Writers Behaving Badly Podcast

Lisa Ireland, Brooke Turnbull & Annie Bucknall
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🎙️ A writing podcast that pulls back the curtain on publishing. Lisa Ireland, Brooke Turnbull, and Annie Bucknall mix craft, chaos, and cocktails 🍷 with live mentoring, industry truths 📖, and writing confessions. New episodes every Saturday—because sometimes, it’s good to be bad. 🔥 writersbehavingbadly.substack.com

  1. ✍️ Can a sexy scene be funny?

    May 10

    ✍️ Can a sexy scene be funny?

    On this episode of Writers Behaving Badly: Brooke’s manuscript is in the hot seat with feedback from Lisa. The crew are smashing their own different writing goals (and we get a look at Brooke’s incredible typing speed). We share our book recommendations (controversy?) and Brooke spills the tea on embarrassing herself at a recent author event for Casey Nott book launch! What You'll Learn: What it looks like when humour and spice hit exactly the right notes Why sometimes the best thing you can do for your writing is quit other things How to handle awkward writing conversations Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & WinsThe crew are (mostly) winning with Brooke absolutely nailing her writing retreat time! 📚 The Write AdviceBrooke reads her manuscript and it has us laughing (and wanting to read more). Lisa provides some very specific advice (you’ll want to hear her take). ☕️ Tea Time Brooke tells us all about her verbal spew at a recent book launch…to a room full of published writers 🫢 Got some writing tea to spill? Leave us a comment 😊 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

    53 min
  2. ✍️ Your book is NOT your baby...

    Apr 11

    ✍️ Your book is NOT your baby...

    On this episode of Writers Behaving Badly: Brooke’s manuscript finally gets a name and we are squealing at it! Lisa and Annie find wins amongst the chaos and why editing your manuscript can sometimes feel like cutting a bad fringe… Our write-along crew are smashing their writing goals and vibing off each other’s word counts (hello, accountability!)…we’re looking at you Athena writing an entire short story in an hour!! And we tackle AI accusations…are they the new witch hunt? Plus: We share some writing hot takes inspired by Victoria Wlosok @xvictoriawrites on Instragram. What You'll Learn: Why getting published can be easier than staying published. Why your manuscript is not your baby. How to think critically about AI accusations in publishing. Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & WinsBrooke has a breakthrough on her story and her title. Lisa embraces a planned ‘slow’ writing month whilst still showing up for write-alongs (she never truly puts her pen down). Annie goes full historian mode, deep-diving into Queensland history and clocking up 5000+ words…but nothing on her actual manuscript. 📚 The Write AdviceInspired xvictoriawrites on Instagram, Lisa unpacks three hard truths about publishing: Getting published is easier than staying published. Your friends don’t really care about your writing. Your book is not your baby. Lisa brings industry insight, honesty, and a few gentle reality checks. ☕️ Tea Time RantWe dig into the controversy around AI allegations in publishing, sparked by discourse around the novel Shy Girl. Are AI allegations the new witch hunt? Got some writing tea to spill? Leave us a comment 😊 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

    53 min
  3. ✍️ When a literary agent ghosts you...

    Mar 15

    ✍️ When a literary agent ghosts you...

    On this episode of Writers Behaving Badly: Brooke, Lisa and Annie tackle the heavy vibes of 2026 with podcasting joy and a new format. We’re folding in the cheese for our new segment (please leave a comment to help us give it a title), getting inspo at the traffic lights (hello, motorcycle man 👋) and writing through the horrors that are modern life. Plus: We discuss some truly unhinged writing advice from Stephen King…and will Brooke ever forgive Lisa for killing off Nana Lil? What You'll Learn: Why finishing a ‘bad draft’ can leave you with golden nuggets How to write in the face of existential dread What we’re reading to keep our book brains fed and happy! Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & WinsLisa declares herself a ‘swinner’, Brooke breaks a writing slump with a sneaky sideways glance at the traffic lights and Annie discusses what life as a working historian means for her writing. 📚 OUR UNNAMED SEGMENT?How do you write in the face of existential dread? No, really? The horrors may persist but so do we! Learn why Lisa is genuinely looking forward to the art that comes out of this period in time...and why, no matter what, you should keep making it. 🍵 Tea Time Rant1, 2, 3, 4, 5…everybody in the car and come on let’s write! Stephen King’s weird writing advice we just have to talk about. Got some writing tea to spill? Leave us a comment 😊 Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Wednesday 25th February @ 7:30pm Melbourne Time. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

    50 min
  4. ✍️ Stephen King's Weirdest Writing Advice

    Feb 14

    ✍️ Stephen King's Weirdest Writing Advice

    On this episode of Writers Behaving Badly: Brooke, Lisa and Annie tackle the heavy vibes of 2026 with podcasting joy and a new format. We’re folding in the cheese for our new segment (please leave a comment to help us give it a title), getting inspo at the traffic lights (hello, motorcycle man 👋) and writing through the horrors that are modern life. Plus: We discuss some truly unhinged writing advice from Stephen King…and will Brooke ever forgive Lisa for killing off Nana Lil? What You'll Learn: Why finishing a ‘bad draft’ can leave you with golden nuggets How to write in the face of existential dread What we’re reading to keep our book brains fed and happy! Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & WinsLisa declares herself a ‘swinner’, Brooke breaks a writing slump with a sneaky sideways glance at the traffic lights and Annie discusses what life as a working historian means for her writing. 📚 OUR UNNAMED SEGMENT?How do you write in the face of existential dread? No, really? The horrors may persist but so do we! Learn why Lisa is genuinely looking forward to the art that comes out of this period in time...and why, no matter what, you should keep making it. 🍵 Tea Time Rant1, 2, 3, 4, 5…everybody in the car and come on let’s write! Stephen King’s weird writing advice we just have to talk about. Got some writing tea to spill? Leave us a comment 😊 Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Wednesday 25th February @ 7:30pm Melbourne Time. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

    47 min

  5. 10/17/2025

    ✍️ How to Find the Right Beta Reader (and Be One)

    This week on Writers Behaving Badly: It’s the season two finale! Annie, Brooke, and Lisa wrap up a year of literary chaos with bread, burnout, and breakthroughs. Lisa digs deep for one final curly question and Brooke delivers the Footballer’s Baby conception scene…(almost)… Plus: The knitting community comes for Hank Green in a thread war for the ages… What You'll Learn: The difference between a supportive beta reader and a confidence killer How to give feedback that doesn’t make someone quit writing forever Why “being kind” isn’t the same as “lying” Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & WinsLisa inches closer to ‘the end’ while Brooke and Annie creep further away… 🔥 Roast or ToastBrooke gives us what we’ve asked for…the Footballer’s Baby is finally conceived… 📚 Curly QuestionHow do you find a Beta Reader…but more importantly, how do you give good feedback without crushing a writer’s spirit? Lisa shares her wisdom. 🍵 Tea Time RantHank Green vs. the knitters: when socks are undervalued, and sexism enters the chat. Annie brings the chaos; Brooke tries not to choke on her tea. Are we cancelled? Afraid knot… Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 28th October @ 8:00pm. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

    53 min
  6. ✍️ Kate Solly on Writing, Imposter Syndrome & Novlr Obsession

    10/10/2025

    ✍️ Kate Solly on Writing, Imposter Syndrome & Novlr Obsession

    This week on Writers Behaving Badly: We’re back with New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth for Part Two of our rollicking chat. Sally dishes on the realities of social media (hint: don’t waste time building a platform before you’ve written the book), resilience in the face of one-star reviews, and the myth-busting advice every aspiring author needs to hear. She also spills some tea on a library event with Lisa that went hilariously sideways—complete with Maud heckling from the front row… Plus: Lisa can’t take an ugly photo of Sally (no matter how hard she tries), and Brooke yells the F-word directly into Sally’s face. You couldn’t script it if you tried. Follow Sally Hepworth on Substack 😊 Pre-order Mad Mabel What You'll Learn: Why social media can wait until you’ve actually written the book. How to find (and keep) your voice online without hating it. The art of laughing at one-star reviews (including Rhonda’s epic takedown). Why every writer needs resilience and a good sense of humour. Our next Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 23rd September @ 7:30pm. Come and join us! (We’ll be announcing more end of year dates shortly 😊) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

    53 min

  7. 10/03/2025

    ✍️ When to Send Your Book to Beta Readers

    This week on Writers Behaving Badly: It’s our very first live, in-person episode—recorded in Sydney with questionable tech, maximum chaos, and at least one snort that may or may not become a sound effect. Brooke fights through a new-job writing slump, Lisa produces her award-winning early manuscript for listening pleasure and Annie gets distracted by a 90s inspired dream. There’s a dramatic reading, a curly question about beta readers and tea that makes us wonder if Malcolm Turnbull has a Google alert on his name (or DMs are open…) What You'll Learn: Why you can’t follow ‘the shinies’ Why it’s easier to write the 60s How your early work forms part of your writing journey (even if you think it’s cringe) The right time to send your work to beta readers Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & WinsIt’s an in-person confession time with one of our writers ending up in the sin-bin while the other two just scrape over the line. 🔥 Roast or ToastLisa’s Strictly Business gets a dramatic group reading—tampons, talismans, and a groom with cold feet. Instead of a brutal roast, it sparks nostalgia, trope talk (“touch her and die”), and Brooke’s so in love with the hero she makes Lisa blush. 📚 Curly QuestionWhen is the right time to send your manuscript to a beta reader? Lisa explains what is ‘too early’ and how to know if you’re really ready for feedback. 🍵 Tea Time RantA viral reel sparks debate: can you judge someone by the books on their shelf? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

    47 min

  8. 09/26/2025

    ✍️ How to Write Believable Romantic Conflict

    This week on Writers Behaving Badly: Season Two kicks off with triple wins! Brooke discovers the power of horny ghosts, Lisa finds her character voice (and an accountability partner who doesn't mess around), and Annie reclaims her historical heroine's agency. Plus, we debut Brooke's very first novel—complete with mysterious football jerseys and a dubious hall-of-fame. What You'll Learn: How to move past "am I saying anything important?" by focusing on what you do well—fun genres matter too! How accountability partners can transform your writing momentum Why research matters even in contemporary fiction (looking at you, football scenes) The truth about first chapter "rules" and why most of them are nonsense Segments Inside: ✍️ Sins & WinsFor once, we're all winning! Creative breakthroughs, voice discoveries, and 30,000 words in a month. 🔥 Roast or ToastBrooke reads from The Footballer's Baby—her genre-bending debut featuring NRL/soccer/gridiron confusion and generic farms. Lisa delivers the ultimate writing lesson: great storytelling transcends factual accuracy, but research still matters. 📚 Curly QuestionWe tackle the TikTok writing advice rabbit hole and why those endless "must-have" lists might be killing your creativity. 🍵 Tea Time RantThe ethics of true crime publishing—why the rush to capitalise on tragedy raises serious questions about victim-centred storytelling and responsible journalism. Our first Badly Behaved Write-Along is on Tuesday 12th August @ 7:30pm. Come and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersbehavingbadly.substack.com/subscribe

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

🎙️ A writing podcast that pulls back the curtain on publishing. Lisa Ireland, Brooke Turnbull, and Annie Bucknall mix craft, chaos, and cocktails 🍷 with live mentoring, industry truths 📖, and writing confessions. New episodes every Saturday—because sometimes, it’s good to be bad. 🔥 writersbehavingbadly.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa Ireland, Brooke Turnbull & Annie Bucknall
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Annie Bucknall
  • Show Website
    Writers Behaving Badly Podcast

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