Secrets from the Green Room

Irma and Karen talk about copyright, and the productivity commission’s recent recommendations regarding AI. Then Karen talks to Pip Williams about how she shifted from academic research to writing novels, how COVID lockdown inadvertently boosted sales of The Dictionary of Lost Words, how a genius promotions idea for The Bookbinder of Jericho turned into stunning window displays in bookshops, the process of watching her book become a stage play, how writing might be easier than reading for people with dyslexia, how parents can support the writing of children with dyslexia, and how mentorship from other writers has supported her creative journey.About PipPip Williams first book was a memoir, One Italian Summer, and her first novel, The Dictionary of Lost Words, was one of Australia’s most successful debuts. It became a New York Times bestseller and was the first Australian novel to be selected for Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club. It also won several major Australian literary awards and was shortlisted for the international Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. Her second novel The Bookbinder of Jericho was also very successful. 

Terri-ann White, the Founder and Publisher of Upswell, shares her insights on the evolving publishing landscape. She discusses the alarming volume of new books being released and the need for more creativity within the industry. Terri-ann reflects on her early struggles, including the heart-wrenching experience of discovering plagiarism in her first publication. She celebrates the joy of publishing award-winning novels, like Josephine Wilson's work, and passionately describes the invaluable role of booksellers in fostering literary culture.

Karen and Irma chat about foreign rights deals, and Irma shares some shocking stats.Then Irma chats to Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist about how a conversation between them on their first wedding anniversary was pivotal in Anne’s career, the low of splitting with Graeme’s publisher after the three Rosie Project books, how they manage the process of planning and writing books together, why they think their book tour to 400 bookshops made no difference to sales, what does impact sales and tips for how to secure publicity that works, the ups and downs of The Rosie Project movie, and the most meaningful reader feedback.About Graeme & AnneGraeme Simsion and Anne Buist are partners in both life and writing. Together they have written four books, the latest being The Oasis, which is the second Menzies Mental Health novel. And separately they both have established individual careers.Graeme is a screenwriter, playwright, and former IT consultant, and his debut novel, The Rosie Project, was an international bestseller. He followed it up with two sequels, and the standalone The Best of Adam Sharp, a collection of short stories, two data modelling books and the writing guide, The Novel Project.Anne has published five psychological thrillers – four in the Natalie King series, and the standalone The Long Shadow. She also has over 40 years of clinical and research experience in perinatal psychiatry.

Irma and Karen chat about how a two-book deal was secured via an explosive Booktok profile. Then in a new occasional segment, Book Chat, they share recent reads they’ve enjoyed.Next Karen talks to Markus Zusak about his family of storytellers, how he used his writing heroes to develop his own voice, how The Book Thief arose from three separate ideas that came together like a volcanic eruption, how the success of that book impacted his life and future work, finding the right spark in writing, and the highs and lows of writing Three Wild Dogs and the Truth.About MarkusMarkus Zusak is the award-winning internationally bestselling author of six novels, including The Book Thief, Bridge of Clay and The Messenger. His books have been translated into more than fifty languages, and two of them have been adapted to film, television and theatre. 

Karen and Irma chat about BookTok and book publicity.Then Irma talks to school librarian Helen Farch about how she became an Instagram superstar, why so many schools no longer have a teacher librarian or even a library, the issues faced in determining what is appropriate to buy in for kids, what kind of budgets government schools are working with, the controversies around books on sex and LGBTQI+ themes, how to engage reluctant readers, the gaps in children’s publishing, and the broad spectrum of issues school libraries are facing.About HelenHelen Farch has been a Library Technician at Forest Hill College, a government co-educational school in Melbourne, for over 11 years. Her role includes managing the school library, as well as marketing for the school. Helen is passionate about advocating for school libraries, promoting Australian authors and illustrators, and promoting the value of reading, all whilst keeping the library a vibrant and relevant part of the school community. Her efforts are showcased through the library’s Instagram account that has over 16,000 Followers.

Irma and Karen chat about finishing a draft of a novel. Then Karen talks to Favel Parrett about why she decided to give up being a postie and become an author, why she signed up for a writing course but didn’t finish, how her novel Past the Shallows changed her life and keeps on giving, why she likes school visits, how she received not one but two Antarctic Arts Fellowships, why she likes writing child characters, how she came to write about dingoes, how rewarding it can be to write for young readers, and how the worst moment of her writing career also turned out to be one of the best.About FavelFavel Parrett’s debut novel Past the Shallows was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award and won the Dobbie Literary Award. The following year she won the ABIA Newcomer of the Year Award. Her second novel When the Night Comes, was longlisted for the Miles Franklin and shortlisted for many other awards. Her third novel There Was Still Love was shortlisted for the Stella Prize and won the Indie Awards Book of the Year. Favel has also written two novels for children: Wandi and Kimmi.

Karen and Irma talk about the intel Irma has gleaned from booksellers on her Shift book tour. Then Irma chats to Tania McCartney about how she made the transition from self-publishing to traditional publishing, creative burn-out and how to come out the other side, deciding to become an illustrator when she was already an established author, the idea that we should all ask for five things we are certain we’ll get a no to, why illustrators need greater recognition, the ways in which the children’s industry is undervalued, and one special reader who means everything.About TaniaTania McCartney is an author, illustrator, designer and editor of 65 books, published in 20 countries, with titles including Flora: Australia’s Most Curious Plants, Wildlife Compendium of the World and the Plume picture book series. Tania is a juvenile literacy ambassador and the founder of Kids’ Book Review and The Happy Book podcast. Her awards include the CBCA Awards, the NSW Premier’s Literary Award and the Australian Book Design Awards. 

Irma and Karen chat about juggling jobs to survive while writing. Then Karen talks to Nardi Simpson about the creative crossover between making songs and writing books, why she decided to start writing novels, how writing helps her to explore larger questions, how her writing mentors inspired her, what she learned from the Year of the Novel course, how sending a story out into the world is like throwing a boomerang, how she opens herself to playing with ideas and language, why she no longer writes lists of rules for herself when starting to write a new book, how competitiveness gets in the way of her writing, how green rooms differ between music gigs and writers festivals, how her partner met Trent Dalton in a green room, and how sharing stories and sitting with love and family are the most important things in her life.About NardiNardi Simpson is a Yuwaalaraay woman living in Sydney. She’s a singer/songwriter in the vocal duo the Stiff Gins, in which she has performed nationally and internationally and released four albums, two singles, an EP and countless compilations. In 2018 Nardi won the Black & Write! Fellowship for the manuscript that became her first novel, Song of the Crocodile, which went on to win  the ASAL Gold Medal and be longlisted for both the Stella Prize and Miles Franklin Awards. Her second novel is The Belburd. 

Karen and Irma chat about the challenges of being able to accept praise. Then Irma talks with Katherine Collette about how co-hosting The First Time podcast was life-changing, her most excruciating experience with the podcast, the excitement of overseas deals for her debut novel and the huge low that followed, how the US market differs from the ANZ market, the secrecy around book sales, the challenges in moving from writing books for adults to writing for kids, how to write humour on the page, how to navigate the emotional headspace of writing, the best and worst advice she’s received, the odd liminal space that unpublished writers can exist in for years when they are ‘not quite there yet’, the key things debut authors commonly don’t understand when they enter the publishing process, and why she doesn’t think social media promo makes much difference to sales. About KatherineKatherine Collette has written two novels for adults, The Helpline and The Competition. She has also written and illustrated Out of Bounds, the first in the children’s book series The Too Tall Tales of Alma T Best, and was co-host of The First Time podcast. She is a former engineer and current writing coach.

In this discussion, Cate Kennedy, an award-winning Australian author and creative writing teacher, dives into her journey as a writer. She shares the thrill of her first big break with The New Yorker, explaining how it reshaped her career. Cate likens writing short stories to diving into a pool, highlighting the intensity of the experience. She discusses overcoming procrastination and the impact of judging awards on her craft. Additionally, she recounts a charming anecdote about a mysterious tea encounter in a green room, showcasing the warmth of the literary community.