We are back for 2025. In this episode we cover a lot of ground, with insights into the writing and publishing journey of successful authors, plus Aussie publishing news and a catchup on how 2025 has started for Seana's writing and for Ventura Press.

Join Jane Curry and Seana Smith for a candid insight into how to write and to publish your book.

00:00 Introduction and Ventura Press author Katherine Johnson's wins inaugural HarperCollins Australian Fiction Prize.

01:24 Katherine Johnson's publishing journey and the impact of literary prizes for authors.

05:53 Australian publishing news: Text Publishing sold to Penguin Random House.

06:20 Th challenges of third-party distribution.

11:21 Independent and Ventura's position in the market.

14:00 Commercial fiction and why we love it.

16:18 Current trends in memoir.

17:46 Promoting 'Going Under' in 2025, ongoing promotion mode and not needing the sugar hit of huge sales immediately

20:20 Simon and Schuster sales conference, coming up. Ventura Press upcoming books and sales strategies.

23:13 Seana's current writing endeavours.

24:35 Seana and Jane's recent reads and book recommendations

• Richard Charkin My Back Pages Marble Hill Publishers 2023
• All Fours by Miranda July
• We Are The Stars by Gina Chick
• Swimming Sydney by Chris Baker
• Trespass by Louise Kennedy

28:33 Farewell!

Seana Smith Links

• Seana Smith website: www.seanasmith.com
• Seana Smith Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanasmith/

Jane Curry Links

• Jane Curry Advisory: www.janecurryadvisory.com
• Ventura Press: www.venturapress.com.au

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