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Emily Paull on "retiring" from writing and her 17-year journey to publishing The Distance Between Dreams
Emily Paull is a Western Australian librarian, author and book reviewer. Having formerly worked in bookselling, Emily is an avid reader and a big supporter of the WA writing community who regularly moderates author interviews around Perth. She is the author of the historical novel, The Distance Between Dreams (Fremantle Press, 2025) and the short story collection, Well-Behaved Women (Margaret River Press, 2019). The Distance Between Dreams was shortlisted for the 2023 Fogarty Literary Award under the working title 'The Dreamers.' Emily was also highly commended for the 2021 Fogarty Literary Award for her manuscript, 'The Good Daughter. Emily shares the highs and lows of her 17-year journey to publication, including the inspiration behind her works, the significance of setting, and the importance of place in historical fiction. They discuss Emily’s experiences with the publishing industry, her role as a book reviewer and librarian, and the value of libraries for authors. Emily also offers practical advice for writers at every stage of their journey and emphasises the importance of community and persistence in the literary world.You can subscribe to Emily's Substack here.This week's Debut in the Spotlight is Darcy Green with their debut novel, After the Siren (Penguin, September 2025), 00:55 Introducing Emily Paull01:37 Emily's Journey in the Book Industry04:58 The Reality of Being a Writer08:40 The Long Road to Publication19:07 Short Stories27:59 The Fogarty Literary Award30:35 The Distance Between Dreams33:07 Darcy Green's Debut Novel34:24 The Fogarty Award Journey40:23 Historical Research and Fremantle's Significance45:47 Writing About the Thai-Burma Railway49:25 Tips for Authors Working with Libraries58:44 Becoming a Book Reviewer01:02:16 Final Thoughts and Top Tips for WritersJoin our Patreon community for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love. Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videosYou can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here: Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videosTina Strachan children's book authorMadeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videosMadeleine Cleary | AuthorNatasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videosNatasha Rai | Author | Mentor If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first. Madeleine: Subscribe here...
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Angie Faye Martin on writing layered stories, Indigenous representation and how to prepare for publicity and book promos
In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, host Natasha Rai dives into the debut novel 'Melaleuca' by Angie Faye Martin. Angie, an Australian writer of Kooma, Kamilaroi, and European heritage, shares the journey of her career transition from policy roles to writing. She offers an elevator pitch of 'Melaleuca,' a gripping crime novel involving Aboriginal detective Renee Taylor, and explores the themes of violence against Aboriginal women, sovereignty, and intergenerational trauma. Angie outlines her writing process, including her use of dual timelines, the influence of personal experiences, and the importance of layered storytelling. She also gives insights into her publishing journey, mentorship, and the role of patience and enjoyment in writing. The episode concludes with advice for emerging writers, emphasizing the importance of research, patience, and maintaining a balanced life.00:00 Welcome to The Book Deal Podcast00:56 Introducing Angie Faye Martin01:48 Discussing Melaleuca: The Elevator Pitch05:10 The Inspiration Behind Melaleuca14:08 Angie's Writing Journey17:34 The Publishing Process and Mentorship25:13 Kasey Whitelaw's New Book Announcement26:50 Cover Design and Serendipity27:48 Signing the Contract29:21 Promotions and Public Speaking33:52 Writing Routine and Balancing Life35:14 Planning and Writing the Sequel42:03 Tips for Emerging Writers47:23 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsJoin our Patreon community for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love. Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videosYou can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here: Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videosTina Strachan children's book authorMadeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videosMadeleine Cleary | AuthorNatasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videosNatasha Rai | Author | Mentor If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first. Madeleine: Subscribe here...
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Middle Grade Debut Special with Shara Curlett, Sandy Bigna and Lucie Stevens
Getting That Elusive Book Deal: Insights from Debut AuthorsIn this episode of the Book Deal podcast, host Tina Strachan interviews three debut middle grade authors: Lucie Stevens, Shara Curlett, and Sandy Bigna. The authors discuss their unique publication journeys, the importance of community and continuous learning, and share valuable tips for aspiring writers. They also delve into the genres of middle grade literature, discussing themes, character ages, and writing conventions. The episode highlights the importance of resilience, the role of social media, and maintaining the joy of writing. Special mention is made of the supportive writing communities and platforms such as the CBCA and the now-disbanded Duck Pond. 00:00 Introduction to the Book Deal Podcast00:56 Special Episode: Middle Grade Debut Authors01:11 Meet the Authors: Lucie Stevens, Shara Curlett, and Sandy Bigna03:37 Lucie Stevens' Debut Novel: A Spooky Adventure05:21 Sandy Bigna's Verse Novel: Bones and Magic08:13 Shara Curlett's Magical Adventure: Welcome to Miracle10:08 Understanding Middle Grade Fiction14:47 Sandy Bigna's Publication Journey24:20 Lucie Stevens' Path to Publication33:20 The Thrill of a Two-Book Deal34:15 Shara's Unique Journey to Publication38:06 Finding Community and Support44:54 Debut Spotlight with Natalie Kyriacou46:46 The Importance of Continuous Learning47:32 Tips for Aspiring and Debut Authors59:47 The Role of Social Media in a Writer's Journey01:03:00 Final Thoughts and FarewellJoin our Patreon community for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love. Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videosYou can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here: Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videosTina Strachan children's book authorMadeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videosMadeleine Cleary | AuthorNatasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videosNatasha Rai | Author | Mentor If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first. Madeleine: Subscribe here...
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Natasha, Tina and Madeleine on strategies to identify and manage author burnout, anchoring your writing in time and intention setting
Natasha, Tina and Madeleine on strategies to identify and manage author burnout and intention settingIn this episode of the Book Deal podcast, hosts Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai discuss various aspects of the writing life, including burnout, the importance of nature, the benefits of cold showers, and practical tips for managing time and self-care. They also share personal updates and emphasise the need for thorough editing before submitting work to competitions. The episode concludes with an update on the podcast's growth plans and a call for Patreon support.PATREON: After a year of The Book Deal Podcast and 51 episodes, we're looking to grow our community. If you've been enjoying the show and want to help keep us bring you conversations about the writing life, we'd love for you to join our Patreon for the less than the cost of a coffee per month.Your contribution will be going directly to cover the costs of our podcast, and it also means we'll be able to keep paying our sound producer, Brogan. We've got lots of exciting things planned for our patrons, and we can't wait to share more as it all unfolds. So if you'd like to come along for the ride, head to our Patreon page.And we'd love to have you on board. Thanks so much for listening and for being part of the Book Deal Podcast family.This week's Debut in the Spotlight is DJ Taylor with her YA novel Anna's War (July 2025, Riveted Press). 00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast00:56 Catching Up After a Long Time01:27 Tina's Exciting Book Launch03:06 Melbourne Weather Woes05:01 Natasha's Event at the Emerging Writers Festival07:18 Discussing Burnout for Writers17:22 Recognizing Burnout Symptoms20:03 Introducing Anna's War21:35 Managing Digital Distractions26:40 Intention Setting and Time Management32:29 Top Tips for Authors36:34 Podcast Updates and ConclusionJoin our Patreon community for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love. Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videosYou can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here: Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videosTina Strachan children's book authorMadeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videosMadeleine Cleary | AuthorNatasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videosNatasha Rai | Author | Mentor If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first. Madeleine: Subscribe here...
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Jessica Box on portfolio careers for creatives, coaching, growing your author business, content creation and social media
Jessica Box (co-founder of Matched) on portfolio careers for creatives, growing your author business, content creation and social media.In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, Madeleine delves into the intersection of writing and business with Jessica Box, an accomplished growth executive and founder of Matched: a knowledge-sharing marketplace with 250+ vetted advisors and coaches. Jessica shares her journey from a creative student to a tech leader, discusses the importance of storytelling in business, and offers actionable advice on managing a portfolio career, utilising social media, and avoiding burnout. The conversation also explores the evolving landscape of connection and knowledge sharing through Jessica's platform, Matched, offering invaluable insights for writers at any stage of their career.If you would like to connect with Jessica, reach out to her at:Instagram: @matched.communityThis week's Debut in the Spotlight is the delightful Holly Cardamone with her YA novel Summer, In Between (Hawkeye Publishing, September 2025). 00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast00:42 Introducing Jessica Box: A Multifaceted Leader01:14 The Intersection of Business and Writing01:55 A Journey Through Friendship and Career07:39 The Importance of Storytelling and Authenticity12:08 Navigating the Tech World and Personal Growth25:07 Building a Portfolio Career29:46 The Guilt of Taking Time Away from Writing30:00 Allocating Time for Tasks30:28 The Importance of Structured Time Blocks32:11 Introducing 'Summer in Between'32:32 The Story of Kat and Paul34:09 Excitement and Implementation of New Strategies35:25 Finding Joy and Boundaries in Social Media37:28 The Power of TikTok for Authors40:30 The Future of AI and Social Media46:11 Introducing the Matched Platform48:20 Becoming a Good Coach or Trainer52:58 Final Thoughts and Top TipsJoin our Patreon community for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love. Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videosYou can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here: Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videosTina Strachan children's book authorMadeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videosMadeleine Cleary | AuthorNatasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videosNatasha Rai | Author | Mentor If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first. Madeleine: Subscribe here...
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