Podcast: So You Want to be a Writer

In Episode 268 of So you want to be a writer: Allison and Valerie talk about crime writing for the young adult market, interview children’s author R.A. Spratt and discuss what Allison really does with her feather boa! We also have 5 copies of Baby – a sunburnt psychological thriller of obsession

In Episode 267 of So you want to be a writer: Allison and Valerie confess the mistakes they’ve made and what they’ve learnt from them. You’ll meet Laura Sieveking, author of the children’s series Amelia Chamelia who shares how she writes for one publisher while working for another. We also have 10 double

In Episode 266 of So you want to be a writer: Meet Barbara Lasserre, author of Words That Go Ping. We discuss when does self-publishing become a first choice? Discover which new podcast Valerie’s been hosting. And we have 5 copies of Death on the Derwent by Robin Bowles to give away.

In Episode 265 of So you want to be a writer: Meet Jane Harper, author of The Dry and The Lost Man. We have 3 copies of Three Little Lies by Laura Marshall to giveaway. Plus, you’ll learn how to avoid a saggy middle in your manuscript and more. Click play below

In Episode 264 of So you want to be a writer: Happy new year! You’ll meet Fiona McIntosh, author of The Pearl Thief and How to Write Your Blockbuster. Val and Al answer more of your listener questions. Plus, we have 3 copies of Rewording the Brain by David Astle to give away. 

In Episode 263 of So you want to be a writer: Val and Al open up the podcast to your questions in an “Ask Us Anything” Christmas special! And, have you entered the 12-book summer reading pack competition yet? Click play below to listen to the podcast. You can also listen on

In Episode 261 of So you want to be a writer: Discover a whole heap of literary gifts for Christmas. Meet Bernadette Schwerdt, SEO copywriter and author of How to Build an Online Business. Plus we have a 12-book giveaway up for grabs. Don’t miss out. Click play below to listen to

In Episode 261 of So you want to be a writer: Discover planning tips for the next year and meet Alice Pung, author of Close to Home. We have a HUGE stash of books to give away to one lucky winner. Plus, the Newcastle Short Story Award is now open and more.

In Episode 260 of So you want to be a writer: Tips on how to find and afford good editors. Meet B.M. Carroll, author of The Missing Pieces of Sophie McCarthy. Discover your chance to win a copy of the inaugural Australian Literary Diary and more. Click play below to listen to

In Episode 259 of So you want to be a writer: Meet Stuart Coupe, author of Roadies: The Secret History of Australian Rock ‘n’ Roll. Congratulations to AWC graduate Frances Chapman for winning the 2018 Ampersand Prize. Discover how to get invited to writers’ festivals and more. Click play below to listen

In Episode 258 of So you want to be a writer: Do you have NaNoWriMoFoMo? Meet DM Cameron, author of Beneath the Mother Tree and discover your chance to win a copy of Believe Me by JP Delaney. Click play below to listen to the podcast. You can also listen on

In Episode 257 of So you want to be a writer: Learn the art of knowing when your manuscript is finished. You’ll meet Karen Foxlee, author of Lenny’s Book of Everything. Discover your chance to enter the Moth Poetry Prize or win a double pass to the new film The Old Man

In Episode 256 of So you want to be a writer: Discover tips for first time authors and writing advice from Barbara Kingsolver. You’ll meet Joanna Nell, author of The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village. Our brand new online Fiction Essentials course on Characters has now launched and we’re giving away

In Episode 255 of So you want to be a writer: Meet John Purcell, author of The Girl on the Page. Discover how to rock an author reading. Val and Al chat about the upcoming film Can You Ever Forgive Me? based on the true story of celebrity biographer Lee Israel. And

In Episode 254 of So you want to be a writer: Meet Di Morrissey, author of ‘Arcadia’. Ebury Press is looking for unagented authors and Val and Al chat to Myf Warhurst on Radio National. Shout out to Tasmin Janu, who has been shortlisted for the 2018 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. Plus,

In Episode 253 of So you want to be a writer: Meet Eleanor Limprecht, author of The Passengers. How US listeners can get their hands on a copy of The Mapmaker Chronicles book 4. Join us for Unblocktober, where we cast aside any writing roadblocks and get back on the path to

In Episode 252 of So you want to be a writer: Meet Sarah Bailey, bestselling author of Into the Night. Do you know which two words are deadly to your writing career? Discover why you should write for 15 minutes a day and recommended books for 13/14 year old boys. Thanks to

In Episode 251 of So you want to be a writer: Meet AWC graduate Margaret Morgan, author of The Second Cure. Discover why you need an author persona and learn about your chance to win a copy of Amazing Australian Women by Pamela Freeman (AWC’s awesome Director of Creative Writing). Val and

In Episode 250 of So you want to be a writer: Meet Robert Wainwright, author of Rocky Road: The Incredible True Story of the Fractured Family Behind the Darrell Lea Chocolate Empire. Discover the difference between content writing and copywriting and how a romance author is accused of killing her husband. Plus,