The WestWords Podcast

Playwright Brooke Robinson shares her insights on writing for theatre, how to get started, and how it compares to other writing forms.

At its most basic, writing really only needs two tools - something to write with and something to write on. But with so many digital options available, which word processor is right for you? Author of 35 books with 25 years experience, James Roy, discusses some of the choices available out there for the discerning wordsmith.

We are so grateful to James and Ashley from the James & Ashley Stay At Home podcast ( https://jamesandashley.libsyn.com/ ) for allowing us to present their recent conversation with Kavita Bedford, WestWords-WSU Writer-in-Residence and author of Shapes & Dark Shapes (Text Publishing), in which they talk about (amongst much more) Kavita's writing process, and the anonymity of cities.

Four writers discuss the ways their writing practice has changed after 2020, and COVID-19.

Andrew Shaw talks about working as a freelancer, weighs up agency vs free agent, and discusses writing copy for companies who simply can't decide what they want from one day to the next. .

Bestselling children's author Tim Harris (Toffle Towers; Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables) talks about finding discipline in your writing life, and discusses the various challenges and strategies. This podcast is taken from a seminar Tim presented to the 2020 WestWords Academy.

Deborah Abela is one of the busiest and most sought-after presenters in the children's book industry, and in this second of two parts, she talks about some of the tips and tricks that are key to maximising one of the most important parts of being a professional writer – presenting your work.

Deborah Abela is one of the busiest and most sought-after presenters in the children's book industry, and in the first of two parts, she talks about some of the tips and tricks that are key to maximising one of the most important parts of being a professional writer – presenting your work.

Adam Turner is a prolific and award-winning freelance biz-tech and consumer-tech writer and podcaster. In this mini-masterclass he speaks with James about how to secure this kind of work, how to decide what to write about, and some of the pitfalls to avoid in a growing and competitive market. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

Isobelle Carmody is a shining light in the global fantasy world. In this talk, recorded as part of WestWords' monthly Kitten Cub event, she discusses writing fantasy as a means to understand the traumatic events of real life. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

Lowell Tarling is the author of over 100 books, many of which are ghost-written. He speaks with James Roy about the process, the pitfalls and the mental approach to giving sufficient mental and creative investment to a project that is not truly one's own. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

Our very own Hajer (associate producer) talks about some of the career skills an emerging artist might need, and why she developed the WestWords Academy. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

MATURE THEMES: Scot Gardner and James Roy share a conversation about some of the changes they've seen in YA writing over the last two decades, especially in the way young men are portrayed and represented in their own stories. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

Children's and Young Adult Librarian from Blacktown City Librarians and long-time member of the Australian Storytellers' Guild, Lee Castledine, talks about storytelling as an art-form in its own right, including the history, trends and new applications of storytelling, and how new storytellers can get started. The link mentioned in the podcast can be found at: www.storytellersnsw.org.au The WestWo...

James Roy (WestWords) talks about his favourite three books on the writing craft, along with some honourable mentions. The three books are: Bird by Bird by Ann Lamott (Pantheon, 1994) On Writing by Stephen King (Scribner, 2000) Walking on Alligators: A Book of Meditations For Writers by Susan Shaughnessy (HarperOne, 1991) The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyrigh...

Producer and freelancer Michelle Rickerby speaks with James about the benefits of private writing groups, how to go about setting one up, and some of the pitfalls to watch out for. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

South African-born crime writer Malla Nunn ( When the Ground is Hard ; Present Darkness ; A Beautiful Place to Die )talks to James about writing with originality whilst honouring the tropes that make crime such a popular genre. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

Former Australian publisher and children's literature expert Margaret Hamilton talks about picture books, but from the publisher's perspective. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

Tanya Vavilova ( We Speak in Code ) talks about her approach to the personal essay, what "writing from the fringes" means to her, and why dogs would make good early-draft editors. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

Author of poetry collections " and my heart crumples like a coke can" and "the lactic acid in the calves of your despair ", ali whitelock, talks about different poetry forms, and offers her views on everything from orange teacups to sheltering from bushfires under a woollen blanket. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

Nardean is a Western Sydney singer, poet and hip-hop artist. She was featured on Triple-J Unearthed, and her latest EP is titled " The New Era ". She talks about the history of hip-hop, and shares her best tips on how to start writing your first hip-hop track. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

Author, academic and essayist Randa Abdel-Fattah ( Australian, Arab, Other" (ed. with Sarah Saleh); When Michael Met Mina ; Does My Head Look Big In This? " talks about her approach to writing when she has something important to say, and strategies any writer can use to write about the big topics. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

Award-winning YA author Scot Gardner talks about how he found the headspace and physical space to be the best and most productive writer he could be. There's also a gratuitous reference to Danger Noodles of Fury. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

Editors are a writer's best friend, but it's important to send in the best draft you can. In this masterclass, James steps into the presenter's chair to offer a few easy tips that will help ensure that you've done as much as you can to help your editor do all they can. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.

Popular Australian children's author and highly sought-after creative writing teacher Deborah Abela (Grimsdon; New City; The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee) talks about creating worlds that are immersive and ring true to the reader, even if they're fantasy or science fiction. The WestWords Mini-Masterclasses are supported by the Cultural Fund Copyright Agency.