

So You Want to be a Writer
Australian Writers' Centre
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 18, 2021 • 25min
WRITER 453: Rachael Johns discusses her latest novel 'Outback Secrets' [Story Sessions series]
This is the latest life-lit novel from Rachael, whose previous books include the award-winning 'The Patterson Girls', 'The Art of Keeping Secrets', 'The Greatest Gift' and 'Lost Without You'. This is the fifth in her popular Bunyip Bay series - which was meant to be a trilogy!In this Story Session, Rachael talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of 'Outback Secrets'. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 15, 2021 • 1h 8min
WRITER 452: Meet Fiona Murphy, author of 'The Shape of Sound'.
Meet Fiona Murphy, author of 'The Shape of Sound'. Prizes for unpublished manuscripts that are now open. Discover your must-read lists for children's and young adult books. Plus, we have 10 double passes to 'A Boy Called Christmas', in cinemas 25 November to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 11, 2021 • 34min
WRITER 451: Tania Blanchard discusses her latest novel 'Echoes of War' [Story Sessions series]
We've been big fans of Tania’s gorgeous historical fiction ever since her first bestselling novel, The Girl From Munich, which she published after attending a few of our courses here at the Australian Writers' Centre. She has since gone on to publish its sequel, Suitcase of Dreams, and another wartime novel, Letters from Berlin - and you can catch the first chapter of that in Story Sessions episode 384. Echoes of War is her fourth novel, again published by Simon and Schuster and it’s sure to be another success.In this Story Session,Tania talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of Echoes of War. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 8, 2021 • 59min
WRITER 450: Meet Mark Smith, author of 'If Not Us'.
Meet Mark Smith, author of 'If Not Us'. Write to Santa and get a reply. Learn the difference between a romance and a love story. Discover your chance to get signed copies of A.L. Tait books. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Showtime!' by Judy Nunn to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 4, 2021 • 26min
WRITER 449: Joanna Nell discusses her latest novel 'The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital' [Story Sessions series]
This is the latest novel by Joanna, whose previous bestselling books include The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village, The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker and The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home. And of course, it’s wonderful to see Joanna doing so well in her writing career as she is one of our AWC graduates. In this Story Session, Joanna talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 1, 2021 • 1h 7min
WRITER 448: Sami Bayly, author and illustrator of 'The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature'.
Meet Sami Bayly, author and illustrator of 'The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature'. Check out these books that have been withdrawn from sale – and why. Our hotly anticipated Romance Writing course will launch this week. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Bewilderment' by Richard Powers to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 28, 2021 • 28min
WRITER 447: Chris Hammer discusses his latest novel 'Treasure and Dirt' [Story Sessions series]
This is the latest nail-biting novel from Chris who is the award-winning author of the international bestsellers 'Scrublands', 'Silver' and 'Trust'. Before he reads from his prologue, Chris is going to share with us the inspiration behind this story and also some tips about writing which I know you’re going to love. This does get a bit gruesome and there’s some strong language, so just keep that in mind if you’ve got younger listeners with you. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 25, 2021 • 1h 5min
WRITER 446: Meet NYC literary agent Lucinda Halpern.
Meet NYC literary agent Lucinda Halpern. Discover how to get back into the swing of writing when you're unmotivated. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Blood Trail' by Tony Park to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 21, 2021 • 27min
WRITER 445: Sophie Hardcastle discusses her latest novel 'Below Deck' [Story Sessions series]
This is Sophie’s first adult fiction novel, although she has also published a memoir Running Like China (about her experiences with mental illness) and a YA novel Breathing Under Water. Just like in those books. Sophie doesn’t shy away from painful subjects - but always with a sense of healing or redemption. Below Deck is a powerful and haunting book with beautiful language that is guaranteed to move you.In this Story Session, Sophie talks about her writing process and reads the first chapter of Below Deck. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 18, 2021 • 1h 1min
WRITER 444: Meet Joyce Morgan, author of 'The Countess from Kirribilli'.
Meet Joyce Morgan, author of 'The Countess from Kirribilli'. We recap the best writing advice you've received. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Echoes of War' by Tania Blanchard to give away. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


