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So You Want to be a Writer

So You Want to be a Writer

Von: Australian Writers' Centre
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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.

2026 Australian Writers' Centre
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  • Writing Podcast Episode 701: Emma Pei Yin discusses her wartime novel, 'When Sleeping Women Wake'
    Jan 26 2026

    War stories are often famously told by the victors. But what of the stories of civilians caught up in the conflict? These themes intersect in World-War-II-era Hong Kong in AWC graduate Emma Pei Yin’s debut historical novel, When Sleeping Women Wake – and in this episode she shares her inspirations, the book’s themes and the publishing process, including a fascinating connection with the cover designer.

    00:00 Welcome
    03:41 Writing tip: Avoiding info dumping
    07:05 WIN!: The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave
    08:39 Word of the week: ‘Gimcrack’
    12:03 Writer in residence: Emma Pei Yin
    13:05 Emma explains When Sleeping Women Wake
    13:53 Why this story?
    16:20 Influences and inspirations for the book
    17:35 Balancing historical fiction and fact
    19:10 The research process
    21:20 The note collection process
    22:27 Telling the authentic voices of Chinese people
    23:39 Character development and their unique resistance
    25:55 Class structure and historical contexts
    27:35 Language and authenticity in this story
    29:03 Morally ambiguous choices in war
    30:49 The publishing process
    34:51 Cover designs and market differences
    38:04 Promoting the book and meeting readers
    39:44 The importance of solidarity in telling niche stories
    40:52 Emma’s advice for writers
    42:03 Final thoughts

    Read the show notes

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

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    45 Min.
  • Writing Podcast Episode 700: Rebecca Heath mixes music and murder in 'The Last Encore'
    Jan 19 2026

    A lot of old bands these days seem to be reforming for reunion tours – allowing older fans to reminisce (usually while sipping wine and sitting in a comfy picnic chair). This idea fascinated author Rebecca Heath, so in her new book The Last Encore, she decided to not only get a fictional old-school band back together but add a documentary crew and a dead body into the mix! In this episode, Rebecca shares the real-life music inspirations for the book, her editing insights and much more!

    00:00 Welcome
    04:09 Writing tip: Watch Shrek
    07:39 WIN!: Kill Your Boss by Jack Heath
    09:30 Word of the week: ‘Cucumiform’
    13:59 Writer in residence: Rebecca Heath
    14:34 Rebecca outlines The Last Encore
    17:55 Music inspirations for the book
    20:00 Defining what a ‘boy band’ is
    22:28 Exploring the theme of secrets
    23:55 Publishing journey insights
    24:52 Writing process and routine
    27:52 Balancing writing and editing
    29:00 Deciding whodunnit
    31:22 What to cut
    34:21 The role of community in writing
    37:23 Future projects and staying on brand
    41:04 Rebecca’s tip for writers
    43:00 Final thoughts

    Read the show notes

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

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    45 Min.
  • Writing Podcast Episode 699: William J. Byrne and his historical novel, 'The Warrumbar'
    Jan 12 2026

    It was a single photo of AWC graduate William J. Byrne’s grandmother standing outside a ramshackle home that formed the spark that inspired this self-confessed history buff to explore stories of his past and the experiences of Aboriginal people leading up to the 1960s. The result is his debut novel, The Warrumbar – spanning half a century and casting light on a lesser-told chapter of Australia. In this episode, William shares his inspirations and publishing journey, and the AWC course that made all the difference.

    00:00 Welcome
    04:03 Writing tip: Enter writing competitions
    07:18 WIN!: What Happened That Night by Nicci French
    09:55 Word of the week: ‘Puissance’
    10:45 Writer in residence: William J. Byrne
    11:05 What The Warrumbar is about
    12:58 Why he wrote for this time frame
    15:00 What inspired William to write the book
    16:45 Stories from family members
    18:00 Writing a teenage character
    19:00 Balancing research with family stories
    21:12 The note-taking process
    22:23 Moses as a lens for the Aboriginal experience
    23:38 Australia's historical awareness
    25:44 The path to publication
    29:11 Completing a writing course with AWC
    30:50 The importance of writing communities
    33:42 Major themes of the book
    35:55 Advice for writers
    36:34 Future writing projects
    37:59 Final thoughts

    Read the show notes

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

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    40 Min.
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