How do you go about adapting a stage play into a compelling murder mystery novel? For acclaimed actor and playwright Toby Schmitz, this was his challenge in creating his debut, The Empress Murders – set on the high seas amid the glamour and clamour 1920s. In this episode, Toby shares his inspirations, aspirations and perspirations in bringing his story to the page.

00:00 Welcome
02:29 Writing tip: ‘Magazine apps to combat doomscrolling’
07:32 WIN!: Arcana Academy by Elise Kova
10:30 Word of the week: ‘Vicissitude’
11:11 The world of words: Tack vs. Tact
12:59 Writer in residence: Toby Schmitz
14:02 Toby describes The Empress Murders
16:06 Storytelling in the 1920s
18:11 Themes of colonialism
20:19 How the story started as a play
22:05 Defining what an Australian story is
26:17 The journey from play to novel
27:01 Finding freedom in novel writing
27:22 Crafting the story with index cards
28:13 Maintaining the playwright's touch
29:32 Exploring colonial guilt
30:30 Switching genres throughout
32:32 Inspirations for Toby
35:36 Navigating historical authenticity
37:16 The research process
39:11 The emotional experience of publishing
43:10 Reflections on feedback and notes
45:08 Hopes for the reader's experience
46:36 Acknowledging influences and support
49:19 Final thoughts

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When award-winning author Demet Divaroren decided to write a fantasy novel, she went down a completely different path first, before finally arriving at what would become Blood Moon Bride. In this discussion, Demet shares the inspiration for this YA fantasy novel, the creative freedom of writing in this genre and how motherhood changed her perspective on storytelling.

00:00 Welcome
04:51 Writing tip: ‘Tinder for writers’
08:45 WIN!: A Passion for Passion by Alice Fraser
11:53 Word of the week: ‘Kickshaw’
12:25 Writer in residence: Demet Divaroren
16:00 Starting with a different book
19:45 Creating a fantasy world
22:13 Writing for young adults
25:42 Balancing writing and life
26:12 How motherhood changed her writing
29:14 The publishing journey
32:07 The magic of writing
33:08 Promoting the book
35:16 Future projects
37:00 Demet shares a writing tip
38:05 Final thoughts

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When Toby Walsh wrote his first book on AI, he figured he’d said all he had to say. But just a handful of years later, this British computer scientist and current Chief Scientist at UNSW Sydney’s AI Institute is here to discuss his FIFTH book, The Shortest History of AI – how it came about and some of the challenges around explaining this subject to a general audience.

00:00 Welcome
10:05 Writing tip: ‘Just start writing’
12:52 WIN!: The Midnight Estate by Kelly Rimmer
14:39 Word of the week: ‘Psithurism’
15:09 Writer in residence: Toby Walsh
15:55 Explaining The Shortest History of AI
17:00 Deciding on the six ideas for the book
18:25 How Toby developed his writing voice
20:06 Balancing the academia and hysteria
22:37 The purpose of writing AI books
23:24 The challenges of writing for the public
25:00 On becoming an accidental science communicator
28:03 The secret circle of science communicators
29:58 Untimely deaths in the timeline of AI
30:30 Adding his expertise to the ‘Shortest’ series
32:20 On designing his book cover and subtitle
35:48 The role of great editors in writing
37:24 Toby’s late night writing process
38:55 His next book project
39:59 A pivot to writing fiction?
42:07 Toby’s tip for writers
43:23 Final thoughts

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Self-confessed writing course junkie and former lawyer Sarah Clutton’s central character literally appeared at the door while she was busy writing another book at the end of the world. In this episode, Sarah elaborates on this unusual inspiration and her writing process for her new novel, The Remarkable Truths of Alfie Bains.

00:00 Welcome
05:54 Writing tip: ‘Number your pages!’
09:35 WIN!: Chinese Parents Don't Say I Love You by Candice Chung
11:09 Word of the week: ‘AA Lava’
13:09 The world of words: ‘Filling out vs Filling in’
14:46 Writer in residence: Sarah Clutton
15:35 Explaining The Remarkable Truths of Alfie Bains
17:30 Sarah’s early years
19:00 Getting started as a writer via lawyering up
22:01 Taking courses with the Australian Writers’ Centre
24:37 On creating Alfie Bains: inspirations and challenges
27:09 Turning 50 and crafting a witchy thriller in Tasmania
31:08 Alfie comes knocking at the door
34:51 Sarah’s writing process – have a deadline!
37:58 What it’s like living in a book town
39:07 Sarah’s next book: a sneak peek
40:06 Themes and messages of the book
41:43 Final thoughts

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What effect has the internet, social media and AI had on language? Should you judge a book by its cover? This week, linguistic legend and British OBE recipient David Crystal joins us to discuss all things words, idioms, dialects and the curious facts he found while researching his latest publication, Bookish Words.

00:00 Welcome
10:07 Writing tip: ‘Write your Why’
12:47 WIN!: Audition by Katie Kitamura
14:09 Word of the week: ‘Testudo’
16:37 World of Words: ‘One Fell Swoop’
18:06 Writer in residence: David Crystal
19:19 David’s love of words
21:30 The wonders of different dialects
22:30 Language and change
27:16 Discussing his latest title, Bookish Words
33:00 Judging a book by its cover
36:05 British and American English differences
37:59 The Influence of Sports on Language
40:18 David and Dean discuss puns
42:11 Nat’s question corner: balancing form and meaning
46:33 The role of technology and social media
49:30 Language in a world of AI
51:34 The impact of COVID-19 on language
53:14 Tips on making your writing engaging
55:27 David reading preferences
01:05:00 Final thoughts

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How much research is too much when writing historical fiction? This is just one of the topics that bestselling author Emilia Hart discusses in this episode as she shares details of her latest novel, The Sirens – a blend of nautical history and fantasy across two stories separated by time and distance.

00:00 Welcome
04:23 Writing tip: ‘The Most Dangerous Writing App’
07:25 WIN!: The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs
08:51 Word of the week: ‘Luthier’
11:01 Writer in residence: Emilia Hart
12:48 Inspirations for the books two timelines
19:45 Writing about Australia during the pandemic
20:24 Exploring the themes of distance and journey
22:17 Researching convict history
25:00 Note taking methods
25:59 The importance of her day job in her writing
28:11 Deleting 300,000 words
30:00 There’s no such thing as a perfect draft
30:32 Learning to sail for the book
31:20 The book deal and publishing process
32:50 Balancing writing with public engagement
35:10 Emilia’s writing tips
37:29 Final thoughts

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Should all picture books rhyme? Why use animals as characters? And what’s the deal with working with an illustrator? Picture book author (of more than 15 books) Rory H. Mather joins the podcast in this episode to discuss all of these things, as well as his own journey into the industry, and his latest titles, Laugh in the Bath and Mumma Bear.

00:00 Welcome
04:20 Writing tip: Learn to play an instrument (sort of)
08:23 WIN!: The CIA Book Club by Charlie English
11:40 Word of the week: ‘Psephology’
12:30 The world of words: Capitalising the seasons
14:05 Writer in residence: Rory H. Mather
15:00 Rory explains his love of writing picture books
18:45 How Rory got his start
22:55 Where he gets his ideas from
26:30 Why writing animals can be a good thing
27:47 The importance of curiosity
29:40 A discussion about picture books that rhyme
31:39 Who is the picture book audience?
32:30 Working with illustrators
37:00 Selling books to publishers
40:48 Remembering the first book he signed
41:30 The economics of picture book writing
42:30 Telling succinct stories
45:05 Writing longer books
47:33 More books coming up
49:30 Final thoughts

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How important is it to have a unique author voice? Hugely important, says author Mandy Beaumont while discussing her late 1980s true-crime inspired novel The Thrill of It. Mandy discusses her inspiration for the book, unique stylistic and narrative choices she made, and more.

00:00 Welcome
03:04 Writing tip: What to do while ‘changing eyeballs’
06:38 WIN!: The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith
08:07 Word of the week: ‘Falderal’
11:23 Writer in residence: Mandy Beaumont
12:20 Overview of The Thrill of It
13:10 Mandy’s true crime inspirations
17:55 Choosing a unique narrative style
20:13 Researching and organising the details
24:50 The publishing journey with Hachette
28:17 Mandy’s writing process and routine
32:13 Balancing writing with other jobs
33:26 Short stories versus novels
35:08 Publicity and promotion
37:14 Upcoming projects and inspirations
38:56 Mandy’s writing tips
41:14 Final thoughts

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