The Conversation with Nadine Matheson

This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson welcomes the talented P.J. Vernon , author of the gripping novel Bath Haus . In this candid conversation, P.J. Vernon opens up about his journey to sobriety, the challenges of writing dark fiction, and the transformative power of storytelling. P.J. Vernon shares his personal experiences with rejection and the evolution of his definition of success as...

This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson dives deep with author Stig Abell to discuss his gripping new novel, A Twist in the River. In this episode, Stig shares his journey from journalism to fiction writing, revealing how his experiences have shaped his storytelling and the themes he explores in his work. Stig tells the story of how he accidentally became a crime novelist, writing for pure...

Watch as a full video episode on YouTube This week, we’re diving into the unmasking of one of the world’s most successful authors. Freida McFadden, the bestselling author behind The Housemaid, has officially revealed her true identity as Dr. Sara Cohen. We wonder 'why now', talk about imposter syndrome, and discuss why authors use pseudonyms. Plus, we of course chat about some AI-related stories:...

In this Coffee Break episode, Nadine Matheson sits down with debut novelist Tara Menon to talk about her stunning new book Under Water, a story about friendship, grief, and the devastating power of natural disasters. Tara shares her experiences growing up in Singapore and the impact of two significant natural disasters, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Sandy, on her writing process and...

This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson welcomes debut author Mario Ambrosi to discuss his new children's novel, Scarlett Buckling and the Case of the Missing Pictures , Mario shares his journey from a career in communications to becoming a storyteller, revealing how his experiences in the world of social care inspired him to write a book that delicately addresses themes of dementia through...

This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson sits down with Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Vaughan, the woman behind Anatomy of a Scandal , Reputation , Little Disasters , and her brand new novel, Based on a True Story . In this episode, Sarah shares her experiences navigating the literary world, including the challenges she faced transitioning from journalism to fiction writing. We discu...

Watch as a full video episode on YouTube This week, we lead with the scandal that has the industry in a frenzy, with Hachette pulling the release of Mia Ballard’s horror novel Shy Girl after viral claims that the prose was generated by AI. We discuss the YouTube video with over a million views that started the fire, the author’s defense involving an "acquaintance," and what this means for the futu...

In this episode, Nadine Matheson sits down with bestselling Irish author Patricia Scanlan , one of the pioneers of modern Irish commercial fiction, to talk about her brand new book, City Girls Forever . 📚 In this conversation: How Patricia's debut novel City Girl (1990) was darker than she ever realised Revisiting Devlin, Maggie, and Caroline — 30+ years later and in their "powerful age" The heav...

This week on The Conversation, I'm thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented Tayari Jones , author of the New York Times Bestselling novel, Kin . Join us as we delve into Tayari's journey as a writer, discussing her evolution from a young storyteller to a celebrated author whose works resonate deeply with readers. In our engaging conversation, Tayari shares her experiences navigating the complex...

This week on The Conversation, I'm thrilled to welcome the multi-talented Andi Osho , author, comedian, and actress, as we dive into her latest novel, Most Wanted . Join us as we explore Andi's journey from post-production in television to becoming a celebrated writer, comedian, and actress, and the unique challenges she faced while navigating this transition. In our conversation, Andi shares her...

Watch as a full video on YouTube This episode of Adventures in Publishing-land dives deep into the battle for the "human soul" of the industry, featuring a frontline interview on the newest weapons in the author’s arsenal. We sit down with Anna Ganley and Sam Blake from the Society of Authors to discuss their new "Human Authored" scheme which launched at the London Book Fair. We explore the strate...

Joining me for a coffee break is the always insightful Neil Lancaster, author of the thrilling new novel, The Dark Heart . Join us as we dive into Neil's journey as a writer, discussing the evolution of his popular DS Max Craigie series and the unique challenges that come with writing about contemporary issues. In our conversation, Neil shares his experiences navigating the publishing industry, th...

I'm thrilled to welcome the talented Will Shindler , author of the chilling new novel, The Bone Queen. Join us as we explore Will's fascinating journey from script editing for The Bill to becoming a novelist, as well as his transition from writing police procedurals to delving into the world of horror. In our conversation, Will shares insights into the writing process, the importance of failure, a...

This week on The Conversation, I'm delighted to welcome the talented Claire McGowan, author of the gripping new novel, The Other Couple . Join us as we delve into Claire's journey as a writer, reflecting on her evolution from a young storyteller in rural Ireland to a successful author with 28 published works. In our conversation, Claire shares her experiences of the writing process, the challenges...

Watch as a full video on YouTube This week on Adventures in Publishing-land , we’re heading to San Francisco to look at Bindery Books. This startup is turning "bookfluencers" into acquiring editors, letting communities choose their own bestsellers. Is this the "Taylor’s Version" of publishing, or a risky bet on "tastemakers"? Plus, we discuss top literary agencies sounding the alarm on "formulaic"...

This week on The Conversation, I'm excited to welcome the incredible Anna Caig, author of the captivating debut novel, The Wise Witch of Orkney . Join us as we dive into Anna's journey from aspiring writer to published author, reflecting on the pivotal moments that led her to this milestone. Anna shares her experiences of the writing process, the challenges of historical fiction, and the importanc...

This week on The Conversation, I'm thrilled to welcome the dynamic duo, Jo Dinkin and Catherine Brinkworth, also known as J.D. Brinkworth, the creative minds behind the delightful new cosy mystery, The Pie and Mash Detective Agency . Join us as we explore their unique writing partnership and the intricate process of bringing their characters to life. In our chat, Jo and Catherine share insights in...

Joining me for a coffee break is Sunday Times Bestselling author, the talented Harriet Tyce, author of the captivating new novel, 'Witch Trial '. We delve into the inspiration behind 'Witch Trial', set in Edinburgh, which follows a heart surgeon juror navigating a murder trial involving two teenage girls accused of witchcraft. Harriet discusses the unique blend of research and creativity that shap...

In this episode of The Conversation, I'm joined by the talented author Nina Bhadreshwar, whose latest novel, The Day of the Roaring , dives deep into the complexities of identity, resilience, and the stark realities faced by urban youth. We discuss Nina's incredible journey from Barnsley to California, her experiences in the publishing industry, creating her own magazine and the challenges of bein...

Watch as a full video on YouTube This week, we’re unpacking the controversy surrounding Emerald Fennell’s "Wuthering Heights" adaptation. From historically inaccurate corsets to Margot Robbie’s "raunchy" take on Cathy, we debate how far a retelling can stray before it loses the source material entirely. Plus, we look at how one writer used AI to publish 200 novels in a single year, allegedly earni...

Joining me for a coffee break is debut author, M.K. Oliver who shares the inspiration behind his unique protagonist, Lala Rook, a stylish North London mother with sociopathic tendencies, navigating the complexities of family life while employing unconventional methods to achieve her goals in 'A Sociopath's Guide to a Successful Marriage' . Join us as we explore Oliver's creative process, from the...

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Today I'm joined by K. Anis Ahmed. Anis shares his compelling journey through the world of writing, reflecting on both the triumphs and challenges he faced along the way. From his early days as an aspiring writer to navigating the complexities of the publishing industry, K. Anis Ahmed offers valuable insights that resonate with both seasoned authors and those just starting out. During our engaging...

Watch as a full video on YouTube In this week's episode of Adventures in Publishing-land , we dive into the heated debate surrounding Val McDermid and the use of sensitivity readers to revise backlist titles. Should books be treated as historical artifacts, or is updating them a necessary step for modern audiences? Plus, we’re tackling two massive shifts in the industry: We break down the "Brave N...

Welcome back to 'The Conversation Coffee Break with Nadine Matheson'. Today, we're taking a break with the insightful Philippa Found , author of the thought-provoking book, It's Complicated: Collected Confessions of Messy Modern Love . Philippa shares her journey of collecting 250 anonymous confessions that delve into the complexities of modern relationships, from dating to breakups and everything...