Podcast
So You Want to be a Writer
Hosted by Australian Writers' Centre · EN
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.
31episodes
Episodes
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Writing Podcast Episode 728: Tom Rob Smith explores love and marriage in 'Twenty Years Together'
1w ago00:57:52Tap to summarizeSame-sex couples fought long for marriage equality, but finally getting it didn’t necessarily equate to ‘happily ever after’. That’s the area UK-based bestselling author Tom Rob Smith explores in his new novel Twenty Years Together – inspired by how legalisation of gay marriage changed the psychology of long-term relationships. In this episode, Tom discusses the inspiration behind telling this nuanced love story and his own journey as a writer. 00:00 Welcome04:24 Writing tip: Active vs. Reactive characters10:04 WIN: The Warrumbar by William J. Byrne11:48 Word of the Week: ‘Incrassate’12:37 Interview with: Tom Rob Smith13:45 Twenty Years Together premise15:24 Defining the genre19:17 Plotting and outlining process21:54 Finding the right ending23:24 Queer love story influences26:48 Midlife marriage thought experiment31:50 Publishing his debut Child 4435:45 Success and self doubt39:02 Balancing books and TV43:37 Disciplined writing routine46:55 Connecting with readers48:50 Tom shares a writing tip51:33 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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Writing Podcast Episode 727: Petronella McGovern relives her latest thriller, 'Every Time She Wakes'
2w ago00:56:25Tap to summarizeEvery day we experience ‘sliding doors moments’ – those decisions we make that unwittingly affect the future. In this episode, bestselling author Petronella McGovern explores this concept through her own life and via the plot of her latest novel, Every Time She Wakes. As well as sharing the inspiration and research into this story, she also shares the evolution of her life as a writer and advice for writers wanting to grow their wordcount. 00:00 Welcome09:04 Writing tip: Stop thinking, start writing11:20 Writers in the wild14:26 WIN: When the Party’s Over by Katie Hoskins15:56 Word of the Week: ‘Futz’16:51 Interview with: Petronella McGovern18:57 Elevator pitch for Every Time She Wakes20:44 Inspiration for the novel22:54 Bushfire setting 26:45 Structure and research29:38 The mind-bending rules of time travel30:37 Suze’s identity34:54 Editing a time loop story36:01 Evolving as a writer38:58 Personal sliding doors moments41:48 Early reading and writing influences44:41 Petronella’s writing routine47:08 Craft tip to beat perfectionism49:01 Book recommendations and one last question52:14 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.
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Writing Podcast Episode 726: Michelle Wright shares her new book, 'Good Boy'
3w ago00:46:40Tap to summarizeDo you believe in second chances? In this episode, author Michelle Wright discusses her new novel Good Boy – about a long-term prisoner who joins a dog rehabilitation program and is assigned a troubled pooch he renames ‘Good Boy’. Michelle talks about the story’s inspiration, reasons for setting it in its particular time period, the double meaning behind the title and more. 00:00 Welcome07:55 Writing tip: Call yourself a writer!11:15 Writers in the wild13:59 WIN: Whistler by Ann Patchett15:19 Word of the week: ‘Glabrous’16:16 Interview with: Michelle Wright16:59 Overview of new book, Good Boy18:08 Origins and prison research21:10 Planning process23:52 ‘Beat sheet’ method25:27 Why set it in 1997?27:56 Naming Good Boy’30:36 Why short stories matter33:33 Short vs. novel ideas36:24 Michelle’s publishing breakthrough38:09 Redefining writer success39:44 Next novel plans41:10 Tip: Find your own process43:05 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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Writing Podcast Episode 725: Matt Rogers introduces his latest thriller novel, 'The Damned'
Jul 1301:01:56Tap to summarizeAre YOU curious about self publishing? Wondering how much you can make from it and how it differs from traditional publishing? In this episode, prolific self-published author Matt Rogers shares his experience writing three or four novels a year and selling more than a million copies! He also talks about his move to traditional publishing in 2025 – including his latest novel, The Damned, as well as some unique writing methods he employs in his routine and much much more! 00:00 Welcome03:39 Graduate spotlight07:55 Writing tip: Don’t give up after your start!12:12 WIN: Murder Most Delicious by Danielle Postel-Vinay14:20 Word of the Week: ‘Accoutre’15:07 Interview with: Matt Rogers16:19 Matt’s early writing origins18:28 Self-publishing breakthrough22:02 Transcribing for craft25:33 Prolific output and bookstores29:15 Influences and endorsements32:47 Self-publishing hustle35:41 From indie to bookstores37:55 Matt describes his new books41:02 Embedding philosophy inside thrillers44:21 Ideas and writing routine47:24 Editing workflow and wordcounts50:13 Self versus traditional publishing53:33 Writing advice and reading recommendations57:22 What’s next?58:20 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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Writing Podcast Episode 724: Emily Austin asks the question, 'Is This a Cry for Help?'
Jul 600:45:30Tap to summarizeWe love books about books, and bestselling Canadian author Emily Austin’s latest novel Is This a Cry for Help? explores the subject through the lens of a librarian returning to the job after a breakdown. As well as the book’s themes, Emily also shares her own parallels to the story, writing and reading with dyslexia, her approach to book promotion and a random writing tip! 00:00 Welcome02:54 Graduate spotlight08:35 Writing tip: Keep things happening11:02 Writers in the wild12:20 WIN: Code Name Funnel Web by Camille Booker14:05 Word of the Week: ‘Glyph’15:32 Interview with: Emily Austin16:38 Inspiration for her library-themed book18:45 Emily’s writing process at the beginning22:02 Exploring the breakdown of the main character28:14 Dyslexia and reading hacks30:17 Libraries under fire33:26 Emily’s publishing journey36:20 Writing in manic sprints37:47 Introvert on publicity39:45 What’s next?40:56 Emily’s random writing tip42:37 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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Writing Podcast Episode 723: Inessa Jackson and her crime-thriller novel, 'Devil Mountain'
Jun 2900:53:07Tap to summarizeAfter a first-hand experience with a witch, author and AWC graduate Inessa Jackson started researching the real world Wiccan community, and the result was her debut crime/thriller novel, Devil Mountain. In this episode, Inessa generously shares her quirky writing process, her experience learning the craft, publishing timeline and more! 00:00 Welcome04:17 Graduate spotlight10:21 Writing tip: Name your characters14:07 Writers in the wild16:35 WIN: The Divorce by Freida McFadden18:11 Word of the week: ‘Derrick’18:58 Interview with: Inessa Jackson20:00 Inessa describes Devil Mountain21:13 Inspirations for the book23:00 Themes of the novel24:30 Researching witches for the book26:04 The timeline to writing the novel28:00 What drew Inessa to the crime-thriller genre?29:30 Inessa’s experience with AWC30:47 Her Write Your Novel experience32:22 Crime and structure courses33:22 Post-It note plotting34:53 Daily writing routine36:52 Getting the publishing deal41:34 What readers take away44:29 Inessa’s writing tip46:53 Book recommendations48:28 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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Writing Podcast Episode 722: Anna Johnston dishes up her latest novel, 'When Lemons Give You Life'
Jun 2200:52:33Tap to summarizeIs food your love language? It certainly is for bestselling author and AWC graduate Anna Johnston – brought to life through her new novel, When Lemons Give You Life. In this episode, Anna dishes up the inspiration and character creation for this latest book and the challenges, strategies and superpowers of being an author with ADHD. She also shares how she deals with writing tough scenes, her writing workflow, and advice for writers. 00:00 Welcome11:18 Writing tip: Cut the Starting Scene13:24 Writers in the wild14:51 WIN: The Bookshop of Buried Pasts by Sarah Clutton16:42 Word of the week: Jakes17:14 Writer in residence: Anna Johnston18:16 Anna explains new book, When Lemons Give You Life20:21 Story themes and origins24:02 Research and authenticity27:10 POV structure and flashbacks29:22 Editing and deadlines32:45 What she learned from AWC courses35:20 ADHD writing strategies38:06 Letting characters go41:34 Organising notes and workflow43:25 Balancing writing life44:39 Publicity and events46:40 Next book plans47:26 Anna’s advice for writers49:28 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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Writing Podcast Episode 721: Christine Gregory uncovers her new novel, 'The Informant'
Jun 1500:45:48Tap to summarizeAustralia is experiencing a golden age of crime and thriller writing right now and Christine Gregory is a part of that. Her latest novel, The Informant, explores the world of bikie gangs, and in this episode, Christine discusses how she went about researching this subject, and how she balances dark themes as an author. And we love that she is an AWC graduate! 00:00 Welcome04:25 Writers in the wild05:52 Writing tip: Cut the first paragraph!07:14 WIN!: Out of the Blue by Penelope Janu09:15 Word of the week ‘Plicate’10:02 Writer in residence: Christine Gregory10:53 Plot of new book, The Informant12:28 Why bikey gangs fascinate14:28 On-location research16:20 Standalone sequels and balancing story18:39 Writing process and deadlines20:06 Why Australia suits crime23:46 Challenges writing the book24:02 Taming story rabbit holes24:51 Choosing the right POV25:29 How she became an author27:17 Courses that improved her skills|29:13 A realistic writing routine31:14 Day job and dark themes33:16 Writing without lecturing35:55 Practical advice for writers37:57 Book recommendations39:33 What‘s next?40:28 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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Writing Podcast Episode 720: Fiona Hardy challenges you to 'Old Games'
Jun 800:47:43Tap to summarizeDo you spend your weekends visiting cliffs with your child to find out which ones would be deadliest? Well, that’s something Fiona Hardy did in researching her new ‘cosy crime’ novel, Old Games! In this episode, Fiona joins us to discuss the inspiration for this latest book, her own writing process and how she went from kids to adult fiction! 00:00 Welcome06:31 Writers in the wild11:06 Writing tip: Metrics of success14:31 WIN!: The Clueless Guide to Solving a Mystery by Samera Kamaleddine & Hykie Breeze16:10 Word of the week: ’Obstreperous’16:57 Writer in residence: Fiona Hardy17:50 What is her new book ‘Old Games’ all about?20:09 Plotting and pitching this second novel23:25 Cosy crime without a murder26:19 Writing fight scenes27:41 Realistic consequences28:28 Setting the story in Victoria30:23 Researching crime and cliffs32:42 Balancing bookselling and writing34:11 Daily writing process and goals35:31 Publicity, creating socials and anxiety39:17 How Fiona moved from kids to adult books40:34 Future projects43:39 Writing tip45:10 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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Writing Podcast Episode 719: Allison Tait talks 'The Last Word' and YKNR series
Jun 100:53:37Tap to summarizeShe’s baaaaack! Any chance to chat with my former podcast co-host Allison Tait (who writes as A.L Tait) is a good day, and she’s back with yet another book hitting shelves – tween romance, The Last Word. Allison also discusses some of the other exciting projects including curating a new series of books through her Your Kids Next Read community. 00:00 Welcome06:05 Writers in the wild09:23 Writing tip: Do NOT self-censor in a memoir draft11:28 WIN!: Simply Beside Herself by Judith Katherine13:06 Word of the week: ’Recondite’13:48 Writer in residence: A.L. Tait14:52 Allison discusses new book, The Last Word17:52 What makes tween romance?21:55 Allison’s ‘romance’ origins25:33 Character-driven romance27:31 Books coming up28:00 Your Next Read fiction series30:20 Writing small word counts30:45 Finding new lanes33:36 Writing for different age levels37:24 One project at a time!39:48 From CLEO magazine to writing41:35 Writing around kids43:30 Allison’s YKNR podcast role46:30 Just show up and write!49:52 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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