First Word Problems: Recent Episodes
First Word Problems
Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time.
Delving into the problems that affect a new generation of writers, editors and publishers, we interview people who are creating change in our industry and provide some insight into trends and skills that might help you get ahead.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from the Bowen Street Press––an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT––and it’s all about students.
Meet Antonia Pont, an essayist, poet, practitioner, teacher and more. She's a senior lecturer in writing and literature at Deakin University. She's written for Rabbit, The Lifted Brow, Cordite and Meanjin.
In this episode we discuss her experience as a teacher and lecturer, her differing approaches to writing poetry and nonfiction, and how her worldview shapes her work. We explore what poetry means and what makes it special, and why, even if she were never published again, she'll be writing it for the rest of her life.
This episode was recorded remotely during October 2020 and Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions in Melbourne. There may be variations of audio quality.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out.
Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress
Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress
Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Rebecca Giggs, an Australian writer with an environmental sensibility, best known for her recent non-fiction book, Fathoms: The World in the Whale. Her articles and essays have been published in Best Australian Science Writing, Best Australian Essays numerous times, TheAtlantic, Granta, The New York Times Magazine, and The Griffith Review. With Rosalind, she discusses her research and creative processes, as well as the role of literature in environmentalism and activism.
This episode was recorded remotely during September 2020 and Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions in Melbourne. There may be variations of audio quality.
First Word Problems: Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out.
Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress
Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress
Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Elena Gomez, a freelance editor and writer based in Melbourne. She has over ten years of industry experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Penguin Random House and Text. Elena discusses her experience organising an enterprise bargaining agreement for editors at Penguin Random House. We also talk about the personality types that are drawn to the publishing industry, work–life balance, editor salaries, and the state of freelance editing.
This episode was recorded remotely during September 2020 and Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions in Melbourne. There may be variations of audio quality.
First Word Problems: Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out.
Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress
Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress
Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Michael Dulaney, a Sydney-based writer and journalist who has written for the ABC, The Lifted Brow, Overland and more. In this episode we talk about the differences between writing for small press literary magazines and bigger mass media organisations, building relationships within the industry, and how chasing your passion can lead to productivity and success.
This episode was recorded remotely during September 2020 and Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions in Melbourne. There may be variations of audio quality.
First Word Problems: Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out.
Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress
Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress
Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Chris Grierson. He's the General Sales and Marketing Manager at Scribe Publications.
Chris has more than 13 years industry experience working in digital publishing and sales. He’s worked for some of the largest publishing houses in Australia and New Zealand, including Penguin Random House and Apple Books.
Chris discusses his career and what it was like being involved in the early days of digital publishing. We also explore the opportunities digital publishing has provided self-published authors, and how smaller presses are adapting to a digital format.
This episode was recorded remotely during April 2020 and COVID-19. There may be variations of audio quality.
First Word Problems: Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out.
Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress
Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress
Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Patrick Boyle, Rebecca Amad and Chris Black. Patrick, Rebecca and Chris are alumni of the Bowen Street Press and this week they sit down with us and talk about their time as student interns at the Bowen Street Press and the diverse paths their careers have taken after leaving the program.
Patrick is the acclaimed writer of Queer Icons from Gay to Z: Activists, Artists and Trailblazers. You can reach out to him on his Instagram @thepatboyle. Rebecca is currently located in London and working in marketing and communications; she can be found at @bec_am. Chris works at Melbourne's very own Scribe Publications—his Instagram handle is @m0n0cle in case you want to reach out and say hi.
This episode was recorded remotely during May 2020 and in the midst of Level 3 restrictions, which we have just re-entered in Melbourne. There may be variations of audio quality.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out. Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Gene Smith. He's the Associate Director of the Melbourne Writers Festival and a student in RMIT's Master of Publishing and Writing.
Gene joins us to talk about his career in the writers' festival industry, what the role of associate director looks like, and what we can expect from the 2020 Melbourne Writers Festival, which will be delivered online.
This episode was recorded remotely during May 2020 and in the midst of Level 3 restrictions, which we have just re-entered in Melbourne. There may be variations of audio quality.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out. Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Kate O'Donnell. She is the author of Untidy Towns published by UQP, project editor at Scribble, an imprint of Scribe, and bookseller at Yarraville's The Younger Sun. Kate joins us to talk about the ins and outs of bookselling, what is popular in YA and children's literature, as well as the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on independent bookstores. This episode was recorded remotely during May 2020 and in the midst of Level 3 restrictions, which we have just reentered in Melbourne. There may be variations of audio quality. First Word Problems: Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time. First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students. Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out. Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Else Fitzgerald. She's an award-winning writer and former festival producer and program coordinator. Else joins us to discuss the benefits and pressures that come from winning a literary prize and her diverse career in the literary industry so far.
This episode was recorded remotely during April 2020 and COVID-19. There may be variations of audio quality.
First Word Problems: Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out.
Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress
Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress
Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Dr Natalie Kon-yu—writer, academic and editor. Natalie is a senior lecturer at Victoria University. She has an abiding interest in women's narratives, particularly those which have been marginalised. This week Natalie talks to us about diversity in the publishing industry, the 2016 Stella Diversity Count and her essay 'In the Skin of the Other: Diversity and The Australian Publishing Industry'.
This episode was recorded remotely during April 2020 and COVID-19. There may be variations in audio quality.
First Word Problems: Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out. Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Anna Spargo-Ryan. She's an author, editor, writing teacher and former digital marketer. Anna talks to us about building your brand as an author online, not being an a**hole, and using social media for good. This episode was recorded remotely during April 2020 and COVID-19. There may be variations of audio quality.
First Word Problems: Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Matt Holden, Maria Tumarkin, Toni Jordan, and Miles Allinson. Each guest is an author working across various genres in the publishing industry. This week they've come together to discuss their writing careers, from publishing and finding an audience for their writing, to the experience of working with editors and publishers.
This episode was recorded remotely during March 2020 and COVID-19. There may be variations of audio quality.
First Word Problems: Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out.
Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress
Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress
Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Libby Harkness. She's a life story writer, biographer and journalist. Libby talks to us about her career as one of Australia's most successful ghostwriters. She tells us about her interview process and chats about some of the projects she's worked on.
Find Libby online at http://www.writerforhire.com.au/
Books discussed include:
Everything to Live For by Turia Pitt with Libby Harkness
Life Sentence by Simon Gillard with Libby Harkness
The Widow by Nola Duncan and Libby Harkness
Confessions of a Qantas Flight Attendant: True Tales and Gossip from the Galley by Owen Beddall and Libby Harkness
Dr Claire's Love your Dog: The complete guide to caring for your canine friend by Dr Claire Stevens and Libby Harkness
This episode was recorded remotely during May 2020 and COVID-19. There may be variations in audio quality.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out. Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Paul Smitz. He's a freelance editor, book coach and former travel guidebook writer. Paul talks to us about his career at Lonely Planet before guiding us through the process and business of freelance editing.
This episode was recorded remotely during April 2020 and COVID-19. There may be variations in audio quality.
First Word Problems: Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out.
Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress
Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress
Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Anna Thwaites, Lin Li Ng, and Jane Fitzpatrick. Each guest is an editor working in different parts of the industry, from educational publishing to freelancing. This week our guests have come together to share their knowledge, experience, and discuss the changes they’ve witnessed in the industry over the course of their careers.
This episode was recorded remotely during March 2020 and COVID-19. There may be variations in audio quality.
First Word Problems: Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out.
Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress
Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress
Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Tracy O'Shaughnessy. She's a publisher, editor and the current Program Manager for the Masters of Writing and Publishing at RMIT. Tracy talks about why she decided to go into teaching, the aims of The Bowen Street Press in teaching young writers and publishers, and how the publishing industry is adapting to the current climate.
This episode was recorded remotely during April 2020 and COVOD-19. There may be variations of audio quality.
First Word Problems: Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out.
Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress
Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress
Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Melissa Cranenburgh. She is the host of Triple R’s Backstory program—a show about books, the craft of writing and the people behind the lines. She teaches Writing and Editing at RMIT and boasts an extensive resume of editorial work for The Big Issue among other publications.
First Word Problems: Rewriting the publishing industry, one interview at a time.
First Word Problems is an initiative straight from Bowen Street Press—an independent publishing house run by students from the Master of Writing and Publishing at RMIT—and it’s all about students.
Subscribe to First Word Problems on Spotify or Apple podcasts to make sure you don't miss out.
Find us on Instagram @thebowenstreetpress
Find us on Twitter @TheBowenStPress
Find us on Facebook @TheBowenStreetPress
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.