Swords & Sapphics

We're getting into the autumn spirit this week as we chat with author and commissioning editor Nadia El-Fassi about her brand new steamy bi romantasy, Best Hex Ever. Listen to our latest episode to discover more about how Nadia began writing this perfect, witchy romance, why including Moroccan ties and a unique magic system was important to them, and what may be next for some of the fun side chara...

For this week's episode, we were joined by The Liverpool Literary Agency's Laura Bennett. She shared with us how she became a literary agent, what she loves about it and other things about the job, that might come as a surprise to us all. And if you're a writer looking to be represented, you will learn a few tips on how to pick and query an agent! Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scot...

This week, we sit down with the lovely author, editor, and PhD student Ali Williams, also known as Ellie Rose, to talk about her experience of queerness and neurodiversity, and how they are represented alongside romance and kink both in her books and in her studies. We also explore her love of retellings in the Godstouched Universe, from the local myths of her Irish and Italian heritage to Greek p...

For this week's episode we sat down with Jennifer J. Coldwater, the author of  When Ivy Met Adam .   We chatted about the book (and the strange similarities between book Ivy and our Ivy) and the unusual but wonderful mix of queerness and religion in Jennifer's work. Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we sit down with award-winning author,  Barbara Havelocke , to chat about her newest novel,  Estella's Revenge , which follows the famous Miss Havisham's daughter. We talk all about female rage, genre, and  Great Expectations , with insight into how Barbara's background in true crime journalism helps her to step into the powerful shoes of her main character! Theme song: F...

This week we properly introduce  Swords, Sapphics & Scribbles  with the ongoing month-long writing event #CampPride. We also share what we need before sitting down to write our own WIPs and what we do to reward ourselves (because that's always needed). Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dearest gentle listener, these podcasters have much to say about the newest season of  Bridgerton . After a much needed catch up, we share our thoughts on the popular regency show's latest installment, including our love for Nicola Coughlan and the introduction of not one, but two, queer storylines. Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

We're back after our short break! This week, we bring you an interview with award-winning crime author Rachel McLean. She tells us how she plots her murders (fictional, of course), how she came to write full-time with the Dorset Crime series, and how her own relationship to her sexuality inspired main character DCI Lesley Clarke's journey as a later-in-life lesbian. Theme song: Forces of Attractio...

For this week's episode we were joined by another podcasting duo – the Librorians! We found out how they started their podcast and what listeners can find when tuning in. They shared what they love about working in a library, but also what it's like these days, especially with all the book bans happening across the US. Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See aca...

This week, we bring you a very exciting episode! We chat about  A Sweet Sting of Salt  with none other than Rose Sutherland! She told us how this wonderful story came to be, what inspired her writing and perhaps a little tease on what comes next.  Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, we have a guest you might already be familiar with – Merlina Garance. We chat about their Achillean Book Bingo, what both readers and writers can expect from this wonderful event, and then we share some recommendations! Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week's episode, we've watched two queer movies,  Good Grief and Bottoms , and chatted about them! We of course started with a catch-up and ended up spilling some book twitter tea (we also hated on Taylor Swift, so be aware). Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our second episode of the new season, we bring an exciting interview with Oliver Brackenbury, the editor of New Edge Swords & Sorcery magazine. He shares some exciting secrets and lots of his plans for the future, as well as everything readers and fans of the genre can expect next! Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...

WE. ARE. BACK! Season 3 is here and we're kicking it off with a catch up. After Rach shows off her Czech vocabulary, she spills lots and lots of tea from the end of last year so get ready for some great laughs. We end the episode by sharing what are our goals and dreams for 2024! Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, after our usual catch-up on what we’re currently enjoying, in which we dive into a conversation about Grey’s (shocker, I know, who could have seen this coming), we share our thoughts on the new season of&...

Boo ! The scariest time of the year is upon us: preptober. After our usual catch up, we shortly talk about how we get into the Halloween spirit, our small spooky traditions, and our favourite scary media to consume during these weeks. Then we dive into the yearly subject of how we're preparing for NaNoWriMo. Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...

After a little break, we're back with quite the exciting episode. This week, we chat with the lovely Rachel Runya Katz, the author of Thank You For Sharing. We talk about her book, what inspired them to write it, and what we can expect from her next! Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we decided to share a secret... Yes, the rumours are true. We're neurodivergent. After our usual catch-up, we talk about how we figured out we're autistic and ADHD respectively and we share how it impacts our life, as well as our media and creative experiences. Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After our usual media catch-up, we share our thoughts on the  Red, White & Royal Blue  movie and compare this new adaptation to the book by Casey McQuiston. At the end of this episode, we answer some of our listener's questions in a new segment! Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is not a drill – we are back! After a small break, we are returning with a new episode in which we simply catch up on all the things we're enjoying. We, of course, close the episode with a little bit of tea to spill and some ongoing drama in the book community. Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After we catch up on what we're currently enjoying as usual, we dive into what might be a painful subject to some... marketing. In Episode 6 , we discussed our writing processes and in Episode 8 , we talked about publishing your book. Now it's time to talk about how to market your little brainchild! Ivy offers her expert insights on how to approach marketing and what channels might be the best for...

After we catch up on what we're currently enjoying, we dive into the broad subject of publishing. In  Episode 6 , we discussed our writing processes, but what comes next? Find outwith our published author, Rach, who shares&nb...

This week we dived into another activity we enjoy and a subject we mention here and there: gaming. We discuss the games we are currently loving and then head back in time to look at our gaming journey and share...

Extra Tea Hour is our new episode feature, in which we have a little chat (okay, a rant) about current social media discourse making the rounds, usually within the book community or pop culture. This week, we discuss the varying attitudes towards representation and diversity in literature, discussing what these words really mean to marginalised identities and how hostility within the industry is s...

As always, we catch up with our current reads as well as the shows we’re currently watching. Then, in honour of Camp NaNoWriMo month, we talk about our writing challenges, works in progress, and how we feel about setting our books in places we know well. As usual, random tangents may be included. Theme song: Forces of Attraction by Scott Holmes Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...