When was the last time you visited a zoo? Well, now imagine you’re visiting the last zoo on Earth and you have the premise for Emma Sloley’s new book, The Island of Last Things. In this episode, Emma shares the inspiration, research and publishing experience for this book and some of the larger themes this piece of fiction evokes.

00:00 Welcome
04:10 Writing tip: Aim for rejections!
08:30 WIN!: Tom Clancy Executive Power by Andrews & Wilson
11:22 Word of the week: ‘Pelf’
11:56 Writer in residence: Emma Sloley
13:03 What is The Island of Last Things about?
13:50 How Emma got the idea for the book
16:00 Discussing the term ‘climate fiction’
19:00 Researching Alcatraz for the book
21:37 Gathering insights from zookeepers
24:19 Transition to American characters
25:35 Publishing journey and agent experiences
28:34 Editing process with agents and editors
31:34 Balancing writing and travel
34:39 Current writing projects
38:40 Tips for aspiring writers
41:06 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

When was the last time you visited a zoo? Well, now imagine you&rsquo;re visiting the last zoo on Earth and you have the premise for Emma Sloley&rsquo;s new book, The Island of Last Things. In this episode, Emma shares the inspiration, research and publishing experience for this book and some of the larger themes this piece of fiction evokes.
00:00 Welcome 04:10 Writing tip: Aim for rejections! 08:30 WIN!: Tom Clancy Executive Power by Andrews &amp; Wilson 11:22 Word of the week: &lsquo;Pelf&rsquo; 11:56 Writer in residence: Emma Sloley 13:03 What is The Island of Last Things about? 13:50 How Emma got the idea for the book 16:00 Discussing the term &lsquo;climate fiction&rsquo; 19:00 Researching Alcatraz for the book 21:37 Gathering insights from zookeepers 24:19 Transition to American characters 25:35 Publishing journey and agent experiences 28:34 Editing process with agents and editors 31:34 Balancing writing and travel 34:39 Current writing projects 38:40 Tips for aspiring writers 41:06 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-698/">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> |&nbsp;<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;

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