Meet Indah Ahmad Zahri, author of 5 picture books including her latest How To Measure The Ocean. Indah, a doctor turned picture book author, delves into her career transition, the inspiration behind her books, and her advocacy work. 00:00 Celebrating 600 episodes: A journey of writing and publishing 01:19 Upcoming seminar: Mastering action in storytelling 03:45 Nat Newman’s writing tips 10:40 Book giveaway: The North Wind by Alexandra Warwick 13:00 Word of the week: propinquity 15:06 Writer in residence: Indah Ahmad Zahri’s multifaceted career 24:25 A magical moment at the beach: The power of picture books 25:28 From inspiration to authorship: The journey begins 26:57 Celebrating diversity and heritage through children's literature 29:09 The challenges and joys of writing for children abroad 31:44 Embracing new creative ventures 33:13 Balancing creativity and parenthood 35:07 Exploring new horizons in writing and art 41:36 Leveraging courses for creative growth 43:36 Top writing tips and a call to action for writers 47:18 Closing thoughts and fun facts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Introducing Story Seeds! A month’s worth of writing prompts that you get for free. Find out how to get Story Seeds for May. The episode features Becky Holmes, author of Keanu Reeves Is Not In Love With You, a memoir and exploration into online romance scams. Becky shares her journey from opening a Twitter account during lockdown that led to interactions with online scammers, to writing a book that delves deep into the world of romance fraud while intertwining her personal experiences. The episode also includes discussions on writing tips, mental health for writers, and an intriguing conversation about theatre performances. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Meet Mary Anastasiou, picture book author and managing editor at Five Mile Press, as well as a former creative director at Larrikin House. Mary shares her journey from aspiring writer to influential figure in the children's book industry, highlighting the challenges and rewards of publishing picture books. She discusses the importance of illustrator-author dynamics, how to successfully submit manuscripts, and offers invaluable advice to aspiring authors and illustrators. Additionally, the episode includes insights into the process of creating picture books, from conception to finished product, and touches on the nuances of the publishing industry. Mary also talks about her latest picture book Julius Squeezer. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Meet author Kell Woods, who discusses her approach to writing, her novel After the Forest, a sequel to Hansel and Gretel, and the blend of history and fantasy in her work. Kell shares insights on the research and discipline required to weave together historical accuracy and compelling storytelling. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Meet Carrie Sun, whose memoir Private Equity explores her journey from a high-paced finance role to embracing a writing career. Carrie discusses her writing process, the challenges of memoir writing, and the transformation she underwent during her time in the finance industry. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Is indie publishing right for you. Discover the intricacies of indie publishing with author Jodi Gibson. Delve into Jodi’s journey across traditional and independent publishing avenues for her novels. She highlights the distinct processes involved in each. Jodi shares valuable tips for indie authors, ranging from understanding why you want to indie publish to learning to love the hustle of marketing your work. The conversation covers the importance of a professional presentation of your book, meeting genre expectations, and the crucial role of building a mailing list. Additionally, Jodi discusses the necessity of assembling a publishing team, including editors and cover designers, to ensure a book's success. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the dedication required for indie publishing and the importance of defining one's own success in the literary world. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Meet Charlotte Barkla, who discusses her latest novel 11 Ruby Road: 1900, a series set over a hundred years in the same house, capturing the essence of family, friendship, community, and historical events. Charlotte shares her journey from engineering and teaching to becoming a children's author, the challenges and joys of writing for young readers, and her processes in research and idea generation for her books. The episode concludes with insights into authors' careers, tips for writers, and a library's unique cat-themed event promoting book forgiveness. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Meet author and ghostwriter Liam Pieper about his latest novel Appreciation. The novel centres around a famous artist trying to rehabilitate his fame with the help of a ghostwriter. Liam also discusses his “day job” as a ghostwriter, the importance of getting along with the client and shaping their narrative according to their needs. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Meet Karina May, author of Never Ever Forever, who talks about author branding, the business of writing and publishing 3 books in 15 months. Host Valerie Khoo also chats to author Nat Newman on her writing tip for the week, Valerie’s involvement in the 100-day project, a global initiative that encourages creatives to commit to producing something new every day for 100 days. And much more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Meet Jane Tara, who discusses her latest novel Tilda is Visible, where the female protagonist is diagnosed with invisibility as she progresses into her 50s. Jane discusses experiences of feeling invisible, implications on self-perception, the way society views aging, and the healing journey of self-discovery. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Meet Jamelle Wells, author of The Outback Court Reporter. Both a newsreader and senior court reporter for ABC, Jamelle reveals the intricate and sometimes unexpected dynamics witnessed during her time covering diverse cases in city and rural courts. She chats about the cultural differences, compelling cases, struggles of court reporting, and the importance of accuracy and fairness. Jamelle also reflects on the writing process of her latest book, sharing personal experiences that intertwined her journey. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Meet author Natalie Murray on her journey to becoming a writer and her contemporary romance novel, Love Just In. Natalie discusses how she's co-written novels, tips on how to work on characters and plot lines, and the benefits of doing courses at Australian Writers' Centre. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Liz Foster shares her journey from discovering writing as a creative outlet during recovery from breast cancer, to becoming a published author with The Good Woman's Guide to Making Better Choices. The podcast episode explores Liz’s habits and strategies for success, including the importance of setting micro-goals, maintaining a daily 1,000-word count, and finding support in the writing community. She shares her experience using Scrivener and how she handled editing and reducing the length of her manuscript. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Stepping into Success with Author Jenna Lo Bianco. Are you ready for the upcoming special writing event on Romance writing? Meet special guest Jenna Lo Bianco, author of The Italian Marriage, discusses her journey from aspiring writer enduring rejections to being a successful author. Jenna shares her strategic approach to market her book, the process of acquiring an agent and subsequently publishing her books, and her valuable writing tips on persistence, resilience, and knowing your niche. Author Nat Newman also joins to share a writing tip: 'Kill Your Darlings.' The show wraps up with a competition for Trish Bolton's Whenever You're Ready and the word of the week: 'Posology'. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Developing Skills and Techniques as an Aspiring Writer: Interview with novelist Jo Riccioni. Host Valerie Khoo and Jo discuss Jo’s latest novel The Rising, the process of writing a duology, her love for fantasy writing, and the importance of cultivating a detailed and authentic world in fantasy literature. Jo also shares how she came up with names in her books and gives advice to aspiring writers on how to get started, from mimicking styles to joining a writer's group. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Host and CEO of the Australian Writers' Centre, Valerie Khoo, shares her recent experiences, including mentoring members of the freelance writing masterclass program and editing a manuscript. She also talks about the importance of creative curiosity and not limiting yourself to one passion. The guest for this episode is Michelle Upton, an author who shares her journey to becoming a writer after the passing of her father, which led her to question her life's purpose. Michelle speaks about the process of writing her novels Emergency Exit Only and Terms of Inheritance, focusing on dealing with rejection, having perseverance, and the value of preparation and research. The episode also highlights the importance of setting deadlines, venturing into social media platforms for marketing, and advises writers to build a strong pitch before starting a novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Meet Michael Thompson, a journalist, producer, media executive, and author of the novel How To Be Remembered. He shares his journey from being a journalist to becoming a published novelist, his inspiration behind his unique book premise, tackling numerous rejections, the movie deal for his novel, his writing process, and advice for aspiring writers wanting to break into the world of publishing. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Meet author Vicki Conley. As an award-winning author with 11 internationally published picture books, Vicki shares her journey starting from her childhood experiences, writing career in marketing and journalism to her success as a writer. She discusses the themes and inspirations behind her books and also provides valuable advice for aspiring authors. The conversation also includes Vicki's take on the importance of writer's workshops, the role of an illustrator in a picture book and the process of publishing a book. Throughout the episode, Valerie shares writing tips, a word of the week, and details on the current competition. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

How to navigate the challenges that often emerge towards the end of the year. Valerie  also discusses her own personal career reinvention from accountant to writer. An interview with leading Australian crime author Chris Hammer, where Chris discusses his latest best-selling novel, The Seven, and his approach to telling stories through multiple timelines. Chris also shares insights into his writing process and advice for aspiring authors. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Meet Alli Parker, author of the Australian historical fiction novel, At the Foot of the Cherry Tree. The novel is based on the real-life story of Alli's grandparents, who were among the first Australian-Japanese couples after the Second World War. The discussion covers Alli's journey as a writer, her transition from screenwriting to novel writing, the process of researching and writing the book, and her advice for aspiring writers. Alli is also a graduate of several courses at the Australian Writers' Centre, including the Write Your Novel program. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

We chat to award-winning stand-up comedian and author, Benjamin Stevenson, about his latest novel, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect and the success of his previous novel, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. Benjamin discusses his unique skill set of being both a mystery writer and a comedian, and how he fused both in his books. He also shares that he heavily plots his novels before writing, the benefits of writing what he wants to read and his tips for aspiring writers. Benjamin highlights the importance of reading widely and often, appreciating the element of luck in publishing, and the value of finishing your manuscript.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

We chat to best-selling author Jillian Cantor. Jillian shares her experiences with the writing process, and her newest book The Fiction Writer. Discussing her transition from historical to contemporary fiction, how she develops characters, and her writing routine. She also shares her top three tips for aspiring writers. Additionally, Valerie takes a moment to talk about her latest obsession, and the upcoming workshop on writing dual timelines.  Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

In episode 578 of 'So You Want To Be A Writer', Valerie Khoo, the CEO of the Australian Writers' Centre, talks about her passion for fostering a love of reading in young people, her Christmas shopping struggles, and ongoing writing projects. Special guest Nat Newman shares her experiences with theatre and film productions, and offers advice on correct dialogue punctuation. And an inspiring interview with Christos Tsiolkas – novelist, playwright and screenwriter – who provides valuable tips for aspiring writers on reading widely, adopting effective work ethics, and maintaining loyalty in the publishing world. Plus win 'Kill Your Husbands' by Jack Heath. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Ever wondered why how the pronunciation of words evolves, why accents are formed – and why the way we talk differs depending on who we're speaking to? Rob Drummond discusses this and also phenomena like the Australian tendency to “uptalk” at the end of sentences, the Great Vowel Shift and whether Julia Gillard’s accent really was “too Australian”! Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

AWC alumni Joanna Nell is a bestselling author and her fifth novel is Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year. She has carved out a successful literary career alongside her work as s medical doctor. When Joanna first explored the world of writing, she completed several courses at the Australian Writers' Centre. One of the writing exercises she did in her first course planted the seed for what would become her breakout novel The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village! We love her books and are so thrilled for her success. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Christine Wells on her journey from lawyer to full time author and her latest novel The Royal Windsor Secret. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Lucy Lever on her novel Mystic Ridge. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Literary agent Samuel Bernard on what agents are looking for. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Vikki Marmaras scores three book deals and reveals the process behind her latest book, I Spy Treasure. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Hedley Thomas on justice, journalism and his memoir The Teacher's Pet. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Lauren Jackson on how she went viral on TikTok and scored her book deals. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Suzie Miller on transforming her award-winning play Prima Facie into a novel. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Poet and novelist Lang Leav on Others Were Emeralds. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

When Stacey McEwan's musings on books and writing went viral on TikTok, publishers came knocking. She talks about how it happened, tips for authors looking to use social media, and her latest novel Chasm. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Joanne Speirs on how her publishing dreams came true and her novel Second Chance Love in Point Perry. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Kate Gray on landing her six-figure book deal for the The Honeymoon. And how she transitioned from rom coms to psychological thrillers. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Claire Thompson on her picture book about the true story of Lily The Inventor. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Bestselling author Sophie Green on Weekends With The Sunshine Gardening Society. Should you read other books while you're writing your own? And win Storytellers: Questions, Answers and the Craft of Journalism by Leigh Sales. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

This is Heidi Walkinshaw's inspiring story on how she reinvented her life, transitioning away from a career that no longer served her to become a picture book author and copywriter. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Simon Higgins on his novel Dragons of Dusk and Dawn. Using moodboards to help create your characters. And win 'The Chasm' by Bronwyn Hall. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Jo Dabrowski scored not one, not two, but THREE book deals. She has published two picture books: Higher! and Have Your Seen My Friend? And has now released her middle grade novel Get Your Act Together, Doris Kozlowski. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Sarah Ogilvie on The Dictionary People, the fascinating story of the unsung people who helped create the Oxford English Dictionary. Word lovers: this is a must-listen! And your chance to win: Oh Miriam! by Miriam Margolyes. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Chenée Marrapodi on her journey to publication for her novel One Wrong Turn. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Craig Semple on his memoir The Cop Who Fell to Earth. What really makes a story? And win The Fraud by Zadie Smith. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Zewlan Moor on her first two picture books: Nothing Alike and The Bill Dup. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Veronica Lando on The Drowning Girls and what to expect from your first year as an author. The benefits of using a whiteboard and win Writing for Busy Readers by Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Tim Booth, author of You Called An Ambulance for What? Strange, Serious and Silly Stories of Life as a Paramedic. How to find writing partners and win Normal Rules Don't Apply by Kate Atkinson. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Lesley Gibbes, author of Dinosaur Dads to the Rescue. How to write like you're at Hogwarts. And much more. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

David Meagher on his memoir Secrets and Lies. How the Pomodoro technique can help your writing. Why do American pronounce aluminium the way they do? And win After She Wrote Him by Sulari Gentill. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Allison Tait (A.L. Tait) talks about her latest novel The First Summer of Callie McGee. Also, techniques to look at your writing in a completely new way. Win My Mother, The Spy by Cindy Dobbin and Freda Marnie Nicholls. Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com