Lisa Medved is an Australian author who divides her time between Melbourne and The Hague. After completing a Bachelor of Arts in history and fine art from the University of Melbourne, Lisa went on to work in public relations and event management, honing her writing skills for various corporate publications and several magazines in the UK and the Netherlands.

The Engraver's Secret is her first novel, and was born out of a passion for history and art, a curiosity in the life of a little-known Flemish engraver and his relationship with a world-renowned painter, and a desire to explore the secrets that can lie beneath the surface of family dynamics. Lisa is currently working on her second novel, which is set in fin-de-siècle Vienna and post-WWI London around the art of Gustav Klimt.

What's inside this episode?

• Lisa discusses the importance of feedback, both from writing courses and professional editors, to the editorial process with her agent and publisher.
• When writing historical fiction, she notes needing to be careful not to bog the story down with too much historical detail.
• And also, how not to let the research become procrastination.
• Lisa shares her journey publishing in multiple languages - Dutch and then English
• She share’s some great advice about starting your story at the point that is most relatable to you if you don’t know where to start!

Listen now if you need...

... permission to write a story based on a niche interest.

My favourite quote:

"The best advice is to filter feedback and listen to that little voice inside your head that is telling you whether it's feedback that you should accept or or whether you should adjust it to your own expectations, or whether you should just let it go."

📖 What is the last book that Lisa read and loved? Rapture by Emily Maguire

The Engraver's Secret by Lisa Medved is available to purchase wherever you buy your books. Alternatively, check in with your local library. If they don’t have a copy yet, put in a request!

Extra (important) information!

✨ You can find Lisa Medved (she/ her) at lisamedved.com

✨ Download The Ultimate Checklist to PREPARE, WRITE and PITCH your Book for FREE!

✨ Subscribe to The Writer, seeks. (I answer writing and publishing questions - for free!!)

✨ Join the Debut Books private writing community!

✨ Buy my debut book, The Little Black Book of Publishing!

✨ Check out the list of Debut Australian authors for 2024 and 2025

✨ Check out Big Pitch Energy, a self-paced online course to help you pitch and submit your manuscript to Australian agents and publishers with clarity and confidence.

✨ Join Your Novel Adventure, a one-of-a-kind mentorship program that utilises a subscription model, increasing accessibility for aspiring authors without an application process - this mentor program is available to any aspiring author who wants and needs it.

👋🏼 Until next time friend!