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;

So You Want to be a Writer

Writing Podcast Episode 698: Emma Sloley welcomes you to 'The Island of Last Things'

Are YOU ready to unlock your potential in 2026? Join us for a special ‘manifestation’ episode of the podcast, as Valerie is joined by Matt Cooke, author of Beyond Wanting: The Art of True Manifestation. Matt shares his personal story into manifestation – from skeptic to believer AND how he manifested his book deal – and some key ideas you can use immediately in taking actionable steps towards achieving goals. It’s a positive blend of inspiration and practical advice for anyone looking to make meaningful changes in the year ahead!

00:00 Welcome
03:25 Practical steps and skepticism
04:34 Valerie's personal connection to goal setting
07:53 Writer in residence: Matt Cooke
09:06 Understanding ‘Beyond Wanting’ and manifestation
13:35 Common manifestation mistakes
17:10 Matt’s own journey
17:50 Getting the book deal of his dreams – literally
26:01 How Matt got into manifestation
33:40 The power of gratitude for future events
34:20 The science of reality
39:23 Signs and synchronicities to look for
43:20 The numerical significance of 2026
48:18 Manifestation stories and lessons
57:07 Practical steps for the year ahead
1:03:01 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

Are YOU ready to unlock your potential in 2026? Join us for a special &lsquo;manifestation&rsquo; episode of the podcast, as Valerie is joined by Matt Cooke, author of Beyond Wanting: The Art of True Manifestation. Matt shares his personal story into manifestation &ndash; from skeptic to believer AND how he manifested his book deal &ndash; and some key ideas you can use immediately in taking actionable steps towards achieving goals. It&rsquo;s a positive blend of inspiration and practical advice for anyone looking to make meaningful changes in the year ahead!
00:00 Welcome 03:25 Practical steps and skepticism 04:34 Valerie's personal connection to goal setting 07:53 Writer in residence: Matt Cooke 09:06 Understanding &lsquo;Beyond Wanting&rsquo; and manifestation 13:35 Common manifestation mistakes 17:10 Matt&rsquo;s own journey 17:50 Getting the book deal of his dreams &ndash; literally 26:01 How Matt got into manifestation 33:40 The power of gratitude for future events 34:20 The science of reality 39:23 Signs and synchronicities to look for 43:20 The numerical significance of 2026 48:18 Manifestation stories and lessons 57:07 Practical steps for the year ahead 1:03:01 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-697/">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>

Writing Podcast Episode 697: Matt Cooke and his inspirational new book, 'Beyond Wanting'

We’ve all heard of the ‘muse’ but what about the ‘mewwwws’? That’s the sound of authors' cats, and in this episode, Susannah Fullerton discusses her wonderfully titled book, Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them – exploring the unique relationships between famous authors and their feline companions. Susannah shares how she researched the topic, choosing the authors and the magical publishing story, as well as offering tips to aspiring nonfiction writers.

00:00 Welcome
07:26 Writing tip: Follow the formatting guidelines
09:36 WIN!: Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson
12:24 Word of the week: ‘Clerisy’
12:59 Writer in residence: Susannah Fullerton
14:10 Explaining her book, Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them
14:45 The inspiration for the book
17:50 Choosing and placing authors in the book
19:30 Animal protection and authors
22:30 Research methods
24:40 Organising all her notes
26:41 The timeline of writing the book
27:35 The pitching process
30:01 The joy of getting published
32:22 Publicity and promotion of the book
36:34 Merchandising and collaborations
37:27 Balancing lecturing and writing
38:22 Where her ideas come from  
42:51 The timeless appeal of classics
46:32 Advice for aspiring nonfiction writers
48:58 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

We&rsquo;ve all heard of the &lsquo;muse&rsquo; but what about the &lsquo;mewwwws&rsquo;? That&rsquo;s the sound of authors' cats, and in this episode, Susannah Fullerton discusses her wonderfully titled book, Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them &ndash; exploring the unique relationships between famous authors and their feline companions. Susannah shares how she researched the topic, choosing the authors and the magical publishing story, as well as offering tips to aspiring nonfiction writers.
00:00 Welcome 07:26 Writing tip: Follow the formatting guidelines 09:36 WIN!: Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson 12:24 Word of the week: &lsquo;Clerisy&rsquo; 12:59 Writer in residence: Susannah Fullerton 14:10 Explaining her book, Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them 14:45 The inspiration for the book 17:50 Choosing and placing authors in the book 19:30 Animal protection and authors 22:30 Research methods 24:40 Organising all her notes 26:41 The timeline of writing the book 27:35 The pitching process 30:01 The joy of getting published 32:22 Publicity and promotion of the book 36:34 Merchandising and collaborations 37:27 Balancing lecturing and writing 38:22 Where her ideas come from &nbsp; 42:51 The timeless appeal of classics 46:32 Advice for aspiring nonfiction writers 48:58 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-696/">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>

Writing Podcast Episode 696: Susannah Fullerton talks 'Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them'

We’ve heard of crashing weddings, but what about funerals? That’s the topic that bestselling author Joanna Nell has tackled for her sixth book, The Funeral Crashers. In this episode, she joins us to discuss the experience behind writing this latest novel as well as the turning point in her life that got her publishing her first book in her fifties.

00:00 Welcome
06:44 Writing tip: Overcoming technology distractions
11:16 WIN!: A Complete Fiction by R.L. Maizes
12:46 Word of the week: ‘Emolument’
13:22 Writer in residence: Joanna Nell
15:05 What her latest book, The Funeral Crashers, is about
18:36 Patients inspiring her writing
22:06 Rediscovering a passion for writing
24:58 The joy of finding a writing community
26:23 Lessons learned from a decade of writing
29:29 A word about writing short fiction
31:23 A day in the life of a full-time writer
33:40 Writing retreats
35:22 Creating memorable characters
40:06 Promoting the latest novel
41:02 Future Projects
41:58 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

We&rsquo;ve heard of crashing weddings, but what about funerals? That&rsquo;s the topic that bestselling author Joanna Nell has tackled for her sixth book, The Funeral Crashers. In this episode, she joins us to discuss the experience behind writing this latest novel as well as the turning point in her life that got her publishing her first book in her fifties.
00:00 Welcome 06:44 Writing tip: Overcoming technology distractions 11:16 WIN!: A Complete Fiction by R.L. Maizes 12:46 Word of the week: &lsquo;Emolument&rsquo; 13:22 Writer in residence: Joanna Nell 15:05 What her latest book, The Funeral Crashers, is about 18:36 Patients inspiring her writing 22:06 Rediscovering a passion for writing 24:58 The joy of finding a writing community 26:23 Lessons learned from a decade of writing 29:29 A word about writing short fiction 31:23 A day in the life of a full-time writer 33:40 Writing retreats 35:22 Creating memorable characters 40:06 Promoting the latest novel 41:02 Future Projects 41:58 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-695/">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>

Writing Podcast Episode 698: Emma Sloley welcomes you to 'The Island of Last Things'

So You Want to be a Writer

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So You Want to be a Writer

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