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Some authors dream of writing when they’re young but leave it behind to focus on another career. But not Bridie Blake, who instead quit university and made her work fit around her publishing aspirations. After pivoting from YA to romance, she published her debut rom-com novel, The Boyfriend Clause, and in this episode, AWC grad Bridie shares the writing courses that changed her fortunes and her experience seeing her book on the shelves. 00:00 Welcome10:23 Writing tip: Explore art13:16 WIN: The Lady with the Dog by Carrie Tiffany14:32 Word of the Week “Reify”15:20 Interview with Bridie Blake16:42 Explaining The Boyfriend Clause17:49 Early writing dreams20:12 Day jobs and persistence22:09 AWC courses and getting feedback25:36 Pivoting to adult rom-com27:25 Romance course lessons29:47 Bridie’s writing process30:59 Morning writer mindset33:15 Balancing humour and heart34:12 Choosing Australian publishing37:33 The “yes” email moment39:45 Promoting her books40:52 What’s next?41:49 Her writing technique evolution45:51 Bridie’s writing tip47:15 Theme of the book48:13 Book recommendations49:57 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine being married to one of literature’s most famous wordsmiths and having him describe your life as “a blank”. This is the reputation that Charles Dickens’ wife Kate of 22 years – with whom he had 10 children – has endured for 150 years. But in author Emily Howes’ new novel Mrs Dickens, she seeks to fill in those blanks. In this episode, Emily shares her inspirations for choosing this historical figure and the challenges of reimagining history. 00:00 Welcome08:28 Writing Tip: Try something new11:55 WIN: The German Ward by Pip Williams13:16 Word of the Week: “Pertinacious”14:14 Interview with Emily Howes15:02 Why Mrs Dickens matters16:50 Inspirations for the novel22:23 Researching her life24:01 Turning facts into fiction25:35 What stayed and what was cut30:02 Second POV character: Anne35:57 Balancing work and writing38:48 Emily’s writing breakthrough43:22 What’s next?45:48 Writing tip47:31 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scottish-Australian author and AWC grad Judith Katherine went from being crippled by fear about sharing her writing to publishing her debut novel, Simply Beside Herself. In this episode, Judith shares the lockdown routine that unlocked her new writing path, the courses that changed the game and some of the valuable lessons she learnt along the way. She also shares insights into her book’s theme of dissociation.  00:00 Welcome13:30 Writing tip: Focus on the work16:00 WIN: Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs  by Bernadette Schwerdt19:02 Word of the week: ‘Onomastic’19:44 Interview with: Judith Catherine21:33 Describing Simply Beside Herself – themes and inspiration23:55 Back story and finding writing25:00 Discovering AWC courses26:35 Judith’s writing breakthrough30:30 The value of community and sharing work32:28 Writing the novel – dissociation story hook35:10 The timeline to publication39:04 Editing lessons learned42:16 Writing process chaos44:35 Getting the book deal47:04 Judith’s advice for writers49:47 Reading recommendations51:37 The book’s opening Rumi quote 54:03 What’s next?55:23 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK-based queer author Curtis Garner burst onto the scene a few years ago with his debut novel, Isaac. Now he’s back with Orange – a coming of age novel that explores two characters as they grapple with a sense of identity and place across a five-year span. In this episode, Curtis shares his inspirations for this novel, his writing process and tips, plus why sex scenes in books should have less fluff! 00:00 Welcome09:09 Writing tip: Public transport13:46 WIN: Last Night I Dreamt by Paul de Zulueta15:32 Word of the week: ‘Ensorcell’16:26 Interview with: Curtis Garner17:00 Describing Orange19:15 Creating the characters20:20 Themes and clichés of place23:35 London as a setting26:27 Two timeline structure28:30 Writing sex scenes honestly33:33 Deadlines and drafting35:00 Rage behind the debut40:03 Writing around a day job42:25 Collecting notes daily44:35 The perils of overplanning46:15 Writing what you care about48:53 What’s next?50:25 Writing advice summary51:33 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the ice rinks to the locker rooms, sports-related romance is sizzling HOT right now. So perhaps it comes as no surprise that AWC graduate and debut author Emma J. Warrender found herself in a fast and furious bidding war for her street-racing-romance, Driven! In this episode, she shares that story, how she got an agent, plus the book character who was inspired by a very special real-life friend. 00:00 Welcome11:12 Writing tip: Meet your heroes!15:05 WIN: A Word for All Seasons by David Crystal16:50 Word of the week: ‘Croze’17:39 Interview with: Emma J. Warrender18:42 Describing Driven19:38 Inspirations21:03 The characters23:00 Fiction beginnings26:02 Chucky28:00 Connecting with AWC courses34:00 Agents and querying40:08 Editing the manuscript41:11 The submission stage44:40 Bidding war46:33 Promotion experience48:55 What’s next?50:00 Writing tip52:11 Book recommendations53:40 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to go to Mars? The main character in Jordan Prosser’s new novel Blue Giant certainly does, and will stop at nothing to achieve this goal. In this episode, Jordan explores the origins of this story, the intriguing cast of characters and how writing a novel differs from other forms of writing he does. Don’t miss this one – it’s ‘out of this world’! 00:00 Welcome09:10 Writing tip: Fridge poems online11:20 Writers in the wild12:40 WIN: The Extraordinary Florence Stoker by Karen Brooks14:45 Word of the week: ‘Epicene’15:42 Interview with: Jordan Prosser16:24 Describing Blue Giant18:00 Origins of the story20:10 Exploring the cast of characters31:05 Fitting novel writing into everyday life33:33 Prioritising writing37:48 The publishing journey41:20 Differences between fiction and script writing44:06 Genre defining46:06 What’s next?47:47 Writing tip51:07 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a mountain of rejections, AWC grad Leearna Shaw was ready to throw in the proverbial towel with her dream of novel writing. But just a few years later, her rural romance A Farm in Golden Clouds wins the Romance Writers of Australia’s Emerald Award and she lands a 2-book publishing deal! So what happened in the middle to set this success story in motion? In this episode, Leearna shares it all. 00:00 Welcome09:10 Writing tip: Help other writers11:48 Writers in the wild13:08 WIN: Realms of Gold by A.J. MacKinnon14:48 Word of the week: ‘Heirophant’15:40 Interview with: Leearna Shaw17:00 Description of A Farm in Golden Clouds18:15 Inspirations for the book20:22 Her early writing dreams22:20 Getting rejections24:00 Discovering AWC courses28:40 Winning the Emerald Award32:00 Scoring a 2-book deal38:00 The importance of the writing community41:10 Advice for writers42:46 Book recommendations45:28 Promotion experiences47:50 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever sat on a train and wondered about the lives of the other passengers? Author Samantha Sotto Yambao certainly has. In fact, she’s written a book based on that very concept! In this episode, Samantha shares her experience crafting and publishing her new novel, The Elsewhere Express, the unique lit scene in the Philippines and the manuscript that ended up becoming a donor for her other books! 00:00 Welcome09:40 Writing tip: Doodling words12:02 Writers in the wild13:16 WIN: She Lied First by Dinuka McKenzie15:00 Word of the week: ‘Noctambulism’15:57 Interview with: Samantha Sotto Yambao16:33 Describing The Elsewhere Express18:00 Crafting the characters22:00 Using an ambiguous location23:40 Samantha’s writing and publishing journey27:40 Getting an agent and published35:30 Paralysed by fear39:00 Current book experience: reboot47:10 The unique Philippine literature scene51:00 Thoughts on other genres52:07 What’s next?55:20 Writing tip56:28 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.comk See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wanted a step-by-step insight into building a novel? Well, in this episode, you have access to bestselling author Kate Forsyth’s note-taking, research and writing process in the creation of her latest novel, The Changeling! It’s a fascinating look into the actual nuts and bolts of crafting a story, from idea to finished edit – including mistakes made along the way! Kate generously shares her methods in this special episode and a bonus Q&A session, with a link to the video available in the show notes. 00:00 Welcome05:44 Writers in the wild06:56 WIN: Bad Neighbours by Joanna Jenkins08:25 Word of the week: ‘Pyroclastic’09:22 Kate Forsyth: Behind the scenes of The Changeling12:56 Beginnings14:10 Stage one of the process18:58 Timelines23:00 Building the protagonist’s story26:01 Relevance to today27:00 Asking questions30:32 Key dates and weaving the story into them31:48 On location research34:06 New beginnings36:38 Narrative structure40:00 Thematic structure41:48 Building the word count43:55 The editing process48:03 Q&A62:35 Final thoughts You can access a free video version of Kate’s session, go here. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Train platforms are fascinating people-watching locations. And if you’ve ever sat and imagined the lives of the strangers standing next to you, UK-based author Ilona Bannister’s new psychological thriller Five may be for you. In this podcast episode, Ilona discusses her inspiration for the book and her own path to writing, along with insights into her daily writing practice. 00:00 Welcome03:09 Writing tip: Hobbies help you write better07:38 Writers in the wild09:06 WIN: Nutcote: Home of May Gibbs by Fiona Starr11:45 Word of the week: ‘Irredentism’12:42 Interview with: Ilona Bannister13:16 The premise of Five15:56 Why a train platform?18:15 Building the five characters20:20 Creating a strong narrative voice23:30 Morally ‘grey’ characters24:52 Writing for readers26:33 London versus New York28:20 Finding the ending30:21 Ilona’s path from lawyer to novelist36:09 Publishing during lockdown38:10 Writing routines as a parent39:48 Networking and its benefits43:10 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Same-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.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every 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.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do 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.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are 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.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We 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.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.