Block Party: How to become a successful author
Valerie Khoo, CEO of the Australian Writers’ Centre and host of the top-rating So you want to be a writer podcast, welcomes you to her midwinter Block Party – a special LIVE event with a special theme: “How to become a successful author”.
So what better than to invite THREE successful authors to the party? Joining Valerie on the night were special guests Pamela Hart, Angela Slatter and Kate Forsyth for an evening of conversation, prizes, drinks and words!
MEET YOUR GUESTS
Pamela Freeman is Director of Creative Writing at the Australian Writers' Centre and an award-winning, best-selling author of more than 40 books. She is well known for her children’s fantasy, such as Victor’s Quest and Victor’s Challenge, and the associated Princess Betony books.
Angela Slatter is the author of five novels, including The Path of Thorns and All the Murmuring Bones, and eleven short story collections, including The Bitterwood Bible and The Tallow-Wife and Other Tales. She’s won a World Fantasy Award, a British Fantasy Award, a Ditmar, two Australian Shadows Awards and seven Aurealis Awards. Her work has been translated into multiple languages.
Dr Kate Forsyth is an award-winning author, poet, and storyteller. Kate’s historical novels include Beauty in Thorns, a reimagining of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ told in the voices of four women of the Pre-Raphaelite circle of artists and poets; and Bitter Greens, a retelling of ‘Rapunzel’ which won the 2015 American Library Association award for Best Historical Fiction.
A BIG NIGHT IN
For starters, Valerie discussed the SIX STEPS to becoming a successful author with the three guests. Pamela talked about workshopping your writing and the importance of writing what you LOVE (otherwise, why do it, right?).
Angela chimed in with some pithy insights regarding networking and how you’re always learning about the craft, regardless of how many books you have written! And Kate stressed the importance of understanding how the publishing industry works and being able to quickly pivot (“pivot! PIVOT!”) to adapt to any changes in an ever-changing industry.
As promised, Pamela, Angela and Kate showcased their latest books, with some prizes given out to lucky attendees.
The second half of the PARTY was all about YOUR questions – as the assembled authors got busy answering a range of questions covering everything from writing a synopsis to networking and the dreaded impostor syndrome.
It was a fabulous evening of writing insights and inspiration – sure to fill some knowledge gaps and encourage momentum in your next project.
Around 450 aspiring writers joined us for this PARTY, and now YOU can watch the replay below!