The Joined Up Writing Podcast: Recent Episodes
Wayne Kelly
Regular podcast for writers and book lovers. Featuring inspiration, guest interviews, writing advice, hint and tips. Every Tuesday on the Web, iTunes, Android and Spotify
Crime writer Angela C Nurse returns to The Write Place to talk about a major change in her writing career, signing with Vinci Books after several years building her readership as an independent author.
Angela is the author of the Rowan McFarlane Detective Mysteries and the DI Ravenscroft & Professor Laing crime series.
In this episode, we talk about why Angela decided the time was right to hand over some of the business and marketing side of publishing, what it feels like to give up a little control after years of doing everything herself, and why she still remains a passionate advocate for indie publishing.
We also get into the realities of selling books, Amazon advertising, covers and genre expectations, book fairs and the challenge indie authors face getting their books into physical bookshops.
Angela also tells me about the Mysterious Murders Short Story Competition, which she co-founded with Jeroen van Rotterdam in memory of writer Anja Boersma. This year writers are challenged to create a locked-room murder mystery of up to 3,000 words, with £3,000 going to the winner. Entries close on 30 September 2026.
We also chat about new ideas arriving at inconvenient moments, writing more than one book at a time, what Angela would tell her younger self and what comes next for both of her crime series.
About Angela C Nurse
Angela C Nurse is a Scottish crime writer and creative writing coach, and the author of the Rowan McFarlane Detective Mysteries and the DI Ravenscroft & Professor Laing series. After building her career independently, Angela signed with Vinci Books in 2026 for her existing backlist and future books in her first two series.
Find Angela and her books
Website and newsletter:
https://www.angelacnurse.com/
Angela's books on Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0957J7JL5
Mysterious Murders Short Story Competition:
https://www.mysteriousmurders.com/
Scottish crime writer Heather J Fitt joins Wayne Kelly to discuss reclaiming the rights to her three published novels and taking control of their future as an independent author.
Heather has recently released new independent editions of Open Your Eyes, The Flight and The Boat Trip. We explore what happens when an author’s books become part of a publisher’s backlist, the practical process of getting those rights returned, and the benefits and challenges of republishing your own work.
The conversation focuses particularly on Open Your Eyes, Heather’s dark psychological thriller about an ambitious Edinburgh journalist investigating a series of attacks against women. Heather explains how reading Laura Bates’s Men Who Hate Women introduced her to the online world of incels and the manosphere, and why she chose to explore those disturbing issues through fiction.
Heather also discusses:
• Researching dark subjects without damaging your mental health
• Creating balance and complexity when writing an antagonist
• The persistent stigma surrounding independent publishing
• Why more traditionally published writers are reclaiming their backlists
• Searching for an agent after already publishing three novels
• Blending crime fiction with elements of horror
• Her evolving approach to plotting and discovery writing
• Finding time to write around freelance work and everyday life
• Overcoming self-consciousness and giving yourself permission to begin
Heather also reveals why Men Who Hate Women is her Book That Saved Your Life and shares her advice for writers who are still waiting to take themselves seriously.
Heather J Fitt is a Scottish crime writer and the author of Open Your Eyes, The Flight and The Boat Trip. She is also an experienced editor and proofreader who has worked within independent publishing.
Find Heather and her books:
Website: https://www.heatherjfitt.com
Books: https://www.heatherjfitt.com/heatherjfitt-books
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherjfitt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherFittAuthor
Support independent bookshops: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/heatherjfittauthor
Find out more about The Write Place Podcast and Wayne’s writing, publishing and mentoring work:
https://waynekellywrites.com
In this episode of The Write Place, I’m joined once again by author Gemma Denham to talk about her new psychological thriller, The Inheritance.
Kate and Patrick are struggling financially when an unexpected inheritance seems to offer the perfect escape: a Victorian townhouse on the north-east coast. But from the moment they arrive, things feel wrong. Objects disappear, footsteps sound in the night, and Kate begins to wonder whether someone is getting into the locked house, whether something more unsettling is at work, or whether she is losing her grip on reality.
Gemma and I chat about the idea behind the book, balancing thriller and supernatural elements without tipping fully into horror, and why The Inheritance flowed so differently from the difficult second book she originally tried to write. We also talk honestly about second book syndrome, imposter syndrome, Goodreads reviews, publishing timelines, social media, marketing as an author, and the reality of building a writing career after your debut has gone out into the world.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The creepy locked-house setup behind The Inheritance
- Writing suspense without crossing fully into supernatural horror
- Why Gemma’s original second book didn’t quite work
- The pressure that follows a debut novel
- Plotting, character journals and visual references
- Researching blessings and exorcisms with a local vicar
- How reviews can feed imposter syndrome
- The difference between writing for yourself and writing with a publisher waiting
- Gemma’s Darkest Hour and what she learned from pushing through a difficult project
You can find out more about Gemma and her books at her website, GemmaDenham.com, and follow her on Instagram, Facebook and X. The Inheritance is available now in paperback and ebook.
My book, Real Writers Never Quit, is out now: https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrkelly2u/
In this episode of The Write Place, I’m joined by New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost, best known for her hugely popular Night Huntress books.
Jeaniene joins me to talk about her latest novel, A Curse of Beasts and Magic, the first book in her new Beautiful and Beastly series. Described as Beauty and the Beast meets The Witcher, this is a romantasy adventure with a twist: Beauty is the Beast.
We talk about the rise of romantasy, writing morally grey characters, building fantasy worlds from character first, and why Jeaniene doesn’t keep the kind of organised series bible many writers might expect.
Jeaniene also reflects on finally finishing her first novel after years of starting but not completing books, the pressure and reality of becoming a published author, and the difficult balance between writing from passion and treating publishing like a business.
We also discuss social media, book marketing for introverts, burnout, revision, persistence, and why writers need to celebrate the small victories along the way.
In the Book That Saved Your Life segment, Jeaniene talks about the books and authors that shaped her, including Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small, Jackie Collins, Dean Koontz and Stephen King.
Useful links:
Jeaniene Frost website: https://www.jeanienefrost.com
Jeaniene on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jfrostauthor/
Jeaniene on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jfrostauthor
Jeaniene on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jfrostauthor
A Curse of Beasts and Magic: https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/jeaniene-frost/a-curse-of-beasts-and-magic/9781037404429
My book, Real Writers Never Quit, is out now: https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrkelly2u/
This week on The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by actress, podcaster and author Sonya Walger.
Many listeners will know Sonya from her roles in Lost, For All Mankind, FlashForward, The Catch and many more, but she is also the author of the acclaimed debut novel Lion and her latest book, Wifehouse.
In our conversation, Sonya talks about the idea behind Wifehouse, a novel about a woman who leaves her family, and why she wanted to explore that story without judgement. We discuss marriage, motherhood, identity, multiple points of view, and the difficult creative challenge of writing a character readers may not approve of but can still understand.
We also talk about Sonya’s move from acting into fiction, how years of inhabiting other characters have shaped her as a novelist, and why she finds writing so liberating after a career spent waiting for permission to play a part.
Along the way, Sonya shares her thoughts on rejection, creative fear, handwriting first drafts, journalling, writing on planes, and why reading is one of the most important ways we practise empathy.
And of course, we cover the usual Write Place favourites, including the Book That Saved Your Life, where Sonya chooses The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James and Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates.
A thoughtful, generous and wide-ranging conversation about writing, performance, creativity and the need to keep feeding the artist in you.
Links
Sonya’s website: https://sonya-walger.com/
Sonya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonyawalgerofficial/
Bookish with Sonya Walger: https://bookishwithsonyawalger.com/
Buy Wifehouse: https://www.waterstones.com/book/wifehouse/sonya-walger/9781786586384
My book, Real Writers Never Quit: https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrkelly2u/
Hi, I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world.
This week I’m joined by Nigerian author Foluso Agbaje, whose latest novel, The Talk of the Party, is a gripping family drama and thriller set against the backdrop of an extravagant Lagos birthday celebration where long-buried secrets begin to unravel.
We talk about writing across cultures, the pressure of social expectations within Nigerian society, and how reading contemporary African fiction helped Foluso realise there was space for stories that reflected her own experiences and identity. We also discuss creativity, balancing writing with family life, learning the craft through the Faber Academy, and why there’s no single ‘correct’ writing process.
As always, there’s plenty here for writers at every stage of the journey.
About Foluso Agbaje
Foluso Agbaje is a Nigerian writer whose novels explore family, identity, class, secrets and social expectations within contemporary Nigerian society. Her debut novel, The Parlour Wife, introduced readers to her emotionally rich and character-driven storytelling, while her latest novel, The Talk of the Party, blends family drama and suspense against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos high society. Foluso currently lives in Dubai with her family.
Episode Highlights
• The inspiration behind The Talk of the Party and why Lagos high society became the perfect setting for hidden secrets and family drama.
• How Foluso’s early reading shaped her identity as a writer and the importance of seeing contemporary African stories in publishing.
• The realities of learning the craft through the Faber Academy and online writing resources.
• Why there’s no single writing process and how each book demands something different.
• Creativity, morning pages, artist dates, and finding time to write around family life.
• The differences between working in corporate life and navigating the publishing industry.
The Book That Saved Your Life
Foluso chose Everything Good Will Come by Sefi Atta. Reading a contemporary Nigerian novel for the first time helped her realise that stories rooted in her own culture and experiences could connect with readers around the world.
Find Out More
You can find Foluso Agbaje online across Instagram and other social platforms by searching her name. Her latest novel, The Talk of the Party, is available now.
Links and Extras
If you enjoyed this episode, check out my book Real Writers Never Quit: What Hundreds of Authors Reveal About Not Giving Up, available now.
You can also find my self-publishing packages, mentoring and writing resources at:
wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing
Follow me on Instagram:
@MrKelly2u
REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT: What hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up is out right now!
https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit
Special limited signed editions are available from my online shop here:
https://ko-fi.com/wakelly/shop
This week on The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by author, screenwriter and podcaster Mark Stay for a wide-ranging, funny and very honest conversation about writing fantasy, surviving the publishing industry, selling direct to readers, and why author voice matters more than ever in the age of AI.
Mark is the author of The Witches of Woodville series, the End of Magic trilogy, and the novelisation of Robot Overlords. He also co-wrote the films Robot Overlords and Unwelcome, and was co-presenter of the award-winning Bestseller Experiment podcast, which has helped inspire writers around the world to finish and publish their books.
We talk about his latest release, The End of Gods, the final book in the End of Magic trilogy, and how Mark returned to the world of the first book years later after getting the rights back. We also get into his experience of crowdfunding, the changing realities of traditional publishing, and why more writers are having to think seriously about direct sales, newsletters and owning their own little corner of the internet.
Mark also shares some sharp, practical thoughts on AI and creativity. His view is refreshingly clear: readers want a human connection. They want voice, weirdness, personality and something only that writer could have made.
Along the way, we discuss screenwriting, theme, Comic Cons, author branding, what happens when a film doesn’t get the push it deserves, and why learning to enjoy the process might be the only sane way to build a long-term writing life.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why The End of Gods became the final part of a fantasy trilogy Mark never originally planned
- How Mark approaches fantasy by focusing on character over magic systems
- Why he thinks writers should “lean into the weird”
- The importance of developing a distinctive author voice in the age of AI
- Why writers need websites, newsletters and direct connections with readers
- What Comic Cons have taught him about selling books face to face
- How his screenwriting background shapes his novels
- Why the “central dramatic argument” changed the way he thinks about story
- The painful release experience behind the film Unwelcome
- Why enjoying the process matters more than chasing overnight success
About Mark Stay
Mark Stay is a novelist, screenwriter, teacher and podcaster. After more than 25 years working in books and publishing, he became the author of The Witches of Woodville series, the End of Magic trilogy, and other novels. He co-wrote the films Robot Overlords and Unwelcome, and was co-presenter of the award-winning Bestseller Experiment podcast. His latest release is The End of Gods, the concluding book in the End of Magic trilogy.
Find out more about Mark Stay
Website: https://markstaywrites.com
Witches of Woodville and signed books: https://witchesofwoodville.com
The End of Gods: https://witchesofwoodville.com/product/the-end-of-gods-ebook/
Support the Podcast
If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice. It really helps more writers find the show and literally takes seconds to do.
REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT: What hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up is out RIGHT NOW! https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit
Special limited signed editions available from my online shop here.
In this episode of The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by bestselling indie author Steve Higgs, who’s built a remarkable career writing and publishing across multiple genres, with over 150 books to his name.
We talk about his journey from the military and corporate life into full-time writing, the realities of making a living as an indie author, and the business mindset required to scale book sales beyond a hobby.
Steve also shares the story behind his hugely popular Albert Smith series, including the latest paperback release of Pork Pie Pandemonium, a cosy mystery set in Melton Mowbray that blends humour, food, and murder in equal measure.
Along the way, we get into marketing, mindset, and what it really takes to turn writing into a sustainable career.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How Steve transitioned from a 25-year military career to full-time author
- The turning point that made him take writing seriously as a business
- Why most indie authors fail to sell books and what to do differently
- The reality of spending heavily on ads and making it pay
- How Pork Pie Pandemonium became his fastest-selling book
- The pros and cons of indie vs traditional publishing
- Why understanding genre is more important than most writers realise
- Steve’s high-output writing process and how he sustains it
About Steve Higgs
Steve Higgs is a UK-based author known for his prolific output across cosy mystery, urban fantasy, and thriller genres. A former soldier and corporate professional, he turned to writing later in life and has since published over 150 books, selling millions of copies worldwide. His work is particularly known for its humour, fast pacing, and engaging characters, including the popular Albert Smith series featuring a retired detective and his sharp-witted German Shepherd.
Featured Book
Pork Pie Pandemonium
The first book in the Albert Smith series, now released in paperback, follows a retired detective superintendent and his dog as they travel the UK solving mysteries… starting with a grisly discovery in a Melton Mowbray pork pie.
As Steve explains, the book combines humour, mystery, and a strong central relationship between man and dog, with the added twist of the reader hearing the dog’s thoughts throughout.
Find out more about Steve
Website: https://stevehiggsbooks.com
Final Thoughts
Steve’s approach is not subtle. He treats writing as both craft and business, and he’s willing to invest heavily in marketing to scale his results. That’s not a model that suits everyone, but it does underline a key point: writing the book is only half the job.
If you’re serious about making a living from your writing, this is a conversation worth paying attention to.
Support the Podcast
If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice. It really helps more writers find the show and literally takes seconds to do!
My New Book - out April 21st, 2026!
REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT: What hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up
https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit
This week on The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined once again by author Nikki Moore, returning to the show on the eve of a major milestone.
After years of traditional publishing with HarperCollins, Nikki has taken the leap into self-publishing with her brand new novel Magical Beginnings in Little Bowbrook, writing under a new pen name, Bella Brightside. We dig into what drove that decision, the realities of going indie, and what she’s learned along the way.
It’s an honest, practical conversation about control, risk, patience, and backing yourself as a writer, whether you’re just starting out or already established.
We also talk about hybrid authorship, building a launch strategy, and why readers ultimately care far less about publishing routes than writers think.
In This Episode, We Cover:
- Why Nikki turned down a traditional book deal
- The decision to self-publish and become a hybrid author
- The steep learning curve of distribution, formatting, and production
- Building a professional product as an indie author
- Launch strategy, timing, and pre-orders
- The myth of stigma around self-publishing
- Writing process: from pantser to structured plotter
- The realities of juggling writing with a full-time job
- Practical advice for writers considering the indie route
About Nikki Moore
Nikki Moore is a UK-based author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She has been traditionally published by HarperCollins and is known for writing uplifting, emotionally resonant stories centred around love, community, and resilience.
She also writes under the pen names Ella Allbright and, more recently, Bella Brightside, reflecting different sub-genres within her work. With the release of Magical Beginnings in Little Bowbrook, Nikki has now stepped into self-publishing, making her a hybrid author.
Find Out More About Nikki
- Website: https://nickimooreauthor.wordpress.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbythesea1207
Links & Resources Mentioned
- Tea Leaves & Reads Bookshop (Andover): https://www.tealeavesandreads.co.uk
- Vellum (formatting software): https://vellum.pub
- Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener
Support the Podcast
If you enjoy the show, please consider leaving a rating or review on your podcast app of choice. It really helps more writers find the show.
Final Thought
Nikki’s experience highlights a simple truth that’s easy to overlook. There isn’t one “right” way to build a writing career. There’s only the path that makes sense for you at that moment.
The key is being willing to learn, adapt, and back your own judgement.
Follow me on Instagram - @Mrkelly2u
My new book on Writing - REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT: What hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up is currently available to pre-order at a special pre-release only price of £2.99/$3.99 and, for UK listeners, you can buy a special signed paperback version with limited edition postcard and bookmark - RIGHT NOW!
Buy limited edition signed paperback here
Pre-order Kindle version here
In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling husband-and-wife writing duo Ilona Andrews, who have been writing together professionally since 2007.
We dive into what it really looks like to build a long-term writing career as a partnership, how they’ve navigated both traditional and self-publishing, and why removing ego from the creative process is essential if you want to produce your best work.
We also talk about their latest novel This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me, a departure into epic fantasy, and how it came from an idea that simply wouldn’t leave them alone.
Along the way, there’s plenty of honest insight into the realities of publishing, the importance of finishing what you start, and why writing is less about inspiration and more about showing up and doing the work.
✍️ In This Episode, We Cover:
- How Ilona Andrews make co-writing actually work in practice
- The origin and concept behind This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me
- The shift from urban fantasy into epic fantasy
- The realities of traditional publishing vs self-publishing
- Why self-publishing offers freedom but comes with trade-offs
- The importance of finishing a book, not just starting one
🧠 Best Advice from the Episode
- “If it works, do it.”
- “Give yourself permission to write badly so you can finish.”
- “You have to put your butt in the chair and make words.”
- “50 unfinished books equal zero finished books.”
🌐 Find Out More About Ilona Andrews
Website: https://ilona-andrews.com
They’re particularly active on their blog, sharing writing insights, industry thoughts and the occasional slice of everyday life.
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is available now from all major retailers, including special editions through UK outlets such as Waterstones.
In this episode of The Write Place Podcast, Wayne Kelly welcomes back award-winning author Margot Douaihy.
Margot first appeared on the show when her debut crime novel Scorched Grace introduced readers to Sister Holiday – a chain-smoking, tattooed nun with a punk past and a talent for solving crimes.
Now Margot returns to talk about the latest instalment in the series, Divine Ruin, and how the character – and the world around her – has evolved.
We talk about writing crime fiction that blends faith, punk rock, and noir sensibilities, the discipline required to build a successful series, and the emotional realities of sustaining a creative career.
Margot also reflects on the challenges writers face when success arrives suddenly, the pressure of expectations, and why returning to the page is always the only real answer.
In This Episode
- The origins and evolution of Sister Holiday
- Writing the latest novel, Divine Ruin
- Blending crime fiction with themes of faith, addiction, and redemption
- Building momentum after a breakout debut
- The realities of sustaining a writing career
- Margot’s darkest hour as a writer
- The book that saved her life
About Margot Douaihy
Margot Douaihy is the author of the Sister Holiday mystery series, including Scorched Grace, Blessed Water, and Divine Ruin.
Scorched Grace was widely acclaimed on release and was shortlisted for the LA Times Book Prize in the Mystery/Thriller category. Margot’s work has also been nominated for a number of other crime writing awards and praised for its distinctive blend of literary style, noir atmosphere, and dark humour.
Originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Margot now lives in Massachusetts where she is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Emerson College. Alongside her crime fiction, she has also published poetry and literary fiction.
Find Out More
Margot Douaihy Website: https://www.margotdouaihy.com
Support the Podcast
If you enjoy the show, please consider:
- Leaving a review wherever you listen
- Sharing the episode with a fellow writer
- Checking out Wayne’s self-publishing support packages at:
https://wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing
This week on The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by bestselling psychological thriller author Lesley Kara, whose debut novel The Rumour became a Sunday Times bestseller and was later adapted for television.
We talk about her latest novel, Troublemaker, a tense psychological thriller set in Tunbridge Wells, and explore how grief, vulnerability and doubt shape both her characters and her storytelling.
Lesley shares:
- The real-life influences behind Troublemaker
- Why short chapters matter in suspense fiction
- What it was really like seeing The Rumour adapted for TV
- The business realities of commercial publishing
- Writing her debut at 55 and why it’s never too late
- How social media became a creative outlet rather than a chore
It’s a practical, honest conversation about craft, resilience and staying visible in a competitive market.
About Lesley Kara
Lesley Kara is the Sunday Times bestselling author of multiple psychological thrillers including The Rumour, Who Did You Tell?, The Other Tenant and her latest novel Troublemaker.
Her debut, The Rumour, was a breakout success and has since been adapted for television. Lesley lives in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and began her publishing career in her mid-fifties after years of writing and perseverance.
Topics Covered
- Writing lean prose in psychological suspense
- Structuring novels using three-act structure
- Managing pressure after a commercial breakthrough
- Adapting novels for screen
- Balancing creativity with the business of publishing
- Building community and reach through Instagram
- Late-start writing careers
Links
🌐 Lesley Kara Website: https://www.lesleykara.com
📸 Instagram: @lesleykarawriter
📖 Troublemaker – Available now in bookshops and online
If You Enjoyed This Episode
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
- Leave a rating and review
- Share the episode with a fellow writer
Work With Me
If you’re writing your own novel and want professional support with structure, editing or publishing, take a look at my self-publishing packages and mentoring options:
👉 https://wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing
In this episode of The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by Dan Howarth, returning for his third appearance on the show.
We talk about Lionhearts, a brutal, timely novel that sits somewhere between social realism and psychological horror. Dan discusses the real-world event that sparked the story, why he chose to write from inside the head of an angry, dispossessed protagonist, and the risks of tackling themes like online radicalisation, nationalism and moral compromise in fiction.
We also dig into Dan’s writing discipline, why he writes every weekday without fail, the value of routine over motivation, and how indie publishing has given him the freedom to follow darker, stranger ideas without compromise.
This is a frank, thoughtful conversation about responsibility in storytelling, creative discomfort, and what it really means to keep going as a writer.
Topics Covered
- The real incident that inspired Lionhearts
- Writing every day vs waiting for inspiration
- Why Dan values freedom over validation in publishing
- Indie publishing, creative control and long-term thinking
- Knowing when a book is finished and when it is not
Dan Howarth is a fiction writer from the North of England, known for dark, unsettling stories that sit at the edges of horror, crime and social realism.
He is the author of several novels and novellas, including Lionhearts, Last Night of Freedom, and Territory, as well as numerous short stories published in magazines and anthologies. His work often explores anger, masculinity, isolation and the quieter horrors of everyday life.
Dan has been shortlisted for multiple writing awards, including the Northern Writers’ Awards, and his fiction has been published by both independent presses and as self-published work. He is also the editor of the Dark Missives anthology series.
Alongside fiction, Dan writes candidly about the realities of the writing life on his Substack, Hard-Earned Writing Lessons, where he shares practical, no-nonsense reflections on discipline, doubt and persistence.
Books Mentioned
- Lionhearts
- Last Night of Freedom
- Territory
Find Dan Online
- Substack: Hard-Earned Lessons in Writing
- Instagram / X / Bluesky: @danhowarth20
About the Podcast
The Write Place Podcast features honest, long-form conversations with writers about craft, persistence and the realities of building a writing life.
If you’re working on a book and want practical help getting it finished, published or back on track, you can find details of my writing courses, mentoring and self-publishing services at:
👉 wkwproductions.co.uk
Subscribe and Support
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and, if you enjoy the show, a short rating or review really helps other writers find it.
In this episode of The Write Place Podcast I chat with bestselling author Lulu Taylor about her new novel A Legacy of Secrets, her long career in commercial fiction and why she loves writing sweeping, gothic-tinged family sagas. We dig into the craft behind dual timelines, the challenges of discovery writing and how her background as a fiction editor shaped the way she approaches story structure and character.
Lulu also talks candidly about creative setbacks, including a difficult fallout with a friend early in her career and a period during COVID when she was unable to write at all. She explains how she rebuilt her confidence, found new emotional truth in her work and learned to trust her process again.
We cover early writing memories, the influence of classic gothic novels, the pitfalls of overthinking your first draft and why finishing the story is still the most important thing a writer can do.
Lulu Taylor is a bestselling author known for her sweeping, gothic-tinged family sagas filled with secrets, relationships and atmospheric big houses. Over a writing career spanning twenty years, she has published multiple novels and developed a strong following for her dual-timeline stories set across past and present. Lulu previously worked as a fiction editor and book doctor, experience that continues to influence her approach to character, structure and storytelling. She lives in Dorset, where she has recently completed her latest novel and is preparing for the release of A Legacy of Secrets on 4 December 2025.
Find out more about Lulu on Instagram at @misslulutaylor.
For self-publishing support, visit wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing.
This week I’m joined by bestselling fantasy author and BookTok favourite, Rebecca Thorne, to talk about her newly republished novel This Gilded Abyss. We get into the origins of the book, how she built its eerie underwater world, and why she wanted to step away from cosy fantasy and write something darker and more intense. Rebecca also speaks honestly about her path from eight years of traditional rejection to rapid indie success, and what it has been like navigating both sides of the industry.
We dig into her fast drafting process, her love of editing, and how she manages the pressure of a growing readership while staying focused on the work. As always, you will hear The Book That Saved Your Life and Their Darkest Hour, with Rebecca sharing the very real turning points that shaped her writing career.
In the Episode
- How This Gilded Abyss began life as an indie release
- BioShock, art deco cities and world building with history as a guide
- The appeal of writing darker stories after cosy fantasy
- Her eight year struggle in trad publishing
- The sudden rise of Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea and documenting the indie process
- Why she still feels the pull of indie freedom
- Writing routines, drafting speed and learning to switch between projects
- The Book That Saved Your Life: Legends and Lattes
- Their Darkest Hour: reassessing her publishing path
- What’s next, including her cosy sci-fi, Moss'd in Space
About Rebecca Thorne
Rebecca Thorne is an American fantasy author known for her character-driven novels and strong online presence. Her books include Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, A Pirate’s Life for Tea and her latest release, This Gilded Abyss, now out from Tor. She lives in Colorado and shares regular updates on Instagram and TikTok.
Find Rebecca Online
rebeccathorne.net
Instagram: @rebeccathornewrites
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Hi, I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world.
In this episode I’m joined by Alan Green, debut author of Sound Advice, a fascinating book that digs into the hidden life lessons of 1980s pop music. Alan shares how redundancy after nearly three decades at a law firm sparked a complete life reset and gave him the time to explore his idea. We talk about the joys of music as a catalyst for change, the conservatism of traditional publishing, and the creative routines that transformed his Mondays from something to dread into his favourite day of the week.
Alan also opens up about keeping himself out of the book so readers could focus on their own lives, the tricky business of copyright and song lyrics, and how rejection letters ultimately helped him find the perfect publishing home at Salt.
As always, we cover our regular segments including The Book That Saved Your Life, where Alan highlights Carl Sagan’s Cosmos, Merlin Sheldrake’s Entangled Life, and his admiration for Bill Bryson’s writing.
Whether you’re a music lover, a writer, or someone in need of a little sound advice of your own, this is a really inspiring conversation. You can find Alan's book here.
Episode Highlights
- Using 80s pop as a prism for universal themes like love, work, ageing and worry
- Why Alan deliberately left himself out of the book
- How originality can be a tough pitch in publishing
- The power of small daily habits in building a creative life
- Alan’s book choices in The Book That Saved Your Life
Wayne Kelly offers self-publishing packages and mentoring for writers at wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing.
Want to find out more about my critique group and writing community - Momentum Circle? Check it out here - wkwproductions.co.uk/mentoring
This week I’m joined by Tom Cox, author of fifteen books spanning fiction, memoir, and journalism. Tom’s work blends the folkloric and the surreal with an eye for human nature and the landscapes that inspire him. His latest novel, Everything Will Swallow You, is out now and continues his exploration of storytelling that defies easy categorisation.
In our conversation, Tom reflects on his unconventional path from fanzine writer and music journalist to acclaimed novelist. We talk about:
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- The joy and pain of creating Everything Will Swallow You, a novel born from a strange idea on a walk in Dorset.
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- How quitting journalism freed him to find his authentic voice in fiction.
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- The struggles of mid-list authors and his perspective on the shifting publishing landscape.
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- The importance of momentum, self-belief, and being brutally honest in the editing process.
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- Why he believes reading widely is non-negotiable for any writer.
It’s a wide-ranging and inspiring chat that’s sure to give you plenty of motivation to keep going in your own writing journey.
About Tom Cox
Tom Cox is the author of fifteen books including Help the Witch, Villager, 1983 and now Everything Will Swallow You. His work often combines folklore, surrealism, and humour, and he has built a loyal readership through his essays, novels, and online writing. He lives in Devon and continues to draw inspiration from the natural landscapes around him. Find out more at tom-cox.com.
I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world.
Wayne Kelly offers self-publishing packages and mentoring for writers at wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing.
Hi, I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world.
This week I’m joined by Stefan Mohamed, author of The House on Utopia Way. Stefan has published award-winning YA and speculative fiction, but in this conversation we dive into his surreal, cyberpunk-noir detective novel, and the winding road that took him from traditional publishing into the world of self-publishing. We also cover the frustrations of the current publishing landscape, the challenges of marketing your own work, and why writing communities are so important for keeping creative momentum alive.
As always, there’s plenty here to inspire and encourage you in your own writing journey.
About Stefan Mohamed
Stefan Mohamed is an award-winning writer originally from mid-Wales and now based in Bristol. His debut novel, Bitter Sixteen, won the Sony Reader Award – a short-lived but prestigious category of the Dylan Thomas Prize – and went on to launch a trilogy with Salt Publishing. Alongside his fiction, Stefan works as a freelance writer, editor, and events organiser.
His latest book, The House on Utopia is out right now.
You can find out more about Stefan and his work at https://www.stefmo.co.uk/
Episode Highlights
• The inspiration behind The House on Utopia Way and how online disinformation and fractured realities sparked the story.
• Why noir and sci-fi tropes work so well together.
• Stefan’s journey from writing on an Amstrad word processor as a child to publishing award-winning novels.
• The frustrations of traditional publishing and what led him to choose the indie route for his latest book.
• What he’s learned about editing, self-promotion, and finding support as an author.
• Why writers need to lift each other up in a landscape where publishers are stretched thin.
Find Out More
You can order The House on Utopia Way directly from Stefan’s website or grab the ebook on Amazon and Kobo. Keep an eye out for the special edition from Scarlet Ferret, which will include exclusive bonus content.
Follow Stefan on Instagram and Bluesky @stefmowords.
Links and Extras
Wayne’s Self-Publishing Packages – If you’re inspired by Stefan’s indie journey and want help bringing your own book to life, check out my publishing services at: wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing
Niloufar Lamakan on Persistence, Late Starts, and Age-Positive Fiction
My guest this week is debut novelist Niloufar Lamakan, whose rom-com Aged to Perfection celebrates older protagonists and smashes stereotypes about women over 60. We talk about Niloufar’s unexpected path into writing via a creative writing course, the determination it took to push through 42 rejections before landing a publishing deal, and why comedy needs emotional depth to really connect. She also shares candid insights into book promotion, event mishaps, and how every small audience can be valuable training for bigger stages.
Niloufar opens up about the steepest parts of her writing learning curve, why she enjoys editing as much as first drafting, and her belief that it’s never too late to start writing – as long as you’re prepared for the possibility of failure and the joy of surprising yourself along the way.
Find Aged to Perfection in all the usual places, including Kindle Unlimited.
Learn more at niloufarlamakan.com and sign up for her newsletter.
Self-Publishing Support
If you're working on a book of your own and want help navigating the publishing process, check out my Complete Self-Publishing Package at wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing. From ISBN registration to formatting and upload support, I’ll help you get your book out into the world – professionally and stress-free.
Thanks for listening to The Write Place Podcast.
Happy writing – and I’ll see you next time!
Hi, I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world.
This week, I’m chatting to author Alex Starritt, whose latest novel Drayton and Mackenzie is an ambitious, thought-provoking exploration of friendship, purpose, and modern life. We talk about the challenges of writing a big, literary novel spanning over a decade of social and political upheaval, the role of work in fiction, and how Alex’s background in journalism and public service has influenced his writing. We also dig into how his process has evolved, the importance of trusting your gut, and the delicate balance between planning and discovery.
In this candid and inspiring chat, we discuss:
- Why Drayton and Mackenzie took five years to write – and why Alex wouldn’t do it the same way again
- The powerful role work plays in our lives – and why it’s so often ignored in fiction
- His early experiences in tabloid journalism and the strange mix of cynicism and idealism in tech
- How growing up in rural Scotland (without a telly!) shaped his love of books
- The long road to publication, including three unpublished novels and a brush with Penguin
- Learning to recognise when a project isn’t working – and how to listen to your instincts
Book That Saved Your Life 📚
Alex chose War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, which he first encountered as a teenager but truly appreciated in his twenties. He describes it as “the greatest novel ever written” and admires how it seamlessly weaves intimate character insight with sweeping historical perspective.
Alex also shared a vulnerable moment from his writing journey — the period after he’d written three unpublished novels, felt creatively stuck, and finally had to admit, “I just need to get a job.” Broke and feeling left behind by his peers, he ended up taking a sub-editing role at the Mail on Sunday. It was a turning point that pulled him out of a creative rut and gave him a new perspective on storytelling, audience, and life beyond the literary bubble.
About Alex Starritt
Alex Starritt is a London-based author and former journalist. His writing explores contemporary life, relationships, and the wider social forces that shape us. His latest novel, Drayton and Mackenzie, follows two men from university to midlife as they search for meaning and direction against a backdrop of economic upheaval and cultural change. A former tabloid sub-editor and co-founder of a global public sector tech organisation, Alex draws from a diverse and fascinating career to bring depth and authenticity to his work.
Find out more
You can follow Alex on Twitter/X @AlexStarritt. He’s yet to launch an official author site — for now, he remains a bit of a literary mystery.
Self-Publishing Support
If you're working on a book of your own and want help navigating the publishing process, check out my Complete Self-Publishing Package at wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing. From ISBN registration to formatting and upload support, I’ll help you get your book out into the world – professionally and stress-free.
Thanks for listening to The Write Place Podcast.
Happy writing – and I’ll see you next time!
Take a look here to see how I can help you publish your book!
In this week’s episode, I chat to author and illustrator Gemma Denham, whose debut adult novel The Storm is a gripping locked-room mystery set in the Lake District. We talk about Gemma’s fascinating path from children’s book illustrator to crime writer, why she made the switch, and how a personal 40-before-40 challenge helped her finally write her first novel.
We also dig into the benefits of writing retreats, plotting versus pantsing, and the pressures of following up your first book—especially when you're already deep into book four!
✏️ In This Episode:
– The inspiration behind The Storm and its remote, cut-off setting
– Why writing crime fiction was a natural step after illustrating picture books
– Gemma’s structured-but-flexible plotting process and how she lets her characters lead
– How visual thinking and cover design influence her approach to books
– The reality of professional edits and what “show don’t tell” really means
– How mini-plotting sessions and character work can keep your writing on track
– Why the second book can feel tougher than the first—even without external pressure
– Using feedback from trusted beta readers and writer friends to level up
📖 Book That Saved Your Life
Gemma shares how a chance visit to the library during a difficult time led her to discover The Chemistry of Death by Simon Beckett. The book reignited her love of reading and eventually sparked her move into crime fiction.
💀 Their Darkest Hour
We explore the challenge of putting returning characters through another traumatic plot without stretching credibility, and why book two can feel like the trickiest one to write—even when no one’s read book one yet!
🧠 Creative Advice
“You can’t edit a blank page.” When stuck, Gemma writes anything—even a line about not knowing what to write. It’s often enough to unlock the next scene.
🔎 Find Out More
The Storm is available now wherever books are sold.
Website: www.gemmadenham.com
Follow Gemma on Instagram and Twitter: @gemmadenham
If you’re dreaming of launching your own book into the world but feeling overwhelmed by the process, I’ve just launched a range of affordable self-publishing packages. Whether you need help with editing, cover design, or the whole journey from manuscript to market, I’ve got you covered – check out wkwproductions.co.uk for details.
- ✍️ Sign up to my Write or Die monthly newsletter and get your FREE Writer’s Survival Kit: Sign up here
- 📖 Haven’t read Safe Hands or The Call Back yet? Grab them on Kindle, in paperback or read for free via Kindle Unlimited
- 📨 Want to say hello or share your writing struggles? Drop me a line: wayne@waynekellywrites.com
Take a look here to see how I can help you publish your book!
This week’s guest is the brilliant Russ Litten – author, screenwriter, editor and long-time writer-in-residence in prisons across the UK. We discuss his latest novel The Crime Writer, a gritty, compelling story inspired by his first-hand experiences working with inmates on their life stories.
Russ shares insights on the blurred line between fact and fiction, why authenticity matters, and how to retain your creative curiosity – even after years in the game. We also dig into how working with new writers, particularly those in challenging environments, can reignite your own creative fire.
In This Episode:
- How The Crime Writer was inspired by real stories from inside UK prisons
- Why writing 'what you know' doesn’t mean sticking to the literal truth
- Editing advice from someone who’s worked with hundreds of writers
- Finding your voice – and why it's more important than being ‘perfect’
- The realities of working in film and why Russ prefers fiction
- Two books that changed his life and shaped his creative path
- Why beginner mindset can be a secret weapon
- And loads more on storytelling, process and purpose
About Russ Litten:
Russ Litten is an author and editor based in Hull, with a diverse background in film, radio, music and publishing. His latest novel, The Crime Writer, explores the murky line between inspiration and theft, authenticity and exploitation. Russ has written for screen, stage and radio, and is well known for his powerful work delivering creative writing workshops in UK prisons. His past books include Swear Down, Scream If You Want To Go Faster, and Kingdom, and you can find out more at russlitten.co.uk
If you’re dreaming of launching your own book into the world but feeling overwhelmed by the process, I’ve just launched a range of affordable self-publishing packages. Whether you need help with editing, cover design, or the whole journey from manuscript to market, I’ve got you covered – check out wkwproductions.co.uk for details.
- ✍️ Sign up to my Write or Die monthly newsletter and get your FREE Writer’s Survival Kit: Sign up here
- 📖 Haven’t read Safe Hands or The Call Back yet? Grab them on Kindle, in paperback or read for free via Kindle Unlimited
- 📨 Want to say hello or share your writing struggles? Drop me a line: wayne@waynekellywrites.com
Take a look here to see how I can help you publish your book!
In this episode of The Write Place, I chat with Northern Irish author Hannah King about the creative process behind her gripping second novel, The Blind Spot. We talk about dual timelines, writing from a child’s perspective, and how to keep readers turning the page. Hannah shares her journey from creative writing student to published novelist, her experience as a legal transcriber, and the reality of writing the dreaded second book.
We also touch on her writing rituals, how she develops characters, and why she’s finally returning to a long-abandoned manuscript with fresh enthusiasm. Whether you're an aspiring author or a crime fiction fan, there’s loads to enjoy in this honest and thoughtful conversation.
And if you’re dreaming of launching your own book into the world but feeling overwhelmed by the process, I’ve just launched a range of affordable self-publishing packages. Whether you need help with editing, cover design, or the whole journey from manuscript to market, I’ve got you covered – check out wkwproductions.co.uk for details.
In This Episode:
- • The spark behind The Blind Spot
- • Writing complex sibling dynamics and difficult moral dilemmas
- • Using dual timelines to explore character and structure
- • The second book struggle and how Hannah overcame it
- • Writing through trauma and the therapeutic power of crime fiction
- • The influence of creative writing courses and short stories
- • Channeling a child’s voice – and the power of nostalgia
- • Great advice for pushing through creative blocks
About Hannah King:
Hannah King is a crime and psychological fiction writer from County Down, Northern Ireland. Her debut novel, She and I, was published to critical acclaim, and her latest book The Blind Spot continues her exploration of dark family secrets, emotional complexity and moral ambiguity. Drawing on her background as a legal proofreader and court transcriber, Hannah brings authenticity and insight to the legal and criminal elements of her stories. She holds a master’s degree in Creative Writing from Queen’s University Belfast and is an alumna of their fiction anthology programme.
You can find Hannah on Instagram at @hannahkingauthor
- ✍️ Sign up to my Write or Die monthly newsletter and get your FREE Writer’s Survival Kit: Sign up here
- 📖 Haven’t read Safe Hands or The Call Back yet? Grab them on Kindle, in paperback or read for free via Kindle Unlimited
- 📨 Want to say hello or share your writing struggles? Drop me a line: wayne@waynekellywrites.com
Hi, I'm Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world.
In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Hannah Murray – a seasoned radio and TV presenter, passionate book lover, and co-host of the Marbella with Him and Her podcast. Based in Marbella, Spain, Hannah brings a wealth of experience from over two decades in broadcasting, including her popular book show on Talk Radio Europe and her regular appearances on Good Morning Spain TV.
We had a fascinating and wide-ranging chat covering:
- How Hannah built a career in radio and TV after moving to Spain.
- Her love of books, reading, and interviewing writers from all over the world.
- Lessons learned from interviewing major authors like Jilly Cooper, James Patterson, and Jeffrey Archer.
- Practical advice for writers who want to promote themselves and their books effectively.
- Insights into writing, creativity, and the importance of finishing that all-important first draft.
The Book That Saved Her Life
Hannah chose Down Under by Bill Bryson – a funny and vivid travel memoir that deepened her love for travel and great storytelling.
About Hannah Murray
Hannah Murray is a veteran broadcaster with over twenty years of experience. She hosts TRE in the Afternoon and The Book Show on Talk Radio Europe and is a regular contributor to Good Morning Spain TV. Alongside her husband, she also co-hosts the light-hearted lifestyle podcast Marbella with Him and Her. A passionate reader, interviewer, and lifelong lover of words, Hannah shares her enthusiasm for books and storytelling through her work on radio, television, and digital platforms.
Find Out More About Hannah:
🎙️ Talk Radio Europe – Listen live or catch up on shows: Talk Radio Europe Website
📺 Good Morning Spain TV – Watch on YouTube: Good Morning Spain TV on YouTube
🎧 Marbella with Him and Her Podcast – Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Listen on Spotify
- ✍️ Sign up to my Write or Die monthly newsletter and get your FREE Writer’s Survival Kit: Sign up here
- 📖 Haven’t read Safe Hands or The Call Back yet? Grab them on Kindle, in paperback or read for free via Kindle Unlimited
- 📨 Want to say hello or share your writing struggles? Drop me a line: wayne@waynekellywrites.com
In this week’s episode I’m joined by author, playwright and journalist Stephen Spotswood, who's here to talk about Dead in the Frame, the latest instalment in his 1940s-set mystery series featuring sleuthing duo Pentecost and Parker.
Stephen shares the inspirations behind the series—drawing on golden age mysteries, hardboiled noir, and classic radio dramas—and explains how the fifth book sees a shake-up in the usual dynamic between Will and Lillian. We also chat about how his background in playwriting has helped shape his fiction, why he’s now a committed outliner, and how he balances plot and emotional depth in his stories.
You’ll also hear:
- How writing helped him stay grounded while reporting on difficult issues
- The challenges and joys of writing a long-running series
- The moment he realised mystery fiction was his true home
- And of course, Stephen tells us about the book that changed everything for him, and shares a powerful insight that helped take his writing to the next level.
SHOW LINKS
- Dead in The Frame - Stephen's Latest Book
- ✍️ Sign up to my Write or Die monthly newsletter and get your FREE Writer’s Survival Kit: Sign up here
- 📖 Haven’t read Safe Hands or The Call Back yet? Grab them on Kindle, in paperback or read for free via Kindle Unlimited
- 📨 Want to say hello or share your writing struggles? Drop me a line: wayne@waynekellywrites.com
Thanks for listening!
Please make sure you're subscribed on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode. And if you’ve got a second, a rating or review really helps other writers find the show.
Until next time – happy writing and take care.
— Wayne
🎧 The Write Place Podcast – Episode 241
Guest: Natalie Chandler – Author of The Voices
Hi, I'm Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world. And this week’s guest is no exception…
Natalie Chandler joins me to talk about her new psychological thriller, The Voices – her third novel and her first hardback release. We chat about the dream that sparked her chilling high-concept premise, what it’s like to write from the perspective of a character in a coma, and why Scrivener might just be the plotting tool you didn’t know you needed.
But Natalie’s story isn’t all smooth sailing. She opens up about the tough road to publication, her experience with rejection, and how stepping away from writing for years helped reignite her passion. We also touch on the importance of finding your own voice, even if that means starting out by plagiarising Roald Dahl at the age of seven!
In this episode, we discuss:
- The inspiration behind The Voices and how a vivid dream shaped the entire book
- The challenges of writing from a locked-in perspective
- Why publishing a hardback felt like validation from her publisher
- The struggle of writing Book Two and the pressure that comes with early success
- Her experience switching publishers and signing with HarperNorth
- Growing up with a love of stories and being surrounded by books from a young age
- How her background in sport and teaching fed into her writing
- The moment she almost gave up – and what brought her back to the page
- Why reading with a highlighter helps her develop her craft
- The books that changed her life – including Shantaram and Louise Candlish's Those People
Links from the episode:
- 📚 Grab Natalie Chandler’s The Voices from your local bookshop, online retailers or support indie gems like Serenity Booksellers in Romiley
- ✍️ Sign up to my Write or Die monthly newsletter and get your FREE Writer’s Survival Kit: Sign up here
- 📖 Haven’t read Safe Hands or The Call Back yet? Grab them on Kindle, in paperback or read for free via Kindle Unlimited
- 📨 Want to say hello or share your writing struggles? Drop me a line: wayne@waynekellywrites.com
Thanks for listening!
Please make sure you're subscribed on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode. And if you’ve got a second, a rating or review really helps other writers find the show.
Until next time – happy writing and take care.
— Wayne
The Call Back is currently only £3.99/$3.99! Check it out here.
Hi, I'm Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world.
In this episode of The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by crime writer Roxie Key to discuss her brilliant debut novel The Deadly Spark, a character-driven blend of psychological suspense and police procedural.
We get into the real story behind Roxie’s writing journey—from 50+ rejections to a dream agent sliding into her DMs, and how she went from almost giving up to having a book deal and a growing readership. Roxie shares how a childhood phobia became the central theme of her novel, why she chose to write a diverse cast of characters, and how she balances writing with family life and a full-time job.
We also talk about:
- The importance of rejection and building thick skin
- Why writing fear can be a form of therapy
- Navigating police procedural accuracy without getting bogged down in red tape
- The reality of modern publishing and why debut authors have to hustle
- Productivity hacks for busy writers
- The value of reading—and writing—widely
Roxie is warm, honest and funny, and this chat is packed with insight for any writer trying to stay motivated and get their words out into the world.
🎙️ Links and resources:
📚 Check out The Deadly Spark – available now in the UK, US and Canada:
Roxie's Author Website - https://roxiekey.com
💌 Join the writing community newsletter and get your FREE Write or Die Survival Kit: http://bit.ly/writeordiesignup
📚 Get 25% off any of my courses by using the code WRITEPLACE25 at checkout - more info here.
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the show wherever you get your podcasts.
In this fascinating episode of The Write Place Podcast, host Wayne Kelly is joined by Rebeka Russell, founder of Manderley Press, to discuss the power of place in storytelling, the challenges of independent publishing, and her latest release, Mary Shelley in Bath.
Rebeka shares how her love of history and literature led her to create a small press dedicated to reviving classic works connected to real-world locations. She discusses the importance of book design, working with artists to create stunning covers, and how connecting with passionate booksellers has been crucial to Manderley Press’s success.
The conversation also delves into Mary Shelley’s tumultuous time in Bath and how this short but significant period shaped her writing, including Frankenstein. Rebeka reflects on Shelley’s ability to transform personal trauma into groundbreaking fiction, as well as the ongoing cultural relevance of her work.
Beyond discussing literary history, Rebeka offers insight into the realities of indie publishing, from navigating distribution challenges to the importance of perseverance. Whether you're an aspiring author, a lover of historical fiction, or interested in the business of books, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.
Links & Resources:
📚 Find out more about Rebeka Russell & Manderley Press:
Manderley Press Website – Browse their collection and order Mary Shelley in Bath
Follow Manderley Press on Instagram
✍️ Resources for Writers:
🎁 Grab your free Write or Die Writer’s Survival Kit here
📖 Want to read the first 3 chapters of The Call Back for FREE? Download here
🎓 Check out Wayne's Online Courses here
📩 Email Wayne – wayne (at) waynekellywrites.com
In this insightful episode of The Write Place Podcast, host Wayne Kelly welcomes historical fiction author Karen Heenan for her third appearance on the show. Karen shares her journey from being traditionally published with a small press to becoming a successful self-published author with multiple series under her belt. She discusses the challenges and rewards of indie publishing, offering valuable insights into book marketing, cover design, and Amazon advertising.
Karen’s latest novel, French Lessons, is the newest entry point into her Ava & Claire series, which originally followed a family in 1930s Philadelphia. This new instalment shifts the focus to Pearl, the eldest daughter, as she embarks on a long-awaited adventure in post-war Paris. However, the reality of a city still recovering from occupation is vastly different from her romanticised expectations, making for a compelling “fish-out-of-water” story.
Beyond discussing her writing process, Karen reflects on the learning curve of self-publishing, from regaining her rights from a small press to finding the right cover designer to attract her ideal readers. She details how advertising—particularly on Amazon and through BookBub deals—has played a crucial role in increasing her book sales, helping her achieve an impressive $47,000 in royalties last year—a significant leap from the previous year.
For authors considering the indie path, Karen offers encouraging advice: self-publishing doesn’t mean giving up on traditional publishing; instead, it provides flexibility, control, and the opportunity to build a sustainable writing career on your own terms.
She also shares the book that saved her life, which deeply resonated with her as a child and helped shape her understanding of the emotional power of fiction.
This episode is packed with practical tips, industry insights, and inspiration for writers at all stages of their careers. Don't miss it!
Links & Resources:
- Karen Heenan’s Website – Sign up for her newsletter and download a free historical fiction novel!
- French Lessons available now on Amazon (Kindle & Print)
- Grab your free Write or Die Writer's Survival Kit here
- Want to read the first 3 chapters of The Call Back for FREE?
- Check out Wayne's Online Courses here
Email Wayne - wayne (at) waynekellywrites.com
In this episode of The Write Place, I’m joined by award-winning historical crime novelist D.V. Bishop for a deep dive into the craft of storytelling, structure, and writing with confidence.
D.V. shares his Wallace & Gromit approach to plotting—laying the tracks just ahead of the train as he writes—and why mystery writers don’t always need to know the ending before they begin. We discuss the pressures of writing under contract, the benefits of finishing Book Two before Book One is published, and how to find the balance between planning and discovery.
He also reveals the book that changed his life (and career), the unexpected way he researches characters, and why Call the Midwife helped him write a convent full of nuns. If you’ve ever wrestled with plotting, structure, or self-doubt, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and plenty of laughs.
His latest book is Divine Fury - check it out here.
Connect with D.V. Bishop:
📖 Website
📷 Instagram: @CesareAldo
🌐 BlueSky: @DVBishopcom
LINKS TO FREEBIES!
Writer's Survival Kit - http://bit.ly/writeordiesignup
The Call Back teaser version - https://dl.bookfunnel.com/emgd52ywdx
Follow The Write Place on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/thewriteplacepodcast
Welcome to The Write Place Podcast! This week, we’re joined by the Icelandic master of mystery, Ragnar Jónasson, author of internationally acclaimed crime novels such as the Dark Iceland and Hulda series. Ragnar shares insights into his writing process, the inspiration behind his latest book, Death at the Sanatorium, and how he crafts his atmospheric, edge-of-your-seat mysteries.
In this episode, Ragnar discusses:
- The influence of Agatha Christie on his work and his experience translating her books into Icelandic.
- The allure of the Golden Age of crime fiction and how it shapes his stories.
- His approach to plotting intricate mysteries and creating compelling protagonists like Helgi.
- Overcoming challenges in his writing career and advice for aspiring mystery authors.
Ragnar also opens up about how he balances authenticity with a global audience and the fascinating process of adapting his books for TV. If you’ve ever struggled with plotting, self-doubt, or finding your unique voice as a writer, this episode is packed with valuable insights and encouragement.
Plus, host Wayne Kelly shares exciting updates, including the Kindle launch of his gritty British thriller, The Call Back, and his hybrid approach to writing the next installment in the Mickey Blake series.
Buy a signed personalised copy on my website here.
Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
- Download the free Writer’s Survival Kit for tips and inspiration.
- Check out Wayne’s Self-Publishing for Beginners course for actionable advice.
- Explore Ragnar’s latest release, Death at the Sanatorium, now available in stores and online.
- Connect with Ragnar on his website.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will leave you motivated to tackle your next creative project!
Connect with Wayne:
- Email: Wayne [at] WayneKellyWrites.com
- Follow on Facebook: The Write Place
- Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to leave a review!
- Download your FREE Write or Die Writer's Survival Kit!
In this episode of The Write Place Podcast, Wayne Kelly sits down with psychological thriller author and social media expert Zoe Lea to discuss the twists and turns of her writing journey. From the book that saved her life to the struggles of self-doubt and navigating the complexities of her craft, Zoe shares raw and inspiring insights into the life of an author.
They delve into Zoe's latest novel, Closer Than She Thinks, exploring the vulnerability at the heart of psychological thrillers and what keeps readers on the edge of their seats. In the new "Their Darkest Hour" segment, Zoe opens up about overcoming personal challenges and finding strength in a supportive writing community.
Wayne and Zoe also tackle the role of social media for authors, demystifying how to showcase your work authentically and connect with readers without losing your mind. Plus, the dreaded topic of A.I. makes an appearance.
Zoe Lea is a British author renowned for her psychological thrillers that delve into complex human relationships and suspenseful narratives. She lives in the Lake District with her family and has had all kinds of career roles including being a teacher, photographer, and freelance journalist. In addition to her writing career, Zoe is a content strategist, helping creatives to showcase their work and build their writing communities.
Her latest novel, Closer Than She Thinks, is out now on Kindle and lands in June on Paperback, but she also has 2 other books you should definitely go and check out.
Find all Zoe's links on her website here.
Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, this episode offers invaluable advice, inspiration, and a reminder that you're not alone in your creative struggles. Tune in and take your writing to the next level.
SHOW LINKS:
- Get 40% Discount on Wayne's online course - How To Successfully Self-Publish Course (use code 'WP40'
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YouTube Clip from Novel Marketing on Publishing Trends
Email your feedback to wayne(at)waynekellywrites.com
SHOW LINKS:
Download your FREE Write or Die Writer's Survival Kit!
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Email your feedback to wayne(at)waynekellywrites.com
Joined Up Writing is now . . . THE WRITE PLACE! Bringing you even more great writer interviews, inspiration, tips and advice on how to survive and thrive as a writer.
After 10 years and hundreds of episodes I’ve decided to change things up, starting with a new name for the show, but don’t worry because from now on, you’re in The Write Place. This quick episode is to give you some background as to why I wanted to switch things up, an update of where I am with my own writing journey and to outline my goals for the year. I also want to float some ideas I have to develop the show and to ask you for your input.
Look out for the next episode where I interview Zoe Lea - coming on Jan 14th.
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HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY SELF PUBLISH COURSE - more info here
Check out my crime novel, SAFE HANDS
it’s episode 233 with Chris McDonald aka Chris Frost talking about his dark Christmas Cracker, The Killer’s Christmas List, plus his writing journey, path to publication and an inspiring story behind the book that saved his life.
Chris grew up in Northern Ireland before settling in Manchester via Lancaster and London. He is the author the Erika Piper series, the Stonebridge Mysteries and Little Ghost. And, under his pen name, Chris Frost he’s the author of the festive bestselling crime book – The Killer’s Christmas List, which is out everywhere right now.
Check out his website here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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Check out my crime novel, SAFE HANDS
Grab a free Audible 30 Day Trial and listen to SAFE HANDS for FREE!
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In this episode of The Joined Up Writing Podcast, Wayne chats with Nikki Moore, author of commercial women’s fiction and romantic comedies, who also writes as Ella Allbright. Nikki shares her journey of juggling a busy career in HR with a decade-long writing career. She discusses her hit novel The Last Charm, an emotional, Dorset-set love story inspired by personal loss. Nikki opens up about processing grief through writing and how storytelling serves as an uplifting escape for her readers.
They dive into the evolution of the publishing world over the past 14 years, emphasizing transparency and the rise of indie publishing. Nikki reflects on her experiences with traditional publishing, the challenges of securing an agent, and why balancing creativity with business strategy is key. She highlights the importance of competitions and critique groups for emerging writers, offering practical advice for building confidence and refining your craft.
Nikki also addresses the industry's focus on debut authors and the rise of celebrity books, advocating for more equitable support across the board. With candid anecdotes and actionable insights, this episode is packed with encouragement for writers at all stages of their journey.
Nikki is A self-confessed reading addict, with an HR day job to keep her busy alongside writing. She’s the author of the popular #LoveLondon series, attracting four and five star reviews on Amazon. A number of the novellas featured in the Top 100 short story charts on Kobo and the Top 20 in the Amazon UK bestsellers Holiday chart. As Ella Albright she writes commercial women’s fiction set in her beautiful home county of Dorset, the most successful of which is The Last Charm which is out everywhere now.
Follow Nikki on Instagram @authorbythesea1207
Highlights:
- The Last Charm: A novel of love, loss, and hope inspired by Nikki’s grief journey.
- Writing Tips: Why competitions and critique groups are invaluable for aspiring authors.
- Industry Insights: The challenges of publishing today and the opportunities in indie and hybrid models.
- Personal Reflections: Balancing creative passion with strategic career decisions.
Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about the highs and lows of being a writer in today's ever-changing literary landscape.
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Check out my crime novel, SAFE HANDS
Grab a free Audible 30 Day Trial and listen to SAFE HANDS for FREE!
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
It’s episode 231 with Neil J Hart, an excellent Fantasy-Horror author, writing gorgeous-looking books for young people. We talk about how Neil went from being a reluctant reader to a story-obsessed writer, how his visual imagination plays into his work and of course, we’ll hear which book saved his life.
Neil grew up in Surrey, England and spent most of his childhood dancing and acting, learning musical instruments, building vast Lego cities and domino rallies, creating board games and secret societies.
He eventually found writing and in 2021, his quirky young adult fantasy novel The Last Scarecrow won for Horror at the Wattpad Awards and his latest book, Sadie Madison and the Boy in the Crimson Scarf also won in 2022 for Fantasy. That book is released everywhere on December 3rd and you can pre-order it right now.
Find all Neil's links at his website here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
SUBSCRIBE NOW WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS
Check out my crime novel, SAFE HANDS
Grab a free Audible 30 Day Trial and listen to SAFE HANDS for FREE!
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
It’s episode 230 with Dan Howarth who writes dark and gritty books, often based in the North of England. Dan and I had a really fun and interesting chat focusing on Dan’s latest book, Last Night of Freedom and we take a deep dive into the problems with Traditional publishing and why Indie publishing seems to be going from strength to strength. We’ll also get to hear about the book that saved Dan’s life.
Dan is a writer from the North of England, a place that he says drenches his fiction. He’s the author of Dark Missives, a collection of short horror fiction as well as Territory, a novella set in the snowbound wilds of Finland.
His stories have featured in numerous publications both online and in print, including being featured on The Other Stories podcast where they have been downloaded over 100,000 times as well as appearing in Weird Horror #5 from Undertow Publications. His latest novel is Last Night of Freedom, a great book I’ve described as Dead Man’s Shoes meets Deliverance and that is out right now, so make sure you grab a copy on ebook, paperback or audio.
Check out Dan’s website here and follow him on Twitter here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
SUBSCRIBE NOW WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS
Check out my crime novel, SAFE HANDS
Grab a free Audible 30 Day Trial and listen to SAFE HANDS for FREE!
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
It’s episode 229 and a chat recorded in front of a live audience with with Laura Pearson, number one best-selling author of The Last List of Mabel Beaumont and her latest book, The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine, which is excellent. Laura and I chatted about the magic of reading and took a deep dive on the many stages involved in writing and editing a book as well as discovering the book that saved her life.
Check out Laura’s website here and follow her on Twitter.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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Grab a free Audible 30 Day Trial and listen to SAFE HANDS for FREE!
It’s episode 228 with Steven Kedie, author of Running and Jumping, a novel about a bitter sporting rivalry. We chat about the marathon-like qualities of writing, Steven’s journey to publication and which book saved his life.
Steven is a writer who was born and raised in Manchester, where he still lives with his wife and their two sons. A man of simple pleasures, his great loves are sport, music, writing and books. He is the co-founder of the music website eightalbums.co.uk – a site where people write about albums that are important to them and why. His novel, Running and Jumping, about the rivalry between two athletes, set across eight years and three Olympic Games, is out now.
Follow Steven on X here.
Thinking of self-publishing and want help and a cover design? Take a look at this post on Wayne’s website.
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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Grab a free Audible 30 Day Trial and listen to SAFE HANDS for FREE!
It’s episode 227 with Edward Carey, funny and inspirational playwright and artist turned author of loads of unique and original novels, including his latest, Edith Holler. Edward is full of fascinating insights and advice
Edward is is a writer and illustrator who was born in North Walsham, Norfolk, England. He’s written plays for the National Theatre of Romania and the Vilnius Small State Theatre, Lithuania. In England his plays and adaptations have been performed at the Young Vic Studio, the Battersea Arts Centre, and the Royal Opera House Studio. He is the author of the novels Observatory Mansions and Alva and Irva: the Twins Who Saved a City, as well as the YA Iremonger Trilogy and his previous novel, The Swallowed Man. His latest book, Edith Holler is out everywhere right now.
Find Edward's links on his website here.
Thinking of self-publishing and want help and a cover design? Take a look at this post on Wayne’s website.
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
SIGN UP TO MY FREE WORKSHOPS NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE NOW WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS
Grab a free Audible 30 Day Trial and listen to SAFE HANDS for FREE!
SIGN UP TO MY FREE WORKSHOPS NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE NOW WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS
Grab a free Audible 30 Day Trial and listen to SAFE HANDS for FREE!
It’s episode 226 with Jeff Young, a writer with experience in stage, screen and radio and also memoir, with his second book, Wild Twin, which we chat about today. It’s a brilliant chat with loads of advice and insight from Jeff’s long career, talking about class barriers in the industry, the power of memory and why you should always carry a hipflask in your knickers.
Jeff is a writer for screen, stage and radio. As you’ll hear, he’s written plays, radio dramas, documentary and memoir, with his first book, Ghost Town. A former senior lecturer in Creative Writing at Liverpool John Moores University, Jeff lives in Liverpool and his latest book Wild Twin: Dream maps of a lost soul and drifter is out right now, everywhere you find books.
Follow Jeff on Twitter here and Instagram here.
Thinking of self-publishing and want help and a cover design? Take a look at this post on Wayne’s website.
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
It's episode 225, which has a lovely interview with Jamie West, author of the theatre themed Bertie Carroll Mysteries. We got to chat about the similarities between the life of an actor and a writer, which means dealing with lots of rejection and striving for that lucky break
Jamie is the West End's resident murder mystery author. He has worked backstage on countless shows in London’s West End, including The Book of Mormon, Miss Saigon, Kinky Boots, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Dear Evan Hansen and Hamilton. As you’ll hear, a love for theatre history and a good murder mystery is what inspired his Bertie Carroll series, set in 1930s theatre-land. His first novel, Death on the Pier, was published in October 2022, going on to become an Amazon Best Seller and Chat Magazine's Book of the Month. Murder at the Matinee, the second in the series, is out everywhere right now.
Find all of Jamie's links at his website here.
Thinking of self-publishing and want help and a cover design? Take a look at this post on Wayne’s website.
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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Grab a free Audible 30 Day Trial and listen to SAFE HANDS for FREE!
It’s episode 224 where I’m chatting to crime writer, Angela C Nurse, talking about her gritty Scottish private detective series, her thoughts on the publishing industry in general and why she thinks Crime Fiction is such a powerful genre when it comes to studying people and behaviour.
We also discover the book that saved her life and hear her tips for aspiring writers out there.
Born in the Kingdom of Fife, Angela spent her teenage years in Penzance before returning to Scotland. She has had a varied career from Nursery Nurse to Bank Manager before becoming a full-time writer.
Her brilliant Rowan McFarlane Mysteries are set within the fictional town of Cuddieford, which lies somewhere between Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy. And those books are out right now, so go and check them out.
Find all of Angela's's links at her website here.
Thinking of self-publishing and want help and a cover design? Take a look at this post on Wayne’s website.
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 223 with the funny and inspiring Milly Johnson talking about her long writing journey, including writing greetings cards and being told she sounded too northern, before eventually finding huge success as an award winning, multi-million copy selling RomCom author. We also discover the book that saved her life.
Milly Johnson is a British author of romantic fiction. She has written 21 bestselling novels with over three million sales worldwide, one book of poetry, and five novellas. She was nominated for the Melissa Nathan Award for Romantic comedy in 2012, was a two-time winner of the RoNA Award for Comedy Romance in 2014 and 2016, and was also a winner of Channel 4's Come Dine With Me – Barnsley edition. She was honoured with the Romantic Novelist Association's Outstanding Achievement Award in 2020. She is also an after-dinner speaker, poet, professional joke writer, short story writer and newspaper columnist. Her latest book is The Happiest Ever After which is out everywhere right now.
Find all Milly's links at her website here.
Thinking of self-publishing and want help and a cover design? Take a look at this post on Wayne’s website.
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 222 with inspirational commercial fiction writer, Liz Fenwick talking about her Cornish novels, methods of research, her writing process and her advice for those of us struggling along the way.
Liz Fenwick is writer of commercial fiction, living in Cornwall, England. Her books have been translated into 15 languages.
She has published nine novels and two novellas taking her inspiration from Cornwall's history and landscape and in 2017 was named "the queen of the contemporary Cornish novel" by The Guardian.
Her debut novel,The Cornish House, was first published in 2012 and her latest book and ninth novel, The Secret Shore, is out everywhere right now.
Find all Liz's links at her website here.
Thinking of self-publishing and want help and a cover design? Take a look at this post on Wayne’s website.
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 221 with publishing PR legend, Alison Barrow who is PR Director at Penguin Random House and has been involved in some of the most well known campaigns around, including SJ Watson’s Before I Go To Sleep and more recently Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. She has loads of inspirational and practical advice for writers on what publishers are looking for and how you can make you and your book as marketable as possible.
Alison is an award- winning book publicist with experience launching writing careers, managing major figures and creating global brands. She’s worked on some of the biggest bestselling campaigns of the past 20 years including, Before I Go To Sleep, Lessons In Chemistry and The Girl on The Train. She’s currently a PR Director at Penguin Random House.
Follow Alison on X here and Instagram here.
Thinking of self-publishing and want help and a cover design? Take a look at this post on Wayne’s website.
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
SUBSCRIBE NOW WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS
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It’s episode 220 and it’s with psychological thriller writer, Helen Cooper who I interviewed in front of a live audience at Leicester’s Central Library. It was the first Joined Up Live and I got to chat to Helen about her latest gripping book, My Darling Boy, as well as how she became a writer, what makes a great psychological thriller, why perseverance is everything and of course we will get to hear about the Book That Saved Her Life.
Helen Cooper is a writer of psychological thrillers living in Leicester, UK.
She has taught English and Academic Writing in both Further and Higher Education and was Head of Learning Enhancement at the University of Birmingham. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Nottingham Trent University and has been published in Woman, Writers’ Forum, Mslexia, the Lincolnshire Echo, Derbyshire Life, and on the Crime Readers' Association website. She was shortlisted for the Bath Short Story Prize in 2014 and came third in the Leicester Writes Short Story Prize in 2018.
Her novels include The Downstairs Neighbour, The Other Guest, The Couple In The Photoand now, her latest book, My Darling Boy.
She is currently president of Leicester Writers' Club. She lives in Leicester with her new husband and cat.
Find all of Helen's links on her website here.
Thinking of self-publishing and want help and a cover design? Take a look at this post on Wayne’ website.
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 219 with Merle Nyegate, TV screenwriter and novelist, returning to talk about her new espionage novel – Honour Among Spies. We talk about theme, structure and writing a sequel.
Merle is a screenwriter, script editor, screenwriting lecturer and novelist; she's worked on BAFTA winning TV, New York Festival audio drama and written original sitcoms. She previously she worked for BBC Comedy Commissioning as well as writing and script editing across multiple genres. Merle’s first novel, The Righteous Spy won the Little Brown/UEA Crime Fiction Award and is now followed up with the excellent Honour Among Spies, which I’ve read and loved. That’s out right now.
Find out more on Merle’s website here and follow her on Twitter @MerleNygate.
Thinking of self-publishing and want help and a cover design? Take a look at this post on Wayne’ website.
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 218 with the fascinating Manda Scott, talking about her new Thrutopian novel, Any Human Power, why she wanted to take a different path between dystopia and utopia, how she literally felt a calling to write this book and that all important step of trying to find your voice. We do all that and still find time to talk about the Book That Saved Her Life.
Born in Scotland, Manda was once a veterinary surgeon and is now a novelist, smallholder, contemporary shamanic trainer and host of the international chart-topping Accidental Gods podcast. Best known for the Boudica: Dreaming series, she’s been shortlisted for the Orange Prize, the Edgar and the Saltire Award, and won the McIlvanney Prize. With her wife, Faith Tilleray, she is co-creator of the Thrutopia Masterclass. Her new novel, Any Human Power is a Thrutopian political thriller woven through with Boudica-style dreaming: a new mythos for a new reality. It's out everywhere right now.
Find all Manda's links at her website here.
Thinking of self-publishing and want help and a cover design? Take a look at this post on Wayne' website.
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST
It’s episode 217 with Samuel Burr, ex-TV executive turned author with his debut book, The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers. This is a lovely chat covering Samuel’s journey to publication, how his time spent filming in a retirement village inspired his book, pitching tips and, of course, the book that saved his life.
Samuel studied at Westminster Film School and was a freelance TV executive, where he developed and produced loads of popular-factual shows including BBC Four’s Make: Craft Britain, and the BAFTA-nominated Secret Life of 4-Year-Olds. Samuel’s writing was shortlisted for Penguin’s WriteNow scheme and in 2021 he graduated from the Faber Academy. He lives in London with his partner Tom and their cat Muriel. And his debut novel, The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers is out everywhere right now.
Find all Samuel's links on his website here.
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
Find out more about my BIG SCREEN WORKSHOP
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It’s episode 216 with Matt Ottley, writer, artist, musician and all round polymath, talking about the incredible book, film and music for his project The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness. Matt is a fascinating guest and we talk about how his previous mental health issues, art, Synaethesia and music feed into his work, why he believes ‘good enough’ is rarely good enough and we’ll find out about the Books That Saved His Life.
Matt is a multi-modal artist working across the fields of visual arts, music and literature. He is an award-winning picture book writer and illustrator, with 25 picture books published and one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors. His book and musical work for young adults, Requiem for a Beast was awarded the Children's Book Council of Australia's Picture Book of the Year in 2008, and the Queensland Premier's Award for Young Adult Literature in the same year. His latest multi-modal project is The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness and that will be out on May 16th.
Find all of Matt's links and info over on his website here.
WANT A FREE eBOOK WITH 2 CRIME STORIES? SUBSCRIBE TO WAYNE’S NEWSLETTER HERE
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 215 with best-selling psychological suspense author, AJ Campbell joining me to chat about her latest book, why and how she has taken both the indie route, as well as releasing books with a traditional publisher, and we’ll also discover the Book That Saved Her Life.
AJ is an Amazon bestselling author of six psychological suspense novels and promises stories full of twists, turns and torment. Her fourth book The Phone Call was released in July 2022, and it topped the Amazon charts for several months. It was shortlisted for the Adult Prize for Fiction at the Selfie Book Awards 2023. Her latest book, released by Bookouture, is called My Perfect Marriage (the title changed just before broadcast of the show!) and is out everywhere right now.
Find all AJ's links on her website here.
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Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – '10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 214 with Sandie Jones, freelance author and now best-selling author, about her writing journey, interviewing famous people, and the desire to prove her doubters wrong. All that and of course, we’ll find out about the Book That Saved Her Life.
Sandie is the author of The Blame Game, The Guilt Trip, The Half Sister, The First Mistake and The Other Woman which is a Reese Witherspoon Bookclub Pick and New York Times bestseller. Her books have featured in Entertainment Weekly, Good Morning America, Good Housekeeping, Prima and more. She lives in London with her husband and three children. Her latest novel, The Trade Off is out right now.
Find all of Sandie's links on her website here.
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Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 213, a solo episode with W.A. Kelly, taking you behind-the -scenes of the making of my audiobook and giving a special preview of the audio version of my crime thriller, Safe Hands. A few of you have asked for more information, especially as I independently released the book and have narrated the audiobook myself – and I also wanted to give Joined Up listeners a chance to hear the first couple of chapters for free, right here in this episode. If you listen to the end and like what you hear, stay tuned for a surprise listener exclusive offer.
W.A. Kelly is an author, filmmaker and musician. He wrote and directed the award-winning short film, INKLING and produced the feature-length documentary, No Fare: The Sian Green Story. Since 2014, he has hosted The Joined Up Writing Podcast and in November 2023, his debut crime novel Safe Hands, was released. He is currently working on the sequel, due out in late 2024.
Safe Hands is available in paperback, on Kindle and now as an Audible-exclusive audiobook.
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Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 212 with Laura Pearson, number one best-selling author of The Last List of Mabel Beaumont and several other novels dealing with life, love and loss, including the new paperback release of a book called Missing Pieces, which I read and loved. I chatted to Laura about the joys of procrastination, or 'thinking time', as we like to call it, reading outside your genre and the journey to her current success, which has involved lots of perseverance and keeping the words and stories flowing throughout. It’s a fun conversation that I know you’ll love.
Laura is the author of multiple novels, including The Last List of Mabel Beaumont which was a Kindle number one bestseller in the UK and a top ten bestseller in the US. Laura lives in Leicestershire, England, with her husband, their two children, and a cat who likes to lie on her keyboard while she tries to write and her latest release is the paperback version of Missing Pieces, which you can find everywhere right now.
Check out Laura's website here and follow her on Twitter.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is out everywhere now and Kindle Unlimited readers can even read it for FREE!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 211 with Swedish crime writer, Tove Alsterdal talking about the new English language release of the latest in her High Coast series – Deep Harbour. We talk Nordic Noir, not being afraid to write shit and the power of just finishing a draft.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is out everywhere now and Kindle Unlimited readers can even read it for FREE!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 210 with Ben Bruce an Indie author of the popcorn thriller series based around a team called The Regulators. We talk about the UK Crime Book Club, being natural and organic, networking the right way, finding a story and as always we’ll hear about the book that saved Ben’s life.
Like me, Ben grewup in a small town in the middle of the UK. After working in TV and learning his craft in screenwriting, Ben created his Regulators series of books, with the third book due out in the series very soon and another standalone on the way too. Ben is also one of the folks behind the brilliant UK Crime Book Club on Facebook and it’s famous online quiz.
Check out Ben's website here. Buy his books here.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is out everywhere now and Kindle Unlimited readers can even read it for FREE!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 209 with Charlotte Duckworth, who also writes as Charlotte Rixon, working in both psychological thrillers and book club fiction genres. I reached out to Charlotte initially because of a post she wrote about the struggle of being a full time writer, so we get to talk about that but also Charlotte’s work, her journey to publication, how she prioritizes her writing time and, of course we’ll discover which book saved her life.
Charlotte is the USA Today bestselling author of The Rival, Unfollow Me, The Perfect Father and The Sanctuary. Her fifth psychological suspense, The Wrong Mother, was published by Quercus in early 2023. She started her career working as an interiors and lifestyle journalist, writing for a wide range of consumer magazines and websites and, under the pen name Charlotte Rixon, she also writes contemporary bookclub fiction. Her latest release is the paperback of The One That Got Away by Charlotte Rixon, which is out right now.
Find all Charlotte's links here.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is out everywhere now and Kindle Unlimited readers can even read it for FREE!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 208 with mystery writer, Mark Stevens on his latest novel, The Fireballer, which is a departure from his usual fare, his long writing career, making your readers care and, of course the book that saved his life.
The son of two librarians, Mark was raised in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and has worked as a reporter, as a national television news producer and in public relations. He’s the author of The Allison Coil Mystery Series including Buried by the Roan, Trapline and Lake of Fire, which were all finalists for the Colorado Book Award, which he won with Trapline.
Mark hosts a regular podcast for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and his new book, The Fireballer is out right now.
Find all Mark's links on his website here.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is out everywhere now and Kindle Unlimited readers can even read it for FREE!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 207 with Richard D Bailey, fraud examiner turned FBI whistleblower and now author with his new non-fiction book, Pirate Cove: AN INSIDER’S ACCOUNT OF THE INFAMOUS SOUTHPORT LANE SCANDAL. We chat about how Richard used Substack to get his story out there and find an audience, his father’s brilliant life advice and of course, the book or books that saved his life.
Richard D. Bailey is a Certified Fraud Examiner. For more than 30 years, he has been providing realistic financial management and corporate development services to distressed public and private manufacturing, service, and distribution companies, but now he’s an author, telling the story of a massive corporate fraud that saw him going undercover for the FBI in his book Pirate Cove: AN INSIDER’S ACCOUNT OF THE INFAMOUS SOUTHPORT LANE SCANDAL.
Follow Richard on Twitter here.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is out everywhere now and Kindle Unlimited readers can even read it for FREE!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
SAFE HANDS may still be on offer for 99p! Check here!
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It’s episode 206 with Caspar Henderson talking about his fascinating project – The Book of Noises. It’s a fun chat where we cover non-fiction, how the writing writes you about not being afraid to let it go.
CASPAR HENDERSON has been a journalist and an editor: a contributor to BBC Radio 4, Financial Times, Guardian, Nature, New Scientist and openDemocracy. His debut, The Book of Barely Imagined Beings won the Roger Deakin Award of the Society of Authors and the Jerwood Award of the Royal Society of Literature, and was shortlisted for the Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books. A New Map of Wonders, was published in 2017. His latest project - A Book of Noises is out right now.
Find all of Caspar's links over on his website here.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is out everywhere now and Kindle Unlimited readers can even read it for FREE!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your
It’s episode 205 with Ruth Kelly, journalist, ghost writer and destination thriller author talking to me about her fascinating writing journey, almost becoming a spy and revealing the book that saved her life.
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Ruth is a journalist who has ghosted a string of Sunday Times top ten bestsellers – most recently The Prison Doctor, which sold over 250,000 copies, and The Governor, which went straight in at number one on the Amazon charts and number five in the Sunday Times bestseller list. Now she’s writing destination thrillers, with her latest, The Escape which is out right now.
Follow Ruth on Twitter here.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is out everywhere now and Kindle Unlimited readers can even read it for FREE!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave
Episode 204 with SA Cosby, a writer I’m a huge fan of from Blacktop Wasteland, through to Razorblade Tears and his latest dark tale, All The Sinners Bleed. It’s a brilliant chat that covers why Shawn loves the noir genre, his inspiring journey to success after years of hardwork and rejection, his tips for writers trying to fit their work around a day job as well as his three choices for The Book That Saved My Life.
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S. A. Cosby is an Anthony Award-winning writer from Southeastern Virginia. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Razorblade Tears and Blacktop Wasteland, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, was a New York Times Notable Book, and was named a best book of the year by NPR, The Guardian, and Library Journal. All that, plus he’s been mentioned as one of Barack Obama’s favourite writers – twice. His latest book, All The Sinners Bleed is our right now and you should definitely give it a read if you like dark crime fiction.
Follow SA Cosby on Twitter here.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is out everywhere now and Kindle Unlimited readers can even read it for FREE!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot yo
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It’s episode 203 with Julianne Pachico talking about her AI themed novel, Jungle House, dealing with uncertainty, her path to publication and loads of other interesting stuff.
Julianne Pachico was born in 1985 in Cambridge, England and grew up in Cali, Colombia. Her short stories have been published in New Yorker, Granta and the White Review, and she teaches creative writing at UEA. Jungle House is her latest release and third novel and is out everywhere now.
Find all of Julianne's links on her website here.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is out everywhere now and Kindle Unlimited readers can even read it for FREE!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Su
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It’s episode 202 and a unique takeover episode where two of my favourite writer people – Lauren North and Jackie Kabler take the reins and turn the tables to put me in the author hot seat. This was their suggestion and I’m so grateful of them giving up their time to interview me about the release of my book, Safe Hands which is finally out now so you can read it and judge for yourselves if the wait, and all my years of talking about it, have really been worth it. It's FREE to read for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
Lauren writes psychological suspense novels that delve into the darker side of relationships and families. She studied psychology before moving to London where she lived and worked for many years. She’s now settled with her family in the Suffolk countryside where her dark imagination never stops wondering what’s the worst thing that could happen in every situation. She also writes Book Club Thrillers under the guise of LC North, including her latest book She Says She's My Daughter, which is out everywhere now.
Find all Lauren’s links on her website here.
Jackie has had a long and illustrious career in broadcasting and journalism – including a nine year stint on GMTV. She’s worked freelance and for the BBC and Sky and she currently works as a presenter on QVC in the UK. She’s the creator of a successful cosy crime series but now she’s signed with Harper Collins and writes dark psychological thrillers, like her hit novel The Vanishing of Class 3b.
Jackie’s Instagram Book Club is @OfficialJackieKabler and follow her on Twitter @JackieKabler
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWr
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It’s episode 201 with Sean Campbell, barrister turned Thriller writer, telling me how and why he became a writer, his thoughts on the Indie scene and why you need to write what you want to read. We also talk about the Book that Saved His Life.
Sean trained as a barrister and is now the author of the DCI Morton series, including books like Dead on Demand, Cleaver Square, and The Evolution of a Serial Killer, as well as the standalone thriller, The Grifter.
He spends his days working out how to kill people without being caught, and then flipping the switch to play detective. His latest is Murdered By The Mob, which is out right now.
Check out all Sean's links over at his website here.
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My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is now available to pre-order here!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving Na
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It’s episode 200 with Ian Moore, comedian turned novelist who has moved away from his usual cosy crime, with his new darker mystery, The Man Who Didn’t Burn. It’s a cracking conversation where we talk about self-doubt, determination, the unique French setting of Ian’s novels and, of course The Books That Saved His Life.
Ianis a leading stand-up comedian, known for his sharp, entertaining punditry, who regularly headlines at London’s world-famous Comedy Store. A TV/radio regular who now lives in France and regularly commutes back to the UK. He’s the author of the Follet Valley cosy crime series of books and now he’s kicking off a new darker mystery series with The Man Who Didn’t Burn, which is out everywhere on October 11th.
Find all Ian's links over at his website here.
This week's Book Blogger's Corner is courtesy of Clare Reynolds from the Years Of Reading Selfishly blog – yearsofreadingselfishly.blog – to talk about The Couples by Lauren Mackenzie.
Here’s a link to join my author newsletter and grab your free ebook.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is now available to pre-order here!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 199 with the brilliant mystery, suspense and thriller writer, Peter Swanson talking about his latest festive chiller, as well as his journey to publication, advice to aspiring writers and the books that saved his life. I really enjoyed the conversation and I know you will too.
Peter is the Sunday Times and New York Times best selling author of eight novels, including The Kind Worth Killing, winner of the New England Society Book Award, and finalist for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, Her Every Fear, an NPR book of the year; and The Kind Worth Saving. His books have been translated into over 30 languages, and his stories, poetry, and features have appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction, The Atlantic Monthly, Measure, The Guardian, The Strand Magazine, and Yankee Magazine. His new novella, The Christmas Guest is released everywhere on September 28th
Find all Peter's links at his website here.
Here’s a link to join my author newsletter and grab your free ebook.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is now available to pre-order here!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you pl
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It’s episode 198 with Joanna Wallace, author of the brilliant new debut You’d Look Better As A Ghost. It’s such a fascinating and fun chat about writing as therapy, staying in the story, the power of perseverance and, of course, we get to hear about the book that saved Joanna’s life.
Joanna studied law at Birmingham University before working as a commercial litigation solicitor in London, during which time she represented litigants in many fascinating cases and became remarkably proficient at unjamming photocopiers. She lives near London with her husband, four children and two dogs, and is currently working on her second novel.
Her debut novel You’d Look Better as A Ghost is released on Sept 21st and the screen production rights have already been optioned by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. I’m not surprised – it’s such an original story.
Follow Joanna on Twitter/X here.
Here's a link to join my author newsletter and grab your free ebook.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is now available to pre-order here!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 197 with Charlotte Levin, author of If I Let You Go, brilliant follow-up to her successful debut, If I Can’t Have You. It’s a lovely chat that includes the merits of not being a planner, trusting the process and we get to find out what book saved Charlotte’s life – metaphorically speaking of course.
Charlotte has been shortlisted for the Andrea Badenoch Award, part of the Northern Writers’ Awards, and for the Mslexia Short Story Competition. Charlotte lives in Manchester with her cat Opal Moon and kittens Leonard and Walter. IF I CAN'T HAVE YOU was her debut novel, and the paperback of IF I LET YOU GO is out everywhere on September 14th
Find all Charlotte's links over on her website here.
Here's a link to join my author newsletter and grab your free ebook.
My debut novel, SAFE HANDS is now available to pre-order here!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 196 with Dr Ruby Gupta, author of nine books including her Agatha Christie inspired murder mystery series based around her main character, Professor Shantanu Bose. Her journey to publication is one of persistence and determination and it’s an inspiring chat.
Based amidst the misty Himalayan foothills, Ruby is the best-selling author of nine books. She has been honoured as the International Writer-in-Residence at the International Agatha Christie Festival (2022) in Torquay, Devon, England. A double gold medallist in English literature, she is an awardee of the GSE by Rotary International and the recipient of the Pratibha Samman Award for her journalism. Currently working as Professor & HOD Humanities at the ACC Wing, Indian Military Academy, Ruby has published nine books, including the latest in her murder mystery series, The Secret of Leifeng Pagoda.
Follow Ruby on Twitter here.
Check out me singing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here and then have a look around my own website – www.waynekellywrites.com
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 195 with Nick Hunt, travel-writer-turned-novelist with his fiction debut, Red Smoking Mirror. It’s a cracking conversation where we cover Nick’s writing journey, the idea that nothing is wasted and deciding what story you want to tell.
Nick is the author of three travel books about walking in different parts of Europe – Outlandish, Where the Wild Winds Are and Walking the Woods and the Water – as well as a work of ‘gonzo ornithology’, The Parakeeting of London. Loss Soup and Other Stories was his first short fiction collection and Red Smoking Mirror is his debut novel out everywhere right now.
Find all of Nick's links on his website here.
Check out me singing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here and then have a look around my own website – www.waynekellywrites.com
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
Let’s Get Joined-Up!
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Episode 194 brings Australian author, Eliza Henry-Jones telling us about her new folklore-infused family drama Salt and Skin. We talked about knowing your characters, writing as an escape, keeping joy central to your process and tons of other fascinating stuff.
Eliza is an author based on a little flower farm in the Yarra Valley of Victoria, Australia. She is the author of In the Quiet(2015), Ache(2017) and the young adult novels P is for Pearl(2018) and How to Grow a Family Tree(2020). She has won loads of awards and been shortlisted for her books and her short fiction, nonfiction and features have been widely published across magazines, newspapers and journals. Her latest novel, Salt and Skin is out everywhere from July 6th.
Find all Eliza's links at her website here.
Check out me singing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here and then have a look around my own website – www.waynekellywrites.com
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 193 with Gail Aldwin, talking about her new psychological suspense mystery The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell, why she wants to write what she likes and the importance of enjoying the process, which seems to be a reoccurring theme of late.
Based in Dorset, Gail writes fiction and poetry. Her short fiction collection Paisley Shirt, was longlisted in the best short story category of the Saboteur Awards 2018. Her debut novel The String Games, was published by Victorina Press and was voted a finalist in The People’s Book Prize 2020 as well as being shortlisted in the Dorchester Literary Festival writing prize 2020. Her new book, The Secret Life of Carolyn Russellwill be published by Bloodhound Books and is available everywhere from July 3rd.
Take a look at Gail’s website here and follow her on Twitter here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 192 with Nick Bradley author of Four Seasons in Japan, following on from his successful debut, The Cat and The City. We talk about the book-within-a-book genre, hardwork vs talent and how you can harness the power of failure.
Nick was born in Germany in 1982 and grew up in Bath. After graduating with a master’s degree in English literature, he moved to Japan, where he lived and worked before returning to the UK to complete a Creative Writing MA.
He has worked in a variety of jobs, including: Japanese teacher, English teacher, video game translator, travel writer, and photographer. He speaks Japanese fluently, and holds a PhD focussing on the figure of the cat in Japanese literature.
The Cat and The Citywas his first novel and his second, Four Seasons in Japan is released everywhere on June 22nd.
Find all Nick's links on his website here.
Check out me singing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here and then have a look around my own website – www.waynekellywrites.com
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 191 with RV Raman, author of the excellent Harith Athreya cosy murder mystery series, as well as a number of corporate thriller books. We discuss plotting, giving your reader something to do and Venkat’s path to publication.
RV Raman had a corporate career spanning three decades and four continents before deciding to write books. He now lectures on management, mentors young entrepreneurs, serves as an independent director on company boards, and writes. Praying Mantis is the third novel in the Harith Athreya series and is available everywhere right now.
Find all RV's links at his website here
Check out me singing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here and then have a look around my own website – www.waynekellywrites.com
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 190 with Katherine Faulkner, investigative journalist-turned-author talking about her new psychological thriller, The Other Mothers. We talking about trusting your process, holding on to the joy and how Katherine went undercover to help bring down scammers. It’s a great chat.
Katherine Faulkner is a novelist and journalist. After studying History at the University of Cambridge, she completed a postgraduate diploma in journalism, and spent a decade working for national newspapers. She has worked as an investigative reporter, and won the Cudlipp Award for public interest journalism for her undercover work. Her debut novel, Greenwich Park, was an international bestseller and her latest is The Other Mothers which is out everywhere from the 8th of June.
Follow Katherine on Twitter here.
Check out me singing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here and then have a look around my own website – www.waynekellywrites.com
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 189 with Katie Bishop talking about her new book The Girls of Summer. It’s a great chat that covers everything from unreliable narrators to Katie’s writing process and her difficult journey to publication.
Katie is a writer and journalist based in Birmingham, UK. She has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, Vogue, The Independent, and other publications. The Girls of Summer is her first novel and is out everywhere on May 25th
Find all of Katie’s links and info on her website here.
Check out me singing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here and then have a look around my own website – www.waynekellywrites.com
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 188 with Natasha Calder, author of the haunting and dystopian Whether Violent or Natural. We chat about her … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 187 with Scott Reintgen, author of New York Times best seller A Door In The Dark and loads … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 186 with Senta Rich, screenwriter and now novelist with her debut, Hotel 21. I really enjoyed chatting to … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. it’s episode 185 with Claire McGlasson author of new novel, The Misadventures of Margaret Finch. We talk about creativity, using … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 184 with Shelley Read talking about her epic debut novel ‘Go As A River’, why patience as a … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 183 with Margot Douaihy, author of brilliant new hard boiled nun-noir debut ‘Scorched Grace’. We had such a … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 182 with returning guest, Lauren North aka LC North talking about her addictively original new thriller, The Ugly … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 180 with Helen Trevorrow writer of Crime and Speculative Fiction chatting to me about her work and giving … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 180 with Rom-Com writer, Julia Boggio dropping in to talk about her new series of books, how she … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 179 with Norwegian writer, Camilla Bruce talking her new book The Witch in the Well and telling us … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 178 with prolific best-selling crime writer, Leigh Russell, with lots to say about her writing process, practical tips … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 177, a very short catch-up episode before the guests start coming thick and fast over the next few … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 176 with Emily Houghton author of new romcom book, ‘Last Time We Met’ talking about genre fiction, the … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 175 with Joey Hartstone, successful screenwriter turned debut novelist with his legal thriller, The Local. Joey and I … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 174 with Victoria Goldman, debut author of new thrilling murder mystery, The Redeemer. Victoria talks about her long … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 173 with Bea Setton author of the darkly funny debut ‘Berlin’. It’s a wide ranging chat about choosing … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 172 with Jack Lutz debut author of new dystopian suspense thriller – London In Black. It’s a lovely … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 171 and a chat with Sean Lusk author of historical mystery debut The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley. … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 170 with Eamon Somers, debut author of Dolly Considine’s Hotel a new book set in Ireland during the 1980’s and 1950’s. Eamon has lots to say about his approach to writing, his path to publication and getting to grips with self promotion and social media when you think of yourself as shy and retiring.
Eamon began his lifelong interest in learning about storytelling with classes at the People’s College in 1970s Dublin, before going on to study at London’s Goldsmiths and later Birkbeck College. His short stories have been published in literary magazines including Tees Valley Writer, Automatic Pilot, and Chroma. His debut novel, Dolly Considine’s Hotel is out right now and available everywhere you can buy books.
Don’t forget – Joined Up is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 169 with Paddy Crewe author of gripping new debut novel, ‘My Name Is Yip’. I chat to Paddy … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 168 and a lovely chat with the brilliant Bonnie Garmus. Bonnie’s debut Lessons in Chemistry is a funny, … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 168 and a lovely chat with the brilliant Bonnie Garmus. Bonnie’s debut Lessons in Chemistry is a funny, original, thought-provoking book and has already made big waves with loads of great reviews and an upcoming Apple TV series starring Brie Larson. Aside from all that, Bonnie is just a great guest who has lots to say about her unique writing journey and inspiration for the rest of us.
Bonnie Garmus is a copywriter and creative director who has worked widely in the fields of technology, medicine, and education. She’s an open-water swimmer, a rower, and mother to two pretty amazing daughters. Born in California and most recently from Seattle, she currently lives in London with her husband and her dog, 99. Lessons in Chemistry is her debut that already looks set to be a smash and it’s out right now, everywhere you can buy books.
Find out more about Bonnie at her website here or follow her on Twitter @BonnieGarmus
Don’t forget – Joined Up is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 167 with actor/playwrights, Mari and Lowri Izzard two exciting new comedy writers I was lucky enough to meet … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 167 with actor/playwrights, Mari and Lowri Izzard two exciting new comedy writers I was lucky enough to meet at the recent Sky Comedy Rep event held at the Birmingham Rep theatre. We talked about the challenges of pursuing a career in the arts when coming from a working class background, their advice if you’re thinking of trying to write for the stage, dealing with an invisible disability and how character should drive your plot.
Mari & Lowri Izzard are identical twins hailing from working class roots in Bridgend, South Wales. Whilst filming together on Film4 and BFI comedy feature, Brian & Charles, Mari & Lowri realised they actually really enjoyed working together! They were selected to write a one act play for a scheme run by Sky Comedy and The Birmingham Rep – and created a brilliant piece called ‘Spoffin’ which I was lucky enough to see and that we talk about in this conversation.
Follow Mari on Twitter here and Lowri on Instagram here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 166 with psychological thriller writer, SJ Watson talking about his earliest writing experiences, how important your voice is … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 166 with psychological thriller writer, SJ Watson talking about his earliest writing experiences, how important your voice is to your work and looking back on his amazing debut breakthrough with the international best-seller, Before I Go To Sleep. He also tells us about his latest project The Writing Lodge, aiming to build a place for writers to learn and connect.
S J WATSON’s first novel, Before I Go To Sleep, became a phenomenal international success and has now sold over 6,000,000 copies worldwide. It won the Crime Writers’ Association Award for Best Debut Novel and the Galaxy National Book Award for Crime Thriller of the Year and has been translated into more than 40 languages. It was also adapted into a successful film starring Nicole Kidman. Since then he’s written 2 other hugely successful books – Second Life and his most recent book Final Cut, which is now out in paperback.
Find out more about his new project The Writer's Lodge here. Check out his website and follow him on Twitter.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 165 with Karen Heenan, an historical fiction author who is making the move from traditional to indie publishing … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 165 with Karen Heenan, an historical fiction author who is making the move from traditional to indie publishing with her latest book. She’s got lots to say on that as well as what she’s learned over the course of three published books.
Karen was born and raised in Philadelphia. She fell in love with books and stories before she learned to read, and has wanted to write for almost as long. After far too many years in a cubicle, she set herself free to follow her dreams – which include gardening, sewing, traveling and, of course, lots of writing. She lives in Lansdowne, not far from Philadelphia, with four cats and a very patient husband. Her first two books were Songbird and A Wider World and her latest, Lady, In Waiting is out right now.
Follow Karen on Twitter @Karen_Heenan and check out her website here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 164 with Mitch Johnson, best-selling writer of middle grade fiction books that combine big social and environmental themes … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 164 with Mitch Johnson, best-selling writer of middle grade fiction books that combine big social and environmental themes with fast-paced page turning adventure. We chatted about Mitch’s path to publication, some of his favourite childhood books and why he’s moved from being a pantser to a planner.
After graduating from the University of East Anglia with an award-winning degree in English Literature with Creative Writing, Mitch completed Kick, his debut novel for middle grade readers. Endorsed by Amnesty International UK for its portrayal of children's rights, Kick also received the 2018 Branford Boase Award.
In between writing, Mitch works as a Waterstones bookseller in Norwich where he lives with his wife and children. His latest novel, Spark is out right now, everywhere you can find good books.
Follow Mitch on Twitter here and check out his website.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 163 with Sarah Bonner, debut author of the seriously twisty psychological thriller ‘Her Perfect Twin’. Sarah has loads … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 163 with Sarah Bonner, debut author of the seriously twisty psychological thriller ‘Her Perfect Twin’. Sarah has loads to say about her unique path to publication, how her organizational skills have helped her with both the business and creative side of writing and how she uses ‘The Five Whys’ to drill down into her characters and write such amazing plots.
As a teenager, Sarah dreamt of a career as a writer and performer. So, instead, she became an accountant! After a fifteen year career, she finally decided to answer her original calling and began her first novel and now we arrive at her debut, the brilliant psychological thriller ‘Her Perfect Twin’. That book is out right now, everywhere you can find good books.
Follow Sarah on Twitter here and find all her other links here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 162 with Harriet Kline, author of the excellent debut novel ‘This Shining Life’. I’ve read This Shining Life … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 162 with Harriet Kline, author of the excellent debut novel ‘This Shining Life’. I’ve read This Shining Life and it really is a brilliant book that I highly recommend. We talk about her path to publication, how Harriet’s job as a registrar influenced some of the themes of her book and why momentum is everything when you are writing a novel.
Harriet Kline works part time registering births, deaths and marriages and writes for the rest of the week. Her story Ghost won the Hissac Short Story Competition and Chest of Drawers won The London Magazine Short Story Competition. Other short stories have been published online with Litro, For Books’ Sake, and on BBC Radio 4. She lives in Bristol with her partner and two teenage sons and her debut novel ‘This Shining Life’is out right now.
Follow Harriet on Twitter here and check out her website here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 161 with psychological thriller writer, Emma Curtis returning to talk about her latest book, ‘Invite Me In’ as well as giving us the low down on how she plots her books and generates ideas in the first place plus she gives us a reality check on how pitching and writing books tends to work once you’re signed to an agent or publisher.
Emma was born in Brighton and now lives in London with her husband. After raising two children and working various jobs, her fascination with the darker side of domestic life inspired her to write her acclaimed psychological suspense thrillers One Little Mistake, When I Find You, The Night You Left, Keep Her Quiet and her latest book, Invite Me In, which is out right now.
Follow Emma on Twitter @EmmaCurtisBooks
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 160 with Paul Howarth talking about his latest book, Dust Off The Bones, an historical thriller set in Australia. We chat about writing that difficult second book, getting the work done and why you need to make the reader turn the page. Paul’s a great guest and it’s a fascinating conversation.
Paul Howarth is a British-Australian author and former lawyer who holds an MA in creative writing from University of East Anglia, where he was awarded the Malcolm Bradbury Scholarship. In 2018 his debut novel, Only Killers and Thieves, was published to international acclaim, winning the Barnes & Noble Discover Award for best fiction, and his latest book, Dust Off The Bones is out right now.
Check out Paul's website here and follow him on Twitter here.
Check out me singing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here. or, even better, give us a follow on Bandcamp.com.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 159 with Melissa Sercia, author of multiple Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance novels and here to talk about her latest, After I Run, as well as chatting about her experiences as a hybrid author, with a foot in both the traditional and indie publishing worlds. We also chat about why some people struggle when writing sex scenes and how it felt when she landed a 3 book deal with her debut novel. It’s a really fun conversation.
Melissa Sercia is an award winning Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance author with a passion for philosophy, mythology, and all things supernatural.
She is the author of the Blood and Darkness and the Immortal Billionaires series, including her latest book, After I Run, which is out right now.
Find all Melissa's social's on her website here and checkout the podcast she co-hosts - Spoiler Country.
Check out me singing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here. or, even better, give us a follow on Bandcamp.com.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 158 with just little old me, this week. An extra bonus episode as I’ve had some rescheduling issues with interview recordings and I thought I’d chat a little bit about critique groups – what they are, how to join or start one, what the benefits are and some suggestions as to how you might run a critique session yourself. It’s been a complete game changer for me over the years and, as I’ve just joined another great group I thought it would be a good time to talk about it.
To hear more about my writing journey check out Episode 137 and to hear more from my writing mentor, Bead Roberts have a listen to this episode from the archives.
Check out me signing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here. or, even better, give us a follow on Bandcamp.com.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 157 with AD Barker, author of dark novels and stories, including his latest ghostly book – Society Place. We chatted about he overcame his struggles with literacy and education, how he finds the discipline and time to write and loads more about his process and journey to publication.
Andrew David Barker is an author and filmmaker. Born in Derby, has had pretty much every job going, from window fitter, rail track worker, to carpet salesman and beyond.
As a filmmaker he wrote and directed A Reckoning and the award-winning short films, Two Old Boys and Shining Tor. He is the author of The Electric, Dead Leaves, Winter Freits, The Winterman, and now his latest novel, Society Place, which is out right now.
Follow AD Barker on Twitter here.
Check out me signing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here. or, even better, give us a follow on Bandcamp.com.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 156 with contemporary women’s fiction writer, Fiona Collins. It’s an inspirational interview with a writer that prides herself on enjoying the process and having fun. She never forgets why she started writing in the first place and after 6 books, she’s clearly still having a great time.
Fiona grew up in an Essex village & after stints in Hong Kong and London returned to the Essex countryside where she lives with her husband & three children. She has a degree in Film & Literature & has had many former careers including TV presenting in Hong Kong, traffic & weather presenter for BBC local radio & film/TV extra. She writes contemporary women's fiction and her latest book ‘Summer in the City’ is out right now.
Check out Fiona's website here and follow on Twitter here.
Check out me signing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here. or, even better, give us a follow on Bandcamp.com.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 155 with Dan Howarth talking about his new short story collection, Dark Missives, as well as his novel writing, dealing with rejection and why you should write to be remembered.
Dan is a writer from the North of England. His words have featured in numerous publications both online and in print. Most notably, a number of his stories have featured at The Other Stories podcast where they have been downloaded over 100,000 times. He’s also co-edited three themed anthologies with James Everington and his excellent first short story collection, Dark Missives is out right now.
Check out Dan's website here and follow him on Twitter here.
Check out me signing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 154 with Helen Paris author of new novel ‘Lost Property’. Helen’s got a really interesting back story of her own and loads of inspirational words on the creative process.
Helen worked in the performing arts for two decades, touring internationally with her London-based theatre company, Curious. After several years living in San Francisco and working as a theatre professor at Stanford University, she returned to the UK to focus on writing fiction. As part of her research for a performance called 'Lost & Found', Paris shadowed employees in the Baker Street Lost Property office for a week, an experience that sparked her imagination and inspired her new novel ‘Lost Property’ which is out everywhere you can find good books.
Follow Helen on Twitter here
Check out me signing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 153 with New York Times best-selling author, Maggie Shipstead. Maggie talks about writing her epic third novel – … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 153 with New York Times best-selling author, Maggie Shipstead. Maggie talks about writing her epic third novel – Great Circle, as well as telling me about her journey into writing and why you need to leave your ego at the door.
MAGGIE is the New York Times best-selling author of the novels Astonish Me and Seating Arrangements, which won the Dylan Thomas Prize and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for First Fiction. She is a graduate of Harvard and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, a former Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford, and the recipient of a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Her new book, Great Circle is out right now everywhere you can find good books.
Check out Maggie's website here and follow her on Instagram.
Check out me signing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 152 with Becky Robison, a novelist and published short story writer who I invited on to the show after reading an excellent twitter thread she wrote about the realities of rejection and the hardships we face trying to sell our novels to publishers. It’s a fun and insightful chat.
Becky is a karaoke enthusiast, trivia nerd, and fiction writer from Chicago. Her stories have appeared in [PANK], Paper Darts, Midwestern Gothic, and elsewhere. When she's not working her corporate job or walking her dog, she serves as Social Media and Marketing Coordinator for Split Lip Magazine. She is represented by Zoe Sandler at ICM.
Becky’s work ranges from horror-tinged flash fiction to coming-of-age YA novels that meditate on the beliefs we think we hold versus the ones that really drive us.
Take a look at Becky's website here and follow her on Twitter here.
Check out me signing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 151with debut novelist Ericka Waller here to talk about her book Dog Days, overcoming adversity and rejection and also the merits of paying for a professional edit. Ericka is engaging and inspiring and I know you’ll enjoy the chat.
Ericka lives in Brighton with three daughters, too many pets and a husband. She’s an award winning blogger and columnist. When not writing she can be found walking her dogs, reading in the bath or buying stuff off eBay. Dog Days is her first book and is out this month everywhere you can find good books.
Follow Ericka on Twitter here.
Check out me signing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 150 with non-fiction author, Greg Milner who wrote the excellent ‘Perfecting Sound Forever’ and ‘Pinpoint’. He’s also got experience in journalism and writing for magazines, so aside from all the music stuff we had plenty of writing related stuff to chat about. One of the things Greg talks about is the fact that when it comes to Writing, and I guess a lot of other things in life, Nobody Knows What They’re Doing and it’s definitely something I can relate to of late.
Greg is a copywriter and editor with over two decades of experience, with a recent focus on geospatial issues. My latest book, Pinpoint: How GPS Is Changing Technology, Culture, and Our Minds, was named a best book of 2016 by Wired, The Financial Times, The Sunday Times, and strategy+business. I only recently finished his first book ‘Perfecting Sound Forever – an aural history of recorded music’ and I loved it. That book was a finalist in the National Book Critics Circle Awards. Both of his books are out right now everywhere you can find good books.
Check out Greg's website here and follow him on Twitter here.
Check out me signing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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Episode 149 with debut novelist, Clare Beams, talking about her book ‘The Illness Lesson’, her research process, how she learned her craft with short stories and how writing is all about taking risks. It’s a great chat, I know you’ll enjoy.
Clare’s new novel, The Illness Lesson, originally published in February of 2020 by Doubleday, was named a New York Times Editors’ Choice, a best book of 2020 by Esquire and Bustle, and a best book of February by Time, O Magazine, and Entertainment Weekly; Before that, her short story collection, We Show What We Have Learned, was published by Lookout Books and won the Bard Fiction Prize. She has also taught creative writing at Carnegie Mellon University and St. Vincent College. ‘The Illness Lesson’ is out right now everywhere you can find good books.
Follow Clare on Twitter here and check out her website.
Check out me signing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 148 which brings an interview with Emily Houghton talking about her debut novel – or Neville as I called it during our chat – called Before I Saw You, which is a really original take on the traditional Rom-Com genre. We also talk about just getting on with it, shaking off the self-doubt and getting your work out there.
Emily is an ex digital specialist and now full time creative writer. Alongside writing, Emily is passionate about mental health and wellbeing, is a trained yoga and spin teacher and loves nothing more than supporting and motivating others to reach their goals. Her debut novel ‘Before I Saw You’ is out right now everywhere you can find good books.
Check out Emily's website here or follow on Instagram here and Twitter here.
Check out me signing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 147 with Holly McCulloch talking about her debut novel ‘Just Friends’ and how if you keep chipping away at what might sometimes seem like the monumental task of writing a book, you’ll get there in the end. We also chat about first person perspective and how an offhand comment from an insensitive person can kick off a whole novel idea.
Brought up in places as diverse as Japan and Geneva, Holly now lives in Oxfordshire and when she’s not writing she bakes beautiful (and delicious) cakes for a living. What started as an anecdote and grew into something much more, Just Friends is her debut novel and is out right now in e-book and is about to be released in paperback on February 4th and will be available everywhere you can find good books.
Follow Holly on Twitter here
Check out me signing with band The Wry Dogs on Spotify here and everywhere else here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
Let’s Get Joined-Up!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 145 with Jeff Noon – a writer with experience across multiple genres including Science Fiction, Fantasy, and more recently crime with his latest book House With No Doors. Jeff has some inspirational stuff to say about dealing with adversity, writing from the inside and his mysterious two laws.
JEFF trained in the visual arts and drama and was active on the post-punk music scene before becoming a playwright, and then a novelist. More recently moving to Crime with, Slow Motion Ghosts and hislatest, House with No Doors, his other novels include Vurt, Pollen, Automated Alice, Nymphomation, Needle in the Groove, Falling Out of Cars, A Man of Shadows, The Body Library and loads more. He’s also published two collections of short fiction, Pixel Juice and Cobralingus. He lives in Brighton and House of Doors is out right now everywhere you can find great books.
Follow Jeff on Twitter @JeffNoon
Check out my band, The Wry Dogs’ music here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. It’s episode 144 with Canadian novelist Sarah Leipciger talking about her latest book ‘Coming Up For Air’. Now living in … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 144 with Canadian novelist Sarah Leipciger talking about her latest book ‘Coming Up For Air’. Now living in London, Sarah has got so much to say about the therapeutic power of writing, her process, what she learned from her short story success and why – like so many of us – she’s obsessed with stationery.
Born and raised in Canada, Sarah lives in London with her three children, and teaches creative writing to prisoners. Her short fiction has been shortlisted for the Asham Award, the Fish Prize and the Bridport Prize. Her first novel, the critically acclaimed THE MOUNTAIN CAN WAIT, was published in 2015 and her latest book, COMING UP FOR AIR was released last year and has just come out in paperback as well as being available everywhere you can great books.
Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahLeipciger
Check out my band, The Wry Dogs' music here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 143 with Gail Aldwin, talking about her children’s picture book Pandemonium, but also her new novel which comes out next year, as well as telling me about her long journey to publication and why she likes to write short stories alongside a novel.
I give a brief catch-up and mention the imminent release of my new album for The Wry Dogs. You can follow the band on Twitter @thewrydogs and check out the Facebook page here.
Based in Dorset, Gail writes fiction and poetry. Her short fiction collection Paisley Shirt, was longlisted in the best short story category of the Saboteur Awards 2018. Her debut novel The String Games, was published by Victorina Press and was voted a finalist in The People’s Book Prize 2020 as well as being shortlisted in the Dorchester Literary Festival writing prize 2020. For her latest project, Gail has turned her attention to writing for children, with her new picture book, Pandemonium out just in time for Christmas.
Take a look at Gail's website here and follow her on Twitter here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
Let’s Get Joined-Up!
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 141 with award winning author, Cath Barton who talks about her new novella In The Sweep Of The Bay and why it’s never too late to start writing and to continue to learn the craft.
Cath lives in Abergavenny, Wales. She won the New Welsh Writing AmeriCymru Prize for the Novella in 2017 for her book, The Plankton Collector, which was published in September 2018 by New Welsh Review under their Rarebyte imprint. Her second novella In the Sweep of the Bay is released on November 23rd, published by the excellent Louise Walters Books.
Check out Cath's Website here and follow her on Twitter.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 140 with Jo Thomas, food-inspired romance novelist here to talk to me about her journey from radio producer to mother to prolific author and why she’s so passionate about writing.
Jo worked for many years as a reporter and producer, BBC Radio 5, Radio 4 and Radio 2. In 2013 she won the RNA Katie Fforde Bursary and her debut novel, The Oyster Catcher, was a bestseller in ebook and was awarded the 2014 RNA Joan Hessayon Award and the 2014 Festival of Romance Best Ebook Award. Her latest book, Finding Love At The Christmas Market is out right now.
Follow Jo on Twitter @Jo_Thomas01 and check out her website here.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 139 with Leona Deakin, psychologist, writer and creator of the excellent Dr Bloom series of psychological thrillers. Leona is a fascinating guest and is yet another example of the power of perseverance, as you will hear from her inspiring path to publication story.
Leona started her career as a psychologist with the West Yorkshire Police and is now an occupational psychologist, a profession that has given her lots of inspiration for Dr Bloom, the central character of her series of Psychological Thrillers – the latest of which ‘Lost’ – is out right now in paperback and digital formats.
You can follow Leona on Twitter @LeonaDeakin1
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 138 with Louise Walters, writer and creator of the small but fiercely independent Louise Walters Books. Louise recently let rip with an honest and heartfelt blog post about the realities and struggles faced by small indie publishers. I’ll be diving into that and also asking Louise about her own books and road to publication.
Louise is a working class writer, editor and publisher. Her first novel ‘Mrs Sinclair’s Suitcase’ was published by Hodder in 2014. In 2017, Louise founded Louise Walters Books and has independently published several great books from new authors, as well as putting out two more of her own, the latest being The Road To California. You can find that and loads of other good fiction over at louisewaltersbooks.co.uk
Follow Louise on Twitter @LouiseWalters12
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. https://chtbl.com/track/73G45B/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp137.mp3 It’s episode 137 with . . . well, ME! This week’s guest interview has had to be re-arranged due … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 137 with . . . well, ME! This week’s guest interview has had to be re-arranged due to illness, but as it’s been a few weeks since my last interview, I thought I would put out a short solo episode. I realized that in the whole time I’ve been doing this show, I don’t think I’ve ever talked in detail about my entire writing journey – how I got into words, what I started out wanting to achieve, where I have actually ended up and the strange path I took to get here.
I know there are loads of you out there who must be on a similar journey to me and it’s with that in mind, that I thought some of you (at least) might be interested to hear my story. And hopefully, you’ll be inspired to share your own stories with me, or at the very least realise that we’ve all been through similar experiences in this strange and difficult land called Writing.
Here are a few of the things I mention along the way . . .
A short monologue I wrote called "I'm Not Going To Think About Edie"
The lockdown drama I wrote and produced earlier this year - Life Support.
If you want to check out some of my scripts, take a look at my page on Script Revolution.
And if you sign up to my free mailing list at Wayne Kelly Writes, you can read a couple of my short stories too.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 136 with writer of psychological thriller 'KEEP HER QUIET', Emma Curtis. It’s an inspiring chat and another great example of why successful writers need perseverance and stamina, along with lots of talent if they want to carve out a career as a novelist. Emma has lots of insight and tips to share on her process and her path to publication.
Emma was born in Brighton and now lives in London with her husband. After raising two children and working various jobs, her fascination with the darker side of domestic life inspired her to write her acclaimed psychological suspense thrillers One Little Mistake, When I Find You, The Night You Left and her latest book, Keep Her Quiet, which is out right now.
Follow Emma on Twitter @EmmaCurtisBooks
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 135 with Lauren North, author of new psychological thriller ‘One Step Behind’. I had a great chat with Lauren about her path to publication, her drive to write and about dealing with the inevitable knock-backs that come as part of the creative process.
Lauren writes psychological suspense novels that delve into the darker side of relationships and families. She studied psychology before moving to London where she lived and worked for many years. She’s now settled with her family in the Suffolk countryside where her dark imagination never stops wondering what’s the worst thing that could happen in every situation. Her latest book, One Step Behind is out right now.
Follow Lauren on Twitter @Lauren_C_North
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting me, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 134 with Lizzie Enfield, journalist, novelist and writer of the excellent new non-fiction title – ‘Finish Your Book: how to complete your half-written novel.’ Lizzie has tons of great advice for anyone currently battling their way through an unfinished draft, and her own writing journey includes dinosaurs, burglary, and envelopes containing hair and teeth. It will all make sense – I promise.
Lizzie is a journalist and regular contributor to national newspapers, magazines and radio. She’s written four novels and had short stories broadcast on Radio Four and published in various magazines and anthologies. She also teaches creative writing and journalism and her new non-fiction book ‘Finish Your Book: how to complete your half-written novel’ is out right now, everywhere you can get good books.
Here's Lizzie's website and you can find her on Twitter @LizzieEnfield
Listened to last week's show yet? Christopher Fowler was chatting about his new novel 'Oranges and Lemons'.
Don’t forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 133 with Christopher Fowler, author of the long-running Bryant and May Mystery series as well as loads of other books across multiple genres. Chris has decades of experience and lots to say about the Bryant and May universe he’s created and the real life origins of the Peculiar Crimes Unit as well as giving an insight into his process and career. It’s a fun and inspiring chat.
Christopher Fowler is the award-winning author of many novels and short story collections, and the Bryant & May mystery novels, which record the adventures of two Golden Age detectives investigating impossible London crimes. He’s a five-time British Fantasy Award-winner. His first thriller was the bestseller ‘Roofworld’ and subsequent novels have included ‘Spanky’, ‘Disturbia’, ‘Psychoville’ and ‘Calabash’. In fact, he’s written more than thirty nooks and his latest Bryant and May novel – Oranges and Lemons is out right now, everywhere you can get good books.
Here's website is here and you can follow him on Twitter @Peculiar
Don't forget – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 132 with debut novelist, Susannah Dickey. We talk everything from short stories and poetry to second person pov and Riders On The Storm – it’ll all make sense when you listen to the conversation, honest.
Susannah grew up in Derry and now lives in Belfast. She’s the author of two poetry pamphlets, I had some very slight concerns (2017) and genuine human values (2018). Her poetry’s been published in loads of places including Ambit, The White Review, Poetry Ireland Review and Magma. In 2018 she was shortlisted for The White Review short story prize, and in 2017 she was the winner of the inaugural Verve Poetry Festival competition. Her debut novel, Tennis Lessons is out right now.
Follow Susannah on Twitter here and Instagram here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 131 with Matt Wallace, joining us as part of his Savage Rebellion virtual tour. He’s written everything from Sci-Fi to Fantasy, Middle Grade Fiction to screenplays and even scripted video games so it was a fun and interesting chat.
Matt is the Hugo–winning author of Rencor: Life in Grudge City, the Sin du Jour series, and Savage Legion. He’s also penned over one hundred short stories in addition to writing for film and television. In his youth he traveled the world as a professional wrestler, unarmed combat, and self-defense instructor before retiring to write full-time. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Nikki and Savage Legion is out right now everywhere you can get good books.
Follow Matt on Twitter @MattFnWallace or check out his website here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 130 with Luce Brett talking about her stigma-smashing memoir PMSL. Luce has loads to say about tackling tricky taboos, navigating the memoir minefield and why now might just be the perfect time to pitch your book.
After many years writing and producing content in her role as Head of Education at the British Board of Film Classification, Luce is now a writer and health advocate who lives in the UK. She started writing about women's health, bodies and taboo after the birth of her second baby. She also had the misfortune to witness my car-crash of an education during our teenage years at college. Her funny, frank memoir, PMSL or How I Literally Pissed Myself Laughing and Survived To Tell The Tale is her non-fiction debut and is out right now everywhere you can find good books.
Follow Luce on Twitter here and read her brilliant blog That Woman here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 129 with Mac Rogers, playwright and script writer of audio dramas. Mac has lots of entertaining and informative stuff to say about his process and career and we enjoyed a good therapy session on our perennial favourite topic – Self Doubt.
Mac is an award winning playwright based in New York. Often working in the Science Fiction genre, with plays like Universal Robots and his epic Honeycomb Trilogy, he’s won acclaim from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time Out and Gawker. After writing the successful podcasts, The Message and Life After, Mac set up his own company Gideon Media to produce high quality audio drama content including the fantastic podcast Steal The Stars, which I highly recommend.
Follow Mac on Twitter here, check out his company Gideon Media and buy his plays over at Samuel French.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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WATCH MY NEW SHORT FILM FREE ON YOUTUBE HERE
It’s episode 128 with Jackie Kabler returning to talk about her latest best-selling psychological thriller, The Perfect Couple. She has some inspirational words around why she writes and also gives an insight into the more positive aspects of book promotion during a global pandemic.
Jackie has had a long and illustrious career in broadcasting and journalism – including a nine year stint on GMTV. She’s worked freelance and for the BBC and Sky and she currently works as a presenter on QVC in the UK. She’s the creator of successful a cosy crime series but now she’s signed with Harper Collins and writes dark psychological thrillers, with her debut Am I Guilty last year and now the newly released The Perfect Couple which is currently riding high in the Amazon charts.
Jackie's Instagram Book Club is @OfficialJackieKabler and follow her on Twitter @JackieKabler
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 127 with Maram Taibah. Maram writes fantasy and has lots to say about world-building and trusting your instincts as a writer.
Maram is a fantasy writer, born in Montreal, Canada. She was raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and liked to escape into books from a very early age and from there into the craft of storytelling. In addition to writing fiction, Maram is also a screenwriter and filmmaker. In 2014 she made her first short film Munkeer and in 2016, Don’t Go Too Far, both of which were screened at the Cannes Short Film Corner. She currently lives in Kingston, Ontario and her novel Weathernose is out right now.
Check out Maram's website here and follow her on Twitter @MaramTaibah.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp126.mp3 It’s episode 126 with Laura Zigman author of new tragi-comic novel ‘Separation Anxiety’. Laura is funny, warm and insightful … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 126 with Laura Zigman author of new tragi-comic novel ‘Separation Anxiety’. Laura is funny, warm and insightful with a career that’s included a hit debut novel, a Hugh Jackman film, personal tragedy and ghost writing before she made an inspiring return to her own work. It was really fun to chat to Laura and it was a perfect tonic for these strange and uncertain times.
Laura is the author of Animal Husbandry (which was made into the film Someone Like You, starring Hugh Jackman), Dating Big Bird, Her, and Piece of Work. She’s been a contributor to the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Huffington Post; a ghost writer and she’s produced a popular online series of animated videos called Annoying Conversations which we mention during our chat;. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and her latest book, Separation Anxiety is out right now.
Her website is here and you can follow her on Twitter @LauraZigman
Here's my latest music collaboration with George, as mentioned at the top of the show.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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Episode 125 brings us American novelist, Jessica Anthony talking about her fast-paced biting satire book – Enter The Aardvark. Jessica has had a fascinating life and career and gives real insight into her approach and writing process.
Jessica has been a butcher in Alaska, an unlicensed masseuse in Poland, and a secretary in San Francisco. Her first book was The Convalescent and she also collaborated on graphic novel, Chopsticks. In 2017, while writing her new book Enter the Aardvark, Jessica worked as "Bridge Guard," guarding the Maria Valeria Bridge in a remote part of Slovakia. Normally, she lives in Maine and teaches at Bates College. Enter The Aardvark is out right now, everywhere you can find good books.
Follow Jessica on Instagram @EnterTheAardvark
I also mentioned my latest Lockdown Live music track 'Needle On The Black' which you can find on YouTube here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 124 with comedy writer, actor and impressionist, Julian Dutton. Julian has written for TV, Radio and the stage as well as penning a few non-fiction books, so he’s got a wealth of experience and it was a fun interview.
Julian is an English comedy writer and performer, working for television, radio and stage whose work has won a British Comedy Award, a BAFTA, and a Radio Academy Gold Award for Best Comedy. He’s written loads of TV shows, hundreds of hours of radio – including creating and co-creating many projects - and touring several one man shows, including his latest, based on classic British sitcom Last Of The Summer Wine. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s also written a number of non-fiction books including Keeping Quiet: Visual Comedy in The Age Of Sound.
Check out Julian's website and follow him on Twitter here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 123 with Kate Harrison. Kate has tons of experience, having written loads of books across multiple genres and within fiction and non-fiction. During the interview, I also asked Kate to critique my own query letter and let’s just say she gives me plenty of constructive feedback and lots of ways to improve. Hopefully, you can learn something from my mistakes. I've posted the query letter here – so you can take a look at what Kate had to work with.
Kate is the author of 20 fiction and non-fiction books, including The 5:2 Diet Book, The Secret Shopper's Revenge, and the Soul Beach trilogy for teenagers. She also writes thrillers as Kate Helm and books for writers – with her latest being Pitch Power - Discover what makes your book irresistible and how to sell it, which is out right now.
Take a look at Kate's website here and follow her on Twitter @KateWritesBooks You can also watch an interesting little film I made about Kate a few years ago - Life Of A Writer - on Youtube.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 122 with Steve Cavanagh, author of the superbly twisty Eddie Flynn series of books – like Thirteen, Twisted and his latest novel Fifty-Fifty. Steve is funny, inspiring and insightful and we talked about his writing process, favourite books and inspirations and why all lawyers have to be good con artists.
Steve is the bestselling author of the Eddie Flynn novels as well as some standalone thrillers. In 2018 The Liar won the Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger for crime novel of the year. In 2019 Thirteen won the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the year 2019. He’s a former lawyer, born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he still lives. He also co-hosts the excellent comedy lit podcast Two Crime Writers And A Microphone and depending on where you live, his latest book Fifty-Fifty, is either out or coming out very soon.
Follow Steve on Twitter @SSCav and take a look at his website here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 121 with Jonathan Digby, an actor, musician, screenwriter and author of the historical mystery novel – A Murderous Affair. He’s had a fascinating journey from acting to writing and back again and he’s learned a lot from working in different creative industries.
Jonathan is an actor, musician, screenwriter and novelist who lives in Camden, London. He wrote the award winning short film ‘9862’ and the historical mystery novel ‘A Murderous Affair’, which is out right now from everywhere you find good books. I chatted to Jonathan at his home in North London, at the end of February – before the dreaded Coronavirus hit these shores.
Check out the trailer for '9862' here, follow Jonathan on Twitter here and buy A Murderous Affair here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp120.mp3 It’s episode 120 with Rod Duncan. Rod is a multi-genre writer, from contemporary crime to fantasy and his amazing … Continue reading →
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp120.mp3
It’s episode 120 with Rod Duncan. Rod is a multi-genre writer, from contemporary crime to fantasy and his amazing steampunk alternate history series. Get ready to be inspired because Rod’s full of insight and knowledge and it was great to catch up with him again.
Rod writes alternate history, fantasy and contemporary crime. His novels have been shortlisted for the Philip K. Dick Award, the East Midlands Book Award and the CWA’s John Creasey Dagger. A dyslexic with a background in scientific research, he now lectures in creative writing at DeMontfort University. His new book ‘The Fugitive and The Vanishing Man’ is the 6th in his steampunk flavoured Gas-Lit Empire series of books and is out right now.
Follow Rod on Twitter @RodDuncan and find more info at his website here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 119 with Rosanna Amaka, telling us about her highly original debut novel The Book Of Echoes and her fascinating journey into writing and eventual publication. Rosanna has lots to say about perseverance and telling a story that's true to who you are.
ROSANNA was born to African and Caribbean parents and began writing THE BOOK OF ECHOES twenty years ago to give voice to the Brixton community in which she grew up. As a child she loved writing short stories, later progressing to novels, which as you’ll hear she spent many years crafting. Published by Doubleday, The Book OF Echoes is her first novel and is out right now on Kindle, with the paperback hitting shelves on Febuary 27th.
Take a look at Rosanna's website here and follow her on Twitter @RosannaAmaka
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp118.mp3 It’s episode 118 with screenwriter, CJ Walley talking about his amazing journey from lone UK based screenwriter, to a writer for hire flying out to Hollywood for a 6 week shoot of his film. We’ll be digging into what … Continue reading →
It’s episode 118 with screenwriter, CJ Walley talking about his amazing journey from lone UK based screenwriter, to a writer for hire flying out to Hollywood for a 6 week shoot of his film. We’ll be digging into what he’s learned from the experience as well as touching on his ‘Turn and Burn’ process for writing scripts. There’s something here for creatives and writers of all stripes.
Based in the UK, CJ is a prolific writer of scripts and the creator of the superb free online showcase, Script Revolution. Last year he spent 6 weeks on location in LA, for the filming of his feature film, ‘Break Even’ which premieres at the Berlin International Film Festival in February.
Check out his excellent website at CJWalley.com and take a look at Script Revolution here. You should also follow him on Twitter here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 117 with David Wappel, an award-winning screenwriter based in LA. I first came across David after reading his excellent Twitter thread giving tips on how how to avoid over-writing action lines in a screenplay. I’ll put a link to that in the show notes because his stuff about anchoring nouns, visual writing and how to consider scale in your description can be applied to any medium.
We touched on story, self-reflection, specificity when writing characters and even how you should consider measuring your success as a creative. So it’s a great conversation to fill your creative well as we hurtle towards the end of the year.
Follow David on Twitter @Davidwappel and take a look at his blog and website at davidwappel.com.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
Let’s Get Joined-Up and Merry Christmas!
http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp116.mp3 It’s episode 116 with Karen Heenan talking about her debut Historical Fiction novel, Songbird. Karen explains how she broke through via Twitter, tells us about her writing process and the joy of breaking free of her cubicle prison! Karen … Continue reading →
It’s episode 116 with Karen Heenan talking about her debut Historical Fiction novel, Songbird. Karen explains how she broke through via Twitter, tells us about her writing process and the joy of breaking free of her cubicle prison!
Karen was born and raised in Philadelphia. She fell in love with books and stories before she learned to read, and has wanted to write for almost as long. After far too many years in a cubicle, she set herself free to follow her dreams – which include gardening, sewing, traveling and, of course, lots of writing. She lives in Lansdowne, not far from Philadelphia, with four cats and a very patient husband. And her debut novel Songbird is out right now.
Follow Karen on Twitter @Karen_Heenan and check out her website here.
Here's the link to the trailer for my short film 'INKLING'.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 115 with Bill Beverly, author of the multi-award winning novel ‘Dodgers’. He talks about how he found his way to what became a highly successful novel by way of short stories and a failed screenplay attempt as well as giving an insight into his writing process.
Bill was born and grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He studied literature and writing at Oberlin College, including time in London studying theatre and the Industrial Revolution. His research on criminal fugitives and the stories surrounding them became the book On the Lam: Narratives of Flight in J. Edgar Hoover’s America. He now teaches American literature and writing at Trinity University in Washington D.C. and his multi-award winning debut novel, Dodgers is out right now.
You can follow Bill on Twitter @BillBeverly and find more info on his website here.
Here's the short documentary I mentioned in the intro - Life Lessons of an Artist, which is free to view on YouTube.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp114.mp3 It’s episode 114 with essayist Elena Passarello – a funny, insightful writer who has a really interesting personal story … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 114 with essayist Elena Passarello – a funny, insightful writer who has a really interesting personal story as well as loads to say about her writing process, inspiration and how she found herself being all Marlon Brando in New Orleans. I laughed a lot during our conversation and came away feeling inspired.
Elena Passarello is an actor, writer, and recipient of a 2015 Whiting Award. Her first collection Let Me Clear My Throat, won the gold medal for nonfiction at the 2013 Independent Publisher Awards and was a finalist for the 2014 Oregon Book Award. Her essays on performance, pop culture, and the natural world have been published in Oxford American, Slate, Creative Nonfiction, and The Iowa Review, and her latest book, Animals Strike Curious Poses, is out right now everywhere you can buy books.
I really enjoyed this chat that managed to cover everything from creative writing, to Charles Darwin’s tortoise, Elvis Presley and Doctor Who! Enjoy.
Check out Elena's website here and follow her on Twitter @ElenaVox
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 113 with KH Irvine joining me to talk about her debut, ‘A Killing Sin’. We got into all kinds of subjects, including pop culture, flawed characters, psychology and tackling controversial topics. It was a really interesting chat.
KH Irvine grew up in Scotland and now lives near London. Her work has taken her to board rooms, universities and governments all over the world and has included up close and personal access to special forces. A Killing Sin is her first book, published by Urbane, and out right now.
You can follow KH Irvine on Twitter @KHIrvineAuthor
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 112 with debut mystery thriller writer, Clare Empson. Clare’s journey to publication is fascinating and we talked about editing, rewrites, finding depth and dealing with rejection.
Clare worked as a staff writer on national newspapers covering everything from collapsing merchant banks to tea with the late Barbara Cartland, until eight years ago, when she moved to the West Country and founded the arts and lifestyle blog countrycalling.co.uk.
The idyllic setting inspired her first novel, HIM which reveals the darker side of paradise and is out right now from Amazon and everywhere you can buy books.
Take a look at Clare's website here and follow her on Twitter @ClareEmpson2
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp111.mp3 It’s episode 111 with British-born, now LA-based screenwriter, Trevor Miller. Trevor’s got loads of wisdom from some of the … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp110.mp3 It’s episode 110 with Steff Green, best-selling indie author of fantasy, paranormal, steampunk and lots of other genres besides. … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 111 with British-born, now LA-based screenwriter, Trevor Miller. Trevor’s got loads of wisdom from some of the basics of screenwriting to his thoughts on TV today and his advice for aspiring writers and creatives of all stripes.
Trevor is a writer/director, author and playwright whose writing the Sunday Times called "...sharp and lacerating like a broken bottle." His plays include Heart of Saturday Night and The Flesh Trader both of which debuted at The London New Play Festival. His first novel, Trip City, was published in 1989 and now Trevor lives in LA, having worked on screenplays and rewrites with a diverse roster of actors including Sylvester Stallone, Ryan O'Neal and Laurence Fishburne.
Check out Trevor's IMDB page here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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It’s episode 110 with Steff Green, best-selling indie author of fantasy, paranormal, steampunk and lots of other genres besides. Steff has a really interesting personal story and much to say on productivity and her writing process.
Steff Green is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author, blogger, metal-head and heavy metal maiden living in an off-grid home on 4 acres of rural paradise in New Zealand. She publishes dark fantasy and science fiction under the name S C Green, and paranormal romance as Steffanie Holmes.
Follow Steff on Twitter here and check out her books and website here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp108.mp3 It’s episode 108 with Paul Tudor Owen author of the excellent New York based novel – The Weighing Of … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 108 with Paul Tudor Owen author of the excellent New York based novel – The Weighing Of The Heart. Paul tells me about his long and bumpy road to publication and how his work as a journalist influences his writing.
Paul is a respected journalist, having worked for The Guardian for fifteen years, with three of those spent as their deputy head of US news in New York, time which greatly inspired and informed Paul’s debut novel – The Weighing Of The Heart. He also co-wrote and co-edited The Wire Re-Up, the popular book about David Simon’s classic HBO series. He grew up in Manchester and lives and works in London. The Weighing of The Heart is out right now, published by friends of the show, Obliterati Press and available everywhere you can find good books.
Follow Paul on Twitter here and check out his website here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
Let’s Get Joined-Up!
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON – iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp107.mp3 It’s episode 107 where I get another chance to talk to friend of the show, Niki Mackay. Niki came … Continue reading →
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and it’s episode 107 where I get another chance to talk to friend of the show, Niki Mackay. Niki came on last year to talk about what was then her debut novel and now she’s back with a follow up in her Madison Attalee crime series. We talk about all kinds of stuff from how Niki feels she’s developed as a writer between books one and two, the editing process and lots more besides.
Niki is a writer and a bookworm. She studied Performing Arts at the BRIT School before eventually doing a BA (Hons) in English Literature and Drama and later winning a full scholarship to do an MA in Journalism. Her debut novel ‘I, Witness’ – the first in a series featuring private Investigator Madison Attallee – was published in 2018 and 'The Lies We Tell' is available on Kindle now and in paperback on June 27th 2019.
You can follow Niki on Twitter @NikiMackayBooks or find great content on her website here or check out her Facebook page here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
Let’s Get Joined-Up!
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It’s episode 106 with Roz Morris – author, ghost writer and creator of the brilliant ‘Nail Your Novel’ series of books. Roz has tons of advice for writers, both new and experienced and her own writing history is really interesting too.
Roz is an experienced speaker, tutor and writing coach. She has taught creative writing masterclasses for The Guardian newspaper in London and speaks at a range of writing and publishing events. In addition to writing her own novels – My Memories Of A Future Life and Life Form Three – Roz was a very successful ghost writer for a number of years and went on to create the excellent ‘Nail Your Novel’ series of writing books.
Follow Roz on Twitter here, check out her Nail Your Novel website here and have a read of her blog.
I also recommended the brilliant 'Rule of Three' podcast - check that out here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
Let’s Get Joined-Up!
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON- iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp105.mp3 It’s episode 105 and today we’ve got returning guest Jackie Kabler – TV journalist, presenter and about to publish her … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 105 and today we’ve got returning guest Jackie Kabler – TV journalist, presenter and about to publish her second series of crime novels. She has lots to say about the submissions process, changing genre and how she manages to fit the writing around her very hectic day job.
Jackie has spent many years in broadcasting and journalism – including a nine year stint on GMTV, reporting on some of that decade’s biggest stories. She’s worked freelance and for the BBC, Sky, as a newspaper reporter, media trainer and she currently works as a presenter on QVC in the UK. Her her first cosy crime series began with The Dead Dog Day but now she's moved to darker territory with her psychological thriller Am I Guilty out now with Harper Collins.
Follow Jackie on Twitter @jackiekabler and take a look at her website here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
Let’s Get Joined-Up!
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It’s episode 104 with new crime writer, Victoria Selman. Victoria has created a new series of books featuring her ex-special forces profiler, Ziba MacKenzie and has inspiration and advice for other new writers.
Victoria's first novel, BLOOD FOR BLOOD, was shortlisted for the 2017 Debut Dagger Award and is a Kindle #1 bestseller. She’s written for The Daily Express and Ham & High newspapers and in 2013 she won the Full Stop Short Story Prize.
She co-hosts the podcast, CRIME GIRL GANG in which three crime writers examine real life cold cases then solve them from a fictional perspective and her new book – Nothing To Lose is out now.
Follow Victoria on Twitter @VictoriaSelman and take a look at her website here.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
Let’s Get Joined-Up!
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON- iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST Subscribe to the newsletter for free stuff and bonus content here. http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp103.mp3 It’s episode 103 bringing you an interview with Jessica Abel, writer, creative professional, tutor, cartoonist and author of the brilliant … Continue reading →
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It’s episode 103 bringing you an interview Jessica Abel, writer, creative professional, tutor, cartoonist and author of the brilliant book 'Growing Gills: How To Find Creative Focus When You’re Drowning In Your Daily Life'. Jessica is full of wisdom and ideas to help you find focus and achieve more with your work.
Jessica Abel is an American comic book writer, artist, author and creative professional who’s written and created several works including Life Sucks, Drawing Words & Writing Pictures, La Perdida, Out On The Wire, Trish Trash:Rollergirl of Mars and book I mentioned at the top of the show, Growing Gills: How To Find Creative Focus When You’re Drowning In Your Daily Life.
Check out Jessica's website and blog here and follow her on Twitter @JccAbel
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
Let’s Get Joined-Up!
SUBSCRIBE NOW ON- iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp102.mp3 Episode 102 brings us an interview with New York crime writer, Jason Starr. Jason’s written dozens of crime thriller novels, comics, graphic novels and screenplays and it was great to chat … Continue reading →
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Episode 102 brings us an interview with New York crime writer, Jason Starr. Jason’s written dozens of crime thriller novels, comics, graphic novels and screenplays and it was great to chat to him about his career, process and his latest book, Too Far (released as Fugitive Red in the US)
Jason Starr is an internationally best-selling author, comic book writer, and screenwriter based in New York City. He’s written loads of crime fiction novels and thrillers.
He’s won or been shortlisted for numerous awards including being Barry Award Winner for Best Paperback Original and winning the Anthony Award for Best Graphic Novel. His latest novel is a thriller released in the US as Fugitive Red and Too Far in the UK.
Follow Jason on Twitter @JasonStarr and check out JasonStarr.com
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
Let’s Get Joined-Up!
SUBSCRIBE ON- iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp101.mp3 It’s episode 101 with CJ Tudor, author of the brilliant, Chalk Man – a book that even garnered praise from Stephen King. I was lucky enough to speak to Caroline on the … Continue reading →
SUBSCRIBE ON- iTUNES STITCHER SPOTIFY OVERCAST http://traffic.libsyn.com/joinedupwriting/JoinedUp100.mp3 Yes, can you believe it – episode 100 of the show – well, the 100th full length show anyway – there are lots of the epilogue shows and Two Minute Tips if … Continue reading →
It’s episode 101 with CJ Tudor, author of the brilliant, Chalk Man – a book that even garnered praise from Stephen King. I was lucky enough to speak to Caroline on the night her latest book The Taking Of Annie Thorne – or The Hiding Place, as it’s called in the US – was launched at an event at the Waterstones Bookshop in Nottingham. This is an unscheduled episode and I wanted to get it out to you whilst the release is still fresh – hence the extra episode this week. It was great to chat to Caroline again and she has loads to say about taking the right attitude toward rejection and knowing when to let go of an idea or project – at least for a period of time.
You can find my original chat with Caroline in the archives HERE.
Caroline lives in Sussex, England with her partner and three-year-old daughter. Over the years she’s worked as a copywriter, television presenter, voice over artist and – thanks to such a successful debut novel with Chalk Man, she now writes full time. Her latest book - The Taking of Annie Thorne/The Hiding Place is out now.
Follow CJ Tudor on Twitter @CJTudor.
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and the brand new newsletter and mailing list. It’s totally free to sign up and you’ll get a FREE motivational PDF to download – ’10 Tips For Surviving NaNoWriMo, The First Draft and Beyond’ PLUS the 3 Act Story Structure Template to help you plot your story. More content coming soon, including videos, blog posts and loads of extra writing tips.
Yes, can you believe it – episode 100 of the show – well, the 100th full length show anyway – there are lots of the epilogue shows and Two Minute Tips if you want to trawl the archives, but it’s still a bit of a milestone an I want to thank all of you, whether you’ve been here from the start, back in 2014 or you’re dropping in for your first listen – I really appreciate anyone who tunes in and gets involved with the show.
Befitting of a milestone show, I’ve got a great guest for you today with John Lincoln. John’s new crime novel is Fade To Grey, the start of a gritty new series set in Cardiff and I’d loved it. John’s got a really interesting backstory, having worked as a music journalist and true crime writer before finally getting around to writing his own crime book.
It’s episode 99 and an interview with debut novelist, Lillian Li. Her book, Number One Chinese Restaurant is already picking up loads of critical buzz and she has a really interesting personal story behind her journey to publication as well as loads to say about plotting and the joy of writing.
Lillian is the author of the novel Number One Chinese Restaurant now released everywhere you can find books. Her other work has been published in the New York Times, Granta, Guernica, Glimmer Train, Bon Appetit, and Jezebel.
Make sure you subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Overcast or wherever else you get your podcasts to have the show downloaded automatically every week.
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It’s The Epilogue – number 76 – in our quick listen in-betweeny episodes featuring an extra question or topic not covered in our main guest interviews. This week it’s Rebecca Bradley talking about how to write credible police procedurals and her own Police Fact Checking Service. If you haven’t listened to her main interview, go ahead and check it out here.
After 16 years service, Rebecca was medically retired from the police where she finished as a detective constable on a specialist unit. She’s now the author of three novels in the DI Hannah Robbins series, SHALLOW WATERS, MADE TO BE BROKEN and FIGHTING MONSTERS with more standalones to come too.
Check out Rebecca’s website here and her excellent Police Procedural Fact Checking Service here. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaJBradley
Remember – this is YOUR SHOW so keep tweeting us, leave your comments below, check out our Facebook page and let’s get Joined Up!
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In this show we talk about getting back in to the writing groove after a break - like the recent Christmas holidays, or after any interruption to your creatice routine. Leah talks about 'punching through the wall' and Wayne tells lies about Roald Dahl and suggests an unusual writing prompt. Enjoy!
Episode 2 has landed and in today's show we're asking 'Why Write Short Stories?'
We look at what defines a short story, how it can help you with longer form fiction and give you an overview of places to submit your work - including Ileandra Young's very own Fantasy Fables magazine, sent in the world of Caladria. They are looking for new authors so head over there and take a look.
Now we're live on iTunes, we would love you to subscribe, share and especially leave us a quick review. It all helps to build our 'Joined-Up' community.