This week I’m interviewing a guest who I’ve been wanting to get on the show for years!

Meet publishing supremo Fiona Hazard.  Fiona has been in the book publishing business for over 25 years, both in Australia and in the UK, and has worked with a diverse range of authors and illustrators to help them share their stories with readers around the world.

Previously Group Publishing Director for Hachette Australia & New Zealand, she is now Head of Strategy & Development for independent publisher Keeperton and a board member for Writing NSW. 

Fiona led the publication of my four books in her role at Hachette Australia, and I’ve been fascinated speaking to her about how quickly the publishing industry is developing, and how more accessible than ever it is to get your work published as a result.  It’s an exciting time to be an author!

In myself and Fiona’s chat, we cover:

• The biggest block she sees people having writing - and publishing - a book
• Whether you should just go ahead and write or decide on how to publish it first
• The different publishing options - self-publish vs go with a publisher (and other options in between!)
• What you need to get a book deal with a publisher
• What KDP is and how it’s revolutionising the publishing industry
• What kind of authors tend to do well with self publishing
• If it's possible to actually make money from books nowadays
• Which route she would choose if she was a first-time author now
• The resources she recommends to authors researching their publishing options
• The hot genres to watch in publishing 

To find out more about Keeperton, visit keeperton.com.  

My May Bali retreat has just TWO SPOTS LEFT!  Find out more here: lorrainemurphy.com.au/bali-retreat-may-2025 

And October’s retreat has just opened: lorrainemurphy.com.au/bali-retreat-oct-2025