So You Want To Be A Writer: How to get started (while you still have a day job)

The ultimate all-in-one guide to making your writing dreams come true!

Want to publish a novel or earn an income as a writer, but not sure how to go about it? In this book, authors Allison Tait and Valerie Khoo — co-hosts of the popular So You Want To Be A Writer podcast — will give you the steps you need to make your dream a reality.

This is not a book about how to write. It’s a book about how to be a successful writer.

Inside, you'll discover the exact skills you need to make it as a writer including how to connect with people who will help your career grow, plus productivity tips for fitting everything into your already busy life. You’ll also explore how to keep your creative juices flowing and where to find other writers just like you.

This book lays out a blueprint to help you get started and thrive in the world of words. With advice from over 120 writers, you'll tap into proven wisdom and find the path that will lead YOU to success!

Chapter 1: Ready to be a writer?
Chapter 2: Your first few steps into the world of writing
Chapter 3: What kind of writer do you want to be?
Chapter 4: What skills do you need?
Chapter 5: Finding your tribe
Chapter 6: Where to find ideas
Chapter 7: Dealing with other people
Chapter 8: Do you want to go on a date?
Chapter 9: How to make time to write
Chapter 10: How to be creative when you’re tired
Chapter 11: Technology is your friend
Chapter 12: What do you really want?
Chapter 13: Don’t just take our word for it
Chapter 14: So now what?

So You Want To Be A Writer is a beginner’s guide for people who want to be writers. Like all good non-fiction books, we’ve broken it into sections so you can dip in and out as needed or read it from start to finish.

We’ll walk you through each stage, from deciding what kind of writer you want to be (don’t laugh, this is a big question!), where to get ideas and how to share your writing dream with other people. We’ll take you through how to get the words written, finding your writing community (and why you need one), harnessing your creativity, how to use technology and the business of being a writer.

You’ll discover tips about the writing process, getting the first publishing deal, dealing with editors, writing the book and everything in between, by authors such as Liane Moriarty, Michael Robotham, Nick Earls, Charlotte Wood, Jane Harper, Di Morrissey, Garry Disher, Jaclyn Moriarty, Andy Griffiths, Jackie French, Veronica Roth, Jay Kristoff and more.

Literary authors, commercial fiction authors, non-fiction authors, publishers, agents, crime authors, romance authors, children’s authors, young adult authors, freelance writers, content writers – you name it, we’ve got them, Australian and international.

This is a masterclass in writing and an incredible resource in itself.

So what are you waiting for?
If you want to be a writer, the time to start is now!

Allison Tait (aka A.L. Tait) is the internationally published bestselling author of two middle-grade adventure series, 'The Mapmaker Chronicles' and 'The Ateban Cipher'. A multi-genre writer, teacher and speaker with more than 25 years' experience in magazines, newspapers and online publishing, Allison lives on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia, with her family. 'Race to the End of the World', the first book in 'The Mapmaker Chronicles' series, was published by Lothian Books (Hachette Australia) in October 2014. It was shortlisted for the Readings Children's Book Prize 2015 and named a "Notable" book in the CBCA Children's Book of the Year Awards 2015. Book number two, 'Prisoner of the Black Hawk', was released in April 2015 and was shortlisted for the 2015 Aurealis Awards (Best Children's Fiction). Book number three, 'Breath of the Dragon', arrived in October 2015, with book number four, 'Beyond The Edge Of The Map', published in April 2017. 'The Mapmaker Chronicles' series is available in Australia, the USA, the UK, Lithuania and Turkey. 'The Book of Secrets', book number one in 'The Ateban Cipher' series, came out in September 2017 in Australia, with 'The Book of Answers' (number two in the series) following in March 2018. Both books are also available in the USA, through Kane Miller Books. In recent years, Allison has shared her passion for writing and creativity at numerous events for children and adults, including Singapore Writers' Festival, Brisbane Writers' Festival, Sydney Writers' Festival, Somerset Celebration of Children's Literature and more, as a speaker, workshop facilitator, chairperson and panellist. She's a regular speaker in schools, and is represented by The Children's Bookshop Speakers' Agency. Allison is the creator of several courses for the Australian Writers' Centre, including Make Time to Write, Creative Writing 30-Day Bootcamp, Build Your Author Platform and Creative Writing Quest for Kids. Allison is a board member of the Shoalhaven Readers' and Writers' Festival, and is the current director of the children's program. In January 2019, she received a Shoalhaven City Council Australia Day Award for Outstanding Contribution to Arts and Culture.

Valerie Khoo is founder and CEO of the Australian Writers' Centre (AWC), the country's leading centre for writing courses. The centre has evolved into a hot-house for talented writers, who are regularly selected by major publishers for book deals. She's a mentor to freelance writers through the AWC's innovative masterclass program designed to nurture freelance writers to build a lucrative and rewarding career. Valerie is also a keynote speaker and author of 'Power Stories: The 8 Stories You MUST Tell to Build an Epic Business'. She regularly presents workshops for corporate and consumer groups on communication and creativity. Valerie has spent 20-plus years in the world of writing and publishing, including 13 years writing for the 'Sydney Morning Herald' and a range of glossy magazines. She has previously worked as a public relations consultant and began her early career as an accountant at PwC and lecturer at the University of Sydney. She now combines her love for writing with her creative pursuits as a visual artist. Valerie is also curator of the Sydney Lunar Festival, the City of Sydney's arts and culture festival, which attracts more than 1.4 million people. Both Allison and Valerie are co-hosts of the top-rating podcast 'So You Want To Be A Writer'.