Madeleine Cleary talks to Cheryl about her path to publication, the importance of collaboration with editors, and how balancing a full-time job with writing has shaped her creative process. Her latest work, The Butterfly Women, is out now.

About The Author

Madeleine Cleary is a writer who lives at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges on Wurundjeri country in outer Melbourne. Her debut novel of historical fiction, The Butterfly Women, will be published in May 2025 with Affirm Press. It is inspired by Madeleine’s recently discovered connection to the thieves and prostitutes of the early colony of Melbourne, and it was this research that was the novel’s genesis.

Madeleine’s most recent novel, In Her Own Words, was shortlisted in 2024 for The Australian Fiction Prize. In 2022, she dabbled in short stories, and was honoured to find some success in several esteemed local competitions, including Stringybark Stories, the E.M Fletcher Writing Award, and the Ethel Webb Bundell Literary Short Story Competition. Madeleine holds a Master of Arts (International Relations) degree from the University of Melbourne.

While she has established a wonderful career in the Australian Public Service, including stints working in Canberra and overseas, writing was always her (secret) passion. A former bookseller, Madeleine enjoys being part of the wider reading and writing community in Australia. She is a co-host of The Book Deal Podcast with fellow podcaster, Tina Strachan, a podcast that helps to inspire and motivate aspiring writers.

When not working, podcasting or writing, Madeleine is generally plucking weeds in a cathartic trance on her steep ‘hills’ block, reading, eating, chatting or bush walking.