The Book Deal

Celebrating One Year of The Book Deal Podcast: Memorable Moments and Insights In this special one-year anniversary episode of The Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai reflect on their favorite moments and insightful interviews from the past year. They share their most memorable quotes from guest authors, delve into the nuances of measuring success as a debut au...

In this episode of the Book Deal podcast hosted by Natasha Rai, emerging fiction author Holly Brunnbauer discusses her path to publication, detailing her journey from blogging and copywriting to becoming a published author. Holly provides insights into her debut rom-com 'What Did I Miss?', her character development process, and the challenges she faced in getting a book deal with Harper...

In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary share a candid and engaging discussion about their current writing projects and experiences. Tina talks about her recent book release, 'Neeka and the Storm,' and the whirlwind of emotions she felt around its launch. Meanwhile, Madeleine opens up about her progress on her second book, the challenges of writ...

Tina Strachan welcomes multi-published author, podcast host, and publisher Dani Vee to discuss her journey and the release of her two new books, 'My Pet Croc' and 'My Supercharged ADHD Brain.' Dani dives into the inspiration behind her books, her personal ADHD experience, and the dynamics of writing humorous kids' books. The episode also highlights tips for aspiring writer...

Literary festivals, pitching yourself for events (and podcasts!), new books and the special art of a timeline In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary dive into lively discussions about their writing processes and experiences. They  reveal insights on writing timelines, the importance of mapping them out carefully, and how timelines can impact the narrativ...

In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, host Tina Strachan interviews author Jane Tara about her book 'Tilda Is Visible' and how she uses manifesting and visualization to achieve her writing dreams. Jane discusses her journey, the power of understanding what you want, and taking steps to get there. They explore the impact of meditation, the creation of vision boards, and how being clea...

In this episode of The Book Deal , hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary pull back the curtain on their lives as writers, blending personal stories with creative insights. From kombucha-fueled weekends and quirky hobbies like cross stitching and paint-by-numbers to unexpected adventures and laugh-out-loud moments, they share the real-life rhythms behind the writing. Listeners get an inside look...

In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, host Natasha Rai interviews Australian Tamil lawyer and author Shankari Chandran. They discuss Chandran's journey in writing and publishing, focusing on her novels 'Unfinished Business,' 'Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens,' and others. Chandran shares her experiences about navigating the literary world, dealing with rejections, and the...

Behind the scenes and the reality of being a (newly) published author - with Tina Strachan, Madeleine Cleary, and Natasha Rai.  Tina and Madeleine alongside our Takeover star, Natasha Rai, chat about their experiences as (newly) published authors. They each have prepared three surprise questions to ask each other, and of course Tina has prepared a spreadsheet to organise the asking of questions. T...

WARNING: This episode contains explicit language. Debut Panel: Carly-Jay Metcalfe and Christine Newell on writing memoir, book deals and more In this episode of The Book Deal podcast, Madeleine  interviews debut authors Carly-Jay Metcalfe and Christine Newell. Carly-Jay discusses her critically acclaimed (and darkly funny) memoir about living and dying, Breath (March 2024, UQP). Christine talks ab...

In this episode of The Book Deal Podcast, host Natasha Rai interviews debut author and screenwriter Zahid Gamieldien. Known for his novel 'All The Missing Children', published by Ultimo Press in 2024, Zahid discusses his path to publication, story structure intricacies, and the emotional and psychological effects of his novel's plot on various characters. He also shares valuable ins...

Gareth and Louise Ward on the business of bookselling and writing bestselling cosy crime. In this episode of The Book Deal podcast, Madeleine Cleary chats with writing duo Gareth and Louise Ward, authors and owners of two Wardini Bookshops in Havelock North and Napier in New Zealand. The episode delves into the couple’s background as former police officers in the UK, their move to New Zealand, and...

Tina Strachan interviews Madeleine Cleary about her debut novel, 'The Butterfly Women'. They explore Madeleine's ancestral inspiration, her meticulous research process, and the trials and triumphs of getting a book published. Madeleine shares insights on her writing journey, including the importance of finding joy in writing, the role of her supportive family, and her experience wit...

In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, Madeleine chats with award-winning writer, editor, and podcaster Irma Gold. Recently launching to great acclaim her second novel, Shift , out now with MidnightSun. Irma delves into her inspirations, including her deep connection to Soweto, South Africa, and her journey from writing short fiction to publishing novels. The episode also explores her editing c...

Tina Strachan chats with Sophie Beer, a prolific children's literature author and illustrator. The discussion delves into Sophie's journey in publishing, her passion for inclusivity in writing, and the inspiration behind her middle-grade book, 'Thunderhead,' which features a music-obsessed tween facing the challenges of hearing loss. Sophie also shares valuable insights on how...

In this episode of The Book Deal Podcast, host Natasha Rai interviews Zaheda Ghani, an Afghan refugee and author of 'Pomegranate and Fig'. Zaheda shares her path to publication, starting from her early handwritten novels to her debut book being shortlisted for the Richell Prize and published by Hachette. They discuss the authenticity of her story set in 1970s Afghanistan, the scars of re...

Natasha Lester on setting goals, the business behind a bestseller and her latest novel, The Mademoiselle Alliance In this episode of The Book Deal Podcast, Madeleine Cleary chats with  international bestselling author Natasha Lester. They discuss Natasha's latest novel, The Mademoiselle Alliance (26 March 2025, Hachette Australia), inspired by Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, the only woman to lead...

If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine and Tina's quarterly newsletters for the latest news first. You'll be in the draw for a giveaway of their new books! Madeleine: Subscribe here Tina: Subscribe here In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary explore the multifaceted landscape of author earnings, from advances and royalties to add...

In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, Tina Strachan chats with picture book author Rory H. Mather. Known for his works such as 'Vlad's Bad Breath' and 'Laugh in the Bath,' Rory shares his journey of publishing 14 picture books with a recently signed deal for his 20th book. He provides practical tips for aspiring authors on getting published, creating a profile, buildin...

In this episode of The Book Deal Podcast, hosted by Natasha Rai, multi-talented writer and tsunami scientist Kaya Wilson discusses their unique publishing journey. Their debut memoir, 'As Beautiful As Any Other,' was widely acclaimed, and Kaya offers insightful advice on developing a writing practice, the importance of setting boundaries, and the collaborative but challenging editing pro...

Natasha Rai on persevering through setbacks, rewriting drafts, and securing her debut book deal. In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary dive into the story behind the story of debut author, Natasha Rai, and her book ' An Onslaught of Light ,' published on 4 March 2025 by Pantera Press. The conversation reveals Natasha's eight-year path to...

In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary delve into the highs and lows of their busy lives as debut authors. They catch up on their recent book launches, including Tina's 'Neeka and the Missing Key' and Madeleine's upcoming 'The Butterfly Women,' discussing their experiences, challenges, and the emotional rollercoaster of seei...

2025 Debut Authors on book deals, how to debut, writing tips and launch feelings In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, Madeleine Cleary delve into the journeys of three 2025 debut authors, Kate Horan, Emma Pignatiello, and Marion Taffe.  'Last Shot' by Emma Pignatiello (Penguin Random House, 28 January 2025 in Australia). 'The Inheritance' by Kate Horan (HQ Fiction, 1 Janua...

In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, Natasha Rai hosts Christine Shamista, a poet of Sri Lankan Tamil ancestry living in Sydney. Christine shares her journey to publishing her debut poetry collection, 'Soft Side of Red,' released in November 2023 by Gazebo Books. She discusses the unexpected path her collection took, the importance of feedback, and her ongoing efforts in writing fic...

In this episode of The Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan interviews Dean Rankine, a renowned author-illustrator best known for his work on iconic franchises such as The Simpsons, Futurama, and Rick and Morty. Dean shares his journey from a shy, anxious child passionate about drawing to becoming a prolific illustrator and author, discussing his latest book series 'Death Metal Emo Elves.&a...