In My Good Books

Bestselling author Julie Mae Cohen discusses her latest novel, Body Count, which features Saffy, a serial killer with a unique moral code. The discussion delves into the complexities of Saffy's relationships, particularly with her sister, and the emotional challenges she faces as she navigates love and violence. Julie also reflects on her writing journey, the evolution of the publishing indust...

Kathryn Sharman discusses her debut psychological thriller, 'The Family at Number 23', exploring themes of motherhood, class, and the complexities of female friendships. She shares insights into her writing journey, the development of her characters, and the significance of setting in her narrative. The discussion also touches on her experiences in the publishing world and her upcoming pro...

In this episode, join Susie and her friends as they delve into the mystery surrounding the Evelyn Clark, the pen name of two established, but unnamed authors, of upcoming novel The Ending Writes Itself. They explore various theories about the true identities of the authors, discuss the implications of the book's premise, and share insights into the publishing industry. The conversation is fill...

Louise Hegarty discusses her debut novel 'Fair Play', a unique murder mystery that intertwines themes of grief and friendship. The novel's structure, inspired by classic detective fiction, allows for a deep exploration of the protagonist Abigail's emotional journey following her brother's death. Louise shares insights into her writing process, character development, and the cha...

In this episode, Kingsley Pearson discusses his debut novel, Flat 401, a psychological thriller that explores themes of guilt, shame, and identity. As a clinical psychologist, he shares insights into character development and the writing process, including the importance of tension and the role of editing. Kingsley also reflects on his journey to publication, the experience of seeing his book in s...

This episode of  In My Good Books features four incredible writers. Non-fiction author Sacha Coward, and poets Mae Diansangu, Rhian Elizabeth, and Robert Hamberger. All of whom recently decided to withdraw from this year’s Polari Prize longlists. Mae Diansangu recommended the book Monstrilio by Gerargo Samano Cordova. You can find Mae on Instagram @vavapoetry and https://www.tapsalteerie.co.uk/pro...

In this episode, award-winning author Kate Kemp discusses her debut novel 'The Grapevine,' which explores the intricacies of community life in a 1979 Australian cul-de-sac following a murder. The conversation delves into character development, particularly focusing on Guan Yu, a culturally different character, and the dynamics between younger characters like Tammy and Colin. Kate shares in...

Elaine Sinclair, owner of Daydreams Bookshop, shares her journey from being a lawyer to opening her own independent bookshop. She discusses the challenges and joys of running a bookshop, the importance of community engagement through events, and offers valuable insights for aspiring booksellers. The conversation also includes book recommendations that highlight the diversity and richness of litera...

Broadcaster and author Steph McGovern discusses her journey from journalism to writing fiction, focusing on her debut novel 'Deadline'. She shares insights into the writing process, character development, and the challenges of becoming a bestseller. Steph also offers advice for aspiring authors and shares her thoughts on the importance of dialogue in storytelling. The episode concludes wit...

Kelly Mullen discusses her debut novel 'This Is Not a Game', a locked room mystery featuring a grandmother and granddaughter detective duo. She shares insights into her writing process, character development, and the humour woven throughout the narrative. Kelly also reflects on her career in film and television, the transition to writing novels, and the importance of creative writing cours...

Book reviewer Stu Cummins shares his journey into the world of book reviewing, discussing his love for crime fiction and the importance of community in the literary world. He reflects on the pressures of reviewing, the joy of promoting lesser-known authors, and the balance between personal reading and reviewing obligations. The discussion also covers practical tips for aspiring reviewers, insights...

Daniel Aubrey discusses his latest novel, 'The Dying Light', the challenges of writing a second book in a series, and the impact of his experiences with autism and ADHD on his writing process. He shares insights into the characters and themes of his work, offers book recommendations, and reflects on the publishing industry. The discussion highlights the complexities of being an author and the impo...

Susie interviews Chris Bridges, the author of 'Sick to Death', a psychological thriller that explores themes of invisible illness and moral complexity. Chris shares insights into his writing process, character development, and the importance of accurately portraying illness in fiction. The discussion also touches on the public reception of his work, the challenges of writing a second book, and rec...

In this episode of 'In My Good Books', Susie Green chats with Fran McBookface about the world of book reviewing. They discuss Fran's journey into book reviewing, her reading preferences, and the community aspect of being a reviewer. The conversation also covers practical advice for aspiring reviewers, how to obtain review copies, the ethics of reviewing, and how to handle negative reviews. They co...

Award-winning journalist turned historical fiction author Emma Cowing discusses her debut novel, 'The Show Woman,' which is inspired by her family's history and set in Edwardian Scotland's fairgrounds. Emma shares insights into her writing process, the challenges she faced, and the importance of women's stories in history. She also reads an excerpt from her book, delves into character development,...

In this short intro episode, I’m sharing what you can expect from the podcast - weekly conversations with authors, reviewers and fellow readers about the stories that have stayed with us. If you love talking about books, discovering new reads, or hearing from the people who write them, you’re in the right place. New episodes drop every week, so make sure to follow and leave a quick review, it real...