Confessions of a Debut Novelist

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Mahi Cheshire about her psychological suspense debut Deadly Cure. In this episode we we discuss how working a night shift as a junior doctor inspired her, the twists that came as a surprise, and how she uses little pockets of time and word sprints to fit writing in around her life. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop * Buy Dea...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Olivia Fitzsimons about her literary debut The Quiet Whispers Never Stop. In this episode we we discuss writing so-called difficult female characters, her tips for writing great dialogue, and what sustains her creativity.  Buy The Quiet Whispers Never Stop: https://linktr.ee/oliviafitzsimons Follow Olivia on Twitter: @one...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Laura Price about her contemporary fiction debut Single Bald Female. In this episode we discuss how her novel balances the realities of living with cancer and humour, how to use feedback to improve your next draft and how to cope when your book doesn’t sell.  Buy Single Bald Female: https://linktr.ee/LauraPriceWrites Foll...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Tina Orr Munro about her debut crime novel Breakneck Point. In this episode we discuss the joy of writing villains, how Tina used her emotional experiences from her own career and rewriting half her novel after finding an agent.  Buy Breakneck Point: https://linktr.ee/TOrrMunro Follow Tina on Twitter: @TinaOrrMunro Follow...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Kate Maxwell about her debut literary novel Hush. In this episode we discuss exploring maternal taboos, being an early morning writer and why Kate turned down offers of representation from agents before she found the right match.  Buy Hush: https://linktr.ee/katemaxwellauthor Follow Kate on Twitter: @katemax Follow Chloe on Tw...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Stephanie Sowden about her psychological suspense novel After Everything You Did. In this episode we discuss how Stephanie makes her psychological suspense fresh by setting it in the past, why cooking makes a good companion for writing and my favourite bit of advice for writer’s block so far. Sorry for the slight difference in audi...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Georgina Scull about her narrative non-fiction book Regrets of the Dying. In this episode we discuss how a near death experience inspired this book, writing a non-fiction proposal and her advice for writing sensitively about real people.  Buy Regrets of the Dying: tinyurl.com/4rf29t2u Follow Georgina on Twitter: @georgina...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Chloë Ashby about her debut literary novel Wet Paint. In this episode we discuss revisiting past emotions to write characters’ feelings authentically, finding trusted readers, and how her novel writing process has changed now she's writing her second book. Buy Wet Paint: https://geni.us/WetPaint Follow Chloë on Twitter: @...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Laure Van Rensburg about her debut psychological suspense novel Nobody But Us. In this episode we discuss how the Me Too movement inspired her novel, getting into the psyche of unlikeable characters and her resilience in getting an agent.  Buy Nobody But Us: https://bio.site/laurevanrensburg Follow Laure on Twitter: @Laure0901...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Catherine Yardley about her contemporary novel Ember. In this episode we discuss writing sibling relationships, how acting helps her create characters and the snobbery surrounding women’s fiction.  Buy Ember: https://linktr.ee/balavageyardley Follow Catherine on Twitter: @Balavage https://www.frostmagazine.com/ Follow Chloe on...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m handing over the hosting job to my good friend and fellow writer, Hayley Dunning because, as you might have seen on the episode title, today’s guest is – me, talking about The Seawomen! In this episode we discuss the stages of creating a fictional island, how her disability impacts on what she writes, and the challenge of starting work on som...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Francesca May about her fantasy novel Wild and Wicked Things. In this episode we discuss how The Great Gatsby inspired her novel, writing a slow burn queer love story and how her job at Waterstones informs her writing.  Buy Wild and Wicked Things: linktr.ee/franwritesstuff Follow Francesca on Twitter: @franwritesstuff htt...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Becca Day about her psychological suspense novel The Girl Beyond The Gate. In this episode we discuss how true crime documentaries give her ideas for her writing, how she uses personality tests to develop her characters and finding opportunities on Twitter. Buy The Girl Beyond The Gate: https://amzn.to/3NaVknd Follow Becca on...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Bonnie Garmus about her bestselling debut Lessons in Chemistry. In this episode we discuss how a frustrating meeting at work inspired her trailblazing protagonist Elizabeth Zott, breaking the so-called writing rules and her 98 rejections before her success.  Buy Lessons in Chemistry: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/144458...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Sophie Haydock about her historical debut The Flames. In this episode we discuss flipping the canvas where the artist’s muses take centre stage, listening and observing people to create the details of side characters and the key to staying positive on days of doubt.  Buy The Flames: linktr.ee/SophieHaydock Follow Sophie o...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Kate Sawyer about her post-apocalyptic debut The Stranding which has just been published in paperback. In this episode we discuss writing a sensory experience to make the surreal plausible, varying your writing routine and being your own biggest champion.  Buy The Stranding: linktr.ee/katesawyer Follow Kate on Twitter: @K...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Josh Winning about his fantasy novel The Shadow Glass. In this episode we discuss his obsession with learning about story structure, how he writes in a filmic way and his interesting route to getting an agent.  Buy The Shadow Glass: linktr.ee/joshuawinning Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshWinning http://www.joshuawinning.com/ Foll...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Lizzie Damilola Blackburn about her debut rom-com Yinka Where is Your Huzband?. In this episode we discuss how entering the pen factor competition changed her life, writing a rom-com with a Black young woman at the heart of it and leaving perfectionism behind when you start to write. Buy Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?: https://...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to to Susannah Wise whose sci-fi debut This Fragile Earth was published in 2021. I wanted to ask Susannah on the podcast, just as her paperback comes out and before her second book is published, to discuss being a debut one year on. In this episode we talk about how her world-building developed through different drafts, the ups a...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Kate Martin about her young adult novel Are You Okay Elliot Hart? In this episode we discuss how Kate embodied her teenage characters to find their voice, the important messages in her story and how she fits writing into her busy teaching career. Buy Are You Okay Elliot Hart?: https://t.co/rP6zQk4wSU Follow Kate on Twitter: @k...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Melissa Fu about her historical novel Peach Blossom Spring. In this episode we discuss how her novel evolved from a short story, the benefits of Arts Council Funding, and how inspiration comes when something stops her in her tracks. Buy Peach Blossom Spring: https://www.waterstones.com/book/peach-blossom-spring/melissa-fu//978...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Keiran Goddard about his novel Hourglass. In this episode we talk about specificity when writing universal themes, Keiran’s writing routine which involves checking into grotty hotels and how an obsession with pop music led him to writing.  Buy Hourglass: https://amzn.to/3qMjyLs Follow Keiran on Twitter: @keirangoddard1 ht...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I talk to Jinny Alexander about her novel Dear Isobel. In this episode we talk about writing unlikable characters, how dog walking is essential to her writing process and giving yourself time away from your writing if you’re stuck.  Buy Dear Isobel: https://www.jinnyalexander.com/books-and-stories/ Follow Jinny on Twitter: @CeramicFairy...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m breaking the rules a bit and talking to Gabriella Braun about her narrative non-fiction book All That We Are. I thought it would be interesting to hear about getting into the publishing industry from a non-fiction angle. In this episode Gabriella talks about the challenge of being vulnerable and writing about herself, how storytelling is just...

In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Lizzie Pook about her historical novel Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter. We talk about how for Lizzie, setting comes first, how Lizzie taught herself the craft of writing without courses and the best piece of writing advice she’s learnt. Buy Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter: https://www.waterstones.com/book/moonlight-and-th...