Literary festivals, pitching yourself for events (and podcasts!), new books and the special art of a timeline

In this episode of the Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary dive into lively discussions about their writing processes and experiences. They reveal insights on writing timelines, the importance of mapping them out carefully, and how timelines can impact the narrative structure. The episode highlights the excitement and challenges involved in attending and speaking at literary festivals, emphasising the significance of networking and building community within the literary world. Tina promotes the upcoming Currumbin Crime Writers Festival, while Madeleine advises checking out Literary Listings for festival information. Engaging and informative, this episode is a must-listen for aspiring authors and literary enthusiasts.

Festival lists in Australia

• Literary Listings (Victoria)
• ArtsHub

Our Debut in the Spotlight is author Sarah Lane with Surprise Shark (Affirm Press, 2025), illustrated by Patrick Corrigan.

00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast
00:43 19th Century Vibes and Writing Influences
03:35 Madeleine's New Book Announcement
05:18 Deep in Edits and Upcoming Releases
06:47 The Importance of Timelines in Writing
12:26 Upcoming Events and Workshops
15:05 Surprise Shark: A Delightful New Picture Book
16:33 Williamstown Literary Festival Highlights
17:01 Sex, Love, and Taboo: A Festival Experience
18:30 Meeting Literary Heroes in the Green Room
19:39 The Importance of Networking and Community Building
23:39 Pitching Yourself to Festivals
28:06 The Value of Paid Festival Appearances
30:25 Upcoming Currumbin Crime Writers Festival
32:25 Top Tips and Recommendations
33:42 Conclusion and Farewell

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You can find out more about Tina, Madeleine and Natasha and follow their journeys here:

Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videos
Tina Strachan children's book author
Madeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videos
Madeleine Cleary | Author
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Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor

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