Are your kids looking for something new to read?
Are you a middle grade fiction writer?
Do you write memoir? Are you looking for an agent?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, today’s episode is for you.

I was thrilled to review Over the Mountains and Through the Desert, the third book in the middle grade fantasy series, Seven Wherewithal Way, by author Samantha-Ellen Bound, published by Affirm Press.

If you're wondering what's happening with the memoir, I give a brief update on that. Hint: it involves seeking representation from a literary agent.

Buy Seven Wherewithal Way: Over the Mountains and Through the Desert from your bookshop or online at:

• Collins booksellers
• Booktopia
• Dymocks
• QBD Books
• Readings.

More about author Samantha-Ellen Bound: samanthaellenbound.com.

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W: theunlockedcreative.com
IG: @unlocked_creative

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I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

You aspire to write your book, your song, your screenplay, whatever is calling you.
But you don’t have enough time.

Well, this episode will help you to sit your butt down and write.

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Connect:

W: theunlockedcreative.com
IG: @unlocked_creative

Support the show

I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

Do you have books upon books of writing?
How does all this turn into a book?
One of the key answers is this: story structure.
We're giving you a simple story structure to get started.

Articles

• https://Simplewriting.org/plot-structure
• www.well-storied.com/blog/a-pantsers-guide-to-story-structure
• https://thediscerningwriter.wordpress.com/2016/05/18/the-seven-basic-plots-a-summary/
• https://www.storyboard.that.com/articles/e/plot-diagram

Books

• The seven basic plots, Christopher Booker
• Save the cat!, Blake Snyder
• Save the cat writes a novel, Jessica Brody
• Bird by bird, Anne Lamott
• On Writing, Stephen King

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Connect:

W: theunlockedcreative.com
IG: @unlocked_creative

Support the show

I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

What is the best way to get your book out into the world? Traditional publishing, hybrid publishing or self-publishing?
Maybe your story is a book, but what if it could also be a play, or a film?

Today we hear from special guest Maura Pierlot, acclaimed author and playwright, about her publishing path, what it’s like writing across multiple forms from plays to picture books, and so much more.

We discussed:

• Writing across art forms such as picture books and plays – does one form interact with another?
• Maura’s recent picture book, What will you make today? And her NEW picture book: Alphabetter, out 27 February 2024. Watch the trailer.
• How philosophy and intuition inspire and influence Maura’s work.
• Maura’s experience of all pathways to publication: traditional, hybrid and self-publishing. Which path led to the best outcome as an author and for readers?

About Maura Pierlot
Maura is an award-winning Canberra-based author, playwright and filmmaker who creates across art forms for children and adults. Her acclaimed play, Fragments, is now a hybrid YA novel, award-winning web series and feature-length film touring festivals in Australia and overseas. Maura’s new picture book, Alphabetter: A Better You and Me from A to Z (Affirm Press), showcases positive qualities and values to embrace a kinder, compassionate and more inclusive world. Her earlier release, What Will You Make Today? (Storytorch Press), invites children to explore the many ways they can make a difference in the world. Maura is a regular reviewer and interviewer for Reading Time, the online magazine of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, and the founder of Canberra’s The Book Bench Project. She holds a Ph.D. in philosophy, specialising in ethics, and has worked as an ethicist, business owner and editor of Australian Medicine.

Connect with Maura Pierlot

• W: https://maurapierlot.com/
• IG: @maurapierlot_author
• FB: https://www.facebook.com/maurapierlotauthor/

Fragments

• https://fragmentstheplay.com/the-film/
• YouTube - www.youtube.com/@bigideaspress

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Connect:

W: theunlockedcreative.com
IG: @unlocked_creative

Support the show

I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

Are you thinking about writing, instead of actually writing?

How do you stop thinking about writing, and actually write? You're frustrated because you feel like you should be able to just put pen to paper.

Time to leave the frustration behind, and write.

Listen in for 3 easy steps to start writing now.

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Connect:

W: theunlockedcreative.com
IG: @unlocked_creative

Support the show

I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

You want to write your book but you’re worried about what other people will think.

The key to overcoming it is to be specific.

If this fear is stopping you from writing your book, listen in.

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Connect:

W: theunlockedcreative.com
IG: @unlocked_creative

Support the show

I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

This time of year everyone's talking about fitness goals, career goals, all the goals.

But have you thought about your book writing goals?

Let’s set up your book writing goals for 2024!

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Connect:

W: theunlockedcreative.com
IG: @unlocked_creative

Support the show

I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!

In 2023 you realised you wanted to write a book, or make real progress on one you’re drafting. But 2023 has come to an end, and you either have made great progress or not much and look, that’s cool because we’re going to make 2024 your biggest writing year ever!

If you are stuck and want to commit to writing your book in 2024, there are two mentoring spots left for January. To book, email hello@theunlockedcreative.com. It’s time to plan, create and stay accountable. It's time to see your dream to write your book become a reality.

Support the show

Connect:

W: theunlockedcreative.com
IG: @unlocked_creative

Support the show

I write, record, edit and produce the show. By supporting the show, you'll get a shoutout in a future episode and the warm glow of knowing you're helping new writers everywhere to start and finish writing their first book!