Kate Kemp, author of 'The Grapevine' - Debut author discusses preparing for disappointment, trusting the process, and her winding path to publication
Writer's Routine
Dan Simpson
4.9 • 599 Ratings
🗓️ 25 September 2025
⏱️ 40 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This week we're joined by Kate Kemp, occupational therapist, psychotherapist and now, author. Her debut novel, 'The Grapevine', is out now. It started life as a manuscript called 'Warrah Place', which won the Stylist Prize for Feminist Fiction, and landed her a publishing deal.
It's a gripping mystery set in 1970s Australia, about a murder in a close-kint community, and the rumours that spread like wildfire afterwards.
We discuss why her bed is so crucial for her work, and how she edits on the move. Also, you can hear how pressured she feels to make time to write when she's not really feeling it, why you should be prepared for the disappointments along the way, and her winding path to publication.
This week's episode is sponsored by IngramSpark, who let you publish like a pro. Also, this week's episode is sponsored by Quick Book Reviews Podcast.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This week's episode of writer's routine is brought to you by Ingram Spark, who let you publish like a pro. |
| 0:06.9 | You have a story, so share it with the world. And you don't need to wait for anyone else to get read now. |
| 0:12.8 | It's 2025. You can take control. There are no barriers. And you've got all the help you need with Ingram Spark. |
| 0:20.0 | It lets you explore all the publishing options available to you from hardcover, paperback and ebook. |
| 0:27.2 | It can help you self-publish like a pro. |
| 0:29.7 | Ingram Spark offers global e-book and print distribution, connecting your stuff to over 45,000 readers, helping you reach libraries, retailers and online stores too. |
| 0:42.9 | Now, self-publishing, although accessible, it can be a little bit intimidating if you do it yourself. |
| 0:48.8 | There are so much to think about. And that's after you've put in all the effort and all the time of actually writing the |
| 0:55.5 | book and that's why ingram spark has a huge stash of self-publishing guides courses and so much more |
| 1:03.2 | so you can self-publish like a pro with ingram spark you can reach millions of readers worldwide |
| 1:10.6 | with powerful tools for independent, you can reach millions of readers worldwide with powerful tools for independent |
| 1:13.5 | writers. You can find out more with the self-publishing book company, Ingram Spark. Get started for free |
| 1:20.5 | at ingramspark.com slash learn more. Also, this week's episode is sponsored by the Quick Book Reviews podcast. If this show takes you |
| 1:30.1 | behind the scenes of writing books, quick book reviews takes you behind the scenes of what makes |
| 1:36.8 | the novels brilliant. For the last six years, Philippa has been chatting to some of the |
| 1:41.2 | biggest authors around and discovering their newest work. |
| 1:44.9 | If you're a reader looking for new book recommendations and you want to get to know your |
| 1:48.8 | favourite writers, well, this is the perfect podcast for you with in-depth chats and spoiler-free |
| 1:54.2 | book reviews. Each episode is in a perfect bite-sized chunk so it can fit easily into your day. |
| 2:02.5 | So many big names in recent episodes too, ones with Janice Hallett, Mark Billingham, Adele Park, Steve Kavanaugh, and Dan Brown as |
| 2:08.5 | well. Philippa gets into all the fun questions, finding out what authors like to eat when they're at |
| 2:16.0 | work, where they want to go on holiday when they're out of |
... |
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