Northern Voices

In this week's episode, I'm joined by emerging writer Victoria Ferguson to talk about her exciting new projects. We delve into the issues with accessibility in the UK publishing industry, the craft of writing folk horror and why she's writing dialect fiction set in the North East of England despite being a Scouser herself. Music credit: 'Water of Tyne' performed by Edinburgh University Brass Band...

This week's episode is the second in the mini-series: Publishing Unpacked. In each of these special episodes I'll be joined by Northern writers discussing the publishing process from submission to publication. Today's guest is debut author Louise Powell, whose novel Underdogs was published by John Murray Originals. We delve into our joint adventure into the submission trenches, unpacking everythin...

In Episode 121 I'm joined by cli-fi writer Kay Inckle to talk about her new novel, Overspill. We also discuss why her main character is a wheelchair user, the lack of representation of menopausal women in fiction and why being Northern is the least of her worries when it comes to the UK publishing industry. Find out more: https://srlpublishing.co.uk/product/overspill-kay-inckle https://www.lavidal...

In this week's episode, I'm joined by three emerging writers from York St John University's creative writing degree: Charlie Mason, Hannah Neave and Henry Wileman. We talk about the anthology they've produced, Beyond the Walls, their writing and their view of the North in the UK publishing industry. Find out more: https://valleypressuk.com/products/beyond-the-walls-2026 Charlie: https://open.subst...

In this week's episode, I'm joined by academic and Brontë scholar Claire O'Callaghan as we talk about the new edition of her book Emily Brontë Reappraised. We delve into why women who write are labelled mad, the power of the landscape in Northern fiction and why the recent Wuthering Heights film made her giggle. Find out more: https://claireocallaghan.com/ https://saraband.net/sb-title/emily-bront...

In this week's episode, I'm joined by historical novelist Carolyn O'Brien. We explore her latest novel, Rose and Renzo, from Northodox Press, delve into the details of writing historical fiction and discuss why publishers don't seem to realise that readers love dialect writing. Find out more: https://www.northodox.co.uk/product-page/rose-renzo-paperback https://jennybrownassociates.com/author/caro...

This week's episode is the first in a new series: Publishing Unpacked. In each of these special episodes I'll be joined by Northern writers discussing the publishing process from submission to publication. Today's guest is debut author Shaun Wilson, whose novel Malc's Boy was published by Conduit Books. We delve into the whole editing process, from making structural changes to proofreading, defini...

This week's episode features sports writer and novelist, Frank Malley. We delve into his most recent novel, The Singing Spy, based on an incredible true story, how to break into journalism in the current media landscape and the process of turning historical fact into fiction. Find out more: https://shorturl.at/aRwwY https://shorturl.at/2TCa9 Bluesky: @frankmalley.bsky.social X: @MalleyFrancis Musi...

On Northern Voices this week, writer Steve Chambers discusses his novel, The Dark Months. We also delve into the creative arts industry in the North East, writing for Byker Grove and writing what you know. Find out more: https://zymurgy.co.uk/product/the-dark-months-by-steve-chambers/ https://haydngrey.co.uk/the-writing-desk-steve-chambers/ Music credit: 'Water of Tyne' performed by Edinburgh Univ...

Award-winning writer Colwill Brown joins us this week to talk about her debut novel, We Pretty Pieces of Flesh. We delve into the craft of writing dialect, why female friendships are fertile ground for fiction and how moving away from home can provide some much-needed perspective when it comes to writing place. Find out more: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/460689/we-pretty-pieces-of-flesh-by-brow...

In Episode 113, I'm joined by jack of all trades, master of pretty much all of them, Dan Husband. Poet, performer, prose writer, it seems there's little he can't turn his hand to. We talk about how writing can open the door to expression and understanding, the lack of accessibility for working-class writers and why community is at the heart of everything in the North. Find out more: https://shortu...

In Episode 112, I chat to experimental writer and scientist Tania Hershman. We delve into merging genres, blending particle physics and writing, and why to be a writer all you need to do is write. Find out more: https://taniahershman.com/ https://taniahershman.com/its-time-a-chronomemoir/ https://taniahershman.substack.com/podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/taniahershman.bsky.social Instagr...

In the first episode of 2026, novelist Andrew Okey joins me to discuss his award-winning manuscript Jacopo's Contract. We also delve into writing the north, winning writing prizes and why literary agents should be expanding their outreach beyond London. Find out more: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/andrewokeyauthor.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewokey4/ Music credit: 'Wat...

We end 2025 on a high with episode 110 featuring novelist Chloe de Lullington. We chat about her novel, Cacoethes, writing bisexuality and why a book set in 2015 should definitely not be considered historical fiction. Find out more: https://www.northodox.co.uk/product-page/cacoethes-paperback Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cdelull.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeinthechlola...

On Northern Voices today, writer and publisher Malcolm Havard joins me to talk about his many books, the highs and lows of being an indie publisher and the literary legacy of Lisbon. Find out more: https://www.malcolmhavard.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/malhavardwriter.bsky.social Music credit: 'Water of Tyne' performed by Edinburgh University Brass Band (2009) arranged by Jack Stobbs, ed...

On Northern Voices this week, academic, novelist and folklorist Ceri Houlbrook joins me to talk about her new book, Folklore: A Journey Through Past and Present. We also delve into fantasy writing, tales of magic and mystery, and how a boggart in a park helped her begin her career. Find out more: https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526180377/ https://www.waterstones.com/book/winters-wishfa...

This week's episode of Northern Voices features SFF writer Alethea Lyons. We delve into her The Seer of York series, why publishers need to be attuned to cultural difference and neurodivergence, and why AI is anything but 'intelligent'. Find out more: https://alethealyons.wixsite.com/stories https://brigidsgatepress.com/product/the-somnia Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alethearlyons.bsky.social...

In this special episode of Northern Voices, award-winning novelist and fellow Pityakker Benjamin Myers joins me to discuss his new novel, Jesus Christ Kinski. We delve into pretty much his entire backlist of novels, writing in the dialect of the North East coalfields and why English authors need to take more risks in their writing. Find out more: https://www.benjaminmyerswriter.com/ https://www.bl...

In Episode 105 I'm joined by Jodie James – author, publisher and writer. We talk about her publishing company, Wildflower Bay, her book The Dandy Lion, and why people from the North East are natural born storytellers. Find out more: https://www.wildflowerbay.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodiejwrites https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerbaypublishing Music credit: 'Water of Tyne' perf...

This week on Northern Voices I'm joined by Yorkshire lass Melanie Taylor, who is here to chat about her novel, Love Digitally. We delve into transcontinental relationships, how COVID nearly scunnered her book's success and why authors should be given more financial security from publishers. Find out more: https://foxandinkbooks.com/book/love-digitally/ https://www.liverpool-literary.agency/authors...

In Episode 103 I'm joined by crime writer Sean Watkin as he talks about his book, Black Water Rising. We also delve into how celebrity books are a bigger threat to authors than AI, why Northern writers keep getting in their own way and how he's not the only one writing Sonic the Hedgehog fan fiction. Find out more: https://seanwatkin.co.uk/ https://www.canelocrime.com/books/black-water-rising-sean...

This week, Northumberland-born novelist Sarah Handyside joins me to discuss her book, Instructions for Heartbreak. We also delve into female friendships and relationships, the plague of celebrity books and why publishers need to show more bravery. Find out more: https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/sarah-handyside/instructions-for-heartbreak/9781035032792 https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/sarah...

This week's guest is writer and advocate Candi Martin who joins me to chat about her poetry collection Burnt Ice Cream. We also explore writing for wellness, Northern imposter syndrome and how poetry can work to address social injustice. Find out more: https://writtenoffpublishing.com/shop/p/burnt-ice-cream-candi-martin https://linktr.ee/candimartinwriter Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/writteno...

In Episode 100 of Northern Voices, equine expert and writer Miriam Bibby takes us through how her love of horses defined her career, and how horses came to put Northern history and culture on an international stage. Find out more: https://societyofauthors.org/soa-member/dr-miriam-a-bibby/ https://trivent-publishing.eu/home/181-336-galloway-nag.html https://www.amberley-books.com/author-community-m...

In this week's episode we head to the dark side with horror aficionado Neil McRobert. We talk about his new novella, Good Boy, why Northern writers should be aiming internationally and how he became besties with writing icon Stephen King. Find out more: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/talking-scared/id1530064310 https://www.wildhuntbooks.co.uk/books/p/goodboy/9781068563102 Bluesky: https://b...