The Book Deal cover art

The Book Deal

The Book Deal

Written by: Tina Strachan Madeleine Cleary & Natasha Rai
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Motivation and inspiration for emerging writers, helping them pave their own pathway to publishing success.

© 2026 The Book Deal
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Episodes
  • SUMMER SERIES Holly Brunnbauer on securing a book deal and social media tips that create true connections
    Jan 14 2026

    Hosts Natasha Rai delves into an inspiring conversation with emerging fiction author Holly Brunnbauer. Holly shares her journey from catching the writing bug through blogging to landing a book deal with HarperCollins for her debut novel 'What Did I Miss?' Holly discusses her character development process, her innovative approach to flipping rom-com tropes, and the emotional depth and rage portrayed in her novel. She also provides valuable insights and practical advice for writers on feedback, publication, and leveraging social media as an author. The episode not only explores Holly’s professional trajectory but also touches on the broader themes of female rage and the importance of community in the writing world.

    00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast
    00:56 Summer Season Announcement
    01:52 Introducing Holly Brunnbauer
    02:35 Holly's Debut Novel: What Did I Miss?
    05:14 Character Development and Writing Process
    22:20 Publication Journey
    35:04 The Agonizing Wait
    36:37 A Glut of Good News
    38:04 Navigating Competitions and Grants
    39:05 The Adaptable Experience
    40:15 The Emotional Rollercoaster of a Book Deal
    41:51 From Draft to Deal: The Timeline
    43:57 The Long Wait for Publication
    44:31 The Editing Process
    46:11 Mastering Social Media and Branding
    01:00:22 Advice for Aspiring Writers
    01:03:36 Conclusion 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...

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • SUMMER SERIES 20 book deals! Rory H Mather tells us how its done
    Jan 7 2026

    The summer season features an interview with Rory H. Mather, a renowned Australian picture book author. Rory shares his journey of getting published, tips for aspiring authors, the importance of rhyme and promotion, and insights on how he balances a full-time job, family life, and writing. The discussion also covers practical tips for getting work in front of publishers, building a writing community, and making a profit from writing. Tune in for an inside look at Rory’s experiences and valuable advice for aspiring authors aiming to secure their first book deal.

    00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast
    00:58 Seasonal Break and Upcoming Episodes
    01:52 Interview with Rory H. Mather
    07:39 Rory's Journey to Publication
    12:38 Insights on Agents and Publishing
    22:15 Marion Taffe's Debut Novel
    23:55 Challenges and Rejections in Publishing
    28:48 The Journey of a Picture Book Author
    31:04 Dealing with Rejections in the Publishing Industry
    33:30 Balancing Writing with a Busy Life
    37:26 Making Writing Profitable
    38:02 Engaging with Schools and Speaking Engagements
    48:27 Tips for Aspiring Authors
    54:43 Embracing Your Debut Year
    56:20 Conclusion 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...

    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
  • SUMMER SERIES The Publishing Deal: Literary agent Samuel Bernard
    Dec 31 2025

    Host Tina Strachan kicks off the summer season by announcing a short break for the team while replaying some of the most popular episodes. Tina and co-hosts Madeleine Cleary reflect on their recent activities and achievements in the literary world. They interview Samuel Bernard, a literary agent from Zeitgeist Literary Agency. Samuel shares his journey into the literary world, the importance of social media for authors, the dynamics of the author-agent relationship, and gives insights into trends in the publishing industry. He also provides invaluable tips on querying, the significance of comparative titles, and strategies for writing compelling submissions. The episode includes a rapid fire Q&A session addressing listener questions, highlighting the complex and evolving roles of agents in the publishing landscape.

    00:00 Welcome to the Summer Season
    00:56 Introduction to the Book Deal Podcast
    02:48 Casual Catch-Up with Tina and Madeleine
    03:16 Tina's Exciting Book Update
    04:10 Madeleine's Writing Adventures
    06:40 Discussing Feedback and Writing Sex Scenes
    14:25 Interview with Literary Agent Samuel Bernard
    34:55 Bookshelf Placement and Comparative Titles
    36:15 Using Media and Vibes in Book Pitches
    39:06 The Role and Benefits of Literary Agents
    43:26 Agent-Author Relationship Dynamics
    46:41 Trends and Genre Considerations
    50:49 Rapid Fire Questions with a Literary Agent
    01:12:35 Top Tips for Aspiring Writers

    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...

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 15 mins
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