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Everything you’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 – author, journalist, creative and CEO of the Australian Writers’ Centre.
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The cosy crime genre has exploded in recent years, with older protagonists featuring heavily (they tend to have more time on their hands for solving mysteries, you see). But what happens when your older protagonist has a murderous past? That’s the hilarious set up for British actor, comedian and author Fergus Craig’s new ‘cracked cosy’ whodunnit I’m Not the Only Murderer in my Retirement Home. In this episode, Fergus talks about how he started writing crime books, the joys and challenges of bringing his latest novel to life, its international bidding war, and why he decided to walk from the UK to New Zealand. 00:00 Welcome03:59 Writing tip: Keep track of your stories07:29 WIN!: On the Edge by Kate Horan09:47 Word of the week: ‘Infuscate’12:05 Writer in residence: Fergus Craig13:00 Fergus explains I’m Not the Only Murderer in my Retirement Home15:30 The attraction of cosy crime16:55 Getting a book deal via social media17:54 The appeal of a whodunnit plot22:42 The writing process: Planning vs. improvisation24:27 Challenges and joys of writing the book26:04 Differences between writing for TV and books28:02 Fergus’s daily writing routine29:49 Publishing journey and success32:59 Advice on writing comedy35:32 Promoting the book and social media success39:20 Extra tips about writing40:46 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two thousand years ago in Britain, the historical figure of Boudicca famously revolted against the Roman Empire and carved a path across the land. This later sparked many myths and stories – including the new historical fantasy novel Nightshade and Oak by author Molly O’Neill. In this episode, Molly discusses her inspirations for telling this story and the experience of writing and editing it. She also shares her take on blending science and creativity and the joys of writing under contract. 00:00 Welcome06:18 Writing tip: Block in time for your writing08:12 WIN!: The Ironbark Promise by Léonie Kelsall9:56 Word of the week: ‘Parvenu’10:22 Writer in residence: Molly O’Neill10:57 Molly explains her new book, Nightshade and Oak12:42 Landing on the point of view character18:08 How Molly fits writing into her geologist life21:53 Balancing science and creativity23:04 The importance of accurate physics in writing23:53 Molly’s prolific reading and reviewing pastime25:44 Backing yourself as an author26:40 Landing her first publishing deal28:10 The pressure of writing under contract30:19 Engaging with readers and book clubs31:34 Upcoming projects and genre exploration33:23 A writing tip on editing34:26 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There are three short words you’re often told when you first walk into a nail salon – and they form the title of award-winning Laotian Canadian poet and author Souvankham Thammavongsa’s new novel Pick a Colour. In this episode, Souvankham explains how the novel came about, its unusual inspiration and timeframe as well as the cultural and power dynamics it explores. 00:00 Welcome06:03 Writing tip: Dealing with rejection|08:58 WIN!: Staged by John M. Green10:44 Word of the week: ‘Lactometer’13:19 Writer in residence: Souvankham Thammavongsa14:33 Explaining the story of Pick a Colour15:25 The Seinfeld episode inspiration!18:10 How her characters see the world19:40 The boxing inspiration21:41 Setting limitations on the story23:26 Language and cultural identity25:07 From short stories to the novel27:31 Writing techniques and influences29:41 Character dynamics and power themes33:14 The writing process and Souvankham’s backstory37:00 Awards and recognition40:55 Discussing the work done in the margins43:47 Advice for aspiring writers45:11 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
War stories are often famously told by the victors. But what of the stories of civilians caught up in the conflict? These themes intersect in World-War-II-era Hong Kong in AWC graduate Emma Pei Yin’s debut historical novel, When Sleeping Women Wake – and in this episode she shares her inspirations, the book’s themes and the publishing process, including a fascinating connection with the cover designer. 00:00 Welcome03:41 Writing tip: Avoiding info dumping07:05 WIN!: The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave08:39 Word of the week: ‘Gimcrack’12:03 Writer in residence: Emma Pei Yin13:05 Emma explains When Sleeping Women Wake13:53 Why this story?16:20 Influences and inspirations for the book17:35 Balancing historical fiction and fact19:10 The research process21:20 The note collection process22:27 Telling the authentic voices of Chinese people23:39 Character development and their unique resistance25:55 Class structure and historical contexts27:35 Language and authenticity in this story29:03 Morally ambiguous choices in war30:49 The publishing process34:51 Cover designs and market differences38:04 Promoting the book and meeting readers39:44 The importance of solidarity in telling niche stories40:52 Emma’s advice for writers42:03 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A lot of old bands these days seem to be reforming for reunion tours – allowing older fans to reminisce (usually while sipping wine and sitting in a comfy picnic chair). This idea fascinated author Rebecca Heath, so in her new book The Last Encore, she decided to not only get a fictional old-school band back together but add a documentary crew and a dead body into the mix! In this episode, Rebecca shares the real-life music inspirations for the book, her editing insights and much more! 00:00 Welcome04:09 Writing tip: Watch Shrek07:39 WIN!: Kill Your Boss by Jack Heath09:30 Word of the week: ‘Cucumiform’13:59 Writer in residence: Rebecca Heath14:34 Rebecca outlines The Last Encore17:55 Music inspirations for the book20:00 Defining what a ‘boy band’ is22:28 Exploring the theme of secrets23:55 Publishing journey insights24:52 Writing process and routine27:52 Balancing writing and editing29:00 Deciding whodunnit31:22 What to cut34:21 The role of community in writing37:23 Future projects and staying on brand41:04 Rebecca’s tip for writers43:00 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It was a single photo of AWC graduate William J. Byrne’s grandmother standing outside a ramshackle home that formed the spark that inspired this self-confessed history buff to explore stories of his past and the experiences of Aboriginal people leading up to the 1960s. The result is his debut novel, The Warrumbar – spanning half a century and casting light on a lesser-told chapter of Australia. In this episode, William shares his inspirations and publishing journey, and the AWC course that made all the difference. 00:00 Welcome04:03 Writing tip: Enter writing competitions07:18 WIN!: What Happened That Night by Nicci French09:55 Word of the week: ‘Puissance’10:45 Writer in residence: William J. Byrne11:05 What The Warrumbar is about12:58 Why he wrote for this time frame15:00 What inspired William to write the book16:45 Stories from family members18:00 Writing a teenage character19:00 Balancing research with family stories21:12 The note-taking process22:23 Moses as a lens for the Aboriginal experience23:38 Australia's historical awareness25:44 The path to publication29:11 Completing a writing course with AWC30:50 The importance of writing communities33:42 Major themes of the book35:55 Advice for writers36:34 Future writing projects37:59 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When was the last time you visited a zoo? Well, now imagine you’re visiting the last zoo on Earth and you have the premise for Emma Sloley’s new book, The Island of Last Things. In this episode, Emma shares the inspiration, research and publishing experience for this book and some of the larger themes this piece of fiction evokes. 00:00 Welcome04:10 Writing tip: Aim for rejections!08:30 WIN!: Tom Clancy Executive Power by Andrews & Wilson11:22 Word of the week: ‘Pelf’11:56 Writer in residence: Emma Sloley13:03 What is The Island of Last Things about?13:50 How Emma got the idea for the book16:00 Discussing the term ‘climate fiction’19:00 Researching Alcatraz for the book21:37 Gathering insights from zookeepers24:19 Transition to American characters25:35 Publishing journey and agent experiences28:34 Editing process with agents and editors31:34 Balancing writing and travel34:39 Current writing projects38:40 Tips for aspiring writers41:06 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are YOU ready to unlock your potential in 2026? Join us for a special ‘manifestation’ episode of the podcast, as Valerie is joined by Matt Cooke, author of Beyond Wanting: The Art of True Manifestation. Matt shares his personal story into manifestation – from skeptic to believer AND how he manifested his book deal – and some key ideas you can use immediately in taking actionable steps towards achieving goals. It’s a positive blend of inspiration and practical advice for anyone looking to make meaningful changes in the year ahead! 00:00 Welcome03:25 Practical steps and skepticism04:34 Valerie's personal connection to goal setting07:53 Writer in residence: Matt Cooke09:06 Understanding ‘Beyond Wanting’ and manifestation13:35 Common manifestation mistakes17:10 Matt’s own journey17:50 Getting the book deal of his dreams – literally26:01 How Matt got into manifestation33:40 The power of gratitude for future events34:20 The science of reality39:23 Signs and synchronicities to look for43:20 The numerical significance of 202648:18 Manifestation stories and lessons57:07 Practical steps for the year ahead1:03:01 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’ve all heard of the ‘muse’ but what about the ‘mewwwws’? That’s the sound of authors' cats, and in this episode, Susannah Fullerton discusses her wonderfully titled book, Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them – exploring the unique relationships between famous authors and their feline companions. Susannah shares how she researched the topic, choosing the authors and the magical publishing story, as well as offering tips to aspiring nonfiction writers. 00:00 Welcome07:26 Writing tip: Follow the formatting guidelines09:36 WIN!: Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson12:24 Word of the week: ‘Clerisy’12:59 Writer in residence: Susannah Fullerton14:10 Explaining her book, Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them14:45 The inspiration for the book17:50 Choosing and placing authors in the book19:30 Animal protection and authors22:30 Research methods24:40 Organising all her notes26:41 The timeline of writing the book27:35 The pitching process30:01 The joy of getting published32:22 Publicity and promotion of the book36:34 Merchandising and collaborations37:27 Balancing lecturing and writing38:22 Where her ideas come from 42:51 The timeless appeal of classics46:32 Advice for aspiring nonfiction writers48:58 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’ve heard of crashing weddings, but what about funerals? That’s the topic that bestselling author Joanna Nell has tackled for her sixth book, The Funeral Crashers. In this episode, she joins us to discuss the experience behind writing this latest novel as well as the turning point in her life that got her publishing her first book in her fifties. 00:00 Welcome06:44 Writing tip: Overcoming technology distractions11:16 WIN!: A Complete Fiction by R.L. Maizes12:46 Word of the week: ‘Emolument’13:22 Writer in residence: Joanna Nell15:05 What her latest book, The Funeral Crashers, is about18:36 Patients inspiring her writing22:06 Rediscovering a passion for writing24:58 The joy of finding a writing community26:23 Lessons learned from a decade of writing29:29 A word about writing short fiction31:23 A day in the life of a full-time writer33:40 Writing retreats35:22 Creating memorable characters40:06 Promoting the latest novel41:02 Future Projects41:58 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do you go about writing a personal memoir that heavily features your very-much-alive parents? Author Candice Chung grappled with this and her culturally private family while curating her book, Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You. In this episode, she joins us to discuss the inspiration for a book that uses food as a storytelling device, some of the rituals around dining and the story behind the title of her book! 00:00 Welcome07:10 Writing tip: Developing your own editing checklist12:44 WIN!: How to Live an Artful Life by Katy Hessel14:17 Word of the week: ‘Anhedonia’14:49 Writer in residence: Candice Chung15:05 Writing about food rituals17:25 Inspiration for writing the book20:20 Selling the book to publishers22:15 The story behind the title26:29 Telling parents about the book31:33 Fact checking emotional details34:05 Grappling with sharing personal thoughts38:20 Why Candice decided to get into journalism42:37 The ‘frozen sandwiches’ anecdote44:21 Literary inspirations for the book49:24 Future projects51:14 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do ideas come to you while you’re out walking? There’s a unique connection between writers and walking – and in this episode, Belinda Castles shares the inspiration and experience in creating her new book, Walking Sydney. The book is a curated collection of talks had while on walks with authors around various parts of the city and exploring the concepts of nostalgia, change and a sense of place. 00:00 Welcome03:59 Writing tip: Dictionary of Australian Words06:11 WIN! Jack Reacher Book Pack Giveaway08:58 Word of the week: ‘Catenary’09:37 Writer in residence: Belinda Castles10:22 What Walking Sydney is about11:09 Inspiration for writing this book13:04 How the book came together18:18 The connection between writers and walking24:50 Writing and the connection to place28:57 Reader experience and audience31:18 Why there are no maps in this book32:31 The armchair travel experience34:12 Balancing writing with teaching36:06 The writing process and time management41:58 The book trailer and filmmaking experience44:56 A tip from Belinda for writers46:48 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this special bonus episode of 'So You Want to Be a Writer,' Valerie is joined by her original podcast co-host Allison Tait in a live-streamed event celebrating 20 years of the Australian Writer Centre. Together, they discuss important topics for all writers – including goal-setting, overcoming writing obstacles, and structuring one's writing career. They also reflect on their own writing journeys, give writing tips, and offer valuable advice on managing impostor syndrome, planning writing schedules, understanding genre requirements and MORE! 00:00 Welcome02:24 Reunion with original co-host A.L.Tait.08:55 Writing Roadmap: Setting Goals and Overcoming Obstacles19:00 Giving yourself writing rewards21:44 Overcoming common obstacles26:46 The importance of discipline in writing31:04 Networking and community in writing34:41 Understanding your genre37:15 The role of revision in writing41:54 Flexibility and pivoting in writing48:48 Q&A session52:53 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you found yourself newly single after not dating since being a teenager, what would you do? Author and AWC graduate Holly Brunnbauer asks that question in her award-winning romance novel, What Did I Miss? –and in this episode she shares what inspired her to write it, her exciting story about getting an agent and book deal, plus the unusual window of time she writes in during each day! 00:00 Welcome02:00 Our SALE is on 05:21 WIN!: ‘Every Day I Read’ by Hwang Bo-reum06:54 Word of the week: ‘Orrery’07:58 Writer in residence: Holly Brunnbauer09:07 What is What Did I Miss? about?10:20 What inspired Holly to write the book12:50 The experience writing it14:55 Holly’s year of writing a novel16:27 Discovering the AWC courses17:15 Getting an agent and a book deal21:44 Pitching to screen professionals24:00 Balancing writing with a busy life26:24 Planning and Structuring a Novel28:55 Documentation31:50 The joy of writing and future plans33:53 Publication surprises and realities35:28 Bonus short interview with Charlotte Barkla38:09 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Ian Scott and Kirsty McHugh – curators at the National Library of Scotland – created an exhibition on pen names, they never imagined it would become a book. But that’s exactly what happened, and in this episode, Ian joins to discuss some of the curious motivations and stories behind some of the world’s most famous and infamous pseudonyms in their book Pen Names – including examples of authors who fully immersed themselves in their imaginary personas! 00:00 Welcome00:18 Rewriting your personal narrative07:06 Writing tip: Tracking your time10:05 WIN!: The Funeral Crashers by Joanna Nell13:33 Word of the week: ‘Edentulous’14:14 The world of words: Short forms of ‘until’16:10 Writer in residence: Ian Scott16:57 The inspiration for the book Pen Names18:42 An exhibition on pen names23:00 The stories behind the stories27:00 Common reasons for pen names27:58 Gender bias in literature31:55 Other reasons for not using your own name32:10 Famous examples34:55 Authors wanting to be judged independently38:47 Deceptive use of a pen name: Fiona Macleod40:55 Modern pen names and marketability43:19 Collaborative writing under one name45:01 Authors like Lee Child and book cover real estate46:49 Would Ian choose a pen name for himself?48:45 Wait – is his co-writer Kirsty McHugh even real?50:30 Is his book in his own library?53:02 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Author Zanni L. Arnot has carved out a prolific career as a children's author – publishing more than 40 books in the past decade as ‘Zanni Louise’. In this episode, Zanni discusses how she got into writing children's books and her first YA novel, A Guide to Falling Off the Map. She also shares the differences between different age range stories, juggling multiple projects, plus provides insights and advice for aspiring authors. 00:00 Welcome00:28 How a setting can become a character07:53 Writing tip: Learn to love grammar and punctuation13:42 WIN!: Reacher by Lee Child17:14 Word of the week: ‘Headwork’17:48 Writer in Residence: Zanni L. Arnot18:46 An overview of her new book21:03 Why a YA novel?23:43 How Zanni got into writing26:52 Discovering a passion for writing27:30 Building a writing community28:16 On creating 41 books in ten years!30:47 Crafting stories for different age groups32:57 Balancing writing with a busy life34:15 Navigating the multiple projects35:33 The process of writing the story39:42 Is adult fiction next?41:11 Advice for managing your time43:30 Zanni’s approach to social media45:44 Keeping track of ideas and choosing the next one48:19 Promoting books from overseas50:15 Advice for authors looking to try YA53:16 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Iranian Embassy siege that unfolded in the UK in 1980 was a huge world event at the time, although perhaps lost in the fog of history today. Prolific British author Ben Macintyre brings it back into focus in his latest book, The Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama and he joins us to discuss his writerly beginnings, turning real-world espionage into captivating reads and how he balances the personal and factual details in his stories. 00:00 Welcome00:48 The power of constraints in writing11:30 Writing tip: The iceberg theory13:52 WIN!: Torn by Nicole Madigan15:26 Word of the week: ‘Nonpareil’16:11 Writer in residence: Ben Macintyre17:05 Ben gives an overview of The Siege21:00 His personal experience with the events25:43 Ben’s background in writing28:33 Exploring the SAS archive32:05 The TV series Rogue Heroes33:20 Character depth and authenticity35:20 Challenges of taking an oral history37:40 Pacing and structuring the book40:15 Real life being stranger than fiction42:18 Research and writing process45:27 From book to screen51:05 Advice for aspiring writers54:22 Balancing sensory and factual details57:12 Ben’s upcoming project58:13 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The search for ‘a better life’ is the classic motivation for immigrants arriving in a new country and so often we hear about the success stories. But author Moreno Giovannoni wanted to tell the more overlooked migrant stories for his latest novel, The Immigrants – drawing on his family’s own experiences in Australia. Giovannoni shares his approach to writing, his thoughts on translating, as well as past and future projects. 00:00 Welcome04:47 Writing tip: Creative Mottos07:46 WIN!: The Watervale Ladies’ Writing and Firefighting Society by Mette Menzies10:20 Word of the week: ‘Gibbous’11:46 Writer in residence: Moreno Giovannoni12:20 What his new book The Immigrants is about16:30 Fiction versus the real life inspirations20:10 Bringing his style to the Australian setting23:25 The research and notetaking26:20 Structuring the book29:31 Fitting the seven key events into the story31:35 The publishing journey33:22 The writing process and challenges34:56 A typical writing day37:40 Balancing writing and translating41:33 Publicising the book43:33 Future writing plans and pure fiction50:32 Moreno Giovannoni’s writing tip52:48 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Halloween is just around the corner, so what better way to mark the occasion than by celebrating AWC grad Amy Hutton’s latest book – a paranormal romance novel, Ghosted! In this episode, Amy shares her writing process, how she wound up writing paranormal romance, afterworld-building and much more! 00:00 Welcome06:39 Writing tip: Work with teachers and mentors10:06 WIN!: Remain by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan12:29 Word of the week: ‘Bodacious’13:52 Writer in residence: Amy Hutton15:09 What her latest book Ghosted is about16:30 What inspired this topic of paranormal romance?19:48 Edits to the story21:05 Amy’s approach to (after) world building23:13 Pacing the story and unravelling the mystery24:16 Writing short stories as a writer’s block strategy28:10 Amy’s first break29:22 The thing she didn’t know when she started32:45 The one thing you can control33:38 Amy’s average writing day and how it has differed over time37:25 Freaking herself out in her own writing39:54 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If there were ever a decade that evoked such a strong emotional resonance, the 1980s would surely be it! Author Tegan Bennett Daylight channels this in her new time-travelling YA novel, How to Survive 1985, in all its neon-coloured, acid-washed glory, and in this episode, she shares her experience bringing that time period to life and some tips for aspiring writers. 00:00 Welcome06:52 Writing tip: Grounding details in world-building09:31 WIN!: The Gifts of Reading for the Next Generation edited by Jennie Orchard11:20 Word of the week: ‘Noisome’13:22 Writer in residence: Tegan Bennett Daylight14:18 Describing her book How to Survive 198517:13 Research vs lived experience of the time period20:00 Why 1985?21:59 Writing about motherhood now and then25:51 Navigating the publishing world26:33 Early writing experiences28:14 Tegan’s first children’s book29:42 Challenges and successes in writing31:49 The reality of being a writer and inspiring new writers36:25 The appeal of writing for young adults40:43 Tegan’s writing routine43:10 An easy early morning tip for writers44:38 Engaging with the writing community45:45 Upcoming projects47:40 Writing tip and the Spotify playlist50:17 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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