The Book Deal

Emily Paull is a Western Australian librarian, author and book reviewer. Having formerly worked in bookselling, Emily is an avid reader and a big supporter of the WA writing community who regularly moderates author interviews around Perth. She is the author of the historical novel, The Distance Between Dreams [https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/the-distance-between-dreams/?srsltid=AfmBOoqfpUZWrk5VQBZKr5w1Mq_VcvLhLtWEUHTk124N926wIYF15y-w](Fremantle Press, 2025) and the short story collection, Well-Behaved Women (Margaret River Press, 2019). The Distance Between Dreams was shortlisted for the 2023 Fogarty Literary Award under the working title 'The Dreamers.' Emily was also highly commended for the 2021 Fogarty Literary Award for her manuscript, 'The Good Daughter.  Emily shares the highs and lows of her 17-year journey to publication, including the inspiration behind her works, the significance of setting, and the importance of place in historical fiction. They discuss Emily’s experiences with the publishing industry, her role as a book reviewer and librarian, and the value of libraries for authors. Emily also offers practical advice for writers at every stage of their journey and emphasises the importance of community and persistence in the literary world. You can subscribe to Emily's Substack here [https://substack.com/home/post/p-157535516?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web]. This week's Debut in the Spotlight is Darcy Green with their debut novel, After the Siren [https://www.penguin.com.au/books/after-the-siren-9781761355257] (Penguin, September 2025),  00:55 Introducing Emily Paull 01:37 Emily's Journey in the Book Industry 04:58 The Reality of Being a Writer 08:40 The Long Road to Publication 19:07 Short Stories 27:59 The Fogarty Literary Award 30:35 The Distance Between Dreams 33:07 Darcy Green's Debut Novel 34:24 The Fogarty Award Journey 40:23 Historical Research and Fremantle's Significance 45:47 Writing About the Thai-Burma Railway 49:25 Tips for Authors Working with Libraries 58:44 Becoming a Book Reviewer 01:02:16 Final Thoughts and Top Tips for Writers 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]

In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, host Natasha Rai dives into the debut novel 'Melaleuca' by Angie Faye Martin. Angie, an Australian writer of Kooma, Kamilaroi, and European heritage, shares the journey of her career transition from policy roles to writing. She offers an elevator pitch of 'Melaleuca,' a gripping crime novel involving Aboriginal detective Renee Taylor, and explores the themes of violence against Aboriginal women, sovereignty, and intergenerational trauma. Angie outlines her writing process, including her use of dual timelines, the influence of personal experiences, and the importance of layered storytelling. She also gives insights into her publishing journey, mentorship, and the role of patience and enjoyment in writing. The episode concludes with advice for emerging writers, emphasizing the importance of research, patience, and maintaining a balanced life. 00:00 Welcome to The Book Deal Podcast 00:56 Introducing Angie Faye Martin 01:48 Discussing Melaleuca: The Elevator Pitch 05:10 The Inspiration Behind Melaleuca 14:08 Angie's Writing Journey 17:34 The Publishing Process and Mentorship 25:13 Kasey Whitelaw's New Book Announcement 26:50 Cover Design and Serendipity 27:48 Signing the Contract 29:21 Promotions and Public Speaking 33:52 Writing Routine and Balancing Life 35:14 Planning and Writing the Sequel 42:03 Tips for Emerging Writers 47:23 Final Thoughts and Reflections 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]

Getting That Elusive Book Deal: Insights from Debut Authors In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, host Tina Strachan interviews three debut middle grade authors: Lucie Stevens, Shara Curlett, and Sandy Bigna. The authors discuss their unique publication journeys, the importance of community and continuous learning, and share valuable tips for aspiring writers. They also delve into the genres of middle grade literature, discussing themes, character ages, and writing conventions. The episode highlights the importance of resilience, the role of social media, and maintaining the joy of writing. Special mention is made of the supportive writing communities and platforms such as the CBCA and the now-disbanded Duck Pond.  00:00 Introduction to the Book Deal Podcast 00:56 Special Episode: Middle Grade Debut Authors 01:11 Meet the Authors: Lucie Stevens, Shara Curlett, and Sandy Bigna 03:37 Lucie Stevens' Debut Novel: A Spooky Adventure 05:21 Sandy Bigna's Verse Novel: Bones and Magic 08:13 Shara Curlett's Magical Adventure: Welcome to Miracle 10:08 Understanding Middle Grade Fiction 14:47 Sandy Bigna's Publication Journey 24:20 Lucie Stevens' Path to Publication 33:20 The Thrill of a Two-Book Deal 34:15 Shara's Unique Journey to Publication 38:06 Finding Community and Support 44:54 Debut Spotlight with Natalie Kyriacou 46:46 The Importance of Continuous Learning 47:32 Tips for Aspiring and Debut Authors 59:47 The Role of Social Media in a Writer's Journey 01:03:00 Final Thoughts 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]

Natasha, Tina and Madeleine on strategies to identify and manage author burnout and intention setting In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, hosts Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai discuss various aspects of the writing life, including burnout, the importance of nature, the benefits of cold showers, and practical tips for managing time and self-care. They also share personal updates and emphasise the need for thorough editing before submitting work to competitions. The episode concludes with an update on the podcast's growth plans and a call for Patreon support. PATREON: After a year of The Book Deal Podcast and 51 episodes, we're looking to grow our community. If you've been enjoying the show and want to help keep us bring you conversations about the writing life, we'd love for you to join our Patreon for the less than the cost of a coffee per month. Your contribution will be going directly to cover the costs of our podcast, and it also means we'll be able to keep paying our sound producer, Brogan. We've got lots of exciting things planned for our patrons, and we can't wait to share more as it all unfolds. So if you'd like to come along for the ride, head to our Patreon page. [https://www.patreon.com/thebookdealpodcast] And we'd love to have you on board. Thanks so much for listening and for being part of the Book Deal Podcast family. This week's Debut in the Spotlight is DJ Taylor with her YA novel Anna's War (July 2025, Riveted Press).  [https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Annas-War/DJ-Taylor/9781763526075] 00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast 00:56 Catching Up After a Long Time 01:27 Tina's Exciting Book Launch 03:06 Melbourne Weather Woes 05:01 Natasha's Event at the Emerging Writers Festival 07:18 Discussing Burnout for Writers 17:22 Recognizing Burnout Symptoms 20:03 Introducing Anna's War 21:35 Managing Digital Distractions 26:40 Intention Setting and Time Management 32:29 Top Tips for Authors 36:34 Podcast Updates and Conclusion 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]

Jessica Box (co-founder of Matched) on portfolio careers for creatives, growing your author business, content creation and social media. In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, Madeleine delves into the intersection of writing and business with Jessica Box, an accomplished growth executive and founder of Matched [https://www.matched.community/]: a knowledge-sharing marketplace with 250+ vetted advisors and coaches.  Jessica shares her journey from a creative student to a tech leader, discusses the importance of storytelling in business, and offers actionable advice on managing a portfolio career, utilising social media, and avoiding burnout. The conversation also explores the evolving landscape of connection and knowledge sharing through Jessica's platform, Matched, offering invaluable insights for writers at any stage of their career. If you would like to connect with Jessica, reach out to her at: * Instagram: @matched.community [https://www.instagram.com/matched.community/] This week's Debut in the Spotlight is the delightful Holly Cardamone with her YA novel Summer, In Between [https://hawkeyebooks.com.au/products/summer-in-between] (Hawkeye Publishing, September 2025).  00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast 00:42 Introducing Jessica Box: A Multifaceted Leader 01:14 The Intersection of Business and Writing 01:55 A Journey Through Friendship and Career 07:39 The Importance of Storytelling and Authenticity 12:08 Navigating the Tech World and Personal Growth 25:07 Building a Portfolio Career 29:46 The Guilt of Taking Time Away from Writing 30:00 Allocating Time for Tasks 30:28 The Importance of Structured Time Blocks 32:11 Introducing 'Summer in Between' 32:32 The Story of Kat and Paul 34:09 Excitement and Implementation of New Strategies 35:25 Finding Joy and Boundaries in Social Media 37:28 The Power of TikTok for Authors 40:30 The Future of AI and Social Media 46:11 Introducing the Matched Platform 48:20 Becoming a Good Coach or Trainer 52:58 Final Thoughts and Top Tips 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]