Northern Voices

In Episode 98, I'm joined by novelist Dan Spencer. We delve into his novel, Cat Lover, writing from the perspective of a cat, the support of a good bookshop and how the process is far from over even when you've published your first book. Find out more: www.danspencerwriter.com https://atlantic-books.co.uk/book/cat-lover/ https://www.forumbooksshop.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/atlanticboo...

In Episode 97, I'm joined by author and academic E. Jay Gilbert. We talk about her book Haunted: Ghost Stories and Their Afterlives, the superstitions of the North, why we need more representation of the North East in books and the linguistic ambiguity of Hagrid. Find out more: https://www.marjacq.com/jay-gilbert https://shorturl.at/O2SET https://www.bonnierbooks.co.uk/books/manilla-press/haunted/...

In Episode 96, I'm joined by writer, baker and researcher Daisy May Johnson. We talk about her books for children, using the page to full effect and turning the tables on limitations in publishing to make them a strength for emerging authors. Find out more: https://linktr.ee/daisymayjohnsonbooks https://didyoueverstoptothink.com/ https://pushkinpress.com/our-authors/daisy-may-johnson/ Bluesky: htt...

In this week's episode, poet and performer Ella Frances Sanderson joins me to talk about being an autistic writer and workshop leader, where she gets her creative inspiration and her appearance on BBC Sounds. Find out more: https://ellasandy16.wixsite.com/aspie https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFh8sau1ji2oTYM34kfa0A Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcsounds Music credit: 'Water of Tyne' perf...

On Northern Voices this week, North-East novelist Helen Aitchison joins me to talk about her latest books. We also chat about writing as therapy, her CIC Write on the Tyne and why you don't need to have dreamed about being a writer as a child to try it in adulthood. Find out more: https://helenaitchisonwrites.wordpress.com/ https://writeonthetyne.com/ https://write-on-the-tyne.sumupstore.com/produ...

This week's episode is something a little different, because as well as YA author Susan (S.J.) Baker, I'm also joined by six of her students – Betsy, Imogen, Madi, Lily, Bella and Zofia. We discuss how they're contributing to Susan's novels through editorial feedback, the lack of opportunities for young Northern writers and why they feel the school curriculum is stunting their creative output. Fin...

In a special Tuesday episode this week, Executive Publisher at Canelo Books, Louise Cullen, joins me to discuss publishing, bias, diversity and the North. We chat about the changes in the publishing industry in recent years, her path to her current role, and unpack some of the details in my Publishing Research Quarterly article, 'Publishing the North: Bias, Diversity and the North–South Divide in...

In Episode 91, writer Robert Welbourn joins us to discuss his latest novel, Great Romances of the 20th Century. We also delve into gender inequity in writing, understanding the world through literature and how social media is destroying our happiness. Find out more: https://srlpublishing.co.uk/product/great-romances Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robertwelbourn.bsky.social https://bsky.app/prof...

In this week's episode, novelist and educator Ken Powell joins us to talk about his writing process, the similarities between theatre and publishing and why online networking is the way to go for aspiring writers. Find out more: https://linktr.ee/kendkpowell https://www.amazon.com.au/Pukur-D-K-POWELL/dp/1592111440 https://histriabooks.com/ Music credit: 'Water of Tyne' performed by Edinburgh Unive...

In Episode 89, writer, poet and access worker Quinn Clark joins us to talk about their book 365 Days of Healing. We also delve into the vibrant Newcastle writing scene, the lack of information available about publishing and why their work in progress has more tentacles than your average novel. Find out more: https://quinnclark.co.uk https://www.waterstones.com/book/365-days-of-healing/quinn-clark/...

In Episode 88, HarperNorth author Naomi Kelsey comes on to talk about her novels The Darkening Globe and The Burnings. We also chat about the importance of creative writing in schools, giving female characters more agency in gothic fiction and leading by example when it comes to getting young people into publishing careers. Find out more: https://www.harpercollins.com.au/cr-164976/naomi-kelsey/ ht...

In this episode, historical thriller writer Nicholas Graham discusses his novel The Judas Case. We also delve into writing authentic historical fiction, biases against partnership publishing and the limitations of a celebrity-obsessed publishing industry. Find out more: https://bookguild.co.uk/bookshop/historical/the-judas-case https://nicholasgraham.net https://literaryconsultancy.co.uk/showcase/...

In Episode 86, novelist Jack Byrne discusses his latest title Burning Down the House which has just been released. We also delve into class and community, Ireland and Liverpool, and how he became the first author to be published by Northodox Press. Find out more: https://www.northodox.co.uk/product-page/burning-down-the-house-paperback https://jackbyrnewriter.com/aboutme/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app...

This week Professor of Creative Writing at York St John University Abi Curtis joins us to talk about her new novel, The Headland. We dip into everything from writing the other and speculative fiction, to becoming a professor and the joy of helping other develop their writing. Find out more: https://www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-press/publications/the-headland/ https://abicurtis.com/ Bluesky: https://b...

In Episode 84 we highlight emerging writer Sharon Tyers as she talks about writing her memoir, The Wrong Socks. As well as her published novel, Linen & Rooks, we delve into the difficulties of writing real life, the history of Leicester and giving voice to working-class women. Find out more: https://sharontyers.wordpress.com/ https://substack.com/@toobusyworld https://www.gwales.com/goto/biblio/en...

In this week's episode writer Jodie Robins joins us to talk about her book The Off Season, which is the third novella from Wild Hunt Books's Northern Weird Project. We also delve into the glam and the grim side of Blackpool, the slow pace of publishing and the incredible diversity of Northern stories waiting to be told. Find out more: https://jodierobins.substack.com/ https://www.wildhuntbooks.co....

In this week's episode, novelist, artist and dramatist (to name a few) Lisette Auton joins us to talk about her novel, Lights Up. We also delve into accessibility, Northern-set stories and why it's important to make everyone feel welcome in the arts. Find out more: https://lisetteauton.co.uk/ https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/455460/lights-up-by-auton-lisette/9780241637654 Instagram: https://www.ins...

In Episode 81 we take a trip to Saltburn-by-the-sea to delve into Deborah O'Connor's thriller, Dear Future Me. Find out more: https://shorturl.at/aJoK2 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/deborahoconnor.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/zaffrebooks.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahleighoconnor https://www.instagram.com/zaffrebooks Music credit: 'Water of Tyne' performed by...

Episode 80 is a sparky one as writer Jamie Jackson joins me to talk about his new novel, Adventures in LovE. We cover raves and Thatcher, the North and Ibiza, the magic of writing novels and getting stuck in to the creative process. Find out more: https://www.northodox.co.uk/product-page/adventures-in-love-paperback-pre-order https://jamiejackson.substack.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nor...

Climate and creativity are the main topics of this week's episode with novelist John Ironmonger. We delve into his new novel, The Wager and the Bear, why more people should be writing about the climate crisis and how he almost deleted the email that got him an agent. Find out more: https://www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/product-page/the-wager-and-the-bear-by-john-ironmonger https://www.johnironmonger...

This week we delve into a tale of love, loss, grief, death and human fallibility with 2024 Northbound Book Award winner Rozie Kelly. We discuss her debut novel Kingfisher, writing characters from communities other than your own and the current challenges facing writers. Find out more: https://saraband.net/sb-title/kingfisher-2/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/saraband-books.bsky.social https://b...

We're heading into dark and dangerous territory this week as novelist Natalie Chandler discusses her latest psychological thriller, The Voices. We delve into writing characters who can't see, the trouble with writing the second book in a two-book contract and the growing, vibrant community of writers in the North. Find out more: www.wildhuntbooks.co.uk/books/p/dontc…9781739458041 Bluesky: bsky.app...

In this week's episode, horror writer Matt Wesolowski joins me to talk about his new novella, (Don't) Call Mum – the second in Wild Hunt Books's Northern Weird Project. We also delve into class division, Northern folklore and the depth of the horror genre. Find out more: https://www.wildhuntbooks.co.uk/books/p/dontcallmum/9781739458041 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattjwesolowski.bsky.social...

In this week's episode, novelist Paul D Coombs delves into his dark, gothic thriller The Great Orme. We explore the problems with a London-centric publishing industry, the influence of landscape on his writing and why confession makes as good a topic for a thriller as a murder. Find out more: https://www.pauldcoombs.com/ https://www.northodox.co.uk/product-page/the-great-orme-paperback-pre-order B...

We delve into the occult this week as writer Kate Van Der Borgh discusses her 'dark academia' novel, And He Shall Appear. We also discuss trends and labels in publishing, exploring class division through magic and finding your identity in the North–South divide. Find out more: https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/and-he-shall-appear-kate-van-der-borgh?variant=40786310365262 https://katevanderborgh...