Writer's Book Club Podcast

Katherine Collette is a writing coach and mentor who helps writers who want to get published, and writers who are about to be published, know what to do, what to expect and how to think, to give their work (and themselves) the best possible chance of success.She is basically the person she wishes she’d had when she was first trying to get published!In this episode, Katherine has given us a mini-coaching session so we can level up our writing for 2025. She shares great advice and so many fantastic tips:The four phases writers go through on their way to being published, and how to short circuit some of themThe benefits and pitfalls of writing courses and writing groupsHow she built a profile as a debut author (it didn’t involve social media!) and how she’d build a profile if she was starting again nowThe difference between verbal and written pitches and her unusual but effective approach to pitchingWhat writers can do to increase their chances of publication The top three mistakes unpublished authors makeHow to get unstuck when you’re ‘looping’ in your writing (are you stuck, moving the commas around?!)Getting that first draft doneABOUT KATHERINE COLLETTEKatherine Collette is the author of two novels for adults, The Helpline and The Competition. The Helpline was published in Australia, the UK, the US, Italy and Germany and long listed for the Indie Book award for debut fiction. Katherine co-hosts popular writing podcast The First Time and its recent spin-off The Next Step. She coaches writers and authors on writing and publishing, and her cartoons have appeared in Griffith Review.The Too-Tall Tales of Alma T. Best are her first middle-grade books.Website: https://katherinecollette.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherinecollettewriter/Buy The Too-Tall Tales of Alma T. Best by Katherine Collette here.REFERENCES MENTIONED BY KATHERINE COLLETTEGET PUBLISHED! group coaching course with Katherine ColletteThe Artist’s Way by Julia CameronReasons Not to Worry by Brigid DelaneyWatch Katherine’s video pitch (it got her a two book deal!)The 90-Day Novel: Unlock the Story Within by Alan WattMichael Hauge Story StructureTo Be Magnetic (manifestation course)BUILD AN AUTHOR WEBSITE COURSETo receive notifications about course dates, the free author website workshop and early bird discounts, sign up here - https://www.freshwebdesign.com.au/course This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Anita Heiss talks about the writing craft and process behind her novel Dirrayawadha.  Anita shares her insights about weaving research, backstory and Wiradyuri language into the narrative, emphasising the importance of authors trusting themselves and their stories. We discuss Anita’s meticulous planning when it comes to her novels, which involves chapter breakdowns, character profiles, and using butcher's paper to keep organised. She talks about the importance of pre-manuscript consultations, sensitivity reads, and the editorial process with her First Nations editor, Grace Lucas-Pennington. Anita highlights the necessity for writers to remove themselves from their work to avoid burnout and gain a fresh perspective, as well as tips for keeping your writing authentic and managing the emotional labour of tackling heavy historical content.ABOUT DIRRAYAWADHA'Dirrayawadha is full of heart and hope, truth-telling and history – and shimmers with language too' Guardian'A story from the past given vivid life for new understanding’ Kate GrenvilleBathurst, 1820sMiinaa was a young girl when the white ghosts first arrived. She remembers the day they raised a piece of cloth and renamed her homeland 'Bathurst'. Now she lives at Cloverdale and works for a white family who have settled there.The Nugents are kind, but Miinaa misses her miyagan. His brother, Windradyne, is a Wiradyuri leader, and visits when he can, bringing news of unrest across their ngurambang. Miinaa hopes the violence will not come to Cloverdale.When Irish convict Daniel O'Dwyer arrives at the settlement, Miinaa's life is transformed again. The pair are magnetically drawn to each other and begin meeting at the bila in secret. Dan understands how it feels to be displaced, but they still have a lot to learn about each other. Can their love survive their differences and the turmoil that threatens to destroy everything around them?From the bestselling author of Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams) comes another groundbreaking historical novel about resistance, resilience and love during the frontier wars.ABOUT DR ANITA HEISSDr Anita Heiss is an internationally published, award-winning author of 23 books; non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial women’s fiction and children’s novels. She is a proud member of the Wiradyuri Nation of central New South Wales, an Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and the GO Foundation, and Professor of Communications at the University of Queensland. Anita is also the Publisher at Large of Bundyi, an imprint of Simon & Schuster cultivating First Nations talent, and a board member of the National Justice Project and Circa Contemporary Circus. As an artist in residence at La Boite Theatre, she adapted her novel Tiddas for the stage. It premiered at the 2022 Brisbane Festival and was produced by Belvoir St for the Sydney Festival in 2024. Her novel, Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray, about the Great Flood of Gundagai, won the 2022 NSW Premier’s Indigenous Writers' Prize and was shortlisted for the 2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize and the 2022 ABIA Awards. Anita’s first children’s picture book is Bidhi Galing (Big Rain), also about the Great Flood of Gundagai. Anita enjoys running, eating chocolate and being a creative disruptor.Website: https://www.anitaheiss.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dranitaheiss/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnitaHeissAuthor/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anitaheissBuy Dirrayawadha by Anita Heiss here.REFERENCES MENTIONED BY ANITA HEISSThe Artist’s Way by Julia CameronAnita Heiss interview with Richard Fidler on ABC ConversationsBundyi Imprint (a division of Simon & Schuster) - A First Nations ImprintBuy The Too-Tall Tales of Alma T. Best by Katherine Collette here.BUILD AN AUTHOR WEBSITE COURSETo receive notifications about course dates, the free author website workshop and early bird discounts, sign up here - https://www.freshwebdesign.com.au/course This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Jock Serong talks about the writing craft and process behind his novel Cherrywood.Jock tells us how this novel started with several image fragments and a variety of influences, from Peter Carey’s Oscar & Lucinda and Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi, to Enid Blyton’s The Faraway Tree, and the Narnia Chronicles, with a little Dickens and Austen thrown in.Jock’s explanation of how a handful of ideas became a story is one of the best I've heard. He also tells us his thoughts on writing place as character, how to describe minor characters so they stand out, how the structure of the novel changed, breaking the ‘show don't tell’ rule, and why the editing process should be considered cooperative rather than corrective. ABOUT JOCK SERONGJock Serong is the author of Quota, winner of the 2015 Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction; The Rules of Backyard Cricket, shortlisted for the 2017 Victorian Premier's Award for Fiction, finalist of the 2017 MWA Edgar Awards for Best Paperback Original, and finalist of the 2017 Indie Book Awards Adult Mystery Book of the Year; and On the Java Ridge, which won the Colin Roderick Award and, internationally, the inaugural Staunch Prize (UK), and was shortlisted for the 2018 Indie Awards. He has won praise for his trilogy of historical novels Preservation; The Burning Island, which earned him the ARA Historical Novel Prize and the Historia Award for Historical Crime Fiction (France); and The Settlement, which was shortlisted for the Voss Prize and the ARA Historical Novel Prize.Website: www.jockserong.comBuy Cherrywood by Jock Serong here.Buy Dirrayawadha by Anita Heiss here.BUILD AN AUTHOR WEBSITE COURSETo receive notifications about course dates, the free author website workshop and early bird discounts, sign up here. This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Donna M Cameron talks about the writing craft and process behind her novel The Rewilding. Donna and I discussed what inspired the novel, the importance of trusting your gut, how choosing the right point of view and tense can bring the writing alive, how she raised the stakes and why she dislikes dialogue tags. We also talked about her beta readers and the editing process for The Rewilding, and Donna does three fabulous readings from the novel to illustrate how she differentiates the voices for her characters.ABOUT DONNA M. CAMERONDonna M Cameron is an AWGIE nominated radio dramatist, award-winning playwright and short film writer. Her first novel, Beneath the Mother Tree, (2018) was listed as one of 2018’s top Australian fiction reads by the Adelaide Advertiser, was a finalist in the Screen Queensland/QWC’s Adaptable program and longlisted for the Davitt Awards. The manuscript of her second novel – The Rewilding, won her a 2020 KSP Fellowship, was runner up in a 2020 Writing NSW Award and gained her a 2021 Varuna Fellowship. It has just been published in ANZ by Transit Lounge.Website: https://www.dmcameron.com/ Buy The Rewilding by Donna M Cameron here.Buy Cherrywood by Jock Serong here.BUILD AN AUTHOR WEBSITE COURSETo receive notifications about course dates, the free author website workshop and early bird discounts, sign up here - https://www.freshwebdesign.com.au/course This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Terri Green talks about the writing craft and process behind her novel An Unsuitable Pursuit. Terri and I discussed writing and self-publishing an historical fiction series. Terri gave lots of wonderful advice about how and where to research, how to balance action, interiority, dialogue and description, how to use chapter headings for structure and how to balance humour with serious subject matter.Terri also has some absolute gold to share in this episode about how and when to make the decision to self-publish, along with some of the important things you need to think about before and after hitting publish.You’ll find links to buy An Unsuitable Pursuit by Terri Green here.RESOURCES MENTIONED BY TERRIThe data base Terri referred to is called JStor.org. It contains mostly journals which cover the humanities, particularly history and English.  You can access it through your local library or State Library. There is also a free account you can register for and read up to 100 articles every 30 days but not all articles are in the free access area.For sword-fighting, HEMA Historical European Martial Arts. Their website shows local clubs and they are very welcoming to new members. https://www.aushistoricalfencing.com/www.english-heritage.org.ukThe Shakespeare Birthplace Trust  www.shakespeare.org.ukThe Globe Theatre - shadespearesglobe.com.Royal Palaces Trust (for Hampton court, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace).  www.hrp.org.uk  They have regular exhibits and produce a lot of useful booklets you can order.V&A museum- great for looking at artefacts,  furniture, clothing. They have a good online resource as does the British Museum.For writing craft, Terri recommends James Scott Bell  "Write Great Fiction-Plot & Structure" and "Write Your Novel From the Middle".Maggie Lawson’s colour coded editing systemAtticusWrites4Women with Pamela Cook - RWA 2024 Conference Round UpKindlepreneurNorthern Beaches Readers FestivalABOUT TERRI GREENTerri is the author of 3 novels The Swordmaster’s Daughter, An Unsuitable Pursuit and The King’s Jewels which make up her Sisters of the Sword series. Terri has a PhD in creative writing and has won several prizes for her short stories. She loves a bit of history, mystery and romance, prefers laughter over misery and is a sucker for stories that tug at the heart. She shares her backyard with a lot of frogs and a colony of lyre birds, and her house with her husband and a dog called Mabel. When she isn’t writing you might find her sword-fighting, hula hooping or falling off a stand-up paddle board because life is too short to stay sitting down.Website: terrigreenauthor.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrigreenauthor/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terrigreenauthorBuy The Swordmaster’s Daughter and An Unsuitable Pursuit by Terri Green here.Buy The Rewilding by Donna M Cameron here.BUILD AN AUTHOR WEBSITE COURSETo receive notifications about course dates, the free author website workshop and early bird discounts, sign up here - https://www.freshwebdesign.com.au/courseThis podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Petronella McGovern talks about the writing craft and process behind her novel The Last Trace. Petronella went deep into the writing of this novel with me - we talked about inciting incidents, setting, research, editing, character development and all the techniques she uses to achieve narrative tension and keep that pace cracking along such as foreshadowing and writing cliffhanger chapter endings. This was also the first time she’s written an historical thread which added another layer of rich complexity to the story.You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of The Last Trace by Petronella McGovern here.ABOUT PETRONELLA MCGOVERNPetronella McGovern is fascinated by what makes us tick, the lies we tell, and the secrets we keep. She is the best-selling author of Six Minutes, The Good Teacher, The Liars and The Last Trace. Her books have been nominated in the Ned Kelly Awards, the Davitt Awards and the Australian Independent Bookseller Awards. The Liars was selected in the Top 100 Big W/Better Reading list for 2023. Petronella has a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and tutors in creative writing. She grew up on a farm in central west NSW and now lives with her family in Sydney on Gadigal Country. Among other adventures, she has worked on a summer camp in America and travelled in eastern Africa which inspired parts of her fourth novel, The Last Trace.Website and events: https://www.petronellamcgovern.com.au/Buy The Last Trace by Petronella McGovern here.Buy The Swordmaster’s Daughter and An Unsuitable Pursuit by Terri Green here.BUILD AN AUTHOR WEBSITE COURSETo receive notifications about course dates, the free author website workshop and early bird discounts, sign up here - https://www.freshwebdesign.com.au/course This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Michael Brissenden talks about the writing craft and process behind his novel Smoke. Michael talks about how his gripping new novel was inspired by the 2020 bushfires in Australia, detailing how real-life traumatic events and landscapes served as a backdrop for the novel. Michael discusses setting, in particular why he set the novel in the US, character development, and the craft of narrative structure - from his inspirations to plotting and the challenges of writing believable dialogue. Michael also touches on the influence of his journalism background and the transition to fiction, highlighting the importance of character-driven stories.You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of Smoke by Michael Brissenden here.ABOUT MICHAEL BRISSENDENMichael Brissenden was a journalist and foreign correspondent with the ABC for 35 years, posted to Moscow, Brussels and Washington. He worked in Canberra for many years in various roles, including as the political editor for ABC TV's 7.30 and as a reporter with the ABC's investigative television documentary program Four Corners. Through his reporting, Michael has covered bushfires both in Australia and overseas, including in California where Smoke is set. He has published three previous books - thriller novels The List and Dead Letters, and his nonfiction book American Stories: Tales of Hope and Anger.Website: https://www.michaelbrissenden.com/Buy Smoke by Michael Brissenden here.Buy The Last Trace by Petronella McGovern here.BUILD AN AUTHOR WEBSITE COURSETo receive notifications about course dates, the free author website workshop and early bird discounts, sign up here - https://www.freshwebdesign.com.au/course This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

NOTE: There are some spoilers in this episode.BM Carroll talks about the writing craft and process behind her novel One of Us is Missing. Writing topics include pacing, managing multiple points of view, techniques and tips for writing crime fiction, structure, voice and description. I’m delighted to bring you another highly experienced novelist, the talented Ber Carroll or BM Carroll as you might know her. Ber has just published her 12th novel One of Us is Missing and it is a masterclass in domestic suspense. I couldn’t put it down.Because she pivoted from commercial fiction to domestic suspense with her last five novels, she had to learn the rules of crime writing so she talks about what those techniques are. With this novel she had to completely change the structure to make the pacing work, so she talks about that in detail too which is fascinating. Ber also talks about when she introduces a spreadsheet to her process (because old accountant habits die hard) and we also talked about the importance for her of beta readers which is something I haven't asked anyone before on the podcast so it was really great to get into that - I think you'll find it really useful.You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of One of Us is Missing by BM Carroll here.ABOUT BM CarrollBer is the author of twelve novels. Her most recent novels The Missing Pieces of Sophie McCarthy, Who We Were, You Had It Coming, The Other Side of Her and One of Us is Missing are published under B.M. Carroll. You Had It Coming was shortlisted for the 2022 Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction and the 2022 Davitt Award for Best Adult Novel.Website: https://bercarroll.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmcarrollauthor/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bercarrollbmcarroll Buy One of Us is Missing by BM Carroll here.Buy Smoke by Michael Brissenden here.BUILD AN AUTHOR WEBSITE COURSETo receive notifications about course dates, the free author website workshop and early bird discounts, sign up here - https://www.freshwebdesign.com.au/course This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Charlotte Wood talks about the writing craft and process behind her novel Stone Yard Devotional. Writing topics include creative process and inspiration, first drafts, novel structure, writing in fragments, point of view, narrative momentum, voice, description and writing at sentence level. Charlotte is such a beautiful writer but also a seasoned writer - she’s been to all the places you, as a writer, have been or are heading towards - and she generously shares all that wisdom. One of the things I love about Charlotte is her curiosity. She’s constantly exploring and expanding upon her own creative process and draws inspiration and motivation from all areas of the arts, not just books and writing.You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood here.REFERENCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODESubtraction - Charlotte Wood’s newsletterPortrait of a Lady on Fire - directed by Céline SciammaCéline Sciamma - BAFTA Screenwriters’ Lecture SeriesCharlotte Wood interviews Joan Silber on The Writer’s RoomThe Art of Time in Fiction by Joan SilberLouise Bourgeois, ArtistThe Wren, The Wren by Anne EnrightMy Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth StroutMaking Stories: How Ten Australian Novels Were Written by Kate Grenville and Sue WoolfeLiving Autobiography Trilogy by Deborah LevyCourtney CollinsUnless by Carol ShieldsThe Garret Podcast: Charlotte WoodRead This Podcast: Charlotte WoodMelbourne Writers’ Festival: 6-12 May 2024Sydney Writers’ Festival: 20-26 May 2024Brisbane Writers’ Festival: 30 May – 2 June 2024ABOUT CHARLOTTE WOODCharlotte Wood is the author of seven novels and three books of non-fiction. Her new book Stone Yard Devotional was described by the UK Guardian as ‘a quiet novel of immense power’ and has been praised by authors Anne Enright, Tim Winton, Karen Joy Fowler, Hannah Kent and Paula Hawkins among others. Her previous books include The Luminous Solution, a book of essays on the creative process; the international bestseller, The Weekend; and The Natural Way of Things which won a number of prizes including The Stella Prize and the Prime Minister’s Literary Award. Her features and essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Literary Hub, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Saturday Paper among other publications.In 2023 Belvoir Theatre Company staged an adaptation of her novel The Weekend, and her novel The Natural Way of Things featured in ABC Television’s 2021 series The Books That Made Us.She has produced a podcast of interviews with artists, The Writer's Room with Charlotte Wood, and in 2024 launched a monthly newsletter on the creative process titled Subtraction. In 2019 Charlotte was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and was named one of the Australian Financial Review’s '100 Women of Influence'. Website: https://www.charlottewood.com.au/ Substack: Subtraction - Charlotte Wood’s newsletterInstagram:: https://www.instagram.com/charlottewoodwriter/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlottewoodwriterBuy Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood here.Buy One of Us is Missing by BM Carroll here.BUILD AN AUTHOR WEBSITE COURSETo receive notifications about course dates, the free author website workshop and early bird discounts, sign up here - https://www.freshwebdesign.com.au/course This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Hannah Richell talks about the writing craft and process behind her novel The Search Party. Writing topics include structure, point of view, character development, dual timelines, backstory, reveals, editing, and writer’s retreats. Have you ever read a novel and thought to yourself ‘how on earth did the author pull it off?’ That’s exactly what crossed my mind when I read The Search Party by Hannah Richell. Hannah is a beautiful writer and her talent is on display again with this novel, her fifth. The Search Party is bit of a departure for her. Hannah’s novels always have a mystery element but with this novel she’s taken it up a notch. It’s not a police procedural but the police investigation does play an important part in how the novel is structured. And of course, at the heart of the novel, as with all of Hannah’s novels, are the relationships, this time with a focus on friendships, specifically old friendships that don’t necessarily stand the test of time.Hannah and I had the most wonderful chat. She talked about how she wrangled the 8 points of view, how she restructured the novel when she realised it wasn’t ‘hooky’ enough, her editing process, how she managed the dual timeline and incorporated backstory, and what she did to make sure the reveals were in the best place. We also talked about writing retreats - how she does it, where she goes, why she goes. I know many of you have the same kind of life constraints that Hannah does - partner, kids, work - so this is something I’m sure you’ll be curious about.You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of The Search Party by Hannah Richell here.ABOUT THE SEARCH PARTYMax and Annie Kingsley have left the London rat race to set up a glamping site in the wilds of Cornwall. They invite old university friends – TV star Dominic, doctor and new mum Kira, and free-spirited Jim and Suze – and their children for a trial weekend but the reunion quickly veers off-course.First, there’s The Incident around the campfire on the first night. The following afternoon, a storm quickly develops off the rugged North Coast. When one of their group goes missing, all hell breaks loose. And as the winds batter the bell-tents, emotions run high and tension mounts for all the characters.Who is lying in hospital, who has gone missing and who is the body on the beach below the cliffs . . .?Gripping, cleverly structured and brimming with secrets and lies, this is a masterclass in narrative tension and a chilling exploration of the ways in which aspiration and anxiety collide. It will keep you guessing until the last page. ABOUT HANNAH RICHELLHannah Richell was born in Kent and spent her childhood years in Buckinghamshire and Canada. After graduating from the University of Nottingham, she worked in the book publishing and film industries in both London and Sydney. She is a dual citizen of Great Britain and Australia, and currently lives in the South West of England with her family. Richell is the author of international bestsellers Secrets of the Tides (2012), The Shadow Year (2014), The Peacock Summer (2019) and The River Home (2020). Her work has been translated into twenty-one languages. Wow, phenomenal. Hannah is also a judge for the Richell Prize for Emerging Writers which was set up in memory of her late husband Matt.Website: https://www.hannahrichell.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahrichell Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/hannahrichellauthor X: https://twitter.com/hannahrichell Buy The Search Party by Hannah Richell here.Special shout out to Penelope Janu, Fiona Taylor and Jemma from Reading For Keeps for your excellent questions. Give these writers and readers a follow on their socials.BUILD AN AUTHOR WEBSITE COURSETo receive notifications about course dates, the free author website workshop and early bird discounts, sign up here - https://www.freshwebdesign.com.au/course This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Suzanne Leal discusses the craft and process behind her novel The Watchful Wife. Suzanne talks about balancing external and internal dialogue and how you can create a really vivid scene in the mind of the reader without too much description, literally just with what the characters are saying, plus dialogue tags and actions. Suzanne reads a section of the novel that perfectly demonstrates this technique so listen out for that. We discussed how she balances difficult content and serious subject matter with humour. Suzanne also talked about the importance of rhythm and pacing in her work, and how she uses her own emotional state at any given time, in her writing.You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of The Watchful Wife by Suzanne Leal here.ABOUT SUZANNE LEALSuzanne is the author of novels  The Watchful Wife,  The Deceptions, The Teacher’s Secret and Border Street. Her debut children’s novel is Running With Ivan, a story of time travel and adventure. A regular presenter at literary, corporate, community and school  events, she is the former chair of the fiction and poetry panel for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards and is a board member of BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival.  From 2017 to 2019, she was the senior judge for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. A keen traveller, she is a fluent French and German speaker. Suzanne’s third novel, The Deceptions, was inspired by a story told to her by her former landlords and neighbours, Fred and Eva Perger, Czech-Australians who had survived the Holocaust. The wartime experiences of Fred Perger also inspired Suzanne’s debut children’s novel, Running With Ivan. A fascination for the intrigues of the schoolyard inspired Suzanne’s second novel, The Teacher’s Secret, which follows the joys and tribulations of the beachside village of Brindle and the local school at the centre of this close-knit community.A lawyer experienced in child protection, criminal law and refugee law, Suzanne is a senior member of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal and former member of the Refugee Review Tribunal. She lives in Sydney with her husband, David, her four children, Alex, Dominic, Xavier and Miranda and their Japanese Spitz, Milly.Website: https://www.suzanneleal.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzannelealauthor/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.authorYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbn2ZRHNnXTF4JDuycDeNSQTo enter this month’s competition, head to Writers Book Club Instagram or Facebook and look for the giveaway post.Buy The Watchful Wife by Suzanne Leal here.Buy The Search Party by Hannah Richell here.This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Laurie Steed discusses his craft and process for writing his short story collection Greater City Shadows. He discusses the formation of his characters and how he chooses point of view (or it chooses him!) Laurie emphasises the need for writers to take risks with their characters, and explores how both dialogue and subtext can be used to develop character. Laurie is a master of specificity, writes beautiful, evocative description and loves a good edit so we talk about all that and more.You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of Greater City Shadows by Laurie Steed here.Follow the Greater City Shadows playlist here on Spotify.Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony DoerrMemory Wall by Anthony DoerrABOUT LAURIE STEEDLaurie Steed is a writer living and working in the Whadjuk region on the traditional lands of the Noongar people. His fiction has been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and published in anthologies including Best Australian Stories and Award-Winning Australian Writing. He is the recipient of writing fellowships from The University of Iowa, The Baltic Writing Residency and The Elizabeth Kostova Foundation, and he is a member of the cohort for the 2022 Minderoo Foundation Artist Fund. His debut novel, You Belong Here, was published in 2018 and shortlisted for the 2018 Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards. His second book, Better Than Me: A Story of Early Fatherhood, will be published in 2023 by Fremantle Press, and his third book, Greater City Shadows, won the 2021 Henry Handel Richardson Flagship Fellowship for Short Story Writing from Varuna – The National Writers’ House.Website: https://www.lauriesteed.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriesteedauthorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.steed.92LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriesteedauthor/To enter this month’s competition, head to Writers Book Club Instagram or Facebook and look for the giveaway post.Buy Greater City Shadows by Laurie Steed here. Buy The Watchful Wife by Suzanne Leal here.This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

In this final episode for 2023, I’m bringing you a deliciously long chat about writing craft and process with the author of five novels, Joanna Nell. Jo joins me in a deep dive into her novel writing practice, sharing her techniques for creating dynamic characters, sustaining story momentum, managing dialogue, and outlining scenes. She also takes us through her entire editing process, how she weaves in backstory, the importance of the opening line and she shares some terrific tips for what to do when she’s feeling stuck.I asked Jo to read several excerpts from her novels to illustrate things like dialogue, chapter openings and backstory so there are lots of practical examples for you in there.You’ll find Joanna’s novels in all good bookstores, both real and digital.You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year by Joanna Nell here.ABOUT JOANNA NELLJoanna Nell is the internationally published, bestselling author of five novels. She is also a doctor and an advocate for positive ageing. Her short fiction has won numerous awards and been published in magazines, journals and short story anthologies including Award Winning Australian Writing. She has also written for The Sydney Morning Herald's Spectrum and Sunday Life magazines. Originally from the UK, Joanna lives on Sydney's Northern Beaches in a mostly empty nest with her husband and a creaky Labrador. Website: https://www.joannanell.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanna_nell_writer/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoannanellwriterThreads: https://www.threads.net/@joanna_nell_writerX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/Jo_nell_writerTo enter this month’s competition, head to Writers Book Club Instagram or Facebook and look for the giveaway post.Buy Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year by Joanna Nell here.Buy Greater City Shadows by Laurie Steed here. This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

A deep dive with Jo Riccioni into the writing process and craft behind her fantasy novels The Branded and The Rising.We talked about Jo's writing process, how she carves out writing space, her experiences with writing different genres and recent successes in her career such as signing an international deal for her fantasy book series. Jo also spoke about the importance of character development, ideas for world-building, lessons she’s learned from writing in different genres, interactions with her readers and her role as a writing teacher. We also got a very special reading from Jo’s latest fantasy novel The Rising. If you’re a fantasy writer, Jo gives some great advice about the kinds of events you should attend. She also spilled the beans on the software she used to create the map at the front of the book.You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of The Rising by Jo Riccioni here. ABOUT JO RICCIONIJo Riccioni is a novelist and short story writer whose latest fantasy series, The Branded Season, is out now in Australia and will be published in the US and UK in 2024.Jo’s first novel, The Italians at Cleat’s Corner Store, was published in Australia and the UK. It won the International Rubery Award for Fiction and was longlisted for the New Angle Prize. Her short fiction has been published in Best Australian Stories twice, and in anthologies in Australia and overseas. She has won short story awards in the UK, the US and Australia.Website: https://joriccioni.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joriccioni/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joriccioniTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joriccioniTo enter this month’s competition, head to Writers Book Club Instagram or Facebook and look for the giveaway post.Order The Rising by Jo Riccioni here. Order Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year by Joanna Nell here.This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Sally Hepworth talks about the writing process for her novel Darling Girls.We discussed writing craft aspects including inspiration, research, character development, description, typical writing schedule, editing, backstory, pacing, seeding in twists and balancing darker themes with humour.You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of Darling Girls here.ABOUT SALLY HEPWORTHSally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, most recently Darling Girls. Her novel, The Mother-In-Law (2019), has been optioned for a TV series by Hollywood actress and producer, Amy Poehler. Drawing on the good, the bad and the downright odd of human behaviour, Sally writes incisively about family, relationships and identity. Her domestic thriller novels are laced with quirky humour, sass and a darkly charming tone.Sally's novels are available around the globe in English and have been translated into 20 languages. She has sold more than one million books worldwide.Website: https://www.sallyhepworthauthor.com/Instagram: http://instagram.com/sallyhepworthFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sallyhepworthauthorWRITING BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEThe Plot Whisperer by Martha AldersonWriting the Breakout Novel by Donald MaassTo enter this month’s competition, head to Writers Book Club Instagram or Facebook and look for the giveaway post.Order Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth here.Order The Rising by Jo Riccioni here. Find Petronella McGovern here.This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Kate Mildenhall talks about the writing process for her novel The Hummingbird Effect. We discussed writing craft aspects including structure, voice, setting, editing, sentence work, inspiration, multiple timelines, journalling and the power of prompts.You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of The Hummingbird Effect here.ABOUT KATE MILDENHALLKate Mildenhall is a writer and teacher. Her debut novel, Skylarking, was named in Readings Top Ten Fiction Books of 2016 and her bestselling The Mother Fault was longlisted for the 2021 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year and shortlisted for the 2020 Aurealis Awards. Kate teaches creative writing and co-hosts The First Time podcast – which features conversations with Australian writers – and is currently undertaking a PhD in creative practice at RMIT University. Kate lives in Hurstbridge on Wurundjeri lands, with her partner and two children. Kate’s third novel is The Hummingbird Effect.Website: https://katemildenhall.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmildenhall/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katemildenhallwriter/Twitter: https://twitter.com/katemildenhall/Kate’s upcoming events here.KATE’S REFERENCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEThe First Time Podcast: https://thefirsttimepodcast.com/Simon & Schuster - video, extract, playlist, tour dates, etc for The Hummingbird Effect: https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/p/the-hummingbird-effect-kate-mildenhallSarah Sentilles Word Cave - http://www.sarahsentilles.com/the-word-caveBird by Bird, Ann LamottPaul Klee artistGreenwood, Michael Christie Cloud Atlas, David MitchellEva Harbridge - algorithm artistHovering, Rhett DavisA Swim in a Pond in the Rain, George SaundersSteal Like an Artist, Austin KleonTom Lake, Ann PatchettThe Luminous Solution, Charlotte WoodFuture Crunch newsletterAll other books Kate mentioned are all listed here: https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/p/the-hummingbird-effect-kate-mildenhall-finding-inspirationTo enter this month’s competition, head to Writers Book Club Instagram or Facebook and look for the giveaway post.Order The Hummingbird Effect by Kate Mildenhall here.Order Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth here.This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Allison Tait talks about the writing process for her middle-grade novel The First Summer of Callie McGee. We discussed writing craft aspects including:- what you need to include (or exclude!) to make the novel age appropriate- how to balance character arcs with the external plot- the difference between a child-led versus a parent-led purchase- how to find your ‘writing age’- pacing the novel at scene level- what a novel opening needs to include- the hallmarks of good middle-grade fiction- writing a mystery story for children aged 8-12 (including the necessity of red herrings!)- how blogging can help you find your fiction writing voice and why there’s still a place for blogging in an author’s marketing mix.You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of The First Summer of Callie McGee here.ABOUT ALLISON TAITAllison Tait (A.L. Tait) is the internationally published bestselling author of middle-grade adventure series The Mapmaker Chronicles  the Ateban Cipher novels, and the Maven & Reeve Mysteries.Her latest novel THE FIRST SUMMER OF CALLIE McGEE is a ‘cosy middle-grade mystery’ (out now). Find out more.A multi-genre writer, creative writing teacher and speaker with many years’ experience in magazines, newspapers and online publishing, Allison is co-host of the top-rating Your Kid’s Next Read podcast and former co-host of the So You Want To Be A Writer podcast.She lives on the south coast of NSW (Australia) with her family.A little bit more…The Fire Star (A Maven & Reeve Mystery) was published in September 2020, and was a Notable book in the CBCA Children’s Book Of The Year Awards 2021.The Wolf’s Howl (Maven & Reeve #2) was published in August 2021 in Australia and July 2022 in the USA.For more information about the Maven & Reeve Mystery novels, plus teachers’ notes and other resources, click here.Website: https://allisontait.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisontaitwriter/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllisonTaitWriterYour Kids Next Read: https://childrensbooksdaily.com/podcast/Write with Allison Tait Membership Group: https://allisontait.com/writing-group-membership/To enter this month’s competition, head to Writers Book Club Instagram or Facebook and look for the giveaway post.Order The First Summer of Callie McGee here.Order The Hummingbird Effect by Kate Mildenhall here.This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Brendan Cowell talks about the writing process for his novel Plum. We discussed writing craft aspects including:- how the main theme of the novel ripples through every character- why structure is where the magic lies- why Brendan decided to plot this particular novel- how he broke the novel into micro-beats- the influence his publisher Catherine Milne had on the work- how he writes authentic dialogue- what his experience as a playwright and screenwriter brings to his novel writingYou’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of Plum here.ABOUT BRENDAN COWELLBrendan is an award-winning writer, actor and director for television, theatre and film. He wrote the smash hit RUBEN GUTHRIE for Belvoir St Theatre in 2009, and wrote and directed the film adaptation, winning an AWGIE for the screenplay. Brendan wrote two episodes of the multi award-winning series THE SLAP for which he won the AACTA Best Screenplay prize. He has been named the 'leading light amongst playwrights of his generation' (The Sun Herald) and has won the Patrick White Playwright's Award, the Philip Parsons Young Playwright's Award and the Griffin Award. His 11 plays have been produced all around the world. He was a writer on the acclaimed TV series LOVE MY WAY, in which he starred. Many of his episodes for LOVE MY WAY were nominated for Australian Writers Guild Awards (AWGIE) for Outstanding Screenplay. Brendan is based between New Zealand, Sydney and London, and yet remains a loyal Cronulla Sharks fan. Brendan's bestselling debut novel How It Feels was published by Pan Macmillan in 2010 and Plum was published by HarperCollins Australian in 2021.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendanbcowell/To enter this month’s competition, head to Writers Book Club Instagram or Facebook and look for the giveaway post.Order Plum by Brendan Cowell here. Order The First Summer of Callie McGee here.Order Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray by Anita Heiss here.This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Victoria Purman talks about the writing process for her novel A Woman’s Work, an historical novel set in Melbourne in 1956.We discussed so many writing craft aspects including:- how a pamphlet in a second hand bookstore gave her the idea for the novel- how she fills the saggy middle of a novel- the importance of a first line- how her readers are a treasure trove of stories and ideas- her approach to backstory- the editing process- how she overcomes self-doubt EPISODE INCLUDES SOME SPOILERSYou’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of A Woman’s Work here.ABOUT VICTORIA PURMANVictoria Purman is an Australian top ten and USA Today bestselling fiction author. Her 2023 novel, A Woman’s Work, is out now. Her books The Nurses’ War, The Women’s Pages, The Land Girls and The Last of the Bonegilla Girls have all been Australian bestsellers. Her earlier novel The Three Miss Allens was a USA Today bestseller. She is a regular guest at writers festivals, a mentor and workshop presenter across Australia, and has judged the fiction category for the 2018 Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature and the 2022 ASA/HQ Commercial Fiction Prize for an unpublished manuscript.Website: https://www.victoriapurman.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/VictoriaPurmanauthor/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-Purman-Author/132297233615790 Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/VictoriaPurmanTo enter this month’s competition, head to Writers Book Club Instagram or Facebook and look for the giveaway post.Order A Woman’s Work by Victoria Purman here. Order Plum by Brendan Cowell here. This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com

Rae Cairns talks about the writing process for her novel Dying To Know, a crime thriller.  We discussed so many writing craft aspects including:- why she starts with theme, rather than plot or character- the research process- the power of a prologue done well- conventions of the crime thriller genre and how to meet readers’ expectations- how a crime thriller should start- how to write page-turning chapter endings- an editing method that ensures a balance of tension and pacing- Rae took us through the opening of her novel and showed us, step-by-step, how she balanced the tension and pacing which was so helpful.You’ll find links to buy both paperback and ebook versions of Dying To Know here.ABOUT RAE CAIRNSRae Cairns writes crime with heart: thrillers featuring everyday people facing extraordinary circumstances. Her debut novel The Good Mother was shortlisted for Best Debut Crime Fiction in the 2021 Ned Kelly Awards and longlisted for the 2021 Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards. It draws on her background as a youth worker in Northern Ireland during the final years of 'The Troubles'. Dying to Know, Rae’s second novel, is a standalone Sydney based thriller and centres around a woman’s determination to uncover what happened to her missing sister. Rae has also co-managed a crisis refuge for street children, worked as Program Director for the Sydney Olympic Youth Camp and holds a degree in Performing Arts.Website: https://www.raecairns.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raecairnswrites/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raecairnsauthor/To enter this month’s competition, head to Writers Book Club Instagram or Facebook and look for the giveaway post.Order A Woman’s Work by Victoria Purman here. Order Dying to Know by Rae Cairns here.This podcast is recorded on the beautiful, unceded lands of the Garigal people of the Eora nation.Full show notes available at writersbookclubpodcast.com