Recent Episodes
-
WRITER 660: Susannah Hardy shares her rom-com novel, 'My Hot Housemate'
Apr 21, 2025 – 43:15 -
WRITER 659: Maryrose Cuskelly on her ‘neighbourhood noir’ novel 'The Campers'
Apr 14, 2025 – 47:28 -
WRITER 658: Victoria Brownlee serves up her novel, 'Eat Your Heart Out'
Apr 7, 2025 – 44:40 -
WRITER 657: Cale Dietrich and his latest young adult novel, 'The Rules of Royalty'
Mar 31, 2025 – 35:12 -
WRITER 656: Kate Horan and her mystery novel, 'The Inheritance'
Mar 24, 2025 – 49:45 -
WRITER 655: Margot McGovern’s hair-raising novel, 'This Stays Between Us'
Mar 17, 2025 – 49:22 -
WRITER 654: Sonia Orchard shares her impactful memoir, 'Groomed'
Mar 10, 2025 – 51:15 -
WRITER 653: Sean Wilson and his powerful novel, 'You Must Remember This'
Mar 3, 2025 – 48:37 -
WRITER 652: Emma Pignatiello discusses her romantic suspense novel, 'Last Shot'
Feb 24, 2025 – 01:03:08 -
WRITER 651: Beau Donelly, co-author of the book that inspired the hit Netflix series about Belle Gibson
Feb 17, 2025 – 59:18 -
WRITER 650: Olivia Isaac-Henry and her new book, 'Sorrow Spring'
Feb 10, 2025 – 36:27 -
WRITER 649: Alexandra Almond and her cosy fantasy novel, 'Thoroughly Disenchanted'
Feb 3, 2025 – 46:32 -
WRITER 648: Kate Solly on 'The Paradise Heights Craft Store Stitch-up'
Jan 27, 2025 – 49:46 -
WRITER 647: Sophie Clark on writing and pitching her ‘romantasy’ novel, 'Cruel is the Light'
Jan 20, 2025 – 53:19 -
WRITER 646: Rebecca Heath invites you to 'The Wedding Party'
Jan 13, 2025 – 42:13 -
WRITER 645: Kathy George on her classic Dickens retelling, 'The Scent of Oranges'
Jan 6, 2025 – 47:07 -
WRITER 644: Karina May on 'That Island Feeling' and how to set yourself up for success as a writer
Dec 30, 2024 – 47:24 -
WRITER 643: Tabitha Carvan discusses her memoir, ‘This Is Not A Book About Benedict Cumberbatch’
Dec 23, 2024 – 47:03 -
WRITER 642: Madeline Te Whiu on her trilogy and latest book, ‘The Queen Thief’
Dec 16, 2024 – 58:15 -
WRITER 641: Joe Aston on his tell-all book on Qantas, ‘The Chairman’s Lounge’
Dec 9, 2024 – 53:22 -
WRITER 640: Susannah Glenn on her novel 'Between Husbands and Wives'
Dec 2, 2024 – 49:35 -
WRITER 639: Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Sebastian Smee on his latest book ‘Paris in Ruins’
Nov 25, 2024 – 51:06 -
WRITER 638: Mitch Jennings on his page-turning novel 'A Town Called Treachery'.
Nov 18, 2024 – 57:22 -
WRITER 637: New York Times bestselling author Laura Dave on 'The Night We Lost Him' and 'The Last Thing He Told Me'.
Nov 11, 2024 – 50:51 -
WRITER 636: Amanda Willimott on her novel 'Winter of the Wolf' and how she got her book deal.
Nov 4, 2024 – 49:32 -
WRITER 635: Meet Christian White on his novel 'The Ledge' – and writing the Netflix hit ‘Clickbait’.
Oct 28, 2024 – 01:03:58 -
WRITER 634: Ariane Beeston on her powerful memoir 'Because I'm Not Myself, You See’
Oct 21, 2024 – 58:32 -
WRITER 633: Paula Hawkins, author of 'The Blue Hour' and 'The Girl on the Train'.
Oct 14, 2024 – 45:02 -
WRITER 632: Meet Ryan Butta, author of the new biography, 'The Bravest Scout at Gallipoli'
Oct 7, 2024 – 54:52 -
WRITER 631: Meet children’s book publisher and author Dani Vee.
Oct 3, 2024 – 40:57 -
WRITER 630: How Jennifer Wong’s TV series evolved into her new book ‘Chopsticks or Fork’.
Sep 30, 2024 – 50:48 -
WRITER 629: How Jess Horn scored her picture book deal
Sep 26, 2024 – 31:01 -
WRITER 628: Meet Scott Ryder, a former Australian commando, on his memoir 'Forged in Fire'.
Sep 23, 2024 – 51:41 -
WRITER 627: Award-winning picture book author Sandhya Parappukkaran
Sep 19, 2024 – 37:45 -
WRITER 626: Lisa Kenway, author of the psychological thriller 'All You Took From Me'.
Sep 16, 2024 – 52:28 -
WRITER 625: Bec Nanayakkara on her picture books 'Grow Big Little Seed' and 'The Book Star'.
Sep 12, 2024 – 26:36 -
WRITER 624: Sandie Docker on how to ensure longevity in your author career
Sep 9, 2024 – 53:41 -
WRITER 623: Exploring the world of children's writing with Cassy Polimeni
Sep 5, 2024 – 29:31 -
WRITER 622: Louise Southerden on travel writing and her revealing memoir ‘Tiny’
Sep 2, 2024 – 46:39 -
WRITER 621: Children’s author Carla Fitzgerald shares her five must-do tips for aspiring middle-grade authors
Aug 29, 2024 – 36:06 -
WRITER 620: Kate Forsyth on 5 essential lessons to make you a better writer
Aug 26, 2024 – 55:41 -
WRITER 619: Picture book author Deborah Frenkel on her creative process and creating a successful career.
Aug 22, 2024 – 30:33 -
WRITER 618: JP Pomare on writing gripping crime thrillers and his latest novel ’17 Years Later’.
Aug 19, 2024 – 01:03:25 -
WRITER 617: Lian Tanner reveals 5 strategies you need for longevity in your author career.
Aug 15, 2024 – 44:47 -
WRITER 616: Meet Julie Bennett, author of 'The Lost Letters of Rose Carey’.
Aug 12, 2024 – 55:37 -
WRITER 615: Meet Anna Johnston, author of 'The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife'.
Aug 5, 2024 – 47:23 -
WRITER 614: Victoria Purman, author of 'The Radio Hour’, on character development, writing about the past and more.
Jul 29, 2024 – 58:08 -
WRITER 613: Meet Amy T. Matthews, who also writes as Amy Barry and Tess LeSue!
Jul 22, 2024 – 56:24 -
WRITER 612: Meet Petronella McGovern, author of 'The Last Trace', on how to build narrative tension and keep readers turning the page.
Jul 15, 2024 – 49:25 -
WRITER 611: Lia Hills, author of The Desert Knows Her Name, on how she wrote her first draft in two weeks using a voice software!
Jul 8, 2024 – 56:43
Recent Reviews
-
Alexstrath1A dynamic duo here to help you through the writing journeyValerie and Allison bring you great authors to learn more about the writing journey
-
Petteri.Harlove.♥Loving These Podcasts!I just started listening to this when I saw that you guys interviewed my favorite author! I got sucked in and I am loving all of these podcasts!
-
Colleen in the Car (USA)Yes, I want to be a writer.I first tuned into "So You Want To Be A Writer" podcast when my kids were all in high school, and I was spending a lot of time driving them here and there. I listened to Val and Al chit chat about all things writing while I was trying to figure out what I would do when I was no longer driving to this or that. Through their conversations and author interviews, I began to believe that maybe, I too could be a writer. I tuned in every week, sometimes every day trying to catch up on the back catalog, and learned something, sometimes many things, from each episode. A couple of months ago, I launched my youngest chick out of the nest, and last week, I finished my first manuscript. I'm so grateful to Val and Al for all that they do every week to encourage new writers like me. Their honesty about their experiences and generosity with their knowledge is what helped me get the pages written. No matter where you are in your writing journey, this podcast will enhance the ride.
-
Arnold HowardFrom a fan in TexasAl and Val bring writing inspiration and knowledge from the other side of the planet. I have been listening to them while doing carpentry in the hot Texas sun. They have great “radio” personalities and voices. And their accents make them feel like characters in “A Place You Can Call Home.” As I listen, I imagine I’m in the outback of Australia. Thank you for the interviews and laughs. Keep up the good work. You have changed my life as a writer.
-
A.J. Avid ListenerHello from ColoradoI am a Finnish writer residing in the US and I’m so happy that I found Val & Al! As I tend to write my historical fiction in Finnish, joining a local writers group is really not an option, as no one would be able to read my writing, let alone give me feedback. But each week I get tips from Val & Al and the authors they have on the show to make my writing better! I love the wide variety of authors that you interview, it has really opened my eyes to the fact that each of us has a different process, background and time line to publication, and that’s OK! You make me learn and laugh out loud at the same time. Thank you for all you do, it is so much appreciated! Anni
-
MyMomCallsMePhatIt's only the best there is.I was refered to this podcast by an Australian peer I met via online through NaNoWriMo and was instantly hooked. These ladies literally get me through my day. I MUST listen to them on my drive to the office day job to keep me positive and excited about writing, with the mindset that perhaps I will not be stuck in my inane day job forever. I NEED these lady's humor, wit, encouragement, support, advice, and excellent author interviews to get me there. The best things in life are free!
-
tabarnesUSA listener Love these galsAs an aspiring writer, I have sought out resources to help lift my craft to the next level. I came across Valerie and Al and was hooked instantly. I have since backlogged and started listening from episode 1. They do not disappoint. They are insightful, witty and informative without being condescending to new artists. They are an inspiration to other women by being kind and supportive to each other in a society that is lacking in such support all too often. I love this show and will continue to listen as long as they care to broadcast.
-
Chelsey EngelGreat advice, great hosts, great interviewsI never log onto iTunes but I knew I had to so I could leave a review! I’ve been listening to this podcast since I finally started working on my first novel this past December (thanks to Val and Al, I finished the dreaded first draft already). I love podcasts, and anything really, with women voices, which is another reason I’m so happy I found SYWTBAW. I love their vibes together (they always have me laughing out loud on my way to work), Val’s Word of the Week (Al, you ready?!), and their writer in residence interviews. I learn such a variety of things in each episode, and I love starting my mornings off with “How are ya, Al?” I feel like I know these two amazing people because I’ve listened to every episode already. And I can’t wait for more.
-
Lollipop12345678900987654321Motivation even as a teen!!!This is such a great podcast! I have been coming up with stories since I was in 2nd grade and knew that I wanted to write someday. This podcast has introduced me to so many different types of writing. It motivates and inspires. It is so interesting and Val and Al are hilarious. AND the word of the week has expanded my vocabulary as a high schooler. It is great! Thank you so much ladies.❤️ Keep up the great work.
-
thebusinessdudeAmazing writing advice and thoughtful support!Allison and Valerie are a staple for your writing resources. Their witty and insightful humor adds to the already helpful education of writing. They provide practical advice as well as explain a variety of resources available to you. If you are a writer, want to be a writer, or enjoy the subject, this is a must have! Thank you Valerie and Allison!
-
CK8538Pod 127 so you want to be a writerThis was my first time listening to Valerie & Allison. I am an aspiring author. I enjoyed the episode. I found the content helpful and informative. I especially enjoyed the interview with Jay Kristoff. I will be listening to more. Love their accents since I am a midwestern gal in America.
-
RickM62I have arrived!-Rick in Boone, NCYesterday, I was followed by Allison Tait on Instagram. It was awesome! Valerie and Allison have the best podcast in the world. I love listening to them and have started listening from the beginning again. I wish they did a podcast every day. Banoffee pie and procrastipup are my two new favorite words. I started listening because I want to write a book and decided research would be the way to start. I am so glad I found these two. What a wealth of information on all aspects of writing and publishing. Keep up the fantastic work! Hugs from Boone, North Carolina! Rick
-
eritz1Good but iffy audio qualityGreat podcast but the poor audio quality can be a bit distracting. Otherwise, love the content!
-
Writer46Very Enjoyable and Informative!I thoroughly enjoy this podcast. Not only do I enjoy listening to their cool Australian accents (I'm from the United States), I always learn something new. They have an easy rapport with each other and they cover interesting points. I highly recommend this podcast. And, in answer to the title of the podcast, "Yes, I want to be a writer!"
-
JHFloyd27GREAT resource!I have been listening to these two lovely ladies since their first podcast when I decided I wanted to change my career. Each hour long show covers many different areas for writers today from writing in the news, productivity tips, to helpful apps, and interviews with working and successful writers. They are wonderful hosts and this is a great place to get started.
Similar Podcasts

Chris Voss Podcast

The History of Literature

What Should I Read Next?

Professional Book Nerds

Writer's Routine

Writes4Women

The Book Show

A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard

Fiction Writing Made Easy

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

Read This

MID

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

The Bookshelf
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.