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Artwork for Secrets from the Green Room

Secrets from the Green Room

Irma Gold & Karen Viggers
Australian Literature
Climate Change
Kairos
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival
Feminism
Australian Publishing Industry
Fleur Mcdonald
Documentary Filmmaking
Poetry
Toni Jordan
Artificial Intelligence In Writing
Copyright
A Plastic Ocean
Environmental Activism
Go Went Gone
East Germany
Robbie Coburn
Antarctica
Ingrid Laguna
Heart Lamp

In each episode of the Secrets from the Green Room podcast hosts Irma Gold and Karen Viggers chat with a writer about their experience of the writing and publishing process in honest green room-style, uncovering some of the plain and simple truths, as well as some of the secrets – whether they be mundane or salubrious – and having a lot of fun in the process.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes89Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Secrets from the Green Room

Latest Episodes

Karen and Irma chat about the uses of dialogue in writing and some of the mistakes writers make, and then talk about their latest book recommendations in Book Chat, featuring Frogsong by Melissa Manning and How to Love the World by Ilka Tampke.

Then... more

Karen and Irma chat about AI dangers for writers, including scam emails and why publishers hate writers  using AI proofreading software to 'polish' their work.

Then Irma chats to Melanie Cheng about how a nosey friend resulted in an early pivotal mo... more

Irma and Karen talk about the importance of the major dramatic question in writing fiction, and what they’ve been reading lately in Book Chat.

Then Karen talks to Alice Pung about Alice’s unusual process of writing her first book in close contact wi... more

Irma and Karen make an exciting announcement about the future of the podcast, then discuss a cautionary tale involving a freelance editor and AI.

 Then Karen talks to journalist and feminist author Virginia Haussegger about how she became a TV journ... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Thomas Mayo
Kararik Aboriginal man and Kalkagal Arabamle Torres Strait Islander, leading voice in human rights advocacy; author and campaigner
Indigenous rights and author
Episode: Season 8: Episode 89: Thomas Mayo
Melanie Cheng
Writer and general practitioner from Adelaide, now Melbourne-based
Episode: Season 8: Episode 88: Melanie Cheng
Alice Pung
Bestselling author; memoirist and novelist
Author
Episode: Season 8: Episode 87: Alice Pung
Virginia Haussegger
Award-winning television journalist, writer and commentator
Television/media in Australia
Episode: Season 7: Episode 86: Virginia Haussegger
Veronica Sullivan
Festival director, Melbourne Writers Festival
NAR Melbourne / Melbourne Writers Festival
Episode: Season 7: Episode 84: Festival directors: Corrie Perkin and Veronica Sullivan
Corrie Perkin
Festival director, Sorrento Writers Festival
Sorrento Writers Festival
Episode: Season 7: Episode 84: Festival directors: Corrie Perkin and Veronica Sullivan
Lisa Moule
Author of The Mother of All Calamaties; actor, voice artist and presenter
Allen & Unwin (publisher)
Episode: Season 7: Episode 83: Debut author series: Lisa Moule and Dominic Amerena
Dominic Amerena
Author of I Want Everything; previously involved with literary hoaxes topic
Summit Books (Simon & Schuster imprint)
Episode: Season 7: Episode 83: Debut author series: Lisa Moule and Dominic Amerena
Robbie Coburn
Poet; author of The Foal in the Wire and other works
Poet
Episode: Season 7: Episode 82: Robbie Coburn

Hosts

Irma Gold
Host of Secrets from the Green Room
Karen Viggers
Co-host of Secrets from the Green Room

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 46 ratings
  • Informative and fun

    Irma and Karen bring an enormous amount of wisdom and experience as well as genuine curiosity to their questions for those they interview. And their guests are from diverse corners of the literary space - many authors, but also publishers, librarians, booksellers and more - making the conversations they host a wealth of information across all aspects of the industry. I was a latecomer to Secrets from the Green Room, but the catch-up is proving an absolute treat.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sally Piper
    Australia6 months ago
  • Fabulous insights

    Entertaining and educational, I couldn’t ask for more. Thanks Karen and Irma. Love the variety of guest authors and your own individual insights into writing and the Australian publishing industry.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    TaraWrites
    Australia2 years ago
  • So useful for emerging writers too..thank you!

    As an emerging writer/author I enjoy tuning into this podcast regularly as I get so many industry insights and ideas. Thanks to Karen and Irma for doing a wonderful job. I’m sure I’m not the only writer who appreciates all the effort you put into this pod.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    😜 pizza Hut
    Australia2 years ago
  • Love this podcast!

    I’m not a writer, but I do love books. I’m a scientist and academic and get so much out of hearing about the writing and creating process. The hosts are brilliant women who do great interviews. Love it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KayT334
    United States3 years ago
  • Valerie Parv : always the consummate story teller

    Engaging banter with Craig and Valerie : lots to learn from Valerie!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tategal
    Australia6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Diverse guests—authors, publishers, librarians, booksellers—are seen as a strength.
Emerging writers find the show particularly useful for industry insights and practical guidance.
Listeners praise hosts for wisdom and genuine curiosity when interviewing guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#144
Australia/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Season 8: Episode 87: Alice Pung
Q: Why did you decide to write memoir, and what did you learn about yourself while you were writing it?
The guest explains that the memoir began from a collection of short stories and gradually became autobiographical as real experiences were incorporated, with the editor guiding the through-line and the author learning to protect voice and authenticity.
Season 8: Episode 89: Thomas Mayo
Q: How did your path to becoming a writer and public figure begin, especially from a quieter childhood?
He explains that speaking up in moments of commitment, such as union activism and the Uluru Statement campaign, helped him find his voice and transition from a quiet child to a public speaker and leader.
Season 8: Episode 89: Thomas Mayo
Q: Can you start by telling us about your childhood on Larrakea country and how books featured in your upbringing?
Mayo describes a rich cultural upbringing with strong ties to community and sports, noting that early reading was shaped by a mix of traditional stories and Western literature, which gradually expanded as he sought to learn and grow.
Season 7: Episode 83: Debut author series: Lisa Moule and Dominic Amerena
Q: OK, let's talk about the nitty gritty of publication. How did you get your book deal, and what was the process with publishers, including rejections?
Dominic outlines a strategic, network-supported path to securing an agent, followed by a fast preempt from Summit and quick deals with a supportive editor team; Lisa shares her online search for agents, a competitive submission process, multiple rejections, and finally a successful offer alongside a strong, proactive agent relationship.
Season 7: Episode 83: Debut author series: Lisa Moule and Dominic Amerena
Q: First of all, congratulations to both of you on the publications of your novels. How long had you wanted to become a novelist?
Both guests describe a gradual realization, with Dominic noting a lifelong interest in writing that matured into formal pursuit, and Lisa recounting a late but firm commitment during and after university, acknowledging how the process of studying and writing concurrently shaped their trajectories.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Secrets from the Green Room

What is Secrets from the Green Room about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Interviews center on writing, publishing, and the craft of storytelling, featuring a rotating slate of established and debut authors, editors, and festival organizers. Conversations blend practical publishing insights with personal storytelling, behind-the-scenes festival anecdotes, and candid reflections on the creative process. Listeners can expect a warm, conversational vibe, a respect for literary craft, and occasional industry advocacy or festival strategy angles. The show often highlights how writers navigate publishing, promotion, and career longevity, with a strong emphasis on mentoring, community, and authentic storytelling. A notable strength is the host duo's ability to draw out practical tips alongside thoughtful, intimate anecd... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Secrets from the Green Room?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Secrets from the Green Room:

1. The Book Deal
2. The Book Show
3. The Bookshelf
4. Sydney Writers' Festival
5. Secret Life of Books

How many episodes of Secrets from the Green Room are there?

Secrets from the Green Room launched 6 years ago and published 89 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Secrets from the Green Room?

Recent guests on Secrets from the Green Room include:

1. Thomas Mayo
2. Melanie Cheng
3. Alice Pung
4. Virginia Haussegger
5. Veronica Sullivan
6. Corrie Perkin
7. Lisa Moule
8. Dominic Amerena

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