The First Time
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
S3 Ep81: Warm Winter Words #1: Tony Birch
26 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is a special episode brought to you in collaboration with the Apollo Bay Word Fest for their Warm Winter Words event. This interview with Tony Bi...
S3 Ep80: Conversations with Friends #15: Lauren Draper and Susan White
23 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of Conversations with Friends is with Lauren Draper and Susan White. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefir...
S3 Ep79: Lockdown 2.0 & Kate Grenville on rejection, generosity & rules for editing
19 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ah, Melbourne, here we are again. We lament the lockdown but get peppy on how we are going to do it better second time around. Then Kate swoons over...
S3 Ep78: Conversations with Friends #14: McKinley Valentine and Angus Hervey
16 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of Conversations with Friends is with McKinley Valentine and Angus Hervey. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.t...
S3 Ep77: Conversations with Friends #13: Gabriel Bergmoser and Damian Robb
09 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of Conversations with Friends is with Gabriel Bergmoser and Damian Robb. Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.t...
S3 Ep76: Motherhood & Anna Downes on anxiety, agent-hunting & international auctions
05 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We can't believe we haven't devoted an entire chat to our experiences of motherhood and writing yet. But a listener emailed with a question about how ...
S3 Ep75: Conversations with Friends #12: Alice Robinson and Meg Mundell
25 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of Conversations with Friends is with Alice Robinson and Meg Mundell. We know you'll understand that this episode has a different qual...
S3 Ep74: Listening recommendations and Laura McPhee Browne on short form fiction, covers and the power of the bio
21 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's a podcast, where we talk about other podcasts! So many great listening recommendations this episode. Then Katherine talks to author Laura ...
S3 Ep73: Conversations with Friends #11: RWR McDonald and Katherine Kovacic
18 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of Conversations with Friends is with RWR McDonald and Katherine Kovacic. We know you'll understand that this episode has a different qu...
S3 Ep72: Conversations with Friends #10: Emily Gale, Nina Kenwood and Bronte Coates
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we listen in on a real life writers group: Emily Gale, Nina Kenwood and Bronte Coates. We know you'll understand that this episode has a...
S3 Ep71: #dothework & Chris Flynn on speaking with mammoths, criticism & famous friends
07 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We share some of the listening, reading and donating we've been doing to support the #blacklivesmatter movement, focussing on Aboriginal and Torres St...
S3 Ep69: Conversations with Friends #9: Poppy Nwosu and Sonya Bates
04 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of Conversations with Friends is with YA author Poppy Nwosu and author of adult and children's fiction Sonya Bates. We know you'll ...
S3 Ep68: Conversations with Friends #8: Sally Piper and Shady Cosgrove
28 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of Conversations with Friends with with authors Sally Piper and Shady Cosgrove. We know you'll understand that this episode has a diff...
S3 Ep67: Pitching essays & Krissy Kneen on literary mafia, online events & erotica
24 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's that time in the 'publication journey' where Kate has to start pitching some loosely book related articles to help with promo. She's determined t...
S3 Ep66: Conversations with Friends #7: Sean O'Beirne and Wayne Marshall
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of #Conversations with Friends, we listen in on authors Sean O'Beirne and Wayne Marshall. We know you'll understand that this epi...
S3 Ep65: Corona catch up and Kay Kerr on #ownvoices, pandemics and the joys of waiting
17 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week's a coming-out-of-lockdown catchup! The hosts talk covers (THE MOTHER FAULT IS BEAUTIFUL!), Space Stations and what is Tik Tok? The...
S3 Ep64: Conversations with Friends #6: Sarah Schmidt and Favel Parrett
14 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of #Conversations with Friends, we listen in on multi-award winning and best selling authors Sarah Schmidt and Favel Parrett. We know...
S3 Ep63: Engaging with readers & Anita Heiss on storytelling, schedules and social media
10 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What's the best way to engage with your readers, once your book is out in the world? Are there rules? or just expectations? What are the best moments ...
S3 Ep62: Conversations with Friends #5: Jane Harper and Karina Kilmore
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we listen in on award winning and bestselling author Jane Harper and her long time author and journalist friend Karina Kilmore. Bring y...
S3 Ep61: Pitches and Nick Earls on crushing reviews, the universe and the importance of a good pillow
03 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Batter up! Let's talk pitching. Katherine just pitched her novel (as yet unnamed, to be released next year) to TV and film producers as part of th...
S3 Ep60: Conversations with Friends #4: Lauren Chater and Sarah-Jane Burton
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Old friends are the best kind of friends! In this episode, we get to listen in on Lauren Chater and Sarah-Jane Burton as they discuss their long tim...
S3 Ep59: Research & Mirandi Riwoe on plotting, outrage & writing historical fiction
26 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Katherine is flirting with the idea of setting her next book in the past and has a bunch of questions on research for Kate. How do you store your rese...
S3 Ep58: Conversations with Friends#3: Imbi Neeme and Emilie Collyer
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of #ConversationswithFriends writers Imbi Neeme and Emilie Collyer play the Pineapple game (not its real name). We know you'll ...
S3 Ep57: Non-book recommendations and Melissa Ferguson on science fiction and writing about the future
19 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The hosts are giving recommendations and there's one rule: nothing book-related. Then Katherine speaks to Melissa Ferguson, author of The Shinin...
S3 Ep56: Conversations with Friends#2: Shivaun Plozza and Wai Chim
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of #ConversationswithFriends writers Shivaun Plozza and Wai Chim discuss writing across genres and age groups, and the role of the aut...
S3 Ep55: Authors online & Sarah Bailey on routines, fast drafts & plotting crimes
12 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We touch base about how we are coping with isolation and talk authors online: launches, videos and the etiquette of fan-girling in a zoom session. ...
S3 Ep54: Conversations with Friends #1: Thuy On & Nick Gadd
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our very first episode of Conversations with Friends: creative conversations between writing friends. In this episode writers Thuy On &...
S3 Ep53: How to write, now & Alice Robinson on writing the anthropocene, motherhood & finding joy
05 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How on earth do you get the writing done at a time like this? Kate and Katherine have taken two different approaches so far and discuss what's working...
S3 Ep52: New Year, New Routines & Emily Clements on memoir, commas and riding the rollercoaster
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In a throwback to a time that seems eons ago, Kate and Katherine discuss their plans and routines for getting the writing done in 2020. Then Kate...
S3 Ep51: The Virus and Robert Lukins on Adrian Mole, libraries and literary nemeses
22 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The hosts chat about how life is starting to change under Coronavirus and what we can do about (which is not a lot). Then Katherine speaks with ...
S3 Ep50: Second Book V First Book & Mandy Beaumont on confidence & writing rage
15 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How different is second time around when it comes to writing books? We talk about what it looks like now compared to when we were writing our debuts. ...
S3 Ep49: We're back! And Christian White on tension, readers and no Plan B
01 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're back! It's the first episode of the season! Kate and Katherine catch up on what they've been reading and listening to over the summer break....
S3 Ep48: Introducing Season 3 - The First Time
17 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're back! Brand new studio, amazing lineup of guests and two new books to get out into the world. A tiny teaser before we get into our new season ve...
S2 Ep47: Reflections and the end of season two
15 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It's the last episode for season two and the hosts reflect on their writing, reading and listening highlights for the year that was. Check out show n...
S2 Ep46: Comfort zones and Sarah Hopkins on utopia, dystopia and real life as inspiration
08 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The hosts talk about getting out of their comfort zones and what's pushed them this year. Then Katherine talks to Sydney-based author and criminal l...
S2 Ep45: Lazy Thursday nights and Gerii Pleitez on creativity, writing and Kara Sevda Press
24 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode, Kate and Katherine catch up on events they've been doing. Then Katherine speaks with Gerii Pleitez, author of On the Sunday, She Cre...
S2 Ep44: Supporting other writers & Charlotte Wood on rejection, writing craft and bodies of work
17 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How do you support other writers and the writing community? We talk about what we do and what we love when others do for us. Then Kate speaks with wr...
S2 Ep43: Live Event: Cassie Hamer, Ashley Kalagian Blunt & John Purcell at Glee Books
10 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A super special live panel event at Glee Books in Sydney! Kate speaks with writers Cassie Hamer, Ashley Kalagian Blunt and John Purcell about their fi...
S2 Ep42: Professionalism & John Purcell on pseudonyms, writing sex & what sells books
03 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week we work out how to get professional. Like, what do you put in an email signature and exactly how important is a website? Then Kate heads to...
S2 Ep41: Tax and Will Kostakis on doing school visits and not doing school visits. Controversy!
27 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week we tax! Isn't there an app that could do it for us? Should you have a business account? Can you just use a shoe box for receipts? What...
S2 Ep40: Listener feedback & Jannali Jones on NanoWriMo, persistence & cultural identity
20 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week we indulge in sharing some fab listener feedback (after we console each other on our one and only two star review!). We also respond to a li...
S2 Ep39: Confidence & Alice Bishop on reading, writing trauma & quietness
13 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
TW: In this episode we discuss eating disorders and also discuss the Black Saturday bushfires. This week we talk confidence. How do you foster it?...
S2 Ep38: Travels & Ben Hobson on book tours, soundtracks & second books
06 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Katherine's been in London and NY and Kate wants to know all the details. But is it wise to reveal all? They talk candidly about being...too candid. ...
S2 Ep37: Audiobooks & Angela Savage on switching genres, PhDs & writing community
29 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What's your relationship with audiobooks? This week we discuss our faves, our habits and why we couldn't handle listening to our own (but you should!)...
S2 Ep36: Puff quotes and RWR McDonald on Faber Academy, trilogies and writing on public transport
15 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Puff quotes! What exactly are they? Kate had about a million for Skylarking. She's now navigating the awkward world of asking other authors to e...
S2 Ep35: A catch up and Nina Kenwood on prizes, babies and writing in secret
02 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
After a few weeks apart, the hosts catch up. Kate's big news is...well, we still can't tell you. But we promise to fill you in VERY SOON! But we ca...
S2 Ep34: Writers Groups & Mark Smith on confidence, school visits & writing trilogies
27 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We are FINALLY back from our break and while we have news to share....we can't. Not yet, anyway. In lieu of that, we bring you a brand new deep dive o...
S2 Ep33: International rights, a short hiatus and publicist Jane Watkins on... publicity
30 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The hosts talk about international rights deals and how theirs came to be. Listeners get to hear who did the negotiations, what it was like for the ...
S2 Ep32: What's open on your computer and Lee Kofman on writers groups, writers block and writing communities
17 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
After learning Tony Abbott only has one Word document on his computer and everything he’s ever written is in it, the hosts discuss their own writing...
S2 Ep31: Listener Q's & Adut Wol Acek & Khalid Warsame on writing & Growing Up African in Australia.
02 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week we answer your questions! What steps did we take to get our manuscripts ready to submit? Were we spurned by mates who didn't turn up to our ...
S2 Ep30: Professional development and Rajith Savanadasa on documentary theatre, hot desks and manuscript development programs
19 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week the hosts do not talk about Kate's waiting. This does not get mentioned. Instead, they discuss professional development. Then Kath...
S2 Ep29: Mentors & Kelly Gardiner on pirates, Twitter & getting the writing done
06 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This time with everything! This week Kate and Katherine discuss mentors. Kate sings the praises of both formal and informal mentors and Katherine ...
S2 Ep27: What to charge & James Bradley on climate change, criticism & fixing broken books.
22 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Katherine is confused about what to charge for a library gig. Also book clubs. As an author, do you go? Do you stay for dinner? And do you sign librar...
S2 Ep26: The worst things to ask authors and Bram Presser on documentary fiction, hommus and Jewish punk rock
07 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Katherine googles the most annoying questions you can ask authors and she and Kate go through each question, rating how irritating they find it. One...
S2 Ep25: Waiting, worries & Davina Bell on writing for children
24 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Katherine debriefs on how her hosting duties went (verdict: good, maybe not great?) and Kate checks in on her rejection tally so far this year and won...
S2 Ep24: Hosting events & Sarah Mayberry on romance, euphemisms & independent publishing
11 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Katherine’s been invited to do an event with Graeme Simsion, which let’s face it is pretty awesome but what’s she meant to actually do? She gets...
S2 Ep23: Jealousy, FOMO & Carly Findlay on memoir, activism & love triumphing hate
26 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when you're happy for your writer friends, but also feel maybe a teeny tiny bit 'weird' about their success? In this episode, Kate and ...
S2 Ep22: Summer reads & J.P Pomare on pragmatism, self doubt & tattoos.
11 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kate and Katherine are thrilled to be back in the studio and catching up over their summer reads (and listens) and their goals for the year as they em...
S1 Ep20: An ending & Jamie Marina Lau on creativity, honesty & representation.
03 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
And just like that we've reached the end of Season One! Kate and Katherine get a bit emotional and reflect on the season and what they've learned. T...
S1 Ep19: Our super profitable side business & Irma Gold on putting your heart into the world.
26 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
So what happened with our brilliant side business ideas? Kate & Katherine discuss progress on making cash to fund the podcast, and ultimately deci...
S1 Ep18: Publicity & Alison Manning on what goes on in writers' heads
20 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Kate and Katherine are still riding the publication high... This week they discuss what happens that first week your book is in the world. They co...
S1 Ep17: The launch & Mark Brandi on fate, crime & Reebok Pumps.
12 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Finally, Katherine's launch of The Helpline! Kate remembers her own launch night and Katherine talks through her feels, her braids and why she went ho...
S1 Ep16: Making money and Emily Brewin on phone calls in cubicles, validation and holding your book in your hand.
05 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week Kate and Katherine talk about how to make money. Katherine has some inspired ideas. Kate is not an entrepreneur. Together they try and make ...
S1 Ep15: Feelings & Annabel Smith & Jane Rawson on firsts, festivals and asking for help.
29 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Katherine and Kate talk feelings. Katherine looks at Goodreads and she's not happy. Will it feel like this forever? How do you ride th...
S1 Ep14: Money & Mandy Brett on editing, talent & tingly feelings.
22 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Katherine and Kate talk how we make money from writing. What is an advance? How do royalties work? Can you make a living? (We don't pr...
S1 Ep13: How we write & Danielle Binks on fan fic, #LoveOzYA & transferrable skills.
15 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we talk about how we write. We cover routines (or lack thereof) and what's changed from first to second book. Then, Katherine speaks t...
S1 Ep12: Book covers & Karen Viggers on French audiences, re-writes and the human condition.
08 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Katherine and Kate chat about book covers. What they expected versus what they got, and how they dealt with that first box opening. Th...
S1 Ep11: Book Launch Planning & Jack Heath on writing to impress girls, sequels and the best way to approach promotions.
01 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Katherine and Kate talk book launches. How to have them, who to invite, what to say. And Katherine asks a big question...(and Kate may...
S1 Ep10: Origin stories & Penni Russon on motherhood, optimism & the writing community.
24 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Katherine and Kate talk about the the stories behind their books and which bits of them are actually true. Are they really tales of ac...
S1 Ep9: Editing & Graeme Simsion on readers, romance and not picking favourites.
17 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Katherine and Kate talk editing, how they did it, who helped and what they learnt. Then Katherine interviews best-selling author, Grae...
S1 Ep8: Social media & Toni Jordan on planes, publishers & getting out of the house.
07 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Kate and Katherine discuss social media. Why it's scary, how they use it, what they could do better. And then, Kate speaks to the fab...
S1 Ep7: Promotional YouTube videos & Jacinta di Mase on second chances, pitching, and what agents bring to the table
03 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Kate and Katherine discuss making promotional YouTube videos. Katherine asks Kate about hers and they check other authors to see who ...
S1 Ep6: How to give an author talk & Melanie Cheng on short story, speeches & pressing send.
03 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Kate and Katherine discuss Author Talks. Katherine has to do one at the Word for Word festival at Geelong, but what is she even going...
S1 Ep5: A short delay...
06 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A quick word (and a wry laugh) from Kate and Katherine as they explain the need for an unexpected break in transmission. The First Time podcast will...
S1 Ep4: A beginning & Claire G. Coleman on story, prizes & luck.
30 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In our first full length episode, Katherine and Kate chat about how The First Time came to be. Then Kate speaks with writer Claire G. Coleman on writi...
S1 Ep2: All about Kate Mildenhall
23 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this mini-ep, find out everything you need to know about the writing escapades of Kate Mildenhall and why she's hosting this podcast with her frien...
S1 Ep3: All about Katherine Collette
23 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this mini-ep, Katherine Collette gives you the background on who she is (a writer and sewerage engineer) and what happened to get her to this point...
S1 Ep1: Guess who's coming to The First Time?
15 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We've been busy in the studio and we're nearly ready to launch! In this short trailer Kate and Katherine let you know what to expect in Season One and...