The Book Deal
Motivation and inspiration for emerging writers, helping them pave their own pathway to publishing success.
Episodes
Host Tina Strachan chats to debut author Carla Salmon about the journey of her young adult mystery thriller, 'We Saw What You Started'. Carla discusses her path from the initial idea to signing with publisher Pan MacMillan. She highlights crucial aspects like the structural evolution of her manuscript, the importance of fleshing out characters, and the challenges of reaching young readers in the current market. Carla also...
Celebrating One Year of The Book Deal Podcast: Memorable Moments and Insights
In this special one-year anniversary episode of The Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai reflect on their favorite moments and insightful interviews from the past year. They share their most memorable quotes from guest authors, delve into the nuances of measuring success as a debut author, and discuss the bene...
In this episode of the Book Deal podcast hosted by Natasha Rai, emerging fiction author Holly Brunnbauer discusses her path to publication, detailing her journey from blogging and copywriting to becoming a published author. Holly provides insights into her debut rom-com 'What Did I Miss?', her character development process, and the challenges she faced in getting a book deal with Harper Collins. She also shares her social...
In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary share a candid and engaging discussion about their current writing projects and experiences. Tina talks about her recent book release, 'Neeka and the Storm,' and the whirlwind of emotions she felt around its launch. Meanwhile, Madeleine opens up about her progress on her second book, the challenges of writing a crime narrative, and her brea...
Tina Strachan welcomes multi-published author, podcast host, and publisher Dani Vee to discuss her journey and the release of her two new books, 'My Pet Croc' and 'My Supercharged ADHD Brain.' Dani dives into the inspiration behind her books, her personal ADHD experience, and the dynamics of writing humorous kids' books. The episode also highlights tips for aspiring writers and debut authors, focusing on ma...
Literary festivals, pitching yourself for events (and podcasts!), new books and the special art of a timeline
In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary dive into lively discussions about their writing processes and experiences. They reveal insights on writing timelines, the importance of mapping them out carefully, and how timelines can impact the narrative structure. The episode highli...
In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, host Tina Strachan interviews author Jane Tara about her book 'Tilda Is Visible' and how she uses manifesting and visualization to achieve her writing dreams. Jane discusses her journey, the power of understanding what you want, and taking steps to get there. They explore the impact of meditation, the creation of vision boards, and how being clear about goals can lead to success. ...
In this episode of The Book Deal, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary pull back the curtain on their lives as writers, blending personal stories with creative insights. From kombucha-fueled weekends and quirky hobbies like cross stitching and paint-by-numbers to unexpected adventures and laugh-out-loud moments, they share the real-life rhythms behind the writing.
Listeners get an inside look at their current projects, upcoming ...
In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, host Natasha Rai interviews Australian Tamil lawyer and author Shankari Chandran. They discuss Chandran's journey in writing and publishing, focusing on her novels 'Unfinished Business,' 'Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens,' and others. Chandran shares her experiences about navigating the literary world, dealing with rejections, and the importance of diversity in publish...
Behind the scenes and the reality of being a (newly) published author - with Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai.
Tina and Madeleine alongside our Takeover star, Natasha Rai, chat about their experiences as (newly) published authors. They each have prepared three surprise questions to ask each other, and of course Tina has prepared a spreadsheet to organise the asking of questions.
They discuss various aspects of the pu...
WARNING: This episode contains explicit language.
Debut Panel: Carly-Jay Metcalfe and Christine Newell on writing memoir, book deals and more
In this episode of The Book Deal podcast, Madeleine interviews debut authors Carly-Jay Metcalfe and Christine Newell. Carly-Jay discusses her critically acclaimed (and darkly funny) memoir about living and dying, Breath (March 2024, UQP). Christine talks about her memoir, Five Season...
In this episode of The Book Deal Podcast, host Natasha Rai interviews debut author and screenwriter Zahid Gamieldien. Known for his novel 'All The Missing Children', published by Ultimo Press in 2024, Zahid discusses his path to publication, story structure intricacies, and the emotional and psychological effects of his novel's plot on various characters. He also shares valuable insights into the importance of planni...
Gareth and Louise Ward on the business of bookselling and writing bestselling cosy crime.
In this episode of The Book Deal podcast, Madeleine Cleary chats with writing duo Gareth and Louise Ward, authors and owners of two Wardini Bookshops in Havelock North and Napier in New Zealand. The episode delves into the couple’s background as former police officers in the UK, their move to New Zealand, and their transition into bookshop owne...
Tina Strachan interviews Madeleine Cleary about her debut novel, 'The Butterfly Women'. They explore Madeleine's ancestral inspiration, her meticulous research process, and the trials and triumphs of getting a book published. Madeleine shares insights on her writing journey, including the importance of finding joy in writing, the role of her supportive family, and her experience with pitching to publishers. The episo...
In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, Madeleine chats with award-winning writer, editor, and podcaster Irma Gold. Recently launching to great acclaim her second novel, Shift, out now with MidnightSun. Irma delves into her inspirations, including her deep connection to Soweto, South Africa, and her journey from writing short fiction to publishing novels. The episode also explores her editing career, invaluable advice for emergin...
Tina Strachan chats with Sophie Beer, a prolific children's literature author and illustrator. The discussion delves into Sophie's journey in publishing, her passion for inclusivity in writing, and the inspiration behind her middle-grade book, 'Thunderhead,' which features a music-obsessed tween facing the challenges of hearing loss. Sophie also shares valuable insights on how to write inclusively and authentica...
In this episode of The Book Deal Podcast, host Natasha Rai interviews Zaheda Ghani, an Afghan refugee and author of 'Pomegranate and Fig'. Zaheda shares her path to publication, starting from her early handwritten novels to her debut book being shortlisted for the Richell Prize and published by Hachette. They discuss the authenticity of her story set in 1970s Afghanistan, the scars of refugee experiences, and Zaheda&...
Natasha Lester on setting goals, the business behind a bestseller and her latest novel, The Mademoiselle Alliance
In this episode of The Book Deal Podcast, Madeleine Cleary chats with international bestselling author Natasha Lester. They discuss Natasha's latest novel, The Mademoiselle Alliance (26 March 2025, Hachette Australia), inspired by Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, the only woman to lead a resistance movement in WWII France...
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In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary explore the multifaceted landscape of author earnings, from advances and royalties to additional income streams like ELR/PLR, s...
In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, Tina Strachan chats with picture book author Rory H. Mather. Known for his works such as 'Vlad's Bad Breath' and 'Laugh in the Bath,' Rory shares his journey of publishing 14 picture books with a recently signed deal for his 20th book. He provides practical tips for aspiring authors on getting published, creating a profile, building a writing community, and making a...
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