This week we indulge in sharing some fab listener feedback (after we console each other on our one and only two star review!). We also respond to a listener question about the specifics of the editing process. Then Kate speaks with author and Gunai woman Jannali Jones at the Blak & Bright Festival. They discuss her #LoveOzYA debut MY FATHER'S SHADOW, how she juggles her career in law with her writing and her exploration of cultural identity. Check out show notes for this episode on our websi...
Oct 20, 2019•48 min•Season 2Ep. 40
TW: In this episode we discuss eating disorders and also discuss the Black Saturday bushfires. This week we talk confidence. How do you foster it? And if you don't have it, how can you write like you do? Then Kate speaks with writer Alice Bishop about her debut collection A CONSTANT HUM, writing through trauma and the writers who inspire her. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don't forget yo...
Oct 13, 2019•56 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Katherine's been in London and NY and Kate wants to know all the details. But is it wise to reveal all? They talk candidly about being...too candid. Then Kate speaks with Brisbane writer Ben Hobson all about his second novel, why he's got a soundtrack to go with it and the highlights of his self-drive book tour. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don't forget you can support us and the making...
Oct 06, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 38
What's your relationship with audiobooks? This week we discuss our faves, our habits and why we couldn't handle listening to our own (but you should!). We also FINALLY discuss Kate's Big Book News! Then we speak to author and Director of Writers Victoria, Angela Savage about writing her fourth novel, switching genres and being a great member of a writing community. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirstt...
Sep 29, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Puff quotes! What exactly are they? Kate had about a million for Skylarking. She's now navigating the awkward world of asking other authors to endorse her second novel. Meanwhile, Katherine got asked to do one herself. What did she learn? Then we speak to author RWR McDonald about Faber Writing Academy, trilogies and writing on public transport. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don't forget...
Sep 15, 2019•48 min•Season 2Ep. 36
After a few weeks apart, the hosts catch up. Kate's big news is...well, we still can't tell you. But we promise to fill you in VERY SOON! But we can tell you what we've been reading and listening to and what Katherine has planned for her US and UK visits. Then we speak to debut author Nina Kenwood about winning the Text prize, and what it's been like to bring her brand new book and brand new human into the world simultaneously (almost). Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.th...
Sep 02, 2019•42 min•Season 2Ep. 35
We are FINALLY back from our break and while we have news to share....we can't. Not yet, anyway. In lieu of that, we bring you a brand new deep dive on writers groups: how they work and how you might find yourself one. Then Kate speaks with Surf Coast #LoveOZYA writer, Mark Smith about how a short story turned into a trilogy, his top tips for school visits, and how to get your very own book banner. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch v...
Aug 27, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 34
The hosts talk about international rights deals and how theirs came to be. Listeners get to hear who did the negotiations, what it was like for the authors and things to look out for. Then an announcement: The podcast is taking a short hiatus. Normal programming will resume in August. Katherine talks to Jane Watkins, who is not only a publicist at Text Publishing, but Katherine’s publicist. Listen in to hear about clammy hand holding, fee donations (IS ANYONE KEEPING A TRACK OF THIS?) and other ...
Jun 30, 2019•47 min•Season 2Ep. 33
After learning Tony Abbott only has one Word document on his computer and everything he’s ever written is in it, the hosts discuss their own writing processes. Katherine is all about Scrivener, spreadsheets and Om Writer whereas Kate’s approach is less technological. No surprises there. Kate also journals a lot… The document for her work in progress is MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND words. Then Katherine talks to Russian-born, Israeli-Australian novelist, short story writer, essayist, memoirist ...
Jun 17, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 32
This week we answer your questions! What steps did we take to get our manuscripts ready to submit? Were we spurned by mates who didn't turn up to our launches (and will we name and shame them)? And how are you supposed to deal with reviews on social media? Then Kate speaks with writers Adut Wol Acek & Khalid Warsame about being contributors to the Growing Up African in Australia anthology and their writing lives. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.co...
Jun 02, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 31
This week the hosts do not talk about Kate's waiting. This does not get mentioned. Instead, they discuss professional development. Then Katherine talks to Melbourne-based author Rajith Savanadasa about documentary theatre, hot desks and the Hachette/QWC manuscript development program. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don't forget you can support us and the making of Season Two via our Patre...
May 19, 2019•42 min•Season 2Ep. 30
This time with everything! This week Kate and Katherine discuss mentors. Kate sings the praises of both formal and informal mentors and Katherine laments a work mentorship that never got off the ground. Then Kate speaks to writer of historical fiction for children, teens and adults (and mentor!), Kelly Gardiner. They cover everything from pirates to residencies to 'golden hours'. BYO notebook. Check out the shownotes for this episode on our website: thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Tw...
May 06, 2019•57 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Katherine is confused about what to charge for a library gig. Also book clubs. As an author, do you go? Do you stay for dinner? And do you sign library books??? Then Kate speaks to award winning writer & critic, James Bradley, about how he copes with writing climate change, writing through broken books and depression, and his advice for those dreaming of a creative career. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagra...
Apr 22, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Katherine googles the most annoying questions you can ask authors and she and Kate go through each question, rating how irritating they find it. One of the most contentious is money and sales… No surprises there. Then Katherine talks Bram Presser, author of The Book of Dirt about documentary fiction, hommus and Jewish punk rock. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don't forget you can support ...
Apr 07, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Katherine debriefs on how her hosting duties went (verdict: good, maybe not great?) and Kate checks in on her rejection tally so far this year and wonders what to do while waiting to hear back on submissions. Then Kate speaks to award winning children's author, editor and publisher, Davina Bell. They talk about how Kate went in her pitch (eek!), what publishers are looking for and the secret to being a writer (hint: you already know this one). Check out show notes for this episode on our website...
Mar 24, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Katherine’s been invited to do an event with Graeme Simsion, which let’s face it is pretty awesome but what’s she meant to actually do? She gets advice from Kate, who is as luck would have it, a pretty awesome host. Then the hosts chat to award winning romance author, Sarah Mayberry. They talk about writing romance, euphemisms and independent publishing. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod. Don...
Mar 11, 2019•46 min•Season 2Ep. 24
What do you do when you're happy for your writer friends, but also feel maybe a teeny tiny bit 'weird' about their success? In this episode, Kate and Katherine discuss jealousy, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and the little known, AMO (Actually Missing Out). Then the hosts chat to award winning writer, speaker and appearance activist, Carly Findlay. They talk about memoir, activism and love triumphing hate. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in to...
Feb 26, 2019•49 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Kate and Katherine are thrilled to be back in the studio and catching up over their summer reads (and listens) and their goals for the year as they embark on getting their second books out in the world. The S2 interview guest list kicks off with J.P Pomare, debut author of the hugely anticipated psychological thriller CALL ME EVIE. They talk getting a foot in the door, writing for the marker and how far is too far with your literary agent. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www...
Feb 11, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 22
And just like that we've reached the end of Season One! Kate and Katherine get a bit emotional and reflect on the season and what they've learned. Then Kate speaks with Melbourne writer, Jamie Marina Lau, about her creative process, what honest writing feels like, and why representation is on her 'Why I Write' list. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod and let us know what you'd like to see more...
Dec 03, 2018•56 min•Season 1Ep. 20
So what happened with our brilliant side business ideas? Kate & Katherine discuss progress on making cash to fund the podcast, and ultimately decide on an entirely different approach. But is it all just another way to avoid writing their next books? Next, Kate speaks with Canberra writer & editor Irma Gold on writing for adults and children, her editing brain and how much of your heart is published with your book. Check out show notes for this episode, including the link to our brand new...
Nov 26, 2018•57 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Kate and Katherine are still riding the publication high... This week they discuss what happens that first week your book is in the world. They cover everything from doing your first festival to visiting bookshops, going on TV and of course, working out what to wear. Then, Katherine speaks with writing coach and counsellor Alison Manning about all the different emotions and neurosis writers can feel, and what to do about it. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepo...
Nov 20, 2018•39 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Finally, Katherine's launch of The Helpline! Kate remembers her own launch night and Katherine talks through her feels, her braids and why she went home early...(stay tuned for next week's episode, it involves A TELEVISION APPEARANCE!) Then, Kate speaks with award winning Melbourne writer, Mark Brandi on his own TV appearance, what it has to do with his literary career, and why sensory deprivation works for his writing. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast...
Nov 12, 2018•58 min•Season 1Ep. 17
This week Kate and Katherine talk about how to make money. Katherine has some inspired ideas. Kate is not an entrepreneur. Together they try and make it work. Then Katherine speaks to Melbourne writer, Emily Brewin, about hard work, writing routines and THAT phone call. Check out the show notes on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod and let us know what you think!
Nov 05, 2018•36 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In this episode Katherine and Kate talk feelings. Katherine looks at Goodreads and she's not happy. Will it feel like this forever? How do you ride the wave of post-release adrenaline? What does it feel like when everyone says nice things? And what if they say nothing at all? Then, in a super special double episode, Kate interviews writers Annabel Smith and Jane Rawson on, well, everything, really. There is talk of first times, how not to stuff up a writers festival gig, why Twitter is like a pa...
Oct 29, 2018•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 15
In this episode Katherine and Kate talk how we make money from writing. What is an advance? How do royalties work? Can you make a living? (We don't promise to definitively answer these questions, but we'll point you in the right direction.) Then Kate interviews Senior Editor at Text Publishing, Mandy Brett, on what goes on in the secret world of editing. How do you get a foot in the door? What is an editor looking for? And what are the worst mistakes you can make when you submit a manuscript? Ma...
Oct 22, 2018•47 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In this episode we talk about how we write. We cover routines (or lack thereof) and what's changed from first to second book. Then, Katherine speaks to 'triple threat' writer, editor and literary agent Danielle Binks, about Young Adult fiction and how she turned her love of books into a stellar career. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod and let us know what you think!...
Oct 15, 2018•55 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In this episode Katherine and Kate chat about book covers. What they expected versus what they got, and how they dealt with that first box opening. Then, Katherine speaks with Canberra author, Karen Viggers, about combining writing with being a vet, the art of re-writing and how it feels to be a bestseller in France. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod and let us know what you think!...
Oct 08, 2018•42 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this episode Katherine and Kate talk book launches. How to have them, who to invite, what to say. And Katherine asks a big question...(and Kate maybe squeals a little in response). Then, Katherine speaks to bestselling Canberra author, Jack Heath, about his literary debut at seventeen and everything he's learned since then. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod and let us know what you think!...
Oct 01, 2018•50 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In this episode Katherine and Kate talk about the the stories behind their books and which bits of them are actually true. Are they really tales of accidental publication and rags (or sewage) to riches? Or did our hosts just start to believe their own spin? Then, in an interview that traverses motherhood, how to write a trilogy and why its important to make writer friends, Kate speaks to Penni Russon about what's changed in the fourteen years (and six books) between her first and her most recent...
Sep 24, 2018•43 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this episode Katherine and Kate talk editing, how they did it, who helped and what they learnt. Then Katherine interviews best-selling author, Graeme Simsion about how he wrote his smash hit THE ROSIE PROJECT and what he's learnt along the way. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter or Instagram @thefirsttimepod and let us know what you think!
Sep 17, 2018•39 min•Season 1Ep. 9
