In this episode, Madeleine and Tina discuss Madeleine's recent experience with the Australian Fiction Prize, including the excitement of being shortlisted and the process involved. They delve into the importance of writing competitions for emerging writers, Madeleine's unexpected phone call from Caroline Overington, the significance of mastering synopses and pitches, and how these elements can significantly bolster a writing career.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
01:22 A Surprise Call from Caroline Overington
03:23 The Australian Fiction Prize
05:33 Writing and Competitions
07:24 The Journey of the Second Book
10:16 The Importance of Competitions
13:25 The Shortlisting Experience
17:30 Managing Expectations and Community Support
19:40 The Importance of Entering Writing Competitions
19:57 Crafting the Perfect Logline and Pitch
20:29 Mastering the Art of Writing a Synopsis
21:00 Debate: Writing the Synopsis Before the Story
23:44 Challenges of Writing the Middle of a Story
24:26 Synopsis Writing Tips and Techniques
30:22 The Unboxing Experience for Authors
34:39 Upcoming Interviews and Future Plans
37:07 Year-End Reflections and Future Excitement

Links mentioned in this episode
The Australian Fiction Prize

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You can find out more about Tina and Madeleine 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