The Book Deal

Welcome to Season 2!! In this episode of The Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary return for the second season with a bang. They discuss the exciting launch of their debut novels, starting with Tina's 'Neeka and the Missing Key,' Book One of the Wilder Zoo Series, illustrated by Max Hamilton and released on January 29 2025. Tina shares her journey from concept...

In this episode of 'The Book Deal Podcast,' host Tina Strachan interviews picture book author Kirsten Ealand, discussing her debut book 'Like a Gannet,' her writing journey, and the challenges and surprises of her debut year. Kirsten shares invaluable advice for aspiring authors, emphasizing patience, perseverance, and the strategic benefit of 'quitting' to rejuvenate...

In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, YA author Troy Hunter discusses the creation and publication journey of his novel 'Gus and the Missing Boy', which was released in February 2024. Troy shares insights into the idea that sparked his book, the lengthy process it took to write and transform it from an adult crime novel to a young adult thriller, and the critical role of pitching, co...

In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, hosts Madeliene Cleary and Tina Strachan talk with Australian debut authors Kyra Geddes and Mark Mupotsa-Russell about their experiences writing, publishing, and promoting their first novels. Kyra discusses her historical fiction, 'The Story Thief,' and the long journey of research and rewriting, while Mark shares insights into his thriller, &apo...

In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, hosts Madeleine Cleary and Tina Strachan talk with Ruby Ashby-Orr, publisher at Affirm Press. The discussion covers topics such as Tina's upcoming book release, the importance of pre-orders, strategies for making a compelling book pitch, and insights into the acquisitions process within publishing houses. Ruby shares her journey in publishing, the typ...

In this episode, Madeleine and Tina discuss Madeleine's recent experience with the Australian Fiction Prize, including the excitement of being shortlisted and the process involved. They delve into the importance of writing competitions for emerging writers, Madeleine's unexpected phone call from Caroline Overington, the significance of mastering synopses and pitches, and how these elemen...

In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, the hosts welcome author and book coach Katherine Collette. Known for her books 'The Helpline,' 'The Competition,' and 'The Too Tall Tales of Alma T. Best,' Katherine shares her insights on writing, pitching, publishing, and marketing. She delves into her own writing journey, discusses the role of perseverance and community, a...

Madeleine and Tina delve into the challenges of knowing when a manuscript is ready to submit, sharing personal anecdotes about their own journeys to becoming published authors. Key topics include the importance of thorough editing, the patience required in the publishing industry, and the benefits of pre-ordering books to support authors. The conversation also touches on the creativity of children...

In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, hosts Madeline Cleary and Tina Strachan interview Caitlin Lawless, the publicity manager at New South. Caitlin shares her extensive experience in the publishing industry, offering invaluable advice to aspiring authors. Topics include the difference between marketing and publicity, building a relationship with your publicist, and preparing for a successful...

In this episode, Tina and Madeline discuss a range of topics from managing time on a busy Sunday to attending the HarperCollins Author Day. They delve into the latest trends in the book market, particularly the resurgence of YA fiction. Madeline shares her recent experience of imposing a self-ban from Instagram to improve focus and creativity, and how it has positively impacted her writing. They a...

In part two of the interview with Samuel Bernard, a literary agent from Zeitgeist Literary Agency, he shares insights on landing an agent, the importance of polished manuscripts, and the role of timing in the publishing process. Samuel discusses his preferences and current interests in genres, accessibility for aspiring writers, and how timing and market trends can impact the chances of getting pu...

In this first episode of the Publishing Deal series, where Madeleine and Tina chat to publishing insiders, they begin by sharing their latest updates, including Madeleine's proofreading process for her manuscript and Tina's experiences at a writing conference. They also dive into a discussion about receiving feedback, particularly on spicy scenes, offering practical advice on how to hand...

Tina and Madeleine discuss the rigorous editing processes, the joy of completing manuscripts, the importance of celebratory naps, preparing for book releases and the importance of record-keeping and strategic planning. Then guest Alli Paker, best-selling author of The Foot of the Cherry Tree, shares personal anecdotes and professional journeys, detailing the transition from screenwriting to novel...

In this episode of The Book Deal Podcast, hosts Madeleine Cleary and Tina Strachan discuss the challenges and triumphs of writing and editing with their guest, Lisa Kenway, an Australian writer and anesthetist whose debut psychological thriller 'All You Took From Me' was published by Transit Lounge Publishing. The conversation covers topics like the intricacies of balancing writing with...

Hosts Madeleine and Tina are podcasting from a Gold Coast café! Join them as they provide updates on their writing projects and experiences. Madeleine shares her positive feedback from her publisher and her excitement and anxiety about a renowned historian reading her novel. Tina discusses the complexities of editing her third series book and the importance of character development and writing res...

Join Tina and Madeleine as they candidly discuss their paths in the writing world, from shooting author videos and exploring middle grade fiction to announcing upcoming book deals and generating new ideas. They reveal their personal writing practices, including plotting versus pantsing. Madeleine interviews Kylie Orr and they discuss the influence of social media on an author’s life and the challe...

In this episode, co-hosts Madeleine and Tina discuss Tina's recent writer's retreat in Byron Bay and their busy schedules as debut authors. They also revisit their very first guest interview with Australian children's author Jess Horn. Jess shares the journey of publishing her debut picture book 'Bernie Thinks in Boxes', from participating in competitions and assessments t...

In the inaugural episode of The Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary introduce themselves and share their experiences and updates on their writing journey. Tina discusses her recent manuscript assessments with publishers and the benefits of the CYA Conference, while Madeleine talks about her structural edits and the long publication process. They highlight the importance of...

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