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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
The Borrowed Life Of Frederick Fife
Picture Book Writing

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes723Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsHow ToEducationBooks

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Artwork for So You Want to be a Writer

Latest Episodes

After a first-hand experience with a witch, author and AWC graduate Inessa Jackson started researching the real world Wiccan community, and the result was her debut crime/thriller novel, Devil Mountain. In this episode, Inessa generously shares her q... more

Is food your love language? It certainly is for bestselling author and AWC graduate Anna Johnston – brought to life through her new novel, When Lemons Give You Life. In this episode, Anna dishes up the inspiration and character creation for this late... more

Australia is experiencing a golden age of crime and thriller writing right now and Christine Gregory is a part of that. Her latest novel, The Informant, explores the world of bikie gangs, and in this episode, Christine discusses how she went about re... more

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

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

Fiona Hardy
Writer of crime fiction and contemporary kids fiction, bookseller and reviewer
Affirm Press (publisher of her adult crime novel)
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 720: Fiona Hardy challenges you to 'Old Games'
Allison Tait
Author of The Last Word, AL. Tait, multi-genre writer
Australian Writers' Centre / Scholastic Australia
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 719: Allison Tait talks 'The Last Word' and YKNR series
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?'

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
#24
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#74
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#110
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#111
United Arab Emirates/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#237
Hong Kong/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#240
United Arab Emirates/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Writing Podcast Episode 719: Allison Tait talks 'The Last Word' and YKNR series
Q: So what did you need to do to drop into the appropriate age groups for your new series and The Last Word?
I studied the vocabulary, sentence structure, and pacing appropriate for seven-plus and ten-plus readers, drafted early manuscripts to test how explicit emotions could be conveyed without losing accessibility, and worked with editors to ensure the tone fits middle-grade conventions while preserving my voice.
Writing Podcast Episode 720: Fiona Hardy challenges you to 'Old Games'
Q: What's your writing process like for structure and plotting?
I draft a chapter-by-chapter arc, then write in linear fashion, while remaining flexible to change as the story evolves, and I keep notes on what needs to happen later to maintain continuity.
Writing Podcast Episode 720: Fiona Hardy challenges you to 'Old Games'
Q: How did you approach making Old Games stand alone yet connected to the first book?
I treated it as a standalone story that can be read without reading the first book, while allowing some references to past events to reward readers who have read the earlier installment, and I worked to ensure the world and characters feel independent yet cohesive across the series.
Writing Podcast Episode 720: Fiona Hardy challenges you to 'Old Games'
Q: What is Old Games about?
Old Games is a follow-up to Unburied the Dead, continuing the adventures of Teddy and Alice as they search for the missing ashes of a famous tennis player, navigating a web of clues among wealthy and connected people, while keeping the tone cozy-crime rather than gritty.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
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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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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. Writer's Routine
3. Writes4Women
4. The Bookshelf
5. The Book Deal

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 723 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. Fiona Hardy
2. Allison Tait
3. Mary-Lou Stephens
4. Katie Hoskins
5. Sarah Barrie
6. India-Rose Bower
7. Tina Strong
8. George Kemp

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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