Feeling cosy? Then you’ll love meeting author Alexandra Almond, as she shares her cosy fantasy novel, Thoroughly Disenchanted. Alexandra unpacks how she built her distinct characters, the role of magic in everyday life and her experience in finding an agent and getting published, along with advice for aspiring writers.
00:00 Introduction 04:08 Words at dawn: a unique writing practice 09:55 Nat Newman’s writing tip: change things up 13:43 WIN! Chickenpox by Remy Lai 15:33 Word of the week: ‘diaphanous’ 18:16 Writer in residence: Alexandra Almond 21:17 Character origins and development 23:42 The unexpected romance 26:21 Magic in everyday life 27:44 The historical setting and character evolution 32:05 Alexandra’s writing process and challenges 36:28 Finding an agent and publisher 40:22 Advice for aspiring writers 43:01 Current and future projects 43:57 Final thoughts
Alexandra Almond lives and works on Bunurong land in Melbourne (Naarm) with her tennis-ball obsessed Labrador, Captain. Before turning her hand to writing, her previous roles included stable hand, clown, HR assistant, flower buyer, procurement manager, cleaner and human-centred designer, which is her current day job. She might have included footballer on that list if the AFLW had arrived three decades earlier … and if she had any ability. She likes trains, books, dogs and cups of tea. Her favourite colour is green.
