So You Want To Be A Writer With Valerie Khoo And Allison Tait: Australian Writers' Centre Podcast

In this 'inbetweenisode', Valerie Khoo sits down with Sam Buckerfield, who has co-written a book called Generation Alpha. Now what’s interesting is that this is a nonfiction book - but Sam’s passion has always been in fiction. But as you’ll hear, Sam was able to use his fiction skills to create a compelling and very readable narrative out of 20 years of social research and case studies and statistics.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take a deep dive into the conventions and tropes in 'charming crime fiction' with Pamela Hart, author of 'Digging Up Dirt'. Winner of flash fiction story stuns husband into silence. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Book Club: A Journal' 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.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'Thursdays at Orange Blossom House' by Sophie Green. This is another delightful novel about friendship from the bestselling author of 'The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle' and 'The Inaugural Meeting Of The Fairvale Ladies Book Club'. Once again, Sophie has created wonderful characters who feel like friends that you just want to connect with again and again. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Jacqueline Maley, author of 'The Truth About Her'. Impress your friends and family with the word 'otiose'. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'The 22 Murders of Madison May' by Max Barry 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.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'The Others' by Mark Brandi. This is the latest novel from the bestselling Australian author of 'Wimmera' and 'The Rip'. Once again, Mark has crafted an evocative story with a tense underlying thread of fear. Before he reads from his novel, Mark answers some questions about his writing process as well as offering his top 3 tips for aspiring writers. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Cristy Burne, co-author of 'Wednesday Weeks and the Tower of Shadows'. Discover what's happening at the Shoalhaven Readers and Writers Festival and learn about the Australia Book Design Awards. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Instructions for Dancing' by Nicola Yoon to giveaway. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'Widow's Island' by L.A. Larkin. This is the latest from bestselling author and queen of suspense. Louisa is also a presenter at the Australian Writers' Centre, and we're so thrilled she has another thriller for us to devour. Once again, Louisa has crafted a nail-biting tale, taking on cyberbullying and climate science, as well as her trademark twists and turns, murder and intrigue. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet Will Dean, author of 'The Last Thing To Burn'. We have a recap of the Capricorn Coast Writers' Festival to share with you. Plus, there are 3 copies of 'Rum: A Distilled History of Colonial Australia' by Matt Murphy 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.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'Can't Say It Went to Plan' by Gabrielle Tozer. This is the latest young adult novel from the fabulous Gabrielle Tozer, author of 'The Intern', 'Faking It' and 'Remind Me How This Ends'. This time, Gabrielle is taking on schoolies - that infamous break at the end of high school when Aussie kids hit the beach to celebrate. But this is not a party book, although there are plenty of parties - Gabrielle tackles the complex emotions that teens face at this time with her usual humour, perspicacity and warmth. Before Gabrielle reads from her novel, I asked her to answer some questions about her writing process as well her top three tips for writers. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet Sally Thorne, author of 'Second First Impressions'. Discover how to run an online writers' workshopping group. Plus, we have a cosy winter reading pack of 5 books 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.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'You Had It Coming' by B.M. Carroll. This is another exciting thriller from the pen of B. M. Carroll, who also writes as Ber Carroll. It’s a tense psychological drama that will hook you in right from the dramatic opening scene until the final pages. Before she reads her first chapter, you’ll hear Ber talk about her writing process and how this is her first time writing this style. It’s fascinating to see how authors change and adapt along their career. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You'll meet Irma Gold, author of 'The Breaking'. Discover a new documentary about indie bookstores. Plus, we have 3 copies of the picture book 'Hello Baby!' by AWC alumna Shelly Unwin 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.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'The Inside Man' by James Phelps. You’ll know James Phelps better as a journalist and true crime writer - but this is his first fiction novel. And as you can expect from Australia’s number one true crime crime writer, it’s an absolute cracker. Before he reads from his novel, James has answered some questions about his writing process and what inspired the novel. The way this novel was commissioned is pretty unique! Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Lynette Noni, author of 'The Prison Healer'. Check out some indie author success stories. Plus, we have 3 copies of 'Reading like an Australian writer' edited by Belinda Castles 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.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'Before You Knew My Name' by Jacqueline Bublitz. Jacqueline has written an astonishing debut with an intriguing and original concept. This is not your usual murder myster or dead girl novel. It’s very powerful and readers have already been raving about how engrossing it is. It’s the sort of book you want to devour in one sitting. Before she reads from her novel, Jacqueline answered some of my probing questions about how the book came to be written and what advice she would give to other aspiring writers. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet A.G. Slatter (Angela Slatter), author of 'All the Murmuring Bones'. You'll discover top tips on how to become a best-selling author and learn what's coming up for A.L. Tait. Plus, there are 10x double passes to LAPSIS 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.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'Grace Under Pressure' by Tori Haschka. This is a hilarious and honest book about motherhood and parenting in the age of social media and constant scrutiny and the pressure to ‘do it all’. Tori is better known as a food writer and she has written several cookbooks, and this is her debut novel. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of the novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'Tipping' by Anna George. This is a funny, relevant and thought-provoking book. This is a bit of a departure from Anna’s previous two novels - the stunning thrillers 'What Came Before' and 'The Lone Child'. It has the same exciting pace, but this time Anna trains her focus on the domestic sphere, laying bare the challenges (and hypocrisies) faced by many modern women. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of the novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'You Need to Know' by Nicola Moriarty. This is the latest novel from the bestselling author of 'The Ex' and 'Those Other Women' - and once again, Nicola has created an intriguing drama that will hook you right from the start and grip you right to the stunning end. Plus, there are 3 copies of 'Flash Jim' by Kel Richards to giveaway. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features 'All We Have is Now' by Kaneana May. This is Kaneana’s second novel, following her incredible debut 'The One'. Kaneana has once again weaved together the story of three different women who run a wellness centre together. It’s a beautiful novel full of compassion, hope, love and friendship, all while tackling serious themes. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the prologue and first chapter of the novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie, Allison and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.