Host Tina Strachan dives deep into the world of publishing, interviewing international multi-published Kid Lit author Kate Foster. Kate discusses her most recent book, 'Camp Spooky,' co-written with Pip Harry, and shares insights into the co-writing process, the importance of diversity in children's literature, and her dedication to promoting awareness through initiatives like the Danz Awards and the Author Pen Pals Program. This episode is a treasure trove of advice, experiences, and behind-the-scenes details for aspiring authors at every stage of their writing journey.

00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast
00:56 Special Christmas Episode Announcement
02:25 Interview with Kid Lit Superstar Kate Foster
09:18 The Joys and Challenges of Co-Writing
14:22 Promoting Neurodiversity in Children's Books
16:44 The Dans Awards: Celebrating Diversity in Literature
24:03 Author Pen Pal Program
24:43 The Magic of Author Visits
25:15 Launching the Free Author Pen Pals Program
26:36 Personal Experiences with Author Pen Pals
27:40 The Importance of Literacy and Storytelling
29:39 How to Get Involved with Author Pen Pals
30:39 Being a Good Industry Citizen
31:16 Navigating Rejection and Building Community
34:41 Top Tips for Aspiring Authors
42:53 Managing Time and Staying Motivated
46:19 Looking Forward to the Future

Join our Patreon community 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.

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You can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here:

Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videos
Tina Strachan children's book author
Madeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videos
Madeleine Cleary | Author
Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos
Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor

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The Book Deal podcast, hosts Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai dive deep into the intricacies of securing book deals, managing writing schedules, and preparing for festivals. The conversation includes insights from experienced authors on pitching to festivals, the balance of self-care, and practical advice to handle writing burnout. They also share humorous and touching personal stories about family support and navigating audience interactions. Special announcements include a live event in Sydney featuring bestselling author Hayley Scrivenor and an exciting book giveaway. Tune in for valuable writing tips, festival prep advice, and much more.

Book tickets for Christmas with The Book Deal live episode November 25 2025 at Writing NSW here.

00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast
00:56 Special Christmas Episode Announcement
02:25 Technical Difficulties and Catching Up
02:41 The Importance of Self-Care for Writers
07:37 Upcoming Writing Festival and Tips
09:31 Navigating Festival Invitations and Pitches
19:05 Preparing for Festivals and Public Speaking
25:08 Handling Unexpected Questions
26:51 Coping with Stage Fright
28:51 Funny Mum Stories
35:08 Daily Routines and Time Management
45:26 Final Tips and Wrap-Up

Join our Patreon community 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

You can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here:

Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videos
Tina Strachan children's book author
Madeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videos
Madeleine Cleary | Author
Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos
Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor

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...

Kate Mildenhall on publishing and resilience, tips for interviewing other writers and what it means to be a good industry citizen

Madeleine interviews acclaimed and bestselling author Kate Mildenhall. Kate gives an honest account of her journey to publication, detailing the rejections and the success along the way.

Kate's latest novel, THE HIDING PLACE (November 2025, S&S), described as 'White Lotus meets The Slap, is a razor-sharp literary thriller about what happens when good people make bad decisions. Kate discusses themes like land ownership, the environment, and the evolving dynamics of long-term friendships. Kate offers valuable tips for writers navigating publicity, handling interviews, and maintaining the momentum in their writing careers. This engaging and generous chat is a must-listen for aspiring authors and literary enthusiasts.

00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast
00:56 Introducing Kate Mildenhall
04:04 Kate's Journey to Becoming an Author
13:37 The Rollercoaster of Publishing
19:26 Navigating Rejection and Finding Success
29:27 Tips for Authors on Publicity and Interviews
34:45 Setting Boundaries in Publicity
37:18 Discussing 'The Hiding Place'
40:02 From Hummingbird to The Hiding Place
41:06 Camping Memories and Inspirations
49:40 The Challenges of Writing Multi-POV
57:29 Themes of Land Ownership and Environmentalism
01:03:50 Future Writing Plans and Dreams
01:07:31 Final Tips for Writers

Join our Patreon community 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

You can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here:

Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videos
Tina Strachan children's book author
Madeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videos
Madeleine Cleary | Author
Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos
Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor

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...