Emily Maguire on non-fiction vs fiction writing, overcoming discouragement and practicalities of sustaining a writing life
Natasha Rai interviews author Emily Maguire about her Queensland Literary Award–winning, Prime Minister’s Literary Award–shortlisted novel Rapture, inspired by a 1,000-year-old legend of a woman disguising herself as a man, rising through monastic ranks, and becoming pope. Maguire contrasts nonfiction research—structured around a topic and intended conclusions—with fiction research driven by deep point of view and character questions, and describes collecting sparks like art and journaled observations. She recounts early discouragement from a teacher, her first publication journey via mailed submissions and an ASA mentorship, and how international rights sales launched her career despite poor local reviews. Maguire discusses navigating tough edits, learning that “a novel is made in the rewriting,” choosing trusted readers, teaching writing without gatekeeping craft jargon, and practical realities of sustaining an Australian writing life amid industry pressures, including AI, while emphasizing writing regularly and revising deeply.
00:00 Podcast Intro
00:56 Meet Emily Maguire
02:27 Elevator Pitch Rapture
03:28 Research Fiction vs Nonfiction
06:03 Finding Story Sparks
08:36 A Life of Reading
09:43 Becoming a Writer
12:32 First Publication Journey
16:55 Persistence and Doubt
20:55 Handling Editorial Feedback
25:55 Learning Deep Revision
30:55 When to Share Drafts
31:52 Trusted Reader Process
33:16 When a Draft Fails
34:49 Finding Trusted Readers
35:53 Feedback That Helps
40:59 Teaching Through Dialogue
43:55 Craft Terms Dont Matter
47:28 Market Identity Anxiety
51:08 Sustaining Writing Career
56:14 Write Then Revise
58:14 Podcast Wrap Up
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