Not the Plot

Send us Fan MailSharon Giltrow is an award-winning author of humorous and heartfelt picture books and speculative, adventure-filled middle grade books. Sharon grew up in South Australia, the youngest of eight children in a one-hundred-year-old farmhouse, which she turned into a library filled with books written by other people. She now lives in Western Australia with her husband and two children in a ninety-year-old house, which she is turning into a library filled with books written by her.In this episode of Not the Plot Sharon chats with Teena Raffa-Mulligan about how she uses her surrounds as settings for her stories, the learning curve of switching to self-publishing, dealing with rejections, and the importance of self-care to nurture her creative life.Sharon's tips for aspiring authors:* Have multiple manuscripts out on submission rather than pinning all your hopes on one manuscript. * See rejection as redirection. * Attend writing events and connect with other writers. You can find out more about Sharon on her website at https://www.sharongiltrowauthor.com/Follow her on FB https://www.facebook.com/sharongiltrowwriterThank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailLiv Lorkin is a heart-led children's book author, illustrator and visual storyteller.Since packing books underneath her bed as a child, she’s loved reading, writing and colouring outside the lines. With a blended background in science and a career in design, she creates thoughtful stories that spread messages of hope and joy. When not immersed in illustrating, she can be found exploring gardens, finishing a good puzzle and drinking her third cup of tea.In this episode of Not the Plot, Liv talks about her 'Joy Jars', following the nudges of life, redirection - not rejection, and how zooming out on a situation can change perspective.Her top tips for aspiring writers:* Follow your own path*Practise your craft*Connect with community* Have a life outside your passion You can find out more about Liv at: www.livlorkin.com Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailAlan Fyfe is a maker of stories and poems who lives on unceded Noongar country. Alan’s poetry and prose fiction has received recognition with a number of awards and listings in Australia and internationally. His latest release, The Cross Thieves, is the second part of a trilogy centred around The Peel Region and concerning housing instability and homelessness. In this episode of Not the Plot, Alan shares his thoughts on what has shaped him as a writer, the inspiration behind his novels, and the place for different voices in fiction. He also reveals an unusual hobby or two and offers sound advice for aspiring authors.Follow Alan on FB https://www.facebook.com/FyfePoet/Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailBrenton Cullen is a Queensland writer, bookseller and passionate advocate for children’s literature. He writes stories from the heart for all ages, with a particular love for picture books and middle-grade fiction.He has written articles, interviewed authors and reviewed children’s books. His debut middle-grade novel The Prime Minister Problem is released in April by Riveted Press, and he has three more books coming out over the next year. In this episode of Not the Plot Brenton chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about his path to publication, finding a writing process that works for him, dealing with self-doubt, and spreading the word about the importance of reading. He also shares his three top tips for aspiring authors:Love what you're doing.Find your tribe and get involved in that community.Keep going. Don't give up.To find out more about Brenton visit his website at https://www.brentoncullen.com/or follow him on FB at https://www.facebook.com/people/Brenton-Cullen-Childrens-Author/61566492037896/Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailMarlene Rattigan is an early childhood teacher with an extensive background in music. She’s the author of the kidz-fiz-biz series of music and movement books and has conducted training workshops for teachers, children, and parents at schools, in the community, at festivals, and at conferences throughout Australia and overseas. Her vision is to see children all over the world learn, grow and develop through the use of music and physical activity. Marlene has also been writing fiction for children for more decades than she cares to remember and calls herself a grammar nerd. In this episode of Not the Plot she gives host Teena Raffa-Mulligan an insight into her creative life as a children's author and music and movement instructor. She  suggests ways to encourage children to enjoy reading, shares which books have influenced her writing life and where she draws her greatest inspiration.  Find out more about Marlene at Kidz-fiz-biz | Children’s Picture BooksThank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailChristine Read found circle dance about 22 years ago and has been teaching for the past 18 years. Her love for this form of dance turned her into a dancing nomad and led to major lifestyle changes. In 2016 she retired from paid employment, sold her rural property and spent the better part of the next few years travelling to Europe and the UK to attend workshops and retreats with some of the best choreographers and teachers in the world. In this episode of Not the Plot, Christine chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about the origins of circle dancing, its health and wellbeing benefits, and how it changed her life.You can find Christine on FB https://www.facebook.com/people/Circle-Dance-Australia-Christine-Read Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailMichelle Worthington is an International award-winning author, scriptwriter, playwright and producer. Michelle has twice taken out the International Book Award and been shortlisted for the Australian Speech Pathology Award. In 2018 she received the AusMumPreneur Gold award for Business Excellence and the Redlands BaR award for Best Start Up Business. Her scripts have been finalists at the California Women's Film Festival, Kids First Film Festival, Gold Coast International Film Festival and 4th Dimension International Indie Film Festival. In 2021, she won the AFIN International Film Award for Best Screenplay and in 2023, she won the Best Unproduced Screenplay Award at the New York International Film Festival.Before We Sleep is nominated for Best Short Film at the AACTA Awards 2025.Michelle is an advocate for creating inclusive and diverse productions to allow people of all abilities the chance to share their story. She has often been described as a real-life book fairy whose magic powers include turning coffee into award-winning books and coaching aspiring authors and illustrators all over the world to achieve their dreams of publication. In this episode of Not the Plot she offers a behind the scenes look at surviving as a career creative in challenging times, the need for change in the publishing industry, and the importance of knowing your 'why'. To find out more about Michelle, visit her website at Home or find her on FB at Michelle Worthington Author | FacebookThank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailAward-winning author Dianne Wolfer is a bookworm who reads and writes every day and can’t imagine a world without books. Dianne writes across genres, from picture books for pre-schoolers to fantasy novels for young adults, and historical fiction for all ages. Her stories are about different cultures, the environment, friendship, being brave, turns in the road and taking chances. She also likes exploring things from different perspectives. Dianne lives on the south coast of Western Australia with her husband Pete and their dog Harry and has a special interest in animal characters in children’s literature. She is a passionate advocate for children’s literature and presents author talks and workshops at schools and festivals across Australia and Asia. In this episode of Not the Plot, Dianne chats with Teena Raffa-Mulligan about the changes she's witnessed during her long author career, the challenges of working in the publishing industry, her concerns about AI, and her interest in anthropomorphism. You can find out more about Dianne at Dianne Wolfer – author  and follow her on Facebook at Dianne Wolfer - Author | FacebookThank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailChildren’s author and poet Renae Hayward was born during a cyclone in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, but grew up by the beaches of Perth’s northern suburbs. Renae now lives near Fremantle with her author/illustrator husband James, their two children and Frankie the Labrador in a house overflowing with books. When she’s not writing, Renae is a passionate advocate for early literacy and a familiar face at story time sessions across Western Australia. In this conversation with Teena Raffa-Mulligan, Renae shares the challenges of finding creative space while parenting young children and reveals why she switched from writing fantasy to picture books. She reminds aspiring writers not to give up on their author dreams during the tough times and acknowledges the key role her supportive writing community has played in her own author journey. Find out more about Renae and her books at https://renaehayward.com/Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailCarolyn Wren was born in London and lives in Western Australia with a husband she adores and a very neurotic cat named Lucky. Carolyn doesn’t like to limit herself to one genre, preferring to let her characters take control. The resulting stories can range from light-hearted comedic contemporary through to action packed romantic suspense and emotion driven urban fantasy. Because she’s a true romantic at heart, one thing remains constant in all her books, she loves a happy ending.Since she woke up at 3am with a scene in mind and hurriedly scribbled it down in 2009 she’s written 21 books, garnered 23 award nominations and nine winner’s trophies. In this episode of Not the Plot Carolyn speaks about her creative process, path to publication and finding her tribe. She also shares sound advice on realising that writing dream. Find out more about Carolyn on the following links:https://carolynwren.com/https://www.facebook.com/carolynwrenauthor/https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00A2YJB2CThank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailStephen Crabbe’s ancestors were among the first colonists of South Australia, where he lived for most of his life. From his earliest years he loved language and music in many forms, and this led to formal study and qualifications in both. He was also active in a variety of sports. When Stephen took up education as a profession, it was no surprise to anyone that he often specialised in teaching Music, Physical Education or Language Arts. Writing was always a compulsion and he has had articles published and scripts used for screen productions. The focus of his writing these days is historical fiction. Stephen now lives in Western Australia where, outside of writing, he is a competitive sprinter in Masters Athletics. In this episode of Not the Plot he chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about why he writes historical fiction, his creative process and what he hopes readers will take away from his stories. For more information about Stephen and his historical fiction series visit his website at Stephen Crabbe--author or visit his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stephen.crabbe.77Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailKym Langfield is an author, illustrator, teacher and counsellor. She has illustrated a range of picture books, including my picture book Solo Dan about a foster child finding his forever home. Her artwork, stories and poems have featured in anthologies and her growing list of publications includes a novella for children. This year marks the start of an exciting new creative venture for Kym, who is now the happy business owner of Splashes & Puddles and is sharing her joy and passion for art with young people by offering visual arts classes. When Kym isn’t working, she loves reading, going on adventures in nature with her family and walking her energetic mischievous dog.In this episode of Not the Plot, Kym shares where she finds inspiration for her art and writing, her illustration process and her greatest challenge in living a creative life. She highlights the benefits of artistic expression, especially for young people, and offers tips to aspiring creators. Find out more about Kym on the following links:https://www.facebook.com/kymlangfield/https://www.instagram.com/kymlangfield.authorillustrator/Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailJuliet Marillier is an award-winning historical fantasy author who grew up surrounded by Celtic music and stories. Her own Celtic-Gaelic roots inspired her to write her first series, the Sevenwaters Trilogy, a reimagining of The Six Swans fairy tale. Juliet has been a full-time writer for more than 20 years and her work is published internationally. Her lifelong interest in history, folklore and mythology has had a major influence on her writing. Juliet is a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and her spiritual values are often reflected in her work. Her stories focus above all on the personal journeys of the characters, and the human characters’ relationship with the natural world plays a significant part. In this episode of Not the Plot Juliet speaks with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about her writing life, Druidism, canine companions, and the power of story telling to teach and to heal.To find out more about Juliet and her books, visit her website at Home - Juliet Marillier Author Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailDeb Fitzpatrick writes books for readers of all ages, especially adventurous kids with big hearts. Her books have received awards in Australia, been published in the US and optioned for film. She lives in Fremantle, Western Australia, and loves encouraging young writers in her creative writing workshops. Deb enjoys hiking and bushwalking with her family. When she can, she sneaks away to a shack in the karri forest of the south-west of Western Australia. She loves weaving stories from real life into her work. In this episode of Not the Plot she speaks with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about her experience of living in the cloud forest of Costa Rica and how it influenced the creation of her novel 50 Packets of Instant Noodles. She also shares insights into her writing process and the inspiration she draws from nature. To find out more about Deb and her books visit her website at Deb Fitzpatrick | Writer in Fremantle, Perth Western AustraliaThank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailMelissa Min is one of Western Australia’s most prominent professional Storytellers. She is a published poet, author, and psychotherapist who works with language, myth and story to evoke a deep sense of connection and belonging. Melissa is a passionate advocate for bringing creative and artistic practices to community spaces. She facilitates Storytelling Circles, Poetry Workshops, Narrative Therapy sessions and Women’s Gatherings throughout WA. In this episode of Not the Plot, Melissa speaks with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about the role ancient stories can play in creating deep, authentic connections with each other, the importance of community, and how we can help young people reconnect to the natural world away from the distractions of technology.Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailLibby Iriks fell in love with story as an eight-year-old when her teacher read Charlotte’s Web to the class. She developed a fondness for the romance genre soon after, and in 2018, combined her passions when she became the Commissioning Editor of Romance for a boutique publishing house in the UK. Since receiving her autism diagnosis at the ripe old age of 42, she has come to understand that story and romance are her ‘special interests’. She is currently studying her Master of Creative Writing at Edith Cowan University and, in her free time, coaches romance authors who write stories with heart. Her debut novel, Home to the Heart Country has just been released. Libby chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about how her childhood has influenced her as a writer and the challenges she has faced in living a creative life. She also highlights the importance of creating connections in the writing world and being clear about writing goals. You can find out more about Libby at her website: Libby Iriks | Stories with HeartThank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailStuart Everly-Wilson is an Australian writer living in Bundjalung country in New South Wales with his partner and the ghost of Aspro the dog. His first published work, Low Expectations, was short-listed for the 2022 New South Wales Premier’s Glenda Adams Prize for best new writing and was also long-listed for the Dublin International Literary Prize, 2022. His follow-up novel, The Maskeys was released last month. In this episode of Not the Plot Stuart chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about returning to writing 10 years after giving up, and finding his way into his acclaimed debut novel by letting his protagonist loose on the page. Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailCelia Berrell is an England-born Australian writer and poet who is best known for her Science Rhymes, which have been published by the CSIRO and in textbooks for Australian, Irish and Canadian high school students. Celia taught maths and science for four years before travelling to Australia. She has regarded her life in Australia as a working holiday ever since. She found her voice for writing poems about science in 2008 and launched her Science Rhymes website in 2009. Two hundred of Celia’s poems feature on the Australian Children’s Poetry website where she has been a regular contributor to the Poem of the Day prompts.In this episode of Not the Plot, Celia chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about how public speaking has helped her as a writer and explains why rhyming is like knitting and submissions are holiday adventures. Find out more about Celia at Science Rhymes - Scientific Poetry & Environmental PoemsThank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailDanni Line has been hooked on reading since childhood and fell in love with writing in her senior year, thanks to a crush on her English teacher. She writes Romantic Suspense and Paranormal Romance where her characters find redemption through romance. When Danni isn’t juggling life as a wife, mum, and wannabe baker who wishes she could sing, she is the Aspiring Authors Ambassador for Romance Writers of Australia. In this episode of Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan Danni reveals her favourite phrase for prompting story ideas, how she keeps her characters under control and alerts readers to look out for hidden 'easter eggs' in her stories.You can find out more about Danni on her website at https://danniline-author.comThank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailBonnibelle Angelica is a debut author from rural Australia. Growing up with a love for creativity, she has done everything from sculpting to painting to costume design, but nothing has held her attention quite like writing. After a burst of popularity from her online publications, she decided to give a novel a go. Loud and ever-opinionated, she chose dystopian sci-fi as her genre, exploring biology, oppression, indoctrination, psychology and of course, a healthy dose of romance.In this episode of Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan chats with Bonni about creating her characters and their world, finding the conflict in her story and the thinking behind her self-publishing decision. Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailRiley Merigan is a Perth-based performer, actor, dancer and singer who has appeared in a range of community theatre productions since taking a lead role in his high school performance of the musical Grease as a fifteen-year-old. The buzz of performing in that show sparked his love of performance and led to two years full-time study of musical theatre. In this episode of Not the Plot, Riley chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about getting into character, preparing for performances, factoring auditions and rehearsals into every-day working life, and pushing through the challenges to continue enjoying his love of performance.  Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailHolly Cardamone is an award-winning Australian author and communications specialist. Her writing has appeared in publications as diverse as bridal tomes and in fashion magazines, in trade publications and in the large dailies. Her debut novel, Summer, in Between was the 2024 winner of the Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize and she has been long and short listed in a number of national short story awards. Holly weaves words with an Australian Shepherd on her feet and says her work is inspired by the shenanigans of real life in all of its glorious entanglements and emotional constellations.In this episode host Teena Raffa-Mulligan chats with Holly about her path to publication, balancing her business and creative life, and why she writes for teen readers.Find out more about Holly at www.hollycardamone.com.auThank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailAustralian author William Lane lives in a quiet, rural corner of the Hunter Valley, New South Wales.  When he is not writing, he loves to read, play vinyl records or make up songs while looking out his window at the Brokenback Range. He has been a teacher, business manager and academic. His sixth novel, Saturation, was released recently. In this episode of Not the Plot he shares insights into his creative process and development as a writer and his thoughts on the future of the novel with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan. Find out more about William on FB. William Lane - Author | Facebook Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailSteve Heron is an award-winning children’s book author and champion of wellbeing in children. When he’s not hanging out with the local cheeky magpies, or reminiscing about his puppetry and TV presenter days, he’s crafting stories that touch and tickle the hearts of children. In this episode of Not the Plot he chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about bully proofing, magpies, art, photography and navigating the challenges of living a creative life. You can find out more about Steve at his website. Steve Heron – Kids’ books to touch and tickle heartsThank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailBelinda Lyons-Lee is an Australian historical fiction author whose latest novel is a page-turning gothic mystery based on the events that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Belinda loves books. Stories. Tales and Adventures. Those that are ‘true’, and those that aren’t. She teaches English, Literature and creative writing in secondary schools and enjoys inspiring young people to connect with their own creativity. In this episode of Not the Plot she chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about why she wrote The Haunting of Mr and Mrs Stevenson, the responsibility of writing about well-known actual characters, and the pressure to ‘get it right’.  Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailRobbie Coburn is an Australian poet and author of the young adult verse novel The Foal in the Wire, released in June by Hachette Australia. His poems have appeared widely in magazines and anthologies, and he has published four full-length poetry collections. Robbie grew up on a farm in Regional Victoria. He began writing poetry at the age of fourteen and his first publication was three years later. In this episode of Not the Plot, he speaks with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about dealing with early success, drawing inspiration from life, and poetry as breath.Find out more about Robbie Coburn at https://robbiecoburn.com/Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailLee Battersby is an award-winning author of science fiction, fantasy, and horror fiction. At various times in his life, he has been a stand-up comic, tennis coach, cartoonist, poet, tax officer and an arts and culture coordinator for a local council. Lee admits to an obsession with Lego, Nottingham Forest Football Club, dinosaurs and Daleks. In this episode of Not the Plot he chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about returning to writing after a break, the best advice he was given on living a creative life, and the purity of the process when writing for the joy of it without thought of the outcome. Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailTracy Ryan has taught literature, creative writing and film at various universities in Australia and England, and worked as a bookseller, editor and translator. Her poetry has won many awards and she is the author of six critically acclaimed novels. Tracy’s most recent novels focus on the Queens of Navarre. In this Episode of Not the Plot Tracy shares her inspiration behind these novels, the challenges of writing carefully researched historical fiction that is an engaging story for today’s readers, and the positivity of creativity. Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailJennifer Bagg is an award-winning artist creating work at the intersection of theatre, dance and performance art. She is based between Estonia, the United Kingdom and Australia, and having called multiple cities around the world home, cultural contrast is often the starting point for her work. In this episode of Not the Plot, Jennifer chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about puppeteering, her passion for creating live performance experiences, and the challenges of funding a creative life. Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailGretchen Shirm was a Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Australian Novelist and two of her novels were shortlisted for the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction in the NSW Premier’s Awards. Her short fiction and literary criticism have been published widely. Gretchen worked as a public law lawyer for more than a decade, and now teaches creative writing. In this episode of Not the Plot, Gretchen shares her thoughts on the power of narrative and storytelling, the ways in which law writing are both about language, and the challenge of finding readers for literary fiction in a crowded marketplace. To find out more about Gretchen and her writing, visit her website at https://gretchenshirm.com/    Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailAlyssa Curtayne is a passionate storyteller, writer, and researcher who is on a mission to breathe new life into forgotten fairy tales and the ancient art of storytelling. With a deep love for the old stories and the timeless lessons they hold, she is dedicated to reviving these tales and the traditions of the original tale-tellers, ensuring they continue to inspire and encourage imagination, creativity and wonder for future generations. A former journalist and English teacher, she has a strong commitment to inspiring creativity, fostering self-expression and cultivating connection through her writing, teaching and art.In this episode of Not the Plot, host Teena Raffa-Mulligan chats with Alyssa about the importance of fairy tales, how stories connect us, and the challenges of funding a creative life.You can find out more about Alyssa’s storytelling, books and writing services on her website at https://www.alyssacurtayne.com/Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailJames Foley is a writer, illustrator and cartoonist who started his career in primary school drawing cartoons for the school newspaper. He is now an award-winning children’s books creator with a growing collection of picture books, middle grade novels and graphic novels to add to his author-illustrator bookshelf. His favourite part of the job is presenting workshops at schools and libraries around the country.In this episode of Not the Plot James chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about his path to becoming an author/illustrator and how he balances the demands of family life and a busy speaking calendar with making space to create new work. He also highlights the importance of taking a playful, experimental approach to creativity and offers some helpful advice to aspiring illustrators.You can find out more about James’ books and school presentations on his website at https://jamesfoley.com.au Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailSandi Parsons describes herself as a book nerd, cystic fibrosis warrior, mother, transplant recipient and unicornologist who lives and breathes stories, as a reader, writer and storyteller. She shares her home with her favourite husband, some problem puppies and many teetering stacks of books. In this episode of Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan chats with Sandi about unicorns, the power of storytelling, why she writes, and the reader she has in mind when creating her stories.     Visit Sandi’s website at https://www.sandiparsons.com/ to find out more about her books, writing, author presentations and storytelling.  Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailKatrina Kell’s recent novel, Chloe, was inspired by one of Australia’s most iconic paintings, which has graced the walls of Young and Jackson Hotel since 1909. ‘Having a drink with Chloé’ has been a good luck ritual for Australian soldiers since WWI, a tradition that has continued throughout the decades. In this episode of Not the Plot, host Teena Raffa-Mulligan chats with Katy about how she came to write Chloe’s story, the research she undertook about the model who posed for the painting, and what kept her creatively inspired about the project during its long evolution from lucid dream to published novel.Visit Katrina’s website at https://katrinakell.com/ to find out more about her writing and presentations. Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailMaster storyteller Norman Jorgensen crafts tales about small heroes, smugglers, Vikings, pirates and Anzacs for young readers. Norman fell in love with books at an early age and has spent nearly all his life working in the book trade surrounded by the works of authors and illustrators he admires. He developed a love of history from reading historical novels, as well as from watching old Hollywood movies, and these influences are often reflected in his own work. In this episode of Not the Plot, Norman chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about why he writes adventure stories for young readers, shares his thoughts on censorship and insights into his creative process. Visit Norman’s website at https://normanjorgensen.com.au/ to find out more about his publications and school presentations. Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailCritically acclaimed novelist and essayist Andrea Goldsmith discovered the wonderful world of reading as a child and as soon as she learned that books were written by real people, she decided that was what she wanted to do. Her first novel was published 35 years ago. Her ninth title, The Buried Life, was released recently, and is a story of love and friendship, faith and fundamentalism, subtly underscored by the power of poetry and music. In this episode of Not the Plot, Andrea chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about her pathway to publication and writing process, the importance of storytelling, and why writers need to read more than they write.Visit Andrea’s website at https://andreagoldsmith.com.au to find out more about Andrea and her publications. Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailAnn Dombroski’s prize-winning short fiction has appeared in literary journals and anthologies and she recently celebrated the release of her debut novel After the Great Storm, a novel of threat and intrigue set in Sydney 50 years from now. It’s a story whose characters refuse to give up on love regardless of cost, and ultimately asks the question, 'When corruption becomes endemic, how can we save our moral code?'In this episode of Not the Plot, host Teena Raffa-Mulligan chats with Ann about the inspiration behind her book, the challenge of shifting her focus from short fiction to a full-length novel, and the role of editor as intelligent reader during the publishing process. Ann Dombroski’s book After the Great Storm is available from https://transitlounge.com.au/shop/after-the-great-storm/Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailLisa Holland is a corporate affairs specialist, journalist and author who writes books that she hopes will make a difference in the world. Her non-fiction books feature Aboriginal Australians, remarkable women and exceptional people overcoming difficult challenges. Lisa enjoys capturing first-hand accounts at a marked time in history so people can see what the world was like at that time because history can be rewritten further down the track. In this episode of Not the Plot, host Teena Raffa-Mulligan chats with Lisa about the importance of treating personal stories with trust and respect, her in-depth interview process, and the challenges of reaching a reading audience with first-person non-fiction.  Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailCristy Burne is a creative learning professional who encourages every one of us to experiment with learning, creativity and fun. To get motivated, get courageous, fall down and get up again. Cristy is a scientist, journalist, award-winning children’s author and popular event speaker whose career covers six countries, three degrees and a range of jobs including magazine editor, biotechnology patent translator and circus performer. In this episode of Not the Plot, host Teena Raffa-Mulligan chats with Cristy about overcoming procrastination, what science and arts have in common, dealing with rejection and the importance of giving a message of hope to young readers. For information about Cristy Burne’s books and presentations, visit her website at https://cristyburne.com/Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailCLAIRE BOSTON is the best-selling author of the popular Retribution Bay and Blackbridge romantic suspense series. Claire's stories offer readers love, adventure and escape. She fell in love with romance and romantic suspense at eleven when she discovered her mum's stash of Nora Roberts novels, and it didn’t take her long to start writing her own stories. Claire writes series set around families or groups of friends with a guaranteed happy ending. She loves travelling and learning about new cultures and interesting vocations which are then woven into her writing.In this episode of Not the Plot, Claire chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about making time to write, her creative process, the business of being an author and why she writes her brand of romantic suspense. https://claireboston.com/Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan Mail Award-winning, best-selling romance author Juanita Kees takes her readers on a wild, suspenseful, thrilling ride through small towns to catch bad guys, solve crimes, and find happy ever afters. Juanita is a skilled storyteller, with the wonderful ability to create emotionally engaging worlds steeped in romance, suspense, mystery and intrigue, set in dusty, rural outback Australia and on the NASCAR racetracks of America.Find out what it is about small towns and fast cars that inspires Juanita's story- telling, and how she rediscovered her creative self following a series of life challenges in this conversation with Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan. https://juanitakees.com/Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailSusanna Rogers writes young adult books featuring kick butt heroines because she would like to empower girls around the globe to believe in themselves, to take care and to follow their dreams. Since setting her sights on becoming a writer, Susanna has also written in a range of romance genres, plus crime, psychological thrillers and more recently women’s fiction.In this episode of Not the Plot Susanna chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about finding her personal sweet spot in fiction, the part feedback has played in developing her craft, and her thoughts on the complexity of violence and how to write about it. susannarogers.com  Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailBest-selling contemporary romance author Nora James writes about good people in challenging situations and their long and winding road to happiness. In this episode of Not the Plot, Nora chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about the various experiences that have influenced her development as a writer, from living in several different countries and a background in law to venturing into screen writing. She highlights the need for resilience to sustain a writing career and shares what she wishes she’d been told before she set out to become a published author. Website: https://www.norajames.com.auFB: https://www.facebook.com/authornorajames/Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailMulti-million copy bestselling author Anna Jacobs has published more than 110 modern and historical novels set in Australia and the UK. Yet at a time when many women her age are well into retirement, she is still working full-time to keep her two publishers and ever-growing international fan base happy with new releases each year. Anna is addicted to story-telling and figures she'll have to live to be 120 at least to tell all the stories that keep popping up in her imagination and nagging her to write them down. In this episode of Not the Plot, Anna chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about her path to publication, her writing process, and where she finds the inspiration for this constant flow of new stories. She also has some sound advice for anyone who has dreams of becoming a writer.Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3

Send us Fan MailRosanne Dingli, award winning author of short fiction, novels and poetry has had numerous articles, stories, reviews, columns and poems published in Australia and internationally since the early 1980s. Alongside an impressive publishing history, she has also worked as a teacher, lecturer, workshop coordinator, magazine and corporate editor, manuscript assessor and competition judge. This close connection with writing and publishing over four decades has given her a clear perspective on the need for adaptability to achieve continued success in an ever-changing industry. In this first episode of Not the Plot, Rosanne chats with host Teena Raffa-Mulligan about her writing process, the importance of place in her fiction, why she writes novels for a niche market, and what it takes for a writer to maintain a long-term career.Thank you for listening.Find out more about Not the Plot host Teena Raffa-Mulligan at https://www.teenaraffamulligan.com or follow her FB author page https://www.facebook.com/TeenaRaffaMulligan You can also sign up for her occasional newsletter at http://bit.ly/2gqsJz3