Category: Podcasts

It’s been a big year – and a busy one for Valerie Khoo and Allison Tait, hosts of AWC’s So you want to be a writer podcast. Not only is it a weekly source of writer-related news, views and reviews, but also just a great catch up with two people

In Episode 217 of So you want to be a writer: What name was given to Ice Age fossils found in an LA subway? 3 ways to uncover your character’s true motivation. What does it really mean to be a best-selling author? Go in the draw to win our 12 books of

In Episode 216 of So you want to be a writer: An AWC graduate is on the Indie Book Awards Longlist! We answer what is middle grade fiction and how do you know when your manuscript is finished? Discover your chance to win Dogs with Jobs by Laura Greaves. And meet Brett Battles,

In Episode 215 of So you want to be a writer: Discover how to write a great police procedural and why even new writers need author bios. We send out freelance writer Nat to uncover the curious business of naming colours. We’re giving away a signed copy of Tom Hanks’ Uncommon Type.

In Episode 214 of So you want to be a writer: Why you should enter literary prizes and 3 questions Allison Tait has never been asked. Scrivener gets a huge update and Annie Proulx gives a truly great speech at the National Book Awards. Discover your chance to win Uncommon Type

In Episode 213 of So you want to be a writer: Discover how to write your second book and 5 ways to start your story that aren’t boring. Learn how an underdog author has been nominated for a prestigious literary prize. And meet children’s author Lesley Gibbes. Click play below to listen

In Episode 212 of So you want to be a writer: Tips for how to pick the perfect book title. Plus: how you can promote your book and build a mailing list, even before your book is published. Click play below to listen to the podcast. You can also listen on Apple

In Episode 211 of So you want to be a writer: Why NaNoWriMo is a great time to draft your novel. Discover a site dedicated to discounted ebook deals and perks. British author Ian Rankin says crime writing is dead. Should unpublished authors have a website? And meet Lexi Landsman, author

In Episode 210 of So you want to be a writer: How to find time to write during NaNoWriMo. Enter this new critic award, and discover 10 books that were written on a bet. Meet bestseller Deborah Rodriguez, author of The Zanzibar Wife. Click play below to listen to the podcast. You

In Episode 209 of So you want to be a writer: The Book of Secrets is featured in the Kids’ Reading Guide! Discover how to write authentic American dialogue. What you need to do to become a full time freelance writer. A creative writing fellowship at Stanford is up for grabs! Plus,

In Episode 208 of So you want to be a writer: Discover what makes a good children’s book. We share with you a beginner’s guide to NaNoWriMo as well as tips for filling up your social media as a writer. You’ll also meet content writing expert Kath Walters. Click play below

In Episode 207 of So you want to be a writer: Learn how to write media releases. We chat about Tom Hanks’ new book ‘Uncommon Type’, and how one woman turned her side hustle into a career. Discover how Kelly Exeter funds her creative life. Plus, we chat to actor and

In Episode 206 of So you want to be a writer: We share tips on how to get clients as a ghostwriter. We answer the question, “do cover blurbs work?”. Plus, strategies on how to write a young male protagonist when you are a female author. Click play below to listen

In Episode 205 of So you want to be a writer: We unpack what should you supply a literary agent and how to world-build through your character’s eyes. A new print magazine is about to launch. And you’ll meet executive director of NaNoWriMo Grant Faulkner, author of Pep Talks for Writers. Click

In Episode 204 of So you want to be a writer: You’ll meet internationally best selling author Kate Forsyth! Plus, we have a surprise guest copywriter who undertook a smart strategy 10 years ago that has kept him rolling in clients ever since. Click play below to listen to the podcast.

In Episode 203 of So you want to be a writer: How to approach agents, especially when they all seem to say not accepting “unsolicited manuscripts”. Valerie and Allison share their “go to” writing apps. You’ll discover tips on how to tailor your writing to YA readers. And, does the editing

In Episode 202 of So you want to be a writer: Tips for avoiding information dumping in dialogue and strategies for researching your historical novel. One editor reveals big freelance pitching mistakes she sees every day. And meet Torre DeRoche, author of ‘The Worrier’s Guide to the End of the World’. Click

In Episode 201 of So you want to be a writer: How to teach your kids to write a good story, why social media advice for authors can be tricky, and why freelancers should sample office life from time to time. Meet Tristan Bancks, author of the thriller book for kids, The

In Episode 199 of So you want to be a writer: Can you indie publish a professionally edited manuscript? What’s the difference between a structural edit, copy edit and proofread? Plus: with multiple submissions, should you mention in your pitch that you’re submitting to other publishers? Click play below to listen to