Writes4Women Podcast

Author and Actor, Anna Downes, joins Pamela Cook on the Convo Couch today for an extended interview about her much talked about debut novel "The Safe Place." Anna opens up about her path to publication and goes into how her acting career has been a huge advantage to her writing process.

The Safe Place is a deft examination of the lengths we’ll go to project and protect the façade of a perfect life and was largely written when author Anna Downes was in the grips of post-natal depression following the birth of her second child. With all her existential fears bubbling to the surface, Anna began writing as a way to have some semblance of control. She wrote and wrote and, reliving her previous career as an actor, began playing all the parts of the characters she had created.

Kayte Nunn joins Pamela Cook on the Convo Couch to chat about how she uses her new novel "The Silk House" to tell the historical stories of women unseen.

Then Pam chats to Kel about the positive aspects of taking live writing events into the online space.

AND WRITES4WOMEN IS ACTIVELY RECORDING BOOK LAUNCH EPISODES AGAIN! So if you are releasing a book in isolation in the next couple of months and would like a slot on our pod to promote it then get in touch via email w4wpodcast@gmail.com

In the face of protests and honest conversation around #BlackLivesMatter and #FirstNationsLivesMatter, Pam and Kel have taken an honest look in the mirror and realised the representation of voices on the Writes4Women podcast is far from equal and it is time for us to get serious and make a change. Kel talks about this shameful realisation and the new W4W mandate to give equal time and space to First Nations writers and Writers of Colour, we are working from as a result . We are sorry it took us this long.

NOTE: This is also on the end of the W4W Convo Couch - Imbi Neeme "Hard Truths" episode.

Today on the Convo Couch Pamela Cook talks to Imbe Neeme about writing and releasing her new novel "The Spill" and how she navigated the challenges of going from blogger to novelist.

AND in the face of protests and honest conversation around #BlackLivesMatter and #FirstNationsLivesMatter, Pam and Kel have take an honest look in the mirror and realised the representation of voices on this podcast is far from equal and it is time for us to get serious and make a change. Kel talks about this shameful realisation and the new W4W mandate to give equal time and space to First Nations writers and Writers of Colour, we are working from as a result . We are sorry it took us this long.

Kel and Pam have an honest discussion on author earnings.

Pam brings a unique perspective and a practical insight to the topic. Having published 4 novels with a traditional publisher, she chose to pivot and self publish her latest book for many of the reasons we discuss. Pam gives a balanced look at both sides of the publishing fence for authors.

Perfect for newbies wondering what to expect...

THE CONVO COUCH IS BACK! with 2 fantastic chats.

First up Pamela Cook chats to author, Leah Swann, about her gripping new novel "Sheer Water" and how she had to make the choice to kill all of her darlings in the process of writing it.

Then Pam talks Kel through what Authors are earning in Australia, or more realistically, what they are not. From advances and international sales to the pros and cons financially of traditional vs indie publishing, they touch on it all. In fact they got so deep into this conversation, we had to stop it half way and turn it into a BONUS episode.

When Pamela Cook chatted to Carol Lefevre about her newly released Novella "Murmurations" for "The Book Launch," she had no idea it would inspire an entire "Convo Couch" episode based on the idea of writing instinctually from points of inspiration.

In this episode Carol talks about the inspirations behind her latest book and how she follows her instincts in the writing process. Following the interview, Pam goes deeper with Kel about her own writing instincts around the book she is currently writing during isolation in Covid19.

Today on the Convo Couch Kel chats with acclaimed speculative fiction author Claire G Coleman.

Claire describes herself as "a Noongar woman whose family have belonged to the south coast of Western Australia since long before history started being recorded. She writes fiction, essays and poetry while (mostly) traveling around the continent now called Australia in a ragged caravan towed by an ancient troopy".

Claire is the author of Terra Nullius and The Old Lie, both speculative fiction novels steeped in devastating personal history.

Best selling, globally acclaimed, Stella Award winning Author, Charlotte Wood, talks to Kel about writing character and voice. Going into detail about how she wrote the wonderfully complex characters and relationships from her most recent success "The Weekend."

30 years ago Sophie Masson's dream of becoming a published author came true...twice! Now she has written over 70 books from Picture Books all the way through to Adult Fiction, across many genres and in different languages. In this episode Sophie joins Kel on the convo couch to talk in depth about her fascinating history and stunning career.

Suzanne Leal’s third novel The Deceptions has been described as ‘a stunning example of the way fiction tells war better than any other form (Sophie Laguna).

In this episode Suzanne chats to Pam about melding fact and fiction, the challenges of writing about such a horrific and thoroughly covered period in history, how the title relates to both the historic and contemporary storylines and so much more.

Pam Cook chats with SOPHIE HARDCASTLE about writing her new novel "BELOW DECK" her way. A book that explores a very dark subject in a "colourful" and sensory way. Sophie chats with Pam about the twisty road of writing including how she discovered she was bi-polar and wrote a memoir to help others, along the way.

Candice Fox joins us on the "Anatomy of a Novel" craft series, to break down the secrets to writing a good crime and thriller novel.

Candice Fox is one of Australia's most highly acclaimed crime writers and she has managed to achieve that title in just 6 years! Listen in to pick up her top tips for writing crime.

Clare Griffin is one of four women who came together to write the soon to be released Anthology "Easter Promises". In this interview Clare talks to Pam about the process of writing and self-publishing the book from all parts of the country, how they managed to bring 4 perspectives and stories together and the friendship that underpinned it all.

UK based, best selling author, Hannah Richell about her writing and how she discovered the writing patterns that are her biggest strengths. Then Pam and Kel delve deeper into the idea of "writing to your strengths" and the patterns that make us who we are as writers.

**TRIGGER WARNING - Domestic Violence and Abuse**

In a special International Women’s Day episode of Writes4Women Kel chats with the magnificent Madison Griffiths. Madison is a writer, poet, artist, domestic abuse survivor and advocate, podcaster and hard-core feminist.

ANATOMY OF A NOVEL: Karen Viggers Books "Setting"

In the first "Anatomy of a Novel" craft episode for 2020, Kel Butler speaks to author, Karen Viggers, about the skills around writing setting and place in The Orchardist’s Daughter