Beyond The Plot Podcast

In this episode, romance author Lily Parker shares how she transformed from a former matchmaker and PR professional into a published author with multiple book deals. With a background in psychology and a passion for storytelling that began in her teenage diaries, Lily opens up about pivoting careers during COVID, landing a three-book deal after a serendipitous conference encounter, and navigating...

This week I’m chatting with Katie Ginger , who shares how she went from writing destination romances under the pen name Annabel French to stepping into the world of screenwriting. We talk about: ✨ Going full-time as a writer ✍️ Building a pen name + writing places you’ve never been 📚 The reality of publishing (agents, trends, and pivots) 🎥 Translating novel skills to screenwriting 🤍 Why commun...

✨ NEW EPISODE ✨ This week on Beyond the Plot , I’m joined by the incredible Libby Page , author of This Book Made Me Think of You — and yes, it’s a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick 📚👏 Libby opens up about her writing journey, facing rejection, staying motivated when self-doubt creeps in, and what it really takes to become a published author. We also talk book marketing, cover design, balancing famil...

In this episode of Beyond the Plot , I sit down with author Lulu Morris to talk about her writing journey, career pivots, and the realities of being a published author. Lulu opens up about her transition from historical romance to contemporary rom-coms, sharing the creative challenges and rewards that came with changing genres. We discuss the importance of finding your voice, trusting your instinc...

In this episode, we’re joined by Hannah Evans , an author from South Wales , who shares her journey from childhood writing to publishing her debut novel, The Mapmaker’s Wife . Hannah discusses how family history inspired her storytelling, the realities of balancing writing with a full-time job, and what it’s like navigating the modern publishing landscape. She also emphasizes the importance of com...

In this episode, author Becca Mascull shares her fascinating writing journey across multiple genres, from historical fiction and saga fiction to rom-coms. She discusses the realities of publishing, the importance of persistence, and how financial considerations influenced her genre choices. Becca also opens up about her writing process, working with a supportive agent, and her plans to explore sel...

In this warm and inspiring episode, bestselling author Cressida McLaughlin joins us to talk about her journey writing cozy romance novels and building a fulfilling creative career. From navigating rejection to finding joy in reader connections, Cressida shares honest insights into what it really takes to persevere as a writer. Living in Norfolk and drawing inspiration from places like Cornwall , C...

What happens  behind the pen names ?  In this engaging and honest episode, author  Olivia Beirne  joins the podcast to talk about writing across genres, navigating the publishing world, and what it’s really like managing multiple pen names. Olivia shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of building different author identities, and how she stays true to her voice no matter the name...

In today’s episode, we welcome the brilliantly funny, wildly talented, and endlessly inspiring Lindsey Kelk — bestselling author, broadcaster, and all-round queen of wit. Lindsey takes us on a journey from her childhood in a small mining village in South Yorkshire to building a thriving writing career in Los Angeles. With her signature humour and honesty, she opens up about the realities of the pu...

In this inspiring and deeply honest episode, bestselling author  Amy Andrews  joins us to talk about her journey through the ever-changing world of publishing. Amy opens up about her early rejections, the persistence that kept her going, and how authenticity has become the heart of her connection with readers. We dig into her writing process, the discipline behind creativity, and the role social m...

Get ready for an honest and energising conversation with author Liv Matthews , who takes us inside the real world of modern publishing. Liv shares her journey from aspiring writer to published author, opening up about the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned, and the mindset that helped her keep going. We talk about everything from marketing yourself as an author to navigating the changin...

Today we’re diving into an incredible creative journey with author Mary Newnham! From writing a blog in her twenties to rediscovering storytelling during the pandemic, Mary’s path has been anything but linear—and that’s why it’s so inspiring. We chat about: ✨ Her early blogging days ✨ Earning a master’s degree in creative writing ✨ Protecting your writing time (and why it matters!) ✨ The ups a...

In this episode, the hilarious and heart-warming Kathleen Whyman pulls back the curtain on her journey as a writer of laugh-out-loud women’s fiction. She chats about the messy, magical process behind her stories—the challenges that trip her up, the inspirations that keep her going, and the real-life moments that spark her trademark humour. With her signature wit, Kathleen reminds us why writing au...

In this episode of Beyond the Plot Podcast , host Lisa sits down with bestselling rom-com author Sophie Cousens , known for her heartfelt, clever, and serendipity-filled novels such as This Time Next Year and Just Haven’t Met You Yet . Together, they peel back the layers of Sophie’s creative process—exploring how she crafts warm, relatable characters, why she’s drawn to stories about fate and seco...

In this inspiring episode, we explore the pivotal crossroads moment in @isabelle_broom’s life. At the time, she was working at Heat magazine and faced two very different paths—relocating to Greece or entering a short story competition. Isabelle chose to follow her passion for writing, entering the competition judged by bestselling author @themillyjohnson—and won! That victory sparked a new chapter...

Join us as we dive into the world of romance with Emma Mugglestone, a hybrid romance author who has successfully transitioned from indie publishing to securing a traditional book deal. In this episode, Emma shares her journey, the challenges and rewards of both publishing paths, and the importance of authenticity in writing. Discover her inspirations and gain insights into the art of storytelling....

In this episode, Jodie Fitzsimons shares her journey as a writer and her innovative approach to engaging students through her Bold Author Budding Artists series. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of self-publishing, the importance of community, and her passion for inspiring young illustrators. Takeaways ​Jodie Fitzsimons emphasizes the importance of community in her writing journey. ​She s...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with indie author Victoria Walker as she shares her journey from aspiring writer to bestselling author. Discover how a trip to Iceland sparked her creativity, the challenges she faced in self-publishing, and the supportive community that helped her along the way. Whether you're an aspiring author or a fan of romance novels, this episode is packed with insights...

Join us as we dive into the world of Emma Steele, a talented author who transitioned from a legal career to writing captivating romance novels. Discover her journey, inspirations, and the challenges she faces in the literary world. Perfect for aspiring writers and book lovers alike! Summary: In this episode, Emma Steele shares her inspiring journey from being a lawyer to becoming a successful roma...

Join us as we dive into the enchanting world of Dani McLean, a contemporary romance author known for her heartfelt stories. In this episode, Dani shares her journey from writing as a child to becoming an independent author, the challenges of balancing a full-time job with her passion for storytelling, and the inspiration behind her captivating novels. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a revi...

Dani Mclean talks about the magic of irresistible and body swapping love!

In this engaging conversation, Pippa Roscoe shares her journey from script editing to becoming a successful author of over 30 books. She discusses the cultural adjustments she faced after moving from London to Norfolk, the importance of community among writers, and the challenges authors encounter, including imposter syndrome. Pippa emphasizes the need for aspiring authors to keep writing and unde...

What does it mean to be a write? Pippa Roscoe joins me on the podcast to share her thoughts. Here's a sneak peek of our conversation - don't miss the full episode out on the 1st of October.

Hey everyone, welcome to Beyond the Plot, the podcast where we go deeper than the page! I'm your host, Lisa, and I'm so excited to be on this journey with you. Have you ever finished a book and found yourself wondering, "Who is the person behind this story?" If so, you're in the right place. Beyond The Plot is all about digging into the minds and hearts of the authors who cre...