VIDEO: Kate McCaffrey on her novel Double Lives
Kate McCaffrey is author of Double Lives, her first novel for adults. She is already experienced at writing young adult novels, which include Destroying Avalon,
Q&A: Where does “the whole shebang” come from
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its
Writing Podcast Episode 523: New York Times bestselling author of 20 books, Lisa Unger on Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six
New York Times bestselling author of 20 books, Lisa Unger on Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six. Having a multi-passionate career and how to use diacritical writing
How AWC courses helped Luke Rutledge get his book deal for ‘A Man And His Pride’
Luke Rutledge loves his job in communications, but was keen to scratch his creative itch. He had enjoyed writing as a child, but had stopped when life got in the way, before deciding to start again in his late 20s. After completing Novel Writing Essentials at the Australian Writers’ Centre, he started writing the manuscript for what would become A Man and His Pride – his debut novel which is out now with Penguin Random House.
COMP CLOSED: ‘Why We Sing’ by Julia Hollander
“A memoir about the power of singing to make connections, to heal and expand our lives…” This week’s giveaway book is Julia Hollander’s Why We
Copywriting Podcast Episode 049: How to launch a podcast that builds authority and generates leads with guest Ash Roy
Launching a podcast is a brilliant way to build your copywriting business. It helps you build your authority, find new clients and create new connections
3 ways to create compelling characters (who your reader will care about)
“Character drives story.” It’s one of those writerly maxims you hear over and over, and something I teach regularly to writers of all ages. But
Q&A: Where does “bingo” come from?
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its
Furious Fiction December 2022 winner and shortlist
For the final month of 2022 (the 12th month, if you will), Furious Fiction entrants were set a curious collection of criteria. Here they are
Writing Podcast Episode 522: Penelope Janu on her eighth novel ‘Shelter from the Storm’
Two writing apps to help develop your story. And meet AWC alumna Penelope Janu, who has just released her eighth novel! And win Bret Easton
COMP CLOSED: ‘The Shards’ by Bret Easton Ellis
This week’s giveaway book is a sensational new novel from Bret Easton Ellis – the bestselling author of Less Than Zero and American Psycho. The
VIDEO: Katie McMahon on her novel ‘The Accident’
Katie McMahon is a medical doctor and author of The Accident. Her first novel, The Mistake, was published internationally in 2021. Katie has also written
VIDEO: Lee Kofman on her memoir ‘The Writer Laid Bare’
Dr Lee Kofman is a Russian-born Israeli-Australian author, editor, writing teacher and mentor based in Melbourne. Her works include The Writer Laid Bare, Scars, I
Q&A: The origin of “bane of my existence”
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its
Writing Podcast Episode 521: All your questions answered!
You asked some pretty personal and deep questions – and Valerie went there! She’s answered them here. You can listen to the episode below, on
COMP CLOSED: ‘Et tu, Brute?’ by Harry Mount and John Davie
This week’s giveaway is a light-hearted and fascinating book from Harry Mount and John Davie. Et tu, Brute unlocks the wisdom of the past, revealing
6 more top tips for writing commercial fiction
It takes a lot of work and know-how to write a book that appeals to a wide audience – so much so, that we decided
VIDEO: Belinda Murrell on her novel ‘The Silver Sea’
Belinda Murrell is an award winning, internationally published author with a history of writing in her family that spans over 200 years. Belinda has written
Q&A: The origin of “showing someone the ropes”
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its
5 top tips for writing commercial fiction
What does it take to write a book that sells to a wide audience? Is there a secret to creating popular, accessible stories? We’ve curated
COMP CLOSED: ‘Blurb Your Enthusiasm’ by Louise Willder
A dazzling dictionary of book blurbs, filled with writing tips, literary folklore and publishing secrets… This week’s giveaway is a joyful celebration of books –
Writing Podcast Episode 520: Nikki Crutchley on her novel ‘In Her Blood’ and how self-publishing led to her agent and book deal.
Nikki Crutchley on her novel In Her Blood and how self-publishing led to her agent and book deal, old dictionaries, how John Steinbeck write his
Copywriting Podcast Episode 048: How to become a copywriting influencer, with guest Danielle Lewis
For 95% of beginner copywriters, finding clients is the bane of their existence. Well, what if I told you there was a way you could
VIDEO: Reece Carter on his brilliant middle grade novel ‘A Girl Called Corpse’
Reece Carter is the author of A Girl Called Corpse, which was published after an international bidding war between publishers vying for the book. He
Authors you loved listening to this year
2022 has been another big year for the So You Want to be a Writer podcast. This year, there have been 55 episodes (and 55
VIDEO: Kate McCaffrey on her novel Double Lives
Kate McCaffrey is author of Double Lives, her first novel for adults. She is already experienced at writing young adult novels, which include Destroying Avalon, In Ecstasy, Beautiful Monster, and more. Kate is also working in several different genres from contemporary women’s fiction to historical and middle grade books. She
Q&A: Where does “the whole shebang” come from
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, we have big shebang theories…
Writing Podcast Episode 523: New York Times bestselling author of 20 books, Lisa Unger on Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six
New York Times bestselling author of 20 books, Lisa Unger on Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six. Having a multi-passionate career and how to use diacritical writing marks! And win Why We Sing by Julia Hollander. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or add the podcast RSS
How AWC courses helped Luke Rutledge get his book deal for ‘A Man And His Pride’
Luke Rutledge loves his job in communications, but was keen to scratch his creative itch. He had enjoyed writing as a child, but had stopped when life got in the way, before deciding to start again in his late 20s. After completing Novel Writing Essentials at the Australian Writers’ Centre, he started writing the manuscript for what would become A Man and His Pride – his debut novel which is out now with Penguin Random House.
COMP CLOSED: ‘Why We Sing’ by Julia Hollander
“A memoir about the power of singing to make connections, to heal and expand our lives…” This week’s giveaway book is Julia Hollander’s Why We Sing – a memoir celebrating the power of song to lift our mood and restore our sense of connection to other people and the world.
Copywriting Podcast Episode 049: How to launch a podcast that builds authority and generates leads with guest Ash Roy
Launching a podcast is a brilliant way to build your copywriting business. It helps you build your authority, find new clients and create new connections with interesting and high-profile people. If you’ve ever wanted a map for how to build, launch and promote your podcast, this is the episode for
3 ways to create compelling characters (who your reader will care about)
“Character drives story.” It’s one of those writerly maxims you hear over and over, and something I teach regularly to writers of all ages. But to make it work, you need to create a character your readers will care about enough to go along for the ride. For me, compelling
Q&A: Where does “bingo” come from?
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, bingo was its name-oh… Q:
Furious Fiction December 2022 winner and shortlist
For the final month of 2022 (the 12th month, if you will), Furious Fiction entrants were set a curious collection of criteria. Here they are now: Each story had to begin with a 12-word sentence. Each story had to include the sale of a second-hand item Each story had to
Writing Podcast Episode 522: Penelope Janu on her eighth novel ‘Shelter from the Storm’
Two writing apps to help develop your story. And meet AWC alumna Penelope Janu, who has just released her eighth novel! And win Bret Easton Ellis’s latest novel The Shards. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or add the podcast RSS feed manually to your favourite
COMP CLOSED: ‘The Shards’ by Bret Easton Ellis
This week’s giveaway book is a sensational new novel from Bret Easton Ellis – the bestselling author of Less Than Zero and American Psycho. The Shards tracks a group of privileged Los Angeles high school friends as a serial killer strikes across the city. His first novel in 12 years,
VIDEO: Katie McMahon on her novel ‘The Accident’
Katie McMahon is a medical doctor and author of The Accident. Her first novel, The Mistake, was published internationally in 2021. Katie has also written articles for The Age and The Quarry. She grew up in Frankston, and now lives in Hobart with her family. Katie chats to Valerie Khoo,
VIDEO: Lee Kofman on her memoir ‘The Writer Laid Bare’
Dr Lee Kofman is a Russian-born Israeli-Australian author, editor, writing teacher and mentor based in Melbourne. Her works include The Writer Laid Bare, Scars, I Will Love Christina, and the memoirs Imperfect and The Dangerous Bride. In the past she had sampled many different occupations, including party organising and university
Q&A: The origin of “bane of my existence”
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, a bane threshold… Q: Hey
Writing Podcast Episode 521: All your questions answered!
You asked some pretty personal and deep questions – and Valerie went there! She’s answered them here. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or add the podcast RSS feed manually to your favourite podcast app. Links mentioned in this episode WIN Et tu, Brute? by
COMP CLOSED: ‘Et tu, Brute?’ by Harry Mount and John Davie
This week’s giveaway is a light-hearted and fascinating book from Harry Mount and John Davie. Et tu, Brute unlocks the wisdom of the past, revealing how ancient Latin can help us to live better in the present. We have three copies to be won. There are so many Latin phrases
6 more top tips for writing commercial fiction
It takes a lot of work and know-how to write a book that appeals to a wide audience – so much so, that we decided 5 top tips were simply not enough! So here are six more top tips for writing commercial fiction, direct from authors we spoke to on
VIDEO: Belinda Murrell on her novel ‘The Silver Sea’
Belinda Murrell is an award winning, internationally published author with a history of writing in her family that spans over 200 years. Belinda has written more than 35 books including ‘The Silver Sea’ and ‘The Golden Tower’, a time slip fantasy series set in a Renaissance Italian inspired world, The
Q&A: The origin of “showing someone the ropes”
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, we are roped into it…
5 top tips for writing commercial fiction
What does it take to write a book that sells to a wide audience? Is there a secret to creating popular, accessible stories? We’ve curated this selection of writing tips direct from authors who have been featured on the So You Want To Be A Writer podcast – click the
COMP CLOSED: ‘Blurb Your Enthusiasm’ by Louise Willder
A dazzling dictionary of book blurbs, filled with writing tips, literary folklore and publishing secrets… This week’s giveaway is a joyful celebration of books – the perfect gift for bibliophiles, word lovers and anyone who’s ever wondered, ‘should you judge a book by its cover?’ The book is Blurb Your
Writing Podcast Episode 520: Nikki Crutchley on her novel ‘In Her Blood’ and how self-publishing led to her agent and book deal.
Nikki Crutchley on her novel In Her Blood and how self-publishing led to her agent and book deal, old dictionaries, how John Steinbeck write his books and much more. And win copies of Blurb Your Enthusiasm by Louise Wilder. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on
Copywriting Podcast Episode 048: How to become a copywriting influencer, with guest Danielle Lewis
For 95% of beginner copywriters, finding clients is the bane of their existence. Well, what if I told you there was a way you could avoid all that? This approach has clients clicking on YOUR profile, and directly messaging YOU — not you painfully messaging them. No more Upwork, Fiverr,
VIDEO: Reece Carter on his brilliant middle grade novel ‘A Girl Called Corpse’
Reece Carter is the author of A Girl Called Corpse, which was published after an international bidding war between publishers vying for the book. He grew up on his family farm in Tammin, Western Australia. There was an unfortunate lack of witches and ghosts though, so Reece had to find
Authors you loved listening to this year
2022 has been another big year for the So You Want to be a Writer podcast. This year, there have been 55 episodes (and 55 words of the week!) and Valerie has interviewed 58 writers. Not only did we celebrate our 500th episode, we’re at over 2.3 million downloads. Wow!
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