The Rewrite with Sammy

What happens when you stop chasing the algorithm and just have fun? In this episode of The Rewrite with Sammy, I chat with Ashley of Booked for Adventures (booked4adventures@), a Bookstagram creator with 25,000+ followers. Ashley shares how she started her account, why she resists posting on a strict schedule, and how she builds community as a self-described "hype girl". She explains ARCs (advance...

A five-way auction, a major literary award, and a debut novel about grief, care, and a wounded kookaburra - Charlotte’s path to publication is anything but ordinary. If you care about books, writing, or what it really takes to get a manuscript noticed, this conversation is full of hard-won insight.  I talk with Charlotte - a poet, writer, indie bookseller, and PhD graduate - about how bookshops bu...

In this episode of The Rewrite , I chat with author and film/TV creator Noël Stark about her debut romance novel, Love Camera Action . Noël shares how a career across acting, directing, producing, and reality television led her to fiction—and why writing a novel offered a new kind of creative control. We talk about writing for Paw Patrol , storytelling in reality TV, building a romance set, and br...

Most authors market their books backwards, and it costs them attention, momentum, and sales. Former Sky News anchor turned book publicist Nicole Webb breaks down the publicity strategy that actually gets authors noticed—and why the best media angle is often not the one writers think will lead. If you're a self-published, hybrid, or traditionally published author wondering how to cut through a crow...

Have you ever wanted to write a novel but have no idea where to start? Finding an idea that captivates you can be the hardest part of writing a novel, but in this episode, T.A. Morton has you covered. In addition to sharing where to find novel ideas, Morton shares her unique approach to integrating mythology into crime and thriller writing, her research process, and insights into the publishing wo...

Danielle Binks shares the secret (and fun!) way to find your genre as a writer, and how it led her to write middle grade contemporary fiction. We also talk about the importance of literacy, and her unfiltered thoughts on AI and the publishing industry.  Danielle is an Australian literary agent at Jacinta DeMase Management, the author of award-winning middle grade fiction including The Year the Map...

Voice is the one thing you cannot fake, and Danielle Binks explains why that matters whether you're querying a manuscript, choosing your next project, or trying to survive the brutal emotional whiplash of being a writer. If you've ever wondered why some books get snatched up instantly while others with great premises stall, this conversation gives you the real answer.  Danielle is an Australian li...

Have you ever thought self-publishing means just upload your book and you're done? Think again! I used to believe that once you hit "publish," it’s smooth sailing. But the truth? Self-publishing is a full-time hustle — author, designer, marketer, customer service, to name a few. But chatting to Miranda Sheppard about her own journey in writing and illustrating children's books based on the experie...

From courtroom to bestseller list to TV screen — Kathleen Barber’s journey is the definition of trusting the process. From a surprise Reese Witherspoon call to adapting Truth Be Told for TV, Kathleen shares what it really takes to build a career as an author, navigate adaptation, and keep creating through every season. We talk about Truth Be Told being adapted by Hello Sunshine and starring Oscar...

How do you turn newsroom instincts into actionable audience insights? In this episode, we sit down with the Head of What’s On at Reach PLC (the UK’s largest news publisher) to uncover the editorial secrets behind growing massive, highly engaged audiences. With 16 years of journalism experience, managing a team of 30 across 37 regional news brands, Emily reveals what it takes to build content that...

Building a social media platform as a writer? Writer & editor, Abbie Gatherum, has you covered! Ever wondered what it really takes to grow a loyal community of readers and writers? Abbie explains that authenticity is the secret sauce — showing up as yourself, sharing your experience, even your struggles, creates genuine connections. It’s not about perfection; it’s about being real and relatabl...

Turner Gable Kahn discusses her debut novel, 'The Dirty Version,' and shares insights into the literary romance genre, querying experience, traditional publishing, book marketing, and post-publication experiences. We chat about unexpected experiences, Turner's next novel, and her nomination for the Romance Novel of the Year award, as well as advice for aspiring authors. Takeaways Insights into the...