Aspiring authors often wonder whether to find an agent or submit directly to publishers. In Australia, both routes are viable. This post explores the benefits and drawbacks of each, offers practical tips for researching agents or publishers, and explains how to navigate the local and international publishing landscape. Persistence and preparation are key to success.

Finding the right literary agent is crucial for Australian writers seeking publication. This guide covers researching agents, creating a shortlist, writing a compelling query letter, following submission guidelines, and evaluating offers. With patience, persistence, and careful preparation, you can connect with an agent who understands your work, supports your career, and helps your book reach its audience.

Feeling overwhelmed by the publishing options in Australia? This guide offers practical tips for finding the right publisher for your book. Learn how to choose between large and independent publishers, research submission opportunities, follow guidelines, and stay patient and persistent. Perfect for Aussie writers seeking their first publishing deal.

Marketing your writing is just as important as creating it. From building an online presence with a website, social media, and newsletters to attending local events, book fairs, and writing groups, authors have many ways to reach readers. Consistency, creativity, and connecting with your audience are key to growing your fan base and getting your stories noticed.

Rejection and criticism are unavoidable parts of being a writer, but they don’t define your talent. Learn how to separate feedback from self-worth, use constructive criticism to improve, seek supportive voices, and, most importantly, keep writing. By embracing these strategies, you can grow as a writer, strengthen your craft, and maintain confidence in your work.

Discovering your unique voice and writing style is essential for standing out as a writer. It takes practice, experimentation, and feedback. This post explores practical tips to develop your signature voice: read widely, write consistently, experiment with genres, seek feedback, and most importantly, be yourself. Your distinct style will engage readers and make your writing memorable.

The Dice Method is a creative writing tool I developed using tabletop gaming dice to generate character roles, settings, conflicts, and plot ideas. By assigning attributes to each die, you can mix and match elements to spark unique story concepts. This playful, flexible approach even helped inspire my debut thriller, The Watcher’s Prey, and can unlock endless possibilities for writers.

For years I believed reading was stealing time from my writing. Then life intervened. Children, work, moves, and self-doubt all shifted how and when I wrote. What never left was reading. Eventually I learned that reading is not a distraction from writing, but one of the most powerful tools a writer has.

Blood and Gold  by Michael Trant delivers a grounded, atmospheric story anchored by strong character voices and a vivid sense of place. The dialogue feels authentic throughout, giving each character a distinct presence on the page. I was especially drawn to Gabe, whose arc adds real emotional weight and kept me invested even during the quieter moments. This is a slow-burn novel, but one that ultimately rewards patience. Once the central plot resolves (without giving anything

When I first wrote Hunted Shadows, something about it never quite fit. The words worked, but the feeling didn’t. As an intuitive writer, I’ve learned to trust those creative instincts. A title, after all, is part of a story’s soul. Changing it wasn’t just renaming, it was rediscovering what the story truly wanted to be.

The best villains aren’t simply evil; they’re human. They make impossible choices for reasons we can almost understand. A truly great villain evokes empathy, not hatred. They remind us that darkness often grows from love, loss, or desperation. When a story lets us glimpse that complexity, it becomes unforgettable, and so does its so-called villain.

This year has been one of reflection, growth, and creative fire. After taking six weeks off in January, the first draft came together faster than I ever imagined. Since then, rounds of edits, beta reader feedback, and new story ideas, like Three Little Lies, have kept me busy.

Editing is both art and discipline. While digital tools promise speed and convenience, I find clarity in the rhythm of paper and pen. My editing process is a tactile experience, crossing out, circling, and rewriting by hand. This post shares my honest reflections, favorite resources, and why the printed page still feels like home.

Ever seen readers talking about getting early access to books before they’re even out? Those are ARC readers! They get Advance Reader Copies to review and help authors spread the word before launch day. Here’s what ARC readers do, how you can become one, and why I’d love to have you join my ARC team!

Your book cover is the first thing readers notice. It tells a story before a single word is read. In this post, I explore how to research effective covers, balance genre expectations, use symbolism, experiment with DIY or AI tools, and collaborate with professionals to create a visually compelling design that truly represents your story.

Creating characters is at the heart of any great story. They don’t need to be likable, but they should be relatable and dynamic. I lean on books like Creating Characters and Write Great Dialogue to help me develop characters that speak with authenticity and depth, making sure they truly resonate with the reader.

Outlining doesn’t have to be a creativity killer – it’s about striking a balance between structure and the freedom to let your imagination soar. By using Excel to track scenes and POVs, I ensure consistency in character arcs and narrative flow, without losing sight of the creative spark that keeps me motivated.

Every writer develops a set of tools that suit their creative process. From Scrivener for plotting and card organization, LivingWriter for mobile editing, Excel for scene matrices, to Word for manuscript flow, each platform has its strengths. Choosing the right tool can boost productivity, streamline revisions, and help you bring stories to life more efficiently.

After twenty years developing the Twisted Series, I’m finally stepping into self-publishing with my debut novel. This post shares my journey, the fears, the feedback, and the strategy behind choosing a standalone book first. It’s an honest look at embracing the publishing process, learning from beta readers, and taking control of my writing career while preparing for the Twisted Series release.

Welcome to my new blog, launching on 11 November 2025! Here I share book reviews, reflections on inspiring stories, and insights into my writing journey, including my debut novel, The Watcher's Prey (to be released in March 2026), the upcoming standalone novel, Three Little Lies, and the Twisted Series. Sign up to become an ARC reader and join me for regular updates and exclusive content.