Genre Fiction Podcast

Lauren Daniels discusses writing conferences, events and retreats.

In this episode, Jack Roney and Harry Colfer chat with author, poet and editor, Lauren Daniels about benefits of attending writers conferences, events and retreats which can really help writers boost their careers.

This episode is sponsored by the Brisbane Writers Workshop and The Fellowship of Australian Writers Queensland.

Dr Kate Cuthbert episode 3

In this 3rd and final episode of Jack and Harry's chat with Dr Kate Cuthbert, the topic of vanity presses and predatory publishing houses is discussed, with advice given to writers on how to avoid being exploited. This episode also delves into aspects of writing craft, including 'showing' more than 'telling', effective use of verbs and adjectives, and dialogue tags.

Dr Kate Cuthbert episode 2

In this episode, Jack and Harry continue their chat with Dr Kate Cutherbert about her advice to writers when pitching to agents and publishers, how to write a stand-out submission, self-editing and hiring a professional editor, and how having the right manuscript at the right time can play into a decision to either reject or accept your manuscript.

Qld Writers Center CEO Lori-Jay Ellis

In this special episode, Harry and Jack recorded on location at the Qld Writers Centre (Qld State Library) Brisbane, where their guest was none other than QWC CEO Lori-Jay Ellis. If you've ever wondered how the centre can help you as a writer, this is the podcast episode to listen to. Lori-Jay explains the programs, events and workshops on offer as well as what's installed for the 2025 Genrecon writers conference btn 28th Feb - 2nd March.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Special thanks to the Fellowship of Australian Writers Queensland for their ongoing support in allowing us to use their podcasting equipment.

Kate Cuthbert discusses PhD research into the evolution of book covers and titles

Dr Kate Cuthbert has worked in publishing for almost 15 years and has held senior roles at Pantera Press, Writers Victoria and launched the Escape Publishing brand at Harlequin Australia. A genre fiction advocate and enthusiast, she completed a PhD proposing research methodologies for the examination of book covers and book titles. She is also a co-host on the popular podcast What Would Danbury Do?

In this episode, Jack and Harry chat with Kate about her PhD research into the evolution of book titles and covers. It's an interesting insight into how reader expectations of genre fiction have changed over time, with some great advice for things you should consider when designing a book cover.

Christine Gregory author interview episode 2

Jack and Harry continue their chat with author Christine Gregory about her experiences working with an agent, landing a publishing contract, expectations around author marketing and promotions, finding time to write and maintaining resilience despite setbacks.

A great episode for emerging writers.

Christine Gregory author interview

Melbourne-based author, Christine Gregory, is an Australian writer of crime and general fiction. An earlier version of her novel The Community was runner up for the 2022 Banjo Prize. Christine has previously been shortlisted in the Sisters in Crime Scarlet Stiletto Awards. She is a former international aid worker and is now a director in a national not-for-profit, working on the prevention of violence against women and children.

In this first of two episodes, Christine chats with Jack and Harry about her writing inspirations and processes, as well as advice for emerging authors who are submitting to agents. Great tips on the submission process.

Professor Kim Wilkins discusses academic research and genre fiction

Born in London, Brisbane-based author Kim Wilkins is Professor of Writing at the University of Queensland. She has a long list of published adult fantasy, women’s historical adventure, and young adult novels, as well as children’s books. Kim has also published academic books about genre fiction, most notably a co-written book titled ‘GENRE WORLDS – Popular Fiction and Twenty-First-Century Book Culture’. Her forthcoming book with Helen Marshall and Lisa Bennett is called “Story Thinking and the Real-World Uses of Science Fiction and Fantasy”.

In this episode, Kim describes the key elements of genre fiction and findings from her academic research.