The First Time

We touch base about how we are coping with isolation and talk authors online: launches, videos and the etiquette of fan-girling in a zoom session.   Then Kate speaks with writer, Sarah Bailey, about writing crime, routines and getting around procrastination.   We know you'll understand that this episode has a different quality of audio than you are used to from us. Eventually we'll get back to stu...

Welcome to our very first episode of Conversations with Friends: creative conversations between writing friends. In this episode writers Thuy On & Nick Gadd discuss their shared love of words and their latest books.  We know you'll understand that this episode has a different quality of audio than you are used to from us. Eventually we'll get back to studio sound, but until then forgive us the...

How on earth do you get the writing done at a time like this? Kate and Katherine have taken two different approaches so far and discuss what's working best for them.    Then Kate speaks with writer, Alice Robinson, about how she's coping during #selfisolation, writing books about end-times, and how she found joy in the writing process. We know you'll understand that this episode has a different qu...

In a throwback to a time that seems eons ago, Kate and Katherine discuss their plans and routines for getting the writing done in 2020.    Then Kate speaks with debut writer, Emily Clements about writing memoir, publication day feels and telling your mum there is a lot of sex in your book.   Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitte...

The hosts chat about how life is starting to change under Coronavirus and what we can do about (which is not a lot).     Then Katherine speaks with Australian writer, Robert Lukins about their shared love of Adrian Mole, libraries and literary nemeses.    Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don'...

How different is second time around when it comes to writing books? We talk about what it looks like now compared to when we were writing our debuts. Then Kate speaks with debut writer, Mandy Beaumont about writing rage, rock n' roll book events and going into the world with confidence. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or...

We're back!  It's the first episode of the season!  Kate and Katherine catch up on what they've been reading and listening to over the summer break. Then Katherine talks to bestselling Australian author Christian White about tension, readers and not having a Plan B. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirstti...

We're back! Brand new studio, amazing lineup of guests and two new books to get out into the world. A tiny teaser before we get into our new season very soon! Check out previous seasons and show notes on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don't forget you can support us and the making of Season Three via our Patreon page https://www.p...

It's the last episode for season two and the hosts reflect on their writing, reading and listening highlights for the year that was. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don't forget you can support us and the making of Season Two via our Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/user/overview?u=14470...

The hosts talk about getting out of their comfort zones and what's pushed them this year.  Then Katherine talks to Sydney-based author and criminal lawyer Sarah Hopkins.  Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don't forget you can support us and the making of Season Two via our Patreon page https:/...

This episode, Kate and Katherine catch up on events they've been doing.  Then Katherine speaks with Gerii Pleitez, author of On the Sunday, She Created God and founder of Kara Sevda Press. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don't forget you can support us and the making of Season Two via our Pa...

How do you support other writers and the writing community? We talk about what we do and what we love when others do for us. Then Kate speaks with writer and mentor Charlotte Wood, an interview she's been looking forward to since the podcast began! They talk rejection, the writing craft and what looks different when you are eight books into a writing career. Check out show notes for this episode o...

A super special live panel event at Glee Books in Sydney! Kate speaks with writers Cassie Hamer, Ashley Kalagian Blunt and John Purcell about their first time feels. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don't forget you can support us and the making of Season Two via our Patreon page https://www....

This week we work out how to get professional. Like, what do you put in an email signature and exactly how important is a website? Then Kate heads to Sydney to chat with author and bookseller, John Purcell, about how he's gone through the debut experience TWICE, how to write good sex and what really sells books. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or ge...

This week we tax!  Isn't there an app that could do it for us? Should you have a business account?  Can you just use a shoe box for receipts?  Whatever you do, don't take our advice, we are not professionals. Then Katherine speaks with author Will Kostakis. There's a lot about schools: getting published when you're still going to one, visiting as an author, having visits cancel your visits for app...

This week we indulge in sharing some fab listener feedback (after we console each other on our one and only two star review!). We also respond to a listener question about the specifics of the editing process. Then Kate speaks with author and Gunai woman Jannali Jones at the Blak & Bright Festival. They discuss her #LoveOzYA debut MY FATHER'S SHADOW, how she juggles her career in law with her...

TW: In this episode we discuss eating disorders and also discuss the Black Saturday bushfires.  This week we talk confidence. How do you foster it? And if you don't have it, how can you write like you do? Then Kate speaks with writer Alice Bishop about her debut collection A CONSTANT HUM, writing through trauma and the writers who inspire her. Check out show notes for this episode on our website w...

Katherine's been in London and NY and Kate wants to know all the details. But is it wise to reveal all? They talk candidly about being...too candid. Then Kate speaks with Brisbane writer Ben Hobson all about his second novel, why he's got a soundtrack to go with it and the highlights of his self-drive book tour. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or ge...

What's your relationship with audiobooks? This week we discuss our faves, our habits and why we couldn't handle listening to our own (but you should!). We also FINALLY discuss Kate's Big Book News! Then we speak to author and Director of Writers Victoria, Angela Savage about writing her fourth novel, switching genres and being a great member of a writing community. Check out show notes for this ep...

Puff quotes!  What exactly are they?  Kate had about a million for Skylarking.  She's now navigating the awkward world of asking other authors to endorse her second novel.  Meanwhile, Katherine got asked to do one herself.  What did she learn? Then we speak to author RWR McDonald about Faber Writing Academy, trilogies and writing on public transport.  Check out show notes for this episode on our w...

After a few weeks apart, the hosts catch up.  Kate's big news is...well, we still can't tell you. But we promise to fill you in VERY SOON! But we can tell you what we've been reading and listening to and what Katherine has planned for her US and UK visits. Then we speak to debut author Nina Kenwood about winning the Text prize, and what it's been like to bring her brand new book and brand new huma...

We are FINALLY back from our break and while we have news to share....we can't. Not yet, anyway. In lieu of that, we bring you a brand new deep dive on writers groups: how they work and how you might find yourself one.   Then Kate speaks with Surf Coast #LoveOZYA writer, Mark Smith about how a short story turned into a trilogy, his top tips for school visits, and how to get your very own book bann...

The hosts talk about international rights deals and how theirs came to be.  Listeners get to hear who did the negotiations, what it was like for the authors and things to look out for.     Then an announcement: The podcast is taking a short hiatus.  Normal programming will resume in August.    Katherine talks to Jane Watkins, who is not only a publicist at Text Publishing, but Katherine’s publicis...

After learning Tony Abbott only has one Word document on his computer and everything he’s ever written is in it, the hosts discuss their own writing processes.  Katherine is all about Scrivener, spreadsheets and Om Writer whereas Kate’s approach is less technological.  No surprises there.  Kate also journals a lot… The document for her work in progress is MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND words.    ...

This week we answer your questions! What steps did we take to get our manuscripts ready to submit? Were we spurned by mates who didn't turn up to our launches (and will we name and shame them)? And how are you supposed to deal with reviews on social media? Then Kate speaks with writers Adut Wol Acek & Khalid Warsame about being contributors to the Growing Up African in Australia anthology and...