Welcome to Season 2!! In this episode of The Book Deal Podcast, hosts Tina Strachan and Madeleine Cleary return for the second season with a bang. They discuss the exciting launch of their debut novels, starting with Tina's 'Neeka and the Missing Key,' Book One of the Wilder Zoo Series, illustrated by Max Hamilton and released on January 29 2025. Tina shares her journey from conceptualising the story to getting a book deal, winning the CYA Conference competition, and her unique experiences as a zookeeper. They explore the challenges of balancing writing with motherhood and a full-time job, emphasising the supportive nature of the writing community. The episode also includes a special feature from debut author Kate Horan discussing her book 'The Inheritance' and concludes with news about their new co-host, Natasha Rai.

00:00 Welcome to The Book Deal Podcast
00:43 Season Two Kickoff
01:24 Tina's Debut Novel: Neeka and the Missing Key
04:35 The Elevator Pitch
06:49 Tina's Writing Journey
13:24 From Zookeeper to Author
18:53 Winning the CYA Competition
31:50 Meeting with the Publisher
33:20 Overcoming Self-Doubt as a Writer
33:34 From Zookeeper to Author: A Unique Journey
35:01 The Publisher's Interest: A Turning Point
35:47 Navigating the Publishing Process
36:23 The Importance of Timing and Market Trends
37:43 Writing Sample Chapters: The Challenge
39:49 The Acquisitions Process: A Writer's Experience
45:47 Balancing Writing with Life's Demands
46:43 The Long Road to Publication
54:33 Celebrating the Book Launch
57:37 The Writing Community: A Source of Support
01:03:15 Exciting News for The Book Deal Podcast

Follow The Book Deal podcast on Instagram The Book Deal podcast (@the_book_deal_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos

You can find out more about Tina and Madeleine and follow their journeys here:
Tina Strachan (@td_strachan) • Instagram photos and videos
Tina Strachan children's book author
Madeleine Cleary (@madeleineclearywrites) • Instagram photos and videos
Madeleine Cleary | Author