Confessions of a Debut Novelist

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Louisa Reid about her literary novel The Poet. In this episode we discuss her love for and challenges of writing in verse, how writing in verse makes her focus on the crucial scenes of the novel and why, to be a writer, you need to develop a thick skin.  Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy The Poet: https://uk.books...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Caron McKinlay about her contemporary novel The Storytellers. In this episode we discuss why receiving professional feedback gave her the confidence to query agents, how a difficult time in her life lead to her finding her passion for writing again and her honesty about finding the right novel idea.  Confessions of a Debu...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Colleen Hubbard about her literary novel, Housebreaking. In this episode we discuss instinctive editing choices, why she used third person perspective to leave space for dark humour, and giving herself deadlines to pursue her dreams. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy Housebreaking: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to April Doyle about her climate sci-fi or cli-fi novel, Hive. In this episode we discuss how April was inspired by a news report on the climate crisis, how she stepped outside of her comfort zone to help promote her novel and how her career as a creative writing teacher has informed her own work.  Confessions of a Debut Nov...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Bea Setton about her literary novel Berlin. Apologies for the difference in sound quality in this episode, I forgot to record my microphone's input! In this episode we discuss why Bea thinks her protagonist Daphne is a realistic narrator rather than unreliable one, building tension and mystery retrospectively and getting throu...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Salma El-Wardany about her contemporary novel These Impossible Things. In this episode we discuss how Salma built a brand, using Instagram to share her writing as a way into the publishing industry, exploring female friendship between Muslim women where their faith plays a positive role and how to approach the challenges of th...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Eve Ainsworth about her commercial novel Duckling. In this episode we discuss writing uplit with grittier themes, writing a child’s voice authentically and transitioning from children’s to adult fiction. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop* Buy Duckling:  https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/9781529157246 Follow Eve on Twitter...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Elissa Soave about her contemporary novel Ginger and Me. In this episode we discuss the importance of editors and why Elissa thinks they’re the unsung heroes of the process, giving voice and agency to characters who are working class girls, and why you should always aim high and enter competitions even if you don’t have the co...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Jane Markland about her contemporary novel Cielo. In this episode we talk about writing characters we rarely see in fiction, writing prequels and back stories for your characters so you know them really well and the value of a writing community.  Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy Cielo: https://amzn.to/3t7OKFC Fol...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Jendella Benson about her contemporary novel Hope & Glory. In this episode we discuss starting your novel in the heat of the moment, how her freelance writing career led to interest from an editor and staying connected to your work when you’re away from your manuscript.  Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy Hope...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Eloise Smith about her middle grade novel Sister to a Star. In this episode we talk about what advertising taught her about writing for children, her unusual route to publication where her book deal came before an agent and writing something personal you care about rather what you think kids will like.  Confessions of a Debut...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Claire Alexander about her commercial novel Meredith, Alone. In this episode we discuss how she found herself writing in an unexpected genre, resisting the urge to self-edit when you’ve got limited time to write and what happens when your agent isn’t keen on your original title. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy Meredi...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Annie Kirby about her literary novel The Hollow Sea. In this episode we discuss exploring childlessness without cliched tropes or miracle births, playing with structure and how the Penguin Write Now scheme led to her book deal. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy The Hollow Sea: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/9780241522...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Kate Dylan about her YA novel Mindwalker. In this episode we discuss the balance between writing what you want to write versus the reality of whether you want to get published, how her ideas often start with a single, opening sentence and the skill of writing commercial prose. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy Mindwalk...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Ronali Collings about her commercial novel Love & Other Dramas. In this episode we discuss how she’d given up writing until Bernardine Evaristo inspired her, diversity in genre fiction and challenging stereotypes across the board, and how important it is to remember that publishing a novel is about collaboration with your...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Bobby Palmer about his contemporary novel Isaac and the Egg. In this episode we discuss writing slapstick comedy alongside grief, reading memoir as research as a way into emotional subjects and how his first novel not selling made his second attempt even better. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy Isaac and the Egg: http...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Hannah Moffat about her middle grade novel, SMALL! In this episode we discuss the fun process of creating a school for giants, being conscious of pace and holding children’s attention and her great tips for finding an agent.  Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy SMALL!: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/9781911427278 F...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Holly Williams about her debut historical novel What Time is Love? In this episode we discuss what it was like writing about the same couple falling in love in three different time periods, interviewing real people to research recent history and embracing the long process of rewrites and editing. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Boo...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Finn Longman about their YA novel The Butterfly Assassin. In this episode we discuss how their own chronic illness inspired their main character, the way they did their world-building retrospectively, and planning a novel when it’s part of a trilogy.  Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy The Butterfly Assassin: https...

Confessions of a Debut Novelist is now twice-weekly until the end of the year! New episodes every Monday and Thursday. In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Rachelle Atalla about her speculative novel The Pharmacist. In this episode we talk about how Rachelle’s career as a pharmacist helped her create her main character, leaving gaps for the reader to fill in with thei...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Sussie Anie about her literary novel To Fill a Yellow House. In this episode we talk about how the changing UK high street inspired her novel’s setting, her different approach writing a novel compared to a short story and how she felt when her book sold in 48 hours.  Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy To Fill a Yel...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Abigail Bergstrom talking about her literary novel What a Shame. As an industry insider, Abigail’s perspective on being a debut is well worth a listen and we also talked about topics such as using the second person point of view, cutting through millennial stereotypes and carving out creative space to write.  Confessions of a...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Emily Kenny about her middle grade novel The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks. In this episode we talk about how to write authentic autistic characters, why she thinks we’re in the golden age of children’s fiction and why having a mentor was the most accessible and valuable way to improve her writing craft.  Confessions...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to James Cahill about his literary debut Tiepolo Blue. In this episode we talk about evoking the transformative 90s gay scene in London’s Soho, how James’s academic work inspired the themes of the novel, and his advice on trying to write without thinking about readers. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy Tiepolo Blue: https...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Julie Owen Moylan about her historical debut That Green Eyed Girl. In this episode we talk about creating sensual historical fiction, how Julie went from 70 agent rejections to a book deal and how she balances her love of Twitter with writing discipline.  Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy That Green Eyed Girl: htt...