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Artwork for So You Want to be a Writer

So You Want to be a Writer

Australian Writers' Centre
Australian Writers' Centre
Writing
Children's Literature
Creative Writing
Writing Process
Memoir Writing
Publishing
Historical Fiction
Picture Books
Writing Community
Character Development
True Crime
Personal Storytelling
Writing Courses
Covid-19
Creative Writing Stage 1 Course
Chinese Parents Don't Say I Love You
Homelessness
Picture Book Writing
The Borrowed Life Of Frederick Fife

Everything you’ve always wanted to know about succeeding in the world of writing and publishing. Learn practical writing techniques, go behind-the-scenes and discover how real-life authors got their big break. Uncover the creative processes of writers who have made it. Your host is Valerie Khoo – author, journalist, creative and CEO of the Australian Writers’ Centre.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes720Founded12 years ago
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EducationArtsHow ToBooks

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Artwork for So You Want to be a Writer

Latest Episodes

Do you spend your weekends visiting cliffs with your child to find out which ones would be deadliest? Well, that’s something Fiona Hardy did in researching her new ‘cosy crime’ novel, Old Games! In this episode, Fiona joins us to discuss the inspirat... more

She’s baaaaack! Any chance to chat with my former podcast co-host Allison Tait (who writes as A.L Tait) is a good day, and she’s back with yet another book hitting shelves – tween romance, The Last Word. Allison also discusses some of the other excit... more

Do you love historical fiction? I have to admit to being a sucker for a different time and place – and both are on offer in Mary-Lou Stephens’ latest novel, The Hobart Hotel. In this episode, Mary-Lou discusses her unique approach to research and the... more

OMG, I adored Katie Hoskins’ debut novel, When the Party’s Over! In so many ways, it’s the PERFECT book – nailing structure and narrative to tell a nuanced and contemporary story. In this episode, Katie talks about the path that took her from beginne... more

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Recent Guests

Mary-Lou Stephens
Tasmanian-born Australian author, journalist, musician, and broadcaster; author of The Hobart Hotel
Author, The Hobart Hotel
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 718: Mary-Lou Stephens welcomes you to 'The Hobart Hotel'
Katie Hoskins
Sydney author, debut novel When the Party's Over
Pan Macmillan (publisher)
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 717: Katie Hoskins and her new book, 'When the Party’s Over'
Sarah Barrie
Bestselling crime author known for the Lexi Winter series and Dark Sanctuary
Self-contained author, Crime fiction
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 716: Sarah Barrie invites you into her 'Dark Sanctuary'
India-Rose Bower
Author of We Call Them Witches
British writer and librarian
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 715: India-Rose Bower’s folk horror novel, 'We Call Them Witches'
Tina Strong
Australian children's author and wildlife conservationist
Wilder Zoo series / HarperCollins
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 714: Tina Strachan and the latest book in her Wilder Zoo middle-grade series
George Kemp
Writer, actor and theatre maker; producer of New Writing and Artist Development at the Australian Theatre for Young People
Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP)
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 713: George Kemp dishes up his debut novel, 'Soft Serve'
Penny Tangey
Writer in Residence, author of What Rhymes with Murder?
Simon and Schuster (Summit Books imprint)
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 712: Penny Tangey asks the cosy-crime question, 'What Rhymes with Murder?'
Nat Newman
Creative Writing Tutor
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 712: Penny Tangey asks the cosy-crime question, 'What Rhymes with Murder?'
Emma Styles
Author of The Shark
Sphere (publisher)
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 711: Emma Styles dives into her new crime thriller, 'The Shark'

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 529 ratings
  • Fantastic

    I am not a huge podcast listener but have been converted listening to both the new and previous episodes. Thank you for such a content rich, interesting series - I love listening and what I am learning is helping me on my writer’s journey.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    1234567890987654321556
    Australia2 years ago
  • Just Found You Now, Love You Forever

    OMG, Val and Al, I’ve only just found your wonderful podcast now, through my second AWC course I’m currently doing. The courses are fabulous, and your podcast is NEXT LEVEL! The generosity of your guests! I started with Wendy Orr, then skipped to Petronella McGovern, who gave us a masterclass in Page-Turning-writing! Thank you all so much for feeding my writing-soul. Well, must dash, there’s a LIFETIME of interviews to binge on!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AussieBarbs
    Australia2 years ago
  • Authentic and relatable

    I absolutely love the authenticity from which Valerie leads her episodes and guides guests through relatable exchanges. New topics (like romance fraud) and interesting conversations helps light the spark that anything is possible. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Claudia-Sam
    Canada2 years ago
  • Thank you

    You ask the real questions that make this podcast always surprising and informative as a writer, there’s always a little nugget of insight, thanks Val

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Annika JJ
    Australia3 years ago
  • Indispensable Resource for Writers

    I’ve been listening to this amazing podcast for almost 2 years. Listening to other writers makes me feel like I’m part of the club: the invisible “writer’s club”.

    Somehow, I’m allowed to vicariously live through the experiences of other writers. I share in their struggle and successes. And most importantly, I get to learn from their mistakes, which helps me to make less of my own.

    Thank you “So You Want to be a Writer” podcast!

    Sylvia Dziuba

    Australian Author

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CiciaMisiu
    Australia3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Great variety of guests across genres with solid craft tips.
Warm, relatable hosts who keep conversations approachable and insightful.
Listeners praise clear practical takeaways and the supportive vibe.
High-quality interviews that balance storytelling with actionable guidance.
Community-focused and encouraging for budding writers.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#34
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#105
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#106
France/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#126
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#150
India/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#151
United Arab Emirates/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Writing Podcast Episode 716: Sarah Barrie invites you into her 'Dark Sanctuary'
Q: Where did the seed for Dark Sanctuary first appear?
Barrie describes drawing inspiration from a real treatment of domestic violence and her interest in nature-versus-nurture dynamics, which evolved into a multi-POV story about a mother, a detective, and a podcaster, grounding the thriller in psychological realism.
Writing Podcast Episode 714: Tina Strachan and the latest book in her Wilder Zoo middle-grade series
Q: How did the publishing journey unfold with HarperCollins?
After winning the competition and meeting with a HarperCollins editor (Lisa Berryman) via a judge's option, Tina was asked to submit sample chapters. The editor loved them, acquisitions approved, and a three-book deal followed, marking a dream-come-true moment and a shift from aspiration to publication.
Writing Podcast Episode 714: Tina Strachan and the latest book in her Wilder Zoo middle-grade series
Q: What was the turning point that got you writing seriously and pursuing publication?
The turning point came during maternity leave when Tina carved out a regular writing hour, rediscovered her love for storytelling, and eventually produced the manuscript that won the CYA competition; this led to a conversation with HarperCollins and a path toward a publishing deal.
Writing Podcast Episode 713: George Kemp dishes up his debut novel, 'Soft Serve'
Q: What writing tip would you give our listeners?
Just write. A blank page is the scariest part, but a bad first draft is part of the process; you can always revise and improve it in subsequent drafts.
Writing Podcast Episode 713: George Kemp dishes up his debut novel, 'Soft Serve'
Q: What was the publishing journey like?
After writing the draft, I signed with an agent, and through a friend's connection, the manuscript went to UQP, where it was enthusiastically picked up and then refined through an editor-led process, turning it into the published novel.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About So You Want to be a Writer

What is So You Want to be a Writer about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show targets aspiring writers and readers interested in the craft and business of writing, with a steady stream of author interviews and practical tips. Episodes center on writing technique, publishing journeys, research methods, and the realities of bringing a book to market, often interspersed with Word of the Week segments and course promotions. Notable strengths include a warm, conversational interviewing style, a diverse range of guest authors—from crime fiction to historical fiction and middle-grade—plus actionable advice that listeners can apply to their own writing practice. A recurring emphasis on craft, mentorship, and community makes it feel like a practical, encouraging resource for writers at various stages of their journe... more

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1. Conversations
2. Life Matters - Full program podcast
3. The Imperfects
4. Chat 10 Looks 3
5. Ladies, We Need To Talk

How many episodes of So You Want to be a Writer are there?

So You Want to be a Writer launched 12 years ago and published 720 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 So You Want to be a Writer?

Recent guests on So You Want to be a Writer include:

1. Mary-Lou Stephens
2. Katie Hoskins
3. Sarah Barrie
4. India-Rose Bower
5. Tina Strong
6. George Kemp
7. Penny Tangey
8. Nat Newman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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