Northern Voices

In this week's episode, classic crime aficionado Kate Jackson talks about her book, How to Survive a Classic Crime Novel. We also delve into the limitations around accessibility in the UK publishing industry, the power of finding a writing community and how classic crime is anything but cosy. Find out more: https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress.com/ https://shorturl.at/vvmi3 Music credit: 'Water o...

We're delving into a world of magic and mystery this week as debut novelist Ella Ruby Self joins us to talk about her book, Abraxus Elijah Honey. We chat about the resurgence of fairytale narratives, why AI should be kept out of the creative industries and why we should be aiming to become more mindful readers. Find out more: https://www.northodox.co.uk/product-page/abraxus-elijah-honey-paperback-...

This week on Northern Voices we encounter the first of the novellas from the Northern Weird Project at Wild Hunt Books. Stephen Howard is first past the post with his thrilling and chilling story, This House Isn't Haunted But We Are. We talk about the pressure of going first, self-publishing versus traditional and the fun of writing in the voice of inanimate objects. Find out more: https://stephen...

An absolutely packed episode this week with poet, pilgrim and now prose writer Jake Morris-Campbell. We delve into his new book Between the Salt and the Ash, his involvement in editing Marratide: Selected Poems of William Martin and how his pilgrimage from Lindisfarne to Durham Cathedral revealed more of the North than he could have ever bargained for. Find out more: https://manchesteruniversitypr...

A real tweet (geddit?) for you this week as writer Richard Foster joins us to talk about his new story collection, The Punk Rock Birdwatching Club. We also delve into writing the Netherlands, the link between Northern music and literature and the joy of birdwatching. Find out more: https://www.ortacpress.com/product-page/the-punk-rock-birdwatching-club https://rjfoster.substack.com/ X: https://x.c...

What does it mean to be Northern? In Episode 68, Yorkshire ofcumden Stephen May talks about finding a sense of Northern identity, how he doesn't consider writing a profession and his latest novel, Green Ink. Find out more: https://swiftpress.com/book/green-ink/ X: https://x.com/Stephen_May1 https://x.com/_SwiftPress BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/swiftpress.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.ins...

For Episode 67 we head to the future with award-winning sci-fi writer Liam Hogan's new collection, A Short History of the Future. We delve into the book's 42 (if you know you know) entertaining tales, publishing and the North, and the need to inspire young writers. Find out more: https://www.northodox.co.uk/product-page/a-short-history-of-the-future-paperback https://happyendingnotguaranteed.blogs...

This week I'm joined by theatre-maker, writer and actor Eleanor May Blackburn as she discusses her new poetry collection, Sleeve Heart. We also delve into questions of accessibility in literature and theatre, the future of publishing and writing trauma. Find out more: https://www.stairwellbooks.co.uk/product/sleeve-heart/ X: https://x.com/eleanormayblac1 https://x.com/StairwellBooks BlueSky https:...

Episode 65 is packed with puzzles as quiz writer Sarah Dunnakey talks about her latest book, The 12 Murders of Christmas. As well as this playful mystery we talk about the rise of AI, validating the writing process and how to have a career writing quiz questions for the likes of Mastermind and Pointless. Find out more: https://sarahdunnakey.com/ https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/the-twelve-murd...

In Episode 64 writer Drew Gummerson talks about his short(ish) story collection, Saltburn. We delve into the downsides of marketing labels, the desire for variety in fiction and why we need to see more Northern books on the shelf. Find out more: https://renardpress.com/books/saltburn/ https://linktr.ee/drewgum X: https://x.com/drewgum https://x.com/renardpress/ BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/dre...

A short but punchy episode today as Manchester writer Neil Campbell joins me to talk about his new short story collection, Saying Dirty Things in Regional Accents. We chat about writing short form fiction, linguistic hierarchies and why he keeps going back to the same indie publisher for his books. Find out more: https://shorturl.at/jLf08 https://www.neilcampbell.co.uk/ BlueSky https://bsky.app/pr...

**Content warning: WW2, concentration camps, perpetration of war crimes** We're looking across the oceans in Episode 62, as Angharad Hampshire joins me to discuss her debut novel, The Mare, which explores the true story of a WW2 concentration camp guard extradited to Germany to answer for her crimes. We also delve into the links between accent and identity, Northern writers and how we can further...

In this week's episode, historical fiction writer JP Maxwell delves deep into Liverpool's close history with America in his new novel The Americans of Abercromby Square. He discusses Liverpool's literary renaissance, writing strong female characters and the benefits of having a local literary scene on your doorstep. Find out more: https://hawksmoorpublishing.com/book/the-americans-of-abercromby-sq...

The first episode of 2025 features novelist Glen James Brown talking about his new novel, Mother Naked. We discuss using Northern dialect and Old English to create a unique narrative style, why his books are popular in France and the myths and legends that permeate Northern culture. Find out more: https://peninsulapress.co.uk/products/mother-naked X: https://x.com/Glen_J_Brown https://x.com/PressP...

In the final episode of 2024, writer and comedian Kate Fox discusses her new collection of poetry On Sycamore Gap. She also talks about exploring Northern identity through academia, the value of Northern culture and why publishers should be looking to the lower middle class when it comes to marketing books. Find out more: https://katefoxwriter.wordpress.com/ https://www.harpercollins.com.au/978000...

In Episode 58, Sid Chaplin Award winner 2024 Adam Barrett joins me to talk about his novel-in-progress, He Too Must Sleep. We delve into the significance of writing local history, the power of dialect writing and how writers can learn a lot from wrestling. Find out more: https://coaldust.substack.com/ https://newwritingnorth.com/northern-writers-awards/awards/ X: https://x.com/DeadChronicler https...

Co-founder of Northodox Press Ted O'Connor joins me on Northern Voices in this episode to chat all things Northern publishing. We cover everything from Northodox's submissions wish list, the industry's move into the North and the huge diversity of incredible books coming out of the region. Find out more: https://www.northodox.co.uk/ https://www.northodox.co.uk/team X: https://x.com/Ted_Northodox h...

Where to even begin with this blockbuster of an episode? Author, musician and creative writing lecturer Guy Mankowski takes to the mic in this episode to discuss his intriguing new novel You Complete the Masterpiece, Northern identity and things he wished he'd known when looking for an agent. Find out more: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/roundfire-books/our-books/you-complete-masterpiece-novel...

CW: Brief mention of suicide ideation In this week's episode, award-winning writer Adam Farrer talks about his first book Cold Fish Soup and his upcoming collection of essays Broken Biscuits. We delve into themes of masculinity and mental health, attempt to tackle imposter syndrome and discuss why a collection about a Northern seaside town has appealed to an international audience. Find out more:...

In this episode, bestselling author Linda Green talks about her most recent novel, In Little Stars. We also discuss the fickle world of publishing, the importance of Northern voices in audiobooks and why we need a greater diversity of UK books in the worldwide market. Find out more: https://www.quercusbooks.co.uk/titles/linda-green/in-little-stars/9781787478770/ https://www.lindagreenauthor.com/ X...

In this episode children's writer Sophie Clarke talks about her award-winning manuscript Ellie Anderson is Dead, writing for readers you care about and why it's important for young people to explore themes of death and grief. Find out more: https://newwritingnorth.com/northern-writers-awards/ https://newwritingnorth.com/northern-writers-awards/awards/ X: https://x.com/SEA_Clarke https://x.com/NewW...

In Episode 52, Northern Voices celebrates one whole year of existence with this vibrant and thought-provoking chat with writer Tawseef Khan. We talk about the healthy state of Northern writing, the difficulties of telling stories about race and why publishers need to take more risks on diverse books. Find out more: https://footnotepress.com/books/determination/ https://atlantic-books.co.uk/book/mu...