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Secrets from the Green Room

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

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.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes90Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Secrets from the Green Room

Latest Episodes

In a live recording for the Canberra Writers Festival, Irma and Karen spoke to Kate Forsyth and Charlie Jane Anders for the Session ‘Witch, Hate, Love’ about women embracing their magic, defying those that seek to tear them down and unveiling their a... more

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

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kate Forsyth
Author and storyteller of historical fiction, nonfiction and children's books
Episode: Canberra Writers Festival, Live Recording, Episode 90: Kate Forsyth & Charlie Jane Anders
Charlie Jane Anders
Award-winning author of novels, short stories and books on creative writing
IDW
Episode: Canberra Writers Festival, Live Recording, Episode 90: Kate Forsyth & Charlie Jane Anders
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

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
    Australia7 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.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Canberra Writers Festival, Live Recording, Episode 90: Kate Forsyth & Charlie Jane Anders
Q: At a time when we have this right-wing extremism and nurturing of hatred against anyone who is seen to be slightly different, what do you see your characters and your book playing in this kind of environment?
Anders says the novel explores a daughter understanding her mother and draws parallels between past and present attacks on queer people. She hopes showing survival, community and love can offer readers hope.
Canberra Writers Festival, Live Recording, Episode 90: Kate Forsyth & Charlie Jane Anders
Q: How did you stumble across Monier Estate, and why is your story set there?
Forsyth was researching Scotland's witch hunts and found records and local stories about a woman executed near Monie. She visited the valley and wrote part of the novel in the gatehouse of the castle associated with the story.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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 Show
2. The Book Deal
3. The Bookshelf
4. Sydney Writers' Festival
5. Good Weekend Talks

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

Secrets from the Green Room launched 6 years ago and published 90 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. Kate Forsyth
2. Charlie Jane Anders
3. Thomas Mayo
4. Melanie Cheng
5. Alice Pung
6. Virginia Haussegger
7. Veronica Sullivan
8. Corrie Perkin

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