So You Want to be a Writer

So You Want to be a Writer

Australian Writers' Centre

Episodes 720
Avg. Duration 54m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.9 (42)
Since Mar 2014
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
100%
Hosting
www.omnycontent.com

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About This Podcast

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. 

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Recent Episodes

Writing Podcast Episode 720: Fiona Hardy challenges you to 'Old Games'

Jun 08, 2026 47m

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…

Writing Podcast Episode 719: Allison Tait talks 'The Last Word' and YKNR series

Jun 01, 2026 53m

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…

Writing Podcast Episode 718: Mary-Lou Stephens welcomes you to 'The Hobart Hotel'

May 25, 2026 51m

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,…

Writing Podcast Episode 717: Katie Hoskins and her new book, 'When the Party’s Over'

May 18, 2026 48m

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,…

Writing Podcast Episode 716: Sarah Barrie invites you into her 'Dark Sanctuary'

May 11, 2026 43m

Australian bestselling crime author Sarah Barrie has a dozen books to her name, with her latest standalone thriller Dark Sanctuary, exploring the nuanced world of mental health support, prisons and…

Writing Podcast Episode 715: India-Rose Bower’s folk horror novel, 'We Call Them Witches'

May 04, 2026 34m

British writer and librarian India-Rose Bower’s folk horror debut novel, We Call Them Witches explores the concept of ‘eldritch’ creatures in a surreal post-apocalyptic world. In this episode,…

Writing Podcast Episode 714: Tina Strachan and the latest book in her Wilder Zoo middle-grade series

Apr 27, 2026 51m

Some kids dream of being a zookeeper when they grow up. Others dream of becoming a writer. Well, author and animal conservationist Tina Strachan ended up doing both! In this episode, she shares her…

Writing Podcast Episode 713: George Kemp dishes up his debut novel, 'Soft Serve'

Apr 20, 2026 49m

Would you like fries with that? Playwright and author George Kemp’s debut novel, Soft Serve, follows a particular day at a regional McDonalds restaurant and the various characters who work there. In…

Writing Podcast Episode 712: Penny Tangey asks the cosy-crime question, 'What Rhymes with Murder?'

Apr 13, 2026 38m

Two questions: Where do new mothers meet new people? And ‘What Rhymes with Murder?’ – the latter being the title of author Penny Tangey’s cosy crime novel, inspired by her own experiences as a new…

Writing Podcast Episode 711: Emma Styles dives into her new crime thriller, 'The Shark'

Apr 06, 2026 47m

Australian noir has become a huge sub-genre in the world of fiction and UK-based author Emma Styles brings it to the beaches of Western Australia in her latest novel, The Shark. In this episode, Emma…

Writing Podcast Episode 710: Candice Fox and the cold case that inspired 'Redbelly Crossing'

Mar 30, 2026 51m

With 20 books now to her name and a slew of accolades and bestseller titles under her belt, crime author Candice Fox has gone with something a little different for her latest novel, Redbelly…

Writing Podcast Episode 709: Derek Pedley shares his true crime story 'The Postcard Bandit'

Mar 23, 2026 52m

Derek Pedley was a young newspaper journalist in the 1990s when bank robber Brenden Abbott became well known throughout Australia as escaped prisoner ‘The Postcard Bandit’. One capture, break out and…

Writing Podcast Episode 708: Former ambassador Ian Kemish and his novel, 'Two Islands'

Mar 16, 2026 52m

The 1990s are often looked back at fondly as a largely peaceful time. But for former Australian ambassador to Germany Ian Kemish, the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland featured…

Writing Podcast Episode 707: Sheryle Bagwell on writing 'Letter from Provence'

Mar 09, 2026 45m

How would you like to spend summers in Australia and then travel to a small village in France to bask in the northern summer during the other half of the year? Well, that’s the current reality of…

Writing Podcast Episode 706: Alex Johnson explores 'When Books Go Bad'

Mar 02, 2026 48m

What’s more fascinating than reading actual books? Well, it’s the weird and bizarre stories behind the stories themselves! At least, that’s what journalist and author Alex Johnson hopes with his…

Writing Podcast Episode 705: Sam Elliott and his debut crime/thriller novel, 'Haze'

Feb 23, 2026 44m

We often talk about persistence in the journey of an aspiring author, and for podcaster Sam Elliott, his 20 years of working towards publication had many twists and turns. Now finally with his debut…

Writing Podcast Episode 704: Fergus Craig discusses 'I’m Not the Only Murderer in my Retirement Home'

Feb 16, 2026 42m

The cosy crime genre has exploded in recent years, with older protagonists featuring heavily (they tend to have more time on their hands for solving mysteries, you see). But what happens when your…

Writing Podcast Episode 703: Molly O’Neill and her fantasy novel 'Nightshade and Oak'

Feb 09, 2026 40m

Two thousand years ago in Britain, the historical figure of Boudicca famously revolted against the Roman Empire and carved a path across the land. This later sparked many myths and stories –…

Writing Podcast Episode 702: Souvankham Thammavongsa and her award-winning 'Pick a Colour'

Feb 02, 2026 47m

There are three short words you’re often told when you first walk into a nail salon – and they form the title of award-winning Laotian Canadian poet and author Souvankham Thammavongsa’s new novel…

Writing Podcast Episode 701: Emma Pei Yin discusses her wartime novel, 'When Sleeping Women Wake'

Jan 26, 2026 44m

War stories are often famously told by the victors. But what of the stories of civilians caught up in the conflict? These themes intersect in World-War-II-era Hong Kong in AWC graduate Emma Pei Yin’s…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does So You Want to be a Writer have?

So You Want to be a Writer has published 720 episodes since March 2014, covering topics in Arts, Books.

Is So You Want to be a Writer still active?

So You Want to be a Writer is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 54m.

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