Emily Paull is a Western Australian librarian, author and book reviewer. Having formerly worked in bookselling, Emily is an avid reader and a big supporter of the WA writing community who regularly moderates author interviews around Perth. She is the author of the historical novel, The Distance Between Dreams (Fremantle Press, 2025) and the short story collection, Well-Behaved Women (Margaret River Press, 2019). The Distance Between Dreams was shortlisted for the 2023 Fogarty Literary Award under the working title 'The Dreamers.' Emily was also highly commended for the 2021 Fogarty Literary Award for her manuscript, 'The Good Daughter.

Emily shares the highs and lows of her 17-year journey to publication, including the inspiration behind her works, the significance of setting, and the importance of place in historical fiction. They discuss Emily’s experiences with the publishing industry, her role as a book reviewer and librarian, and the value of libraries for authors. Emily also offers practical advice for writers at every stage of their journey and emphasises the importance of community and persistence in the literary world.

You can subscribe to Emily's Substack here.

This week's Debut in the Spotlight is Darcy Green with their debut novel, After the Siren (Penguin, September 2025),

00:55 Introducing Emily Paull
01:37 Emily's Journey in the Book Industry
04:58 The Reality of Being a Writer
08:40 The Long Road to Publication
19:07 Short Stories
27:59 The Fogarty Literary Award
30:35 The Distance Between Dreams
33:07 Darcy Green's Debut Novel
34:24 The Fogarty Award Journey
40:23 Historical Research and Fremantle's Significance
45:47 Writing About the Thai-Burma Railway
49:25 Tips for Authors Working with Libraries
58:44 Becoming a Book Reviewer
01:02:16 Final Thoughts and Top Tips for Writers

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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
Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos
Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor

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In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, host Natasha Rai dives into the debut novel 'Melaleuca' by Angie Faye Martin. Angie, an Australian writer of Kooma, Kamilaroi, and European heritage, shares the journey of her career transition from policy roles to writing. She offers an elevator pitch of 'Melaleuca,' a gripping crime novel involving Aboriginal detective Renee Taylor, and explores the themes of violence against Aboriginal women, sovereignty, and intergenerational trauma. Angie outlines her writing process, including her use of dual timelines, the influence of personal experiences, and the importance of layered storytelling. She also gives insights into her publishing journey, mentorship, and the role of patience and enjoyment in writing. The episode concludes with advice for emerging writers, emphasizing the importance of research, patience, and maintaining a balanced life.

00:00 Welcome to The Book Deal Podcast
00:56 Introducing Angie Faye Martin
01:48 Discussing Melaleuca: The Elevator Pitch
05:10 The Inspiration Behind Melaleuca
14:08 Angie's Writing Journey
17:34 The Publishing Process and Mentorship
25:13 Kasey Whitelaw's New Book Announcement
26:50 Cover Design and Serendipity
27:48 Signing the Contract
29:21 Promotions and Public Speaking
33:52 Writing Routine and Balancing Life
35:14 Planning and Writing the Sequel
42:03 Tips for Emerging Writers
47:23 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Join our Patreon community for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love.

Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos

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
Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos
Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor

If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first.
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Getting That Elusive Book Deal: Insights from Debut Authors

In this episode of the Book Deal podcast, host Tina Strachan interviews three debut middle grade authors: Lucie Stevens, Shara Curlett, and Sandy Bigna. The authors discuss their unique publication journeys, the importance of community and continuous learning, and share valuable tips for aspiring writers. They also delve into the genres of middle grade literature, discussing themes, character ages, and writing conventions. The episode highlights the importance of resilience, the role of social media, and maintaining the joy of writing. Special mention is made of the supportive writing communities and platforms such as the CBCA and the now-disbanded Duck Pond.

00:00 Introduction to the Book Deal Podcast
00:56 Special Episode: Middle Grade Debut Authors
01:11 Meet the Authors: Lucie Stevens, Shara Curlett, and Sandy Bigna
03:37 Lucie Stevens' Debut Novel: A Spooky Adventure
05:21 Sandy Bigna's Verse Novel: Bones and Magic
08:13 Shara Curlett's Magical Adventure: Welcome to Miracle
10:08 Understanding Middle Grade Fiction
14:47 Sandy Bigna's Publication Journey
24:20 Lucie Stevens' Path to Publication
33:20 The Thrill of a Two-Book Deal
34:15 Shara's Unique Journey to Publication
38:06 Finding Community and Support

44:54 Debut Spotlight with Natalie Kyriacou
46:46 The Importance of Continuous Learning
47:32 Tips for Aspiring and Debut Authors
59:47 The Role of Social Media in a Writer's Journey
01:03:00 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Join our Patreon community for less than the cost of a coffee per month and support the pod! Your contribution will go to directly paying our sound producer, Brogan, and to help us bring you the conversations with industry professionals you love.

Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos

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
Natasha Rai (@raiwriting) • Instagram photos and videos
Natasha Rai | Author | Mentor

If you want to stay in the know, sign up to Madeleine, Tina and Natasha's newsletters for the latest news first.
Madeleine: Subscribe here...