So You Want to be a Writer

Are YOU curious about self publishing? Wondering how much you can make from it and how it differs from traditional publishing? In this episode, prolific self-published author Matt Rogers shares his experience writing three or four novels a year and selling more than a million copies! He also talks about his move to traditional publishing in 2025 – including his latest novel, The Damned, as well as some unique writing methods he employs in his routine and much much more!
00:00 Welcome
03:39 Graduate spotlight
07:55 Writing tip: Don’t give up after your start!
12:12 WIN: Murder Most Delicious by Danielle Postel-Vinay
14:20 Word of the Week: ‘Accoutre’
15:07 Interview with: Matt Rogers
16:19 Matt’s early writing origins
18:28 Self-publishing breakthrough
22:02 Transcribing for craft
25:33 Prolific output and bookstores
29:15 Influences and endorsements
32:47 Self-publishing hustle
35:41 From indie to bookstores
37:55 Matt describes his new books
41:02 Embedding philosophy inside thrillers
44:21 Ideas and writing routine
47:24 Editing workflow and wordcounts
50:13 Self versus traditional publishing
53:33 Writing advice and reading recommendations
57:22 What’s next?
58:20 Final thoughts
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We love books about books, and bestselling Canadian author Emily Austin’s latest novel Is This a Cry for Help? explores the subject through the lens of a librarian returning to the job after a breakdown. As well as the book’s themes, Emily also shares her own parallels to the story, writing and reading with dyslexia, her approach to book promotion and a random writing tip!
00:00 Welcome
02:54 Graduate spotlight
08:35 Writing tip: Keep things happening
11:02 Writers in the wild
12:20 WIN: Code Name Funnel Web by Camille Booker
14:05 Word of the Week: ‘Glyph’
15:32 Interview with: Emily Austin
16:38 Inspiration for her library-themed book
18:45 Emily’s writing process at the beginning
22:02 Exploring the breakdown of the main character
28:14 Dyslexia and reading hacks
30:17 Libraries under fire
33:26 Emily’s publishing journey
36:20 Writing in manic sprints
37:47 Introvert on publicity
39:45 What’s next?
40:56 Emily’s random writing tip
42:37 Final thoughts
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Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a first-hand experience with a witch, author and AWC graduate Inessa Jackson started researching the real world Wiccan community, and the result was her debut crime/thriller novel, Devil Mountain. In this episode, Inessa generously shares her quirky writing process, her experience learning the craft, publishing timeline and more!
00:00 Welcome
04:17 Graduate spotlight
10:21 Writing tip: Name your characters
14:07 Writers in the wild
16:35 WIN: The Divorce by Freida McFadden
18:11 Word of the week: ‘Derrick’
18:58 Interview with: Inessa Jackson
20:00 Inessa describes Devil Mountain
21:13 Inspirations for the book
23:00 Themes of the novel
24:30 Researching witches for the book
26:04 The timeline to writing the novel
28:00 What drew Inessa to the crime-thriller genre?
29:30 Inessa’s experience with AWC
30:47 Her Write Your Novel experience
32:22 Crime and structure courses
33:22 Post-It note plotting
34:53 Daily writing routine
36:52 Getting the publishing deal
41:34 What readers take away
44:29 Inessa’s writing tip
46:53 Book recommendations
48:28 Final thoughts
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Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com
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Is food your love language? It certainly is for bestselling author and AWC graduate Anna Johnston – brought to life through her new novel, When Lemons Give You Life. In this episode, Anna dishes up the inspiration and character creation for this latest book and the challenges, strategies and superpowers of being an author with ADHD. She also shares how she deals with writing tough scenes, her writing workflow, and advice for writers.
00:00 Welcome
11:18 Writing tip: Cut the Starting Scene
13:24 Writers in the wild
14:51 WIN: The Bookshop of Buried Pasts by Sarah Clutton
16:42 Word of the week: Jakes
17:14 Writer in residence: Anna Johnston
18:16 Anna explains new book, When Lemons Give You Life
20:21 Story themes and origins
24:02 Research and authenticity
27:10 POV structure and flashbacks
29:22 Editing and deadlines
32:45 What she learned from AWC courses
35:20 ADHD writing strategies
38:06 Letting characters go
41:34 Organising notes and workflow
43:25 Balancing writing life
44:39 Publicity and events
46:40 Next book plans
47:26 Anna’s advice for writers
49:28 Final thoughts
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Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook
Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com
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Australia is experiencing a golden age of crime and thriller writing right now and Christine Gregory is a part of that. Her latest novel, The Informant, explores the world of bikie gangs, and in this episode, Christine discusses how she went about researching this subject, and how she balances dark themes as an author. And we love that she is an AWC graduate!
00:00 Welcome
04:25 Writers in the wild
05:52 Writing tip: Cut the first paragraph!
07:14 WIN!: Out of the Blue by Penelope Janu
09:15 Word of the week ‘Plicate’
10:02 Writer in residence: Christine Gregory
10:53 Plot of new book, The Informant
12:28 Why bikey gangs fascinate
14:28 On-location research
16:20 Standalone sequels and balancing story
18:39 Writing process and deadlines
20:06 Why Australia suits crime
23:46 Challenges writing the book
24:02 Taming story rabbit holes
24:51 Choosing the right POV
25:29 How she became an author
27:17 Courses that improved her skills|
29:13 A realistic writing routine
31:14 Day job and dark themes
33:16 Writing without lecturing
35:55 Practical advice for writers
37:57 Book recommendations
39:33 What‘s next?
40:28 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.