How to create best selling survival thrillers and writing for all ages with Sarah Armstrong

How to create best selling survival thrillers and writing for all ages with Sarah Armstrong

Tina Strachan interviews award-winning children’s author Sarah Armstrong about the wide recognition of her middle-grade survival thriller Run (including CBCA, Davitt, REAL, ABIA listings and Amazon bestseller status) and why pacey, “Trojan horse” thrillers can engage both reluctant and enthusiastic readers while carrying deeper themes. They discuss boys and literacy, emphasising socioeconomic factors, reading role models (especially dads), and how gatekeepers and book covers can influence perceptions. Armstrong introduces her new novel The Wave, about 13-year-old Max facing an unexpected tsunami while searching for his dog, and weaving in local housing and tourism pressures. She shares advice on creating vivid settings, transitioning from adult fiction and journalism to kidlit, finding supportive critique groups, her upcoming online writing courses and Substack, and her key tip: embrace major rewrites and use structure tools like Save the Cat. 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:56 Meet Sarah Armstrong 01:40 Run Awards Buzz 02:29 Why Run Works 04:57 Boys and Reading 10:28 Dads Reading Idea 11:09 New Book The Wave 12:07 Themes and Trojan Horse 13:45 Writing Vivid Settings 18:27 From Adult to Kid Lit 20:37 Why Write for Kids 22:07 Publishing the Switch 22:40 Sticking With Kid Lit 23:01 Agents And Publishing Path 23:44 Switching Genres Confidence 24:08 Online Writing Courses 26:21 Self Paced Learning Benefits 27:01 Inside The Critique Group 30:21 Finding Your Own Group 32:55 Giving And Taking Feedback 36:23 What Sarah Writes Next 37:41 Rewriting Makes The Story 39:41 Structure Tools Save The Cat 41:22 Thanks And Wrap Up Join our Patreon community [https://www.patreon.com/thebookdealpodcast/] for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love. Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/the_book_deal_podcast/] You can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here: Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/td_strachan/] Tina Strachan children's book author [https://www.tinastrachan.com/about-tina-strachan-childrens-book-author] Madeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/madeleineclearywrites/] Madeleine Cleary | Author [https://www.madeleinecleary.com.au/] Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/raiwriting/] Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor [https://www.raiwriting.com.au/] If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first. Madeleine: Subscribe here [https://madeleinecleary.substack.com/?r=5df0no&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklist]...

The Writing Deal: Tina checks in on Madeleine and Natasha in the editing trenches

Tina Strachan interviews Madeleine Cleary and Natasha Rai about being deep in the editing trenches for their second books while juggling demanding jobs and family commitments, including tight three-week deadlines for structural and copy edits. Madeleine describes balancing edits with commuting and recharging through social outings, while Natasha focuses on long, immersed editing days. They reflect on guilt, asking for extensions, self-doubt, and how editing teaches them to improve the book, emphasising that multiple rounds mean the team cares. Tina shares children’s Book Week event prep and they announce a live podcast at the Emerging Writers’ Festival on 12 September at the Wheeler Centre with Toni Jordan as “agony aunt,” including anonymous question submissions. The episode includes a plug for Lisa Nan Joo’s debut novel Mother Waters. Link to Emerging Writers Festival event: The Book Deal Podcast EWF Edition  [https://emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/national-writers-conference-the-book-deal-podcast-ewf-edition/] 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:56 Editing Trenches Catchup 02:14 Mads Deadline Juggle 04:09 Footy Break Productivity 06:23 Tash Copy Edit Marathon 09:33 Asking For Extensions 10:33 Editing Teaches The Book 12:56 Process Doubts And Reassurance 15:24 Outside View Of The Dip 16:18 Editing Process Reality Check 16:51 Debut Novel Spotlight 19:39 Live Podcast Announcement 20:58 Submitting Questions and Tickets 23:04 Editing Tips and Mindset 25:22 Birthing a Book Metaphor 26:48 Magnetic Island Episode revisit 27:52 Wrap Up and Farewell Join our Patreon community [https://www.patreon.com/thebookdealpodcast/] for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love. Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/the_book_deal_podcast/] You can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here: Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/td_strachan/] Tina Strachan children's book author [https://www.tinastrachan.com/about-tina-strachan-childrens-book-author] Madeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/madeleineclearywrites/] Madeleine Cleary | Author [https://www.madeleinecleary.com.au/] Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/raiwriting/] Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor [https://www.raiwriting.com.au/] If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first. Madeleine: Subscribe here [https://madeleinecleary.substack.com/?r=5df0no&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklist]...

Representation and writing magical stories with Jasmin McGaughey

Natasha Rai interview's Jasmine McGaughey, a Torres Strait Islander and African American writer and editor, about her debut YA speculative novel Moonlight and Dust (shortlisted for the 2025 VPLAs). She pitches the story of 16-year-old Zillah returning from Brisbane to Cairns after her sister is hospitalised, discovering “moon dust” that gives kids weekend-long magical powers, and investigating its link to her sister’s fate. McGaughey discusses developing the book from a short story into a novella during a creative writing master’s, challenges writing Torres Strait Islander representation in speculative fiction, fears of tokenism, and the value of editorial collaboration. She explains getting agent Alex Adsett through children’s book work, submitting to publishers, and working with Allen & Unwin, including cover design. She also reflects on the exhaustion of launch publicity, balancing freelance work, craft confidence after debut, tax issues like income averaging, trends in YA, and her advice to write what you love.  00:00 Podcast Introduction 00:56 Meet Jasmine McGaughey 01:39 Moonlight and Dust Pitch 03:36 From Short Story to Novel 04:50 Writing in Academia 07:12 Representation and Tokenism 09:33 Finding Zillah’s Voice 13:09 Magic With Meaning 16:44 Revising After the Master’s 19:11 Getting an Agent 20:34 Submitting to Publishers 24:43 Allen and Unwin Feedback 29:07 Long Road to Publication 29:37 Editing Collaboration 30:36 Editor Turned Author 31:33 Cover Design Magic 32:47 Cover Reactions 36:23 Launch Overwhelm 40:23 Freelance Versus Craft 44:01 Money Tax Survival 46:18 Publishing Trends Talk 52:17 Writing Routine Reset 55:26 Reading Romantasy 56:32 Advice And Farewell Join our Patreon community [https://www.patreon.com/thebookdealpodcast/] for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love. Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/the_book_deal_podcast/] You can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here: Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/td_strachan/] Tina Strachan children's book author [https://www.tinastrachan.com/about-tina-strachan-childrens-book-author] Madeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/madeleineclearywrites/] Madeleine Cleary | Author [https://www.madeleinecleary.com.au/] Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/raiwriting/] Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor [https://www.raiwriting.com.au/] If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first. Madeleine: Subscribe here [https://madeleinecleary.substack.com/?r=5df0no&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklist]...

SPECIAL EP: School Author Talks - Everything You Need to Know (Part 2)

This Book Deal podcast mega Author Talk special (part two) focuses on how to deliver successful school author visits ahead of Book Week. Children’s author Adrian Beck shares how he structures presentations and workshops to hook attention early, use visuals and participation, aim for realistic activities, and leave time for Q&A; he also recounts early failures and a moment where a shoe was thrown at him, and offers practical prep tips like bringing adapters, backups, arriving early, and keeping a visible clock. Teacher librarian technician Helen Farch explains how schools book author talks versus workshops, what engages students (authentic interaction and visuals), how librarians assess authors (events, word of mouth, websites and social media), and key logistics such as curriculum links, printing, arrival, and public liability insurance. Children’s author Kristin Darell discusses building confidence in kids’ stories, tailoring sessions by age and cohort interests, managing unpredictability and tech failures, using movement breaks, handling difficult questions, networking to secure visits, and self-care during busy schedules. 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:56 School Visits Special Setup 03:11 Adrian Beck Overview 04:12 Talks and Workshops Format 07:35 Hooking Kids Fast 10:15 Participation and Flexibility 12:29 When It Goes Wrong 14:12 Shoe Story Disaster 16:36 Money Questions and Booking 19:54 Tech Prep and Timing 26:37 Helen Farch Introduction 27:22 What Makes Visits Work 32:17 How Librarians Choose Authors 35:25 Websites Curriculum and Fit 38:39 Logistics Insurance Paperwork 41:59 Authenticity Wins Visits 42:59 Memoir Author Captivates Teens 45:38 Every Kid Has A Story 48:37 Interactive Talks For Any Age 52:32 Microphone And Room Control 55:40 Workshops With Simple Structure 59:22 Slides Tech And Backup Plans 01:04:21 Keep Kids Engaged 01:09:11 Handling Questions Honestly 01:13:10 Booking More School Visits 01:18:52 Self Care And Wrap Up Join our Patreon community [https://www.patreon.com/thebookdealpodcast/] for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love. Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/the_book_deal_podcast/] You can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here: Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/td_strachan/] Tina Strachan children's book author [https://www.tinastrachan.com/about-tina-strachan-childrens-book-author] Madeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/madeleineclearywrites/] Madeleine Cleary | Author [https://www.madeleinecleary.com.au/] Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/raiwriting/] Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor [https://www.raiwriting.com.au/] If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first. Madeleine: Subscribe here [https://madeleinecleary.substack.com/?r=5df0no&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklist]...

SPECIAL EP: School Author Talks - Everything You Need to Know (Part 1)

This special “mega ep” of The Book Deal Podcast, hosted by Tina Strachan, focuses on how to deliver successful school author visits ahead of August Book Week, featuring advice from Sarah Armstrong, Zanni Louise, Peter Carnavas, and Carla Salmon (with a second episode to follow). The guests describe the talks and workshops they offer, how they structure sessions to hold students’ attention, and what to avoid, emphasising interaction, storytelling, visuals, chunking content, and being authentic rather than “talking at” kids. They share practical strategies such as microphones, props, harmonicas, icebreakers, and provocative questions, plus contingency planning for tech failures, organisation and communication with schools, and building bookings through relationships, agencies, mailouts, bookshops, festivals, and school-linked associations. They also recount challenges, disasters, and memorable student questions, and stress gratitude to teachers and librarians and the impact of meeting young readers. 00:00 Podcast intro 00:56 School visits special 03:09 Sarah Armstrong begins 04:18 Workshops and talks 06:11 Hooking the audience 07:40 Props and pacing 09:19 Tech fails and recovery 10:48 Booking school visits 13:06 Smooth visit logistics 15:35 Zanni Louise begins 16:58 Tailoring by age 20:07 Teen icebreakers 21:10 Games and engagement 22:56 Errol performance bit 24:05 Advice for beginners 26:29 Present Your True Style 27:09 New Books and Community Theme 28:14 Resilience on the Road 30:28 Peter on Reader Connection 32:23 Talks Workshops and Demos 34:51 Structure Hooks and Signals 37:20 What to Avoid and Adapt 40:15 Booking Visits and Logistics 43:34 Carla Overprepares for Tech 49:58 Provocations Branding and Behavior 53:29 Finding Schools and Closing Advice 56:08 Podcast Wrap and Support Join our Patreon community [https://www.patreon.com/thebookdealpodcast/] for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love. Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/the_book_deal_podcast/] You can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here: Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/td_strachan/] Tina Strachan children's book author [https://www.tinastrachan.com/about-tina-strachan-childrens-book-author] Madeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/madeleineclearywrites/] Madeleine Cleary | Author [https://www.madeleinecleary.com.au/] Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/raiwriting/] Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor [https://www.raiwriting.com.au/] If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first. Madeleine: Subscribe here [https://madeleinecleary.substack.com/?r=5df0no&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklist]...