogger to published author

Navigating character arc, emotional depth, and laugh-out-loud moments

Writing strong female leads (and sizzly sex scenes )

How a high school sweetheart breakup sparked a brilliant story idea

The ups and downs of pitching, publishing, and finding the right agent

This ep is not just for rom-com lovers—it’s for any writer wondering whether their words are “good enough” and what can happen when you follow the joy.

SHOW NOTES:

Writes4Women

www.writes4women.com

Facebook @writes4women

Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast

Holly Brunnbauer

https://www.hollybrunnbauer.com.au/

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Pamela Cook

www.pamelacook.com.au

Facebook: click here

Twitter: click here 

Instagram: click here

Buy We Need Your Art by Amie McNee here

Listen to Amie on Dear Rach and Soph here

This episode produced by  Pamela Cook for Writes4Women on unceded Dharawal country.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imposter Syndrome. Comparisonitis. Self Doubt. Whatever we call it the fact is all writers and creatives suffer from it.

In this episode host Pamela Cook delves into her personal struggles with imposter syndrome and discusses insights from previous podcast guests, including Eliza Henry Jones, Nikki Gammel, Sophie Green, Cassie Hamer, Natasha Lester, Holly Ringland, and Megan Della Camina, on managing self-doubt and fostering creativity.

Join Pam as she digs deep into her own battle with imposter syndrome and finds answers in the wisdom of her fellow writers.

00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgements

00:44 Technical Difficulties and Personal Updates

03:43 Substack Updates and New Initiatives

07:10 Exploring Imposter Syndrome

11:13 Insights from Eliza Henry Jones

13:42 Nikki Gammel on Male Confidence

17:16 Sophie Green's Perspective

21:08 Cassie Hamer's Inner Critic

24:28 Natasha Lester on Editorial Feedback

28:04 Holly Ringland on the Blank Page

34:35 Megan Della Camina's Inner Critic Work

37:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

SHOW NOTES:

Writes4Women

www.writes4women.com

Facebook @writes4women

Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast

Pamela Cook

www.pamelacook.com.au

Facebook: click here

Twitter: click here 

Instagram: click here

Buy We Need Your Art by Amie McNee here

Listen to Amie on Dear Rach and Soph here

This episode produced by  Pamela Cook for Writes4Women on unceded Dharawal country.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when a best selling Fantasy author does a sneaky genre swap?

Guest host Jo Riccioni welcomes bestselling author Lynette Noni to discuss her genre shift and new book, 'Wandering Wild.' They explore the departure from Noni's typical fantasy genre to YA contemporary, featuring a Hollywood actor and an Australian teen navigating a survival adventure. Lynnette reveals her inspirations, creative process, the challenges of addressing serious themes, and the joys of crafting new tropes. 

To hear the bonus chat on Lynnette's writing process sign up at Writes4Women on Substack at Writes4Women.substack.com

SHOW NOTES:

Writes4Women

www.writes4women.com

Facebook @writes4women

Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast

Tracey Spicer

Website: click here

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Sandie Docker

Website: click here

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Buy The Lyrebird Lake Ladies Choir here

Pamela Cook

www.pamelacook.com.au

Facebook: click here

Twitter: click here 

Instagram: click here

This episode produced by  Pamela Cook for Writes4Women on unceded Dharawal country.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you only listen to one episode of W4W this year, THIS is the one you need to make time for. Pam talks AI, its implications and the future of writing with two women on the frontlines of championing artistic rights, journalist @traceyspicer and writer @sandiedocker.

We promise, you’ll leave this episode informed, aware, determined and hopeful about the future of your work. These are scary times, but this community is full of courageous women. 

SHOW NOTES:

Writes4Women

www.writes4women.com

Facebook @writes4women

Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast

W4W Substack

https://writes4women.substack.com/

Tracey Spicer

Website: click here

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Sandie Docker

Website: click here

Facebook: click here

Instagram: click here

Check our Sandie's info on AI here: https://www.sandiedocker.com/ai-action

Pamela Cook

www.pamelacook.com.au

Facebook: click here

Twitter: click here 

Instagram: click here

This episode produced by  Pamela Cook for Writes4Women on unceded Dharawal country.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=true

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.