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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
DNA Testing
Suspense Writing
Character Development

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes698Founded12 years ago
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Artwork for So You Want to be a Writer

Latest Episodes

When was the last time you visited a zoo? Well, now imagine you’re visiting the last zoo on Earth and you have the premise for Emma Sloley’s new book, The Island of Last Things. In this episode, Emma shares the inspiration, research and publishing ex... more

Are YOU ready to unlock your potential in 2026? Join us for a special ‘manifestation’ episode of the podcast, as Valerie is joined by Matt Cooke, author of Beyond Wanting: The Art of True Manifestation. Matt shares his personal story into manifestati... more

We’ve all heard of the ‘muse’ but what about the ‘mewwwws’? That’s the sound of authors' cats, and in this episode, Susannah Fullerton discusses her wonderfully titled book, Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them – exploring the unique relationshi... more

We’ve heard of crashing weddings, but what about funerals? That’s the topic that bestselling author Joanna Nell has tackled for her sixth book, The Funeral Crashers. In this episode, she joins us to discuss the experience behind writing this latest n... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Matt Cooke
Manifestation coach and author of 'Beyond Wanting, The Art of True Manifestation'
Penguin Random House
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 697: Matt Cooke and his inspirational new book, 'Beyond Wanting'
Susannah Fullerton
Author and lecturer on classic novels, leading literary tours and giving talks on famous writers
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 696: Susannah Fullerton talks 'Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them'
Joanna Nell
British Australian writer, GP, and advocate for positive aging
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 695: Joanna Nell discusses her new novel, 'The Funeral Crashers'
Candice Chung
A writer, editor, and founding member of Diversity in Food Media Australia
Diversity in Food Media Australia
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 694: Candice Chung and her book, 'Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You'
Belinda Castles
Award-winning author, whose novels include Hannah and Emil, The River Baptists, Falling Woman, and Blue Bottle. Also editor of Reading Like an Australian Writer.
New South Publishing
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 693: Belinda Castles walks us through her new book, Walking Sydney
Holly Brunnbauer
Multi-award winning emerging fiction author.
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 691: Holly Brunnbauer and her romance novel, 'What Did I Miss?'
Ian Scott
Curator at the National Library of Scotland and co-author of Pen Names
National Library of Scotland
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 690: Ian Scott explores the weird and wonderful world of literary 'Pen Names'
Zanni L. Arnot
Author and ambassador for Room to Read
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 689: Zanni L. Arnot’s new novel, 'A Guide to Falling Off the Map'
Ben Macintyre
Multi-million copy bestselling author of books about espionage and military history
The Times, Author
Episode: Writing Podcast Episode 688: Ben Macintyre shares insights on his latest book, 'The Siege'

Host

Valerie Khoo
Host of 'So You Want to Be a Writer', author, journalist, and CEO of the Australian Writers' Centre.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 527 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
    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
    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.

Audience members enjoy the engaging and warm interviewing style of the host, creating a sense of community.
The podcast is described as indispensable for aspiring writers, offering a mix of inspiration and education.
Listeners appreciate the practical advice and actionable insights provided by knowledgeable guests.
Many consider the discussions with authors relatable and informative, providing valuable tips for their own writing journeys.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#24
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#64
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#216
Denmark/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Writing Podcast Episode 697: Matt Cooke and his inspirational new book, 'Beyond Wanting'
Q: What was your manifestation journey like regarding your book deal with Penguin?
Cooke shares his method of reverse engineering his goals, starting with building a social media following and finding a mentor, leading him to successfully publish with Penguin Random House.
Writing Podcast Episode 697: Matt Cooke and his inspirational new book, 'Beyond Wanting'
Q: What is a common mistake people make in manifestation planning?
Many people manifest big dreams that feel too far away and don't break them down into smaller, sequential steps that make them more manageable.
Writing Podcast Episode 697: Matt Cooke and his inspirational new book, 'Beyond Wanting'
Q: What makes your approach to manifestation different from others?
Cooke simplifies deep topics into actionable steps and grounds the work in science, differentiating his approach by focusing on practical steps rather than just positive thinking.
Writing Podcast Episode 697: Matt Cooke and his inspirational new book, 'Beyond Wanting'
Q: What is the book about?
The book is about manifestation, explaining that we are always in a state of manifestation, whether consciously or unconsciously, and helping people embody their future selves that already have what they seek.
Writing Podcast Episode 696: Susannah Fullerton talks 'Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them'
Q: What has been your experience with promoting the book?
Susannah finds the publicity exciting and is looking forward to talks, radio interviews, and promoting the book through her newsletter, which reaches thousands.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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 journey of writing and publishing, this podcast offers invaluable insights for aspiring authors seeking guidance on their creative endeavors. The episodes cover a range of topics from writing techniques and goal setting to the intricacies of the publishing industry, often featuring engaging discussions with successful authors about their unique paths to achievement. Listeners can expect to hear personal anecdotes, professional tips, and practical advice that make the writing journey feel accessible and achievable. The warmth and relatability of the hosts create a community spirit that resonates throughout each episode, providing inspiration and support in the craft of writing.

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How many subscribers and views does So You Want to be a Writer have?

To see how many followers or subscribers So You Want to be a Writer has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. Writes4Women
2. The Book Show
3. Sydney Writers' Festival
4. The Book Deal
5. The Bookshelf

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 698 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact So You Want to be a Writer?

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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. Matt Cooke
2. Susannah Fullerton
3. Joanna Nell
4. Candice Chung
5. Belinda Castles
6. Holly Brunnbauer
7. Ian Scott
8. Zanni L. Arnot

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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