Ask The Author with Jodi Gibson

This week I'm thrilled to be chatting to Taryn Donohue writes under TP Donohue and is the author of the fabulous Amaranthine Vampire trilogy which is now complete with the last book The Shadow & The Mirror having just been released.  Taryn and I have an in-depth conversation on indie publishing and particularly on writing, editing and indie publishing a trilogy. We chat about how storytelling is innate and how the writing process changes from book to book. We also chatted about the challenges facing authors today and how to not let the doom and gloom stop you. Taryn also answers the Hot 3! Not sure what that is? Better listen up! You can find Taryn and her books on her website https://tpdonohuewriter.com/ and follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tpdonohuewriter/ You can purchase her books here https://www.amazon.com.au/Blood-Time-Amaranthine-Vampires-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0CK1TND73/    Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed the podcast, please visit https://ko-fi.com/jodigibson  to support the podcast. Your kindness helps with the production and hosting costs. You can keep up to date with my own books and happenings you can find me at https://www.jfgibson.com.au/  or sign up to my newsletter https://bookishwithjodigibson.substack.com/ 

This week I have a fabulous chat with Pamela Cook. Pam forged her way onto the Australian literary scene with loved her rural fiction novels and now writes heartfelt women's fiction novels tackling every day issues such as relationships, friendship, grief and belonging.  I chat with Pam about how she got her start in writing, the ups and downs of publishing, resilience as a writer and the realities all authors need to be aware of. We discuss the importance of setting in stories and how getting deep into POV can elevate your writing.  Pam, as always is super generous with her wisdom and knowledge. You'll want to take notes on this one!   You can find out more about Pamela, her books, and her workshops and events at https://www.pamelacook.com.au/ and follow Pam on instagram https://www.instagram.com/pamelacookwrites/  Pamela will also be presenting her online feedback course through Writing NSW from July 2026 https://writingnsw.org.au/whats-on/courses/online-feedback-fiction-2/    Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed the podcast, please visit https://ko-fi.com/jodigibson  to support the podcast. Your kindness helps with the production and hosting costs. You can keep up to date with my own books and happenings you can find me at https://www.jfgibson.com.au/  or sign up to my newsletter https://bookishwithjodigibson.substack.com/ 

This week, I chat with Philippa Kaye, author of Girl Detectives Just Want To Have Fun and Girls' Lips Are Sealed We chat about her early love of disappearing into stories, how making up bedtime stories for her kids drew her to writing, and her path through hybrid publishing into indie publishing. Pip also talks about her writing process as a writer with ADHD, and what writing has taught her about creativity. We also chat about creativity in society and why we need to support our creatives more.  It's a wonderful conversation that I'm sure you'll all enjoy. And great fun too! You can find out more about Philippa on her website https://www.philippakayewriter.com    Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed the podcast, please visit https://ko-fi.com/jodigibson  to support the podcast. Your kindness helps with the production and hosting costs. You can keep up to date with my own books and happenings you can find me at https://www.jfgibson.com.au/  or sign up to my newsletter https://bookishwithjodigibson.substack.com/ 

This week's guest is women's fiction author Casey Nott, who has just released her second novel titled Five Stages of Grace. Casey's debut novel Forgotten was published with Hawkeye books in 2024 to great acclaim, and she has followed up with a stunning story drawing from personal experience and adding in her trademark wit, humour and emotion which readers will no doubt lap up.  Casey and Jodi have a fun chat about how she accidentally wrote a novel, the challenges of rediscovering herself through writing after becoming a mother, and how she draws from her own very personal experiences and brings them into her fiction. Casey also lets us in on a little secret which may see her coined the naked writer from this moment forward.  It's a fabulous in-depth chat full of fun, laughter and poignancy that readers and writers alike will get so much out of. Enjoy this special chat. You can find Casey on her website https://www.caseynott.com/  Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/caseywritesstories/  And check out Five Stage of Grace here   Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed the podcast, please visit https://ko-fi.com/jodigibson  to support the podcast. Your kindness helps with the production and hosting costs. You can keep up to date with my own books and happenings you can find me at https://www.jfgibson.com.au/  or sign up to my newsletter https://bookishwithjodigibson.substack.com/ 

This week's guest is award-winning Australian author Camille Booker. Camille has just released her novel Code Name Funnel Web with Hawkeye Books (April 15, 2026), a gothic historical fiction that will have readers locked in immediately.  Jodi and Camille have an in-depth chat about how she began writing, what happens when you take a leap and put your writing out in the world, and how she has evolved from a pantser to a plotter. Camille also shares the intriguing journey of Code Name Funnel Web and how it came to be. This is a must-listen episode for lovers of historical fiction and writers alike. You can find Camille on her website https://www.camillebooker.com/  Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/camillebookerauthor/  And check out Code Name Funnel Web here   Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed the podcast, please visit https://ko-fi.com/jodigibson  to support the podcast. Your kindness helps with the production and hosting costs. You can keep up to date with my own books and happenings you can find me at https://www.jfgibson.com.au/  or sign up to my newsletter https://bookishwithjodigibson.substack.com/ 

Season 3 is our guest author era! This week Jodi welcomes debut rural romance author Leearna Shaw to the show. Leearna's first rural romance, A Farm in Golden Clouds was released on March 31st 2026 and is already going gangbusters. Jodi and Leearna have a great conversation about finding your writing voice once you find your genre, what it feels like to realise your book is going to be published, the editing process and the importance of setting. She also shares who her favourite character was to write in A Farm in Golden Clouds. Enjoy this fabulous chat with Leearna Shaw. To find out more about Leearna and her books you will find her at https://www.leearnashaw.com.au as well as on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/leearna.shaw.author/ A Farm in Golden Clouds is out now in all formats online and in store.  Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed the podcast, please visit https://ko-fi.com/jodigibson to support the podcast which helps with the production and hosting costs. You can keep up to date with my own books and happenings you can find me at https://www.jfgibson.com.au/ or sign up to my newsletter https://bookishwithjodigibson.substack.com/ 

Season 3 of the podcast is our guest author era! This episode Jodi chats with fellow Indie author, Joanne Tracey who has published 17 books to date. Jodi and Jo chat about being an indie author, writing across genres, and the importance of allowing yourself to follow your creativity in different ways. It's a brilliant chat that covers so much more and I'm sure you will all enjoy.  You can find Joanne Tracey at her website https://joannetracey.com where you'll find all her books. You can also follow Jo on Substack where she shares loads of baking ideas, travel adventures and book news. https://storycrumbs.substack.com/ Jo is also on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joanne_tracey_author/    Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed the podcast, please visit https://ko-fi.com/jodigibson to support the podcast which helps with the production and hosting costs. You can keep up to date with my own books and happenings you can find me at https://www.jfgibson.com.au/ or sign up to my newsletter https://bookishwithjodigibson.substack.com/ 

Ask the Author is now in season 3 - the guest author era!  This week, Jodi chats with Australian author of small-town romance, Libby Iriks, whose debut novel Home to the Heart Country was released in late 2025. Libby shares her roundabout path to writing and publishing, chats candidly about bringing such personal experiences into her characters, and, of course, answers the hot 3 questions. You can find Libby Iriks on Instagram @libbyiriks and her novel, Home To The Heart Country, is out now in-store and online.  Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed the podcast, please visit https://ko-fi.com/jodigibson to support the podcast which helps with the production and hosting costs. You can keep up to date with my own books and happenings you can find me at https://www.jfgibson.com.au/ or sign up to my newsletter https://bookishwithjodigibson.substack.com/ 

Welcome to season 3 of the Ask The Author podcast. This season the podcast enters a new era. We're in our guest author era! That's right, each epiosde, Jodi will interview a guest author and chat about everything from their path to publication, writing process, creativity, and so much more.  Our first guest this season is debut Aussie author Olivia Tolich. Olivia's debut romcom "Side Character Energy" has just been released, (Feb 2026) and Jodi asks all the juicey questions from how she started writing, to how she got her book deal. Olivia also shares her writing process, how creativity is an important part of who she is, and Olivia answers the hot 3. Three questions that all writers want answers to. What are they? Listen and find out.  You can find Olivia Tolich on Instagram @oliviatolich and her debut romcom "Side Character Energy" is out now.    Thank you for listening. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider buying me a copy to help with the production and hosting costs of the podcast. Please visit https://ko-fi.com/jodigibson to support the podcast. And if you want to follow along you will find me on Instagram @jfgibsonwriter or on my website www.jfgibson.com.au     

I'm back with a very special episode featuring debut romcom author Holly Brunnbauer.  Holly's debut novel What Did I Miss? was released in July by Harper Collins. It's a fun, vibrant, and engaging romcom filled with heart and humour. Holly joins me in this very special episode about her path to publication, her writing process, and shares her experience as a debut romcom author in 2025. Holly Brunnbauer https://www.hollybrunnbauer.com.au/  What Did I Miss? Buy Here:  https://www.hollybrunnbauer.com.au/whatdidimiss  Follow Holly on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/hollybrunnbauer   Keep up with what's happening in the world of writing & publishing with me on Substack https://bookishwithjodigibson.substack.com/    You can also support the podcast by buying me a coffee on https://ko-fi.com/jodigibson  Your support helps with the hosting and production costs of the show, so thank you. And, you'll get a shout out on the next episode too! Happy listening (and writing)! Jodi