This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring The Cartographer's Secret by Tea Cooper. Follow Letitia Rawlings on her quest in 1911's Hunter Valley to heal a family rift. An intricately illustrated map offers a clue to the fate of her long-lost aunt. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this mesmerising historical mystery.

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

This 'inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series featuring <a href="https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/LeDmj">The Cartographer's Secret</a> by Tea Cooper. Follow Letitia Rawlings on her quest in 1911's Hunter Valley to heal a family rift. An intricately illustrated map offers a clue to the fate of her long-lost aunt. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this mesmerising historical mystery.
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-374/">Read the show notes</a>
Connect with Valerie, Allison 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="https://allisontait.com/">AllisonTait.com</a> | <a href="http://valeriekhoo.com/">ValerieKhoo.com</a>

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 374: Tea Cooper's 'The Cartographer's Secret' [Story Sessions series]

Meet Jo Peck, whose memoir Suddenly Single at Sixty details her journey through divorce and rediscovery. Jo discusses her writing process, the therapeutic value of journalling, the challenges of constructing a memoir , and her inspirations. She also offers advice for writers on being honest in their writing and the importance of self-analysis.

00:00 Welcome to the podcast & updates
02:03 Nat Newman’s writing tip
05:15 Crafting secondary characters
07:44 Book giveaway: Ghost Cities by Siang Lu
10:39 Word of the week: Desultory
11:26 Writer in residence: Jo Peck on Suddenly Single at Sixty
24:23 The journey of writing a memoir
25:58 From school gate to bookshelf
29:12 Structuring a memoir
34:16 Jo’s writing process
38:18 Exploring future writing projects and reflections
41:09 Receiving feedback and sharing advice for aspiring writers
46:27 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 Jo Peck, whose memoir Suddenly Single at Sixty details her journey through divorce and rediscovery. Jo discusses her writing process, the therapeutic value of journalling, the challenges of constructing a memoir , and her inspirations. She also offers advice for writers on being honest in their writing and the importance of self-analysis.
00:00 Welcome to the podcast &amp; updates 02:03 Nat Newman’s writing tip 05:15 Crafting secondary characters 07:44 Book giveaway: Ghost Cities by Siang Lu 10:39 Word of the week: Desultory 11:26 Writer in residence: Jo Peck on Suddenly Single at Sixty 24:23 The journey of writing a memoir 25:58 From school gate to bookshelf 29:12 Structuring a memoir 34:16 Jo’s writing process 38:18 Exploring future writing projects and reflections 41:09 Receiving feedback and sharing advice for aspiring writers 46:27 Closing thoughts and fun facts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-602/">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 602: Meet Jo Peck, author of the memoir 'Suddenly Single at Sixty'.

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 374: Tea Cooper's 'The Cartographer's Secret' [Story Sessions series]

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