Some kids dream of being a zookeeper when they grow up. Others dream of becoming a writer. Well, author and animal conservationist Tina Strachan ended up doing both! In this episode, she shares her passion for wildlife and how she ended up scoring a book deal for her Wilder Zoo series – with book 3, Neeka and the Great Search out now. She also shares her writing routine and experience working with a professional illustrator.

00:00 Welcome
06:45 Writing tip: Carry a tiny book around
11:26 WIN!: The Angry Wives Club  by Gabbie Stroud
12:57 Word of the week: ‘Spicate’
13:22 Writer in residence: Tina Strachan
15:09 Wilder Zoo series overview
17:20 Tina’s favourite koala fun fact
18:19 Wildlife career origins
21:54 The role of zoos and conservation
25:05 Turning point to getting into writing
27:02 Building a daily habit
27:37 Entering a CYA competition
31:22 Connecting with a publisher
33:03 From samples to a series
35:12 Courses and gaining confidence
36:55 Building her author website 
38:25 Writing routine and its evolution
42:07 School visits and writing festivals
42:57 Illustrator collaboration
44:52 Next books
47:08 Tina shares some writing advice
49:11 Final thoughts

Read the show notes

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

Some kids dream of being a zookeeper when they grow up. Others dream of becoming a writer. Well, author and animal conservationist Tina Strachan ended up doing both! In this episode, she shares her passion for wildlife and how she ended up scoring a book deal for her Wilder Zoo series &ndash; with book 3, Neeka and the Great Search out now. She also shares her writing routine and experience working with a professional illustrator.
00:00 Welcome 06:45 Writing tip: Carry a tiny book around 11:26 WIN!: The Angry Wives Club&nbsp; by Gabbie Stroud 12:57 Word of the week: &lsquo;Spicate&rsquo; 13:22 Writer in residence: Tina Strachan 15:09 Wilder Zoo series overview 17:20 Tina&rsquo;s favourite koala fun fact 18:19 Wildlife career origins 21:54 The role of zoos and conservation 25:05 Turning point to getting into writing 27:02 Building a daily habit 27:37 Entering a CYA competition 31:22 Connecting with a publisher 33:03 From samples to a series 35:12 Courses and gaining confidence 36:55 Building her author website 38:25 Writing routine and its evolution 42:07 School visits and writing festivals 42:57 Illustrator collaboration 44:52 Next books 47:08 Tina shares some writing advice 49:11 Final thoughts
<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ep-714/">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;