Discover short story comps for children’s writers and learn about scholarships to a Writers Retreat in Iceland. Plus, you’ll meet Dianne Blacklock, author of ‘Jack and Kate’.

Read the show notes. 

Email Valerie and Allison podcast@writerscentre.com.au.

WritersCentre.com.au | AllisonTait.com | ValerieKhoo.com 

Discover short story comps for children&rsquo;s writers and learn about scholarships to a Writers Retreat in Iceland. Plus, you&rsquo;ll meet Dianne Blacklock, author of &lsquo;Jack and Kate&rsquo;.
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-249/">Read the show notes</a>.&nbsp;
Email Valerie and Allison <a href="mailto:podcast@writerscentre.com.au">podcast@writerscentre.com.au</a>.
<a href="http://writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://allisontait.com/">AllisonTait.com</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>&nbsp;

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. 

Everything you&rsquo;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 &ndash;&nbsp;author, journalist, creative and CEO of the Australian Writers&rsquo; Centre.&nbsp;

So You Want to be a Writer

WRITER 249: Meet Dianne Blacklock, author of ‘Jack and Kate’.

Meet Deborah Abela, author of The Kindness Project. Deborah is one of Australia’s most beloved children's authors. Her latest middle grade novel is The Kindness Project, which is her 29th book. Recently, she also released the Book of Wondrous Possibilities. While Deb writes mainly in middle grade, she has also written chapter books and picture books, such as Bear in Space and the upcoming No More Room in the Bed. Also hear about 'Words at Dawn', a writing initiative for students of the Australian Writers’ Centre. And your chance to win the novel The Many Lies of Veronica Hawkins.

00:00 Welcome to the world of writing and publishing
01:09 Busting myths about writing for kids
02:30 Guest spotlight: Nat Newman's writing tips
04:38 Words at dawn: A creative writing initiative
15:27 Deborah Abela: A deep dive into middle grade novels
27:12 The Kindness Project: From concept to creation
29:57 Exploring kindness through storytelling
31:38 The creative process and writing in verse
32:05 From pitch to publication
34:06 Character development and creative inspiration
37:55 Rejections and successes in the publishing world
39:16 From film to children's books: A career journey
43:21 The art of writing across different formats
50:51 Engaging with young readers: The importance of school visits
55:13 Top tips for aspiring middle grade writers

Read the show notes

Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com

Meet Deborah Abela, author of The Kindness Project. Deborah is one of Australia’s most beloved children's authors. Her latest middle grade novel is The Kindness Project, which is her 29th book. Recently, she also released the Book of Wondrous Possibilities. While Deb writes mainly in middle grade, she has also written chapter books and picture books, such as Bear in Space and the upcoming No More Room in the Bed. Also hear about 'Words at Dawn', a writing initiative for students of the Australian Writers’ Centre. And your chance to win the novel The Many Lies of Veronica Hawkins.
00:00 Welcome to the world of writing and publishing 01:09 Busting myths about writing for kids 02:30 Guest spotlight: Nat Newman's writing tips 04:38 Words at dawn: A creative writing initiative 15:27 Deborah Abela: A deep dive into middle grade novels 27:12 The Kindness Project: From concept to creation 29:57 Exploring kindness through storytelling 31:38 The creative process and writing in verse 32:05 From pitch to publication 34:06 Character development and creative inspiration 37:55 Rejections and successes in the publishing world 39:16 From film to children's books: A career journey 43:21 The art of writing across different formats 50:51 Engaging with young readers: The importance of school visits 55:13 Top tips for aspiring middle grade writers
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-601/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

WRITER 601: Meet Deborah Abela, author of 'The Kindness Project', her 29th book!

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

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
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-600/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

WRITER 600: Meet Inda Ahmad Zahri, author of 5 picture books.

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

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.
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-599/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie and listeners in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2346749828883788/">the podcast community on Facebook</a> Visit <a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/">WritersCentre.com.au</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

WRITER 249: Meet Dianne Blacklock, author of ‘Jack and Kate’.

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