In this episode of The Book Deal podcast, host Natasha Rai interviews Tom Langshaw, publisher at Pantera Press. Tom discusses his journey from working at Penguin Random House to his current role, explaining the intricacies of the publishing process from manuscript acquisition to promotion. He shares insights on what makes a manuscript stand out, the importance of voice and character in fiction, and the significance of timing and market trends in publishing decisions. Tom also emphasizes the v...
Host Tina Strachan dives deep into the world of publishing, interviewing international multi-published Kid Lit author Kate Foster. Kate discusses her most recent book, 'Camp Spooky,' co-written with Pip Harry, and shares insights into the co-writing process, the importance of diversity in children's literature, and her dedication to promoting awareness through initiatives like the Danz Awards and the Author Pen Pals Program. This episode is a treasure trove of advice, experiences, and behind-...
The Book Deal podcast, hosts Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai dive deep into the intricacies of securing book deals, managing writing schedules, and preparing for festivals. The conversation includes insights from experienced authors on pitching to festivals, the balance of self-care, and practical advice to handle writing burnout. They also share humorous and touching personal stories about family support and navigating audience interactions. Special announcements include a l...
Kate Mildenhall on publishing and resilience, tips for interviewing other writers and what it means to be a good industry citizen Madeleine interviews acclaimed and bestselling author Kate Mildenhall. Kate gives an honest account of her journey to publication, detailing the rejections and the success along the way. Kate's latest novel, THE HIDING PLACE (November 2025, S&S), described as 'White Lotus meets The Slap, is a razor-sharp literary thriller about what happens when good peo...
Join our Patreon community for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love. Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos You can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here: Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram...
Natasha Rai interviews Nadia Mahjouri, a Moroccan Australian writer, about her debut novel 'Half Truth'. Nadia shares the journey of crafting her novel from mixing memoir and fiction, drawing from her personal experiences to the trials and triumphs of securing a book deal. She discusses her creative process, the challenges of fictionalizing real events, and the importance of emotional truth in storytelling. Nadia also provides valuable advice on how to navigate the writing and publishing proc...
Hosts Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai catch up on their busy lives, upcoming events, and delve into a detailed discussion about their editing processes and tips. They provide personal experiences, practical advice like using a ruler to read line by line, and even reading a manuscript backward to catch errors. Special shout-outs include celebrating Dyslexia Awareness Month and recognizing their supportive patrons, with a particular mention of Christine Newell. Additionally, Re...
Emily Paull is a Western Australian librarian, author and book reviewer. Having formerly worked in bookselling, Emily is an avid reader and a big supporter of the WA writing community who regularly moderates author interviews around Perth. She is the author of the historical novel, The Distance Between Dreams (Fremantle Press, 2025) and the short story collection, Well-Behaved Women (Margaret River Press, 2019). The Distance Between Dreams was shortlisted for the 2023 Fogarty Literary Award u...
In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, host Natasha Rai dives into the debut novel 'Melaleuca' by Angie Faye Martin. Angie, an Australian writer of Kooma, Kamilaroi, and European heritage, shares the journey of her career transition from policy roles to writing. She offers an elevator pitch of 'Melaleuca,' a gripping crime novel involving Aboriginal detective Renee Taylor, and explores the themes of violence against Aboriginal women, sovereignty, and intergenerational trauma. Angie outline...
Getting That Elusive Book Deal: Insights from Debut Authors In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, host Tina Strachan interviews three debut middle grade authors: Lucie Stevens, Shara Curlett, and Sandy Bigna. The authors discuss their unique publication journeys, the importance of community and continuous learning, and share valuable tips for aspiring writers. They also delve into the genres of middle grade literature, discussing themes, character ages, and writing conventions. The episo...
Natasha, Tina and Madeleine on strategies to identify and manage author burnout and intention setting In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, hosts Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai discuss various aspects of the writing life, including burnout, the importance of nature, the benefits of cold showers, and practical tips for managing time and self-care. They also share personal updates and emphasise the need for thorough editing before submitting work to competitions. The episo...
Jessica Box (co-founder of Matched) on portfolio careers for creatives, growing your author business, content creation and social media. In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, Madeleine delves into the intersection of writing and business with Jessica Box, an accomplished growth executive and founder of Matched: a knowledge-sharing marketplace with 250+ vetted advisors and coaches. Jessica shares her journey from a creative student to a tech leader, discusses the importance of storyt...
In this episode, host Natasha Rai sits down with paramedic and debut author Sally Gould to discuss her memoir, "Frog." Sally shares her journey from keeping clinical journals as a student to transforming her experiences into a compelling narrative. The conversation explores the challenges of writing memoir, the process of seeking feedback, navigating the publishing world, and the emotional impact of sharing personal stories. Sally offers candid insights into the realities of paramedic life, t...
In episode 48 of the Book Deal podcast, host Tina Strachan interviews Bethany Loveridge, a champion of children's literature. The episode explores Bethany's journey from writing her first story as a child to becoming a debut author with her middle grade novel, Harper Wells Renegade Timeline Officer. Bethany shares insights into her experiences, including the creation and publication of her graphic novel publishing house, Perenti Press. She offers valuable advice on navigating the publication ...
In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Natasha Rai share their experiences from their writing residency at Magnetic Island, Northern Queensland. Joined by other writers as part of the Roderick Centre's Writers on the Reef Residency, Tina and Natasha discuss the inspirational impact of the island on their work, the productivity from uninterrupted writing time, and the joy of being part of a supportive writers’ community. They talk about their respective projects, the...
In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, host Natasha Rai interviews Michelle See-Tho, the 2023 Penguin Literary Prize winner. Michelle discusses her debut novel, 'Jade and Emerald,' the thematic elements of class, race, loneliness, and family in her story, and her journey from ideation to publication. She reflects on her experience in the Kill Your Darlings Mentors Program, which helped shape her manuscript, and the subsequent process of winning the prestigious Penguin Literary Prize. The c...
Hosts Tina Strachan and Madeliene Cleary interview Charlotte Guest, a writer and bookseller based in Geelong, Victoria. The conversation covers Charlotte's journey from an outdoor-loving child to managing an indie bookstore and obtaining a PhD in Creative Writing. Charlotte offers an inside look into the world of book selling, including the processes of ordering, the importance of face-to-face interaction with authors, and the small details that contribute to a bookshop’s success. The discuss...
Host Tina Strachan chats to debut author Carla Salmon about the journey of her young adult mystery thriller, 'We Saw What You Started'. Carla discusses her path from the initial idea to signing with publisher Pan MacMillan. She highlights crucial aspects like the structural evolution of her manuscript, the importance of fleshing out characters, and the challenges of reaching young readers in the current market. Carla also shares practical advice on marketing and building professional platform...
Celebrating One Year of The Book Deal Podcast: Memorable Moments and Insights In this special one-year anniversary episode of The Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai reflect on their favorite moments and insightful interviews from the past year. They share their most memorable quotes from guest authors, delve into the nuances of measuring success as a debut author, and discuss the benefits of having an agent. The episode is filled with laughter and grati...
In this episode of the Book Deal podcast hosted by Natasha Rai, emerging fiction author Holly Brunnbauer discusses her path to publication, detailing her journey from blogging and copywriting to becoming a published author. Holly provides insights into her debut rom-com 'What Did I Miss?', her character development process, and the challenges she faced in getting a book deal with Harper Collins. She also shares her social media strategies and gives valuable advice for aspiring authors on obta...