July 2, 2025 • 35 mins
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 market awareness, honing one's craft, and building a supportive community. Additionally, Carla Salmon introduces her upcoming teen crime mystery 'We Saw What You Started,' out now.
00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast
00:43 Introducing Dani Vee: Author and Publisher
01:52 Discussing 'My Pet Croc'
05:30 Exploring 'My Supercharged ADHD Brain'
12:55 Carla Salmon's Upcoming Book
14:42 ADHD in Writers: Tips and Experiences
18:18 The Power of Deadlines and Competition
19:00 Sleep Patterns and Productivity
21:20 Using Alarms to Stay on Track
22:31 Creating a Productive Writing Environment
23:39 Advice for Aspiring Authors
25:34 The Importance of Honing Your Craft
31:50 Tips for Debut Authors
34:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Tina Strachan (00:09):
This is the Book Deal podcast where you will
discover the inspiring stories,the authors behind your favorite
books.
No matter what stage of writingyou are at, we've got you
covered.
I'm Tina Strachan.
And I'm Madeleine Cleary.
And join us as we pull back thecurtain of published authors one
deal at a time.
Madeleine Cleary (00:29):
The book Deal podcast acknowledges the
traditional owners of the landand waters, which it's recorded
on and pays respect to theirelders past, present, and
emerging.
Tina Strachan (00:43):
Hi, it's Tina Strachan here, and in this
episode of the Book DealPodcast, I am interviewing Danny
Vee.
Many of you would know of Dannybecause not only is she an
author of children's books,including picture books and
junior fiction, but she's also apublisher at Larrikin House.
I.
In this interview, we discussedDanny's most recent book, my
(01:04):
Supercharged, A DHD Brain, andwhy it's important for books to
represent both sides of the ADHD experience.
We share our tips for gettingthe most out of our own
supercharged brains when writingand Dani also shares her
publishing advice for debut andaspiring authors.
There's something for everyonein this episode, and I hope you
(01:24):
enjoy.
Dani Vee, welcome to the BookDeal podcast.
Dani Vee (01:28):
Thank you for having me.
I'm very excited to be here.
Tina Strachan (01:31):
Oh, I have been so looking forward to chatting
to you on the pod because I knowyou have so much advice to and
to share, and tips to share withour listeners.
'Cause not only are you a multipublished author, uh, but you
are also, the Podcast host ofthe incredibly popular Words and
Nerds podcast, and a publisher,at Larrikin House publishers as
(01:54):
well.
Dani Vee (01:55):
Yeah, I've actually become now the publisher at
Larrikin House.
So, um, it's just, I think it'sjust that a DHD brain having
lots of fingers in all the pies.
Tina Strachan (02:05):
I hear you with the A-D-A-D-H-D brain just, uh,
trying to fit as much in aspossible, right?
Dani Vee (02:10):
Yeah.
And it's a hyper focus as well.
You know, like books and writinghas been something that I've
always loved as an Englishteacher before I was, you know,
writing and podcasting.
And so that's just alwayssomething that I've loved.
And, you know, when your brainloves that, it just wants to do.
All the pieces of it.
So
Tina Strachan (02:26):
a hundred percent and wants to put it, um, ahead
of everything else sometimes,but firstly, and I've, I've got
lots of questions about that.
Um, but firstly, congratulationson your two new books that have
come out recently.
My Pet Croc and My Supercharged,A DHD Brain.
Can you tell us a little bitabout them?
(02:46):
Can we start with my pet Croc?
Dani Vee (02:48):
Yeah, absolutely.
Uh, my second J Ffic and it wasan idea that when I was talking,
um, you know, about ideas ofwhat to write next, my
publisher's, like what wouldhappen if a kid had a pet Croc.
And I'm like, I don't know whatwould happen.
I, I might try and find out.
And unlike ri, which was myfirst jfi, which was just so
impossible to write, probablybecause I was so new at it.
This one just, I don't wanna sayit was easy'cause it's never
(03:09):
easy, but it just sort offlowed.
The characters came to me and Iwas like, well, what would
happen?
And because I really likeplaying with the opposites,
'cause I like trying to writeinto humor.
So I was like, well you expectthe croc to be vicious and that
to be dangerous.
But what if the croc was asharmless and cute as a puppy?
You know what would happen then?
(03:29):
'cause my kids used to justwatch the Dangerous Animals
documentaries over and overagain.
I was like, well, what if themost dangerous animals on Earth.
All became as harmless askittens and puppies.
And then I thought, well thenwhat would that do to the
ecosystem?
Because even though that soundsgreat, you know, brown snakes
are no longer dangerous.
There's a whole chain of eventsthat happen.
So I started doing someresearch, and then I thought of
(03:51):
my character.
Felix, and he's been dumped withhis crocodile from his aunt,
who's this eccentric scientistand his best friend, autumn
Black.
And then I had a little bit offun with a villain.
So I used to be an Englishteacher, and I remember having a
classroom full of thesebeautiful Caitlins and they were
all spelt differently.
And I was trying to remember whowas who.
And you know, it was one ofthose things that I was, I
wondered where that came from.
(04:12):
It's really stressing how toremember who these exact people
were in their work, et.
And I thought, well, what wouldhappen if the villains, and, and
don't get me wrong, these girlsin the class were beautiful.
But I thought, well, what wouldhappen if we had villains all
had the same name, Caitlyn, butspelled differently?
And, um, they just got worse andworse as the spelling became
more complicated.
And I just had a lot of fun withthat, um, that sort of premise
(04:33):
of having villains.
'cause I think in kids' books,in particularly humorous books,
you want villains that are alsofun.
Like you don't want villainsthat you're too scared of.
You want villains that are alittle bit silly and a little
bit like caricatures.
And so kids can laugh at themrather than be afraid of them.
Tina Strachan (04:47):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
I have read something, uh, alittle while ago.
'cause my youngest, he, um,always associated with the
villain in books and movies andthings.
He always wanted to be thevillain.
And I remember, you know, as amom, you know, you haven't done
this before.
And it's like, there's somethingwrong with my kid that just
wants to always but it, but whenyou look into it and you read
(05:10):
into it, apparently it'sbecause, um, they, they're just
more exciting.
Dani Vee (05:15):
They're often more interesting, you know, either
they're funny or they've got abackstory or mm-hmm.
Antagonist of their own story.
So yeah, they're, they're, I'vealways been intrigued by
villains as well.
All those people who are reallyambiguous, because I think
that's generally what humansare.
Yeah.
Maybe not as much as, you know,the villains that we see.
Mm-hmm.
You know, we're all a bit ofeverything.
Tina Strachan (05:34):
Yeah.
And they have power.
And that's, you know, for a kid,you know, that's, that's pretty
cool to associate with that.
So, um, so that's, yeah, that'sa hilarious concept and um, I'm
sure kids are going to love it.
And what was the age group forthat one?
So junior fiction,
Dani Vee (05:48):
pretty fiction, probably up to 12 years old, so
Oh yeah.
So probably uh, year four toyear six.
But then I went to a school andall the year twos were buying it
as well, so whether they werereading or getting their parents
reading.
So it covers quite a lot ofprimary school'cause the premise
is fun, you know?
Mm-hmm
Tina Strachan (06:02):
Hmm.
I'm sure the parents lovereading it to the kids as well.
That's an important thing whenyou're writing a book.
It's gotta be, if the parentsare possibly gonna read it, make
sure it's fun for them too.
That's right.
Now, um, my supercharged A DHDbrain as well, that's just come
out very recently also.
Um.
Can you tell us a little bitabout that?
What's the, the age group forthat one?
(06:23):
And, and tell us a bit about thebook.
Dani Vee (06:25):
That's a picture book, so you're three to sort of eight
years old, but I actually think,and I used to teach picture
books even to year 12 Kids forVisual Literacy.
And I think this book, it kindof goes across ages because it's
about, I.
Our brains.
And I think anyone who knowsanyone who has a DHD, whether
it's your children or yourchildren's friends or some
relative or whatever, which, andI think we all do because, you
(06:45):
know, diagnosis are going up.
It's really just interesting tobe able to put yourself in the
shoes of a person with a DHD.
Now, I was diagnosed prettylate, so only a couple of years
ago, and then I started doing alot of research and knowing that
it's quite, um, hereditary.
So then I started looking at mydaughter.
I started looking at my.
Dad, my cousin's diagnosed.
I'm like, oh, this all makessense.
(07:07):
Mm-hmm.
But I think, um, as a kid and asan an adult, I've just always
felt a little bit left of centerof some of my friends.
I've just felt like the odd oneout, and I was never sure what
that meant.
And then as I got older, youknow, teachers or whoever would
sort of throw things at you,whether they were criticisms or
comments like, oh, you're tooloud, you're too much, you're
(07:28):
too distracted, you're too this.
You're too that.
And, you know, I've gotten apretty good self-confidence, but
it's still chew away at that,you know, and you think, oh, am
I annoying?
Am I too much?
Am I too talkative?
Am I, am I, am I.
And then when I was diagnosedwith A DHD, my cousin said, you
might feel a bit of griefbecause you found out so late.
(07:49):
But I actually felt relief, notgrief.
I was like, oh, like thankgoodness I've now got something
to make me understand my brain.
I don't have to feel bad aboutit.
I don't have to take on allthose things as insults.
That's just how my brain iswired.
And I thought, how amazing wouldit be for a kid to have a book
like that?
(08:09):
Who was like me, um, and go, oh,I'm not, you know, there's
nothing wrong with me.
It's just my brain and that'sthe way I'm wired.
And so we all know the hard bitsof A DHD.
We hear that a lot on the, youknow, mainstream media.
And so I said, I pitched well,what if we celebrated the A DHD
brain?
We know that it's hard.
Like I get the, you know, deepanxiety.
(08:31):
And the overstimulation of ADHD.
But it also allows me, as wementioned earlier, to do a lot
to hyperfocus on the things thatI love.
It, you know, makes me, um,adventurous and a little bit
risk taking.
And I don't think you can writebooks or have businesses or do
cool things if you don'tsometimes take risks.
Mm-hmm.
And so.
I was like, well, let's just, Ididn't push the, the challenges
(08:53):
aside, they're still in there,but they're a lot smaller than
the celebrations.
'cause why not celebrate a brainthat's a bit different?
So it's a really special book,um, because it's, you know, I
wish I had it as a kid and it'sdirectly from the experiences my
brain.
Tina Strachan (09:08):
Yeah.
Yeah.
So you're the perfect person towrite it clearly.
And it's, um, so that, so it wasimportant for you to write this
book for kids because?
Like you said, you felt like youwould've really appreciated
that.
And, and, and like you justsaid, lots of kids and more kids
now are getting diagnosed withit.
We know so much more about it.
(09:28):
I think it's, um, starting tobecome, it had a real stigma
even for the kids, just knowingwith my kids growing up, you
know, talking like havingclassmates and stuff and there
was a stigma for quite a while,but now I think it's.
Kids are so used to kids, likethey, they have everything in
the classrooms from alldifferent, you know, angles.
(09:50):
And it's not, it's definitelynot a hundred percent okay.
Like there's still a stigma, butthey are just so.
Dani Vee (09:57):
But it's not just about the A DHD kid
understanding their brain.
It's about everyone else in theclass understanding that, oh,
we're all a bit different, andthat's okay, you know?
Mm-hmm.
That's okay.
That we're all a bit different.
We can celebrate all of ourdifferences.
And you know, James, who owns ZHouse, is also diagnosed with A
DHD quite late as well.
It was about the similar time,and then I start, I pitched this
idea.
I was like, yes, celebrate it.
(10:17):
That's a great idea.
And he's right into making surethat we engage and celebrate
kids.
It's been the whole premise ofLarrikin House and then.
After I'd written like a zerodraft.
He's like, and what about thisand what about this?
And we should do this and whatabout this?
And I feel this.
And I'm like, oh, I think youactually should have your name
on the front too.
Like if you've given way toomany ideas for this not to be
your book and your experience aswell.
Tina Strachan (10:36):
Yeah.
Oh, that's awesome.
Great collaboration.
Can't hurt having fromdifferent, um, sides.
And also, you know, the malefemale differences with A DHD as
well, isn't it?
Like they've, they, they thinkthere's a lot of that, so that's
really important.
Dani Vee (10:48):
We've been asked to, because we did, we deliberately
put a girl, even though it'severy kid's experience, we, we
deliberately had a femaleprotagonist because
traditionally women have beenunderdiagnosed in this area
because it's been a, a boy, anaughty boy's disease.
And I'm using the rabbit earspeople, because I don't believe
in the naughty boy thing.
It's just their brains.
Um, and so we are going to,'cause it's been really popular,
this book and it, you know, Ithink we sold.
(11:10):
More than we had anticipated,which is a good problem to have.
Um, we are working on one that'salso sort of trying to dispel
that myth of the naughty A DHDboy and trying to get a bit more
understanding of that kid.
So I've been doing a bit ofresearch and that I was a
teacher for 17 years, and sojust trying to unpack that and
not just dismissing them asnaughty boys.
They just need stimulation.
They, you know, what do theyneed, um, you know, to help them
(11:32):
function during day.
Tina Strachan (11:34):
Yeah.
Yeah, that'll be great.
And even for,'cause it's such a,it'll be such a useful tool,
this book.
And then even just having, Iimagine if it's about a boy with
a boy on the front, like theboys are just gonna pick that up
more, aren't they, then?
So it's important for them aswell.
Um, no, it's a really importantbook, Dani.
Congratulations to you both.
So now you put your superchargebrain to very good use with your
(11:56):
podcast and your writing andyour publishing.
Um, and you're a mom.
As well.
There's a lot going on.
And so it does sound too, youknow, and I love how you're
celebrating the, um, positivesof an A DH ADHD brain as well in
these books.
And it's funny, I actually had afriend once.
Say to me when she found outthat I had a DHD, that she was
(12:19):
like, oh gosh, I'm so relievedbecause you do so much.
And to her, she was just like, Ifeel like you're so productive
and you do all these things.
And I, I just would be like, oh,well how does she get that stuff
done and compare herself?
She's like, oh, no, no.
You've got a DH adhd.
This is great.
I can just like, I can stop
Dani Vee (12:38):
comparing myself.
The number one question I havegotten asked.
Every time I go anywhere, youknow, writer's conferences or
wherever, is how do you do somuch?
And I don't like to think aboutit because it kind of makes me
feel a bit stressed.
Like, oh, how do I do it?
Oh, is that why I'm stressed?
Oh, I don't know.
And so finally I have theanswer.
Tina Strachan (12:58):
Yeah.
Dani Vee (12:58):
Yeah.
Tina Strachan (12:59):
No, that's great.
Um, and I mean, but it'sabsolutely different for
everyone.
And there is that flip side toit, you know, like, um, I have
always feeling like, like you'reon and, and that sort of thing,
um, which is important forpeople.
And so there's negatives andpositives as everyone does.
Even non A DHD brains.
Yeah, it's, but we know.
Dani Vee (13:17):
About the negatives for so long.
'cause I feel like that's beenthe focus, which, you know, it
needs to be for people tounderstand, but you know, well,
you know, it also helps us dothis, that, and that.
So let's have a bit of adifferent conversation about a
DH ADHD as well.
Tina Strachan (13:31):
Mm-hmm.
Dani Vee (13:32):
No, it's great.
Carla Salmon (13:38):
Hi, I am Carla Salmon, author of, we Saw What
You Started, which will bepublished by Pam McMillan on the
1st of July, 2025.
We saw what you started as ateen crime mystery perfect for
11 to 15-year-old readers.
It follows New Boy Otto, aCalifornian surfer who arrives
in a small, insta worthy coastaltown in Australia and joins a
(13:59):
local surf lifesaving clubhoping to fit in and find some
friends.
Unfortunately, this has mademuch more challenging for Otto
when he's blamed for a string ofsuspicious fires that damage
local businesses.
It's only local girl Millie, theclub surf lifesaving champion
who thinks maybe Otto isinnocent because Millie knows
that small town rumors aren'talways true together.
(14:21):
They have to work out if theycan trust each other and find
out who is actually responsiblefor the crimes.
I've written, we saw what youstarted specifically for young
teens, exploring themes that arerelevant to their everyday
lives, like what they're willingto do to keep their friendships,
the competitive vibe that oftenexists in groups, meeting parent
expectations or more likelypushing boundaries, juggling
(14:44):
part-time jobs, and of course, afirst crush or two.
The book also poses thequestion, is it ever okay to do
the wrong thing for the rightreasons?
I really hope teens hear theirown voices in Otto and Millie's.
Dual points of view and enjoy alittle mischief and fun during
lots of fast-paced action as thecharacters ride dirt bikes on
(15:05):
beach roads, sneak out for nightswims and try to avoid trouble
at the skate park.
The story is very much inspiredby some of my favorite coastal
towns and childhood memories,and I can't wait for you to read
it.
Thanks so much for your support.
Tina Strachan (15:24):
I'm sure we've got lots of listeners with a DHD
or maybe they're listening tothis and going, oh, maybe, maybe
I have a DH adhd.
'cause that's where I actuallyfirst ever thought that was from
a writing podcast that Ilistened to about 10 years ago.
And the host, she had just beendiagnosed with a DH adhd and
some of the things that she wassaying, I was like.
Oh gosh, that's, that soundslike me.
(15:47):
And just put that little thoughtin my mind.
And that's, you know, itprobably took, you know, another
five years for, for
Dani Vee (15:52):
anything to come of it.
More than 20 years.
I was diagnosed with an anxietyand panic disorder and anxiety
meds made me about 50 times moreanxious.
And I was like, well, why don'tthey work on my brain?
And no one thought to say, maybeyou have a DHD.
It was, again, something that I.
You know, research and thought,oh, this sounds like me.
You know, my cousin and anotherfriend said, do you think you
(16:14):
have a DHD?
So, you know, I, I do think, andI'm a bit been talking about
this a bit lately, if you followme, but I think in a lot of ways
the medical profession have letwomen down in a lot of ways.
You know, whether it comes tomenstruation or our reproductive
organs or A DHD, it's a bit sortof like, suck it up.
(16:35):
Mentality.
And I'm not saying that's allmedical professions, obviously
not.
I've had some brilliant doctors,but I've also had, you know,
experiences where I've beendismissed or misdiagnosed.
And I think, you know, part ofthat was also advocating for
ourselves.
We know our bodies and ourbrains better than anyone.
We wake up to them every day.
So I think as women, until somethings start to really change, I
(16:56):
think we need to make sure weadvocate very deeply for
ourselves and for our daughters.
Tina Strachan (17:01):
Yeah, that's important.
That's a really good message.
So for those, writers, I'm surethere's probably lots of writers
with a DHD somehow, especiallyif you're someone who's very
prolific in getting words down.
It's, it could be you.
Or on the flip side to it aswell, there's the, um,
distraction that can come fromit.
So do you, so I thought we'doffer some tips today, Dani.
(17:24):
I know, I know some, some, Ihave some tips that I guess help
me with it.
Um, certainly once I had beendiagnosed, like you said, it was
a relief and it almost madethings better kind of straight
away because I was like, oh, Ijust know that I need to do this
now.
Instead of just trying to belike, well, that person doesn't
have to write a thousand thingson their list every day.
(17:44):
I'm not that person.
I'm somebody different.
It helps me.
And, and that's, and that's beenincredibly helpful just in that
knowledge.
So, um, do you have any tips,Dani, for, writers who, are, are
trying to get the words down andtrying to focus and with, uh, an
A DHD brain?
Dani Vee (18:02):
I'm probably going to be very disappointing right now
because I get thoroughlydistracted and I put myself on a
time-lapse the other day when Ihad the data right, and I
thought, I'm just gonna see whatI actually do.
And it was so funny because Iwould write, I'd get up and make
a tea, I'd write, I'd look at myphone, I'd write, I'd painted my
nails like.
I just important, when I lookedback at it, I went, wow, how do
(18:22):
I get anything done?
So what really works for me is alittle short, sharp bursts
because I'm like, okay, I've got20 minutes to write, go, and I
know those 20 minutes areprecious.
When I have a day, I justsquander it.
Really?
Mm-hmm.
Um, I was wondering why I wasreally good at riding on the
plane and in the airports.
It's because I don't haveanything else to do, but.
The laptop in front of me.
I don't have wifi and I don't,you know, have anything else
(18:43):
that I can do.
I can't just get up and get asnack.
So I think where I write in acafe is good for me as well,
because you're there withpurpose and you're there with a
time constraint.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, please.
For the love of God, give me adeadline.
If you just tell me that I'vegot.
Whenever to write it, you'll getit.
Never.
So deadlines really work for me.
Competition works.
(19:04):
When we did nano rmo and we werecompeting sort of with each
other but ourselves, but everyweek we'd sort of say how many
words we'd each written eachweek.
That was a real motivatorbecause I needed to get to the,
you know, the point that we allwanted to get to and, you know,
you kind of wanted to beat yourmates, so that really helped.
Um, but I, yeah, so for me.
(19:25):
I, I like to ride in the cracksof time because I think 20
minutes for me is a lot moreproductive than two hours
because like I said, I'll justwaste it.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and making, and even iflike, I try and put self-imposed
deadlines in, but they're notas.
Significant is when someonesays, you need to give me this.
By this time, I don't know ifyou're the same.
I don't sleep a lot.
I try and sleep, but I just, mybrain just won't, it doesn't
(19:47):
matter what time I go to bed.
My brain will wake up six hourslater and go, we're awake.
Here's 4,000 ideas for youtoday.
Um, so it doesn't matter if I goto bed at 10 or 12, and so I've
just started going to bed.
Well, not started.
I've done this for a long time,about 11 or 12.
'cause I don't wanna be wakingup at four.
Mm-hmm.
Thank you, Brian.
(20:08):
Even on the weekend, I try andmake the room really, really
dark and all of that.
Mm-hmm.
And I managed to sleep untileight 30 on Sunday morning.
But I did go to bed at one 30and I was still very proud of
myself.
I'm like, seven hours, look atme.
So, I don't know.
I think with, when you have aDHD, sometimes you have more
hours in the day because youdon't sleep a lot, but then
(20:28):
you've got less'cause you'rejust distracted.
Tina Strachan (20:30):
Yep.
Yes.
Not as productive maybe.
Yeah, no.
Um.
Look great by the way, so thatwas worth it.
They were really good tips and Ithink they're all, they'll be
all huge, hugely beneficial.
Um, but you know, some peopleprobably wish that they didn't
(20:50):
sleep as much.
Some people wish that they couldonly sleep, you know, six hours.
I used to always think that Iwish I could just sleep less and
kind of get more, kind ofsqueeze more into my day.
But, um.
No, I, I totally agree and Iagree with you about the holiday
thing.
If we go, we've got a caravanand we go away, caravan, and I
get so much writing done onholidays just because I'll get
(21:12):
up early before the kids andI'll sit outside.
Like, we don't take, you know,if normally at home I feel like,
okay, maybe I've gotta do someexercise and stuff like that.
I can still do exercise onholidays, but you know.
No one really wants to do that.
So I, you know, I just feel likeI just get, I just sit in my
little cave and I just writeuntil the kids get up.
And, um, normally I have allthese other things that we need
(21:34):
to do, you know, even just likegetting ready for school or
going to work, but you kind oftracked, so it's great.
So I get lots done there, so Icompletely agree with you on
that one.
But my other tips at Work Timer,like you said, is great.
Um, when I first started gettingback into writing a one hour
timer, that was that I, I wouldset a one hour timer when I had
a little kid and I was, youknow, would like a baby putting
(21:56):
them down for a nap.
I'd be like, set your alarm forone hour, get it done.
I just felt like I could tickthe box, you know?
Um.
Uh, but setting alarms, athousand alarms, because I don't
know about you, but I have a lotof things that pop up in my head
all the time.
Oh, gotta do that.
Oh, gotta do that.
Oh, gotta do that.
So sometimes I think justquickly, just set, set an alarm
in your phone, even if it's forlater today, and it'll, it'll,
(22:18):
'cause I will always forget it,but if the alarm will remind me,
um, and it gets it off my head.
Gets, it gets, I have
Dani Vee (22:25):
alarms for everything in my life.
And when you score my phone,it's just alarm, alarm, alarm,
alarm, alarm.
'cause you know, I, I love mychildren, but sometimes I get so
hyperfocused or distracted.
I, if I didn't have that go pickthem up from school alarm, I
reckon I would've been late.
50% of the time, I'm like, oh,gotta go.
So it's really helpful.
Tina Strachan (22:44):
No, a hundred percent.
And also it helps you focusthough, don't you think?
Because I have one, I have a twoo'clock go, go to school and sit
in the lineup on the days that Ido pick up and, um.
But then I go, if I don't havethat alarm, I would constantly
be like, oh, is it time now?
Yeah.
Oh, is it time?
Now?
I keep looking at the clock, butif you, and I think that's
helpful for anyone, um, just toset it and then you actually
(23:05):
don't.
It's amazing.
That was like a game changer forme.
I don't know how it took me solong to work that one out, but
you just.
I can sit back and write and notworry about it.
Um, also keeping, I try to keepa routine.
So like I try to get up at a,you know, time in the morning
and um, just get my writing doneso I can kind of tick that box.
'cause I get quite frustrated.
(23:25):
And sometimes when you get inthat ru of not writing, it's
hard to get out, isn't it?
Uh, headphones as well.
White noise.
Just, I have those loops, thoseones that just block people out.
So I was just saying thismorning, went to a cafe and
just.
You know, pop them in so Icouldn't hear.
And or, um, those binaural, isit called binaural bi bial
(23:45):
beats, um, that you can get, youknow, just on, you know, apple
music and Spotify and stuff likethat.
And that's just, uh, puts youinto like a bit of a really
hyperfocused state, which isnice and you don't even know
that they're there.
But, um, yeah, I find themreally productive too.
Dani Vee (24:01):
I have the noise canceling as well.
Cannot listen to music withlyrics because I'll just.
My brain won't be able to copewith that.
Yeah.
Um, but yeah, I just chuck onthe classical writing music on,
on Apple and I don't even noticeit's there, but it helps me
focus and I'm not distracted bythe noises around me.
Tina Strachan (24:18):
Yeah.
Dani Vee (24:18):
No,
Tina Strachan (24:18):
it's
Dani Vee (24:19):
great.
Tina Strachan (24:19):
Really good tips.
Um, so now before you go, um,drawing on your publisher brain
now, uh, do.
Do you have any advice for,'cause we have lots of aspiring
authors, um, that listen to thepodcast.
Do you have any top tips foraspiring authors who are trying
to get a book deal?
Dani Vee (24:40):
Yeah, and I think it's a real balancing act.
And these are going to, what I'mgonna say is probably gonna
contradict some things thatwe've all been told.
You know, write what you love,et cetera, et cetera, which is
important.
But it's just as important toknow the market at the time.
It's forever changing.
Even as publishers and we havegood intel, we look up books and
stats and how they sell fromNielsen.
We have Simon and Schustertelling us what's going in the
(25:02):
marketplace, what Big W arebuying, all that kind of stuff.
Um, but.
It still constantly changes.
So you think you know somethingand something's selling and
something's hot, and then itwill be like, Nope, not that
anymore.
This.
And so I can imagine as a writerit's even more difficult'cause
you don't have access to allthose data and conversations
that we do.
But I think you need to do yourbest to know who's publishing
(25:23):
what.
What's the brand of eachpublisher?
What's selling well, what's notselling, what's hot?
Um, what are kids reading habitsright now?
Um, and what are the importantissues?
And, you know, as we talk aboutA DHD or neurodivergence or uh,
diversity, these are all thingsthat are really important in
kids' books at the moment.
So it's hard to know everything,but you really just need to keep
(25:44):
your ears open.
Listen to podcasts, you know,like ours.
Go to writing conferences whenyou can go to, um, book launches
'cause they're free.
You can just go to, mm-hmm.
Book launch and support them,you know?
Um, so just do what you can.
Look at the best selling list.
Go into bookshops, speak tobooksellers, and I think just
educate yourself as much as youcan.
I do manuscript assessments aswell as part of the publishing,
(26:05):
and we do pitch parties and allthose kind of things.
And you know, the submission,uh, piles that we've just had in
June, we signed someone fromthat, by the way.
Um, very, that's very exciting.
Um, but I think it's aboutpractice.
And now your craft, as authors,myself included, we're always in
such a rush to get.
Published'cause.
Oh my God, when's my next bookdeal?
Oh my God.
I need to get a book deal.
And I, I, I understand more thananyone that urgency, but it's
(26:28):
kind of like you wouldn't expectto be a brain surgeon just by
watching a brain surgeon.
Do brain surgery once, right?
Mm-hmm.
And so I think we sometimesunderestimate what it takes to
be a writer.
And someone said it takes you amillion words to write any good
words.
And so I don't know the truth inthat, but I actually think the
(26:50):
more you write, the more youhone your craft.
That's that's the key.
You know, because even of what'sin, what's great, what's
selling, if a publisher comesacross a great story, they're
gonna want it.
You know, whether it's now or intwo years or whatever, they're
going to want it.
And I just think in such acompetitive industry, and you
know, the industry is doing ittough at the moment, for
(27:11):
whatever reason it might be thefinancial crisis, I have no
idea.
Um, but near enough isn't goodenough.
And I see in the submissionspile.
We talk about rhyme a lot,particularly for picture books,
and most of the rhyme I read isnot ready for submission.
And I think you need to perfectyour craft.
Um, be honest with yourself.
(27:31):
You know, if if it's not quiteright in rhyme, it's not gonna
be quite right for thepublisher.
So you have to be honest withyourself.
And I know I love rhyme, I loveit.
I've taught poetry.
I'm obsessed with it, but I knowthat.
It's a bit tricky in publishingand so all besides my epic
doubt, all my picture bookssince then have been in ps.
Fingers crossed I'll get towrite one in rhyme again one
(27:53):
day.
But you really have to listen tothe market and really hone your
craft and try not to takerejection personally.
We've all been rejected, likeevery single writer has it's
part of the business.
Um.
And even as a publishersometimes I love a manuscript
and James loves a manuscript,but for whatever reason, we
can't publish it becausesomething similar's just come
(28:13):
out or something similar, cameout with the same sort of idea
and it didn't sell well, orthey're not, junior fiction
isn't selling very well rightnow, or whatever the reason, you
know, and so I think aspublishers, we look up stats
like a religion, and sosometimes we have had to pass on
stories that we really likedbecause they, we didn't think
they were gonna sell at thattime.
(28:35):
Um, but the good news is that,and I think this is a real
lesson in what I'm trying tosay, is that someone that I just
signed recently through thesubmissions pile, she said, I
submitted to Larrikin House fouryears ago and didn't get
published and four years on, youknow, we loved her manuscript
and it was, it was a reallytight, well-edited.
(28:58):
Fantastic issue basedmanuscript.
And it was like, she's listenedto the market, she's listened to
what we want as publishers andshe's really honed this craft
within each of its life.
Like obviously it's gonna gointo editing, but I would say it
would not need a lot.
Mm-hmm.
You know, another author thatI'm looking at, um, signing
again, she's done a manuscriptassessment with me a couple of
(29:20):
years ago.
The manuscript wasn't ready,but.
Two years later, I just readsomething of hers.
It's amazing and I wanna look atpublishing it.
Um, another author that did allof our school of larrikins, and
obviously you don't have to dothat, but it's just an example.
Um, she did all of our coursesand then she pitched something
to James.
It wasn't quite right.
Pitch to pitch pitch, and thenshe pitched something James
like, yes, I like that.
(29:41):
You need to write it.
And we're publishing that.
Um, it's coming out next year.
Mm-hmm.
So I think if you love writing.
You'll keep doing it no matterwhat.
And so I think it's just reallyimportant to just keep honing
your craft and everything youwrite is not wasted words.
You know?
Uh, my sad publishing storiesthat I wrote a 90,000 word crime
(30:03):
novel, the publisher called meto say that they loved it.
They wanted me to rewrite itfrom first to third person.
I rewrote it took me, you know,months and months to rewrite it,
and then I never heard from themagain.
Mm-hmm.
So we've all got that story.
You know?
Mm-hmm.
And so it's, you can say, yeah,it's disappointing, but I
learned a lot from that process.
Of course, I would've preferreda publish book, but that's not,
(30:24):
that's not the nature of thisbusiness.
If you want certainty, you know.
You, you go to uni and you comeout as a teacher or a whatever,
and that's certainty and there'suncertainty in business.
That's why it is so rewardingwhen you finally get published.
Um, but I think you just haveto, you have to hone your craft
because I see a lot ofsubmissions or manuscript
submissions where people arestill learning, which is
(30:45):
fantastic.
We should be learning our craft.
Or people who are kind of like,I did a workshop and now publish
me, and sometimes it happens.
And I love that when thathappens, that sometimes you need
to watch a few more brainsurgeries.
Tina Strachan (30:57):
It's a long game.
It's, that's what we say, likeit's a long game.
And I think that's all reallyimportant information.
Uh, I, I sort of equate it tolike, you're not going to sell a
huge piece of artwork the firsttime you pick up a paintbrush.
Like, you just, you can't, youjust aren't skilled and you
haven't painted that well andyou, and it's, it's, yeah, but
(31:18):
we don't expect someone to justpick up a paintbrush and, and,
and sell their work and have a,you know, a huge display at an
art gallery.
And it's very similar.
Just gotta keep going and.
And yeah, you never look atthose artworks as wasted time.
It's, you know, and it's, it'sfun and enjoyable for the person
and then just getting betterevery time.
No, I totally agree.
Dani Vee (31:36):
Everyone accepts that it takes four or five years to
do a university course, right?
And then you're a qualifiedteacher, and then you're still a
beginning teacher and you'reprobably, if I'm honest, not
good for another five years, youknow, from my,
Tina Strachan (31:47):
and you probably didn't get the best job that you
wanted either.
You just take the kind of thefirst one that's there, and you
are not the headmaster or thehead of.
School or whatever it is.
Yeah,
Dani Vee (31:56):
I, I think we just need to take a little bit of
that into our writing.
And there are exceptions toevery rule of course, but just
take the time to learn and honeyour craft.
And I think, you know, the, theauthors that I was kind of
mentioning before, you know, Ihope those stories help as well.
And even myself, like I waswriting for years and years and
studying literature and teachingEnglish before I ever submitted
anything because I just neverthought I was good enough.
(32:18):
But then finally I'm like, okay,it's now or never, lady.
You're not kidding.
Any younger.
So, you know, it's not like thefirst manuscript I ever wrote
got published.
Tina Strachan (32:26):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
No, rejections are just part ofthe part of the deal, isn't it?
It's part of the pathwayforward.
Um, just quickly before you go,uh, what about any top tips for
our debut authors?
We've got lots of debut authorsthat listen.
We've got, um, some that areabout to publish, some that have
just published this year.
Some that are.
Stuck in the second book Blues,we'll call it, trying to work
(32:48):
out what to do there.
Um, any, any tips for them?
Dani Vee (32:52):
Yeah, I think you've gotta hit the ground.
Um, I did this with my firstbook.
I, you know, spent my own moneyon sending as many bookshops as
I can.
A little signed bookmarks sayingthank you for having my book.
Um.
And then I went to as manybookshops as I could, and I just
did like a whole weekend daytrip.
And I just did a little map of,you know, one way map of where I
(33:13):
could go and visit bookshops andget to know booksellers.
And then they've signed youbook, they put a little sticker
on it, you know, they, theymight hand sell it to someone.
So, oh, the author was just inthis suits your, you know, what
you're looking for, et cetera,et cetera.
Um, go to book launches, get toknow other authors.
Then you'll have a really nicesupport base.
We have a really beautiful groupof, you know, authors that we
spend a lot of time with on asocial matter.
(33:34):
You know, we don't always talkabout writing, but it's just
nice to have that reallysupportive, um, people who are,
you know, because your familydon't often wanna, you hear, to
hear you talking about writing,they sometimes wanna talk about
something else.
So it's nice to have that littlesupport group.
Um, I would be looking intowriting groups, whether it's an
official one at your library orwhether it's.
A couple of writing mates thatyou just catch up or you can
throw ideas around with.
(33:55):
Like, I have a lot of people Ican go, what do you think about
this idea?
What do you think about thistitle?
Or could you read this chapter?
You know, and I obviously woulddo the same for them.
So I think just creating thoselittle communities, and I'm just
trying to think of free stuff'cause I know you don't and a
lot of money, um, as a debutauthor, or you know, sometimes
it's established author, either,sometimes, ever, yes.
Sometimes ever.
So I'm trying to think of thingsthat are just, you know, I'm not
(34:17):
saying time's not important,'cause time is very important,
but you know, having a bookout's really important too.
So you should probably put asidea month or two to really go out
and get on the ground, I reckon.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, go to book launches, go toas many, um, you know, Sydney
Writers Festival.
The Family Day was amazing.
That just went,'cause you couldgo there, you could meet
incredible authors, you couldwatch them on the stage, you
could talk to other authors, youcould have your book signed.
(34:39):
So it was this real.
Really great vibe of meetingpeople and learning and, and
seeing what kids are buying.
You know?
I think that's kind of the bestinformation that you can have
and just support other authors,you know, and it's not to get
something back, it's justbecause it's such a great
celebratory community that we docelebrate each other because we
know how bloody it is to getpublished.
(35:01):
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
So when someone has a win, we'renot sitting there jealous.
In our little witch case, we'relike, yay, someone's done it.
Whoa.
And we're celebrating their bookand we're getting them on our
podcast and we're putting themup in our stories and we're
reviewing their books and we'reholding up their book in the
bookstore.
Like all of that stuff is, isfree and helps you to be part of
that community.
(35:22):
So for me, community is justnot, has to be number one.
Mm-hmm.
Tina Strachan (35:27):
No, absolutely agree.
That's amazing advice.
Thank you, Dani.
It's been incredible having youon the show today.
Dani Vee (35:33):
Thank you.
I enjoyed talking about all ofthat important
Tina Strachan (35:36):
stuff.
Mm-hmm.
It's very important, andespecially to introduce your two
new books into the world aswell.
Thanks, Dani.
Great.
Thank you so
Dani Vee (35:44):
much.
Tina Strachan (35:46):
Thank you for listening to the Book Deal
podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode,please subscribe to the pod so
you can receive updates as soonas our new EPS drop and to keep
up to date with what the pod isdoing.
You can also find us onInstagram.
This is the Book Deal podcast where you will
discover the inspiring stories,the authors behind your favorite
books.
No matter what stage of writingyou are at, we've got you
covered.
I'm Tina Strachan.
And I'm Madeleine Cleary.
And join us as we pull back thecurtain of published authors one
deal at a time.
Madeleine Cleary (00:29):
The book Deal podcast acknowledges the
traditional owners of the landand waters, which it's recorded
on and pays respect to theirelders past, present, and
emerging.
Tina Strachan (00:43):
Hi, it's Tina Strachan here, and in this
episode of the Book DealPodcast, I am interviewing Danny
Vee.
Many of you would know of Dannybecause not only is she an
author of children's books,including picture books and
junior fiction, but she's also apublisher at Larrikin House.
I.
In this interview, we discussedDanny's most recent book, my
(01:04):
Supercharged, A DHD Brain, andwhy it's important for books to
represent both sides of the ADHD experience.
We share our tips for gettingthe most out of our own
supercharged brains when writingand Dani also shares her
publishing advice for debut andaspiring authors.
There's something for everyonein this episode, and I hope you
(01:24):
enjoy.
Dani Vee, welcome to the BookDeal podcast.
Dani Vee (01:28):
Thank you for having me.
I'm very excited to be here.
Tina Strachan (01:31):
Oh, I have been so looking forward to chatting
to you on the pod because I knowyou have so much advice to and
to share, and tips to share withour listeners.
'Cause not only are you a multipublished author, uh, but you
are also, the Podcast host ofthe incredibly popular Words and
Nerds podcast, and a publisher,at Larrikin House publishers as
(01:54):
well.
Dani Vee (01:55):
Yeah, I've actually become now the publisher at
Larrikin House.
So, um, it's just, I think it'sjust that a DHD brain having
lots of fingers in all the pies.
Tina Strachan (02:05):
I hear you with the A-D-A-D-H-D brain just, uh,
trying to fit as much in aspossible, right?
Dani Vee (02:10):
Yeah.
And it's a hyper focus as well.
You know, like books and writinghas been something that I've
always loved as an Englishteacher before I was, you know,
writing and podcasting.
And so that's just alwayssomething that I've loved.
And, you know, when your brainloves that, it just wants to do.
All the pieces of it.
So
Tina Strachan (02:26):
a hundred percent and wants to put it, um, ahead
of everything else sometimes,but firstly, and I've, I've got
lots of questions about that.
Um, but firstly, congratulationson your two new books that have
come out recently.
My Pet Croc and My Supercharged,A DHD Brain.
Can you tell us a little bitabout them?
(02:46):
Can we start with my pet Croc?
Dani Vee (02:48):
Yeah, absolutely.
Uh, my second J Ffic and it wasan idea that when I was talking,
um, you know, about ideas ofwhat to write next, my
publisher's, like what wouldhappen if a kid had a pet Croc.
And I'm like, I don't know whatwould happen.
I, I might try and find out.
And unlike ri, which was myfirst jfi, which was just so
impossible to write, probablybecause I was so new at it.
This one just, I don't wanna sayit was easy'cause it's never
(03:09):
easy, but it just sort offlowed.
The characters came to me and Iwas like, well, what would
happen?
And because I really likeplaying with the opposites,
'cause I like trying to writeinto humor.
So I was like, well you expectthe croc to be vicious and that
to be dangerous.
But what if the croc was asharmless and cute as a puppy?
You know what would happen then?
(03:29):
'cause my kids used to justwatch the Dangerous Animals
documentaries over and overagain.
I was like, well, what if themost dangerous animals on Earth.
All became as harmless askittens and puppies.
And then I thought, well thenwhat would that do to the
ecosystem?
Because even though that soundsgreat, you know, brown snakes
are no longer dangerous.
There's a whole chain of eventsthat happen.
So I started doing someresearch, and then I thought of
(03:51):
my character.
Felix, and he's been dumped withhis crocodile from his aunt,
who's this eccentric scientistand his best friend, autumn
Black.
And then I had a little bit offun with a villain.
So I used to be an Englishteacher, and I remember having a
classroom full of thesebeautiful Caitlins and they were
all spelt differently.
And I was trying to remember whowas who.
And you know, it was one ofthose things that I was, I
wondered where that came from.
(04:12):
It's really stressing how toremember who these exact people
were in their work, et.
And I thought, well, what wouldhappen if the villains, and, and
don't get me wrong, these girlsin the class were beautiful.
But I thought, well, what wouldhappen if we had villains all
had the same name, Caitlyn, butspelled differently?
And, um, they just got worse andworse as the spelling became
more complicated.
And I just had a lot of fun withthat, um, that sort of premise
(04:33):
of having villains.
'cause I think in kids' books,in particularly humorous books,
you want villains that are alsofun.
Like you don't want villainsthat you're too scared of.
You want villains that are alittle bit silly and a little
bit like caricatures.
And so kids can laugh at themrather than be afraid of them.
Tina Strachan (04:47):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
I have read something, uh, alittle while ago.
'cause my youngest, he, um,always associated with the
villain in books and movies andthings.
He always wanted to be thevillain.
And I remember, you know, as amom, you know, you haven't done
this before.
And it's like, there's somethingwrong with my kid that just
wants to always but it, but whenyou look into it and you read
(05:10):
into it, apparently it'sbecause, um, they, they're just
more exciting.
Dani Vee (05:15):
They're often more interesting, you know, either
they're funny or they've got abackstory or mm-hmm.
Antagonist of their own story.
So yeah, they're, they're, I'vealways been intrigued by
villains as well.
All those people who are reallyambiguous, because I think
that's generally what humansare.
Yeah.
Maybe not as much as, you know,the villains that we see.
Mm-hmm.
You know, we're all a bit ofeverything.
Tina Strachan (05:34):
Yeah.
And they have power.
And that's, you know, for a kid,you know, that's, that's pretty
cool to associate with that.
So, um, so that's, yeah, that'sa hilarious concept and um, I'm
sure kids are going to love it.
And what was the age group forthat one?
So junior fiction,
Dani Vee (05:48):
pretty fiction, probably up to 12 years old, so
Oh yeah.
So probably uh, year four toyear six.
But then I went to a school andall the year twos were buying it
as well, so whether they werereading or getting their parents
reading.
So it covers quite a lot ofprimary school'cause the premise
is fun, you know?
Mm-hmm
Tina Strachan (06:02):
Hmm.
I'm sure the parents lovereading it to the kids as well.
That's an important thing whenyou're writing a book.
It's gotta be, if the parentsare possibly gonna read it, make
sure it's fun for them too.
That's right.
Now, um, my supercharged A DHDbrain as well, that's just come
out very recently also.
Um.
Can you tell us a little bitabout that?
What's the, the age group forthat one?
(06:23):
And, and tell us a bit about thebook.
Dani Vee (06:25):
That's a picture book, so you're three to sort of eight
years old, but I actually think,and I used to teach picture
books even to year 12 Kids forVisual Literacy.
And I think this book, it kindof goes across ages because it's
about, I.
Our brains.
And I think anyone who knowsanyone who has a DHD, whether
it's your children or yourchildren's friends or some
relative or whatever, which, andI think we all do because, you
(06:45):
know, diagnosis are going up.
It's really just interesting tobe able to put yourself in the
shoes of a person with a DHD.
Now, I was diagnosed prettylate, so only a couple of years
ago, and then I started doing alot of research and knowing that
it's quite, um, hereditary.
So then I started looking at mydaughter.
I started looking at my.
Dad, my cousin's diagnosed.
I'm like, oh, this all makessense.
(07:07):
Mm-hmm.
But I think, um, as a kid and asan an adult, I've just always
felt a little bit left of centerof some of my friends.
I've just felt like the odd oneout, and I was never sure what
that meant.
And then as I got older, youknow, teachers or whoever would
sort of throw things at you,whether they were criticisms or
comments like, oh, you're tooloud, you're too much, you're
(07:28):
too distracted, you're too this.
You're too that.
And, you know, I've gotten apretty good self-confidence, but
it's still chew away at that,you know, and you think, oh, am
I annoying?
Am I too much?
Am I too talkative?
Am I, am I, am I.
And then when I was diagnosedwith A DHD, my cousin said, you
might feel a bit of griefbecause you found out so late.
(07:49):
But I actually felt relief, notgrief.
I was like, oh, like thankgoodness I've now got something
to make me understand my brain.
I don't have to feel bad aboutit.
I don't have to take on allthose things as insults.
That's just how my brain iswired.
And I thought, how amazing wouldit be for a kid to have a book
like that?
(08:09):
Who was like me, um, and go, oh,I'm not, you know, there's
nothing wrong with me.
It's just my brain and that'sthe way I'm wired.
And so we all know the hard bitsof A DHD.
We hear that a lot on the, youknow, mainstream media.
And so I said, I pitched well,what if we celebrated the A DHD
brain?
We know that it's hard.
Like I get the, you know, deepanxiety.
(08:31):
And the overstimulation of ADHD.
But it also allows me, as wementioned earlier, to do a lot
to hyperfocus on the things thatI love.
It, you know, makes me, um,adventurous and a little bit
risk taking.
And I don't think you can writebooks or have businesses or do
cool things if you don'tsometimes take risks.
Mm-hmm.
And so.
I was like, well, let's just, Ididn't push the, the challenges
(08:53):
aside, they're still in there,but they're a lot smaller than
the celebrations.
'cause why not celebrate a brainthat's a bit different?
So it's a really special book,um, because it's, you know, I
wish I had it as a kid and it'sdirectly from the experiences my
brain.
Tina Strachan (09:08):
Yeah.
Yeah.
So you're the perfect person towrite it clearly.
And it's, um, so that, so it wasimportant for you to write this
book for kids because?
Like you said, you felt like youwould've really appreciated
that.
And, and, and like you justsaid, lots of kids and more kids
now are getting diagnosed withit.
We know so much more about it.
(09:28):
I think it's, um, starting tobecome, it had a real stigma
even for the kids, just knowingwith my kids growing up, you
know, talking like havingclassmates and stuff and there
was a stigma for quite a while,but now I think it's.
Kids are so used to kids, likethey, they have everything in
the classrooms from alldifferent, you know, angles.
(09:50):
And it's not, it's definitelynot a hundred percent okay.
Like there's still a stigma, butthey are just so.
Dani Vee (09:57):
But it's not just about the A DHD kid
understanding their brain.
It's about everyone else in theclass understanding that, oh,
we're all a bit different, andthat's okay, you know?
Mm-hmm.
That's okay.
That we're all a bit different.
We can celebrate all of ourdifferences.
And you know, James, who owns ZHouse, is also diagnosed with A
DHD quite late as well.
It was about the similar time,and then I start, I pitched this
idea.
I was like, yes, celebrate it.
(10:17):
That's a great idea.
And he's right into making surethat we engage and celebrate
kids.
It's been the whole premise ofLarrikin House and then.
After I'd written like a zerodraft.
He's like, and what about thisand what about this?
And we should do this and whatabout this?
And I feel this.
And I'm like, oh, I think youactually should have your name
on the front too.
Like if you've given way toomany ideas for this not to be
your book and your experience aswell.
Tina Strachan (10:36):
Yeah.
Oh, that's awesome.
Great collaboration.
Can't hurt having fromdifferent, um, sides.
And also, you know, the malefemale differences with A DHD as
well, isn't it?
Like they've, they, they thinkthere's a lot of that, so that's
really important.
Dani Vee (10:48):
We've been asked to, because we did, we deliberately
put a girl, even though it'severy kid's experience, we, we
deliberately had a femaleprotagonist because
traditionally women have beenunderdiagnosed in this area
because it's been a, a boy, anaughty boy's disease.
And I'm using the rabbit earspeople, because I don't believe
in the naughty boy thing.
It's just their brains.
Um, and so we are going to,'cause it's been really popular,
this book and it, you know, Ithink we sold.
(11:10):
More than we had anticipated,which is a good problem to have.
Um, we are working on one that'salso sort of trying to dispel
that myth of the naughty A DHDboy and trying to get a bit more
understanding of that kid.
So I've been doing a bit ofresearch and that I was a
teacher for 17 years, and sojust trying to unpack that and
not just dismissing them asnaughty boys.
They just need stimulation.
They, you know, what do theyneed, um, you know, to help them
(11:32):
function during day.
Tina Strachan (11:34):
Yeah.
Yeah, that'll be great.
And even for,'cause it's such a,it'll be such a useful tool,
this book.
And then even just having, Iimagine if it's about a boy with
a boy on the front, like theboys are just gonna pick that up
more, aren't they, then?
So it's important for them aswell.
Um, no, it's a really importantbook, Dani.
Congratulations to you both.
So now you put your superchargebrain to very good use with your
(11:56):
podcast and your writing andyour publishing.
Um, and you're a mom.
As well.
There's a lot going on.
And so it does sound too, youknow, and I love how you're
celebrating the, um, positivesof an A DH ADHD brain as well in
these books.
And it's funny, I actually had afriend once.
Say to me when she found outthat I had a DHD, that she was
(12:19):
like, oh gosh, I'm so relievedbecause you do so much.
And to her, she was just like, Ifeel like you're so productive
and you do all these things.
And I, I just would be like, oh,well how does she get that stuff
done and compare herself?
She's like, oh, no, no.
You've got a DH adhd.
This is great.
I can just like, I can stop
Dani Vee (12:38):
comparing myself.
The number one question I havegotten asked.
Every time I go anywhere, youknow, writer's conferences or
wherever, is how do you do somuch?
And I don't like to think aboutit because it kind of makes me
feel a bit stressed.
Like, oh, how do I do it?
Oh, is that why I'm stressed?
Oh, I don't know.
And so finally I have theanswer.
Tina Strachan (12:58):
Yeah.
Dani Vee (12:58):
Yeah.
Tina Strachan (12:59):
No, that's great.
Um, and I mean, but it'sabsolutely different for
everyone.
And there is that flip side toit, you know, like, um, I have
always feeling like, like you'reon and, and that sort of thing,
um, which is important forpeople.
And so there's negatives andpositives as everyone does.
Even non A DHD brains.
Yeah, it's, but we know.
Dani Vee (13:17):
About the negatives for so long.
'cause I feel like that's beenthe focus, which, you know, it
needs to be for people tounderstand, but you know, well,
you know, it also helps us dothis, that, and that.
So let's have a bit of adifferent conversation about a
DH ADHD as well.
Tina Strachan (13:31):
Mm-hmm.
Dani Vee (13:32):
No, it's great.
Carla Salmon (13:38):
Hi, I am Carla Salmon, author of, we Saw What
You Started, which will bepublished by Pam McMillan on the
1st of July, 2025.
We saw what you started as ateen crime mystery perfect for
11 to 15-year-old readers.
It follows New Boy Otto, aCalifornian surfer who arrives
in a small, insta worthy coastaltown in Australia and joins a
(13:59):
local surf lifesaving clubhoping to fit in and find some
friends.
Unfortunately, this has mademuch more challenging for Otto
when he's blamed for a string ofsuspicious fires that damage
local businesses.
It's only local girl Millie, theclub surf lifesaving champion
who thinks maybe Otto isinnocent because Millie knows
that small town rumors aren'talways true together.
(14:21):
They have to work out if theycan trust each other and find
out who is actually responsiblefor the crimes.
I've written, we saw what youstarted specifically for young
teens, exploring themes that arerelevant to their everyday
lives, like what they're willingto do to keep their friendships,
the competitive vibe that oftenexists in groups, meeting parent
expectations or more likelypushing boundaries, juggling
(14:44):
part-time jobs, and of course, afirst crush or two.
The book also poses thequestion, is it ever okay to do
the wrong thing for the rightreasons?
I really hope teens hear theirown voices in Otto and Millie's.
Dual points of view and enjoy alittle mischief and fun during
lots of fast-paced action as thecharacters ride dirt bikes on
(15:05):
beach roads, sneak out for nightswims and try to avoid trouble
at the skate park.
The story is very much inspiredby some of my favorite coastal
towns and childhood memories,and I can't wait for you to read
it.
Thanks so much for your support.
Tina Strachan (15:24):
I'm sure we've got lots of listeners with a DHD
or maybe they're listening tothis and going, oh, maybe, maybe
I have a DH adhd.
'cause that's where I actuallyfirst ever thought that was from
a writing podcast that Ilistened to about 10 years ago.
And the host, she had just beendiagnosed with a DH adhd and
some of the things that she wassaying, I was like.
Oh gosh, that's, that soundslike me.
(15:47):
And just put that little thoughtin my mind.
And that's, you know, itprobably took, you know, another
five years for, for
Dani Vee (15:52):
anything to come of it.
More than 20 years.
I was diagnosed with an anxietyand panic disorder and anxiety
meds made me about 50 times moreanxious.
And I was like, well, why don'tthey work on my brain?
And no one thought to say, maybeyou have a DHD.
It was, again, something that I.
You know, research and thought,oh, this sounds like me.
You know, my cousin and anotherfriend said, do you think you
(16:14):
have a DHD?
So, you know, I, I do think, andI'm a bit been talking about
this a bit lately, if you followme, but I think in a lot of ways
the medical profession have letwomen down in a lot of ways.
You know, whether it comes tomenstruation or our reproductive
organs or A DHD, it's a bit sortof like, suck it up.
(16:35):
Mentality.
And I'm not saying that's allmedical professions, obviously
not.
I've had some brilliant doctors,but I've also had, you know,
experiences where I've beendismissed or misdiagnosed.
And I think, you know, part ofthat was also advocating for
ourselves.
We know our bodies and ourbrains better than anyone.
We wake up to them every day.
So I think as women, until somethings start to really change, I
(16:56):
think we need to make sure weadvocate very deeply for
ourselves and for our daughters.
Tina Strachan (17:01):
Yeah, that's important.
That's a really good message.
So for those, writers, I'm surethere's probably lots of writers
with a DHD somehow, especiallyif you're someone who's very
prolific in getting words down.
It's, it could be you.
Or on the flip side to it aswell, there's the, um,
distraction that can come fromit.
So do you, so I thought we'doffer some tips today, Dani.
(17:24):
I know, I know some, some, Ihave some tips that I guess help
me with it.
Um, certainly once I had beendiagnosed, like you said, it was
a relief and it almost madethings better kind of straight
away because I was like, oh, Ijust know that I need to do this
now.
Instead of just trying to belike, well, that person doesn't
have to write a thousand thingson their list every day.
(17:44):
I'm not that person.
I'm somebody different.
It helps me.
And, and that's, and that's beenincredibly helpful just in that
knowledge.
So, um, do you have any tips,Dani, for, writers who, are, are
trying to get the words down andtrying to focus and with, uh, an
A DHD brain?
Dani Vee (18:02):
I'm probably going to be very disappointing right now
because I get thoroughlydistracted and I put myself on a
time-lapse the other day when Ihad the data right, and I
thought, I'm just gonna see whatI actually do.
And it was so funny because Iwould write, I'd get up and make
a tea, I'd write, I'd look at myphone, I'd write, I'd painted my
nails like.
I just important, when I lookedback at it, I went, wow, how do
(18:22):
I get anything done?
So what really works for me is alittle short, sharp bursts
because I'm like, okay, I've got20 minutes to write, go, and I
know those 20 minutes areprecious.
When I have a day, I justsquander it.
Really?
Mm-hmm.
Um, I was wondering why I wasreally good at riding on the
plane and in the airports.
It's because I don't haveanything else to do, but.
The laptop in front of me.
I don't have wifi and I don't,you know, have anything else
(18:43):
that I can do.
I can't just get up and get asnack.
So I think where I write in acafe is good for me as well,
because you're there withpurpose and you're there with a
time constraint.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, please.
For the love of God, give me adeadline.
If you just tell me that I'vegot.
Whenever to write it, you'll getit.
Never.
So deadlines really work for me.
Competition works.
(19:04):
When we did nano rmo and we werecompeting sort of with each
other but ourselves, but everyweek we'd sort of say how many
words we'd each written eachweek.
That was a real motivatorbecause I needed to get to the,
you know, the point that we allwanted to get to and, you know,
you kind of wanted to beat yourmates, so that really helped.
Um, but I, yeah, so for me.
(19:25):
I, I like to ride in the cracksof time because I think 20
minutes for me is a lot moreproductive than two hours
because like I said, I'll justwaste it.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and making, and even iflike, I try and put self-imposed
deadlines in, but they're notas.
Significant is when someonesays, you need to give me this.
By this time, I don't know ifyou're the same.
I don't sleep a lot.
I try and sleep, but I just, mybrain just won't, it doesn't
(19:47):
matter what time I go to bed.
My brain will wake up six hourslater and go, we're awake.
Here's 4,000 ideas for youtoday.
Um, so it doesn't matter if I goto bed at 10 or 12, and so I've
just started going to bed.
Well, not started.
I've done this for a long time,about 11 or 12.
'cause I don't wanna be wakingup at four.
Mm-hmm.
Thank you, Brian.
(20:08):
Even on the weekend, I try andmake the room really, really
dark and all of that.
Mm-hmm.
And I managed to sleep untileight 30 on Sunday morning.
But I did go to bed at one 30and I was still very proud of
myself.
I'm like, seven hours, look atme.
So, I don't know.
I think with, when you have aDHD, sometimes you have more
hours in the day because youdon't sleep a lot, but then
(20:28):
you've got less'cause you'rejust distracted.
Tina Strachan (20:30):
Yep.
Yes.
Not as productive maybe.
Yeah, no.
Um.
Look great by the way, so thatwas worth it.
They were really good tips and Ithink they're all, they'll be
all huge, hugely beneficial.
Um, but you know, some peopleprobably wish that they didn't
(20:50):
sleep as much.
Some people wish that they couldonly sleep, you know, six hours.
I used to always think that Iwish I could just sleep less and
kind of get more, kind ofsqueeze more into my day.
But, um.
No, I, I totally agree and Iagree with you about the holiday
thing.
If we go, we've got a caravanand we go away, caravan, and I
get so much writing done onholidays just because I'll get
(21:12):
up early before the kids andI'll sit outside.
Like, we don't take, you know,if normally at home I feel like,
okay, maybe I've gotta do someexercise and stuff like that.
I can still do exercise onholidays, but you know.
No one really wants to do that.
So I, you know, I just feel likeI just get, I just sit in my
little cave and I just writeuntil the kids get up.
And, um, normally I have allthese other things that we need
(21:34):
to do, you know, even just likegetting ready for school or
going to work, but you kind oftracked, so it's great.
So I get lots done there, so Icompletely agree with you on
that one.
But my other tips at Work Timer,like you said, is great.
Um, when I first started gettingback into writing a one hour
timer, that was that I, I wouldset a one hour timer when I had
a little kid and I was, youknow, would like a baby putting
(21:56):
them down for a nap.
I'd be like, set your alarm forone hour, get it done.
I just felt like I could tickthe box, you know?
Um.
Uh, but setting alarms, athousand alarms, because I don't
know about you, but I have a lotof things that pop up in my head
all the time.
Oh, gotta do that.
Oh, gotta do that.
Oh, gotta do that.
So sometimes I think justquickly, just set, set an alarm
in your phone, even if it's forlater today, and it'll, it'll,
(22:18):
'cause I will always forget it,but if the alarm will remind me,
um, and it gets it off my head.
Gets, it gets, I have
Dani Vee (22:25):
alarms for everything in my life.
And when you score my phone,it's just alarm, alarm, alarm,
alarm, alarm.
'cause you know, I, I love mychildren, but sometimes I get so
hyperfocused or distracted.
I, if I didn't have that go pickthem up from school alarm, I
reckon I would've been late.
50% of the time, I'm like, oh,gotta go.
So it's really helpful.
Tina Strachan (22:44):
No, a hundred percent.
And also it helps you focusthough, don't you think?
Because I have one, I have a twoo'clock go, go to school and sit
in the lineup on the days that Ido pick up and, um.
But then I go, if I don't havethat alarm, I would constantly
be like, oh, is it time now?
Yeah.
Oh, is it time?
Now?
I keep looking at the clock, butif you, and I think that's
helpful for anyone, um, just toset it and then you actually
(23:05):
don't.
It's amazing.
That was like a game changer forme.
I don't know how it took me solong to work that one out, but
you just.
I can sit back and write and notworry about it.
Um, also keeping, I try to keepa routine.
So like I try to get up at a,you know, time in the morning
and um, just get my writing doneso I can kind of tick that box.
'cause I get quite frustrated.
(23:25):
And sometimes when you get inthat ru of not writing, it's
hard to get out, isn't it?
Uh, headphones as well.
White noise.
Just, I have those loops, thoseones that just block people out.
So I was just saying thismorning, went to a cafe and
just.
You know, pop them in so Icouldn't hear.
And or, um, those binaural, isit called binaural bi bial
(23:45):
beats, um, that you can get, youknow, just on, you know, apple
music and Spotify and stuff likethat.
And that's just, uh, puts youinto like a bit of a really
hyperfocused state, which isnice and you don't even know
that they're there.
But, um, yeah, I find themreally productive too.
Dani Vee (24:01):
I have the noise canceling as well.
Cannot listen to music withlyrics because I'll just.
My brain won't be able to copewith that.
Yeah.
Um, but yeah, I just chuck onthe classical writing music on,
on Apple and I don't even noticeit's there, but it helps me
focus and I'm not distracted bythe noises around me.
Tina Strachan (24:18):
Yeah.
Dani Vee (24:18):
No,
Tina Strachan (24:18):
it's
Dani Vee (24:19):
great.
Tina Strachan (24:19):
Really good tips.
Um, so now before you go, um,drawing on your publisher brain
now, uh, do.
Do you have any advice for,'cause we have lots of aspiring
authors, um, that listen to thepodcast.
Do you have any top tips foraspiring authors who are trying
to get a book deal?
Dani Vee (24:40):
Yeah, and I think it's a real balancing act.
And these are going to, what I'mgonna say is probably gonna
contradict some things thatwe've all been told.
You know, write what you love,et cetera, et cetera, which is
important.
But it's just as important toknow the market at the time.
It's forever changing.
Even as publishers and we havegood intel, we look up books and
stats and how they sell fromNielsen.
We have Simon and Schustertelling us what's going in the
(25:02):
marketplace, what Big W arebuying, all that kind of stuff.
Um, but.
It still constantly changes.
So you think you know somethingand something's selling and
something's hot, and then itwill be like, Nope, not that
anymore.
This.
And so I can imagine as a writerit's even more difficult'cause
you don't have access to allthose data and conversations
that we do.
But I think you need to do yourbest to know who's publishing
(25:23):
what.
What's the brand of eachpublisher?
What's selling well, what's notselling, what's hot?
Um, what are kids reading habitsright now?
Um, and what are the importantissues?
And, you know, as we talk aboutA DHD or neurodivergence or uh,
diversity, these are all thingsthat are really important in
kids' books at the moment.
So it's hard to know everything,but you really just need to keep
(25:44):
your ears open.
Listen to podcasts, you know,like ours.
Go to writing conferences whenyou can go to, um, book launches
'cause they're free.
You can just go to, mm-hmm.
Book launch and support them,you know?
Um, so just do what you can.
Look at the best selling list.
Go into bookshops, speak tobooksellers, and I think just
educate yourself as much as youcan.
I do manuscript assessments aswell as part of the publishing,
(26:05):
and we do pitch parties and allthose kind of things.
And you know, the submission,uh, piles that we've just had in
June, we signed someone fromthat, by the way.
Um, very, that's very exciting.
Um, but I think it's aboutpractice.
And now your craft, as authors,myself included, we're always in
such a rush to get.
Published'cause.
Oh my God, when's my next bookdeal?
Oh my God.
I need to get a book deal.
And I, I, I understand more thananyone that urgency, but it's
(26:28):
kind of like you wouldn't expectto be a brain surgeon just by
watching a brain surgeon.
Do brain surgery once, right?
Mm-hmm.
And so I think we sometimesunderestimate what it takes to
be a writer.
And someone said it takes you amillion words to write any good
words.
And so I don't know the truth inthat, but I actually think the
(26:50):
more you write, the more youhone your craft.
That's that's the key.
You know, because even of what'sin, what's great, what's
selling, if a publisher comesacross a great story, they're
gonna want it.
You know, whether it's now or intwo years or whatever, they're
going to want it.
And I just think in such acompetitive industry, and you
know, the industry is doing ittough at the moment, for
(27:11):
whatever reason it might be thefinancial crisis, I have no
idea.
Um, but near enough isn't goodenough.
And I see in the submissionspile.
We talk about rhyme a lot,particularly for picture books,
and most of the rhyme I read isnot ready for submission.
And I think you need to perfectyour craft.
Um, be honest with yourself.
(27:31):
You know, if if it's not quiteright in rhyme, it's not gonna
be quite right for thepublisher.
So you have to be honest withyourself.
And I know I love rhyme, I loveit.
I've taught poetry.
I'm obsessed with it, but I knowthat.
It's a bit tricky in publishingand so all besides my epic
doubt, all my picture bookssince then have been in ps.
Fingers crossed I'll get towrite one in rhyme again one
(27:53):
day.
But you really have to listen tothe market and really hone your
craft and try not to takerejection personally.
We've all been rejected, likeevery single writer has it's
part of the business.
Um.
And even as a publishersometimes I love a manuscript
and James loves a manuscript,but for whatever reason, we
can't publish it becausesomething similar's just come
(28:13):
out or something similar, cameout with the same sort of idea
and it didn't sell well, orthey're not, junior fiction
isn't selling very well rightnow, or whatever the reason, you
know, and so I think aspublishers, we look up stats
like a religion, and sosometimes we have had to pass on
stories that we really likedbecause they, we didn't think
they were gonna sell at thattime.
(28:35):
Um, but the good news is that,and I think this is a real
lesson in what I'm trying tosay, is that someone that I just
signed recently through thesubmissions pile, she said, I
submitted to Larrikin House fouryears ago and didn't get
published and four years on, youknow, we loved her manuscript
and it was, it was a reallytight, well-edited.
(28:58):
Fantastic issue basedmanuscript.
And it was like, she's listenedto the market, she's listened to
what we want as publishers andshe's really honed this craft
within each of its life.
Like obviously it's gonna gointo editing, but I would say it
would not need a lot.
Mm-hmm.
You know, another author thatI'm looking at, um, signing
again, she's done a manuscriptassessment with me a couple of
(29:20):
years ago.
The manuscript wasn't ready,but.
Two years later, I just readsomething of hers.
It's amazing and I wanna look atpublishing it.
Um, another author that did allof our school of larrikins, and
obviously you don't have to dothat, but it's just an example.
Um, she did all of our coursesand then she pitched something
to James.
It wasn't quite right.
Pitch to pitch pitch, and thenshe pitched something James
like, yes, I like that.
(29:41):
You need to write it.
And we're publishing that.
Um, it's coming out next year.
Mm-hmm.
So I think if you love writing.
You'll keep doing it no matterwhat.
And so I think it's just reallyimportant to just keep honing
your craft and everything youwrite is not wasted words.
You know?
Uh, my sad publishing storiesthat I wrote a 90,000 word crime
(30:03):
novel, the publisher called meto say that they loved it.
They wanted me to rewrite itfrom first to third person.
I rewrote it took me, you know,months and months to rewrite it,
and then I never heard from themagain.
Mm-hmm.
So we've all got that story.
You know?
Mm-hmm.
And so it's, you can say, yeah,it's disappointing, but I
learned a lot from that process.
Of course, I would've preferreda publish book, but that's not,
(30:24):
that's not the nature of thisbusiness.
If you want certainty, you know.
You, you go to uni and you comeout as a teacher or a whatever,
and that's certainty and there'suncertainty in business.
That's why it is so rewardingwhen you finally get published.
Um, but I think you just haveto, you have to hone your craft
because I see a lot ofsubmissions or manuscript
submissions where people arestill learning, which is
(30:45):
fantastic.
We should be learning our craft.
Or people who are kind of like,I did a workshop and now publish
me, and sometimes it happens.
And I love that when thathappens, that sometimes you need
to watch a few more brainsurgeries.
Tina Strachan (30:57):
It's a long game.
It's, that's what we say, likeit's a long game.
And I think that's all reallyimportant information.
Uh, I, I sort of equate it tolike, you're not going to sell a
huge piece of artwork the firsttime you pick up a paintbrush.
Like, you just, you can't, youjust aren't skilled and you
haven't painted that well andyou, and it's, it's, yeah, but
(31:18):
we don't expect someone to justpick up a paintbrush and, and,
and sell their work and have a,you know, a huge display at an
art gallery.
And it's very similar.
Just gotta keep going and.
And yeah, you never look atthose artworks as wasted time.
It's, you know, and it's, it'sfun and enjoyable for the person
and then just getting betterevery time.
No, I totally agree.
Dani Vee (31:36):
Everyone accepts that it takes four or five years to
do a university course, right?
And then you're a qualifiedteacher, and then you're still a
beginning teacher and you'reprobably, if I'm honest, not
good for another five years, youknow, from my,
Tina Strachan (31:47):
and you probably didn't get the best job that you
wanted either.
You just take the kind of thefirst one that's there, and you
are not the headmaster or thehead of.
School or whatever it is.
Yeah,
Dani Vee (31:56):
I, I think we just need to take a little bit of
that into our writing.
And there are exceptions toevery rule of course, but just
take the time to learn and honeyour craft.
And I think, you know, the, theauthors that I was kind of
mentioning before, you know, Ihope those stories help as well.
And even myself, like I waswriting for years and years and
studying literature and teachingEnglish before I ever submitted
anything because I just neverthought I was good enough.
(32:18):
But then finally I'm like, okay,it's now or never, lady.
You're not kidding.
Any younger.
So, you know, it's not like thefirst manuscript I ever wrote
got published.
Tina Strachan (32:26):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
No, rejections are just part ofthe part of the deal, isn't it?
It's part of the pathwayforward.
Um, just quickly before you go,uh, what about any top tips for
our debut authors?
We've got lots of debut authorsthat listen.
We've got, um, some that areabout to publish, some that have
just published this year.
Some that are.
Stuck in the second book Blues,we'll call it, trying to work
(32:48):
out what to do there.
Um, any, any tips for them?
Dani Vee (32:52):
Yeah, I think you've gotta hit the ground.
Um, I did this with my firstbook.
I, you know, spent my own moneyon sending as many bookshops as
I can.
A little signed bookmarks sayingthank you for having my book.
Um.
And then I went to as manybookshops as I could, and I just
did like a whole weekend daytrip.
And I just did a little map of,you know, one way map of where I
(33:13):
could go and visit bookshops andget to know booksellers.
And then they've signed youbook, they put a little sticker
on it, you know, they, theymight hand sell it to someone.
So, oh, the author was just inthis suits your, you know, what
you're looking for, et cetera,et cetera.
Um, go to book launches, get toknow other authors.
Then you'll have a really nicesupport base.
We have a really beautiful groupof, you know, authors that we
spend a lot of time with on asocial matter.
(33:34):
You know, we don't always talkabout writing, but it's just
nice to have that reallysupportive, um, people who are,
you know, because your familydon't often wanna, you hear, to
hear you talking about writing,they sometimes wanna talk about
something else.
So it's nice to have that littlesupport group.
Um, I would be looking intowriting groups, whether it's an
official one at your library orwhether it's.
A couple of writing mates thatyou just catch up or you can
throw ideas around with.
(33:55):
Like, I have a lot of people Ican go, what do you think about
this idea?
What do you think about thistitle?
Or could you read this chapter?
You know, and I obviously woulddo the same for them.
So I think just creating thoselittle communities, and I'm just
trying to think of free stuff'cause I know you don't and a
lot of money, um, as a debutauthor, or you know, sometimes
it's established author, either,sometimes, ever, yes.
Sometimes ever.
So I'm trying to think of thingsthat are just, you know, I'm not
(34:17):
saying time's not important,'cause time is very important,
but you know, having a bookout's really important too.
So you should probably put asidea month or two to really go out
and get on the ground, I reckon.
Mm-hmm.
Uh, go to book launches, go toas many, um, you know, Sydney
Writers Festival.
The Family Day was amazing.
That just went,'cause you couldgo there, you could meet
incredible authors, you couldwatch them on the stage, you
could talk to other authors, youcould have your book signed.
(34:39):
So it was this real.
Really great vibe of meetingpeople and learning and, and
seeing what kids are buying.
You know?
I think that's kind of the bestinformation that you can have
and just support other authors,you know, and it's not to get
something back, it's justbecause it's such a great
celebratory community that we docelebrate each other because we
know how bloody it is to getpublished.
(35:01):
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
So when someone has a win, we'renot sitting there jealous.
In our little witch case, we'relike, yay, someone's done it.
Whoa.
And we're celebrating their bookand we're getting them on our
podcast and we're putting themup in our stories and we're
reviewing their books and we'reholding up their book in the
bookstore.
Like all of that stuff is, isfree and helps you to be part of
that community.
(35:22):
So for me, community is justnot, has to be number one.
Mm-hmm.
Tina Strachan (35:27):
No, absolutely agree.
That's amazing advice.
Thank you, Dani.
It's been incredible having youon the show today.
Dani Vee (35:33):
Thank you.
I enjoyed talking about all ofthat important
Tina Strachan (35:36):
stuff.
Mm-hmm.
It's very important, andespecially to introduce your two
new books into the world aswell.
Thanks, Dani.
Great.
Thank you so
Dani Vee (35:44):
much.
Tina Strachan (35:46):
Thank you for listening to the Book Deal
podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode,please subscribe to the pod so
you can receive updates as soonas our new EPS drop and to keep
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