The Writing Apothecary Podcast

Mandi Kontos
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

A podcast about tips, tricks and hacks on all things writing with your host Mandi Kontos - a writer, writing mindset coach and self published author. Each month we tackle a different topic to do with writing and follow it up with a chat with a guest who will put things into perspective and finish off the topic. The Writing Apothecary is the podcast to help you understand the different layers of a novel, one topic at a time.

  1. 6D AGO

    Editing: Copy, Line and Proof Reading Edits

    Send us a text Welcome back, today we're diving into copy, line and proof reading edits. These are the backbone of the story to ensure that it is as polished as you can get it and happen both in tandum and separate with a manuscript.  These are probably the hardest part of the editing for me - it's intense and I'm so lucky to have worked with some wonderful editors who made it easier to digest, and dare I say, fun? Do you think that these are important? And if not why?  Also I find that making sure that you're proof reading is done by someone with some fresh eyes. Whether you are paying them or not. It's important.  Are you ready for our interview in the next fortnight? I can't wait to talk to Britt.  Want exclusive behind the scenes and early access to episodes join up to the mailing list over here. If you're looking for a cheerleader for your writing, then head on over to https://dreamingfullyawake.com/work-with-me/ and let's have a chat about how we can work together to get your writing on track. Follow the podcast on Instragram @thewritingapothecary Follow Mandi on all socials: @mandikont

    15 min
  2. The Writing Process With E.P Bali

    JAN 22

    The Writing Process With E.P Bali

    Send us a text Today's writing process is one of my favourite's with E.P. Bali. I met her at Supanova and we bonded of BDB and fantasy. This was such a great chat, what do you think of it? Have you read her books? What did you think of them? About E.P Bali: Ektaa E.P. Bali was born in Fiji and spent most of her life in Melbourne Australia. She is a dreamer of the fantastical and faraway places and loves to write complex, morally grey characters and stories wrought with spice, darkness, humour and romance. Her favourite tropes to write are: enemies to lovers, fated mates, villain gets the girl and bada$$ boss main characters.” Website: www.ektaabali.com/www.epbali.com Social media links: @ektaabali.com on everything (instagram, tiktok) Want exclusive behind the scenes and early access to episodes join up to the mailing list over here. If you're looking for a cheerleader for your writing, then head on over to https://dreamingfullyawake.com/work-with-me/ and let's have a chat about how we can work together to get your writing on track. Follow the podcast on Instragram @thewritingapothecary Follow Mandi on all socials: @mandikont

    1h 4m

  3. JAN 15

    Editing: Developmental Edits

    Send us a text Welcome to the next episode of editing. We're looking at Developmental edits.  In this episode we cover what exactly is developments edits and what they entail. We are covering what an editor will be looking for and they are: CharacterisationPlotWorld buildingPoint of View (POV)As the main issues. But they look at the story on a whole as well.  This part of the story isn't as pivotal as you think but it will make your life a little easier if you can get it right the first time.  Want exclusive behind the scenes and early access to episodes join up to the mailing list over here. If you're looking for a cheerleader for your writing, then head on over to https://dreamingfullyawake.com/work-with-me/ and let's have a chat about how we can work together to get your writing on track. Follow the podcast on Instragram @thewritingapothecary Follow Mandi on all socials: @mandikont

    16 min
  4. The Writing Process with Allison A Andrews

    JAN 8

    The Writing Process with Allison A Andrews

    Send us a text Today's episode of The Writing Process is with a kick arse romance author who has overcome so much. Chatting with Allison A. Andrews was a hoot and it was so fun to be the first podcast she ever did. Since this podcast she has come out with a spicier series under the pen name of Antoinette W May. Dive into what her process is like and much like everyone else she is just as chaotic as you think when it comes to her writing.  Tell me what you think, and while you're at it chuck her a follow. Bio: Allison A. Andrews is a wife and girl-mum based in Brisbane, Australia who loves to write swoon-worthy book boyfriends and strong heroines. Having always dreamed of one day being an author, it was a dream come true when her first book, Illusions, was released in July 2023, and now she’s pinching herself that she has 5 books published and many more to come.  She dreams of the day when she can leave the corporate world of insurance, where she currently works as an operations manager in a brokerage, and focus all her work time on the lives of the characters who are screaming for their stories to be told. Website: www.allisonaandrews.com Social media links: Instagram  Want exclusive behind the scenes and early access to episodes join up to the mailing list over here. If you're looking for a cheerleader for your writing, then head on over to https://dreamingfullyawake.com/work-with-me/ and let's have a chat about how we can work together to get your writing on track. Follow the podcast on Instragram @thewritingapothecary Follow Mandi on all socials: @mandikont

    43 min

  5. JAN 1

    Welcome to Editing

    Send us a text Whew we are jumping back into our normal program but this may be one of the last topics we tackle together - because we're about to change it up in here. I'm hoping that this will be able to help me figure out how to get what i need out.  The Writing Apothecary is about to change, ever so slightly, but we have an episode on that coming up soon. I'm so excited to see where we can.  But for today, we're tackling our introduction to editing - many will already know a little bit about it but we go into the different steps of editing and what they entail. The lessons will be broken up into developmental edits (known as dev edits) and then copy, line and proof edits. We will be finishing up with an interview with my editor, Brittany Bittossi of BLD Editing.  I hope that you enjoy the episode, let me know what you think.  Want exclusive behind the scenes and early access to episodes join up to the mailing list over here. If you're looking for a cheerleader for your writing, then head on over to https://dreamingfullyawake.com/work-with-me/ and let's have a chat about how we can work together to get your writing on track. Follow the podcast on Instragram @thewritingapothecary Follow Mandi on all socials: @mandikont

    13 min
  6. The Writing Process with Elisse Hay

    12/25/2025

    The Writing Process with Elisse Hay

    Send us a text Today's Writing Process episode with fantasy author Elisse Hay. This chat was so much fun and listening to Elisse's writing process and how she tackles her stories is so much fun - as someone who is neurodivergent it was fun to get a sneak peak into how she makes it work for what she needs.  Fun fact: Elisse was the first indie author that I bought when I first starting buying indie books and it was such a fan girl moment.  Author Bio: Elisee Hay is the author of Something Wicked and Fate Untethered. She have no patience for b******t, lots of words to share, and love fiercely. ...but there isn't room in her life for toxicity. Give her big, wholesome and heartfelt!  She lives, works and learns on the Wadawurrung lands of the Kulin Nation and acknowledge that the First Nations' people have a deep and magical connection to the land, which they have never ceded.  Links: Website Amazon Want exclusive behind the scenes and early access to episodes join up to the mailing list over here. If you're looking for a cheerleader for your writing, then head on over to https://dreamingfullyawake.com/work-with-me/ and let's have a chat about how we can work together to get your writing on track. Follow the podcast on Instragram @thewritingapothecary Follow Mandi on all socials: @mandikont

    30 min
  7. The Writing Process with Abigail Mader

    12/11/2025

    The Writing Process with Abigail Mader

    Send us a text Today's Writing Process episode is with Fantasy author Abbigal Madder aka Abbie as I know her. I did this interview long before I really knew Abbie and she is such a hoot to be around and chat to.  Through all of these podcast I ask the same questions and get such different responses from every one of my guests, which is why I love writers so damn much.  Abbie's approach is also chaotic and planster coded. I would love to know what you think about it.  About Abbie: Abigail Mader is an indie author from Australia. She loves the fantasy genre, getting lost in magical worlds since she was little. Her favourite author as a child was Enid Blyton, and today her love of fantasy has grown. When she's am not reading or writing, Abigail loves spending time with her family and days out in the beautiful Australian countryside and beaches, soaking in the natural beauty and finding inspiration for her next story. She also is at the helm of the AUS/NZ Indie Bookclub and apart of the Aussie Indie Hub team.  Abigail's  Links: Website Instagram Threads Tiktok Want exclusive behind the scenes and early access to episodes join up to the mailing list over here. If you're looking for a cheerleader for your writing, then head on over to https://dreamingfullyawake.com/work-with-me/ and let's have a chat about how we can work together to get your writing on track. Follow the podcast on Instragram @thewritingapothecary Follow Mandi on all socials: @mandikont

    20 min

  8. 11/27/2025

    The Writing Process with KJ Burrage

    Send us a text Today's Writing Process episode is with Fantasy author KJ Burrage and this was the second time we had to record it because my computer lost the original audio, but it was just as fun the second time around.  Through all of these podcast I ask the same questions and get such different responses from every one of my guests, which is why I love writers so damn much.  Kylie's approach is chaotic and planster coded. I would love to know what you think about it.  About Kylie She's an author that currently calls tropical North Queensland, Australia home. She has been developing her craft since she was ten years old. Alas, her original floppy discs from 1995 have disappeared! Kylie currently live with my three young daughters, a fiery red-head and identical twins. As a little girl, she dreamed that she would become just like CS Lewis. When Kylie grew up, she decided she wanted to be JRR Tolkien. Now, she learnt to be content with being myself. KJ Burrage suits me just fine. She have a Bachelor Degree in Primary Education with a major in literacy and worked as a primary school teacher. Along with teaching she have also been a co-owner in her own laser engraving business, designing customised and unique giftware. Life can be unpredictable (and unfair). After the sudden and tragic death of her husband, she returned to her passion of the written word. Kylie first began to write picture books for her girls to help them understand and come to terms with their loss. She continued to write.  Links: Website: https://www.kjburrage.com Social media links: Tiktok, Instagram Want exclusive behind the scenes and early access to episodes join up to the mailing list over here. If you're looking for a cheerleader for your writing, then head on over to https://dreamingfullyawake.com/work-with-me/ and let's have a chat about how we can work together to get your writing on track. Follow the podcast on Instragram @thewritingapothecary Follow Mandi on all socials: @mandikont

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A podcast about tips, tricks and hacks on all things writing with your host Mandi Kontos - a writer, writing mindset coach and self published author. Each month we tackle a different topic to do with writing and follow it up with a chat with a guest who will put things into perspective and finish off the topic. The Writing Apothecary is the podcast to help you understand the different layers of a novel, one topic at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Mandi Kontos
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Writing Apothecary Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Writing Apothecary Podcast