The Book Deal

The Writing Deal: It's EOFY! Natasha, Tina & Madeleine discuss the business of being an author

• Tina Strachan • Season 2 • Episode 90

Share episode

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 53:03

Tina, Madeleine and Natasha catch up and discuss:

  • Natasha's successful workshop on creativity and the nervous system, and how to get the most from creative flow. 
  • Natasha's title of her second book (!)
  • All things small business: accounting, expenses, BAS, GST, mileage, super, income averaging, receipts. We go into the nitty gritty of running your own author business.

Please do your research and always seek professional financial advice. Our listeners recommended the below specialist accountants for writers:

  • Real Thiel
  • Kylie Thompson at Sorrento Strategic
  • Matthew Tucker from Creative Crunchers

This week's Debut in the Spotlight is Disgraceful (Simon & Schuster, 2026) by Rachel Fox McLeod.

00:56 We catch up

01:39 Natasha's workshop chat

11:08 Tina is tinkering

18:19 Natasha reveals her second book title!

27:17 Debut in the Spotlight

28:24 The business behind the books

31:26 Accounting

35:26 Recording travel

42:48 GST, BAS And invoicing

46:27 Income Averaging and ABNs

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...

Speaker

The Book Deal Podcast Where you will discover the inspiring stories behind your favorite books.

Speaker 2

We interview seasoned and debut authors, as well as publishing industry professionals, to bring you the best tips and advice on how to get that elusive book deal.

Speaker 3

So no matter what stage of writing you're at, we've got you covered. I'm Tina Strachan.

Speaker

I'm Madeleine Cleary.

Speaker 2

And I'm Natasha Rai.

Speaker 3

And join us as we pull back the curtain of published authors

Speaker 4

One deal at a time The Book Deal podcast acknowledges the traditional owners of the land and waters which it's recorded on, and pays respect to their elders past, present, and emerging.

Natasha

Hello, ladies

Tina

Hi

Natasha

We sorted ourselves out

Madeleine

we

Natasha

hit

Madeleine

who

Natasha

was say

Tina

first we it. Woo You

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

a

Natasha

great job. No chatting over top of each other.

video1851534941

Exactly. Good work, girls. Um, I can't believe

Natasha

another

video1851534941

month's gone by. We've had our weather chat already, so

Natasha

we to

audioNatasha21851534941

that

Natasha

on the podcast this

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

time.

Natasha

Um,

audioNatasha21851534941

how been? so

Natasha

you so keen to hear about your updates. Um, I know that you've both super busy again. Um, but Tash, I'm really keen. I've been so excited. trying to myself asking you, how did workshop on Friday go? 'Cause this is something that you've building to for a while. Yes. the workshop I on Friday was for Randwick Council, and it, uh, was an I had a while ago about my loves together, so work that I do on, um, healing through the body and then writing. I didn't wanna make it trauma, was wondering, because I've been thinking about much, and we've had chats on the pod- about this, about, know, how it in creative flow and do you harness your creativity? I reckon you can," depending on like, know, regardless of what your nervous system has, you could much shift of it to harness some of flow. I just devised workshop, and I had artists come, I was bit intimidated first because weren't just writers. There was wr- like, a was a there was sculpturist, artist, then of course, people I really envious of were like, a multi-form artist," like, "Oh, my Lord." I know. But once we got oh my God, I was loving it. Um, it so interesting hear sharing what creative like for them, and also just having this beautiful conversation around the differences between, like, visual and a, a but also much we in common. Mm. Like, what kind of you need in your body, in mind, of might need to even begin. And it was... I think in workshop, are always synchronicities common that come up, and the that kept coming were things around time. So creative time, if you're working and family commitments, know, like, you have a life, how do you, um, putting time into your creative, um, pursuit? Especially because, you know, a lot of artists make living out of their work. that the one theme, and the other of was imposter syndrome. Oh. So

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

Ah.

Natasha

yeah. it's well, do you do with that? And it was so because overheard a of people going, "Oh my God, learnt so about myself." Like, people were saying really realized how much negativity or kind of judgment they have their, their own process, And we were around with some ideas of happens if shift, and do you shift out

audioNatasha21851534941

of that enable you just to do the

Madeleine

creation? Forget what happens after in terms of selling or publishing, and it was so good.

Natasha

had the

Madeleine

time

Natasha

Oh, Tash, I

Madeleine

so

Natasha

many

Madeleine

I'm

Natasha

sure Tina so questions

audioNatasha21851534941

Yeah.

Natasha

I can see So, um, what, w- creative flow- Mm-hmm people, the way people it, is it similar? Yes. So we came the conclusion we is to creative is of your nervous system is of a state. you need a little bit of freeze response. shut down you you need be quiet need to still, like in terms of that being in one place doing something. a bit because that's your energy and your excitement and enthusiasm, you need what we the engagement system, which is when you're feeling the joy and the kind have vision, you have, like, the that kind of flowy feeling where you You know how if you really into it, you can sit hours write, you just time? we feel Like, a bit of because you have too much sympathetic, gonna be agitated maybe- Mm Because q- few people said have they sit down, they said one person said, there's a playwright, was like, "I sit down, and then within, 10 minutes I'm I any this. is too hard. I, I'm,

audioNatasha21851534941

I don't know. no good at this.'" So, and that's an example of your just going really into, like, this shutdown. So,

video1851534941

Mm. Mm. So

Tina

that was, that was cool.

audioNatasha21851534941

she, do you have any, what did you suggest for that person? Is

Tina

Kashi, do you have any... What did you suggest for that person? Is there any sort exercises or s- something-

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

that

Tina

you were suggesting for

video1851534941

them to

Tina

get themself out that? 'Cause that's such a

video1851534941

Yeah isn't it, to

Natasha

have these ideas- but not be able to get them down the model that I was using, um, in terms of every human, we have these channel, I call channels experience. So most us, channels that we know best are meaning-making, like prefrontal cortex, we analyze we all our why questions. Like, "Why am so bad at this? can't I this?" the thing with why questions is they be useful, actually they just keep stuck in a loop. Mm. we just keep a- the whys just on forever. know we've done it. the whys don't actually lead you anywhere is an answer. Like, you lo- lots of people are like, I know why I do of this. Nothing it, though." that's channel. channel be using emotions, another channel could be movement. when I say movement, I like a dance a yoga, but if you're someone who has a lot of in your system all the time, maybe go a walk, sometimes walk is just, of makes you, kind of hype up bit more. if you're going for a a leisurely walk, it do to settle. we, we were playing around with some simple movements around tensing the body quite consciously and deliberately, and then let, then releasing, and then doing some of breathwork. just the system... what that does just helps system reset, is what you actually need shift. need to hype yourself up even more keep pushing yourself down into what- wherever you might be. You actually need do a little reset. of these little things

audioNatasha21851534941

that we were out

Madeleine

do that. It's just a

video1851534941

different

Madeleine

in.

Natasha

This is

Madeleine

interesting. Oh, you

Natasha

and

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

and

Natasha

do a course in Melbourne, Tash? I'd love to, 'cause I've been really it, it, I felt it went really well, that I'm really, really to and, like, as it I can, as can with creatives, it seems work with any type form. Like, obviously I it for writers, it, yeah, it, it it was really, I think g- like, I I really enjoyed myself, know, the that using. Everyone seemed very engaged, and people came me afterwards specifically tell me that they

audioNatasha21851534941

it

Tina

unless lying, gonna take that on face value.

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

Yeah.

Natasha

Well, I don't think there's

Tina

anything else... I haven't heard of anything else like that around

Natasha

for creatives, and

video1851534941

you're

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

just-

video1851534941

person, the

Tina

person to host these kinds of workshops, so that's incredible. If anyone would like book Tash, you can find her-

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

at

Tina

whatever

video1851534941

your- Thank you what's your- Thank you, Tina well,

Natasha

whatever her email address is. Natasha Wright. No, but like it... That would be huge. I could like, I could see benefit at, at all sorts of like... So you did it for the council, which was pretty Yeah, because I- that they took that on the thing what the, uh, a couple saying, really learned a lot myself," the Because everyone is different and where you... something... that's like sometimes you just have exercises, they don't really work everyone, because your system not, not be responding in a way that you need to that. Mm. So it's actually better you to go, "Oh, that's where I'm usually at. at, know, this high energy or, usually feel very, very kind of f-" flat sounds negative, it's not. I'm usually quite flat, for so I do bring more energy my system? And then you can adapt things, and it's much better if you're of knowing and connecting yourself, you can choose. not like random exercise-

video1851534941

that

Madeleine

you're like, don't even what this does for me, I'm g- but somehow

video1851534941

works

audioNatasha21851534941

or somehow it doesn't."

Madeleine

then you actually can

Natasha

understand what might good for you,

Madeleine

Mm. And get out of that sometimes you get

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

in your own head,

Madeleine

you? And that, that-

video1851534941

thing

Madeleine

that destroys that creative flow.

audioNatasha21851534941

Um, I see this being

Natasha

even in and and, because

audioNatasha21851534941

oftentimes you do question And, and

Natasha

Tash, I it interesting that were yourself yourself before you the workshop- Yes, yes as well. Because, like, I, it's so experimental. didn't know if it would make sense, but it does make sense. the is, the I also don't like is, you can block where you can do some exercises, you can... don't like they to very informative as to why and it you. And I think as well with creativity, is no magic answer. is no, this you'll feel great." So I'm a big believer in need know yourself, then you choose you want to make yourself feel

Madeleine

good or have a state mind or find something that works for

Natasha

you.

Madeleine

Hmm.

audioNatasha21851534941

And that

Madeleine

was like the

audioNatasha21851534941

kind of foundation even writing this.

Natasha

Maybe is why

Madeleine

we all exercise as well. It's

Natasha

part, a lot of do, don't they? They, tend to on those long got mo- body movement, and it's not just for physical

audioNatasha21851534941

but it is the system. to try bring

Tina

us back to- Exactly, something that's for creative flow yeah.

video1851534941

Mm.

Tina

Oh, Oh, anyway, could a episode on this. Mm. Um, which maybe like- sure. Um, Tina, how you? How going? You've been really busy. Um, yeah, I, I have. I'm, yeah, always busy. It's amazing how, yeah, it, the writing life can just fill, fill your time, kind of. Which is so fun though, and so great. Um, so yeah, just, just still writing, just working on something at the moment. And, um, I just mentioned before, I'm, I am in that state the moment of I know that I probably just submit

audioNatasha21851534941

Like, I'm just tinkering.

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

I'm

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

I was just gonna say,

Tina

Tina, are you Tinkering. That was word. is the word, and I hold onto things. But I, I, think, I think we do, right? trying to be... Well, I know I'm

video1851534941

trying to get it

Tina

the best possible state that I can, I'm also a little bit in that mind space of, it's of, know all through that stage we're writing where we get to that point where we're "Oh, this is rubbish.

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

This is terrible." Like, "I can't write.

Tina

This is, this

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

is

video1851534941

crap.

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

What have I done?" And you

Tina

just,

audioNatasha21851534941

you

Tina

just really sort doubt yourself. And I've come to end of it, I'm like, "Oh, that's, oh, that, this is good. I like it's at." But I of go,

audioNatasha21851534941

is it just because you've

Tina

been staring

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

at

Tina

it

audioNatasha21851534941

for

Tina

so long?

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

Like, can you not see the problems in this anymore?" And yeah, so it's really about, I just really need to take

Tina

couple... I

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

I think

Tina

I

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

I need to take a couple of days away ac- from it, actually, and come back, and then have a look with some fresh eyes, um, and stop tinkering.

video1851534941

So

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

it

video1851534941

have to be

Madeleine

perfect is it time-tainted to

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

share

Madeleine

it with someone, trusted reader

audioNatasha21851534941

Yeah, I do do that. Um, I do that lot of the time. Um, so yeah, potentially. still at that point of even sharing it, sharing

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

it

Natasha

with

Tina

them. Do I, do I share

audioNatasha21851534941

yet?

Tina

don't know. I don't know.

video1851534941

Sometimes you

Tina

just a of time and a of space away and a bit of breath, so think that's what my next task is

video1851534941

going

Madeleine

to, going to be. Mm. Anyway. Worth tinkering, yes. It is. I mean, it's, just so

Natasha

tempting, it? it is Just

Madeleine

to just spend a whole Sometimes a

audioNatasha21851534941

hour goes and you've just a

Natasha

Like-

video1851534941

You've done nothing.

Madeleine

Yeah.

Natasha

my experience. Yeah.

Madeleine

know. Or

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

you've got less words. Like, how does that work?

Madeleine

Yes.

Natasha

Um, yeah. Look, I'm we've all been there before, and I've You learn from past mistakes, it's still not any easier, is it? Um, it seems like process. all part of the process, isn't it? This

Madeleine

final t- I Emily McGuire said it, a moment, I think, when Emily this on podcast, loved, and I laughed so hard 'cause I

Natasha

think just like, "I'm

Madeleine

staring in thinking it,"

Natasha

delightful.

Madeleine

Um, and yeah, Emily said the work, like she was how work is in the rewriting. Mm. The work is made in the rewriting. Mm-hmm. When that, I just felt so vindicated, because I'd just spent the last months this book,

Natasha

right?

Madeleine

Mm-hmm. And just "Oh, God, it, could have fine.

Natasha

if just left it

Madeleine

it have

video1851534941

been

audioNatasha21851534941

fine. have I done so why. The why questions. Mm-hmm. have so

Tina

into Am I overthinking

Natasha

Da,

Tina

da,

Natasha

da. But no, she's it's

Madeleine

not doesn't become the work until the very when it's on the shelf,

Natasha

Mm-hmm. And that's doing, So maybe just

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

...tinkering.

Madeleine

This is the

Natasha

the- thinking, Yeah.

Madeleine

Yeah. No, no, you're right.

Natasha

So I should, so I should keep

Madeleine

tinkering, is saying? So I go for a bit longer? All

Natasha

Okay. the thing. when feel like, to

Madeleine

Yes. When it feel it's whole? I definitely resonated with

Natasha

Emily

Madeleine

talking about for The Butterfly Women, it didn't until that

Natasha

third structural edit, I think Emily-

Madeleine

Mm

audioNatasha21851534941

was sort of saying hadn't structured- structurally edited until- her

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

third book.

Tina

Um,

Natasha

and,

Tina

and yeah, I, I Yeah,

video1851534941

right

Natasha

at

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

the

video1851534941

then

Tina

it

audioNatasha21851534941

just

Madeleine

Yes, can this

Tina

Yeah. Yeah, and I I'm a little bit there as well. I think, you have to your gut little bit,

audioNatasha21851534941

and

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

that's the

Natasha

reason the tinkering. I've certainly finished stuff been like, "Yes, this is it. Here

video1851534941

go. I'm submitting." but-

Tina

So I yeah, if that's not the feeling I then it just needs little bit more

Natasha

time,

Tina

even though I can't see what to change or at the moment, it just needs bit of time, so.

Madeleine

Mm. And, um, know what? I've got time, that's okay. always time,

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

I think

Tina

I'm sure Tash I

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

are available

Tina

you'd a- second of eyes, Tina. Exactly. Yes, we are. Oh, you.

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

well, you

Natasha

never... Yeah, might have take you up

video1851534941

on that one.

Tina

Yeah, any time. Any

Natasha

yeah, apart writing, yeah, I've been, organizing some, workshops that

Tina

have

audioNatasha21851534941

cause

Tina

school holidays again very soon, like two weeks. I

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

believe It

Tina

it it was school holidays- It a,

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

d- a second ago

Tina

It

video1851534941

really was,

Tina

and then... I can't believe, I don't know if you girls are up this yet, because what are we now, June? I'm looking in the calendar,

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

I'm

Tina

booking things in, and then ending up like, September and October, and basically September and October is Christmas, and the

audioNatasha21851534941

end of year.

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

So,

Tina

like,

Natasha

it's just, I cannot believe how fast this year's flying, but yes, there's more holidays soon.

Tina

So I do have, um,

Natasha

couple of

Tina

holiday workshops for anybody who is around in the Queensland area during the school holidays. I have event at Harry Hartog, um, the 7th July. That's Harry Hartog in Carindale. And, um, the 9th of July The Bouquet in

audioNatasha21851534941

Ipswich, which I'm very excited to go to, 'cause a bookshop a florist

Madeleine

together. Aw, cool. I know. so

Tina

excited to, to visit the store, so be super, cool. um, know, workshops, gonna do some writing activities, we're gonna do some Wilder Zoo themed, um, activities, maybe a little of craft as well. So, um, along to Uh, and I've also got the CYA conference, which on, on the, uh, the 11th the 12th of July.

Madeleine

And, um, a big announcement actually this year it be the last year CYA be doing the conference the form they're currently doing it in. So we don't know what's to yet,

audioNatasha21851534941

it's,

Madeleine

it's such a huge conference. It actually goes for months before the actual day there's assessments and there's

Natasha

It's, it's huge. So,

video1851534941

um,

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

Yeah,

Tina

there's couple of weekends actually of

audioNatasha21851534941

like, uh, online,

Tina

um, presentations

Madeleine

as

Natasha

well.

Madeleine

So yeah, so hopefully in the years it'll still be around some form, but, uh, it's, it's the last year that sounds like it's gonna be

video1851534941

is,

Natasha

is, is a sad, but you, never know moving forward.

Madeleine

It, um, it might be better in, in different ways or bigger and better in other ways, but, uh, tickets still available that if anyone wants

Natasha

along to the last one its current form. Um, yeah, so looking to that, as a networking and get to hi to everyone again. Yeah,

video1851534941

love to

Tina

just come for

video1851534941

the,

Natasha

the, drinks.

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

I

Natasha

you telling us about the drinks last It sounded great. The

Madeleine

networking event. Yeah,

Natasha

Networking event. pretty fun. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Oh, that'll Tina. Yeah. and Tash, did have any other updates

Madeleine

well? I, know you, um, recently revealed something very exciting to us. not sure you're to

Tina

reveal it on the podcast yet

Natasha

What did I reveal?

Tina

I

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

I think

Natasha

I tried ask

video1851534941

last

Natasha

time

video1851534941

The

Tina

The title your new book. Oh, the title. God, I'm like, is it?" excited I

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

What did I do?

Natasha

Uh, I actually know. I don't know to to

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

Why

Natasha

not? Like, what's the risk, right? I don't know.

Tina

Publicity

Natasha

getting cranky?

Madeleine

Should we

Natasha

Should we do a drum roll? Should we?

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

we?

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

Or

Natasha

should we keep the suspense going until get final tick off from- from your publicist? it's such, it's such a great title. I, I think should say because- appealing. should say I'll just say their old title is on their website already, so it can't

Madeleine

oh, okay.

audioNatasha21851534941

So

Madeleine

I'll

audioNatasha21851534941

just say

Madeleine

it. So

audioNatasha21851534941

Ooh the title

Natasha

of book out next year is called The Bride Price

Madeleine

Ooh. The

Natasha

Bride Price. Tash, and any,

Madeleine

we...

audioNatasha21851534941

is a log line we can

Natasha

there something meets

Tina

there something meets something? Oh, God. Okay, I'll say it. Just your one-liner.

Madeleine

What's Okay elevator Tash? asked me this

Natasha

it's, uh... Oh,

audioNatasha21851534941

actually, I've,

Natasha

got the meet, meet the, know, the meet. okay. I've got it. Kate Mildenhall's The Hummingbird Effect meets Margaret Atwood Wow cool. But what kind of Atwood? Like be specific. Like, is it's is it it's, is it an Grace or a Tale? Tale? It's more around the feminist principles Okay, interesting. Is it so but got the speculative with, The Effect With historical? Yeah. Ooh. well, Tash Oh. This is so so exciting.

Madeleine

next- Next,

Natasha

next month ask your elevator Oh,

Madeleine

God, I've got of I've a whole month

video1851534941

to

audioNatasha21851534941

work it. Actually, just one other, um, I wanna one other thing, 'cause Tina, you reminded when you were talking about

video1851534941

workshops.

Natasha

I'll be in month in July. Um,

Madeleine

the Q Lit is on, is celebration of literature

Natasha

queer writers.

audioNatasha21851534941

that is from the 17th 19th of July in Melbourne, and I'll be hosting a

video1851534941

on

Natasha

the

Madeleine

Sunday,

Natasha

um,

Madeleine

about writing, um, I think gonna get

audioNatasha21851534941

panel

Madeleine

title wrong, so I apologize, but about writing amazing characters. So

video1851534941

in Melbourne that weekend, come You

Madeleine

can buy tickets, um,

video1851534941

on the website, and also I've

Madeleine

got links on my Instagram page

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

And it's at the beautiful Pride Centre

Madeleine

St Kilda,

video1851534941

it?

Madeleine

yes. Which is gorgeous building. Yes. spot. So, yes-

audioNatasha21851534941

along to

Madeleine

that

video1851534941

Um,

Madeleine

what about you, Maz?

video1851534941

have you been

Madeleine

up

video1851534941

Um, well, I only had just one s- small update, um,

Madeleine

and maybe a bit of a brag

audioNatasha21851534941

Go

Madeleine

You can't

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

do it on your own

video1851534941

podcast,

Madeleine

Come on. exactly. But w- it, much to was so exciting.

video1851534941

You know those moments where you're just like, "Wait," you're like, "Pinch me. Is this

Madeleine

real?"

video1851534941

Um, so I have a bit of a fan girl crush on this historian. Her name's Robin Anier. Um, she's a local historian here in Melbourne. Um,

Madeleine

she just, she's just so

video1851534941

great. I've read pretty much all her

Madeleine

history books.

audioNatasha21851534941

her books really helped me

Madeleine

was

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

writing The Butterfly Women. I've done a

Madeleine

couple

Natasha

her walking tours, and more recently I did her,

Madeleine

um, here in at the Festival.

video1851534941

and

Natasha

Al-

Madeleine

I with Ally Parker, and I said to Ally, "Oh,

audioNatasha21851534941

should we go ourselves

Madeleine

to

audioNatasha21851534941

I'd met once it was I

Natasha

I was "She's gonna remember me." And

video1851534941

she, and Ally and I, we decided that we wouldn't, like, we

Natasha

didn't wanna people. We you

video1851534941

we just to

Natasha

to be part of the group and everything.

audioNatasha21851534941

Um, and so then later, my,

Natasha

um, historian friend, Barbara Minchinton, who

audioNatasha21851534941

on podcast before, she emailed me

Natasha

she

audioNatasha21851534941

said, um, "Oh, um,

video1851534941

Robin,

audioNatasha21851534941

um, mentioned your name me at this event

video1851534941

that

Natasha

I was at." I was like, my God, Anier knows my name? Like, that's incredible." And so

video1851534941

I had

Natasha

a question ask

video1851534941

a historical question, so I

Natasha

emailed her.

video1851534941

It's

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

the first

Natasha

I've ever emailed her. I wrote that email, different times.

audioNatasha21851534941

Um, and then she like, pretty much immediately, and she, she has read The Butterfly Women.

Natasha

What?

audioNatasha21851534941

Wow.

Madeleine

And she

audioNatasha21851534941

described it as

Madeleine

magic.

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

Hmm.

Madeleine

Oh, that's

video1851534941

is magic. Um, it is, but that's so cool. That's so cool. So whenever I have self-doubts, I'm just gonna be like, "But remember when

Madeleine

Robin and Nia

audioNatasha21851534941

your writing was magic?" So was like, "Ah."

Madeleine

Yes.

audioNatasha21851534941

No, seriously, this thing,

Natasha

Madeleine, I think we've gotta it, I think, um,

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

I keep

Tina

m- meaning to do it, and I read it somewhere recently as well, and was like, need to do this. We need to get those moments anyway, I'm you're never forget it, but like, seriously,

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

you need to maybe

Tina

write down or something put it on, um, it up somewhere.

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

Like, post

Tina

it

audioNatasha21851534941

up somewhere. True.

Madeleine

I know I feel like would feel a little bit, like,

Natasha

cringe about, about it, but, um, know, do it in your office.

Madeleine

Do

audioNatasha21851534941

it on desk.

Natasha

a little Post-It somewhere or,

Madeleine

this

Natasha

particular example that, um, I had read was were like, make, um... Or onto Canva and, make

audioNatasha21851534941

a little, or, or, or anything, like and make little, know, kinda slide that's just got all these

Madeleine

fun

Natasha

things.

Madeleine

Like, clip out emails where editor or someone, even if it's in a rejection letter but they've come back and said, "The voice is, is or- Mm

Natasha

"This has

Madeleine

great story." Grab those positives and stick them together in, in little that you can look at when you need pick-me-up, you're shit. Oh,

Natasha

the

Madeleine

explicit box when, when you edit this Madeleine. Um, yeah, or,

Natasha

Or

Madeleine

even when you're feeling great, even just start your day. it every day just remind yourself of those positive things. I think that's-

video1851534941

I know. I'm never go- I'm just

Madeleine

gonna pull that email I'm depths

video1851534941

of despair, I think. Yeah When my nervous system is all over the place. Yeah. I'm just gonna let that, those words calm me

Madeleine

down.

Natasha

it was great, um,

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

was asking her about book

Madeleine

which I'm start writing, which I told you both a weeks ago that I looking forward

Tina

writing

Natasha

Yeah. Where just "Oh God, book." It's a lot. And, um, for

Tina

those along, this is the book been my existence

video1851534941

for

Tina

the past year. Um-

audioNatasha21851534941

Even I had a little bit a, "Ugh," you said that.

Natasha

that Yeah. Nervousness we- I know. But it's, but it's exciting. Like, it's

Tina

exciting, but it's also like, man, that's a,

Natasha

ugh,

Tina

I'm gonna say shit ton work we're already explicit.

Madeleine

shit

Tina

ton work. Like, isn't it? But,

audioNatasha21851534941

it's huge. fun. Ton of work. has me excited.

Madeleine

Yeah

Tina

I'm, I'm

video1851534941

actually

Madeleine

so

audioNatasha21851534941

excited. provided some great things, and she said, um, when you're,

Natasha

'Cause I'm to Castlemaine in, um, July,

Madeleine

um, for something but "I'll be in the like, "Let's catch

Natasha

up. Let's bounce off ideas."

video1851534941

Wow. Yeah.

Natasha

sounds

Madeleine

wonderful.

Natasha

now I'm just like,

Madeleine

okay, I'm excited. I'm, I,

Natasha

the flow

audioNatasha21851534941

is back me.

Natasha

Nice. I'm getting of good ideas. Mm. I've got the first scene. I

Madeleine

actually wrote out the

audioNatasha21851534941

in, like I wrote out, not, didn't write the scenes, but I out the scene, what

Madeleine

synopsis

Tina

is, and the last scene, so I know how it

Madeleine

ends.

Natasha

I just don't know what's gonna in

Madeleine

the

audioNatasha21851534941

But I'm

Natasha

wow, that's more than I ever do. Mm. So, and about

video1851534941

Yes. So, yay. And you know what?

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

and that's,

video1851534941

it, can

Madeleine

always

video1851534941

right? Like, you know- So don't,

Madeleine

don't be scared, 'cause I know you say, "That's

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

more than

Madeleine

I and of sounds little bit like plotting a little

Natasha

Madeleine.

Madeleine

I know. But- I know

Natasha

but

Madeleine

don't worry, 'cause

Natasha

can

Madeleine

change it, and you know Your ending could be thousand times even than you've got now because, know And that can happen, it's ju- it's great to

audioNatasha21851534941

sort of

Madeleine

It's so exciting.

video1851534941

have that- Exactly you clearly have a

Madeleine

v- you have a clear vision

audioNatasha21851534941

where

Madeleine

have

video1851534941

I have a vision. That's so cool. And, and I wrote out the characters yesterday, the three main characters, in 10 minutes. Oh. That always has, always

Madeleine

happened. It happened

audioNatasha21851534941

me-

Madeleine

in The

Natasha

happened

audioNatasha21851534941

me

Natasha

in two,

video1851534941

And then finally it happened for this book, and now I'm just like, okay, now I think I,

Natasha

I know who are,

audioNatasha21851534941

and can take them

Natasha

through this journey." So

Madeleine

Amazing So I'm excited. That's so So that's, that's, me. That's

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

the

Madeleine

best

Natasha

feeling when that happens It's so cool. So all you were saying before,

Madeleine

Tash, about nervous system and about towards things, trying yourself out of important. I need

Natasha

write

Madeleine

this book, not

Natasha

just because it's under contract, because I want

Madeleine

book to be written. Yes. Like, I, I know

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

there and it's...

Madeleine

yeah, it has to get written,

Speaker 6

Hello, this is author Rachel Fox McLeod, and my novel Disgraceful is out now with Simon Schuster in Australia and New Zealand, with the paperback soon to come in the UK and the US. So Disgraceful is a deeply personal comedic drama about a 49-year-old woman, Grace, who has been the ultimate good girl her entire life. She's had to be because she's been married to a high-profile Christian evangelist pastor for almost 30 years. So when her marriage and life implode, she decides to make 50 bad decisions before she turns 50 in an attempt to reclaim herself, until her family throw her some curveballs that threaten to derail her plan. Disgraceful is drawn from the chaotic and messy experience of my own life falling apart and having to rebuild it at 45, and then unexpectedly becoming a grandmother. Oh my God. Disgraceful is a funny, tender, confronting, and emotional exploration of being a woman, female relationships, motherhood, sex and aging, and the societal expectations placed on women that we all need to break free from. I hope you love reading it as much as I loved writing it.

Madeleine

ladies, I'm gonna track

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

a

Madeleine

bit,

Natasha

unless else other updates, um,

video1851534941

because

audioNatasha21851534941

I wanna you both about the business

video1851534941

books. Mm. Um, and this is

audioNatasha21851534941

something I feel like a lot of writers don't talk much

Natasha

Um,

audioNatasha21851534941

and I know we've

Tina

money, um, the podcast,

Natasha

this

Tina

is

Natasha

specifically

Tina

about, like, the behind business. And thought

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

it's a great opportunity

Tina

talk about this because it is

Natasha

end of at least

Tina

fast

Natasha

approaching.

Tina

Um, and we are,

Natasha

all us, we creatives but we're small

audioNatasha21851534941

business owners,

Natasha

and so is really...

Tina

I'm really curious

video1851534941

know, I suppose, like, what your businesses look like and what

Tina

you do.

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

What

Tina

routines? Do you have separate bank accounts for your business? Do you income? How

audioNatasha21851534941

your income expenses? How you manage things

Natasha

like your physical receipts? So I wanna know everything.

Tina

I wanna get Mm the the Um, and I

audioNatasha21851534941

put something out on social media

Tina

about this last week, and

Natasha

number one that back,

Tina

the consistent message organized. Mm-hmm. And that is just me. I'm If you guys are organized, I wanna know your tips. So

video1851534941

Tina, I'm gonna start

Tina

with you.

Natasha

what's- how do, h-

Tina

your like?

Natasha

Tell, tell

Tina

us.

Natasha

Right.

Madeleine

does like? Interesting. a very, very small business. Very small. Um, but think just in saying that, uh, most authors do see they're doing as, and their work as a small business. But those who aren't there yet, um,

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

first

Madeleine

heard that word being used to describe what it is like becoming an author you're getting paid for writing, uh, the

Natasha

it as a small business and setting up a small business really made it, sense in my mind, especially with the fact of any other small business that you set up, is lot of work that goes into it first. a lot of time spent on, on it. You cannot expect

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

be paid for any of that

Natasha

beforehand. You go out there you sell your stuff, you your stuff, start small, and you tr- know, you, you can, for some people, know, who, who have a business where they're trying sell a product, say, like you could

video1851534941

at

Natasha

markets, you can be in the

Madeleine

shopping

Natasha

center.

audioNatasha21851534941

You're trying

Tina

spread the word,

Natasha

trying

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

to sell it to everybody, and it starts very small, and you're putting in a lot of time and effort for a very little amount of money.

Natasha

Um,

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

but that's where you just have to start, and it can be years before you actually make any return on that investment of time and money that

Tina

put into it. I think that's a really important is for a of people,

video1851534941

you

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

know,

Tina

y- the,

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

amount of time that

video1851534941

that you're

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

putting in, the money back is just gonna

Tina

It's gonna take a little while

Madeleine

that

Tina

to happen, is when, know, we sign contracts and, know,

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

we often w- not, and not everyone gets money on an advance, but, you

video1851534941

y-

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

you can get a little bit of money to start with, but then it could be two years before you see any more

video1851534941

when,

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

until it's published, you know?

Tina

So I think that was just a really good way to look at it in general to start with.

video1851534941

Um,

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

so

Tina

how do I manage it? Um, not that organized either, to be honest with Madeleine, but I do have separate accounts, um, uh, that get anything to do with writerly stuff paid into. So if any events or, um, if I make any sales. So I have little square that gets, money goes straight to account. Um, my publishers into that account, that sort of thing. it's also where I, um, money when I'm paying for things to do with my writing. So, know, um,

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

need a new laptop or I'm, you know, buying admin stuff or, you know, a new Printer

video1851534941

printer.

Tina

Printer ink other day was $214. you believe that?

Natasha

Sorry, just a side note.

Tina

know. I like, "Nothing's being print-"

audioNatasha21851534941

printing.

Tina

No, that's how much it is to refill my printer, and Officeworks, and Officeworks don't even sell one

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

for more

Tina

than like

Madeleine

$150, whole printer. Anyway, side nothing is being printed in color now on

Tina

my kids. all black and white from now on. Um, everything on, everything comes out of as

video1851534941

well.

Natasha

Um,

video1851534941

And that's only

Tina

your business

video1851534941

though, right? That you

Natasha

don't buy anything personal from

Tina

account? I have it

audioNatasha21851534941

completely to make it easy don't actually have a that I use when I'm out and

video1851534941

about

Tina

Mm

video1851534941

though, which I

Natasha

do wanna get. The only reason why I didn't was I, was a fee charged, otherwise I had get a whole new bank.

Tina

didn't- So then do you... 'cause, like,

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

you know, if you have to p- purchase books, for example-

Natasha

that to read for podcast or whatever- Yes

Tina

tax-deductible Yeah how how do you track those those

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

Yeah,

Tina

so if it's something when I'm out and about, I'll, I'll use my regular card and then I will reimburse it. I've just, I've only just started like a every Friday make that you're on top all your accounts. It's going okay at moment. just, I just need check just make sure I've that out.

video1851534941

Um And

Natasha

do you track expense for a future tax deduction? Like, are you claiming those books? Uh, yeah, I'll, claim, uh, pretty much everything that- Mm-hmm yeah. So I'll normally have, um, reference materials, and then I'll have like stationery and admin stuff, um, travel expenses, uh, like insurances, uh, s- memberships and subscriptions as is, is a huge one. Um, yeah, so that's, so that's sort of... I have an accountant that and see who does that me, so, um, he's very good with that. yeah, like, a to, to track it? it? Um, I do

Tina

at the...

video1851534941

and

Tina

I

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

kind of, I should,

Natasha

I know I should do it throughout year and keep track of it, I of leave it right till end, Same the year. Um, and I will track that kind of... It's e- this is the good about having that separate author account your money out of, because then all you have to do really c- is go through that and to find your expenses are and what were, so you usually track it that way. Um, receipts and stuff, obviously is very important, and my top tip that is take a of it or to go your notes app and, um, the scan, then you scan and scans it in, and you can details in.

Madeleine

not just a photo in phone. like, a whole folder in your notes app on your phone a- and it'll scan it, you can

Natasha

write, like a tag something. But usually, that usually up like the first line or shop something on the words that were on the receipt anyway, so it of tags for which that's a top tip. Yeah. I'm Yeah. So that's pretty- 'Cause at the moment I'm keeping them physical folder, but I heard say can take a photo email you with a, with a easy to find search sh- searching thing. Yeah. Well, the same thing the app, uh, Notes app, So you can just into that little folder then, you can tag it with whatever you want. it, it's normally easy to find in there. Physical, um, receipts will fade though, Yes which

video1851534941

the

audioNatasha21851534941

that's annoying. Um, now when comes to fuel though, I do wanna ask guys about this because I, I don't, I I

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

haven't really been tracking

Natasha

my fuel as such. I sort of just, when it gets to tax time, they'll be like, "How often do you drive?" Or something that, and guesstimate it. I think we can... I think there's better way of doing that. So yeah. It- Ta- Tash is Tell me." You're nodding. Tash. Tash, me, Go. Okay. so fuel specifically, um, I track every single journey I do any writing related, and I look at the on Maps, then I double it. So going there and home, because tax, the think... don't know. know. don't quote me I'm agent, something- like, they'll pay cents per kilometer have, um, used your car for business Yeah. So definitely, definitely, definitely track of that. are are you keeping that though? you... In Excel? I spreadsheet. Yep, I have a spreadsheet, and literally every time just put in, um, what kilometers then on that spreadsheet I also have anything I haven't... That know, that made a, somehow made a payment that has... okay, take back. I do have a, an account for my work because I work myself in counseling and writing, I'm sole trader, that's another thing really about when you're setting up. Like, people start a sole trader, I think. I'm not a...

Tina

This is not This

Natasha

just I've been, I've we preface that we are not- Yeah financial advisors- accountants. We are not advisors. Yes. So make sure you seek financial advice. Exactly. Don't on anything we're saying. Yes. This just for entertainment purposes. A- and also to help each other, right? 'Cause,

Madeleine

'Cause, 'cause

audioNatasha21851534941

then hear something that resonates you, you go

Madeleine

check out yourself. Exactly. So,

audioNatasha21851534941

um, I, yeah, I have come structure where

Madeleine

had

audioNatasha21851534941

a company another director 'cause was do- running my business like that.

Natasha

a lot of work. So unless absolutely have don't think a great... Like, me, it d-

audioNatasha21851534941

didn't like it, so

Natasha

I'm a sole trader now. an account where I, of my money that earn writing

Madeleine

and counseling

Natasha

goes in. All of my expenses, including, by the way, people, um, your accountant, but I've been told

Madeleine

I claim

Natasha

of my bill, do every month. You can claim a

Madeleine

of your internet if home, and

Natasha

your electricity

Madeleine

home. And you rent, you claim, and you work home,

Natasha

portion of your rent. Uh-huh.

Madeleine

That's so interesting.

Natasha

My accountant me check with yours.

Madeleine

Mm.

Natasha

Mm. Mm. So, um, I have of that this spreadsheet that, it doesn't capture, know, the actual bank expenses. So expenses, I have a credit card that it looks like my, my bank statement is just one every month my card that I can just out that's personal, and then everything else is, um,

Madeleine

Business just

Natasha

there. And with the receipts, I take a photo and I it myself because

Madeleine

and

Natasha

have the subject of date

video1851534941

and

audioNatasha21851534941

the place, chuck it in my tax receipts that

Tina

emails Okay. Oh, that's good. Yeah. That's really good,

audioNatasha21851534941

Tash

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

Oh

audioNatasha21851534941

and what I do every single day actually, because that's, that's I like to be organized, is especially when I'm seeing clients, I work out much I'm

Natasha

earning that day and I work out much I'm into that

Madeleine

day, that's I track what's

Natasha

out

Madeleine

Good- Wow, Tash

audioNatasha21851534941

are best practice. This is excellent.

Madeleine

Excellent.

audioNatasha21851534941

And

Madeleine

okay, so couple things.

audioNatasha21851534941

So on the,

Madeleine

the,

Natasha

um,

Madeleine

the, the

Natasha

kilometers driven, my

Madeleine

accountant

Natasha

told me, again,

Madeleine

this is what my accountant me,

Natasha

please

Madeleine

seek your own advice,

Natasha

but can to 10,000 kilometers- per year without- providing any,

video1851534941

like,

Natasha

receipts or

audioNatasha21851534941

any record,

Natasha

But you have to be able to justify that.

audioNatasha21851534941

So as long as you Mm-hmm.

Tina

Mm-hmm.

video1851534941

yes, you have been driving

Tina

that

Madeleine

And, and for

Tina

me, like,

audioNatasha21851534941

of

Tina

I'm definitely 10,000

video1851534941

kilometers- Are you? all the time. Yeah. Well, I live in the bloody... I live in Upper Ferntree Gully. If

Tina

I'm driving to Carlton

audioNatasha21851534941

event and back- Mm, that's

Tina

well

video1851534941

over 100 kilometers.

Natasha

So- Oh,

Tina

okay. I was gonna say there's no clock

Natasha

that.

Tina

But yes, you're, see what

audioNatasha21851534941

you're saying. Yeah. Yeah. Mm. And, and for the before I we

Madeleine

Canberra, um,

Natasha

I, I

Madeleine

I had book launch in Ah, So we drove Canberra and Okay. So that was,

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

yeah, so-

Natasha

uh,

Madeleine

uh, then. So do that Like, if I was driving regionally, I

Natasha

had, um, a

Madeleine

events

Natasha

in Ballarat,

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

I had events in Manian, and, um, and

Natasha

I

audioNatasha21851534941

could record

Madeleine

to the 10,000 So

audioNatasha21851534941

then over 10,000, what does your accountant say

Natasha

happens?

video1851534941

you you have to have

Natasha

records that. So, so- Like

Madeleine

kind of records?

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

like what you're

Natasha

So the- Okay the logs of the dial, the, the kilometers done. Ah, All exactly what you're doing. That best practice, Tash. But someone like who's lazy and can't be bothered- you can up

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

as

audioNatasha21851534941

long as you justify

video1851534941

it. So

Natasha

probably last financial year I could probably this time, so

Madeleine

I'm gonna

Natasha

do, an average. But I look at, well, which events I have? f- long, you know, I look on Google- how long was that? And can again, this is what my told me. Mm. So that's That's interesting. Mm. There would totally be a, um, vehicle log. Remember I used to write down a little... there is. just it- Yeah Google. Mm. There is, yeah. Yeah. a vehicle log. I'm pretty sure you could probably photo there, and do it for you. I think I might that in future- can? Clever. Yeah 'cause probably can justify over 10,000 as well, like what driving. Um, so- That's it yeah Yeah. Okay. can that will just quickly and very easily do that us. Um, and same as receipts. I know there is, I've seen the ads for them, and can take photo, um, the receipt and it of just all the words out and it, and logs it all you- Yep so you can- I, I checked my, my notice assessment. Um, was

Madeleine

worth a

Natasha

reduction last year, ...just those kilometers.

Madeleine

Yeah. So

video1851534941

a big one

audioNatasha21851534941

creatives. So- Mm. definitely we do a

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

lot of

audioNatasha21851534941

especially- Mm-hmm if you live

Madeleine

in

audioNatasha21851534941

a city.

Natasha

Mm-hmm.

Madeleine

know, you're doing So do- Yeah do it. driving

Natasha

around

Madeleine

to on tours and da, da, da, da. da, da. So,

audioNatasha21851534941

And even other people's launches

Natasha

yep, driving a That

Madeleine

definitely, work, a, it's a business- um, thing you're so. Mm-hmm. Um, that's

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

really, really helpful.

Madeleine

Do you a tracking software, do spreadsheet that you

video1851534941

Uh, so I

Natasha

don't track

Madeleine

to the extent I know,

Natasha

Like, know,

audioNatasha21851534941

I'll...

Natasha

I don't

audioNatasha21851534941

track where I actually know how much I've spent over the course of six

Natasha

months or a sense my tax returns, I know that I'm earn little that are I won't have a bill that I

video1851534941

have

Madeleine

to

Natasha

That's good. you do the, called BAS payments or B-A-S payments?

Madeleine

So

Natasha

with, um,

Madeleine

those

Natasha

quarterly BAS you only do them you're registered for GST, which

Madeleine

not.

Natasha

Okay.

Madeleine

Um, and- So let's go So I'm not registered for GST, but I am considering registering this year.

Natasha

You register for GST unless...

Madeleine

my

Natasha

accountant told me. I have to keep re- phrasing that. My

Madeleine

accountant told that you cannot for GST unless you earn over $75,000. And in the old days, whatever, I don't

Natasha

know what old days are, but at some point ATO let you it anyway.

audioNatasha21851534941

they've of stopped that and you really need to be able to, like, show that you earn over that. Because I think what people were doing was registering for GST and then getting a lot of money back, because how GST works is if you're paying GST and then you're receiving GST, they do like a, you know, how much have you earned via GST, how much have you paid via GST? most people like us, well, me, don't earn that much money,

video1851534941

I

audioNatasha21851534941

would

Natasha

more GST than I earn, so I get it back. So I think- So nice little thing in the end. I that's probably why they've gone more. have to earning

Madeleine

over this.

Natasha

That's interesting, 'cause my accountant

Madeleine

said it,

Natasha

might be worthwhile to, to just

Madeleine

register even if don't own that 70- Ah. I did

Natasha

ask mine. I was like, And she

Madeleine

was like,

video1851534941

No."

Natasha

Okay. the thing. That's Okay. That's financial

audioNatasha21851534941

advice that. But it's important to whether

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

you

Natasha

be registering,

Madeleine

if

Natasha

you're invoice...

audioNatasha21851534941

So that's another

Natasha

thing we have as owners is invoice

Tina

to, for events that we're Mm-hmm. Speakers,

Madeleine

appearance and stuff. Um, you always to,

Natasha

if you

Madeleine

a re- a GST registered sole trader

Natasha

Yes on ABN, add in an extra,

Madeleine

have add in

Natasha

GST on top- Exactly

Madeleine

speaker's fee. So when you're your

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

fee, it's this is my fee

Madeleine

plus

audioNatasha21851534941

Plus GST. And so on my

Madeleine

invoices,

Natasha

because registered, I, I make,

Madeleine

write,

Natasha

Same

Madeleine

No been

video1851534941

Yeah.

Madeleine

Exactly. Exactly.

Natasha

an accountant even

Madeleine

told me, I was submitting

video1851534941

an

Madeleine

to, was a

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

library, and it came back

Natasha

to because I up tax invoice.

video1851534941

I'd called it- Yes a tax invoice. He said to me,

Natasha

"Please re- remove word tax." Invoice. Yeah. Well, no

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

tax.

Madeleine

call it invoice. right. That's what to do. registered for GST, so- right you return that? So-

audioNatasha21851534941

So

Madeleine

Yeah, I found to be really interesting.

audioNatasha21851534941

Mm-hmm.

Madeleine

and the c- tax, the, so BAS payments are interesting too, 'cause I've no- I even think about this, but you

Natasha

are earning bit money, it, it is probably worth setting your business you are what it means that

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

you're

Madeleine

paying tax

audioNatasha21851534941

quarterly,

Madeleine

um, so you're- Okay, so just on

audioNatasha21851534941

go. Yes The BAS is

Madeleine

the BAS is your tax. BAS

Natasha

just for Oh. If you you have to set s- I only know this 'cause I had this structure before. The BAS have to do of

Madeleine

GST component.

Natasha

Your tax is a separate thing that can speak accountant

Madeleine

about up so

audioNatasha21851534941

you do pay as you go.

Madeleine

Okay. You can do separate. 'Cause I think the pay as you go is probably for that where cash is issue, otherwise they might liable

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

massive bill at the

Natasha

the end- That's of the financial year. That's Yes. Especially had

Madeleine

you know, if or had

audioNatasha21851534941

a, um, um, their, their

Natasha

been optioned and they've been given, you know- Yeah

audioNatasha21851534941

a pretty nice substantial of

Madeleine

of money

Natasha

over in

audioNatasha21851534941

financial year. can be a huge thing. Yes, yes.

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

Let's

audioNatasha21851534941

we all- So they're two separate actually know the

Madeleine

answer to this the

audioNatasha21851534941

coming

Madeleine

years because we'll need it from all our big Hopefully.

Natasha

Exactly.

Madeleine

So- Um, but Mads- Yes can can I ask a question? You, you, you a term before we started recording. Yes,

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

income

audioNatasha21851534941

averaging. What

Madeleine

that?

Natasha

Okay, so I this up. Um, and something actually considering, gonna ask my accountant about this year. Um,

audioNatasha21851534941

only creatives, if

Madeleine

you're

audioNatasha21851534941

s- if you're set

Madeleine

up in ATO,

video1851534941

have

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

to be a special professional

video1851534941

in the ATO.

Madeleine

That's your- Professional that's really nice special professional. professional. That you, um, uh,

Natasha

that makes you different

Madeleine

from a 'cause, uh,

Natasha

the ATO sees some writers hobbyists aren't- Oh

audioNatasha21851534941

aren't,

Natasha

that are earning, small

audioNatasha21851534941

amount

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

of

Natasha

money, a special professional,

video1851534941

know, who, we are

Natasha

are all professionals.

Madeleine

if a

Natasha

creative,

video1851534941

you can use this thing called income averaging, which means that if, like

Natasha

that

Tina

where get that huge

audioNatasha21851534941

advance that an

Tina

or whatever, but, uh, then the ATO averages over a five-year period so you don't pay as much tax that particular Oh,

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

year

Tina

Oh,

video1851534941

wow.

audioNatasha21851534941

Yeah. even knew that

Tina

That's good. Yep, and something that's available all creatives. but Mm seek financial advice- on that. And I think

Natasha

you're gonna access that, then

audioNatasha21851534941

go through

Natasha

an accountant a specialized

Tina

who about income averaging and do

Natasha

So,

Tina

um, is

video1851534941

a question for

Madeleine

an accountant, but what you've understood, you it more than

Tina

Yeah. You can do it-

Natasha

year. Yeah. And so

Tina

it

audioNatasha21851534941

just, it's

Tina

special thing

Madeleine

that look at. just average that out,

Natasha

you pay tax,

Madeleine

and

Natasha

then,

Madeleine

th-

Natasha

there's implications for following

Tina

years, of course, like it's averaged. Um, but

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

it helps

Natasha

little bit

video1851534941

As a writer, so you're not paying a huge amount of tax- Yeah one year, and then the

Tina

next you're,

video1851534941

you know, minus- Mm whatever. Mm. Mm. So just, you

Tina

know, because

audioNatasha21851534941

and creatives, income is consistent

Natasha

a salary. It's always have its- That's right and Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Madeleine

so I was, really

Natasha

interesting. So- Mm. Yeah,

audioNatasha21851534941

it is. I'd never even heard of that, thank you

Natasha

The other Shelley Burr actually my social She said, her post

video1851534941

is available

Natasha

if people can look at and I'm sure she won't mind me mentioning on the podcast.

Madeleine

Her don't register yourself as a company,

Natasha

'Cause a- apparently some early advice to register of a, a company instead of a

Madeleine

sole

Natasha

trader,

Madeleine

Mm-hmm.

Natasha

lost

Madeleine

lot of over her own tax. Mm. And she said she was applying for a mortgage, and she to get

Natasha

tax return submitted, and it had

Madeleine

be but, um,

Natasha

you

Madeleine

she do because it has to be done

Natasha

by a tax professional if, you're in a company, was a massive thing for her to unpick. So before go, it set, if you were emerging writer and been offered a contract,

Madeleine

you have

video1851534941

have an ABN. It, you, you, you, you have to get an ABN number. This is if you're an Australian writer. Um,

Natasha

do

video1851534941

maybe

Madeleine

seek

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

some

video1851534941

advice from

Natasha

your accountant you st- set yourself you don't an ABN already. Um, yeah, I think

video1851534941

probably wise to just get some advice about

Natasha

it

video1851534941

Mm-hmm. Yeah. And

Natasha

it's really easy do get an ABN. like, word of warning for everyone, like, if, if you type in, uh, register for ABN into Google, like, the first five listings not the actual government ABN website. don't know dodgy they are or they eventually you the right one, but they're not legit ones. So be mindful. choose the government one the government yeah. don't, free to apply If, if someone's- Yeah asking you to pay Nothing sh- Yeah. Yeah. Don't pay money. Yeah. They're And, and look, it happen anyone I have say, here's little side can how easy this, happen. I was trying to register my son

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

for his birth certificate, and he was probably, I think he was, like, three days old or four days old

video1851534941

and I was online

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

registering a birth certificate, and paid money for this birth certificate. And then afterwards was like, I don't think, I don't..." And this was in my sleepy, sleepy newborn baby, new mom phase, and I was just like, "I don't think... That didn't look right. That didn't sound right." And sure enough,

video1851534941

I'd

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

just totally been And it's so, like, I would never do that normally. I'm so up on all these things. But, you know, new moms, just don't try and do that sort of thing. Get someone else to do it for you or wait a little while because, or, you know, these things happen, and they, they make it look very legit. Anyway,

video1851534941

Anyway, they took my money, That, okay, don't give money- for government things

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

that are free.

video1851534941

No. Is that

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

your top tip today, Tina?

video1851534941

top tip, yeah. I love that. Don't do things when you're sleep-deprived, yeah Um,

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

also,

video1851534941

on social media, I did get a whole bunch of recommendations

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

of,

video1851534941

creative accountants. I will add tho- those to

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

the show notes for this

video1851534941

week's episode- Mm for those who are interested. I was gonna say, that's actually

audioNatasha21851534941

quite an important one to get an accountant who understands creative industry because, you know, just I remember just Mads from, and Tina from our, like, Discord chat as well,

video1851534941

like

audioNatasha21851534941

the amount of information that people were sharing about what their accountants have told them they

video1851534941

and can't do. Yeah. So

audioNatasha21851534941

just, just check out if your accountant knows

video1851534941

not,

audioNatasha21851534941

just because they're an accountant

video1851534941

mean they

audioNatasha21851534941

might know this industry specifically.

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

And it is very specialized,

audioNatasha21851534941

It is,

video1851534941

Yes. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Is that your

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

top tip,

video1851534941

Tash?

audioNatasha21851534941

Yes, it is.

video1851534941

Excellent. And mine is

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

to, to finish, is the advice that we got

video1851534941

social media, which was just be organized, everyone.

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

Don't leave

video1851534941

to the last minute. I, I, I didn't leave it to the

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

last minute. I'd done about six months worth of

video1851534941

receipt and tracking, so I only had the last

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

six months. But I had multiple It was,

video1851534941

I had expenses on multiple cards, and so- Mm including cards that I'd since canceled

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

And it,

video1851534941

took

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

me half a day on Friday to go through each of the transactions and to

video1851534941

find out what it was, and then work out

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

what it was. Don't be me, everybody. That's my top tip

audioNatasha21851534941

When you said that, I just had this horrible

video1851534941

feeling.

audioNatasha21851534941

I'm, "Oh, God."

audioMadeleineCleary11851534941

Probably gonna get audit- I'm gonna get audited now. No. ATO, if you're listening, uh, I, I was

video1851534941

diligent. She did it all.

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

Yeah.

video1851534941

She's all good. Thanks, ladies.

audioTinaStrachan31851534941

Aw, thanks so much for

video1851534941

chat.

audioNatasha21851534941

Thank you

Speaker 5

Thank you for listening to another episode of The Book Deal Podcast. If you are enjoying the pod, we'd really appreciate you following or sharing the show in your podcast directory, checking us out on Instagram and Facebook, or supporting us through our Patreon community at patreon.com/thebookdealpodcast