Meet a debut author juggling kids, writing, Instagram and success. Leesa Ronald's debut romcom Special Delivery was published in December 2024 and has already been reprinted. Success! Leesa has also signed a further two-book deal with Allen & Unwin, her second romcom will hit bookshelves towards the end of 2025.00:00 Introduction

01:10 Jane asks Leesa about her lived experience as an author. Leesa explains how she was fortunate to land up with Allen & Unwin and the rhythm of her interactions with her publisher.

04:00 Interactions with various people at the publishers and getting used to response times.

05:30 Finding the publisher, ASA Literary Speed Dating and getting a contact at A&U.

07:45 Knowing your genre. Leesa started reading romcoms about 18 months before she started writing one. Writing the book in the midst of being pregnant and having third child.

09:21 Understanding the contract, where Leesa got advice.

10:20 The titles changes and draft front cover.

13:00 Deciding to just write and let the publishers look after the publishing. Feedback on the book so far, reviews etc

14:15 Leesa on her social media strategy and advice she got.

17.20 Writing the book, first the plot of the book, and then how Leesa got started. Not much of a plotter in first book but currently writing second book and doing more plotting.

20:20 With job and three kids, Leesa tends to write at night, some early morning.

21:30 Special Delivery did not have a huge amount of editing to be done.

22:20 Leesa didn't do writing courses before she wrote the first book, but has always worked as a writer of magazine and now corporate communications. Trying to write the type of book I wanted to read. Did do a 6-week course before book 2, what was useful in that.

25:20 Meeting other writers and the romcom community. The Romance Writers of Australian Conferenece.

28: 10 The audiobook production process.

29:00 Thanks and farewells

Leesa Ronald's website is here.

Leesa Ronald is on Instagram here.

Mhairi McFarlane

Emily Henry

Kelly Rimmer

Romance Writers of Australia

Jane Curry Links

• Jane Curry Advisory: www.janecurryadvisory.com
• Ventura Press: www.venturapress.com.au
• www.instagram.com/venturapress__

Seana Smith Links

• Seana Smith website: www.seanasmith.com
• www.instagram.com/seanasmith

Going Under Audiobook: Going Under on Audible, narrated by Seana Smith, click here.

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