Children’s author Carla Fitzgerald is author of the middle-grade novel How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade 5. Carla shares insights into writing compelling stories for children and offers five must-do tips for aspiring middle-grade authors. Additionally, Nat Newman provides a practical app tip about the benefits of using Google Docs. And more.

00:00 Introduction to the podcast
00:19 Spotlight on children's authors
01:27 Weekly app tip with Nat Newman
01:55 Google Docs: A writer's best friend
06:24 Course advertisement: Writing children's novels
07:16 Interview with Carla Fitzgerald
12:28 Five must-do's for writing middle grade novels
25:23 Building a sustainable author career
32:50 Conclusion

Read the show notes

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

Children’s author Carla Fitzgerald is author of the middle-grade novel How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade 5. Carla shares insights into writing compelling stories for children and offers five must-do tips for aspiring middle-grade authors. Additionally, Nat Newman provides a practical app tip about the benefits of using Google Docs. And more.
00:00 Introduction to the podcast 00:19 Spotlight on children's authors 01:27 Weekly app tip with Nat Newman 01:55 Google Docs: A writer's best friend 06:24 Course advertisement: Writing children's novels 07:16 Interview with Carla Fitzgerald 12:28 Five must-do's for writing middle grade novels 25:23 Building a sustainable author career 32:50 Conclusion
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-621/">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>

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 621: Children’s author Carla Fitzgerald shares her five must-do tips for aspiring middle-grade authors

Meet Dani Vee, publisher at Larrikin House, whose latest book is Riley's Failproof Guide to Breaking a School Record, and her soon-to-be-released book is My Pet Croc. Dani shares her writing process but also provides insights into the children’s publishing industry, her role as a publisher and what she is looking for in a manuscript. Dani discusses the importance of finding the right voice, creative control, and the submission process for aspiring authors.

00:00 Introduction to the podcast and special series
02:14 Meet Dani Vee: Author, publisher, and podcaster
03:43 Riley's fail-proof guide to breaking a school record
05:02 From picture books to junior fiction
06:00 The creative process and challenges of writing
12:44 The magic of writing My Pet Croc
14:43 Transitioning from teaching to publishing
17:26 The role of a publisher in a small publishing house
20:52 Exploring different book genres
21:24 The story behind The Bogan Book Club
22:20 The importance of voice in publishing
23:33 Breaking stereotypes in literature
24:26 Defining the Larrikin voice
27:05 Submission process and common mistakes
32:13 Working with authors: Challenges and considerations
34:58 Evaluating submissions: Key questions
37:36 Future plans and writing aspirations
40:08 Conclusion and final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

Meet Dani Vee, publisher at Larrikin House, whose latest book is Riley's Failproof Guide to Breaking a School Record, and her soon-to-be-released book is My Pet Croc. Dani shares her writing process but also provides insights into the children’s publishing industry, her role as a publisher and what she is looking for in a manuscript. Dani discusses the importance of finding the right voice, creative control, and the submission process for aspiring authors.
00:00 Introduction to the podcast and special series 02:14 Meet Dani Vee: Author, publisher, and podcaster 03:43 Riley's fail-proof guide to breaking a school record 05:02 From picture books to junior fiction 06:00 The creative process and challenges of writing 12:44 The magic of writing My Pet Croc 14:43 Transitioning from teaching to publishing 17:26 The role of a publisher in a small publishing house 20:52 Exploring different book genres 21:24 The story behind The Bogan Book Club 22:20 The importance of voice in publishing 23:33 Breaking stereotypes in literature 24:26 Defining the Larrikin voice 27:05 Submission process and common mistakes 32:13 Working with authors: Challenges and considerations 34:58 Evaluating submissions: Key questions 37:36 Future plans and writing aspirations 40:08 Conclusion and final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-631/">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 631: Meet children’s book publisher and author Dani Vee.

Meet writer and comedian Jennifer Wong, who discussed her new book Chopsticks or Fork, a nostalgic exploration of Chinese-Australian restaurants, based on her TV series. Jennifer shares insights into her writing journey and balancing her work across different media.

00:00 Introduction and welcome
00:20 Catching up after a trip
00:52 Listener shoutouts and publishing advice
03:20 Writing tip from Nat Newman
03:45 Exploring Disney Studios
07:21 Writing tip: Take a research trip
12:31 Competition announcement
14:21 Word of the week
15:07 Travel writing special edition course
18:12 Interview with Jennifer Wong
23:43 Finding the right talent for a show
23:59 Comedy and personal growth
25:06 Writing with personal experience
27:15 Exploring favorite writing topics
29:06 The journey of Chopsticks or Fork
32:58 Creating a nostalgic and joyous book
42:58 Balancing book promotion and new projects
44:20 Upcoming shows and future plans
48:34 Final 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 writer and comedian Jennifer Wong, who discussed her new book Chopsticks or Fork, a nostalgic exploration of Chinese-Australian restaurants, based on her TV series. Jennifer shares insights into her writing journey and balancing her work across different media.
00:00 Introduction and welcome 00:20 Catching up after a trip 00:52 Listener shoutouts and publishing advice 03:20 Writing tip from Nat Newman 03:45 Exploring Disney Studios 07:21 Writing tip: Take a research trip 12:31 Competition announcement 14:21 Word of the week 15:07 Travel writing special edition course 18:12 Interview with Jennifer Wong 23:43 Finding the right talent for a show 23:59 Comedy and personal growth 25:06 Writing with personal experience 27:15 Exploring favorite writing topics 29:06 The journey of Chopsticks or Fork 32:58 Creating a nostalgic and joyous book 42:58 Balancing book promotion and new projects 44:20 Upcoming shows and future plans 48:34 Final thoughts and fun facts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-630/">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 630: How Jennifer Wong’s TV series evolved into her new book ‘Chopsticks or Fork’.

Meet children's author Jess Horn, who shares her journey in writing, the inspiration behind her book Bernie Thinks in Boxes, and her intensive writing process. Jess also details her experience securing a book deal, the value of feedback, and the importance of community in the writing world. Jess provides tips for aspiring authors on maintaining passion, embracing feedback, and connecting with the writing community.

00:00 Introduction to the podcast
01:09 App tip of the week: Clockify
11:19 Interview with children's author Jess Horn
13:46 Jess Horn's writing journey and tips
23:05 Exciting news and future projects

Read the show notes

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

Meet children's author Jess Horn, who shares her journey in writing, the inspiration behind her book Bernie Thinks in Boxes, and her intensive writing process. Jess also details her experience securing a book deal, the value of feedback, and the importance of community in the writing world. Jess provides tips for aspiring authors on maintaining passion, embracing feedback, and connecting with the writing community.
00:00 Introduction to the podcast 01:09 App tip of the week: Clockify 11:19 Interview with children's author Jess Horn 13:46 Jess Horn's writing journey and tips 23:05 Exciting news and future projects
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-629/">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 621: Children’s author Carla Fitzgerald shares her five must-do tips for aspiring middle-grade authors

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