We'd Like A Word: Recent Episodes
We'd Like A Word
A podcast & radio show about words: writers, readers, books, poetry, lyrics, scripts, comedy, illustrators, agents & all things wordy.
- We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Jonathan Kennedy interview stars of Indian & Irish literature and film making at the 2024 Jaipur Literature Festival at the British Library in London. (It's possible that Paul repeatedly referred to it as the Jaipur Literary Festival, but let's not quibble.) We hear from the man who is at every Indian gathering worth attending, JLF organiser Sanjoy Roy; Nazia Erum author of Mothering A Muslim; Dr Sunny Singh and Yasser Usman on the captivating appeal of Bollywood & Hindi films; diplomat Vikas Swarup, author of Q & A - which became the movie Slumdog Millionaire - and other novels; Irish author Liz Nugent who's novel Strange Sally Diamond has been topping book charts; & Indian film director Shekhar Kapoor whose movies include Elizabeth, Bandit Queen & the iconic Mr India. Brace yourself for startling revelations.
WHO IS JONATHAN KENNEDY? WHY IS HE HERE? AND WHERE IS STEVYN COLGAN? Jonathan was Director of Arts in India for 5 years for the British Council. He's been everywhere in India and knows everyone there involved in culture. He was also for 12 years the Executive Director of Tara Arts, looking at the world through a South Asian lens. Jonathan is doing some India & South Asian episodes of We'd Like A Word with us. We'll drop them in every now & then. Normal service will be resumed with Steve & Paul shortly.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
- Khushwant Singh Lit Fest: Indian, Pakistani & Bangladeshi authors - In this special We'd Like A Word India episode at the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival, co-hosts Paul Waters & Jonathan Kennedy (standing in for Stevyn Colgan) hear ideas from top authors of fiction, non-fiction, memoir & poetry & other experts. WARNING - one of our interviewees (Farrukh Dhondy) gets a bit sweary.
WHO IS JONATHAN KENNEDY? WHY IS HE HERE? AND WHERE IS STEVYN COLGAN? Jonathan was Director of Arts in India for 5 years for the British Council. He's been everywhere in India and knows everyone there involved in culture. He was also for 12 years the Executive Director of Tara Arts, looking at the world through a South Asian lens. Jonathan is doing some India & South Asian episodes of We'd Like A Word with us. We'll drop them in every now & then. Normal service will be resumed with Steve & Paul shortly.
Our guests on this WLAW KSLF episode include Harinder Singh, who with The Singh Twins & Gopinder Kaur has created the book Jewels of Sikh Wisdom; Pinky Lilani, cook, networker extraordinaire, founder of Asian Women of Achievement, & author of Some Kind of Wonderful; Nadia Kabir Barb of The Whole Kahani south Asian women's writers' collective & author of the short story collection, Truth or Dare; Farrukh Dhondy, author, playwright, media executive & activist - who writes about his bookish relationship with the notorious serial killer Charles Sobraj; Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi & her debut novel, The Centre; sisters Shirin & Marina Wheeler who write separately about their parents - Shirin on her father, the iconic journalist Charles Wheeler - Witness to the Twentieth Century, & Marina on her mother, Dip - The Lost Homestead - My Mother, Partition and the Punjab; poet Imtiaz Dharker on her latest collection, Shadow Reader; Aneysha Minocha, founder & CEO of Quantaco, the green tech, clean tech carbon-reducing start-up that grabbing attention; & Akshat rathi, author of Climate Capitalism, also senior reporter for Bloomberg news & host of the Zero podcast on climate change. Phew - that's loads!
What is the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival? The Indian version happens in breathtakingly spectacular surroundings inside the military cantonment in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, in the foothills of the Himalayas. Paul's been there. This recording is at the London spin-off at the Brunei Gallery at SOAS - the School of Oriental and African Studies. Khushwant Singh was one of India's most prolific authors, a scholar, journalist, iconoclast & dubbed "the most honest man in India." The festival is keen to promote closer ties between India & Pakistan; equal opportunities for women worldwide; & disseminating the values of democracy, tolerance, compassion in a world that is increasingly more polarised.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
- John Hegley at Milton's Cottage: The BBC radio & Edinburgh Fringe favourite, British national treasure, poet, musician & comedian, John Hegley joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan to perform & chat in front of an intimate live audience inside Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton wrote his epic poem Paradise Lost, published in 1667.
John Hegley is supported by the poet, musician and children's TV producer/editor Clare Elstow.
Brace yourself for an eclectic mix of London & Luton literary & football memories, John Keats & John Milton, William & Henry Lawes, French language & music (Rameau), goldfish, a quick striptease, profound audience questions, & some rude & funny poetry.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
- Mark Ecob on book cover design (part 1): The award-winning book cover designer, Mark Ecob, aka Mecob, tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he does it.
We also talk about in this 3 part episode: Ben Okri & Tiger Work, Alexander McCall Smith, Piers Torday, sustainable publishing & the Society of Authors, Roald Dahl, Amazon thumbnails, Will Dean & his book Dark Pines & the great cover by Mark Swan / Kid Ethic, Paul Kingsnorth & the challenge of having a good book cover name, genre fiction tropes, Blackwatertown by Paul Waters, Books by Stevyn Colgan, Ben Tallon's podcast - The Creative Condition, the threat of AI, author Ajay Chowdhury & cover designer Dan Mogford, & Lego.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
- Mark Ecob on book cover design (part 2): The award-winning book cover designer, Mark Ecob, aka Mecob, tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he does it.
We also talk about in this 3 part episode: Ben Okri & Tiger Work, Alexander McCall Smith, Piers Torday, sustainable publishing & the Society of Authors, Roald Dahl, Amazon thumbnails, Will Dean & his book Dark Pines & the great cover by Mark Swan / Kid Ethic, Paul Kingsnorth & the challenge of having a good book cover name, genre fiction tropes, Blackwatertown by Paul Waters, Books by Stevyn Colgan, Ben Tallon's podcast - The Creative Condition, the threat of AI, author Ajay Chowdhury & cover designer Dan Mogford, & Lego.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
- Mark Ecob on book cover design (part 3): The award-winning book cover designer, Mark Ecob, aka Mecob, tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he does it.
We also talk about in this 3 part episode: Ben Okri & Tiger Work, Alexander McCall Smith, Piers Torday, sustainable publishing & the Society of Authors, Roald Dahl, Amazon thumbnails, Will Dean & his book Dark Pines & the great cover by Mark Swan / Kid Ethic, Paul Kingsnorth & the challenge of having a good book cover name, genre fiction tropes, Blackwatertown by Paul Waters, Books by Stevyn Colgan, Ben Tallon's podcast - The Creative Condition, the threat of AI, author Ajay Chowdhury & cover designer Dan Mogford, & Lego.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
16. Chiltern Kills crime writing festival with Frederick Forsyth & many more top authors: Thriller writing icon Frederick Forsyth tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about his legacy & his first ever appearance at a literary festival in this one-part episode. It was recorded (mostly) live at the Chiltern Kills festival in Gerrards Cross in October 2023. All ticket sales went to the Centrepoint charity combating youth homelessness.
The Chiltern Kills festival is organised by Paul Waters & fellow author Tony Kent - who also features in this episode. & whose next thriller, The Shadow Network, is out in February 2024.
We also hear from crime authors Rachel Ward, Derek Farrell, SJ Bennett, JL Blackhurst, Laura Marshall, Leye Adenle (twice), Cate Quinn, Susi Holliday & BBC and Bestsellers Pod presenters Phil Williams & Natalie Jamieson. AND exclusive news on who is appearing at Chiltern Kills 2024 on 5th October 2024.
Plus Sue Dorman, Marguerite Fletcher, Laurie Stone & others. And with thanks to Centrepoint, Sacla UK, Cipriani Bellinis, Chorleywood and Gerrards Cross Bookshops, Milton's Cottage Museum in Chalfont St Giles & Vision Care for Homeless People.
By the way - if you'd like to be a book reviewer for this podcast, get in touch via our email or socials, listed below.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or One Step Ahead: Notes from the Problem Solving Unit, the policing classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Jeffrey Archer on storytelling (part 1): The globally bestselling (more than 300m books sold) storyteller Jeffrey Archer tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he does it.Jeffrey takes research to extremes - he been to prison, been an MP and is now in the House of Lords. He reads from his latest rip roaring thriller is Traitors Gate - all about how to steal the Crown Jewels and get away with it. Jeffrey also breaks down his classic 100 short story, Unique, in a writing masterclass.
Jeffrey also announces the winner of the We'd Like A Word competition for a new Google Pixel Fold mobile phone (cost £1700). We spoil you on this podcast!
We also talk about in this 3 part episode: jeweller Alan Gard, Maupassant, O Henry, Ajay Chowdhury & his Detective Kamil Rahman series, Roald Dahl, Dickens, Sean Connery, Ben McIntyre & Colditz, Rula Lenska, AI - artificial intelligence, reading out loud, athlete Adrian Metcalfe, Betty Boothroyd, Barry Humphries, Paul dacre & the Daily Mail, killing dogs, counterfeit books & cricket in India, JD Salinger, the editor author partnership, Dr Who, Roy jenkins, Adrian McKinty & The Chain, F Scott Fitzgerald, Somerset Maugham, Chief Superintendent John Sutherland, Miss Potter with Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor, Brad Pitt, digging the plot hole even deeper, why authors should avoid biros, mortality, getting up early to write & cutting down alcohol, Richard Adams & Watership Down, rare originality, Jefferson & a missing American Declaration of Independence, & Frederick Forsyth.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Jeffrey Archer on storytelling (part 2): The globally bestselling (more than 300m books sold) storyteller Jeffrey Archer tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he does it.Jeffrey takes research to extremes - he been to prison, been an MP and is now in the House of Lords. He reads from his latest rip roaring thriller is Traitors Gate - all about how to steal the Crown Jewels and get away with it. Jeffrey also breaks down his classic 100 short story, Unique, in a writing masterclass.
Jeffrey also announces the winner of the We'd Like A Word competition for a new Google Pixel Fold mobile phone (cost £1700). We spoil you on this podcast!
We also talk about in this 3 part episode: jeweller Alan Gard, Maupassant, O Henry, Ajay Chowdhury & his Detective Kamil Rahman series, Roald Dahl, Dickens, Sean Connery, Ben McIntyre & Colditz, Rula Lenska, AI - artificial intelligence, reading out loud, athlete Adrian Metcalfe, Betty Boothroyd, Barry Humphries, Paul dacre & the Daily Mail, killing dogs, counterfeit books & cricket in India, JD Salinger, the editor author partnership, Dr Who, Roy jenkins, Adrian McKinty & The Chain, F Scott Fitzgerald, Somerset Maugham, Chief Superintendent John Sutherland, Miss Potter with Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor, Brad Pitt, digging the plot hole even deeper, why authors should avoid biros, mortality, getting up early to write & cutting down alcohol, Richard Adams & Watership Down, rare originality, Jefferson & a missing American Declaration of Independence, & Frederick Forsyth.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Jeffrey Archer on storytelling (part 3): The globally bestselling (more than 300m books sold) storyteller Jeffrey Archer tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he does it.Jeffrey takes research to extremes - he been to prison, been an MP and is now in the House of Lords. He reads from his latest rip roaring thriller is Traitors Gate - all about how to steal the Crown Jewels and get away with it. Jeffrey also breaks down his classic 100 short story, Unique, in a writing masterclass.
Jeffrey also announces the winner of the We'd Like A Word competition for a new Google Pixel Fold mobile phone (cost £1700). We spoil you on this podcast!
We also talk about in this 3 part episode: jeweller Alan Gard, Maupassant, O Henry, Ajay Chowdhury & his Detective Kamil Rahman series, Roald Dahl, Dickens, Sean Connery, Ben McIntyre & Colditz, Rula Lenska, AI - artificial intelligence, reading out loud, athlete Adrian Metcalfe, Betty Boothroyd, Barry Humphries, Paul dacre & the Daily Mail, killing dogs, counterfeit books & cricket in India, JD Salinger, the editor author partnership, Dr Who, Roy jenkins, Adrian McKinty & The Chain, F Scott Fitzgerald, Somerset Maugham, Chief Superintendent John Sutherland, Miss Potter with Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor, Brad Pitt, digging the plot hole even deeper, why authors should avoid biros, mortality, getting up early to write & cutting down alcohol, Richard Adams & Watership Down, rare originality, Jefferson & a missing American Declaration of Independence, & Frederick Forsyth.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Win a Google Pixel Fold phone + Ajay Chowdhury on AI & writing books (part 1): Crime author & tech entrepreneur Ajay Chowdhury tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about how he uses artificial intelligence tools to help him write his excellent Detective Kamil Rahman series. Plus answer a question in this 3-part podcast for a chance to win a brand new Google Pixel Fold mobile phone. We've heard they cost £1,700 - so it's a good prize! Hear the question, email your answer to wedlikeaword@gmail.com
Also in this 3-part episode: is it ethical or useful to use AI / artificial intelligence tools like Chat GPT to help write books? Is AI an existential threat to human creativity? Will AI put book cover designers out of work? Which of us has a third nipple and why does James Bond get his nipple arrangement all wrong>
We also talk - Lily Allen, author Jude O'Reilly, Roger Moore, Children of the Ghetto by Israel Zangwill, A Child of the Jago by Arthur Morrison, John Wyndham, John Wick, Philip Kerr, Jewish East End London, book cover designer Dan Mogford, Barry Cotter v Harry Potter, Christopher Lee, Scaramanga, India, ANPR and other surveillance, AI dating website, Honcho, the Indian epics the Ramayana & Mahabharata.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Win a Google Pixel Fold phone + Ajay Chowdhury on AI & writing books (part 2): Crime author & tech entrepreneur Ajay Chowdhury tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about how he uses artificial intelligence tools to help him write his excellent Detective Kamil Rahman series. Plus answer a question in this 3-part podcast for a chance to win a brand new Google Pixel Fold mobile phone. We've heard they cost £1,700 - so it's a good prize! Hear the question, email your answer to wedlikeaword@gmail.com
Also in this 3-part episode: is it ethical or useful to use AI / artificial intelligence tools like Chat GPT to help write books? Is AI an existential threat to human creativity? Will AI put book cover designers out of work? Which of us has a third nipple and why does James Bond get his nipple arrangement all wrong>
We also talk - Lily Allen, author Jude O'Reilly, Roger Moore, Children of the Ghetto by Israel Zangwill, A Child of the Jago by Arthur Morrison, John Wyndham, John Wick, Philip Kerr, Jewish East End London, book cover designer Dan Mogford, Barry Cotter v Harry Potter, Christopher Lee, Scaramanga, India, ANPR and other surveillance, AI dating website, Honcho, the Indian epics the Ramayana & Mahabharata.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Win a Google Pixel Fold phone + Ajay Chowdhury on AI & writing books (part 3): Crime author & tech entrepreneur Ajay Chowdhury tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about how he uses artificial intelligence tools to help him write his excellent Detective Kamil Rahman series. Plus answer a question in this 3-part podcast for a chance to win a brand new Google Pixel Fold mobile phone. We've heard they cost £1,700 - so it's a good prize! Hear the question, email your answer to wedlikeaword@gmail.com
Also in this 3-part episode: is it ethical or useful to use AI / artificial intelligence tools like Chat GPT to help write books? Is AI an existential threat to human creativity? Will AI put book cover designers out of work? Which of us has a third nipple and why does James Bond get his nipple arrangement all wrong>
We also talk - Lily Allen, author Jude O'Reilly, Roger Moore, Children of the Ghetto by Israel Zangwill, A Child of the Jago by Arthur Morrison, John Wyndham, John Wick, Philip Kerr, Jewish East End London, book cover designer Dan Mogford, Barry Cotter v Harry Potter, Christopher Lee, Scaramanga, India, ANPR and other surveillance, AI dating website, Honcho, the Indian epics the Ramayana & Mahabharata.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Amish (part 1) on writing Indian history as fiction: Diplomat, TV star & author Amish tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing new versions of classic Indian epics like the Ramayana. He shares how he creates bestselling series that sell millions of copies faster than any others in India. But how does he keep it exciting when most people know how these classic stories end? And what about those readers who feel they already "own" these stories & jealously police any deviations or fresh takes? How do these new tellings of old stories fit in with today's India? Plus - as Amish is also a diplomat, head of the Nehru Centre in the UK, a TV presenter & a prolific author - how does he find the time? And what role does the Goddess play in how his books make it to print? And where & why does Amish Tripathi fit in the pantheon of one-name celebrities - Beyonce, Madonna, Prince, Masaba... Amish?
Amish is the author of the Shiva Trilogy, the Ram Chandra Series, & others. His latest book, the fourth in the Ram Chandra Series, is War of Lanka. Brace yourself for all-out conflict, intrigue, strategy, philosophy and some unexpected geography. Think you know your ancient Indian history? here's a new take.
Melvyn Bragg, Eddie Izzard, Little Red Riding Hood, marriage & old British folk tales also get a mention. And we drink tea in the very grand surroundings of the Nehru Centre in London.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Amish (part 2) on writing Indian history as fiction: Diplomat, TV star & author Amish tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing new versions of classic Indian epics like the Ramayana. He shares how he creates bestselling series that sell millions of copies faster than any others in India. But how does he keep it exciting when most people know how these classic stories end? And what about those readers who feel they already "own" these stories & jealously police any deviations or fresh takes? How do these new tellings of old stories fit in with today's India? Plus - as Amish is also a diplomat, head of the Nehru Centre in the UK, a TV presenter & a prolific author - how does he find the time? And what role does the Goddess play in how his books make it to print? And where & why does Amish Tripathi fit in the pantheon of one-name celebrities - Beyonce, Madonna, Prince, Masaba... Amish?
Amish is the author of the Shiva Trilogy, the Ram Chandra Series, & others. His latest book, the fourth in the Ram Chandra Series, is War of Lanka. Brace yourself for all-out conflict, intrigue, strategy, philosophy and some unexpected geography. Think you know your ancient Indian history? here's a new take.
Melvyn Bragg, Eddie Izzard, Little Red Riding Hood, marriage & old British folk tales also get a mention. And we drink tea in the very grand surroundings of the Nehru Centre in London.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Amish (part 3) on writing Indian history as fiction: Diplomat, TV star & author Amish tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing new versions of classic Indian epics like the Ramayana. He shares how he creates bestselling series that sell millions of copies faster than any others in India. But how does he keep it exciting when most people know how these classic stories end? And what about those readers who feel they already "own" these stories & jealously police any deviations or fresh takes? How do these new tellings of old stories fit in with today's India? Plus - as Amish is also a diplomat, head of the Nehru Centre in the UK, a TV presenter & a prolific author - how does he find the time? And what role does the Goddess play in how his books make it to print? And where & why does Amish Tripathi fit in the pantheon of one-name celebrities - Beyonce, Madonna, Prince, Masaba... Amish?
Amish is the author of the Shiva Trilogy, the Ram Chandra Series, & others. His latest book, the fourth in the Ram Chandra Series, is War of Lanka. Brace yourself for all-out conflict, intrigue, strategy, philosophy and some unexpected geography. Think you know your ancient Indian history? here's a new take.
Melvyn Bragg, Eddie Izzard, Little Red Riding Hood, marriage & old British folk tales also get a mention. And we drink tea in the very grand surroundings of the Nehru Centre in London.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. Paul is writing a new cosy mystery series set in contemporary Delhi - more on that anon. And if you're still stuck for something to read now, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Romance (part 1): Movie star Michael Douglas, authors Georgina Moore & Becky Hunter tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing romance, authors supporting other authors, & reading to counter depression.
Hollywood star & double-Oscar-winning Michael Douglas has had a string of hit films including Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, Romancing the Stone, Behind the Candelabra, & Falling Down – plus producing One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. His latest is the Marvel superhero movie, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. He gives us his book recommendations.
Georgina Moore & Becky Hunter have worked together in book publicity & also wrote their romance books together – on Georgina’s house boat off the Isle of Wight. So they both know about publicising books and supporting each other.
Georgina is the author of The Garnett Girls, published by HQ, Harper Collins. It’s set on the Isle of Wight & in Venice. & is on loads of Best Books of 2023 lists.
Becky’s new book is One Moment, published by Corvus – Atlantic Books. It’s described as a moving novel about the life-affirming power of friendship.
We also talk about how to get the most out of publicists; mistakes authors make; the dreaded second book syndrome; the blissful ignorance of debut authors; the risks of chasing trends; the struggle to justify devoting time to writing; writing to the market for a deadline; choosing a book title; how to bounce back from rejection; why you should big up other writers & people with whom you work; authors Shari Lapena, Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella & Eva Rice; writing what you love; how to stay resilient & upbeat; the contemplative Japanese activity known as boketto: plus the newly invented booketto – with may be accompanied by a cornetto; the novel Less by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Andrew Sean Greer; American revolutionary hero, inventor, scientist & US declaration of independence signatory, Benjamin Franklin; and the history books, Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson, & A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France and the Birth of America, by Stacy Schiff.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Romance (part 2): Movie star Michael Douglas, authors Georgina Moore & Becky Hunter tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing romance, authors supporting other authors, & reading to counter depression.
Hollywood star & double-Oscar-winning Michael Douglas has had a string of hit films including Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, Romancing the Stone, Behind the Candelabra, & Falling Down – plus producing One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. His latest is the Marvel superhero movie, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. He gives us his book recommendations.
Georgina Moore & Becky Hunter have worked together in book publicity & also wrote their romance books together – on Georgina’s house boat off the Isle of Wight. So they both know about publicising books and supporting each other.
Georgina is the author of The Garnett Girls, published by HQ, Harper Collins. It’s set on the Isle of Wight & in Venice. & is on loads of Best Books of 2023 lists.
Becky’s new book is One Moment, published by Corvus – Atlantic Books. It’s described as a moving novel about the life-affirming power of friendship.
We also talk about how to get the most out of publicists; mistakes authors make; the dreaded second book syndrome; the blissful ignorance of debut authors; the risks of chasing trends; the struggle to justify devoting time to writing; writing to the market for a deadline; choosing a book title; how to bounce back from rejection; why you should big up other writers & people with whom you work; authors Shari Lapena, Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella & Eva Rice; writing what you love; how to stay resilient & upbeat; the contemplative Japanese activity known as boketto: plus the newly invented booketto – with may be accompanied by a cornetto; the novel Less by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Andrew Sean Greer; American revolutionary hero, inventor, scientist & US declaration of independence signatory, Benjamin Franklin; and the history books, Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson, & A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France and the Birth of America, by Stacy Schiff.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Romance (part 3): Movie star Michael Douglas, authors Georgina Moore & Becky Hunter tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing romance, authors supporting other authors, & reading to counter depression.
Hollywood star & double-Oscar-winning Michael Douglas has had a string of hit films including Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, Romancing the Stone, Behind the Candelabra, & Falling Down – plus producing One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. His latest is the Marvel superhero movie, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. He gives us his book recommendations.
Georgina Moore & Becky Hunter have worked together in book publicity & also wrote their romance books together – on Georgina’s house boat off the Isle of Wight. So they both know about publicising books and supporting each other.
Georgina is the author of The Garnett Girls, published by HQ, Harper Collins. It’s set on the Isle of Wight & in Venice. & is on loads of Best Books of 2023 lists.
Becky’s new book is One Moment, published by Corvus – Atlantic Books. It’s described as a moving novel about the life-affirming power of friendship.
We also talk about how to get the most out of publicists; mistakes authors make; the dreaded second book syndrome; the blissful ignorance of debut authors; the risks of chasing trends; the struggle to justify devoting time to writing; writing to the market for a deadline; choosing a book title; how to bounce back from rejection; why you should big up other writers & people with whom you work; authors Shari Lapena, Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella; writing what you love; how to stay resilient & upbeat; the contemplative Japanese activity known as boketto: plus the newly invented booketto – with may be accompanied by a cornetto; the novel Less by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Andrew Sean Greer; American revolutionary hero, inventor, scientist & US declaration of independence signatory, Benjamin Franklin; and the history books, Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson, & A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France and the Birth of America, by Stacy Schiff.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, & audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul, Steve & our guests. We're on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we're embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
3. Climate Change Fiction (part 1): Peter May & Paul Hardisty tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about bringing our climate emergency into mainstream popular fiction. Peter May's new crime thriller A Winter Grave (published by riverrun), & is set in Scotland in 2051. Paul Hardisty's adventure thriller The Forcing (published by Orenda Books), & is set in a future when younger voters turn on the older generation they blame for destroying our world.
Do we need the authors of popular genre fiction to include climate emergency themes in their fiction? Lots of us ignore the science of climate change, so are stories which appeal to our imagination the way to get the message across? Do authors have a duty to reflect climate change, or does the creative heart rebel against being told what to do? Why don't more authors do it already? Is our looming climate catastrophe just too bleak? Too difficult? Do readers need happier endings? Do agents & publishers? How should authors get the balance right between waking readers up and scaring them into despairing inaction? And how do you wrap it all up in exciting, enjoyable stories?
Peter May is the bestselling author of thrillers series set in Scotland, France & China - as well as prescient standalone thrillers, like Lockdown, which predicted the pandemic lockdown. We've delved into his past already on We'd Like A Word, but had to have him back (the first time we've done this with a guest) when he came out of retirement to lead the literary vanguard trying to communicate with big audiences about climate change in a new way. He's also released an anthem by the Peter May Band to accompany A Winter Grave. You'll hear it on the show - Don't Burn The World. (Co-written by Dennis McCoy.) You can stream it on the usual music platforms & watch the YouTube video here: Don’t Burn the World - The Peter May Band - YouTube You can also hear Peter's previous surreal episode involving being hired as a private detective by giant geckos here: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/9UHL9sCCPwb
Paul Hardisty lives by Australia's Great Barrier Reef. He got there from Canada via a bewildering series of steps through the world's trouble zones, including, in November, Ukraine. As a leading environmental scientist, engineer & lobbyist of politicians, he knows how urgent it is for people to wake up on climate change.
We also talk about Amitav Ghosh; resurrecting the book in your drawer that you thought would never get published; The Rig on Amazon Prime; Kate Raworth & Doughnut Economics; & Negeley Farson & The Way of a Transgressor.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
2. Climate Change Fiction (part 2): Peter May & Paul Hardisty tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about bringing our climate emergency into mainstream popular fiction. Peter May's new crime thriller A Winter Grave (published by riverrun), & is set in Scotland in 2051. Paul Hardisty's adventure thriller The Forcing (published by Orenda Books), & is set in a future when younger voters turn on the older generation they blame for destroying our world.
Do we need the authors of popular genre fiction to include climate emergency themes in their fiction? Lots of us ignore the science of climate change, so are stories which appeal to our imagination the way to get the message across? Do authors have a duty to reflect climate change, or does the creative heart rebel against being told what to do? Why don't more authors do it already? Is our looming climate catastrophe just too bleak? Too difficult? Do readers need happier endings? Do agents & publishers? How should authors get the balance right between waking readers up and scaring them into despairing inaction? And how do you wrap it all up in exciting, enjoyable stories?
Peter May is the bestselling author of thrillers series set in Scotland, France & China - as well as prescient standalone thrillers, like Lockdown, which predicted the pandemic lockdown. We've delved into his past already on We'd Like A Word, but had to have him back (the first time we've done this with a guest) when he came out of retirement to lead the literary vanguard trying to communicate with big audiences about climate change in a new way. He's also released an anthem by the Peter May Band to accompany A Winter Grave. You'll hear it on the show - Don't Burn The World. (Co-written by Dennis McCoy.) You can stream it on the usual music platforms & watch the YouTube video here: Don’t Burn the World - The Peter May Band - YouTube You can also hear Peter's previous surreal episode involving being hired as a private detective by giant geckos here: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/9UHL9sCCPwb
Paul Hardisty lives by Australia's Great Barrier Reef. He got there from Canada via a bewildering series of steps through the world's trouble zones, including, in November, Ukraine. As a leading environmental scientist, engineer & lobbyist of politicians, he knows how urgent it is for people to wake up on climate change.
We also talk about Amitav Ghosh; resurrecting the book in your drawer that you thought would never get published; The Rig on Amazon Prime; Kate Raworth & Doughnut Economics; & Negeley Farson & The Way of a Transgressor.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
1. Climate Change Fiction (part 3): Peter May & Paul Hardisty tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about bringing our climate emergency into mainstream popular fiction. Peter May's new crime thriller A Winter Grave (published by riverrun), & is set in Scotland in 2051. Paul Hardisty's adventure thriller The Forcing (published by Orenda Books), & is set in a future when younger voters turn on the older generation they blame for destroying our world.
Do we need the authors of popular genre fiction to include climate emergency themes in their fiction? Lots of us ignore the science of climate change, so are stories which appeal to our imagination the way to get the message across? Do authors have a duty to reflect climate change, or does the creative heart rebel against being told what to do? Why don't more authors do it already? Is our looming climate catastrophe just too bleak? Too difficult? Do readers need happier endings? Do agents & publishers? How should authors get the balance right between waking readers up and scaring them into despairing inaction? And how do you wrap it all up in exciting, enjoyable stories?
Peter May is the bestselling author of thrillers series set in Scotland, France & China - as well as prescient standalone thrillers, like Lockdown, which predicted the pandemic lockdown. We've delved into his past already on We'd Like A Word, but had to have him back (the first time we've done this with a guest) when he came out of retirement to lead the literary vanguard trying to communicate with big audiences about climate change in a new way. He's also released an anthem by the Peter May Band to accompany A Winter Grave. You'll hear it on the show - Don't Burn The World. (Co-written by Dennis McCoy.) You can stream it on the usual music platforms & watch the YouTube video here: Don’t Burn the World - The Peter May Band - YouTube You can also hear Peter's previous surreal episode involving being hired as a private detective by giant geckos here: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/9UHL9sCCPwb
Paul Hardisty lives by Australia's Great Barrier Reef. He got there from Canada via a bewildering series of steps through the world's trouble zones, including, in November, Ukraine. As a leading environmental scientist, engineer & lobbyist of politicians, he knows how urgent it is for people to wake up on climate change.
We also talk about Amitav Ghosh; resurrecting the book in your drawer that you thought would never get published; The Rig on Amazon Prime; Kate Raworth & Doughnut Economics; & Negeley Farson & The Way of a Transgressor.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Writing dynasties (part 1): Felix Francis, Andrew Child/Grant & Rajmohan Gandhi tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about taking on a big book brand or carrying on a family writing tradition. It's different from continuation novels, they say, like when Anthony Horowitz took on Ian Fleming's James Bond character (see episode 4, series 1 of We'd Like A Word with Anthony Horowitz https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rtTQmLv7Ivb ). These are books, stories and characters with whom they have grown up. But do they try to be exactly like their predecessor or collaborator? Distinctively different? How open are they about it? Is it better to keep it a secret until you're sure that readers will like it? And what if the originator decides he maybe does not want to retire after all? How do they write? And what books are they writing next? Lots of interesting answers in this 4-part episode.
Felix Francis is the son of Richard and Mary Francis, who together created the internationally bestselling Dick Francis thrillers, set in the world of horse racing. Felix began contributing to, then co-writing, then solely authoring the Dick Francis books long before his name was on the covers. He's written 16 of them now. Where does Dick end and Felix begin? Listen to find out.
Andrew Grant - now also known as Andrew Child - is the younger brother of Lee Child (real name Jim Grant), the creator of the bestselling Jack Reacher series - which you may also know from the Tom Cruise movies or the Amazon series starring Alan Ritchson. When decided he had only 4 more books left in him, he asked his brother Andrew to collaborate with him with a view to ultimately taking over. (Though that particular plot thickens...) But Andrew was already a successful thriller author in his own right. And he has a personal past cloaked in mystery.
Rajmohan Gandhi was a teenager when he was inspired to investigate how the world works and to write about it when his grandfather, the Mahatma, Mohandas Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. He spoke to We'd Like A Word at the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival in Kasauli in India. It's hard to think of a more famous forebear than Gandhi. So how does Rajmohan fit into the tradition?
Lots of other authors, people & topics get discussed too - Tasha Alexander (the Lady Emily Ashton mysteries), Ben McIntyre, Desmond Bagley, Alistair Maclean, Alan Davies (Just Ignore Him), Arthur Ransome (Swallows and Amazons), Paul Gallico (The Snow Goose), Airey Neave and PD James.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Writing dynasties (part 2): Felix Francis, Andrew Child/Grant & Rajmohan Gandhi tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about taking on a big book brand or carrying on a family writing tradition. It's different from continuation novels, they say, like when Anthony Horowitz took on Ian Fleming's James Bond character (see episode 4, series 1 of We'd Like A Word with Anthony Horowitz https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rtTQmLv7Ivb ). These are books, stories and characters with whom they have grown up. But do they try to be exactly like their predecessor or collaborator? Distinctively different? How open are they about it? Is it better to keep it a secret until you're sure that readers will like it? And what if the originator decides he maybe does not want to retire after all? How do they write? And what books are they writing next? Lots of interesting answers in this 4-part episode.
Felix Francis is the son of Richard and Mary Francis, who together created the internationally bestselling Dick Francis thrillers, set in the world of horse racing. Felix began contributing to, then co-writing, then solely authoring the Dick Francis books long before his name was on the covers. He's written 16 of them now. Where does Dick end and Felix begin? Listen to find out.
Andrew Grant - now also known as Andrew Child - is the younger brother of Lee Child (real name Jim Grant), the creator of the bestselling Jack Reacher series - which you may also know from the Tom Cruise movies or the Amazon series starring Alan Ritchson. When decided he had only 4 more books left in him, he asked his brother Andrew to collaborate with him with a view to ultimately taking over. (Though that particular plot thickens...) But Andrew was already a successful thriller author in his own right. And he has a personal past cloaked in mystery.
Rajmohan Gandhi was a teenager when he was inspired to investigate how the world works and to write about it when his grandfather, the Mahatma, Mohandas Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. He spoke to We'd Like A Word at the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival in Kasauli in India. It's hard to think of a more famous forebear than Gandhi. So how does Rajmohan fit into the tradition?
Lots of other authors, people & topics get discussed too - Tasha Alexander (the Lady Emily Ashton mysteries), Ben McIntyre, Desmond Bagley, Alistair Maclean, Alan Davies (Just Ignore Him), Arthur Ransome (Swallows and Amazons), Paul Gallico (The Snow Goose), Airey Neave and PD James.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Writing dynasties (part 3): Felix Francis, Andrew Child/Grant & Rajmohan Gandhi tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about taking on a big book brand or carrying on a family writing tradition. It's different from continuation novels, they say, like when Anthony Horowitz took on Ian Fleming's James Bond character (see episode 4, series 1 of We'd Like A Word with Anthony Horowitz https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rtTQmLv7Ivb ). These are books, stories and characters with whom they have grown up. But do they try to be exactly like their predecessor or collaborator? Distinctively different? How open are they about it? Is it better to keep it a secret until you're sure that readers will like it? And what if the originator decides he maybe does not want to retire after all? How do they write? And what books are they writing next? Lots of interesting answers in this 4-part episode.
Felix Francis is the son of Richard and Mary Francis, who together created the internationally bestselling Dick Francis thrillers, set in the world of horse racing. Felix began contributing to, then co-writing, then solely authoring the Dick Francis books long before his name was on the covers. He's written 16 of them now. Where does Dick end and Felix begin? Listen to find out.
Andrew Grant - now also known as Andrew Child - is the younger brother of Lee Child (real name Jim Grant), the creator of the bestselling Jack Reacher series - which you may also know from the Tom Cruise movies or the Amazon series starring Alan Ritchson. When decided he had only 4 more books left in him, he asked his brother Andrew to collaborate with him with a view to ultimately taking over. (Though that particular plot thickens...) But Andrew was already a successful thriller author in his own right. And he has a personal past cloaked in mystery.
Rajmohan Gandhi was a teenager when he was inspired to investigate how the world works and to write about it when his grandfather, the Mahatma, Mohandas Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. He spoke to We'd Like A Word at the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival in Kasauli in India. It's hard to think of a more famous forebear than Gandhi. So how does Rajmohan fit into the tradition?
Lots of other authors, people & topics get discussed too - Tasha Alexander (the Lady Emily Ashton mysteries), Ben McIntyre, Desmond Bagley, Alistair Maclean, Alan Davies (Just Ignore Him), Arthur Ransome (Swallows and Amazons), Paul Gallico (The Snow Goose), Airey Neave and PD James.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Writing dynasties (part 4): Felix Francis, Andrew Child/Grant & Rajmohan Gandhi tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about taking on a big book brand or carrying on a family writing tradition. It's different from continuation novels, they say, like when Anthony Horowitz took on Ian Fleming's James Bond character (see episode 4, series 1 of We'd Like A Word with Anthony Horowitz https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rtTQmLv7Ivb ). These are books, stories and characters with whom they have grown up. But do they try to be exactly like their predecessor or collaborator? Distinctively different? How open are they about it? Is it better to keep it a secret until you're sure that readers will like it? And what if the originator decides he maybe does not want to retire after all? How do they write? And what books are they writing next? Lots of interesting answers in this 4-part episode.
Felix Francis is the son of Richard and Mary Francis, who together created the internationally bestselling Dick Francis thrillers, set in the world of horse racing. Felix began contributing to, then co-writing, then solely authoring the Dick Francis books long before his name was on the covers. He's written 16 of them now. Where does Dick end and Felix begin? Listen to find out.
Andrew Grant - now also known as Andrew Child - is the younger brother of Lee Child (real name Jim Grant), the creator of the bestselling Jack Reacher series - which you may also know from the Tom Cruise movies or the Amazon series starring Alan Ritchson. When decided he had only 4 more books left in him, he asked his brother Andrew to collaborate with him with a view to ultimately taking over. (Though that particular plot thickens...) But Andrew was already a successful thriller author in his own right. And he has a personal past cloaked in mystery.
Rajmohan Gandhi was a teenager when he was inspired to investigate how the world works and to write about it when his grandfather, the Mahatma, Mohandas Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. He spoke to We'd Like A Word at the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival in Kasauli in India. It's hard to think of a more famous forebear than Gandhi. So how does Rajmohan fit into the tradition?
Lots of other authors, people & topics get discussed too - Tasha Alexander (the Lady Emily Ashton mysteries), Ben McIntyre, Desmond Bagley, Alistair Maclean, Alan Davies (Just Ignore Him), Arthur Ransome (Swallows and Amazons), Paul Gallico (The Snow Goose), Airey Neave and PD James.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Writing history & India (part 1): Shashi Tharoor & William Dalrymple tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about how they write history, how they got started, why history is important, how history is used as a weapon in today's culture wars, & who has the right to write a country's history. Shashi tells us about his least favourite historian. And William dodges some extreme criticism of the bullet-from-a-gun variety & has a happy reunion with a lost manuscript. We also investigate the rumours that the character of Indiana Jones was based on William.
Shashi Tharoor is former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, former Indian Government minister, Member of the Indian Parliament, prolific author & historian. His many books include Riot, India: From Midnight to the Millennium, Nehru: The Invention of India, & An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India also published under the title Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India.
William Dalrymple is one of the co-founders and co-directors of the Jaipur Literary Festival, a broadcaster, curator and the author of many books, including In Xanadu, City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi, White Mughals, The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty Delhi 1857, Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, Koh-i-Noor: The History of the World's Most Infamous Diamond (with Anita Anand) & The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company.
Lots of other authors, people & topics get a mention too - JP Martin's Uncle books, Barabar Tuchmann's The March of Folly: Troy to Vietnam, Anita Anand, Stephen Fry, Gabriel Byrne, Samson Kambalu and the 4th Plinth, Americanisms, Captain WE Johns & Biggles, Operations Bellows, Enid Blyton, The Six Solvers, contested histories, the evolution of language, bloodthirsty St Agnes, Cornish & Irish giants, The Goodies, Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan, Narendra Modi, Neil Jordan's Lord Edward and Citizen Small, Victoria and Abdul, & Miki Berenyi (formerly of Lush, & who has an excellent memoir just out fingers crossed: how music saved me from success).
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Writing history & India (part 2): Shashi Tharoor & William Dalrymple tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about how they write history, how they got started, why history is important, how history is used as a weapon in today's culture wars, & who has the right to write a country's history. Shashi tells us about his least favourite historian. And William dodges some extreme criticism of the bullet-from-a-gun variety & has a happy reunion with a lost manuscript. We also investigate the rumours that the character of Indiana Jones was based on William.
Shashi Tharoor is former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, former Indian Government minister, Member of the Indian Parliament, prolific author & historian. His many books include Riot, India: From Midnight to the Millennium, Nehru: The Invention of India, & An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India also published under the title Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India.
William Dalrymple is one of the co-founders and co-directors of the Jaipur Literary Festival, a broadcaster, curator and the author of many books, including In Xanadu, City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi, White Mughals, The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty Delhi 1857, Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, Koh-i-Noor: The History of the World's Most Infamous Diamond (with Anita Anand) & The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company.
Lots of other authors, people & topics get a mention too - JP Martin's Uncle books, Barabar Tuchmann's The March of Folly: Troy to Vietnam, Anita Anand, Stephen Fry, Gabriel Byrne, Samson Kambalu and the 4th Plinth, Americanisms, Captain WE Johns & Biggles, Operations Bellows, Enid Blyton, The Six Solvers, contested histories, the evolution of language, bloodthirsty St Agnes, Cornish & Irish giants, The Goodies, Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan, Narendra Modi, Neil Jordan's Lord Edward and Citizen Small, Victoria and Abdul, & Miki Berenyi (formerly of Lush, & who has an excellent memoir just out fingers crossed: how music saved me from success).
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Writing history & India (part 3): Shashi Tharoor & William Dalrymple tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about how they write history, how they got started, why history is important, how history is used as a weapon in today's culture wars, & who has the right to write a country's history. Shashi tells us about his least favourite historian. And William dodges some extreme criticism of the bullet-from-a-gun variety & has a happy reunion with a lost manuscript. We also investigate the rumours that the character of Indiana Jones was based on William.
Shashi Tharoor is former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, former Indian Government minister, Member of the Indian Parliament, prolific author & historian. His many books include Riot, India: From Midnight to the Millennium, Nehru: The Invention of India, & An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India also published under the title Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India.
William Dalrymple is one of the co-founders and co-directors of the Jaipur Literary Festival, a broadcaster, curator and the author of many books, including In Xanadu, City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi, White Mughals, The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty Delhi 1857, Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, Koh-i-Noor: The History of the World's Most Infamous Diamond (with Anita Anand) & The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company.
Lots of other authors, people & topics get a mention too - JP Martin's Uncle books, Barabar Tuchmann's The March of Folly: Troy to Vietnam, Anita Anand, Stephen Fry, Gabriel Byrne, Samson Kambalu and the 4th Plinth, Americanisms, Captain WE Johns & Biggles, Operations Bellows, Enid Blyton, The Six Solvers, contested histories, the evolution of language, bloodthirsty St Agnes, Cornish & Irish giants, The Goodies, Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan, Narendra Modi, Neil Jordan's Lord Edward and Citizen Small, Victoria and Abdul, & Miki Berenyi (formerly of Lush, & who has an excellent memoir just out fingers crossed: how music saved me from success).
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Diversity & short story anthologies (part 1): Authors Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how they edited their recently published short story anthologies. Vaseem is co-editor (With Maxim Jakubowski) of The Perfect Crime: 22 Crime Stories from Diverse Cultures Around the World, published by Harper Collins. Ivy is editor of Asian Anthology: New Writing Volume 1, published by Leopard Print. We talk about getting diverse voices published, about cultural appropriation & avoiding "rule by the mob", how they choose who to include, what to do if you want to get your own story into an anthology, what editors love and what they hate, and we hear excerpts of some of the stories read by their authors.
These two short story anthologies take different approaches - open call v selected authors, big names v unknowns, genre framework v very loose theme. And the editors take different approaches on how they edit. For instance, if we do not generally put the word spaghetti in italics, why should we treat mee mamak any differently? Discuss...
Lots of other authors/publishers get a mention too - Dotun Adebayo and his XPress, Hachette, Will Dean, Neil Jordan, EP Chiew, Ewan Lawrie, Tess Gerritsen, Jabba the Hut creator John Coppinger, SA Cosby, Walter Mosley, and more.
We recommend both The Perfect Crime and Asian Anthology, but their editors are also authors in their own right with books out recently. Ivy Ngeow is the author of fiction and non-fiction including on fitness, health & cooking. Her latest thriller is White Crane Strikes. Vaseem Khan is the author of the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency & Malabar House crime fiction novels set in India.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller \by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Diversity & short story anthologies (part 2): Authors Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how they edited their recently published short story anthologies. Vaseem is co-editor (With Maxim Jakubowski) of The Perfect Crime: 22 Crime Stories from Diverse Cultures Around the World, published by Harper Collins. Ivy is editor of Asian Anthology: New Writing Volume 1, published by Leopard Print. We talk about getting diverse voices published, about cultural appropriation & avoiding "rule by the mob", how they choose who to include, what to do if you want to get your own story into an anthology, what editors love and what they hate, and we hear excerpts of some of the stories read by their authors.
These two short story anthologies take different approaches - open call v selected authors, big names v unknowns, genre framework v very loose theme. And the editors take different approaches on how they edit. For instance, if we do not generally put the word spaghetti in italics, why should we treat mee mamak any differently? Discuss...
Lots of other authors/publishers get a mention too - Dotun Adebayo and his XPress, Hachette, Will Dean, Neil Jordan, EP Chiew, Ewan Lawrie, Tess Gerritsen, Jabba the Hut creator John Coppinger, SA Cosby, Walter Mosley, and more.
We recommend both The Perfect Crime and Asian Anthology, but their editors are also authors in their own right with books out recently. Ivy Ngeow is the author of fiction and non-fiction including on fitness, health & cooking. Her latest thriller is White Crane Strikes. Vaseem Khan is the author of the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency & Malabar House crime fiction novels set in India.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller \by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
Diversity & short story anthologies (part 3): Authors Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how they edited their recently published short story anthologies. Vaseem is co-editor (With Maxim Jakubowski) of The Perfect Crime: 22 Crime Stories from Diverse Cultures Around the World, published by Harper Collins. Ivy is editor of Asian Anthology: New Writing Volume 1, published by Leopard Print. We talk about getting diverse voices published, about cultural appropriation & avoiding "rule by the mob", how they choose who to include, what to do if you want to get your own story into an anthology, what editors love and what they hate, and we hear excerpts of some of the stories read by their authors.
These two short story anthologies take different approaches - open call v selected authors, big names v unknowns, genre framework v very loose theme. And the editors take different approaches on how they edit. For instance, if we do not generally put the word spaghetti in italics, why should we treat mee mamak any differently? Discuss...
Lots of other authors/publishers get a mention too - Dotun Adebayo and his XPress, Hachette, Will Dean, Neil Jordan, EP Chiew, Ewan Lawrie, Tess Gerritsen, Jabba the Hut creator John Coppinger, SA Cosby, Walter Mosley, and more.
We recommend both The Perfect Crime and Asian Anthology, but their editors are also authors in their own right with books out recently. Ivy Ngeow is the author of fiction and non-fiction including on fitness, health & cooking. Her latest thriller is White Crane Strikes. Vaseem Khan is the author of the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency & Malabar House crime fiction novels set in India.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller \by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
53. Independent Bookshop Week with Conn Iggulden, Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow: In this one-part minisode of the We'd Like A Word books & authors podcast, hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear from writers Conn Iggulden, Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow about their favourite indie bookshops, and visit Sheryl Surville, owner of the Chorleywood and Gerrards Cross bookshops in Buckinghamshire. The Newham Bookshop in London, No Alibis in Belfast, the Marlow Bookshop & Silverfish Books in Kuala Lumpur also get a mention. We hear what makes a successful indie bookshop, how they put up with authors, how self-published authors can get stocked on their shelves, & about events that take unexpected turns. Also, we reel in shock from a revelation about Conn Iggulden's true identity!
Conn Iggulden writes historical fiction, including the Emperor and Conqueror series. He co-authored with his brother Hal, The Dangerous Book for Boys. In 2007 Conn became the first eprson to top the UK fiction & non-fiction charts at the same time.
Vaseem Khan is the author of the Baby Ganesh Detective Agency & Malabar House crime fiction novels set in India.
Ivy Ngeow's latest thriller is White Crane Strikes. She also writes non-fiction books on fitness, health & cooking.
The next episode of We'd Like A Word will be about short story anthologies - how to create them, how to get into them & how to make them more diverse - with authors & editors Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller \by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
52. Cult author Will Carver (part 1) joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan to discuss the nature of evil, in front of a live audience inside the historic & beautiful Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton dictated the epic poem, Paradise Lost. This event was for a select audience as part of the Chalfont St Giles & Jordans Literary Festival. Being there in person was great - and there was wine - but now you can eavesdrop on a very personal & existential session with searching questions from the audience. (And some "other" questions from Paul & Steve.) Will Carver's prolific output includes Girl 4, The Two, Dead Set & The Killer Inside (all part of the Detective Inspector January David series), and for Orenda Publishers, his current series - Good Samaritans, Nothing Important Happened Today, Hinton Hollow Death Trip (narrated by EVIL itself - or should that be, himself?), The Beresford, Psychopaths Anonymous & The Daves Next Door. Will writes crime fiction but always with a weird twist. Some fans of Will's books - well, Paul specifically - say they make them deeply uneasy, but they can't look away every time Will writes another disturbing and compelling thriller. You should read them to. You can get signed copies from Four Bear Books in Caversham, near Reading. The shop website is https://www.facebook.com/fourbearsbooksuk/about
You should also visit Milton's Cottage Museum in Chalfont St Giles. It's the only place still around where John Milton lived & worked. Very atmospheric. Listed building. The beautiful garden is listed too. Friendly & knowledgeable guides too. A good day out in a chocolate box English village - pond, ducks, green, half-timbered houses, v good deli/cafe.
The next episode of We'd Like A Word will be about anthologies - how to create them & how to make them more diverse - with authors & editors Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow. Your questions & comments welcome - but email them in quick - to wedlikeaword@gmail.com
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller \by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
51. Cult author Will Carver (part 2) joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan to discuss the nature of evil, in front of a live audience inside the historic & beautiful Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton dictated the epic poem, Paradise Lost. This event was for a select audience as part of the Chalfont St Giles & Jordans Literary Festival. Being there in person was great - and there was wine - but now you can eavesdrop on a very personal & existential session with searching questions from the audience. (And some "other" questions from Paul & Steve.) Will Carver's prolific output includes Girl 4, The Two, Dead Set & The Killer Inside (all part of the Detective Inspector January David series), and for Orenda Publishers, his current series - Good Samaritans, Nothing Important Happened Today, Hinton Hollow Death Trip (narrated by EVIL itself - or should that be, himself?), The Beresford, Psychopaths Anonymous & The Daves Next Door. Will writes crime fiction but always with a weird twist. Some fans of Will's books - well, Paul specifically - say they make them deeply uneasy, but they can't look away every time Will writes another disturbing and compelling thriller. You should read them to. You can get signed copies from Four Bear Books in Caversham, near Reading. The shop website is https://www.facebook.com/fourbearsbooksuk/about
You should also visit Milton's Cottage Museum in Chalfont St Giles. It's the only place still around where John Milton lived & worked. Very atmospheric. Listed building. The beautiful garden is listed too. Friendly & knowledgeable guides too. A good day out in a chocolate box English village - pond, ducks, green, half-timbered houses, v good deli/cafe.
The next episode of We'd Like A Word will be about anthologies - how to create them & how to make them more diverse - with authors & editors Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow. Your questions & comments welcome - but email them in quick - to wedlikeaword@gmail.com
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller \by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
50. Cult author Will Carver (part 3) joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan to discuss the nature of evil, in front of a live audience inside the historic & beautiful Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton dictated the epic poem, Paradise Lost. This event was for a select audience as part of the Chalfont St Giles & Jordans Literary Festival. Being there in person was great - and there was wine - but now you can eavesdrop on a very personal & existential session with searching questions from the audience. (And some "other" questions from Paul & Steve.) Will Carver's prolific output includes Girl 4, The Two, Dead Set & The Killer Inside (all part of the Detective Inspector January David series), and for Orenda Publishers, his current series - Good Samaritans, Nothing Important Happened Today, Hinton Hollow Death Trip (narrated by EVIL itself - or should that be, himself?), The Beresford, Psychopaths Anonymous & The Daves Next Door. Will writes crime fiction but always with a weird twist. Some fans of Will's books - well, Paul specifically - say they make them deeply uneasy, but they can't look away every time Will writes another disturbing and compelling thriller. You should read them to. You can get signed copies from Four Bear Books in Caversham, near Reading. The shop website is https://www.facebook.com/fourbearsbooksuk/about
You should also visit Milton's Cottage Museum in Chalfont St Giles. It's the only place still around where John Milton lived & worked. Very atmospheric. Listed building. The beautiful garden is listed too. Friendly & knowledgeable guides too. A good day out in a chocolate box English village - pond, ducks, green, half-timbered houses, v good deli/cafe.
The next episode of We'd Like A Word be talking about anthologies - how to create them & how to make them more diverse - with authors & editors Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow. Your questions & comments welcome - but email them in quick - to wedlikeaword@gmail.com
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown, the thriller \by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
- Rachael Blok (part 1) joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, & a live audience inside the historic & beautiful Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton wrote (or dictated) the epic poem, Paradise Lost. We're inside this little living museum because Rachael's new book, The Fall, is inspired by Paradise Lost. It begins - small spoiler alert - with someone plummeting from a great height - from the top of St Alban's Cathedral. So we talk about Satan, heaven & hell, the very rough deal for women in Paradise Lost & Milton's influence more generally. But we also talk about how Rachael writes her books - this is the fourth in her DCI Maartin Jansen series. Her method is different from everyone else we've had on We'd Like A Word so far, & it's worth considering if you're an author yourself. We also hear a shocking revelation about the series, about what's coming next from Rachael, where she gets her inspiration, & how accurate police procedurals have to be. Happily, Paul & Steve are not having to come up with all the questions themselves - the live audience, many of whom are from the Chesham Bois book group near Amersham, have lots to contribute.
The next episode of We'd Like A Word will feature Will Carver as part of the Chalfont St Giles and Jordans Literary Festival - tickets are available via the festival website or Milton's Cottage Museum (via Eventbrite). The recording in front of an audience will take place inside Milton's Cottage. Will is the author of Hinton Hollow Death Trip, The Beresford, Psychopaths Anonymous & also disturbing & compelling thrillers. We'll be talking about The Nature of Evil. You should join us in person (or listen later via your podcast platform).
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
- Rachael Blok (part 2) joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, & a live audience inside the historic & beautiful Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton wrote (or dictated) the epic poem, Paradise Lost. We're inside this little living museum because Rachael's new book, The Fall, is inspired by Paradise Lost. It begins - small spoiler alert - with someone plummeting from a great height - from the top of St Alban's Cathedral. So we talk about Satan, heaven & hell, the very rough deal for women in Paradise Lost & Milton's influence more generally. But we also talk about how Rachael writes her books - this is the fourth in her DCI Maartin Jansen series. Her method is different from everyone else we've had on We'd Like A Word so far, & it's worth considering if you're an author yourself. We also hear a shocking revelation about the series, about what's coming next from Rachael, where she gets her inspiration, & how accurate police procedurals have to be. Happily, Paul & Steve are not having to come up with all the questions themselves - the live audience, many of whom are from the Chesham Bois book group near Amersham, have lots to contribute.
The next episode of We'd Like A Word will feature Will Carver as part of the Chalfont St Giles and Jordans Literary Festival - tickets are available via the festival website or Milton's Cottage Museum (via Eventbrite). The recording in front of an audience will take place inside Milton's Cottage. Will is the author of Hinton Hollow Death Trip, The Beresford, Psychopaths Anonymous & also disturbing & compelling thrillers. We'll be talking about The Nature of Evil. You should join us in person (or listen later via your podcast platform).
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
- Rachael Blok (part 3) joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, & a live audience inside the historic & beautiful Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton wrote (or dictated) the epic poem, Paradise Lost. We're inside this little living museum because Rachael's new book, The Fall, is inspired by Paradise Lost. It begins - small spoiler alert - with someone plummeting from a great height - from the top of St Alban's Cathedral. So we talk about Satan, heaven & hell, the very rough deal for women in Paradise Lost & Milton's influence more generally. But we also talk about how Rachael writes her books - this is the fourth in her DCI Maartin Jansen series. Her method is different from everyone else we've had on We'd Like A Word so far, & it's worth considering if you're an author yourself. We also hear a shocking revelation about the series, about what's coming next from Rachael, where she gets her inspiration, & how accurate police procedurals have to be. Happily, Paul & Steve are not having to come up with all the questions themselves - the live audience, many of whom are from the Chesham Bois book group near Amersham, have lots to contribute.
The next episode of We'd Like A Word will feature Will Carver as part of the Chalfont St Giles and Jordans Literary Festival - tickets are available via the festival website or Milton's Cottage Museum (via Eventbrite). The recording in front of an audience will take place inside Milton's Cottage. Will is the author of Hinton Hollow Death Trip, The Beresford, Psychopaths Anonymous & also disturbing & compelling thrillers. We'll be talking about The Nature of Evil. You should join us in person (or listen later via your podcast platform).
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings, the new comic classic by Stevyn Colgan.
46. Writers in Pakistan & India (part 1): Awais Khan, Amitav Ghosh & Vikram Chandra join presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan on the We'd Like A Word books & authors podcast, with insights into how they write, advice for new authors & books they love. Awais Khan, from Lahore in Pakistan, is the author of two novels - In The Company of Strangers (published by Simon & Schuster India, & soon to be published in the UK by Hera) & No Honour (published by Orenda Books - we had the publisher Karen Sullivan on a previous hilarious and revealing episode of We'd Like A Word). In The Company of Strangers is being made into a feature for Pikchur TV online streaming service. Awais is also the founder of The Writing Institute in Lahore.
Awais talks agents, Annette Crossland, overcoming discouragement, how to schedule your writing, Jackie Collins, how to be socially relevant, the problem of counterfeit books in Pakistan, if you can be a writer while holding down a day job, his experience of The Faber Academy, Liberty Books, the Indian/Pakistan trade embargo, forced marriage & so-called honour killings, and the Edhi Foundation. We also hear about comic novels and Steve's Dad - also an author & a friend of Daphne du Maurier.
Amitav Ghosh is the renowned Indian author of the Sea of Poppies trilogy & more recently, Jungle Nama. His writing advice is to write the book you would love to read yourself, or that would make you laugh or cry. He recommends Barkskins by Annie Proulx.
Vikram Chandra is most famous for writing Sacred Games, which was made into the extremely popular Netflix series of the same name. He advises new authors to follow their obsessions & ignore the received wisdom that you should write what you know. On the contrary, he says you should write what you do not know, what obsesses you. He recommends Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings (the new comic classic, just out) by Stevyn Colgan.
45. Writers in Pakistan & India (part 2): Awais Khan, Amitav Ghosh & Vikram Chandra join presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan on the We'd Like A Word books & authors podcast, with insights into how they write, advice for new authors & books they love. Awais Khan, from Lahore in Pakistan, is the author of two novels - In The Company of Strangers (published by Simon & Schuster India, & soon to be published in the UK by Hera) & No Honour (published by Orenda Books - we had the publisher Karen Sullivan on a previous hilarious and revealing episode of We'd Like A Word). In The Company of Strangers is being made into a feature for Pikchur TV online streaming service. Awais is also the founder of The Writing Institute in Lahore.
Awais talks agents, Annette Crossland, overcoming discouragement, how to schedule your writing, Jackie Collins, how to be socially relevant, the problem of counterfeit books in Pakistan, if you can be a writer while holding down a day job, his experience of The Faber Academy, Liberty Books, the Indian/Pakistan trade embargo, forced marriage & so-called honour killings, and the Edhi Foundation. We also hear about comic novels and Steve's Dad - also an author & a friend of Daphne du Maurier.
Amitav Ghosh is the renowned Indian author of the Sea of Poppies trilogy & more recently, Jungle Nama. His writing advice is to write the book you would love to read yourself, or that would make you laugh or cry. He recommends Barkskins by Annie Proulx.
Vikram Chandra is most famous for writing Sacred Games, which was made into the extremely popular Netflix series of the same name. He advises new authors to follow their obsessions & ignore the received wisdom that you should write what you know. On the contrary, he says you should write what you do not know, what obsesses you. He recommends Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings (the new comic classic, just out) by Stevyn Colgan.
44. Writers in Pakistan & India (part 3): Awais Khan, Amitav Ghosh & Vikram Chandra join presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan on the We'd Like A Word books & authors podcast, with insights into how they write, advice for new authors & books they love. Awais Khan, from Lahore in Pakistan, is the author of two novels - In The Company of Strangers (published by Simon & Schuster India, & soon to be published in the UK by Hera) & No Honour (published by Orenda Books - we had the publisher Karen Sullivan on a previous hilarious and revealing episode of We'd Like A Word). In The Company of Strangers is being made into a feature for Pikchur TV online streaming service. Awais is also the founder of The Writing Institute in Lahore.
Awais talks agents, Annette Crossland, overcoming discouragement, how to schedule your writing, Jackie Collins, how to be socially relevant, the problem of counterfeit books in Pakistan, if you can be a writer while holding down a day job, his experience of The Faber Academy, Liberty Books, the Indian/Pakistan trade embargo, forced marriage & so-called honour killings, and the Edhi Foundation. We also hear about comic novels and Steve's Dad - also an author & a friend of Daphne du Maurier.
Amitav Ghosh is the renowned Indian author of the Sea of Poppies trilogy & more recently, Jungle Nama. His writing advice is to write the book you would love to read yourself, or that would make you laugh or cry. He recommends Barkskins by Annie Proulx.
Vikram Chandra is most famous for writing Sacred Games, which was made into the extremely popular Netflix series of the same name. He advises new authors to follow their obsessions & ignore the received wisdom that you should write what you know. On the contrary, he says you should write what you do not know, what obsesses you. He recommends Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings (the new comic classic, just out) by Stevyn Colgan.
- The mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie (part 1): Nina de Gramont, author of The Christie Affair, tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan what might have happened when the famous murder mystery writer disappeared for 11 days in 1926. Nina talks about the original real life disappearance, the various theories and her own version - which works in a very cunning murder mystery (spoiler alert - poison is involved in classic Christie style) and Ireland's notorious mother and baby homes. We also hear about how Nina succeeded in writing The Christie Affair, because she changed her approach to writing, after a failed attempt to write a book based on Emily Dickinson. We discuss why women are better at writing crime fiction than men (let us know if you disagree), the Cottingley Fairies, Agatha Christie's secret surfing past, how to get a movie made of your book, and Stevyn's starring role in the quintuple-award-winning film Scootch! We also refer to some other authors/scholars and their books, including The Line Up by Matthew Thompson, Ireland's Magdalene Laundries and the Nation's Architecture of Containment by Dr James Smith, the Adoption Machine by Paul Jude Redman, Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James and the documentary Sex In A Cold Climate directed by Steve Humphries. You could also check out Nina's other books - The Last September, Gossip of the Starlings and Of Cats And Men. Plus Nina particularly recommends you read Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau. We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings (the new comic classic, just out) by Stevyn Colgan.
- The mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie (part 2): Nina de Gramont, author of The Christie Affair, tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan what might have happened when the famous murder mystery writer disappeared for 11 days in 1926. Nina talks about the original real life disappearance, the various theories and her own version - which works in a very cunning murder mystery (spoiler alert - poison is involved in classic Christie style) and Ireland's notorious mother and baby homes. We also hear about how Nina succeeded in writing The Christie Affair, because she changed her approach to writing, after a failed attempt to write a book based on Emily Dickinson. We discuss why women are better at writing crime fiction than men (let us know if you disagree), the Cottingley Fairies, Agatha Christie's secret surfing past, how to get a movie made of your book, and Stevyn's starring role in the quintuple-award-winning film Scootch! We also refer to some other authors/scholars and their books, including The Line Up by Matthew Thompson, Ireland's Magdalene Laundries and the Nation's Architecture of Containment by Dr James Smith, the Adoption Machine by Paul Jude Redman, Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James and the documentary Sex In A Cold Climate directed by Steve Humphries. You could also check out Nina's other books - The Last September, Gossip of the Starlings and Of Cats And Men. Plus Nina particularly recommends you read Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau. We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings (the new comic classic, just out) by Stevyn Colgan.
41. Death In Paradise (part 1) with Robert Thorogood, author of The Marlow Murder Club: In this episode of We'd Like A Word, recorded in front of a live audience at Wycombe Arts Centre in support of Wycombe Food Hub (& the Arts Centre), presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear from Robert Thorogood about how he created the long-running very popular BBC and international TV series, Death In Paradise, and about his new cosy crime novel, The Marlow Murder Club. In a refreshing change, Paul and Steve's efforts at pinning Robert down are greatly enhanced by unscripted questions from the audience - some of whom have come to this High Wycombe recording from as far away as Bedford and Sheffield.
If you want to know what goes on behind the scenes in creating and filming Death In Paradise, about its roots in Midsomer Murders, about who has been the best detective so far, and what the locals in Guadeloupe think about it - have a listen. The audience taking part in this podcast really know their stuff - some of them have even been to the real Catherine's Bar on location. We investigate the greatest scandal of Death In Paradise - yes, the change in the theme tune. And some of us have a wee dance to the original version. (Some of us = Paul.) Yes, we also had the bar open during the recording.
Robert also talks about the wisdom (or otherwise) of setting a murder mystery in the town where he lives - and how it opened him to blackmail from the postman. By the way, we all loved The Marlow Murder Club. You should read it.
And we also hear from Mark Page, photographer extraordinaire, who is running the Wycombe Food Hub, a wonderful project that is helping people who don't earn much to feed their families, with dignity - and also saving huge amounts of food from being wasted by supermarkets and dumped in landfill. Its a great initiative, for which there is sadly much need. Everyone who bought tickets for the recording of this episode of We'd Like Word has helped to fund Wycombe Food Hub. Good for you!
Thanks to our fabulous live audience. Thanks also to our great venue - Wycombe Arts Centre. It's a gem, with highly competent staff and a warm welcome. And thank you to the film crew who also recorded the event, led by award-winning film producer Melanie Perry. We'll let you know on social media when it's ready to watch.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings (the new comic classic, just out) by Stevyn Colgan.
40. Death In Paradise (part 2) with Robert Thorogood, author of The Marlow Murder Club: In this episode of We'd Like A Word, recorded in front of a live audience at Wycombe Arts Centre in support of Wycombe Food Hub (& the Arts Centre), presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear from Robert Thorogood about how he created the long-running very popular BBC and international TV series, Death In Paradise, and about his new cosy crime novel, The Marlow Murder Club. In a refreshing change, Paul and Steve's efforts at pinning Robert down are greatly enhanced by unscripted questions from the audience - some of whom have come to this High Wycombe recording from as far away as Bedford and Sheffield.
If you want to know what goes on behind the scenes in creating and filming Death In Paradise, about its roots in Midsomer Murders, about who has been the best detective so far, and what the locals in Guadeloupe think about it - have a listen. The audience taking part in this podcast really know their stuff - some of them have even been to the real Catherine's Bar on location. We investigate the greatest scandal of Death In Paradise - yes, the change in the theme tune. And some of us have a wee dance to the original version. (Some of us = Paul.) Yes, we also had the bar open during the recording.
Robert also talks about the wisdom (or otherwise) of setting a murder mystery in the town where he lives - and how it opened him to blackmail from the postman. By the way, we all loved The Marlow Murder Club. You should read it.
And we also hear from Mark Page, photographer extraordinaire, who is running the Wycombe Food Hub, a wonderful project that is helping people who don't earn much to feed their families, with dignity - and also saving huge amounts of food from being wasted by supermarkets and dumped in landfill. Its a great initiative, for which there is sadly much need. Everyone who bought tickets for the recording of this episode of We'd Like Word has helped to fund Wycombe Food Hub. Good for you!
Thanks to our fabulous live audience. Thanks also to our great venue - Wycombe Arts Centre. It's a gem, with highly competent staff and a warm welcome. And thank you to the film crew who also recorded the event, led by award-winning film producer Melanie Perry. We'll let you know on social media when it's ready to watch.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings (the new comic classic, just out) by Stevyn Colgan.
39. Weird book promotion (part 1) with Tina Baker, Fiona Sherlock, Lulu Allison & Emma Grae: In this episode of We'd Like A Word, presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear about innovative, odd & risky ways authors promote their books. Tina Baker is the author of Call Me Mummy and Nasty Little Cuts. She's also a former TV & radio showbiz reporter. She used to clean the aisles of the supermarket that now sells her books. Her promotional ruses encompass street theatre, book spanking, wedding dresses, climbing on cars, burpees & (notwithstanding that previous part) constant sparkling glamour. She also moos, quite a bit.
Fiona Sherlock is the Irish crime fiction author of Preserved & Twelve Motives for Murder. But she's also the creator of a whole range of murder mystery games, one of which, The Wizard's Dagger, is tested by We'd Like A Word listeners, led by Mark Vent. It's a tense episode as, in true Jukebox Jury style, Fiona braces herself for the audience verdict on her game. There's a lot of acting, some appalling singing of Britney Spears songs & pointed accusations. Fiona also explains why Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Ridley Scott were going to the toilet in her back garden in Bective, in County Meath. (Jodie Comer was more discreet.) Lulu Allison is the author of Salt Lick, in which the British countryside empties of people, nature re-wilds the land & feral cows provide a chorus. She's also an artist & while bored during Covid lockdown created & shared pictures of a new homemade hat every week, made only of bits a pieces about the house - maps, garden forks, a frying pan & more weird stuff. It went viral. A ukulele band wrote a song about it.
Emma Grae is the Scottish author of Be Guid Tae Yer Mammy, about three generations of a Glasgow family, written in Scots. At first she posted cute pictures of herself & her hamsters & rats online which gained attention. But then her involvement in full-on disputes on Twitter & in the Scottish press took her profile & that of her book to a much higher level. Being trolled has its downsides, but it can also boost book sales. She talks about that & the controversy around writing in Scots.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings (the new comic classic, just out) by Stevyn Colgan.
38. Weird book promotion (part 2) with Tina Baker, Emma Grae, Fiona Sherlock & Lulu Allison: In this episode of We'd Like A Word, presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear about innovative, odd & risky ways authors promote their books. Tina Baker is the author of Call Me Mummy and Nasty Little Cuts. She's also a former TV & radio showbiz reporter. She used to clean the aisles of the supermarket that now sells her books. Her promotional ruses encompass street theatre, book spanking, wedding dresses, climbing on cars, burpees & (notwithstanding that previous part) constant sparkling glamour. She also moos, quite a bit.
Fiona Sherlock is the Irish crime fiction author of Preserved & Twelve Motives for Murder. But she's also the creator of a whole range of murder mystery games, one of which, The Wizard's Dagger, is tested by We'd Like A Word listeners, led by Mark Vent. It's a tense episode as, in true Jukebox Jury style, Fiona braces herself for the audience verdict on her game. There's a lot of acting, some appalling singing of Britney Spears songs & pointed accusations. Fiona also explains why Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Ridley Scott were going to the toilet in her back garden in Bective, in County Meath. (Jodie Comer was more discreet.) Lulu Allison is the author of Salt Lick, in which the British countryside empties of people, nature re-wilds the land & feral cows provide a chorus. She's also an artist & while bored during Covid lockdown created & shared pictures of a new homemade hat every week, made only of bits a pieces about the house - maps, garden forks, a frying pan & more weird stuff. It went viral. A ukulele band wrote a song about it.
Emma Grae is the Scottish author of Be Guid Tae Yer Mammy, about three generations of a Glasgow family, written in Scots. At first she posted cute pictures of herself & her hamsters & rats online which gained attention. But then her involvement in full-on disputes on Twitter & in the Scottish press took her profile & that of her book to a much higher level. Being trolled has its downsides, but it can also boost book sales. She talks about that & the controversy around writing in Scots.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings (the new comic classic, just out) by Stevyn Colgan.
37. Weird book promotion (part 3) with Tina Baker, Emma Grae, Fiona Sherlock & Lulu Allison: In this episode of We'd Like A Word, presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear about innovative, odd & risky ways authors promote their books.
Tina Baker is the author of Call Me Mummy and Nasty Little Cuts. She's also a former TV & radio showbiz reporter. She used to clean the aisles of the supermarket that now sells her books. Her promotional ruses encompass street theatre, book spanking, wedding dresses, climbing on cars, burpees & (notwithstanding that previous part) constant sparkling glamour. She also moos, quite a bit.
Fiona Sherlock is the Irish crime fiction author of Preserved & Twelve Motives for Murder. But she's also the creator of a whole range of murder mystery games, one of which, The Wizard's Dagger, is tested by We'd Like A Word listeners, led by Mark Vent. It's a tense episode as, in true Jukebox Jury style, Fiona braces herself for the audience verdict on her game. There's a lot of acting, some appalling singing of Britney Spears songs & pointed accusations. Fiona also explains why Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Ridley Scott were going to the toilet in her back garden in Bective, in County Meath. (Jodie Comer was more discreet.)
Lulu Allison is the author of Salt Lick, in which the British countryside empties of people, nature re-wilds the land & feral cows provide a chorus. She's also an artist & while bored during Covid lockdown created & shared pictures of a new homemade hat every week, made only of bits a pieces about the house - maps, garden forks, a frying pan & more weird stuff. It went viral. A ukulele band wrote a song about it.
Emma Grae is the Scottish author of Be Guid Tae Yer Mammy, about three generations of a Glasgow family, written in Scots. At first she posted cute pictures of herself & her hamsters & rats online which gained attention. But then her involvement in full-on disputes on Twitter & in the Scottish press took her profile & that of her book to a much higher level. Being trolled has its downsides, but it can also boost book sales. She talks about that & the controversy around writing in Scots.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings (the new comic classic, just out) by Stevyn Colgan.
Writing Partnerships (part 1): Ambrose Parry is the author of the Scottish historical crime thriller, A Corruption of Blood, published by Canongate. Ambrose Parry is also the pseudonym of the (married) writing partnership of consultant anaesthetist Dr Marisa Haetzman and her husband, the internationally bestselling and multi-award winning author Chris Brookmyre. Marisa and Chris tell authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan, the presenters of the We'd Like A Word books and authors podcast, how they create and maintain this series set in Victorian Edinburgh, (now on book 3); about the challenges and benefits of writing collaboration; and whether being married helps their writing (and whether writing together helps their marriage).
Also on this episode of We'd Like A Word, we hear from Dan Brotzel and Martin Jenkins, two of the three authors (along with Alex Woolf) of the new comic novel, Work in Progress (previously known as Kitten on a Fatberg), published by Unbound. Dan and Martin are in the same writers' group and got together to write this book. In their new book, Work In Progress, members of a fictional writers' group get together to write a collaborative novel. So we hear how the fictional authors and the real writers got together and how they succeed and fail in their efforts to keep readers laughing and turning the pages. "It's a bit meta."
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings (the new comic classic, just out) by Stevyn Colgan.
Writing Partnerships (part 2): Ambrose Parry is the author of the Scottish historical crime thriller, A Corruption of Blood, published by Canongate. Ambrose Parry is also the pseudonym of the (married) writing partnership of consultant anaesthetist Dr Marisa Haetzman and her husband, the internationally bestselling and multi-award winning author Chris Brookmyre. Marisa and Chris tell authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan, the presenters of the We'd Like A Word books and authors podcast, how they create and maintain this series set in Victorian Edinburgh, (now on book 3); about the challenges and benefits of writing collaboration; and whether being married helps their writing (and whether writing together helps their marriage).
Also on this episode of We'd Like A Word, we hear from Dan Brotzel and Martin Jenkins, two of the three authors (along with Alex Woolf) of the new comic novel, Work in Progress (previously known as Kitten on a Fatberg), published by Unbound. Dan and Martin are in the same writers' group and got together to write this book. In their new book, Work In Progress, members of a fictional writers' group get together to write a collaborative novel. So we hear how the fictional authors and the real writers got together and how they succeed and fail in their efforts to keep readers laughing and turning the pages. "It's a bit meta."
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings (the new comic classic, just out) by Stevyn Colgan.
Writing Partnerships (part 3): On this episode of the books and authors podcast, We'd Like A Word, presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan hear from Dan Brotzel and Martin Jenkins, two of the three authors (along with Alex Woolf) of the new comic novel, Work in Progress (previously known as Kitten on a Fatberg), published by Unbound. Dan and Martin are in the same writers' group and got together to write this book. In their new book, Work In Progress, members of a fictional writers' group get together to write a collaborative novel. So we hear how the fictional authors and the real writers got together and how they succeed and fail in their efforts to keep readers laughing and turning the pages. "It's a bit meta."
Also on this episode of We'd Like A Word - Ambrose Parry is the author of the Scottish historical crime thriller, A Corruption of Blood, published by Canongate. Ambrose Parry is also the pseudonym of the (married) writing partnership of consultant anaesthetist Dr Marisa Haetzman and her husband, the internationally bestselling and multi-award winning author Chris Brookmyre. Marisa and Chris tell authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan, the presenters of the We'd Like A Word books and authors podcast, how they create and maintain this series set in Victorian Edinburgh, (now on book 3); about the challenges and benefits of writing collaboration; and whether being married helps their writing (and whether writing together helps their marriage).
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or Cockerings (the new comic classic, just out) by Stevyn Colgan.
Men Writing Women (part 1): RJ McBrien, author of Reckless + author & Faber Writing Academy tutor Shelley Weiner, tell We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how male authors can write convincing female characters - and vice versa.
RJ McBrien is a very successful TV screenplay writer (Spoowks, The Bill, Soldier Soldier, Atlantis, Merlin, Red Caps, etc), who has also had some crushing and hilarious exploits in movie writing too. Reckless, published by Welbeck Publishing, is this author's first novel. It gets into the mind of an apparently happily married woman who is missing just one thing - good sex. In order to "scratch that itch" (RJ's words, not ours), she gets into some dark, dangerous, poignant and very funny scrapes. RJ is Richard. So - not just a man writing a woman, but writing about the most intimate aspects of her life. Does he pull it off? Is it appropriation? Who helped?
Shelley Weiner is a major reason Reckless was published. She was the tutor of RJ's Faber Writing Academy course - and guided him to the feminine side. She's also an author. Her titles include: Writing Short Stories, Writing Your First Novel, The Audacious Mendacity of Lily Green, Arnost, The Joker, The Last Honeymoon & A Sister's Tale. She's currently writing Summer Strand, a novel inspired by her Lithuanian parents who met and married in the Kaunas ghetto, were sent to separate Nazi concentration camps, survived the Holocaust, found each other again in a post-war camp for displaced people in Italy, & managed to reach South Africa - just as apartheid was imposed.
We also hear personal stories of encounters with Jodie Foster, Arthur Miller, Ewan McGregor, Heath Ledger & Ted Demme. We discuss "nerks" (is that how you spell nerk?) - non-swearing swear words - like the frequency of toerags in The Bill. We discover the importance of the type of "and" or "&" and where it's placed in movie credits. We hear what happens when a film studio asks you rewrite a film script, not relaising you were the original author in the first place. We hear which are easier to write - books or screenplays? And about the importance of authors' support groups, beat readers, bad and good sex writing, Adrian McKinty, Brian McGilloway, body dismorphia amongst middle-aged women, Raven Leilani, Jilly Cooper, Jackie Collins, top writing tips from Shelley, the contract with the reader, staying inside your story, editor Niamh Mulvey, integrity v cynicism, and lots of useful insight. There's a bit of cursing too - even worse words than toerag. Sorry.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Men Writing Women (part 2): RJ McBrien, author of Reckless + author & Faber Writing Academy tutor Shelley Weiner, tell We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how male authors can write convincing female characters - and vice versa.
RJ McBrien is a very successful TV screenplay writer (Spooks, The Bill, Soldier Soldier, Atlantis, Merlin, Red Caps, etc), who has also had some crushing and hilarious exploits in movie writing too. Reckless, published by Welbeck Publishing, is this author's first novel. It gets into the mind of an apparently happily married woman who is missing just one thing - good sex. In order to "scratch that itch" (RJ's words, not ours), she gets into some dark, dangerous, poignant and very funny scrapes. RJ is Richard. So - not just a man writing a woman, but writing about the most intimate aspects of her life. Does he pull it off? Is it appropriation? Who helped?
Shelley Weiner is a major reason Reckless was published. She was the tutor of RJ's Faber Writing Academy course - and guided him to the feminine side. She's also an author. Her titles include: Writing Short Stories, Writing Your First Novel, The Audacious Mendacity of Lily Green, Arnost, The Joker, The Last Honeymoon & A Sister's Tale. She's currently writing Summer Strand, a novel inspired by her Lithuanian parents who met and married in the Kaunas ghetto, were sent to separate Nazi concentration camps, survived the Holocaust, found each other again in a post-war camp for displaced people in Italy, & managed to reach South Africa - just as apartheid was imposed.
We also hear personal stories of encounters with Jodie Foster, Arthur Miller, Ewan McGregor, Heath Ledger & Ted Demme. We discuss "nerks" (is that how you spell nerk?) - non-swearing swear words - like the frequency of toerags in The Bill. We discover the importance of the type of "and" or "&" and where it's placed in movie credits. We hear what happens when a film studio asks you rewrite a film script, not relaising you were the original author in the first place. We hear which are easier to write - books or screenplays? And about the importance of authors' support groups, beat readers, bad and good sex writing, Adrian McKinty, Brian McGilloway, body dismorphia amongst middle-aged women, Raven Leilani, Jilly Cooper, Jackie Collins, top writing tips from Shelley, the contract with the reader, staying inside your story, editor Niamh Mulvey, integrity v cynicism, and lots of useful insight. There's a bit of cursing too - even worse words than toerag. Sorry.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Men Writing Women (part 3): RJ McBrien, author of Reckless + author & Faber Writing Academy tutor Shelley Weiner, tell We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how male authors can write convincing female characters - and vice versa.
RJ McBrien is a very successful TV screenplay writer (Spooks, The Bill, Soldier Soldier, Atlantis, Merlin, Red Caps, etc), who has also had some crushing and hilarious exploits in movie writing too. Reckless, published by Welbeck Publishing, is this author's first novel. It gets into the mind of an apparently happily married woman who is missing just one thing - good sex. In order to "scratch that itch" (RJ's words, not ours), she gets into some dark, dangerous, poignant and very funny scrapes. RJ is Richard. So - not just a man writing a woman, but writing about the most intimate aspects of her life. Does he pull it off? Is it appropriation? Who helped?
Shelley Weiner is a major reason Reckless was published. She was the tutor of RJ's Faber Writing Academy course - and guided him to the feminine side. She's also an author. Her titles include: Writing Short Stories, Writing Your First Novel, The Audacious Mendacity of Lily Green, Arnost, The Joker, The Last Honeymoon & A Sister's Tale. She's currently writing Summer Strand, a novel inspired by her Lithuanian parents who met and married in the Kaunas ghetto, were sent to separate Nazi concentration camps, survived the Holocaust, found each other again in a post-war camp for displaced people in Italy, & managed to reach South Africa - just as apartheid was imposed.
We also hear personal stories of encounters with Jodie Foster, Arthur Miller, Ewan McGregor, Heath Ledger & Ted Demme. We discuss "nerks" (is that how you spell nerk?) - non-swearing swear words - like the frequency of toerags in The Bill. We discover the importance of the type of "and" or "&" and where it's placed in movie credits. We hear what happens when a film studio asks you rewrite a film script, not relaising you were the original author in the first place. We hear which are easier to write - books or screenplays? And about the importance of authors' support groups, beat readers, bad and good sex writing, Adrian McKinty, Brian McGilloway, body dismorphia amongst middle-aged women, Raven Leilani, Jilly Cooper, Jackie Collins, top writing tips from Shelley, the contract with the reader, staying inside your story, editor Niamh Mulvey, integrity v cynicism, and lots of useful insight. There's a bit of cursing too - even worse words than toerag. Sorry.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Fictionalising recent history (part 1): Scottish crime fiction author Alan Parks & Irish writer Eamon Somers tell We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about how they set their stories in the recent past and get it right. Alan Parks is the author of The April Dead, published by Canongate, set in 1970s Glasgow, featuring detective Harry McCoy. According to Peter May (who we've also had on We'd Like A Word), Alan's "1970s Glasgow is hewn from flesh and drawn in blood." The Times said "Detective Harry McCoy is so noir that he makes most other Scottish cops seem light grey." Alan's books come out in the month mentioned in the title - The April Dead follows Bloody January, February's Son & Bobby March Will Live Forever. If your book is hundreds of years ago, fewer people will be able to spot your mistakes or have strong opinions on how it really was. But if, like Alan, your book is set in the 1970s, or, like Eamon, your book is set in the 1980s, brace yourself for close scrutiny. It also means there'll be as many "true" versions of your time period as there are readers who remember it. We hear how Alan and Eamon scatter subtle signals of the time - using musical references, the weather, smoking - and in Alan's case, a sinister thread on torture by members of the British military in Kenya, Malaya and Northern Ireland during the years of decolonisation. Before he was an author, Alan worked in the music industry. So we also ask about his time with Enya, New Order and All Saints. Alan's website is https://www.alanparks.co.uk Eamon Somers is the author of Dolly Considine's Hotel, published by Unbound, which switches back and forth between the 1980s of the Irish abortion referendum and previous decades. It's inspired by his own time working in a Dublin shebeen near the Gate Theatre, where the likes of film and theatre director Peter Bogdanovich and politicians would linger for illicit drinking. Eamon was a campaigner in Ireland's fledgling gay liberation movement, serving three terms as spokesperson for Ireland’s National Gay Federation. When he moved to London he worked for a while Haringey Council’s Lesbian and Gay Unit (including the anti-Clause 28 campaign). But he says he certainly did not want to write yet another coming out misery memoir - he was determined that the gay leading character must NOT die. His website is https://www.eamonsomers.com We also talk about why authors put racist language only in the mouths of baddies - painting too rosy a picture? And Abba, Orson Welles, Bay City Rollers, how the Scottish Liberation Front might have blocked Stiff Little Fingers from stardom (SLF), TV's Country Matters, Fat City directed by John Huston, The Red Balloon, The Graduate, how the '70s were really orange, Mau Mau, abortion, Mother Ireland & writing the past through the lens of the present. We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Fictionalising recent history (part 2): Scottish crime fiction author Alan Parks & Irish writer Eamon Somers tell We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about how they set their stories in the recent past and get it right. Alan Parks is the author of The April Dead, published by Canongate, set in 1970s Glasgow, featuring detective Harry McCoy. According to Peter May (who we've also had on We'd Like A Word), Alan's "1970s Glasgow is hewn from flesh and drawn in blood." The Times said "Detective Harry McCoy is so noir that he makes most other Scottish cops seem light grey." Alan's books come out in the month mentioned in the title - The April Dead follows Bloody January, February's Son & Bobby March Will Live Forever. If your book is hundreds of years ago, fewer people will be able to spot your mistakes or have strong opinions on how it really was. But if, like Alan, your book is set in the 1970s, or, like Eamon, your book is set in the 1980s, brace yourself for close scrutiny. It also means there'll be as many "true" versions of your time period as there are readers who remember it. We hear how Alan and Eamon scatter subtle signals of the time - using musical references, the weather, smoking - and in Alan's case, a sinister thread on torture by members of the British military in Kenya, Malaya and Northern Ireland during the years of decolonisation. Before he was an author, Alan worked in the music industry. So we also ask about his time with Enya, New Order and All Saints. Alan's website is https://www.alanparks.co.uk Eamon Somers is the author of Dolly Considine's Hotel, published by Unbound, which switches back and forth between the 1980s of the Irish abortion referendum and previous decades. It's inspired by his own time working in a Dublin shebeen near the Gate Theatre, where the likes of film and theatre director Peter Bogdanovich and politicians would linger for illicit drinking. Eamon was a campaigner in Ireland's fledgling gay liberation movement, serving three terms as spokesperson for Ireland’s National Gay Federation. When he moved to London he worked for a while Haringey Council’s Lesbian and Gay Unit (including the anti-Clause 28 campaign). But he says he certainly did not want to write yet another coming out misery memoir - he was determined that the gay leading character must NOT die. His website is https://www.eamonsomers.com We also talk about why authors put racist language only in the mouths of baddies - painting too rosy a picture? And Abba, Orson Welles, Bay City Rollers, how the Scottish Liberation Front might have blocked Stiff Little Fingers from stardom (SLF), TV's Country Matters, Fat City directed by John Huston, The Red Balloon, The Graduate, how the '70s were really orange, Mau Mau, abortion, Mother Ireland & writing the past through the lens of the present. We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Fictionalising recent history (part 3): Scottish crime fiction author Alan Parks & Irish writer Eamon Somers tell We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about how they set their stories in the recent past and get it right. Alan Parks is the author of The April Dead, published by Canongate, set in 1970s Glasgow, featuring detective Harry McCoy. According to Peter May (who we've also had on We'd Like A Word), Alan's "1970s Glasgow is hewn from flesh and drawn in blood." The Times said "Detective Harry McCoy is so noir that he makes most other Scottish cops seem light grey." Alan's books come out in the month mentioned in the title - The April Dead follows Bloody January, February's Son & Bobby March Will Live Forever. If your book is hundreds of years ago, fewer people will be able to spot your mistakes or have strong opinions on how it really was. But if, like Alan, your book is set in the 1970s, or, like Eamon, your book is set in the 1980s, brace yourself for close scrutiny. It also means there'll be as many "true" versions of your time period as there are readers who remember it. We hear how Alan and Eamon scatter subtle signals of the time - using musical references, the weather, smoking - and in Alan's case, a sinister thread on torture by members of the British military in Kenya, Malaya and Northern Ireland during the years of decolonisation. Before he was an author, Alan worked in the music industry. So we also ask about his time with Enya, New Order and All Saints. Alan's website is https://www.alanparks.co.uk Eamon Somers is the author of Dolly Considine's Hotel, published by Unbound, which switches back and forth between the 1980s of the Irish abortion referendum and previous decades. It's inspired by his own time working in a Dublin shebeen near the Gate Theatre, where the likes of film and theatre director Peter Bogdanovich and politicians would linger for illicit drinking. Eamon was a campaigner in Ireland's fledgling gay liberation movement, serving three terms as spokesperson for Ireland’s National Gay Federation. When he moved to London he worked for a while Haringey Council’s Lesbian and Gay Unit (including the anti-Clause 28 campaign). But he says he certainly did not want to write yet another coming out misery memoir - he was determined that the gay leading character must NOT die. His website is https://www.eamonsomers.com We also talk about why authors put racist language only in the mouths of baddies - painting too rosy a picture? And Abba, Orson Welles, Bay City Rollers, how the Scottish Liberation Front might have blocked Stiff Little Fingers from stardom (SLF), TV's Country Matters, Fat City directed by John Huston, The Red Balloon, The Graduate, how the '70s were really orange, Mau Mau, abortion, Mother Ireland & writing the past through the lens of the present. We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is http://www.wedlikeaword.com for information on Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com Yes, we are embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word to chat, review or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Becoming a children's author and illustrator (part 1): The legendary children's author Julia Donaldson & new children's author and illustrator Ted Chaplin talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about how to create really good stories for young readers. Julia is the former Children's Laureate and the author of A Squash And A Squeeze, The Gruffalo, The Smartest Giant in Town, Stickman and more than a hundred books read by and to children, again and again and again. Many of them illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Now Julia is curating an online course to pass on her advice - and the advice of other experts - to other people who would like to become children's authors. It's under the auspices of the BBC Maestro series. You can find more details by following this link https://www.bbcmaestro.com/courses/julia-donaldson/writing-children-s-picture-books - 27 lessons lasting 6.5 hours, costing £80 In the meantime, Julia some surprising revelations for We'd Like A Word listeners. But what about Ted Chaplin - he's been at the top of the movie animation tree for a long time - working Farmageddon (Shaun the Sheep), Early Man, the Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists, Captain Scarlet, and Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull (but it wasn't his fault - if you've seen the film, you'll know what we mean). But now he's moving into writing and illustrating children's picture stories. It's been more than a year since presenters Paul and Stevyn have been able to get together face-to-face to interview a guest - due to covid - but in this episode we meet in Ted Chaplin's workshop, (which is a lot tidier looking than Steve's, I can tell you). We see Ted's work-in-progress - including a very very cute sloth-like creature. We also talk about Jed Mercurio, The Scarecrow's Wedding, Korky Paul, Strictly Come Dancing and the Great British Bake-Off, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Woolly Bear Caterpillar, the Gruffalo, Princess Mirabelle, the Beth and Ginny stories, The Hobbit, The Wind in the Willows, Hamnett by Maggie O'Farrell, Scoop by Evelyn Waugh, Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull, Brian Blessed, The Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists, Aardman Animation, The Imaginarium and Andy Serkis, the Highway Rat, David Tennant, Axel Scheffler, secret codes in movie making, Doctor Who and Star Wars, The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, Rockabye Rumpus, Oi Frog by Kes Gray, Running on the Cracks, Enid Blyton, Kenneth Grahame, Richmal Crompton's Just William books, The Borrowers, E Nesbit, Judith Kerr, Quentin Blake, Raymond Briggs, smashing a Blue Peter trophy, Pride and Prejudice, favourite writing or drawing implements, Mr Men, Spot the Dog, Captain Scarlet, Cat Deeley, Black Panther, the Hulk, Ant and Dec, bums and farts, a Kookaburra and Faber pencils. We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - & yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Becoming a children's author and illustrator (part 2): The legendary children's author Julia Donaldson & new children's author and illustrator Ted Chaplin talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about how to create really good stories for young readers. Julia is the former Children's Laureate and the author of A Squash And A Squeeze, The Gruffalo, The Smartest Giant in Town, Stickman and more than a hundred books read by and to children, again and again and again. Many of them illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Now Julia is curating an online course to pass on her advice - and the advice of other experts - to other people who would like to become children's authors. It's under the auspices of the BBC Maestro series. You can find more details by following this link https://www.bbcmaestro.com/courses/julia-donaldson/writing-children-s-picture-books - 27 lessons lasting 6.5 hours, costing £80 In the meantime, Julia some surprising revelations for We'd Like A Word listeners. But what about Ted Chaplin - he's been at the top of the movie animation tree for a long time - working Farmageddon (Shaun the Sheep), Early Man, the Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists, Captain Scarlet, and Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull (but it wasn't his fault - if you've seen the film, you'll know what we mean). But now he's moving into writing and illustrating children's picture stories. It's been more than a year since presenters Paul and Stevyn have been able to get together face-to-face to interview a guest - due to covid - but in this episode we meet in Ted Chaplin's workshop, (which is a lot tidier looking than Steve's, I can tell you). We see Ted's work-in-progress - including a very very cute sloth-like creature. We also talk about Jed Mercurio, The Scarecrow's Wedding, Korky Paul, Strictly Come Dancing and the Great British Bake-Off, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Wolly Bear Caterpillar, the Gruffalo, Princess Mirabelle, the Beth and Ginny stories, The Hobbit, The Wind in the Willows, Hamnett by maggie O'Farrell, Scopp by Evelyn Waugh, Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull, Brian Blessed, The Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists, Aardman Animation, The Imaginarium and Andy Serkis, the Highway Rat, David Tennant, Axel Scheffler, secret codes in movie making, Doctor Who and Star Wars, The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, Rockabye Rumpus, Oi Frog by Kes Gray, Running on the Cracks, Enid Blyton, Kenneth Grahame, Richmal Crompton's Just William books, The Borrowers, E Nesbit, Judith Kerr, Quentin Blake, Raymond Briggs, smashing a Blue Peter trophy, Pride and Prejudice, favourite writing or drawing implements, Mr Men, Spot the Dog, Captain Scarlet, Cat Deeley, Black Panther, the Hulk, Ant and Dec, bums and farts, a Kookaburra and Faber pencils. We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - & yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Becoming a children's author and illustrator (part 3): The legendary children's author Julia Donaldson & new children's author and illustrator Ted Chaplin talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about how to create really good stories for young readers. Julia is the former Children's Laureate and the author of A Squash And A Squeeze, The Gruffalo, The Smartest Giant in Town, Stickman and more than a hundred books read by and to children, again and again and again. Many of them illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Now Julia is curating an online course to pass on her advice - and the advice of other experts - to other people who would like to become children's authors. It's under the auspices of the BBC Maestro series. You can find more details by following this link https://www.bbcmaestro.com/courses/julia-donaldson/writing-children-s-picture-books - 27 lessons lasting 6.5 hours, costing £80 In the meantime, Julia some surprising revelations for We'd Like A Word listeners. But what about Ted Chaplin - he's been at the top of the movie animation tree for a long time - working Farmageddon (Shaun the Sheep), Early Man, the Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists, Captain Scarlet, and Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull (but it wasn't his fault - if you've seen the film, you'll know what we mean). But now he's moving into writing and illustrating children's picture stories. It's been more than a year since presenters Paul and Stevyn have been able to get together face-to-face to interview a guest - due to covid - but in this episode we meet in Ted Chaplin's workshop, (which is a lot tidier looking than Steve's, I can tell you). We see Ted's work-in-progress - including a very very cute sloth-like creature.
We also talk about Jed Mercurio, The Scarecrow's Wedding, Korky Paul, Strictly Come Dancing and the Great British Bake-Off, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Wolly Bear Caterpillar, the Gruffalo, Princess Mirabelle, the Beth and Ginny stories, The Hobbit, The Wind in the Willows, Hamnett by maggie O'Farrell, Scopp by Evelyn Waugh, Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull, Brian Blessed, The Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists, Aardman Animation, The Imaginarium and Andy Serkis, the Highway Rat, David Tennant, Axel Scheffler, secret codes in movie making, Doctor Who and Star Wars, The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, Rockabye Rumpus, Oi Frog by Kes Gray, Running on the Cracks, Enid Blyton, Kenneth Grahame, Richmal Crompton's Just William books, The Borrowers, E Nesbit, Judith Kerr, Quentin Blake, Raymond Briggs, smashing a Blue Peter trophy, Pride and Prejudice, favourite writing or drawing implements, Mr Men, Spot the Dog, Captain Scarlet, Cat Deeley, Black Panther, the Hulk, Ant and Dec, bums and farts, a Kookaburra and Faber pencils.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - & yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Writing Memoirs (part 1): Farah Bashir & Auriel Roe talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about what makes a good memoir. Farah Bashir's new book, Rumours of Spring, is about her girlhood growing up in Kashmir during an insurgency and severe security crackdown. Her family home was repeatedly searched by the army, a relative shot dead, a schoolfriend attacked with acid and her family life, education and local traditions radically disrupted. Farah writes about how the conflict and living in fear had particular impacts on women and girls - altering their posture, menstruation, visibility and core sense of self. But her book is not an unbroken litany of misery - far from it. It's a fascinating and illuminating insight into a warm family life and a rich imagination. The details and small behaviours she describes bring Srinagar vividly to life. Farah explains why she wrote Rumours of Spring; how she had to wait until she was ready; the challenges in revealing very personal aspects of her own and her family's lives; and how to make her individual story gripping for people who've never met her - her readers. Farah is from Kashmir and these days lives in Delhi. Rumours of Spring is published by Harper Collins India. And we also hear from Auriel Roe, who joins us from Spain, where she runs The Memoirist website and international memoir publisher Dogberry Books. She loves publishing other people's memoirs and is deluged with submissions. However, too many of them are boring or unremittingly miserable. Auriel is on a quest for relatable personal stories with at least of tinge of humour. Which does not mean that they cannot be serious, but does hope for some self-awareness. We also talk about David Attenborough, Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine (Last Chance to See), Berthold Brecht, Black Lives Matter, Joan Didion (The Year of Magical Thinking), Hisham Matar (The Return), Suad Amiry (Sharon and My Mother-in-Law), Stephen Fry, Thomas Bewick, Oliver Postgate (Seeing Things), Bagpuss, The Clangers, Nogging the Nog, Christine Adams and Michael McMahon (Miss Savidge Moves Her House), George Orwell, Joseph O'Neill (Blood-Dark Track: A Family History), Grace Jones (I'll Never Write My Memoirs), Primo Levi and Basharat Peer (Curfewed Night). We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - & yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Writing Memoirs (part 2): Farah Bashir & Auriel Roe talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about what makes a good memoir. Farah Bashir's new book, Rumours of Spring, is about her girlhood growing up in Kashmir during an insurgency and severe security crackdown. Her family home was repeatedly searched by the army, a relative shot dead, a schoolfriend attacked with acid and her family life, education and local traditions radically disrupted. Farah writes about how the conflict and living in fear had particular impacts on women and girls - altering their posture, menstruation, visibility and core sense of self. But her book is not an unbroken litany of misery - far from it. It's a fascinating and illuminating insight into a warm family life and a rich imagination. The details and small behaviours she describes bring Srinagar vividly to life. Farah explains why she wrote Rumours of Spring; how she had to wait until she was ready; the challenges in revealing very personal aspects of her own and her family's lives; and how to make her individual story gripping for people who've never met her - her readers. Farah is from Kashmir and these days lives in Delhi. Rumours of Spring is published by Harper Collins India. And we also hear from Auriel Roe, who joins us from Spain, where she runs The Memoirist website and international memoir publisher Dogberry Books. She loves publishing other people's memoirs and is deluged with submissions. However, too many of them are boring or unremittingly miserable. Auriel is on a quest for relatable personal stories with at least of tinge of humour. Which does not mean that they cannot be serious, but does hope for some self-awareness. We also talk about David Attenborough, Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine (Last Chance to See), Berthold Brecht, Black Lives Matter, Joan Didion (The Year of Magical Thinking), Hisham Matar (The Return), Suad Amiry (Sharon and My Mother-in-Law), Stephen Fry, Thomas Bewick, Oliver Postgate (Seeing Things), Bagpuss, The Clangers, Nogging the Nog, Christine Adams and Michael McMahon (Miss Savidge Moves Her House), George Orwell, Joseph O'Neill (Blood-Dark Track: A Family History), Grace Jones (I'll Never Write My Memoirs), Primo Levi and Basharat Peer (Curfewed Night). We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - & yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Writing Memoirs (part 3): Farah Bashir & Auriel Roe talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about what makes a good memoir. Farah Bashir's new book, Rumours of Spring, is about her girlhood growing up in Kashmir during an insurgency and severe security crackdown. Her family home was repeatedly searched by the army, a relative shot dead, a schoolfriend attacked with acid and her family life, education and local traditions radically disrupted. Farah writes about how the conflict and living in fear had particular impacts on women and girls - altering their posture, menstruation, visibility and core sense of self. But her book is not an unbroken litany of misery - far from it. It's a fascinating and illuminating insight into a warm family life and a rich imagination. The details and small behaviours she describes bring Srinagar vividly to life. Farah explains why she wrote Rumours of Spring; how she had to wait until she was ready; the challenges in revealing very personal aspects of her own and her family's lives; and how to make her individual story gripping for people who've never met her - her readers. Farah is from Kashmir and these days lives in Delhi. Rumours of Spring is published by Harper Collins India. And we also hear from Auriel Roe, who joins us from Spain, where she runs The Memoirist website and international memoir publisher Dogberry Books. She loves publishing other people's memoirs and is deluged with submissions. However, too many of them are boring or unremittingly miserable. Auriel is on a quest for relatable personal stories with at least of tinge of humour. Which does not mean that they cannot be serious, but does hope for some self-awareness. We also talk about David Attenborough, Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine (Last Chance to See), Berthold Brecht, Black Lives Matter, Joan Didion (The Year of Magical Thinking), Hisham Matar (The Return), Suad Amiry (Sharon and My Mother-in-Law), Stephen Fry, Thomas Bewick, Oliver Postgate (Seeing Things), Bagpuss, The Clangers, Nogging the Nog, Christine Adams and Michael McMahon (Miss Savidge Moves Her House), George Orwell, Joseph O'Neill (Blood-Dark Track: A Family History), Grace Jones (I'll Never Write My Memoirs), Primo Levi and Basharat Peer (Curfewed Night). We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - & yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Writers Weekend festival (part 1): Novelist & poet Reshma Ruia, literary agent John Baker of Bell Lomax Moreton, writing mentor Adrienne Dines & festival organiser Sara Gangai all talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about the UK's prime gathering for unrepresented authors to find an agent. This year the festival is online because of Covid. But the author-agent meet-ups are happening as much as ever. And there'll be all sorts of other attractions - celebrity author talks, workshops, writers' circles, plot development, how to improve your writing & discussions. The main Writers Weekend is 24-27 June, 2021 - with the Writers’ Circles starting 16 May. You'll find details here https://writersweekend.uk - the slogan is "from inspiration to publication".
In this episode we hear all about the Writers Weekend; about authors who have found agents at past events; how to use condiments to solve your plotting problems (Cruet Wars... Game of Spoons... at the DWLC - the Desperate Writers Lunch Club); the worst pitch that agent John Baker ever received; what an agent like him is looking for; how to get publishers interested in your comic or fantasy novel; the challenges of writing a multicultural book when authors are accused of cultural appropriation; & how to ensure your story has "emotional geology".
And we also hear about these authors: Lissa Evans, Helen Fields, MG leonard, Tracey Corderoy, Derek Miller, Robert Fabbri, Alison Sherlock, Claire Dyer, Tammye Huf, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Jasper Fforde, Ben Aaronovitch, Joe Abercrombie, CM Waggoner, Gabriela Houston, AM Shine, Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, David Nobbs, Tom Sharpe, Stella Gibbons, Diana Gabaldon, Chris Riddell, Helen Dennis, Kerry Fisher, John Cleese, Kira-Anne Pelican, Peace Adzo Medie, Ernest Hemmingway, Beverley Birch & Jeanine Cummins.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - & yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Writers Weekend festival (part 2): Novelist & poet Reshma Ruia, literary agent John Baker of Bell Lomax Moreton, writing mentor Adrienne Dines & festival organiser Sara Gangai all talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about the UK's prime gathering for unrepresented authors to find an agent. This year the festival is online because of Covid. But the author-agent meet-ups are happening as much as ever. And there'll be all sorts of other attractions - celebrity author talks, workshops, writers' circles, plot development, how to improve your writing & discussions. The main Writers Weekend is 24-27 June, 2021 - with the Writers’ Circles starting 16 May. You'll find details here https://writersweekend.uk - the slogan is "from inspiration to publication".
In this episode we hear all about the Writers Weekend; about authors who have found agents at past events; how to use condiments to solve your plotting problems (Cruet Wars... Game of Spoons... at the DWLC - the Desperate Writers Lunch Club); the worst pitch that agent John Baker ever received; what an agent like him is looking for; how to get publishers interested in your comic or fantasy novel; the challenges of writing a multicultural book when authors are accused of cultural appropriation; & how to ensure your story has "emotional geology".
And we also hear about these authors: Lissa Evans, Helen Fields, MG leonard, Tracey Corderoy, Derek Miller, Robert Fabbri, Alison Sherlock, Claire Dyer, Tammye Huf, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Jasper Fforde, Ben Aaronovitch, Joe Abercrombie, CM Waggoner, Gabriela Houston, AM Shine, Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, David Nobbs, Tom Sharpe, Stella Gibbons, Diana Gabaldon, Chris Riddell, Helen Dennis, Kerry Fisher, John Cleese, Kira-Anne Pelican, Peace Adzo Medie, Ernest Hemmingway, Beverley Birch & Jeanine Cummins.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - & yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Writers Weekend festival (part 3): Novelist & poet Reshma Ruia, literary agent John Baker of Bell Lomax Moreton, writing mentor Adrienne Dines & festival organiser Sara Gangai all talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about the UK's prime gathering for unrepresented authors to find an agent. This year the festival is online because of Covid. But the author-agent meet-ups are happening as much as ever. And there'll be all sorts of other attractions - celebrity author talks, workshops, writers' circles, plot development, how to improve your writing & discussions. The main Writers Weekend is 24-27 June, 2021 - with the Writers’ Circles starting 16 May. You'll find details here https://writersweekend.uk - the slogan is "from inspiration to publication".
In this episode we hear all about the Writers Weekend; about authors who have found agents at past events; how to use condiments to solve your plotting problems (Cruet Wars... Game of Spoons... at the DWLC - the Desperate Writers Lunch Club); the worst pitch that agent John Baker ever received; what an agent like him is looking for; how to get publishers interested in your comic or fantasy novel; the challenges of writing a multicultural book when authors are accused of cultural appropriation; & how to ensure your story has "emotional geology".
And we also hear about these authors: Lissa Evans, Helen Fields, MG leonard, Tracey Corderoy, Derek Miller, Robert Fabbri, Alison Sherlock, Claire Dyer, Tammye Huf, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Jasper Fforde, Ben Aaronovitch, Joe Abercrombie, CM Waggoner, Gabriela Houston, AM Shine, Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, David Nobbs, Tom Sharpe, Stella Gibbons, Diana Gabaldon, Chris Riddell, Helen Dennis, Kerry Fisher, John Cleese, Kira-Anne Pelican, Peace Adzo Medie, Ernest Hemmingway, Beverley Birch & Jeanine Cummins.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast & radio show from authors Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction & non-fiction. We go out on various radio & podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul & Steve & our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword & Facebook @wedlikeaword & our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - & yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Literary agents (part 1): Piers Blofeld of Sheil Land & James Wills, managing director of Watson Little discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to get an agent for fiction or non-fiction, how to keep an agent, & mistakes to avoid. They also dish up some behind the scenes gossip.
Piers has been the agent for Nadine Dorries, Cath Quinn, Jamie Thomson & Pizza Express. No, really. The Pizza Express Cookbook. He's also Stevyn Colgan's agent. James is agent for Christopher Fowler, Martin Edwards, Alex Pavesi, footballer Jamie Carragher & the great Alan Moore - crime fiction, thrillers, sports star & graphic novels. He's also the agent who sold the audiobook rights for Paul Waters' book, Blackwatertown, to WF Howes. (Patrick Moy is the audiobook narrator. You should have a listen.) On this episode we hear about Piers Blofeld's link to the Bond villain with whom he shares a surname, from authors Jo Jakeman & Allie C Hall, about Henry "Blowers" Blofeld, the price of getting an agent's name wrong in your pitch letter, diversity, comedians called David getting book deals (yes Davids Baddiel & Walliams, we mean you), books on spontaneous combustion, dropping a tea-soaked gingernut on Paul's phone, why your pitch letter should be "half long & twice strong", changing book titles or not (David Alderton - Fat Dog Thin & Freya Berry - The Dictator's Wife), author relationships with mega-publishers (like Penguin Random House, Harper Collins or Hachette) v smaller but perfectly formed ones (like Orenda or Viper), how good storytelling is not the same as good writing (& far rarer), how winning awards may not change your life, why you need an agent to be your bad cop, & how agents cope with rejection. (You see? It's not just authors who go through it.)
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Literary agents (part 2): Piers Blofeld of Sheil Land & James Wills, managing director of Watson Little discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to get an agent for fiction or non-fiction, how to keep an agent, & mistakes to avoid. They also dish up some behind the scenes gossip.
Piers has been the agent for Nadine Dorries, Cath Quinn, Jamie Thomson & Pizza Express. No, really. The Pizza Express Cookbook. He's also Stevyn Colgan's agent. James is agent for Christopher Fowler, Martin Edwards, Alex Pavesi, footballer Jamie Carragher & the great Alan Moore - crime fiction, thrillers, sports star & graphic novels. He's also the agent who sold the audiobook rights for Paul Waters' book, Blackwatertown, to WF Howes. (Patrick Moy is the audiobook narrator. You should have a listen.) On this episode we hear about Piers Blofeld's link to the Bond villain with whom he shares a surname, from authors Jo Jakeman & Allie C Hall, about Henry "Blowers" Blofeld, the price of getting an agent's name wrong in your pitch letter, diversity, comedians called David getting book deals (yes Davids Baddiel & Walliams, we mean you), books on spontaneous combustion, dropping a tea-soaked gingernut on Paul's phone, why your pitch letter should be "half long & twice strong", changing book titles or not (David Alderton - Fat Dog Thin & Freya Berry - The Dictator's Wife), author relationships with mega-publishers (like Penguin Random House, Harper Collins or Hachette) v smaller but perfectly formed ones (like Orenda or Viper), how good storytelling is not the same as good writing (& far rarer), how winning awards may not change your life, why you need an agent to be your bad cop, & how agents cope with rejection. (You see? It's not just authors who go through it.)
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Literary agents (part 3): Piers Blofeld of Sheil Land & James Wills, managing director of Watson Little discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to get an agent for fiction or non-fiction, how to keep an agent, & mistakes to avoid. They also dish up some behind the scenes gossip.
Piers has been the agent for Nadine Dorries, Cath Quinn, Jamie Thomson & Pizza Express. No, really. The Pizza Express Cookbook. He's also Stevyn Colgan's agent. James is agent for Christopher Fowler, Martin Edwards, Alex Pavesi, footballer Jamie Carragher & the great Alan Moore - crime fiction, thrillers, sports star & graphic novels. He's also the agent who sold the audiobook rights for Paul Waters' book, Blackwatertown, to WF Howes. (Patrick Moy is the audiobook narrator. You should have a listen.)
On this episode we hear about Piers Blofeld's link to the Bond villain with whom he shares a surname, from authors Jo Jakeman & Allie C Hall, about Henry "Blowers" Blofeld, the price of getting an agent's name wrong in your pitch letter, diversity, comedians called David getting book deals (yes Davids Baddiel & Walliams, we mean you), books on spontaneous combustion, dropping a tea-soaked gingernut on Paul's phone, why your pitch letter should be "half long & twice strong", changing book titles or not (David Alderton - Fat Dog Thin & Freya Berry - The Dictator's Wife), author relationships with mega-publishers (like Penguin Random House, Harper Collins or Hachette) v smaller but perfectly formed ones (like Orenda or Viper), how good storytelling is not the same as good writing (& far rarer), how winning awards may not change your life, why you need an agent to be your bad cop, & how agents cope with rejection. (You see? It's not just authors who go through it.)
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
YA young adult books (part 1) with Sarwat Chadda & Shiulie Ghosh: Sarwat & Shiulie discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to write & market YA (young adult) and mid-lit books. Sarwat is the author of City of the Plague God published by Rick Riordan Presents. He's also the author of The Templar Chronicles (trilogy) (coming out - again - soon with a new part 3), The Ash Mistry series, The Dragon's Eye, Mission Atomic, The Devil's Kiss, The City of Death, and Dark Goddess. He also writes the animated The Legend of Hanuman series for Disney Hotstars. And he has a tendency to get into trouble with rhinos & other occasionally aggressive species. Shiulie is the author of the Daughter of Kali trilogy (& prequel), the Chronicles of Cetaea duology, Mark of the Djinn, The Prince and his Thief, and Soul Quest - some of them published by Peach Publishing. She's also the renowned ITN, Al Jazeera, BBC & TRT TV foreign correspondent & presenter. She honed her diplomatic skills talking herself out of tight corners in war zones.
Shiulie & Sarwat discuss paranormal fantasy; gritty urban coming-of-age romance; diversity & appropriation in representation & writing; creating an anti-Indiana Jones hero, mythology & varying value systems; Ray Harryhausen's Sinbad adventures; making a place for kickass mothers in YA fiction; how to & whether to tackle tough issues like sex, violence, drugs, death, racism, cancer, incest, murder & rape; and who exactly is this goddess Kali they both find so galvanising?
We also hear about other inspirational authors, agents & phenomena including Natasha Ngan, Olivia Chadha, SA Chakraborty, Sonia Land, Piers Blofeld, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Rick Riordan, Grayson Perry, Angie Thomas, John Green, Ray Harryhausen, Kali, Peter L Barnes and Indiana Jones.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
YA young adult books (part 2) with Sarwat Chadda & Shiulie Ghosh: Sarwat & Shiulie discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to write & market YA (young adult) and mid-lit books. Sarwat is the author of City of the Plague God published by Rick Riordan Presents. He's also the author of The Templar Chronicles (trilogy) (coming out - again - soon with a new part 3), The Ash Mistry series, The Dragon's Eye, Mission Atomic, The Devil's Kiss, The City of Death, and Dark Goddess. He also writes the animated The Legend of Hanuman series for Disney Hotstars. And he has a tendency to get into trouble with rhinos & other occasionally aggressive species. Shiulie is the author of the Daughter of Kali trilogy (& prequel), the Chronicles of Cetaea duology, Mark of the Djinn, The Prince and his Thief, and Soul Quest - some of them published by Peach Publishing. She's also the renowned ITN, Al Jazeera, BBC & TRT TV foreign correspondent & presenter. She honed her diplomatic skills talking herself out of tight corners in war zones.
Shiulie & Sarwat discuss paranormal fantasy; gritty urban coming-of-age romance; diversity & appropriation in representation & writing; creating an anti-Indiana Jones hero, mythology & varying value systems; Ray Harryhausen's Sinbad adventures; making a place for kickass mothers in YA fiction; how to & whether to tackle tough issues like sex, violence, drugs, death, racism, cancer, incest, murder & rape; and who exactly is this goddess Kali they both find so galvanising?
We also hear about other inspirational authors, agents & phenomena including Natasha Ngan, Olivia Chadha, SA Chakraborty, Sonia Land, Piers Blofeld, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Rick Riordan, Grayson perry, Angie Thomas, John Green, Ray Harryhausen, Kali, Peter L Barnes and Indiana Jones.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
YA young adult books (part 3) with Sarwat Chadda & Shiulie Ghosh: Sarwat & Shiulie discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to write & market YA (young adult) and mid-lit books. Sarwat is the author of City of the Plague God published by Rick Riordan Presents. He's also the author of The Templar Chronicles (trilogy) (coming out - again - soon with a new part 3), The Ash Mistry series, The Dragon's Eye, Mission Atomic, The Devil's Kiss, The City of Death, and Dark Goddess. He also writes the animated The Legend of Hanuman series for Disney Hotstars. And he has a tendency to get into trouble with rhinos & other occasionally aggressive species. Shiulie is the author of the Daughter of Kali trilogy (& prequel), the Chronicles of Cetaea duology, Mark of the Djinn, The Prince and his Thief, and Soul Quest - some of them published by Peach Publishing. She's also the renowned ITN, Al Jazeera, BBC & TRT TV foreign correspondent & presenter. She honed her diplomatic skills talking herself out of tight corners in war zones.
Shiulie & Sarwat discuss paranormal fantasy; gritty urban coming-of-age romance; diversity & appropriation in representation & writing; creating an anti-Indiana Jones hero, mythology & varying value systems; Ray Harryhausen's Sinbad adventures; making a place for kickass mothers in YA fiction; how to & whether to tackle tough issues like sex, violence, drugs, death, racism, cancer, incest, murder & rape; and who exactly is this goddess Kali they both find so galvanising?
We also hear about other inspirational authors, agents & phenomena including Natasha Ngan, Olivia Chadha, SA Chakraborty, Sonia Land, Piers Blofeld, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Rick Riordan, Grayson perry, Angie Thomas, John Green, Ray Harryhausen, Kali, Peter L Barnes and Indiana Jones.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. And if you're still stuck for something to read, may we recommend Blackwatertown by Paul Waters or The Diabolical Club by Stevyn Colgan.
Lessons in fantasy & world building (part 1) from Elizabeth Knox & Stephanie Bretherton: They discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to construct imagined worlds from top to bottom, dual narratives, fantastic naturalism, combining fantasy, speculative fiction & science fiction. Elizabeth's new book, The Absolute Book, published by Penguin / Michael Joseph, is out now. It's massive & the cover is lovely. Elizabeth joins us from the land of tomorrow - ie New Zealand. She teaches world building at Victoria University in Wellington. She's the author of 13 novels and other other works besides. Literary non-realism, she sometimes calls it. Her books have won plenty of awards & she has an honour herself - Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Stephanie is the author of Bone Lines, published by Unbound, and various short stories. She's has not (yet) been honoured by royalty, but she's revered as a kind and effective support by many, many new authors. She's currently working on the sequel to Bone Lines - part 2 in her Children of Sarah series.
We also hear about inspiration from JRR Tolkien, George RR Martin, Lionel Shriver, Anne McCaffrey, Black lace women's erotica, Suzie Wilde, Sue Clark, Ursula Le Guin & Richard Powers. And also about author (& former We'd Like A Word guest) Dougie Brimson's new TV & film production company, Red Bus Movies. He's ex-RAF & wants ex-military to apply.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Lessons in fantasy & world building (part 2) from Elizabeth Knox & Stephanie Bretherton: They discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to construct imagined worlds from top to bottom, dual narratives, fantastic naturalism, combining fantasy, speculative fiction & science fiction. Elizabeth's new book, The Absolute Book, published by Penguin / Michael Joseph, is out now. It's massive & the cover is lovely. Elizabeth joins us from the land of tomorrow - ie New Zealand. She teaches world building at Victoria University in Wellington. She's the author of 13 novels and other other works besides. Literary non-realism, she sometimes calls it. Her books have won plenty of awards & she has an honour herself - Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Stephanie is the author of Bone Lines, published by Unbound, and various short stories. She's has not (yet) been honoured by royalty, but she's revered as a kind and effective support by many, many new authors. She's currently working on the sequel to Bone Lines - part 2 in her Children of Sarah series.
We also hear about inspiration from JRR Tolkien, George RR Martin, Lionel Shriver, Anne McCaffrey, Black lace women's erotica, Suzie Wilde, Sue Clark, Ursula Le Guin & Richard Powers. And also about author (& former We'd Like A Word guest) Dougie Brimson's new TV & film production company, Red Bus Movies. He's ex-RAF & wants ex-military to apply.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Lessons in fantasy & world building (part 3) from Elizabeth Knox & Stephanie Bretherton: They discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to construct imagined worlds from top to bottom, dual narratives, fantastic naturalism, combining fantasy, speculative fiction & science fiction. Elizabeth's new book, The Absolute Book, published by Penguin / Michael Joseph, is out now. It's massive & the cover is lovely. Elizabeth joins us from the land of tomorrow - ie New Zealand. She teaches world building at Victoria University in Wellington. She's the author of 13 novels and other other works besides. Literary non-realism, she sometimes calls it. Her books have won plenty of awards & she has an honour herself - Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Stephanie is the author of Bone Lines, published by Unbound, and various short stories. She's has not (yet) been honoured by royalty, but she's revered as a kind and effective support by many, many new authors. She's currently working on the sequel to Bone Lines - part 2 in her Children of Sarah series.
We also hear about inspiration from JRR Tolkien, George RR Martin, Lionel Shriver, Anne McCaffrey, Black lace women's erotica, Suzie Wilde, Sue Clark, Ursula Le Guin & Richard Powers. And also about author (& former We'd Like A Word guest) Dougie Brimson's new TV & film production company, Red Bus Movies. He's ex-RAF & wants ex-military to apply.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
New Northern Ireland crime fiction (part 1) with authors Simon Maltman & James Murphy, & bookseller & publisher David Torrans: They discuss with We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan, financial support for authors, whether publisher (& reader) appetite for Northern Ireland crime fiction has dried up (Paul hopes not!), and keeping a bookshop and publisher going during Covid. Simon Maltman's latest novel is Witness. He's also the author of The Mark, Sidewinder, Bongo Fury & more. He plays guitar, he's from Bangor and leads crime fiction tours of Belfast. James Murphy, from Belfast, is a former headteacher and author of the Terror trilogy - The Rise of Terror, The Terror Within & Dark Light (yes, we tease James for that third title). James also teaches crime writing, is an organiser of the Northern Ireland Festival of Writing, and presents the podcast, A Life of Crime (Writing) with James Murphy. The legendary David Torrans owns the legendary No Alibi's crime and mystery bookshop on Belfast's Botanic Avenue. He also runs the No Alibis Press publisher, (Emma Warnock is the editor). He's been a magnet and hub for local and international authors, and is one of the organisers of Noireland, the Northern Ireland International Crime Fiction Festival. And David and his shop have been immortalised in fiction (Mystery Man by Colin Bateman) - an uncannily accurate depiction of the real man. (David denies it. But just look at him and draw your own conclusions.)
We also have a love in for the Northern Ireland Arts Council and author Gerard Brennan, whose latest book is called Shot. We hear about the next book coming from No Alibis Press - it's called Seed, by Joanna Walsh. And we talk about authors Val McDermid, Adrian McKinty, Colin Bateman, Steve Cavanagh, Kelly Creighton, Sharon Dempsey, Stuart Neville, Maurice Leitch, Brian McGilloway, Vigdis Hjorth & Emily St John Mandell. Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt pop in the conversation. Paul threatens to replace Stevyn as co-presenter with You Tube countryside guru Dick Leviathan. There's a lot of chuckling and quite a bit of giggling.
This episode was supported by the We'd Like A Word advisory panel: Gerry Lockdown, Barry Murderer, Trevor Torture, Maurice Fear & Seamus Panic. Thanks guys.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
New Northern Ireland crime fiction (part 2) with authors Simon Maltman & James Murphy, & bookseller & publisher David Torrans: They discuss with We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan, financial support for authors, whether publisher (& reader) appetite for Northern Ireland crime fiction has dried up (Paul hopes not!), and keeping a bookshop and publisher going during Covid. Simon Maltman's latest novel is Witness. He's also the author of The Mark, Sidewinder, Bongo Fury & more. He plays guitar, he's from Bangor and leads crime fiction tours of Belfast. James Murphy, from Belfast, is a former headteacher and author of the Terror trilogy - The Rise of Terror, The Terror Within & Dark Light (yes, we tease James for that third title). James also teaches crime writing, is an organiser of the Northern Ireland Festival of Writing, and presents the podcast, A Life of Crime (Writing) with James Murphy. The legendary David Torrans owns the legendary No Alibi's crime and mystery bookshop on Belfast's Botanic Avenue. He also runs the No Alibis Press publisher, (Emma Warnock is the editor). He's been a magnet and hub for local and international authors, and is one of the organisers of Noireland, the Northern Ireland International Crime Fiction Festival. And David and his shop have been immortalised in fiction (Mystery Man by Colin Bateman) - an uncannily accurate depiction of the real man. (David denies it. But just look at him and draw your own conclusions.)
We also have a love in for the Northern Ireland Arts Council and author Gerard Brennan, whose latest book is called Shot. We hear about the next book coming from No Alibis Press - it's called Seed, by Joanna Walsh. And we talk about authors Val McDermid, Adrian McKinty, Colin Bateman, Steve Cavanagh, Kelly Creighton, Sharon Dempsey, Stuart Neville, Maurice Leitch, Brian McGilloway, Vigdis Hjorth & Emily St John Mandell. Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt pop in the conversation. Paul threatens to replace Stevyn as co-presenter with You Tube countryside guru Dick Leviathan. There's a lot of chuckling and quite a bit of giggling.
This episode was supported by the We'd Like A Word advisory panel: Gerry Lockdown, Barry Murderer, Trevor Torture, Maurice Fear & Seamus Panic. Thanks guys.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
New Northern Ireland crime fiction (part 3) with authors Simon Maltman & James Murphy, & bookseller & publisher David Torrans: They discuss with We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan, financial support for authors, whether publisher (& reader) appetite for Northern Ireland crime fiction has dried up (Paul hopes not!), and keeping a bookshop and publisher going during Covid. Simon Maltman's latest novel is Witness. He's also the author of The Mark, Sidewinder, Bongo Fury & more. He plays guitar, he's from Bangor and leads crime fiction tours of Belfast. James Murphy, from Belfast, is a former headteacher and author of the Terror trilogy - The Rise of Terror, The Terror Within & Dark Light (yes, we tease James for that third title). James also teaches crime writing, is an organiser of the Northern Ireland Festival of Writing, and presents the podcast, A Life of Crime (Writing) with James Murphy. The legendary David Torrans owns the legendary No Alibi's crime and mystery bookshop on Belfast's Botanic Avenue. He also runs the No Alibis Press publisher, (Emma Warnock is the editor). He's been a magnet and hub for local and international authors, and is one of the organisers of Noireland, the Northern Ireland International Crime Fiction Festival. And David and his shop have been immortalised in fiction (Mystery Man by Colin Bateman) - an uncannily accurate depiction of the real man. (David denies it. But just look at him and draw your own conclusions.)
We also have a love in for the Northern Ireland Arts Council and author Gerard Brennan, whose latest book is called Shot. We hear about the next book coming from No Alibis Press - it's called Seed, by Joanna Walsh. And we talk about authors Val McDermid, Adrian McKinty, Colin Bateman, Steve Cavanagh, Kelly Creighton, Sharon Dempsey, Stuart Neville, Maurice Leitch, Brian McGilloway, Vigdis Hjorth & Emily St John Mandell. Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt pop in the conversation. Paul threatens to replace Stevyn as co-presenter with You Tube countryside guru Dick Leviathan. There's a lot of chuckling and quite a bit of giggling.
This episode was supported by the We'd Like A Word advisory panel: Gerry Lockdown, Barry Murderer, Trevor Torture, Maurice Fear & Seamus Panic. Thanks guys.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Meet the Publishers (Part 1) with Karen Sullivan & Miranda Jewess: Karen, owner & publisher of Orenda Books, and Miranda, senior commissioning editor & so-called Viper Nest Momma at Viper Books (part of Profile), reveal to We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan the secrets of publishing - how they choose books & authors, what puts them off, whether you really need an agent or not (and how to get a deal without one), the impact of celebrity authors, the chances for new writers, how you should use social media and what books they love or are excited by, bus tours, literary festivals & writing in the vernacular. We also talk about authors Denise Mina, Antti Toumainen, David F Ross, Peter May, Helen Fitzgerald, Louise Beech, Ragnar Jonasson, Russel D McLean, Matt Wesolowski, Will Carver, Doug Johnston, Lucy Foley, Guy Morpuss, Catriona Ward & Stephanie Bretherton.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Meet the Publishers (Part 2) with Karen Sullivan & Miranda Jewess: Karen, owner & publisher of Orenda Books, and Miranda, senior commissioning editor & so-called Viper Nest Momma at Viper Books (part of Profile), reveal to We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan the secrets of publishing - how they choose books & authors, what puts them off, whether you really need an agent or not (and how to get a deal without one), the impact of celebrity authors, the chances for new writers, how you should use social media and what books they love or are excited by, bus tours, literary festivals & writing in the vernacular. We also talk about authors Denise Mina, Antti Toumainen, David F Ross, Peter May, Helen Fitzgerald, Louise Beech, Ragnar Jonasson, Russel D McLean, Matt Wesolowski, Will Carver, Doug Johnston, Lucy Foley, Guy Morpuss, Catriona Ward & Stephanie Bretherton.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Meet the Publishers (Part 3) with Karen Sullivan & Miranda Jewess: Karen, owner & publisher of Orenda Books, and Miranda, senior commissioning editor & so-called Viper Nest Momma at Viper Books (part of Profile), reveal to We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan the secrets of publishing - how they choose books & authors, what puts them off, whether you really need an agent or not (and how to get a deal without one), the impact of celebrity authors, the chances for new writers, how you should use social media and what books they love or are excited by, bus tours, literary festivals & writing in the vernacular. We also talk about authors Denise Mina, Antti Toumainen, David F Ross, Peter May, Helen Fitzgerald, Louise Beech, Ragnar Jonasson, Russel D McLean, Matt Wesolowski, Will Carver, Doug Johnston, Lucy Foley, Guy Morpuss, Catriona Ward & Stephanie Bretherton.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Audiobooks (Part 1) with Caroline Lennon, Patrick Moy & Natalie Chisholm: Caroline (who played Siobhan Hathaway in The Archers on BBC Radio 4), Patrick and Natalie, all audiobook narrators and actors (and in Natalie's case a producer too), reveal to We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan the secrets of audiobook narration and how they make your writing sound good. Part 1 is all Natalie. Natalie Chisholm, aka Redhead Voiceover, narrates classic short stories by Elizabeth Gaskell, Clara Venn and Oscar Wilde for B7 Media. She also has her own home studio for proper "punch and roll" recording - helped by her BBC presenting and producing background. In the other episodes we hear from Caroline Lennon - she's famous for playing the scarlet-haired temptress Siobhan Hathaway who has an affair with Brian Aldridge in The Archers on BBC Radio 4, so she takes questions from our audience on what happened on set and why she left. She also talks about the 350+ unabridged audiobooks she has narrated. 350! They include books by Brian McGilloway, Hannah Kent, Jane Casey, Maeve Binchy, Anne Enright, Peter Tremayne, Graham Masterton, Hannah Hauxwell and many many more. Caroline tells us about the only author who should be allowed to narrate their own books (only one), how she does it herself, discusses political extremes and representation. We also hear from Patrick Moy (aka Patrick Doddy) who has narrated about 50 unabridged audiobooks, including Blackwatertown by Paul Waters (hurrah!), and books by Hilary Mantel, Catherine Doyle, Fintan O'Toole, Paul Murray, JP Donleavy, Helen Cullen, Eoin Colfer, Ian Cobain, Edward Rutherfurd, John Chambers, Jim Hutton and Tim Wapshott. Plus stories of Freddie Mercury backstage and theatrical disasters. We also bring in authors Barbara Copperthwaite, Sue Jones, Joanne Frost Johnson, Monica Ali, Hallie Rubenhold and actors David Tennant, Rula Lenska and Andrew Scott.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Audiobooks (Part 2) with Patrick Moy, Caroline Lennon & Natalie Chisholm: Caroline (who played Siobhan Hathaway in The Archers on BBC Radio 4), Patrick and Natalie, all audiobook narrators and actors (and in Natalie's case a producer too), reveal to We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan the secrets of audiobook narration and how they make your writing sound good. Part 2 is all Patrick. Patrick Moy (aka Patrick Doddy) has narrated about 50 unabridged audiobooks, including Blackwatertown by Paul Waters (hurrah!), and books by Hilary Mantel, Catherine Doyle, Fintan O'Toole, Paul Murray, JP Donleavy, Helen Cullen, Eoin Colfer, Ian Cobain, Edward Rutherfurd, John Chambers, Jim Hutton and Tim Wapshott. He also raises stories of Freddie Mercury backstage and theatrical disasters. (Yes, it's the one about when Freddie Mercury tried Stevyn Colgan's helmet on for size and Patrick Moy crash landed into the scenery.) With excerpts of Patrick reading from Blackwatertown (by Paul Waters) and Rula Lenska reading from A Murder To Die For (by Stevyn Colgan - includes teeth being sunk into a scotum). In the other episodes we hear from Caroline Lennon - she's famous for playing the scarlet-haired temptress Siobhan Hathaway who has an affair with Brian Aldridge in The Archers on BBC Radio 4, so she takes questions from our audience on what happened on set and why she left. She also talks about the 350+ unabridged audiobooks she has narrated. 350! They include books by Brian McGilloway, Hannah Kent, Jane Casey, Maeve Binchy, Anne Enright, Peter Tremayne, Graham Masterton, Hannah Hauxwell and many many more. Caroline tells us about the only author who should be allowed to narrate their own books (only one), how she does it herself, discusses political extremes and representation. Natalie Chisholm, aka Redhead Voiceover, narrates classic short stories by Elizabeth Gaskell, Clara Venn and Oscar Wilde for B7 Media. She also has her own home studio for proper "punch and roll" recording - helped by her BBC presenting and producing background. We also bring in authors Barbara Copperthwaite, Sue Jones, Joanne Frost Johnson, Monica Ali, Hallie Rubenhold and actors David Tennant and Andrew Scott.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Audiobooks (Part 3) with Caroline Lennon, Patrick Moy & Natalie Chisholm: Caroline (who played Siobhan Hathaway in The Archers on BBC Radio 4), Patrick and Natalie, all audiobook narrators and actors (and in Natalie's case a producer too), reveal to We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan the secrets of audiobook narration and how they make your writing sound good. Part 3 is all Caroline. She is famous for playing the scarlet-haired temptress Siobhan Hathaway who has an affair with Brian Aldridge in The Archers on BBC Radio 4, so she takes questions from our audience on what happened on set and why she left. She also talks about the 350+ unabridged audiobooks she has narrated. 350! They include books by Brian McGilloway, Hannah Kent, Jane Casey, Maeve Binchy, Anne Enright, Peter Tremayne, Graham Masterton, Hannah Hauxwell and many many more. Caroline tells us about the only author who should be allowed to narrate their own books (only one), how she does it herself, discusses political extremes and representation. In the other episodes we hear from Patrick Moy (aka Patrick Doddy) who has narrated about 50 unabridged audiobooks, including Blackwatertown by Paul Waters (hurrah!), and books by Hilary Mantel, Catherine Doyle, Fintan O'Toole, Paul Murray, JP Donleavy, Helen Cullen, Eoin Colfer, Ian Cobain, Edward Rutherfurd, John Chambers, Jim Hutton and Tim Wapshott. Plus stories of Freddie Mercury backstage and theatrical disasters. Natalie Chisholm, aka Redhead Voiceover, narrates classic short stories by Elizabeth Gaskell, Clara Venn and Oscar Wilde for B7 Media. She also has her own home studio for proper "punch and roll" recording - helped by her BBC presenting and producing background. We also bring in authors Barbara Copperthwaite, Sue Jones, Joanne Frost Johnson, Monica Ali, Hallie Rubenhold and actors David Tennant, Rula Lenska and Andrew Scott.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, editors, agents, celebrities, talkers, poets, publishers, booksellers, audiobook creators about books - fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio and podcast platforms. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your questions, thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Editing books (Part 1) with Russel D McLean & Linda Nagle: Russel and Linda, both editors, both writers, reveal to We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan the secrets of book editing and how they make your writing better. (Warning - includes lots of swearing.) Russel is the Scottish noir author of Ed's Dead (fast, funny and deadly) and the J McNee series. A Dundonian reader once commented on one of his books: "I've read that book. It was so awful I had to burn it!" (PW adds: I also read it. It was awfully good.) Linda is a screen writer and author of work published in Tales of the Female perspective (Chinbeard Books); Paladins (Near to the Knuckle); 6 x 6 x 6 (Ice Pick Books), Within Darkness and Light (Nothing Books), The Black Room Manuscripts, Vol. 3 (The Sinister Horror Company) and her own anthology – Stranger Companies. We talk about what structural and copy editors actually do, how they deal with rubbish writers who think they're prefect, how they dish out constructive criticism and why you should probably not write a sex scene and definitely never describe someone as having a "nonchalant nose". Other lessons - surprise does not equal tension (see The Sixth Sense), holding back tears is better than weeping, plot = character, abduction is better than murder (Denise Mina), simpler = more profound (says Hemmingway), "show, don't tell" does not mean referencing raised eyebrows in every third paragraph. We also bring in Jericho Writers, Harry Bingham, Duncan Bradshaw, Philip K Dick on hidden meanings, Splatter Punk, the Dystopian States of America, Beer and Book zoom talks with the Craft beer Shop in Little Chalfont, hermaneutics, Haverill House, Theakston's Old Peculier, Stephen King, JK Rowling, Chain by Adrian McKinty, Dreyer's English, Jake Thackray, James Ellroy, Frederick Forsyth, Lawrence Block, Jack Reacher's kidney stones (surely he must have some?), Alan Guthrie, Gerard Brennan, Blasted Heath, Five Leaves bookshop, Severn House, and... why "jock" is the rudest word of all. Phew! That's loads.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms and occasional Wednesdays on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Editing books (Part 2) with Russel D McLean & Linda Nagle: Russel and Linda, both editors, both writers, reveal to We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan the secrets of book editing and how they make your writing better. (Warning - includes lots of swearing.) Russel is the Scottish noir author of Ed's Dead (fast, funny and deadly) and the J McNee series. A Dundonian reader once commented on one of his books: "I've read that book. It was so awful I had to burn it!" (PW adds: I also read it. It was awfully good.) Linda is a screen writer and author of work published in Tales of the Female perspective (Chinbeard Books); Paladins (Near to the Knuckle); 6 x 6 x 6 (Ice Pick Books), Within Darkness and Light (Nothing Books), The Black Room Manuscripts, Vol. 3 (The Sinister Horror Company) and her own anthology – Stranger Companies. We talk about what structural and copy editors actually do, how they deal with rubbish writers who think they're prefect, how they dish out constructive criticism and why you should probably not write a sex scene and definitely never describe someone as having a "nonchalant nose". Other lessons - surprise does not equal tension (see The Sixth Sense), holding back tears is better than weeping, plot = character, abduction is better than murder (Denise Mina), simpler = more profound (says Hemmingway), "show, don't tell" does not mean referencing raised eyebrows in every third paragraph. We also bring in Jericho Writers, Harry Bingham, Duncan Bradshaw, Philip K Dick on hidden meanings, Splatter Punk, the Dystopian States of America, Beer and Book zoom talks with the Craft beer Shop in Little Chalfont, hermaneutics, Haverill House, Theakston's Old Peculier, Stephen King, JK Rowling, Chain by Adrian McKinty, Dreyer's English, Jake Thackray, James Ellroy, Frederick Forsyth, Lawrence Block, Jack Reacher's kidney stones (surely he must have some?), Alan Guthrie, Gerard Brennan, Blasted Heath, Five Leaves bookshop, Severn House, and... why "jock" is the rudest word of all. Phew! That's loads.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms and occasional Wednesdays on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Editing books (Part 3) with Russel D McLean & Linda Nagle: Russel and Linda, both editors, both writers, reveal to We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan the secrets of book editing and how they make your writing better. (Warning - includes lots of swearing.) Russel is the Scottish noir author of Ed's Dead (fast, funny and deadly) and the J McNee series. A Dundonian reader once commented on one of his books: "I've read that book. It was so awful I had to burn it!" (PW adds: I also read it. It was awfully good.) Linda is a screen writer and author of work published in Tales of the Female perspective (Chinbeard Books); Paladins (Near to the Knuckle); 6 x 6 x 6 (Ice Pick Books), Within Darkness and Light (Nothing Books), The Black Room Manuscripts, Vol. 3 (The Sinister Horror Company) and her own anthology – Stranger Companies. We talk about what structural and copy editors actually do, how they deal with rubbish writers who think they're prefect, how they dish out constructive criticism and why you should probably not write a sex scene and definitely never describe someone as having a "nonchalant nose". Other lessons - surprise does not equal tension (see The Sixth Sense), holding back tears is better than weeping, plot = character, abduction is better than murder (Denise Mina), simpler = more profound (says Hemmingway), "show, don't tell" does not mean referencing raised eyebrows in every third paragraph. We also bring in Jericho Writers, Harry Bingham, Duncan Bradshaw, Philip K Dick on hidden meanings, Splatter Punk, the Dystopian States of America, Beer and Book zoom talks with the Craft beer Shop in Little Chalfont, hermaneutics, Haverill House, Theakston's Old Peculier, Stephen King, JK Rowling, Chain by Adrian McKinty, Dreyer's English, Jake Thackray, James Ellroy, Frederick Forsyth, Lawrence Block, Jack Reacher's kidney stones (surely he must have some?), Alan Guthrie, Gerard Brennan, Blasted Heath, Five Leaves bookshop, Severn House, and... why "jock" is the rudest word of all. Phew! That's loads.
We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms and occasional Wednesdays on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Stephanie Scott, writing across genres (Part 1): Stephanie, winner of too many awards to mention (see our website www.wedlikeaword.com), tells We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how she fought with the help of her agent Antony Harwood to write across genres - literary fiction, romance, true crime, coming of age. Her book - what’s left of me is yours - looks at the murky world of wakaresaseya (professional marriage breaker-uppers) in Japan. Weird, shocking and interesting. Also her fascinating family background Indian/British in Singapore - with a mighty tale around the Japanese invasion of Malaya. We also talk about Joseph O’Neill’s book, Blood Dark Track. And Stephanie reads from her book, reveals the original title and her next one - and we have a good laugh. Oh, we also celebrate Pages of Hackney bookshop. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Wednesday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Stephanie Scott, writing across genres (Part 2): Stephanie, winner of too many awards to mention (see our website www.wedlikeaword.com), tells We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how she fought with the help of her agent Antony Harwood to write across genres - literary fiction, romance, true crime, coming of age. Her book - what’s left of me is yours - looks at the murky world of wakaresaseya (professional marriage breaker-uppers) in Japan. Weird, shocking and interesting. Also her fascinating family background Indian/British in Singapore - with a mighty tale around the Japanese invasion of Malaya. We also talk about Joseph O’Neill’s book, Blood Dark Track. And Stephanie reads from her book, reveals the original title and her next one - and we have a good laugh. Oh, we also celebrate Pages of Hackney bookshop. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Wednesday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Stephanie Scott, writing across genres (Part 3): Stephanie, winner of too many awards to mention (see our website www.wedlikeaword.com), tells We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how she fought with the help of her agent Antony Harwood to write across genres - literary fiction, romance, true crime, coming of age. Her book - what’s left of me is yours - looks at the murky world of wakaresaseya (professional marriage breaker-uppers) in Japan. Weird, shocking and interesting. Also her fascinating family background Indian/British in Singapore - with a mighty tale around the Japanese invasion of Malaya. We also talk about Joseph O’Neill’s book, Blood Dark Track. And Stephanie reads from her book, reveals the original title and her next one - and we have a good laugh. Oh, we also celebrate Pages of Hackney bookshop. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Wednesday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
World-beating short stories (Part 1): Kritika Pandey, winner of the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, tells We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan what makes a good short story to appeal to readers around the world. She reads from her winning story, The Great Indian Tee and Snakes. Kritika discusses her literary influences - Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, Mahasweta Devi, Ravindranath Tagore & Clarice Lispector. And how religion, nationalism, class and language influence her writing. We also discuss the merits of potato bread v aloo paratha. And we hear about laughter yoga and Narendra Modi. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Wednesday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
World-beating short stories (Part 2): Kritika Pandey, winner of the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, tells We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan what makes a good short story to appeal to readers around the world. She reads from her winning story, The Great Indian Tee and Snakes. Kritika discusses her literary influences - Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, Mahasweta Devi, Ravindranath Tagore & Clarice Lispector. And how religion, nationalism, class and language influence her writing. We also discuss the merits of potato bread v aloo paratha. And we hear about laughter yoga and Narendra Modi. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Wednesday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
World-beating short stories (Part 3): Kritika Pandey, winner of the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, tells We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan what makes a good short story to appeal to readers around the world. She reads from her winning story, The Great Indian Tee and Snakes. Kritika discusses her literary influences - Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, Mahasweta Devi, Ravindranath Tagore & Clarice Lispector. And how religion, nationalism, class and language influence her writing. We also discuss the merits of potato bread v aloo paratha. And we hear about laughter yoga and Narendra Modi. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Wednesday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
How trauma shapes your story (Part 1): Geoff Gudgion, author of Draca (just published) & Saxon’s Bane, & General Sir Peter Wall, former Head of the General Staff & President of Combat Stress discuss with We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how real personal trauma can, should & should not shape fiction. Geoff’s latest book Draca features a former Royal Marine, injured in Afghanistan, who grapples with physical & mental trauma when he returns to Britain. Old & new relationships bring both pain & the possibility of redemption. And the sailing boat Draca also offers a refuge - but may also be a death trap haunted by the blood of Viking invaders from centuries before. Geoff talks about his own service in the Royal Navy - he was very naughty with plastic explosive. And about the personal physical & mental trauma he survived outside his military service. General Sir Peter Wall talks about how Combat Stress helps ex-members of the British Armed Forces who are suffering from a range of mental health disorders, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - & about the funding crisis facing the charity. He shares stories from his early soldiering days in southern Africa during the transition from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. And reveals some of his own naughtiness with explosive. Practical jokes with big bangs. We also hear from Geoff’s favourite shop, The Marlow Bookshop & how their customers go crazy for cakes, dogs & the latest books from author Jane Fallon. (Apologies for pandemic-related sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Wednesday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
How trauma shapes your story (Part 2): Geoff Gudgion, author of Draca (just published) & Saxon’s Bane, & General Sir Peter Wall, former Head of the General Staff & President of Combat Stress discuss with We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how real personal trauma can, should & should not shape fiction. Geoff’s latest book Draca features a former Royal Marine, injured in Afghanistan, who grapples with physical & mental trauma when he returns to Britain. Old & new relationships bring both pain & the possibility of redemption. And the sailing boat Draca also offers a refuge - but may also be a death trap haunted by the blood of Viking invaders from centuries before. Geoff talks about his own service in the Royal Navy - he was very naughty with plastic explosive. And about the personal physical & mental trauma he survived outside his military service. General Sir Peter Wall talks about how Combat Stress helps ex-members of the British Armed Forces who are suffering from a range of mental health disorders, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - & about the funding crisis facing the charity. He shares stories from his early soldiering days in southern Africa during the transition from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. And reveals some of his own naughtiness with explosive. Practical jokes with big bangs. We also hear from Geoff’s favourite shop, The Marlow Bookshop & how their customers go crazy for cakes, dogs & the latest books from author Jane Fallon. (Apologies for pandemic-related sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Wednesday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
How trauma shapes your story (Part 3): Geoff Gudgion, author of Draca (just published) & Saxon’s Bane, & General Sir Peter Wall, former Head of the General Staff & President of Combat Stress discuss with We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how real personal trauma can, should & should not shape fiction. Geoff’s latest book Draca features a former Royal Marine, injured in Afghanistan, who grapples with physical & mental trauma when he returns to Britain. Old & new relationships bring both pain & the possibility of redemption. And the sailing boat Draca also offers a refuge - but may also be a death trap haunted by the blood of Viking invaders from centuries before. Geoff talks about his own service in the Royal Navy - he was very naughty with plastic explosive. And about the personal physical & mental trauma he survived outside his military service. General Sir Peter Wall talks about how Combat Stress helps ex-members of the British Armed Forces who are suffering from a range of mental health disorders, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - & about the funding crisis facing the charity. He shares stories from his early soldiering days in southern Africa during the transition from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. And reveals some of his own naughtiness with explosive. Practical jokes with big bangs. We also hear from Geoff’s favourite shop, The Marlow Bookshop & how their customers go crazy for cakes, dogs & the latest books from author Jane Fallon. (Apologies for pandemic-related sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Wednesday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Working class writers Part 1: Dougie Brimson tells We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about his latest thriller In The Know (published by Caffeine Nights) & about the barriers facing working class writers getting agents, publishers, into bookshops & even invited to the party. We also talk ebooks v paperbacks, screenwriting v novel writing, and sing the praises of authors Lynda La Plante, Paul McVeigh, Kit de Waal & Rowland White. As well as writing fiction & non-fiction (about football fans & hooligans), Dougie also writes films like Top Dog & mostly famously Green Street starring Elijah Wood & Charlie Hunnam. So we also hear insider stories - some poignant - about actors Steven Berkoff, Leo Gregory, Vincent Regan, Gerard Butler & Martin Kemp. Thanks to our audience for sending in questions to Dougie, & thanks to Kevin Lynch for the We’d Like A Word website. (Apologies for pandemic-related sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Working class writers Part 2: Dougie Brimson tells We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about his latest thriller In The Know (published by Caffeine Nights) & about the barriers facing working class writers getting agents, publishers, into bookshops & even invited to the party. We also talk ebooks v paperbacks, screenwriting v novel writing, and sing the praises of authors Lynda La Plante, Paul McVeigh, Kit de Waal & Rowland White. As well as writing fiction & non-fiction (about football fans & hooligans), Dougie also writes films like Top Dog & mostly famously Green Street starring Elijah Wood & Charlie Hunnam. So we also hear insider stories - some poignant - about actors Steven Berkoff, Leo Gregory, Vincent Regan, Gerard Butler & Martin Kemp. Thanks to our audience for sending in questions to Dougie, & thanks to Kevin Lynch for the We’d Like A Word website. (Apologies for pandemic-related sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Working class writers Part 3: Dougie Brimson tells We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about his latest thriller In The Know (published by Caffeine Nights) & about the barriers facing working class writers getting agents, publishers, into bookshops & even invited to the party. We also talk ebooks v paperbacks, screenwriting v novel writing, and sing the praises of authors Lynda La Plante, Paul McVeigh, Kit de Waal & Rowland White. As well as writing fiction & non-fiction (about football fans & hooligans), Dougie also writes films like Top Dog & mostly famously Green Street starring Elijah Wood & Charlie Hunnam. So we also hear insider stories - some poignant - about actors Steven Berkoff, Leo Gregory, Vincent Regan, Gerard Butler & Martin Kemp. Thanks to our audience for sending in questions to Dougie, & thanks to Kevin Lynch for the We’d Like A Word website. (Apologies for pandemic-related sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
James Bond Part 1: John Rain tells We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan the secrets behind the Bond films. He loves the Bond movies so much, he makes a podcast about them - Smershpod. And he’s made a book from the podcast - Thunderbook. Listen in for deleted Bond scenes, Bond actor rejects, filming & Stanley Kubrick’s secret Bond film role. Also - is Judith O’Reilly the successor to Ian Fleming? Have Jeff Wayne & Robert Hardy made the best/only good versions of HG Wells’s War of the World’s. Is Q really Bernard Quatermass? If Bond is Frankenstein’s monster, who is Igor? With shout outs to Jamie Stangroom, director of The Empire Strikes Door, Eddy Joseph from Casino Royale & Quantum of Solace, Anthony Horowitz’s continuity Bond thrillers, flying carpets & Steve’s angry 3rd nipple. (Apologies for sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
James Bond Part 2: John Rain tells We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan the secrets behind the Bond films. He loves the Bond movies so much, he makes a podcast about them - Smershpod. And he’s made a book from the podcast - Thunderbook. Listen in for deleted Bond scenes, Bond actor rejects, filming & Stanley Kubrick’s secret Bond film role. Also - is Judith O’Reilly the successor to Ian Fleming? Have Jeff Wayne & Robert Hardy made the best/only good versions of HG Wells’s War of the World’s. Is Q really Bernard Quatermass? If Bond is Frankenstein’s monster, who is Igor? With shout outs to Jamie Stangroom, director of The Empire Strikes Door, Eddy Joseph from Casino Royale & Quantum of Solace, Anthony Horowitz’s continuity Bond thrillers, flying carpets & Steve’s angry 3rd nipple. (Apologies for sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
James Bond Part 3: John Rain tells We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan the secrets behind the Bond films. He loves the Bond movies so much, he makes a podcast about them - Smershpod. And he’s made a book from the podcast - Thunderbook. Listen in for deleted Bond scenes, Bond actor rejects, filming & Stanley Kubrick’s secret Bond film role. Also - is Judith O’Reilly the successor to Ian Fleming? Have Jeff Wayne & Robert Hardy made the best/only good versions of HG Wells’s War of the World’s. Is Q really Bernard Quatermass? If Bond is Frankenstein’s monster, who is Igor? With shout outs to Jamie Stangroom, director of The Empire Strikes Door, Eddy Joseph from Casino Royale & Quantum of Solace, Anthony Horowitz’s continuity Bond thrillers, flying carpets & Steve’s angry 3rd nipple. (Apologies for sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 1: Mary Jayne Baker & Lisa Swift are the pen names of Lisa Firth, the award-winning romantic comedy novelist from Yorkshire. She’s the author of A Question of Us, A Bicycle Made For Two & The Never Have I Ever Club. All three of them - Mary Jayne, Lisa & Lisa - join presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan to share how to write romantic comedy, examples from their books & reveal the answer to the burning question - are most Mills & Boon authors men? Also joining in is veteran BBC radio sketch show comedy writer Sue Clark to discuss her comedy history, how Kenny Everett stole her joke & her new comedy novel Note To Boy. We also celebrate some bookshops - The Book Corner (Halifax), White Rose Books (Thirsk), Mostly Books (Abingdon) & one whose name we can’t remember in Southport. Get in touch if you frequent or work in a lovely bookshop - we love to tell listeners about you. (*** NB: Apologies for sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face with alcohol or a cup of tea, but are getting used to new fangled ways of commuting remotely online. Hopefully we’ll get better at it.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 2: Mary Jayne Baker & Lisa Swift are the pen names of Lisa Firth, the award-winning romantic comedy novelist from Yorkshire. She’s the author of A Question of Us, A Bicycle Made For Two & The Never Have I Ever Club. All three of them - Mary Jayne, Lisa & Lisa - join presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan to share how to write romantic comedy, examples from their books & reveal the answer to the burning question - are most Mills & Boon authors men? Also joining in is veteran BBC radio sketch show comedy writer Sue Clark to discuss her comedy history, how Kenny Everett stole her joke & her new comedy novel Note To Boy. We also celebrate some bookshops - The Book Corner (Halifax), White Rose Books (Thirsk), Mostly Books (Abingdon) & one whose name we can’t remember in Southport. Get in touch if you frequent or work in a lovely bookshop - we love to tell listeners about you. (*** NB: Apologies for sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face with alcohol or a cup of tea, but are getting used to new fangled ways of commuting remotely online. Hopefully we’ll get better at it.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 3: Mary Jayne Baker & Lisa Swift are the pen names of Lisa Firth, the award-winning romantic comedy novelist from Yorkshire. She’s the author of A Question of Us, A Bicycle Made For Two & The Never Have I Ever Club. All three of them - Mary Jayne, Lisa & Lisa - join presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan to share how to write romantic comedy, examples from their books & reveal the answer to the burning question - are most Mills & Boon authors men? Also joining in is veteran BBC radio sketch show comedy writer Sue Clark to discuss her comedy history, how Kenny Everett stole her joke & her new comedy novel Note To Boy. We also celebrate some bookshops - The Book Corner (Halifax), White Rose Books (Thirsk), Mostly Books (Abingdon) & one whose name we can’t remember in Southport. Get in touch if you frequent or work in a lovely bookshop - we love to tell listeners about you. (*** NB: Apologies for sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face with alcohol or a cup of tea, but are getting used to new fangled ways of commuting remotely online. Hopefully we’ll get better at it.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 1: Taylor Brown is the author of Pride of Eden and previous novels Fallen Land, The River of Kings and Gods of Howl Mountain. He’s also big into big motorbikes. He joins us from Savannah, Georgia to tell presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan how he immerses himself in the environment he sets his stories - whether it’s the southern African veldt, the Florida swamps or the islands of Georgia. And how short stories are at the core of his novels. We loved reading Taylor’s writing, but it was We’d Like A Word listener Jason Grubbs who introduced us to each other. So Jason joins in the podcast all the way from Michigan state, USA. Sit back, close your eyes and listen to conversation about deep time, power animals, lore of lions, tigers, leopards and elephants, big game poaching and exotic animal rescue, mythical beasts and hoaxes and the end of the world as we know it. And not forgetting the Georgia Pig Man, The Florida Swamp Ape and the Altamaha-ha. * We also enlist comedian Robin Ince of the Infinite Monkey Cage podcast to celebrate The Cottage Bookshop in Penn, Camilla’s Bookshop in Eastbourne, Goldsboro Books in London, Lemuria Books in Jackson Mississippi, and E. Shaver and The Book Lady bookstores in Savannah, Georgia. Get in touch if you frequent or work in a lovely bookshop - we love to tell listeners about you. (* NB: Apologies for sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face with alcohol or a cup of tea, but are getting used to new fangled ways of commuting remotely online. Hopefully we’ll get better at it.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 2: Taylor Brown is the author of Pride of Eden and previous novels Fallen Land, The River of Kings and Gods of Howl Mountain. He’s also big into big motorbikes. He joins us from Savannah, Georgia to tell presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan how he immerses himself in the environment he sets his stories - whether it’s the southern African veldt, the Florida swamps or the islands of Georgia. And how short stories are at the core of his novels. We loved reading Taylor’s writing, but it was We’d Like A Word listener Jason Grubbs who introduced us to each other. So Jason joins in the podcast all the way from Michigan state, USA. Sit back, close your eyes and listen to conversation about deep time, power animals, lore of lions, tigers, leopards and elephants, big game poaching and exotic animal rescue, mythical beasts and hoaxes and the end of the world as we know it. And not forgetting the Georgia Pig Man, The Florida Swamp Ape and the Altamaha-ha. * We also enlist comedian Robin Ince of the Infinite Monkey Cage podcast to celebrate The Cottage Bookshop in Penn, Camilla’s Bookshop in Eastbourne, Goldsboro Books in London, Lemuria Books in Jackson Mississippi, and E. Shaver and The Book Lady bookstores in Savannah, Georgia. Get in touch if you frequent or work in a lovely bookshop - we love to tell listeners about you. (* NB: Apologies for sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face with alcohol or a cup of tea, but are getting used to new fangled ways of commuting remotely online. Hopefully we’ll get better at it.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 3: Taylor Brown is the author of Pride of Eden and previous novels Fallen Land, The River of Kings and Gods of Howl Mountain. He’s also big into big motorbikes. He joins us from Savannah, Georgia to tell presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan how he immerses himself in the environment he sets his stories - whether it’s the southern African veldt, the Florida swamps or the islands of Georgia. And how short stories are at the core of his novels. We loved reading Taylor’s writing, but it was We’d Like A Word listener Jason Grubbs who introduced us to each other. So Jason joins in the podcast all the way from Michigan state, USA. Sit back, close your eyes and listen to conversation about deep time, power animals, lore of lions, tigers, leopards and elephants, big game poaching and exotic animal rescue, mythical beasts and hoaxes and the end of the world as we know it. And not forgetting the Georgia Pig Man, The Florida Swamp Ape and the Altamaha-ha. * We also enlist comedian Robin Ince of the Infinite Monkey Cage podcast to celebrate The Cottage Bookshop in Penn, Camilla’s Bookshop in Eastbourne, Goldsboro Books in London, Lemuria Books in Jackson Mississippi, and E. Shaver and The Book Lady bookstores in Savannah, Georgia. Get in touch if you frequent or work in a lovely bookshop - we love to tell listeners about you. (* NB: Apologies for sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face with alcohol or a cup of tea, but are getting used to new fangled ways of commuting remotely online. Hopefully we’ll get better at it.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 1: Tony Kent is the author of Power Play and the previous two exciting thrillers featuring Michael Devlin and Joe Dempsey, Killer Intent and Marked for Death. He’s also a leading criminal barrister (attorney), former champion boxer and ex-movie stuntman - you may have seen him in a Roman cavalry charge with Russell Crowe in the film Gladiator or riding off a burning barge in The Mummy. So how does he fit in writing his thrillers? How is he launching Power Play at a time when social distancing and self-isolation in the midst of coronavirus means that public gatherings are banned? Especially if you’ve had the virus yourself - like Tony. Also, does he have the writing world’s best author back story? (In a previous episode, book publicist to the stars Angela McMahon explained how important your personal back story is to getting published and getting attention.) Tony has a belter of a tale about he got into law. And what does Tony have to say about the morality of writing a story with a pandemic at its heart - super topical or simply exploitative? Also in this episode, we offered a platform to authors whose book launches have been disrupted by coronavirus, and the renowned crime fiction writer Judith O’Reilly responded. Her new book Curse The Day is out now. Brace yourself for a blistering pace and the reappearance of assassin Michael North. Spoiler alert, it turns out that Tony Kent loves Curse The Day and its predecessor Killing State. Phew! What a happy coincidence and a sign that you should read her too, if you haven’t already. It’s a only a tiny taster of Judith (she’s written much more) - we’d love to have her on for a lot longer in future. We celebrate 3 bookshops in this episode - Forum Books in Corbridge, Goldsboro Books in London and Waterstones in High Wycombe with an interview with Ben Churchill. Get in touch if you frequent or work in a lovely bookshop - we love to tell listeners about you. (*** NB: Apologies for sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face with alcohol or a cup of tea, but are getting used to new fangled ways of commuting remotely online. Hopefully we’ll get better at it.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 2: Tony Kent is the author of Power Play and the previous two exciting thrillers featuring Michael Devlin and Joe Dempsey, Killer Intent and Marked for Death. He’s also a leading criminal barrister (attorney), former champion boxer and ex-movie stuntman - you may have seen him in a Roman cavalry charge with Russell Crowe in the film Gladiator or riding off a burning barge in The Mummy. So how does he fit in writing his thrillers? How is he launching Power Play at a time when social distancing and self-isolation in the midst of coronavirus means that public gatherings are banned? Especially if you’ve had the virus yourself - like Tony. Also, does he have the writing world’s best author back story? (In a previous episode, book publicist to the stars Angela McMahon explained how important your personal back story is to getting published and getting attention.) Tony has a belter of a tale about he got into law. And what does Tony have to say about the morality of writing a story with a pandemic at its heart - super topical or simply exploitative? Also in this episode, we offered a platform to authors whose book launches have been disrupted by coronavirus, and the renowned crime fiction writer Judith O’Reilly responded. Her new book Curse The Day is out now. Brace yourself for a blistering pace and the reappearance of assassin Michael North. Spoiler alert, it turns out that Tony Kent loves Curse The Day and its predecessor Killing State. Phew! What a happy coincidence and a sign that you should read her too, if you haven’t already. It’s a only a tiny taster of Judith (she’s written much more) - we’d love to have her on for a lot longer in future. We celebrate 3 bookshops in this episode - Forum Books in Corbridge, Goldsboro Books in London and Waterstones in High Wycombe with an interview with Ben Churchill. Get in touch if you frequent or work in a lovely bookshop - we love to tell listeners about you. (*** NB: Apologies for sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face with alcohol or a cup of tea, but are getting used to new fangled ways of commuting remotely online. Hopefully we’ll get better at it.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 3: Tony Kent is the author of Power Play and the previous two exciting thrillers featuring Michael Devlin and Joe Dempsey, Killer Intent and Marked for Death. He’s also a leading criminal barrister (attorney), former champion boxer and ex-movie stuntman - you may have seen him in a Roman cavalry charge with Russell Crowe in the film Gladiator or riding off a burning barge in The Mummy. So how does he fit in writing his thrillers? How is he launching Power Play at a time when social distancing and self-isolation in the midst of coronavirus means that public gatherings are banned? Especially if you’ve had the virus yourself - like Tony. Also, does he have the writing world’s best author back story? (In a previous episode, book publicist to the stars Angela McMahon explained how important your personal back story is to getting published and getting attention.) Tony has a belter of a tale about he got into law. And what does Tony have to say about the morality of writing a story with a pandemic at its heart - super topical or simply exploitative? Also in this episode, we offered a platform to authors whose book launches have been disrupted by coronavirus, and the renowned crime fiction writer Judith O’Reilly responded. Her new book Curse The Day is out now. Brace yourself for a blistering pace and the reappearance of assassin Michael North. Spoiler alert, it turns out that Tony Kent loves Curse The Day and its predecessor Killing State. Phew! What a happy coincidence and a sign that you should read her too, if you haven’t already. It’s a only a tiny taster of Judith (she’s written much more) - we’d love to have her on for a lot longer in future. We celebrate 3 bookshops in this episode - Forum Books in Corbridge, Goldsboro Books in London and Waterstones in High Wycombe with an interview with Ben Churchill. Get in touch if you frequent or work in a lovely bookshop - we love to tell listeners about you. (*** NB: Apologies for sound quality dips in this episode. We usually do everything face to face with alcohol or a cup of tea, but are getting used to new fangled ways of commuting remotely online. Hopefully we’ll get better at it.) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 1: Daniel Fryer, author of The Four Thoughts That Fck You Up, & John Williams, the author of Screw Work Let’s Play & Screw Work Break Free, reveal all about self help books to presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. Daniel Fryer is also a former journalist & specialist practitioner of rational-emotive behaviour therapy. He used to growl a lot & immerse himself in Bingo. John Williams talks about the Ideas Lab & applying his self help skills to dating & relationships. (How well did that work out? Have a listen...) We’ll also be discussing he challenges of having a swear word in your book title - so this episode includes words like “fuck”. Sorry, we couldn’t really avoid it. If that makes you cross, you may console yourself with the information that book titles which include swear words are more difficult to search for on Amazon. *** Also in this episode, we visit the delightful & welcoming Book House in Thame & owner Brian Pattinson. It’s a joyful place. The owner is from Newby. And he gave Paul a free book - the utterly wonderful The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne. You should read it immediately & sigh & laugh. But mainly laugh. Also, order your copy from The Book House in Thame. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 1: Daniel Fryer, author of The Four Thoughts That Fck You Up, & John Williams, the author of Screw Work Let’s Play & Screw Work Break Free, reveal all about self help books to presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. Daniel Fryer is also a former journalist & specialist practitioner of rational-emotive behaviour therapy. He used to growl a lot & immerse himself in Bingo. John Williams talks about the Ideas Lab & applying his self help skills to dating & relationships. (How well did that work out? Have a listen...) We’ll also be discussing he challenges of having a swear word in your book title - so this episode includes words like “fuck”. Sorry, we couldn’t really avoid it. If that makes you cross, you may console yourself with the information that book titles which include swear words are more difficult to search for on Amazon. *** Also in this episode, we visit the delightful & welcoming Book House in Thame & owner Brian Pattinson. It’s a joyful place. The owner is from Newby. And he gave Paul a free book - the utterly wonderful The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne. You should read it immediately & sigh & laugh. But mainly laugh. Also, order your copy from The Book House in Thame. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 1: Daniel Fryer, author of The Four Thoughts That Fck You Up, & John Williams, the author of Screw Work Let’s Play & Screw Work Break Free, reveal all about self help books to presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan. Daniel Fryer is also a former journalist & specialist practitioner of rational-emotive behaviour therapy. He used to growl a lot & immerse himself in Bingo. John Williams talks about the Ideas Lab & applying his self help skills to dating & relationships. (How well did that work out? Have a listen...) We’ll also be discussing he challenges of having a swear word in your book title - so this episode includes words like “fuck”. Sorry, we couldn’t really avoid it. If that makes you cross, you may console yourself with the information that book titles which include swear words are more difficult to search for on Amazon. *** Also in this episode, we visit the delightful & welcoming Book House in Thame & owner Brian Pattinson. It’s a joyful place. The owner is from Newby. And he gave Paul a free book - the utterly wonderful The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne. You should read it immediately & sigh & laugh. But mainly laugh. Also, order your copy from The Book House in Thame. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 1: Serena Patel, author of Anisha Accidental Detective tells presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing for children. She also reads from her debut book & talks about her childhood experiences of being bullied, racism & homelessness. And the detective books she read as a child. And the inspirational British Asians she looked up to. And we also go behind the scenes of children’s book promotion with freelancer Fritha Lindqvist who helped Cressida Cowell train her dragon. Plus we visit the beautiful Daunts Bookshop on Marylebone High Street, London to meet bookseller Rose Cole & book lovers from the USA. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 2: Serena Patel, author of Anisha Accidental Detective tells presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing for children. She also reads from her debut book & talks about her childhood experiences of being bullied, racism & homelessness. And the detective books she read as a child. And the inspirational British Asians she looked up to. And we also go behind the scenes of children’s book promotion with freelancer Fritha Lindqvist who helped Cressida Cowell train her dragon. Plus we visit the beautiful Daunts Bookshop on Marylebone High Street, London to meet bookseller Rose Cole & book lovers from the USA. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Part 3: Serena Patel, author of Anisha Accidental Detective tells presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing for children. She also reads from her debut book & talks about her childhood experiences of being bullied, racism & homelessness. And the detective books she read as a child. And the inspirational British Asians she looked up to. And we also go behind the scenes of children’s book promotion with freelancer Fritha Lindqvist who helped Cressida Cowell train her dragon. Plus we visit the beautiful Daunts Bookshop on Marylebone High Street, London to meet bookseller Rose Cole & book lovers from the USA. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Comics writer, drawer & editor David Leach of Titan Comics & creator of Psycho Gran talks to presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about the comic strips he’s been involved with Including Henry’s Cat, Spiderman, Dan Dare, Ren and Stimpy, Toxic Avengers, Dinner Ladies from Hell, Oink comic, Rugrats, Beavis and Butthead & many more. David shares his influences, heroes, secrets & top tips. We meet him inside the studio, crammed with books, comics, graphic novels, figurines & his drawing board, where he also served the innovative dishes that won him TV’s Come Dine With Me. You’re no doubt wondering if David has a favourite pencil? Deep not-at-all-stupid questions like that are finally answered. We also hear from the editor IN CHIEF of Tripwire magazine Joel Meadows. And we begin our series of bookshop visits - this time we celebrate the very small, cute & friendly Little Bookshop in Cookham. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Comics writer, drawer & editor David Leach of Titan Comics & creator of Psycho Gran talks to presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about the comic strips he’s been involved with Including Henry’s Cat, Spiderman, Dan Dare, Ren and Stimpy, Toxic Avengers, Dinner Ladies from Hell, Oink comic, Rugrats, Beavis and Butthead & many more. David shares his influences, heroes, secrets & top tips. We meet him inside the studio, crammed with books, comics, graphic novels, figurines & his drawing board, where he also served the innovative dishes that won him TV’s Come Dine With Me. You’re no doubt wondering if David has a favourite pencil? Deep not-at-all-stupid questions like that are finally answered. We also hear from the editor IN CHIEF of Tripwire magazine Joel Meadows. And we begin our series of bookshop visits - this time we celebrate the very small, cute & friendly Little Bookshop in Cookham. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Comics writer, drawer & editor David Leach of Titan Comics & creator of Psycho Gran talks to presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about the comic strips he’s been involved with Including Henry’s Cat, Spiderman, Dan Dare, Ren and Stimpy, Toxic Avengers, Dinner Ladies from Hell, Oink comic, Rugrats, Beavis and Butthead & many more. David shares his influences, heroes, secrets & top tips. We meet him inside the studio, crammed with books, comics, graphic novels, figurines & his drawing board, where he also served the innovative dishes that won him TV’s Come Dine With Me. You’re no doubt wondering if David has a favourite pencil? Deep not-at-all-stupid questions like that are finally answered. We also hear from the editor IN CHIEF of Tripwire magazine Joel Meadows. And we begin our series of bookshop visits - this time we celebrate the very small, cute & friendly Little Bookshop in Cookham. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Spoken word poet Isi the Scribe wows presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan with his 24 hour bespoke poetry challenge, tales of London Zoo, poetry performances, critiques of listeners poetry & insight why Britain’s live poetry scene is blacker than much of the rest of the public arts scene. He also laughs a lot. And welcomes fellow poets Vansh, Neil & Patrick to the podcast. Thanks also to everyone who suggested words & phrases for the poetry challenge. Some of them were soooo nastily awkward, you rotters! But Isi triumphs! We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Spoken word poet Isi the Scribe wows presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan with his 24 hour bespoke poetry challenge, tales of London Zoo, poetry performances, critiques of listeners poetry & insight why Britain’s live poetry scene is blacker than much of the rest of the public arts scene. He also laughs a lot. And welcomes fellow poets Vansh, Neil & Patrick to the podcast. Thanks also to everyone who suggested words & phrases for the poetry challenge. Some of them were soooo nastily awkward, you rotters! But Isi triumphs! We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Spoken word poet Isi the Scribe wows presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan with his 24 hour bespoke poetry challenge, tales of London Zoo, poetry performances, critiques of listeners poetry & insight why Britain’s live poetry scene is blacker than much of the rest of the public arts scene. He also laughs a lot. And welcomes fellow poets Vansh, Neil & Patrick to the podcast. Thanks also to everyone who suggested words & phrases for the poetry challenge. Some of them were soooo nastily awkward, you rotters! But Isi triumphs! We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Award-winning comedy writer Joel Morris reveals to presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he writes funny - (contains swearing) - the script for the Paddington films; the adult Ladybird books (with Jason Hazeley) like The Hangover, The Husband & The Hipster; the Rule of Three podcast which analyses comedy; co-writer of Philomena Cunk and Radio 4's 'Addendum' and Viz comic and the Framley Examiner. And he’s also a musician with a wheen of albums under his belt. Gah! He does everything, the talented so-and-so. He even has branded Great Big Owl podcast company trays. Much harder for visitors to pocket than branded mugs. This episode is in 3 parts. If you start on part 1, it should flow seamlessly along for your listening delight. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Award-winning comedy writer Joel Morris reveals to presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he writes funny - (contains swearing) - the script for the Paddington films; the adult Ladybird books (with Jason Hazeley) like The Hangover, The Husband & The Hipster; the Rule of Three podcast which analyses comedy; co-writer of Philomena Cunk and Radio 4's 'Addendum' and Viz comic and the Framley Examiner. And he’s also a musician with a wheen of albums under his belt. Gah! He does everything, the talented so-and-so. He even has branded Great Big Owl podcast company trays. Much harder for visitors to pocket than branded mugs. This episode is in 3 parts. If you start on part 1, it should flow seamlessly along for your listening delight. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Award-winning comedy writer Joel Morris reveals to presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he writes funny - (contains swearing) - the script for the Paddington films; the adult Ladybird books (with Jason Hazeley) like The Hangover, The Husband & The Hipster; the Rule of Three podcast which analyses comedy; co-writer of Philomena Cunk and Radio 4's 'Addendum' and Viz comic and the Framley Examiner. And he’s also a musician with a wheen of albums under his belt. Gah! He does everything, the talented so-and-so. He even has branded Great Big Owl podcast company trays. Much harder for visitors to pocket than branded mugs. This episode is in 3 parts. If you start on part 1, it should flow seamlessly along for your listening delight. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Bestselling author Peter May speaks to presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan over 3 parts in this edition of We’d Like A Word. It’s an experiment to see if it’s easier for you to listen to 3 separate parts around 20 mins, rather than a single hour long podcast. Please let us know if it’s easier/harder/no different/gecko. Peter May is the author of many award-winning thrillers, including the Lewis trilogy & his China series. He’s also been a journalist and written oodles of TV scripts. He’s sold millions of books and lives between southern France and Spain. We are NOT jealous! He’s been hired as a private detective by two giant geckos. No, really. Listen & learn! And he ran away with a band in his teens. In this podcast he talks about creating a sense of place in A Silent Death set in Spain & Gibraltar, weaving in humour & also about a character who has Usher Syndrome - ie is deaf/blind. (By the way, you can find out more about Usher Syndrome at the Sense charity website www.sense.org.uk ) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Bestselling author Peter May speaks to presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan over 3 parts in this edition of We’d Like A Word. It’s an experiment to see if it’s easier for you to listen to 3 separate parts around 20 mins, rather than a single hour long podcast. Please let us know if it’s easier/harder/no different/gecko. Peter May is the author of many award-winning thrillers, including the Lewis trilogy & his China series. He’s also been a journalist and written oodles of TV scripts. He’s sold millions of books and lives between southern France and Spain. We are NOT jealous! He’s been hired as a private detective by two giant geckos. No, really. Listen & learn! And he ran away with a band in his teens. In this podcast he talks about creating a sense of place in A Silent Death set in Spain & Gibraltar, weaving in humour & also about a character who has Usher Syndrome - ie is deaf/blind. (By the way, you can find out more about Usher Syndrome at the Sense charity website www.sense.org.uk ) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Bestselling author Peter May speaks to presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan over 3 parts in this edition of We’d Like A Word. It’s an experiment to see if it’s easier for you to listen to 3 separate parts around 20 mins, rather than a single hour long podcast. Please let us know if it’s easier/harder/no different/gecko. Peter May is the author of many award-winning thrillers, including the Lewis trilogy & his China series. He’s also been a journalist and written oodles of TV scripts. He’s sold millions of books and lives between southern France and Spain. We are NOT jealous! He’s been hired as a private detective by two giant geckos. No, really. Listen & learn! And he ran away with a band in his teens. In this podcast he talks about creating a sense of place in A Silent Death set in Spain & Gibraltar, weaving in humour & also about a character who has Usher Syndrome - ie is deaf/blind. (By the way, you can find out more about Usher Syndrome at the Sense charity website www.sense.org.uk ) We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Cole Moreton plays, sings, writes & talks about his new book & album The Light Keeper. The award-winning newspaper interviewer tells We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about how he combines fiction & music. We also hear from Cole about writing convincing (& let’s face it, hot) female characters, the landscapes of the English South Downs & Beachy Head, the heroic efforts of the Beachy Head Chaplains who help people in despair on the cliffs, Cole’s late night encounter with Scarlett Johansson, His terrifying brush with The Krays, meeting Nelson Mandela & his most inspiring & most annoying interviewees (one for Peter Mandelson fans - but into which category does he fall?). We also hear about the players, singers & writers of Cole’s band The Lightkeepers. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books. . .
Alec Marsh, author of Rule Britannia & the arriving someday Enemy of the Raj - and - Eoin McNamee, author of The Blue Tango & many others, talk to presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing fiction set in the past which works for the present. Alec Marsh also edits Spears magazine for hugely rich people. Eoin McNamee is also the author of Resurrection Man, The Ultras, 12:33, Orchid Blue, Blue is the Night, The Navigator trilogy for children, the script for films I Want You & Resurrection Man. Phew! He’s busy. He lives in Sligo in the west of Ireland. And did we mention that his book The Blue Tango is one of presenter Paul’s favourites? We also discuss choosing names for characters, surveillance, claustrophobia, Buchanesque adventures, book blurbs that give too much away & the responsibility to real people & story on which authors base their stories. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Asia MacKay, the author of Killing It & The Nursery, featuring British state assassin & new mum Lex Tyler juggling her home & secret life, tells presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how she guards & crosses the fictional & family boundaries in her writing life. And author Brian McGilloway talks about the role of the Irish border in his life & fiction, & the impact of Brexit on the development of his two series set either side of the border featuring Garda Inspector Benedict Devlin in Donegal & PSNI Detective Sergeant Lucy Black in Derry. Brian also talks about the influence of his home and school teaching life on his writing. His latest book The Last Crossing is out soon. We also dip into Diarmaid Ferriter’s history book, The Border, The Legacy of a Century of Anglo-Irish Politics. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Jake O’Kelly, the author of The Smell of Good Decisions (his love letter to his adopted hometown San Francisco), who is currently at Mozilla (Firefox) & used to be head of publicity for Amazon Publishing & Kindle Direct Publishing, chats with presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about self-publishing (including the money side of it), gay science fiction, the importance of beta readers & how to write non-cringey sex scenes. We also hear from Andrew Chapman, the author of The Accidental Scoundrel on his self-publishing journey from well-paid job to draughty caravan. We give you sex scenes live in the studio (wince!), hear how Jake dashed the hopes of the Bionic Woman Lindsay Wagner, go to Andrew’s molested fish & hear about the Stasi’s archive of smell. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Alan Drew, the author of Gardens of Water (set in Istanbul during an earthquake) and Shadow Man (a California prowler murder thriller), chats with presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about censorship (he’s been a victim in Turkey), authors’ responsibility (if any) to foreign cultures they write about and how to cope with writer’s block. We also discuss the censorship of literature and journalism around the world, including some unexpected books that have been banned. Including one banned simply for being bad - badly written, that is. This episode is based on a chance meeting in No Alibis bookshop on Botanic Avenue in Belfast, N. Ireland. Yet another reason you - yes, you - should drop in there for a book, a chat and a cup of tea. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out on various radio platforms at least once a fortnight and every other Thursday on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Alison Finch is the book planning producer (aka “books bitch” says she) for an array of BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 3 and BBC World Service programmes. Which ones? She reveals all to presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. And you, dear listener. So listen and find out. She’s the gatekeeper, the first filter for every book sent in by publishers, agents, publicists and writers. If you fail to impress her, then you’re out. So what does impress her? Which programmes like which sort of books? What do Alison and other show producers look for when considering which books and writers to give much coveted airtime to? Which are the best programmes to be featured on? How do they deal with awkward customers? What do they hate? This information is gold - and it’s all here for you to hear. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Matt Wesolowski author of Changeling & Adrian McKinty author of The Chain - two innovative kidnapping stories - discuss plot twists, saving stories till the time is right, unconventional storytelling techniques and authenticity with Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Angela McMahon of Flow Communications, organiser of the Noireland crime fiction festival in Belfast and book publicist to the stars. In this episode she tells Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan how to get attention for your book; why podcasts like this one (yay!) are useful (because they’re shareable; about the first rule of book publicity; about how an author should handle a publicist; about the best media platforms to hook the book-buying public; who is the best author interviewer; about running a festival; how introverts can handle the media; and about her famous clients - Mark Dawson, Tony Kent, Ann Cleeves, MJ Arlidge, Iain Rankin, Denise Mina, Harlan Coben and Anthony Horowitz. Also featuring Samuel Dodson and Philosophers’ Dogs, Karin Abdul Jabbar, Kim Newman, Alan Drew, Brian McGilloway, Diarmaid Ferriter, Dr Erica McAlister, Molly Jacobs, Will Dean, Graham Norton, Nicola May, No Alibis, Stefanie Bretherton, Unbound, Duncan Jones, Liberty Films and an acapella rendition of the theme from the A-team. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Helen Cullen’s book The Lost Letters of William Woolf is charming, moving, quirky & possessed of great lists. It’s been described as “up lit”, but does that trivialise writing which has the power move or even upset the reader? In this episode Stevyn Colgan and Paul Waters chat with Irish author Helen Cullen about how she writes, why girls may be more reluctant than boys to give writing a go, lost letters, love and fear of clowns. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Dr Erica McAlister on how to make science writing accessible and engaging without dumbing down. In this episode Stevyn Colgan and Paul Waters chat with Erica McAlister, the author of the award-winning book, The Secret Life of Flies. Erica is the Senior Curator for Diptera and Siphonaptera at the Natural History Museum in London. In other words, she’s the Lord of the Flies. She loves flies - she goes syrupy thinking of them - and they sometimes seem to quite fancy her. She’s also very very funny. No, really. Who knew flies were so hilarious? Listen in for all about flies and why they’re saving the world and just so downright beautiful. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Aidan Conway on writing about Italy - with fellow Italophile author Richard Walmsley chipping in. In this episode Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan Chat with Rome-based thriller writer Aidan Conway about how well outsiders can get under the skin of Italian life, culture, attitudes and politics. Aidan Conway is the author of A Known Evil and A Cold Flame - which slice straight through to the dark passionate heart of Italy, his home for 20 years. Also - fellow writer Richard Walmsley, author of a string of novels beginning with Dancing To The Pizzica, set mainly in his spiritual home of Puglia in the south of the country - reviews A Cold Flame for us and gives his own outsider/insider view of Italy. Warning: this podcast was recorded under the influence of grappa, red wine and Jammie Dodgers. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Denise Mina on high art versus low art. In this episode Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan Chat with Scottish crime fiction royalty Denise Mina about novels and graphic novels, true crime and why the truth about the existence of serial killers is much worse than you’d imagined. Also - why are men so creepy? Seriously, what’s going on with that? Denise Mina is the award-winning author of so much, including the Garnethill trilogy, the Patricia “Paddy” Meehan series, the Alex Morrow series, Sanctum, The Long Drop, Conviction, plays, graphic novels/comics including, Hellblazer and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. She also has great hair. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Jamie Cawley on history and belief. In this episode Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan Chat with historian and philosopher Jamie Cawley about his new and iconoclastic take on history and religion. Jamie Cawley is the author of The Birth of Now: The Cause and Effect of the Greatest Change in History - and also - Beliefs and the world they have created. Jamie is also the inventor of the Boost chocolate bar. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Writers and Rioters. In this episode Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan hear from authors Gerard Brennan and Adrian McKinty about the art of writing violence. And they discuss their own experiences - as a reporter and as a police officer - when placed in dangerous and explosive situations. You’ll never think of a frying pan the same way again. We also hear riotous extracts from Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, The Fire Starters by Jan Carson and Belfast Confetti by Ciaran Carson. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Belinda Bauer says victims are more interesting than murderers on We’d Like A Word. In this episode Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan meet award winning author Belinda Bauer who says the voices of victims are more interesting than the supposed magnetism of killers. We also talk humour, cultural appropriation and hear from Irish band Runabay in a collaboration with Irish poet Stephen James Smith. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
‘A small Odditorium’ feat. Dr David Bramwell. In this episode Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan meet author, musician, truth-seeker, Utopian and all round oddfellow Dr David Bramwell. Among the topics under discussion are bum readers, the world’s largest underground temple, a haunted moustache, Jacob Rees-Mogg and the Wicker Man. And we’ll be asking ... is Milton Keynes the new Stonehenge? We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Anthony Horowitz talks about giving new life to characters after their original authors have died. He does it with Ian Fleming’s James Bond - 2 continuation novels Trigger Mortis & now in paperback Forever and A Day. He’s also done it with Sherlock Holmes. And he’s a hugely successful writer of young adult books and TV - Foyle’s War and Midsomer Murders, to name but a few. But should popular characters be left alone when their creators die? Are we greedy or blinded by royalties to demand that they’re given extra life after death? Can continuation novels ever live up to the originals? All that and some startling revelations from Anthony Horowitz. We also talk about Sophie Hannah’s resurrection of Agatha Christie’s Poirot and much more on this episode of We’d Like A Word. There's also a competition to win one of Anthony’s books - but you'll have to listen to find out. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Graham Norton - comedian, TV star and Father Ted legend - talks to us about his other life as an author. But do celebrities famous for something entirely different make good writers? Are their books actually any good? Graham Norton may be hilARious (he is), but can he write? You'll have to listen to this episode of We'd Like A Word to find out. He reads from his second novel A Keeper, talks about how he writes, and how he gathers material. And he's funny too. And talks about Ireland, for listeners who like that sort of thing. (Paul does.) There's also a competition to win one of Graham's books - but you'll have to listen to find out. We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
Is Scandi Noir still Scandi Noir if a British author is writing it? Will Dean has gone a long way to immerse himself in Nordic Noir culture, even building a house in the middle of a Swedish forest. It's the setting for his edgy thrillers Dark Pines and Red Show, featuring the deaf journalist and investigator Tuva Moodyson. Will reads from his latest book, Red Snow, and tells us about life in the forest, how he writes and his "creeps book". There's also a competition to win one of Will's books - but you'll have to listen to find out. Some commentators have suggested that Scandi Noir is now in decline. Are Will Dean and the other British invaders bringing new life to the genre? We'd Like A Word is a podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.
This is a brief introduction to the We'd Like A Word podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is wedlikeaword@gmail.com - and yes, we are slightly embarrassed by the missing apostrophes. We like to hear from you - your thoughts, ideas, guest or book suggestions. Perhaps you'd like to come on We'd Like A Word in person, to chat, review, meet writers or read out passages from books.