Writes4Women

new episodes coming soon

We’ve been on hiatus at Writes4Women but we’ll be back for a new season in June.

On the Convo Couch with… will focus on chats with women writers all about the highs and lows, ups dbf downs, and ins and outs of the writing life and publishing industry.

I’d love to know who YOU would like to share the Convo Couch with so please DM me if you have any guest suggestions.

Watch out for a new rewind episode out this weekend.

VIDEO CONTENT BEGINS AT 6 MINS

This week on Writes4Women, guest host Michelle Barraclough sits down with bestselling author and fellow podcaster Jessica Dettmann to chat about her brand new novel Your Friend and Mine. From ghost letters and dead best friends to the joy of researching in stylish trench coats, this conversation is full of warmth, humour, and beautifully honest insights into the writing life.

Michelle and Jess explore:

* The power of midlife reinvention and detoured dreams

* How a few ghost seats in a London theatre helped shape the plot

* Research trips, pop culture references, and writing with hyperrealism

* Why epistolary fiction is the ultimate cheat code

* Crafting fiction that makes you laugh and ache—often at the same time

Whether you’re a writer, a reader, or just someone wondering what your younger self might think of you now…this ep is a joy.

Timestamps:

[00:00] – Pam’s intro + Substack reset updates[00:06:00] – Meet Jess (and her time as the City of Sydney Christmas Angel)[00:10:00] – The spark behind Your Friend and Mine[00:14:00] – “Somebody invent a new animal” (on cooking + midlife drudgery)[00:20:00] – London research trip, ghost theatres, and Google Maps sleuthing[00:24:00] – Writing letters from the dead, and why it works[00:29:00] – The real ending, and what makes an editor great[00:34:00] – Writing funny when things are dark[00:38:00] – Events, readers, and what’s next for Jess

✨ ABOUT JESSICA DETTMANJessica Dettmann is the bestselling author of How to Be Second Best, This Has Been Absolutely Lovely, and Without Further Ado. Her fourth novel, Your Friend and Mine, is a warm, wise, and hilarious exploration of grief, friendship, and reinvention. A former editor and once-upon-a-time Christmas Angel for the City of Sydney, Jess lives in Sydney with her family, two cats, and an enviable wit.

What readers are saying about Your Friend and Mine…

🎤 ABOUT MICHELLE BARRACLOUGHMichelle Barraclough is an emerging writer and host of the much-loved Writer’s Book Club podcast. She's also a web designer at Fresh Web Design (responsible for Pam’s stunning author site), and a dear friend of Jess’s—making her the perfect guest host for this ep.

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📝 New for Subscribers: Monthly Critique Sessions with PamEach month, paid subscribers can submit up to 3000 words for Pam to critique in a recorded video, where she reads your work on-screen and offers warm, practical feedback on everything from POV and narrative distance to writing style and emotional resonance. The video is shared anonymously with all paid subscribers—so whether it’s your work or not, you’ll come away with tangible insights to strengthen your craft. Make sure you’re subscribed to access the critique and learn how to submit your pages!

This week on Writes4Women, guest host Michelle Barraclough sits down with bestselling author and fellow podcaster Jessica Dettmann to chat about her brand new novel Your Friend and Mine. From ghost letters and dead best friends to the joy of researching in stylish trench coats, this conversation is full of warmth, humour, and beautifully honest insights into the writing life.

Michelle and Jess explore:

The power of midlife reinvention and detoured dreams

How a few ghost seats in a London theatre helped shape the plot

Research trips, pop culture references, and writing with hyperrealism

Why epistolary fiction is the ultimate cheat code

Crafting fiction that makes you laugh and ache—often at the same time

Whether you’re a writer, a reader, or just someone wondering what your younger self might think of you now…this ep is a joy.

Timestamps:

[00:00] – Pam’s intro + Substack reset updates[00:06:00] – Meet Jess (and her time as the City of Sydney Christmas Angel)[00:10:00] – The spark behind Your Friend and Mine[00:14:00] – “Somebody invent a new animal” (on cooking + midlife drudgery)[00:20:00] – London research trip, ghost theatres, and Google Maps sleuthing[00:24:00] – Writing letters from the dead, and why it works[00:29:00] – The real ending, and what makes an editor great[00:34:00] – Writing funny when things are dark[00:38:00] – Events, readers, and what’s next for Jess

✨ ABOUT JESSICA DETTMANJessica Dettmann is the bestselling author of How to Be Second Best, This Has Been Absolutely Lovely, and Without Further Ado. Her fourth novel, Your Friend and Mine, is a warm, wise, and hilarious exploration of grief, friendship, and reinvention. A former editor and once-upon-a-time Christmas Angel for the City of Sydney, Jess lives in Sydney with her family, two cats, and an enviable wit.

🎤 ABOUT MICHELLE BARRACLOUGHMichelle Barraclough is an emerging writer and host of the much-loved Writer’s Book Club podcast. She's also a web designer at Fresh Web Design (responsible for Pam’s stunning author site), and a dear friend of Jess’s—making her the perfect guest host for this ep.

📝 New for Subscribers: Monthly Critique Sessions with PamEach month, paid subscribers can submit up to 3000 words for Pam to critique in a recorded video, where she reads your work on-screen and offers warm, practical feedback on everything from POV and narrative distance to writing style and emotional resonance. The video is shared anonymously with all paid subscribers—so whether it’s your work or not, you’ll come away with tangible insights to strengthen your craft. Make sure you’re subscribed to access the critique and learn how to submit your pages!

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.

Timestamps:

[00:00] - Introduction and hello from Pam[00:07:10] – From First Writing Teacher to Podcast Guest[00:12:40] – “Always a Bridesmaid” and the Power of Competitions[00:23:40] – The Call from HarperCollins[00:34:30] – Building a Rom-Com with Depth[00:41:45] – The Power of Pettiness (and School Staff Rooms)

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 Gemmell, Sophie Green, Cassie Hamer, Natasha Lester, Holly Ringland, and Megan Dalla 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 Gemmell 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

Hello Lovely Writers

Popping in to your Substack to let you know The Bum Glue Challenge, a 14-day writing initiative designed to build discipline and foster creativity starts tomorrow

Long-time listeners to the pod will be familiar with the term 'Bum Glue,' inspired by an interview with Holly Ringland

It’s all about making the time to sit down and dedicate time to your writing. Each day, for the next 14 days (starting Monday May 5) I’ll be posting a short audio prompt to help you do just that.

We’ll be writing daily without self-censorship, focusing on the joy and creativity of the process rather than perfection or publication. I’ll be sharing some snippets of my scenes via Notes and would love you to do the same if you feel so inclined.

The first three days of the BGC is open to everyone, and days 4-14 are for paid subscribers, so if you start and love what we’re doing we’d love you to sign up.

WRITING FAIRYTALES FOR GROWN-UPS 

What does it take to turn folklore into a rich, immersive novel? This week on Writes4Women, guest host Jo Riccioni chats with the brilliant Kel Woods about crafting historical fantasy, blending research with imagination, and the writing process behind her stunning books After the Forest and Upon a Starlet Tide.

Kel shares how she found her unique voice, why mentorships transformed her writing, and the delicate balance between historical accuracy and storytelling magic. Plus—how do you create a male lead readers swoon over without falling into clichés? (Spoiler: Samuel might just be your new book boyfriend.)

For our Substack subscribers, there’s an exclusive bonus chat where Kel and Jo go deeper into the craft and business of publishing—don’t miss it!

Plug in. Get inspired. Let’s talk about writing stories that last.

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Kell Woods

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Jo Riccioni

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Pamela Cook

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

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

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Welcome to Season 6 of Writes4Women!

Join host Pamela Cook and Megan Dalla-Camina, a leader in women's empowerment and leadership and author of 'Women Rising', as they delve deep into the psychological aspects of writing, discussing inner critics, procrastination, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome.

Both authors share personal anecdotes on how they manage their time, nurture their creativity, and handle feedback and criticism. Megan also speaks about the evolution of her writing process and balancing her many professional commitments, offering insights into maintaining resilience and cultivating a growth mindset.

The episode emphasises the importance of honouring individual writing processes and staying true to one's creative journey. 

SHOW NOTES:

Writes4Women

www.writes4women.com

Facebook @writes4women

Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast

Megan Dalla-Camina

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Pamela Cook

www.pamelacook.com.au

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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.

Looking for inspiration as you wrap up the year? Ready to dive into the highs and lows of the writing life, with insights from writers who’ve truly walked the path?

This week on Writes4Women, it’s our 2024 Wrap-Up Episode! Join @pamelacookwrites as she chats with guest hosts @rachaeljohnsisanauthor @maryloustephenswriter, @joriccioni, and her VA @anniebucknall, reflecting on a transformative year in writing and podcasting.

Why you’ll love this episode: 

Insider reflections: Hear how our guests overcame challenges, celebrated triumphs, and tackled their writing goals this year. 

Behind-the-scenes wisdom: Discover how Annie’s role in managing Writes4Women’s socials and Substack has strengthened the podcast community. 

Creative practices that work: Learn tips for building a sustainable writing habit, even amidst life’s chaos. 

What’s next: Get a sneak peek into the exciting plans for 2025, from book releases to writing retreats and more.

SHOW NOTES:

Writes4Women

www.writes4women.com

Facebook @writes4women

Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast

Annie Bucknall - Well Creative Services

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Pamela Cook

www.pamelacook.com.au

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

Celebrate the wins. Learn from the journey. Keep writing.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Struggling to find your unique voice or create stories that truly resonate? Wondering how to weave big ideas into page-turning narratives?

This week on Writes4Women  with @pamelacookwrites, best-selling author @nikki.gemmell shares the secrets behind her latest feminist literary thriller, Wing, and how she transformed personal experiences into powerful, compelling fiction.

Here’s why you don’t want to miss this episode: 

Build unforgettable tension: Discover how Nikki crafts layers of suspense and mystery, weaving together themes of friendship, gender politics, and generational divides. 

Write with authenticity: Learn about her unique approach to second-person narrative and why it creates such an intimate, immersive experience. 

Channel personal experiences: Nikki shares how journaling and reflecting on her own life fuels her stories, including Wing, which reimagines the darkness of the Australian bush and explores the complexity of female friendships. 

Stay inspired: Hear how Nikki balances a prolific writing career with family life while creating works that resonate deeply with readers.

Get Inspired. Get Encouraged. Get Writing.

SHOW NOTES:

Writes4Women

www.writes4women.com

Facebook @writes4women

Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast

Nikki Gemmell

Website: click here

Instagram: click here

Twitter: 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.