Holly Brunnbauer: Putting the Com in Rom Com

📺 Watch the Ep: Your Friend and Mine: Jessica Dettmann

VIDEO CONTENT BEGINS AT 6 MINS This week on Writes4Women, guest host Michelle Barraclough [https://substack.com/profile/17398801-michelle-barraclough] sits down with bestselling author and fellow podcaster Jessica Dettmann [https://substack.com/profile/24961030-jessica-dettmann] to chat about her brand new novel Your Friend and Mine. From ghost letters and dead best friends to the joy of researching in stylish trench coats, this conversation is full of warmth, humour, and beautifully honest insights into the writing life. Michelle and Jess explore: * The power of midlife reinvention and detoured dreams * How a few ghost seats in a London theatre helped shape the plot * Research trips, pop culture references, and writing with hyperrealism * Why epistolary fiction is the ultimate cheat code * Crafting fiction that makes you laugh and ache—often at the same time Whether you’re a writer, a reader, or just someone wondering what your younger self might think of you now…this ep is a joy. Timestamps: [00:00] – Pam’s intro + Substack reset updates[00:06:00] – Meet Jess (and her time as the City of Sydney Christmas Angel)[00:10:00] – The spark behind Your Friend and Mine[00:14:00] – “Somebody invent a new animal” (on cooking + midlife drudgery)[00:20:00] – London research trip, ghost theatres, and Google Maps sleuthing[00:24:00] – Writing letters from the dead, and why it works[00:29:00] – The real ending, and what makes an editor great[00:34:00] – Writing funny when things are dark[00:38:00] – Events, readers, and what’s next for Jess ✨ ABOUT JESSICA DETTMANJessica Dettmann is the bestselling author of How to Be Second Best, This Has Been Absolutely Lovely, and Without Further Ado. Her fourth novel, Your Friend and Mine, is a warm, wise, and hilarious exploration of grief, friendship, and reinvention. A former editor and once-upon-a-time Christmas Angel for the City of Sydney, Jess lives in Sydney with her family, two cats, and an enviable wit. What readers are saying about Your Friend and Mine… 🎤 ABOUT MICHELLE BARRACLOUGHMichelle Barraclough is an emerging writer and host of the much-loved Writer’s Book Club podcast. She's also a web designer at Fresh Web Design [https://www.freshwebdesign.com.au/] (responsible for Pam’s stunning author site), and a dear friend of Jess’s—making her the perfect guest host for this ep. Love Writes4Women and want to show your support? Jump onto Apple and leave us a quick rating. It makes such a big difference and only takes 2 minutes. 📝 New for Subscribers: Monthly Critique Sessions with PamEach month, paid subscribers can submit up to 3000 words for Pam to critique in a recorded video, where she reads your work on-screen and offers warm, practical feedback on everything from POV and narrative distance to writing style and emotional resonance. The video is shared anonymously with all paid subscribers—so whether it’s your work or not, you’ll come away with tangible insights to strengthen your craft. Make sure you’re subscribed to access the critique and learn how to submit your pages! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writes4women.substack.com/subscribe [https://writes4women.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Your Friend and Mine: Jessica Dettmann

This week on Writes4Women, guest host Michelle Barraclough sits down with bestselling author and fellow podcaster Jessica Dettmann to chat about her brand new novel Your Friend and Mine. From ghost letters and dead best friends to the joy of researching in stylish trench coats, this conversation is full of warmth, humour, and beautifully honest insights into the writing life. Michelle and Jess explore: The power of midlife reinvention and detoured dreams How a few ghost seats in a London theatre helped shape the plot Research trips, pop culture references, and writing with hyperrealism Why epistolary fiction is the ultimate cheat code Crafting fiction that makes you laugh and ache—often at the same time Whether you’re a writer, a reader, or just someone wondering what your younger self might think of you now…this ep is a joy. Timestamps: [00:00] – Pam’s intro + Substack reset updates[00:06:00] – Meet Jess (and her time as the City of Sydney Christmas Angel)[00:10:00] – The spark behind Your Friend and Mine[00:14:00] – “Somebody invent a new animal” (on cooking + midlife drudgery)[00:20:00] – London research trip, ghost theatres, and Google Maps sleuthing[00:24:00] – Writing letters from the dead, and why it works[00:29:00] – The real ending, and what makes an editor great[00:34:00] – Writing funny when things are dark[00:38:00] – Events, readers, and what’s next for Jess ✨ ABOUT JESSICA DETTMANJessica Dettmann is the bestselling author of How to Be Second Best, This Has Been Absolutely Lovely, and Without Further Ado. Her fourth novel, Your Friend and Mine, is a warm, wise, and hilarious exploration of grief, friendship, and reinvention. A former editor and once-upon-a-time Christmas Angel for the City of Sydney, Jess lives in Sydney with her family, two cats, and an enviable wit. 🎤 ABOUT MICHELLE BARRACLOUGHMichelle Barraclough is an emerging writer and host of the much-loved Writer’s Book Club podcast. She's also a web designer at Fresh Web Design [https://www.freshwebdesign.com.au/] (responsible for Pam’s stunning author site), and a dear friend of Jess’s—making her the perfect guest host for this ep. 📝 New for Subscribers: Monthly Critique Sessions with PamEach month, paid subscribers can submit up to 3000 words for Pam to critique in a recorded video, where she reads your work on-screen and offers warm, practical feedback on everything from POV and narrative distance to writing style and emotional resonance. The video is shared anonymously with all paid subscribers—so whether it’s your work or not, you’ll come away with tangible insights to strengthen your craft. Make sure you’re subscribed to access the critique and learn how to submit your pages! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writes4women.substack.com/subscribe [https://writes4women.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Holly Brunnbauer: Putting the Com in Rom Com

A bold debut, a full-circle moment, and the craft of writing funny with heart This week on Writes4Women, Pam is joined by debut author and former student, Holly Brunnbauer, for a warm, laugh-filled, and insightful conversation about writing her first rom-com What Did I Miss [https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781460718254/what-did-i-miss/]. From school staff rooms and awkward first drafts to awards, agents, and publishing deals, Holly’s journey is one of grit, grace, and great humour. Pam and Holly delve into: The path from blogger to published author Navigating character arc, emotional depth, and laugh-out-loud moments Writing strong female leads (and sizzly sex scenes 👀) How a high school sweetheart breakup sparked a brilliant story idea The ups and downs of pitching, publishing, and finding the right agent This ep is not just for rom-com lovers—it’s for any writer wondering whether their words are “good enough” and what can happen when you follow the joy. Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction and hello from Pam[00:07:10] – From First Writing Teacher to Podcast Guest[00:12:40] – “Always a Bridesmaid” and the Power of Competitions[00:23:40] – The Call from HarperCollins[00:34:30] – Building a Rom-Com with Depth[00:41:45] – The Power of Pettiness (and School Staff Rooms) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writes4women.substack.com/subscribe [https://writes4women.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Writing Through the Fear: Insights on Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome. Comparisonitis. Self Doubt. Whatever we call it the fact is all writers and creatives suffer from it. In this episode host Pamela Cook delves into her personal struggles with imposter syndrome and discusses insights from previous podcast guests, including Eliza Henry Jones, Nikki Gemmell, Sophie Green, Cassie Hamer, Natasha Lester, Holly Ringland, and Megan Dalla Camina, on managing self-doubt and fostering creativity. Join Pam as she digs deep into her own battle with imposter syndrome and finds answers in the wisdom of her fellow writers. 00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgements 00:44 Technical Difficulties and Personal Updates 03:43 Substack Updates and New Initiatives 07:10 Exploring Imposter Syndrome 11:13 Insights from Eliza Henry Jones 13:42 Nikki Gemmell on Male Confidence 17:16 Sophie Green's Perspective 21:08 Cassie Hamer's Inner Critic 24:28 Natasha Lester on Editorial Feedback 28:04 Holly Ringland on the Blank Page 34:35 Megan Della Camina's Inner Critic Work 37:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writes4women.substack.com/subscribe [https://writes4women.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

What's The Bum Glue Challenge?

Hello Lovely Writers Popping in to your Substack to let you know The Bum Glue Challenge, a 14-day writing initiative designed to build discipline and foster creativity starts tomorrow Long-time listeners to the pod will be familiar with the term 'Bum Glue,' inspired by an interview with Holly Ringland [https://substack.com/profile/26662235-holly-ringland] It’s all about making the time to sit down and dedicate time to your writing. Each day, for the next 14 days (starting Monday May 5) I’ll be posting a short audio prompt to help you do just that. We’ll be writing daily without self-censorship, focusing on the joy and creativity of the process rather than perfection or publication. I’ll be sharing some snippets of my scenes via Notes and would love you to do the same if you feel so inclined. The first three days of the BGC is open to everyone, and days 4-14 are for paid subscribers, so if you start and love what we’re doing we’d love you to sign up. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writes4women.substack.com/subscribe [https://writes4women.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]