Bookselling behind the scenes: author tips and advice with bookseller and writer Charlotte Guest
Hosts Tina Strachan and Madeliene Cleary interview Charlotte Guest, a writer and bookseller based in Geelong, Victoria. The conversation covers Charlotte's journey from an outdoor-loving child to managing an indie bookstore and obtaining a PhD in Creative Writing. Charlotte offers an inside look into the world of book selling, including the processes of ordering, the importance of face-to-face interaction with authors, and the small details that contribute to a bookshop’s success. The discussion also touches on the significance of events and the challenges of small bookstores in hosting them. Additionally, Charlotte discusses her experience being shortlisted for the Bookseller of the Year Award and shares her thoughts on the future of the book industry. The episode includes a segment with author Kasey Whitelaw sharing her debut picture book, 'Flute: A Dolphin's Wild Journey Home.' 00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast00:43 Introducing Charlotte Guest01:37 Casual Catch-Up with Tina and Madeline03:01 Charlotte's Journey in Writing and Bookselling25:25 The Power of Indie Bookshops31:36 Making Book Orders Easy for Bookstores32:14 Timing Your Bookstore Engagement33:26 The Etiquette of Signing Books in Stores34:53 Promoting Your Book in Bookstores36:40 Kasey Whitelaw introduces debut book 'Flute: A Dolphin's Wild Journey Home'38:30 Author Events in Bookstores42:07 The Role of Bookstores in the Community44:28 Favorite Moments as a Bookseller50:25 The Future of Bookstores54:56 Book Recommendations and Final ThoughtsFollow 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 hereTina: Subscribe hereNatasha: Subscribe here
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Debut author Carla Salmon on writing fiery stories for the young adult market
Host Tina Strachan chats to debut author Carla Salmon about the journey of her young adult mystery thriller, 'We Saw What You Started'. Carla discusses her path from the initial idea to signing with publisher Pan MacMillan. She highlights crucial aspects like the structural evolution of her manuscript, the importance of fleshing out characters, and the challenges of reaching young readers in the current market. Carla also shares practical advice on marketing and building professional platforms for aspiring authors. The episode includes a segment by Tanya Scott about her debut novel, 'Stillwater'.00:00 Introduction to the Book Deal Podcast00:43 Meet Carla Salmon: Debut Author03:10 The Journey to Publication06:15 Crafting a Young Adult Mystery08:50 The Editing Process and Agent Search16:38 Signing with a Publisher20:52 Writing for Teens and Tweens24:43 Debut Spotlight: Tanya Scott's Debut Novel 'Stillwater'25:52 Challenges in Middle Grade and Young Adult Reading30:22 Navigating the Young Adult Market36:21 Marketing Strategies for Authors46:11 Balancing Writing and Marketing48:49 Final Thoughts and Upcoming ProjectsFollow 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 hereTina: Subscribe hereNatasha: Subscribe here
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Natasha, Tina and Madeleine are titillated by their ONE YEAR of The Book Deal
Celebrating One Year of The Book Deal Podcast: Memorable Moments and InsightsIn this special one-year anniversary episode of The Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai reflect on their favorite moments and insightful interviews from the past year. They share their most memorable quotes from guest authors, delve into the nuances of measuring success as a debut author, and discuss the benefits of having an agent. The episode is filled with laughter and gratitude, as the hosts celebrate their journey and the wonderful community they’ve built.This week's Debut in the Spotlight is Billie Rooney with her debut picture book, Creature Corridors (CSIRO, February 2025) and illustrated by Anke Noack. 00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast00:42 Celebrating One Year of Podcasting01:41 Reminiscing Over the Past Year07:37 Natasha's Favourite Moments17:05 Tina's Favourite Moments25:18 The Importance of Longevity in Publishing25:52 Introducing 'Creature Corridors' by Billie Rooney27:11 Navigating the Publishing Industry28:19 Building Relationships with Booksellers32:01 Quotes and Trivia Fun38:42 The Role of Agents in a Writing Career48:27 Celebrating One Year of the PodcastFollow 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 hereTina: Subscribe hereNatasha: Subscribe here
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The Takeover: Holly Brunnbauer on securing a book deal, and savvy tips on how to befriend social media while connecting with people
In this episode of the Book Deal podcast hosted by Natasha Rai, emerging fiction author Holly Brunnbauer discusses her path to publication, detailing her journey from blogging and copywriting to becoming a published author. Holly provides insights into her debut rom-com 'What Did I Miss?', her character development process, and the challenges she faced in getting a book deal with Harper Collins. She also shares her social media strategies and gives valuable advice for aspiring authors on obtaining professional feedback and engaging with the writing community. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the publication process and practical tips to enhance their own writing careers.00:00 Introduction to the Book Deal Podcast00:39 Meet Holly Brunnbauer: Award-Winning Fiction Author01:22 Holly's Debut Novel: What Did I Miss?01:39 Interview with Holly: Writing Journey and Inspirations02:20 Exploring the Themes and Characters of What Did I Miss?06:03 Character Development and Writing Process13:46 The Role of Sex Scenes in Storytelling16:04 Addressing Serious Themes in Romcoms21:15 Holly's Publication Journey30:42 Sam Guthrie's The Peak: An International Thriller32:07 The Importance of Author-Publisher Relationships34:11 The Anxiety of Waiting for News35:09 A Glut of Good News36:51 Navigating Competitions and Grants37:52 The Adaptable Pitching Experience39:06 The Journey to a Book Deal42:44 The Long Wait for Publication43:18 The Editing Process44:58 Social Media and Branding for Authors59:33 Advice for Aspiring Writers01:02:21 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFollow 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 hereTina: Subscribe hereNatasha: Subscribe here
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Writerly breakthroughs and author disappointment
In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary share a candid and engaging discussion about their current writing projects and experiences. Tina talks about her recent book release, 'Neeka and the Storm,' and the whirlwind of emotions she felt around its launch. Meanwhile, Madeleine opens up about her progress on her second book, the challenges of writing a crime narrative, and her breakthrough in plotting. The episode also delves into the broader writing community, touching on the feelings of disappointment many authors face around royalty statements, rejections, and the competitive nature of the industry. Special references are made to encouraging posts by author Kylie Orr and the importance of community and perseverance. The hosts conclude with book recommendations and a note on the importance of enjoying the writing process.00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast00:43 Catching Up on a Saturday Night02:11 Book Release Excitement06:58 Writing Challenges and Progress18:11 Exploring Different Writing Perspectives20:41 Reader Preferences and Writing Styles21:41 End of Financial Year Reflections22:50 Understanding Author Royalties23:52 Facing Disappointments in Publishing27:24 The Importance of Community and Persistence31:22 Balancing Writing with Realistic Expectations42:54 Current Reads and RecommendationsFollow 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 hereTina: Subscribe hereNatasha: Subscribe here
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