The Book Deal
Motivation and inspiration for emerging writers, helping them pave their own pathway to publishing success.
Episodes
105 episodes
How rejections, agents, sleep-deprived writing and persistence led to Shara Curlett's blockbuster new series
Tina Strachan interviews New Zealand author Shara Curlett during the launch of her new middle-grade fantasy series Protector of Beyond. Curlett describes book one’s premise—12-year-old Aldetris sparks, is transported to another realm, bonds wit...
Andrea Mara on adapting a novel for TV and writing bestselling fiction
This week, Madeleine chats with Irish author, Andrea Mara, about TV adaptations, getting permission to write, writing bestselling crime fiction, and her latest novel, Such a Nice Girl (Penguin Books Australia, 2026). Andrea Mara is ...
Shannon Kelly-White on writing fearlessly and owning your voice
Madeleine chats with debut Aussie novelist, Shannon Kelly-White. Shannon is a happy country girl who writes gritty, hopeful fiction about women who push back. Fascinated by freedom and spirit, she writes stories that blend fierce he...
Literary agent, Grace Heifetz, on how to get published and championing Aussie authors
The Book Deal podcast interviews Australian literary agent Grace Heifetz about her career and advice for writers seeking traditional publication. Heifetz discusses founding A4 Literary in late 2024 with colleagues across Sydney and Melbourne to...
What we have learned (and observed) after 100 episodes of Book Dealin'
We've hit 100 episodes! Thank you so much for supporting us over the last two years. We couldn’t have done it without you.In our 100th episode, we reflect on two years of interviews with authors and publishing professionals. From meditat...
How to create best selling survival thrillers and writing for all ages with Sarah Armstrong
Tina Strachan interviews award-winning children’s author Sarah Armstrong about the wide recognition of her middle-grade survival thriller Run (including CBCA, Davitt, REAL, ABIA listings and Amazon bestseller status) and why pacey, “Trojan hors...
The Writing Deal: Tina checks in on Madeleine and Natasha in the editing trenches
Tina Strachan interviews Madeleine Cleary and Natasha Rai about being deep in the editing trenches for their second books while juggling demanding jobs and family commitments, including tight three-week deadlines for structural and copy edits. ...
Representation and writing magical stories with Jasmin McGaughey
Natasha Rai interview's Jasmine McGaughey, a Torres Strait Islander and African American writer and editor, about her debut YA speculative novel Moonlight and Dust (shortlisted for the 2025 VPLAs). She pitches the story of 16-year-old Zillah re...
SPECIAL EP: School Author Talks - Everything You Need to Know (Part 2)
This Book Deal podcast mega Author Talk special (part two) focuses on how to deliver successful school author visits ahead of Book Week. Children’s author Adrian Beck shares how he structures presentations and workshops to hook attention early,...
SPECIAL EP: School Author Talks - Everything You Need to Know (Part 1)
This special “mega ep” of The Book Deal Podcast, hosted by Tina Strachan, focuses on how to deliver successful school author visits ahead of August Book Week, featuring advice from Sarah Armstrong, Zanni Louise, Peter Carnavas, and Carla Salmon...
The Writing Deal: Are too many books being published and is community the key to increased readers? Plus the joy of book boxes! Catch up with Tina and Natasha.
Hosts Tina Strachan and Natasha Rai catch up. Natasha shares being highly commended for a Varuna fellowship (amid 812 entries), explains Varuna as the National Writers’ House in Katoomba, and discusses upcoming copy edits for The Bride Price, p...
Jessie Tu on writing real characters, obsession with older women and being seen as an author
Kayte Nunn on writing bestselling fiction across genres and publishers
Kayte Nunn is the bestselling author of nine novels, including The Botanist’s Daughter, The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant, The Silk House and The Last Reunion. Kayte grew up in England and the US, befor...
Sarah Clutton shares how travelling the world and 'trusting the process' helped her create The Bookshop of Buried Pasts
Tina Strachan interviews author Sarah Clutton about her new novel ‘The Bookshop of Buried Pasts’. Clutton outlines the story of antiquarian book dealer Phyllida Banks, who disappears and leaves her granddaughter Lottie to run their Southern Hig...
The Writing Deal: It's EOFY! Natasha, Tina & Madeleine discuss the business of being an author
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...
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 monas...
Rebecca Lim on genre-hopping, rejection and the joy of 'having no brand'
Content warning: Please note this episode contains brief references to crimes against children, including mentions of historical cases and industry terminology. These topics are not discussed in detail, but listener discretion is adv...
Jess Galatola: reaching young readers through writing books with heart
Tina Strachan welcomes author and teacher Jess Galatola to The Book Deal podcast to discuss her upcoming children’s books: picture book The Witch Who Couldn’t Spell (launching 19 July) and graphic novel Seasons of Clementine (launching 4 July)....
The Writing Deal: Natasha, Madeleine and Tina discuss editing deadlines, getting heckled and reading while writing
Hosts Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai introduce The Book Deal podcast and share monthly updates. Tina takes a break from an intense manuscript, catches up on author admin, runs a kids’ workshop at The Little Book Nook in Palmwo...
Ashley Kalagian Blunt on novel structure, strategic selling and compartmentalising when researching
Natasha Rai interviews author Ashley Kalagian Blunt about her thriller Like, Follow, Die. Blunt shares an elevator pitch: a Sydney mother, known as “the most hated woman in Australia,” faces a homicide detective at her door as three narratives ...
Bookstagram, community, events, reviews and reading with Brooke Michie (a.k.a @bmichie31)
Brooke Michie is a lifelong reader and passionate supporter of Australian authors. She works in public libraries and loves nothing more than matching readers with their perfect book. As one of Australia’s most influential Bookstagrammers she re...
Jacqueline Harvey: inside the world of one of Australia's most popular kidlit authors, and the rocky road it took to get there
Tina Strachan interviews bestselling children’s author Jacqueline Harvey about her 20+ year publishing career, including nearly 70 books, 40 audiobooks, and Alice-Miranda adaptations. Harvey discusses her latest middle-grade series, The Girl an...
The Writing Deal: Natasha, Tina and Madeleine discuss 'stalking' story ideas, bookstore bravery, and 'who are you really writing for'?
Hosts Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai reconnect after a busy few months. Natasha begins major structural edits on a 120,000-word second novel with tight timelines and a tip to rewrite editorial notes in her own words. Madeleine...
Jack Heath on novel ideas, writing practice and building a writing career
Natasha Rai interviews award-winning author Jack Heath (49 novels, published in 10 languages) about his YA thriller 'I Know What You’re Hiding'. Heath gives an elevator pitch: after a house fire kills one sister, survivor Jamie receives a blood...