Northern Voices

In this week's episode of Northern Voices, literary journalist Suzi Feay joins me to discuss her new poetry collection, Maledictions. We also delve into the bravery it takes to submit work and get rejected, the life of a literary editor and how finding your niche can help you stand out from the crowd. Find out more: https://www.suzifeay.com/ https://www.suzifeay.com/w3/?page_id=2 https://www.after...

Double the fun today to mark the 3-year anniversary of Northern Voices as I'm joined by poets Becky May and Barsa Rai. These New Northern Poets for 2026 talk about what we can expect from their work, how they juggle life and writing and what's been the highlight of their careers so far. Find out more about Becky: https://www.beckymaywriter.com/ https://substack.com/@beckymaywriter https://wordupno...

An absolutely packed episode this week as journalist and writer Adelle Stripe joins us to talk about the new French translation of her novel, Black Teeth and a Brilliant Smile. We delve into the cultural significance of the playwright Andrea Dunbar, taking inspiration from the great Pat Barker and how a French translator has become a champion of Northern stories. Find out more: https://www.adelles...

In Episode 133, debut writer Joe Conroy joins us to talk about his new novel, In Out. We delve into the process of writing fiction from real life, the tricky business of copyediting and why it's all about finding The One when it comes to agents and publishers. Find out more: https://www.cipherpress.co.uk/in-out https://www.joeconroy.co.uk/ https://www.liverpool-literary.agency/authors/joe-conroy I...

This week's episode is the third in the mini-series: Publishing Unpacked. In each of these special episodes I'll be joined by Northern writers discussing the publishing process from submission to publication. Today's guest is novelist Sue Reed who is here to talk about her new book, Molly McFlynn Goes Rogue, and the process of hybrid/partnership publishing. We delve into why her new book is all ab...

In today's episode of Northern Voices, I'm joined by academic and writer Barbara Henderson, Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) English: Creative and Professional Writing at The University of Sunderland. We talk about what exactly professional writing is, government cuts to arts education and why having a Prime Minister with an English degree has instilled hope in the future of the creative industr...

In this week's episode Sunderland lass, comedian and writer Justine Sless joins me to discuss her new novel, Before I Sing You This Song. We talk about how the book was inspired by Bobby Thompson, dispelling shame through comedy and why her ultimate goal was to return to her old secondary school as a published author and show them what could be done. Find out more: https://www.crearpublishing.com/...

On Northern Voices this week, debut novelist Josh Holton joins me to talk about his book, Fledgling, published by Conduit Books. We also delve into tenderness and masculinity, how birds and men are more similar than we realise, and why there are many advantages to being a writer from the North. Find out more: https://www.conduitbooks.co.uk/books/p/fledgling https://joshholton.substack.com/ Instagr...

In this week's episode, I'm joined by New Northern Poet Laura Strickland. We delve into getting over the shame of being a poet, writing to reflect on life's happenings and why her main ambition in her writing is to make people cry. Find out more: https://www.propelmagazine.co.uk/laura-strickland-when-my-body-remembers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN9CHt6EVpg&t=3830s https://figtreepoetry.substa...

In Episode 127 , award-winning novelist Carolyn Kirby joins me to talk about her novel Ravenglass. We delve into ideas of using fiction to explore lesser-known parts of history, the Hilda's Crime Weekend at Oxford University and exploring gender and identity in her writing. Find out more: https://www.northodox.co.uk/product-page/ravenglass-paperback https://www.northodox.co.uk/carolyn-kirby https:...

In Episode 126 I chat to musician and journalist John Robb about his memoir, Punk Rock Ruined My Life. We delve into how he came to be the first person to interview Nirvana, why Blackpool is more than your average British seaside town and whether or not punk rock really did ruin his life. Find out more: https://johnrobbofficial.com/ https://www.waterstones.com/book/punk-rock-ruined-my-life/john-ro...

This week's guests are Elizabeth, Alicia and Leah, the founders of new Northern publication Who Gives a Book? Magazine. We talk about how they came up with the idea for this new magazine, their writing and publishing aspirations and the launch of the first issue. Find out more: https://www.instagram.com/whogivesabookmag/ Music credit: 'Water of Tyne' performed by Edinburgh University Brass Band (2...

On Northern Voices this week, a first as Not the Booker Prize-winner Michael Stewart joins us for a chat. We talk about his latest novel, Black Wood Women, the decline in editorial work from some publishers and how he met his wife at a conference on the Brontës. Find out more: https://www.michael-stewart.org.uk/ https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/black-wood-women-michael-stewart https://brontewr...

In this week's episode, I'm joined by emerging writer Victoria Ferguson to talk about her exciting new projects. We delve into the issues with accessibility in the UK publishing industry, the craft of writing folk horror and why she's writing dialect fiction set in the North East of England despite being a Scouser herself. Music credit: 'Water of Tyne' performed by Edinburgh University Brass Band...

This week's episode is the second in the mini-series: Publishing Unpacked. In each of these special episodes I'll be joined by Northern writers discussing the publishing process from submission to publication. Today's guest is debut author Louise Powell, whose novel Underdogs was published by John Murray Originals. We delve into our joint adventure into the submission trenches, unpacking everythin...

In Episode 121 I'm joined by cli-fi writer Kay Inckle to talk about her new novel, Overspill. We also discuss why her main character is a wheelchair user, the lack of representation of menopausal women in fiction and why being Northern is the least of her worries when it comes to the UK publishing industry. Find out more: https://srlpublishing.co.uk/product/overspill-kay-inckle https://www.lavidal...

In this week's episode, I'm joined by three emerging writers from York St John University's creative writing degree: Charlie Mason, Hannah Neave and Henry Wileman. We talk about the anthology they've produced, Beyond the Walls, their writing and their view of the North in the UK publishing industry. Find out more: https://valleypressuk.com/products/beyond-the-walls-2026 Charlie: https://open.subst...

In this week's episode, I'm joined by academic and Brontë scholar Claire O'Callaghan as we talk about the new edition of her book Emily Brontë Reappraised. We delve into why women who write are labelled mad, the power of the landscape in Northern fiction and why the recent Wuthering Heights film made her giggle. Find out more: https://claireocallaghan.com/ https://saraband.net/sb-title/emily-bront...

In this week's episode, I'm joined by historical novelist Carolyn O'Brien. We explore her latest novel, Rose and Renzo, from Northodox Press, delve into the details of writing historical fiction and discuss why publishers don't seem to realise that readers love dialect writing. Find out more: https://www.northodox.co.uk/product-page/rose-renzo-paperback https://jennybrownassociates.com/author/caro...

This week's episode is the first in a new series: Publishing Unpacked. In each of these special episodes I'll be joined by Northern writers discussing the publishing process from submission to publication. Today's guest is debut author Shaun Wilson, whose novel Malc's Boy was published by Conduit Books. We delve into the whole editing process, from making structural changes to proofreading, defini...

This week's episode features sports writer and novelist, Frank Malley. We delve into his most recent novel, The Singing Spy, based on an incredible true story, how to break into journalism in the current media landscape and the process of turning historical fact into fiction. Find out more: https://shorturl.at/aRwwY https://shorturl.at/2TCa9 Bluesky: @frankmalley.bsky.social X: @MalleyFrancis Musi...

On Northern Voices this week, writer Steve Chambers discusses his novel, The Dark Months. We also delve into the creative arts industry in the North East, writing for Byker Grove and writing what you know. Find out more: https://zymurgy.co.uk/product/the-dark-months-by-steve-chambers/ https://haydngrey.co.uk/the-writing-desk-steve-chambers/ Music credit: 'Water of Tyne' performed by Edinburgh Univ...

Award-winning writer Colwill Brown joins us this week to talk about her debut novel, We Pretty Pieces of Flesh. We delve into the craft of writing dialect, why female friendships are fertile ground for fiction and how moving away from home can provide some much-needed perspective when it comes to writing place. Find out more: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/460689/we-pretty-pieces-of-flesh-by-brow...

In Episode 113, I'm joined by jack of all trades, master of pretty much all of them, Dan Husband. Poet, performer, prose writer, it seems there's little he can't turn his hand to. We talk about how writing can open the door to expression and understanding, the lack of accessibility for working-class writers and why community is at the heart of everything in the North. Find out more: https://shortu...

In Episode 112, I chat to experimental writer and scientist Tania Hershman. We delve into merging genres, blending particle physics and writing, and why to be a writer all you need to do is write. Find out more: https://taniahershman.com/ https://taniahershman.com/its-time-a-chronomemoir/ https://taniahershman.substack.com/podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/taniahershman.bsky.social Instagr...