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Artwork for So You Want to be a Writer

So You Want to be a Writer

Australian Writers' Centre
Picture Books
Seed To Sky: Life In the Daintree
Children's Literature
Australian Writers' Centre
Suddenly Single At Sixty
Memoir Writing
The Beehive
Australian Writers’ Centre
The Story Thief
Writing Process
Romance Fraud
The Kindness Project
Raising Readers
Daintree Rainforest
Smoke
Richell Prize
The Drover's Wife
Suspense Writing
Character Development
DNA Testing

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes685Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsHow ToEducation

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Artwork for So You Want to be a Writer

Latest Episodes

If there were ever a decade that evoked such a strong emotional resonance, the 1980s would surely be it! Author Tegan Bennett Daylight channels this in her new time-travelling YA novel, How to Survive 1985, in all its neon-coloured, acid-washed glory... more

Would YOU do anything to protect your 18-year-old child? That’s core to the premise behind AWC graduate Alex Dook’s outback thriller novel, Gunpowder Creek – and in this episode, he shares the milestones and research that led to this latest successfu... more

We’ve all been to a pub. They’re places to meet friends, meet lovers, to celebrate, commiserate and even do weekly trivia. But do you REALLY know pubs? This is the question author Philip Howell poses and attempts to answer in his latest book, the apt... more

Collaborative writing is fairly rare in the world of publishing – and writing while working alongside each other in a bookshop cafe is even rarer! But that was exactly how friends and workmates Clayton Zane Comber and Conor McCammon went about co-aut... more

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Recent Guests

Tegan Bennett Daylight
Australian writer, teacher, and critic whose work includes novels and essays.
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 685: Tegan Bennett Daylight takes us back with her YA novel, How to Survive 1985
Alex Dook
Debut author of the thriller 'Gunpowder Creek'
Echo Publishing
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 684: Alex Dook discusses his new outback thriller, 'Gunpowder Creek'
Philip Howell
Professor of Historical Geography at the University of Cambridge, researcher in animal geographies, geographies of gender and sexuality, and literary and cultural geographies.
University of Cambridge
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 683: Philip Howell tours English bar-rooms in his latest book, 'Pub'
Conor McCammon
Co-author of 'The Marvellous Submarine' involved in illustrating the book
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 682: Clayton Zane Comber & Conor McCammon dive into 'The Marvellous Submarine'
Clayton Zane Comber
Co-author of 'The Marvellous Submarine' with a background in creative writing
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 682: Clayton Zane Comber & Conor McCammon dive into 'The Marvellous Submarine'
Francesca de Tores
Author and academic, known for her historical fiction and published under the pseudonym Francesca Hague
Bloomsbury Publishing
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 681: Francesca de Tores and her historical novel, 'Saltblood'
Graci Kim
Korean Kiwi author, New York Times bestselling author of The Gifted Clans series, and creator of the Dreamslinger series
Rick Riordan Presents
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 680: Graci Kim blends Korean myth and fantasy in 'Dreamslinger'
Laila Lalami
Moroccan-American author of The Dream Hotel, The Moor's Account, and other works.
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 679: Laila Lalami discusses her latest novel, 'The Dream Hotel'
Stacey McEwan
Author of A Forbidden Alchemy and a book talk sensation.
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 679: Laila Lalami discusses her latest novel, 'The Dream Hotel'

Host

Valerie Khoo
Host and CEO of the Australian Writers' Centre, Valerie Khoo is an author and journalist who brings her expertise to conversations with a variety of writers, engaging them in discussions about their works and the writing process.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 526 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
    Australiaa year 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
    Australiaa year 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
    Canadaa year 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
    Australia2 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
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many comment on the high quality of guests and the useful insights shared, making it a helpful resource for aspiring writers.
Listeners appreciate the easy-going nature of the discussions and how the hosts create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
The balance of practical advice and personal experiences from authors resonates well with an audience eager to learn and grow in their writing careers.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#55
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#149
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#138
United Arab Emirates/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#171
United Arab Emirates/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#180
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#200
Hong Kong/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Writing Podcast Episode 685: Tegan Bennett Daylight takes us back with her YA novel, How to Survive 1985
Q: What's your typical writing day like?
I write 500 words every morning before looking at my phone or emails, as this helps me accumulate words without distractions.
Writing Podcast Episode 685: Tegan Bennett Daylight takes us back with her YA novel, How to Survive 1985
Q: Did you have to do a lot of research to get the details right?
I relied heavily on my lived experience and memories from 1985, and I also consulted friends for additional details.
Writing Podcast Episode 685: Tegan Bennett Daylight takes us back with her YA novel, How to Survive 1985
Q: Can you tell us what the novel is about?
It's about six teenagers from 2025 who find themselves sent back to 1985 and how they navigate the differences between the two eras.
Writing Podcast Episode 681: Francesca de Tores and her historical novel, 'Saltblood'
Q: What is your writing routine like?
Francesca has a structured writing schedule during school hours, focusing on productivity and balancing her creative writing with necessary research.
Writing Podcast Episode 681: Francesca de Tores and her historical novel, 'Saltblood'
Q: What was the publishing journey for Saltblood?
After writing her previous books, Francesca transitioned to a new publisher for Saltblood, which was marketed as her debut in historical fiction despite her existing bibliography.

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?

Focused on the intricate world of writing and publishing, this series offers a rich blend of practical writing techniques, insider tips from successful authors, and explorations of the creative processes that define literary achievement. With a consistent emphasis on personal storytelling and author journeys, listeners gain insights into various challenges that writers face, from finding their unique voice to navigating the complexities of the publishing industry. The discussions often introduce thought-provoking themes, such as representation in literature and the psychological aspects of writing, making this series valuable for aspiring and established writers alike.

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Which podcasts are similar to So You Want to be a Writer?

These podcasts share a similar audience with So You Want to be a Writer:

1. The Book Show
2. Chat 10 Looks 3
3. Sydney Writers' Festival
4. The Bookshelf
5. Conversations

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 685 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. Tegan Bennett Daylight
2. Alex Dook
3. Philip Howell
4. Conor McCammon
5. Clayton Zane Comber
6. Francesca de Tores
7. Graci Kim
8. Laila Lalami

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