The Joy of Writing

Covid-19 has forced book launches, readings and festivals online to give a different experience for authors interacting with an audience.  The current situation, however, has not always been so kind on the creative process, and has dampened many efforts to write and even to know what would be worth writing. Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

We discuss the creative writing courses Tyler teaches on, and how visiting authors are generous with their time and advice to students. Tyler's inspirational book is The Collector of Hearts: New Tales of the Grotesque, by Joyce Carol Oates. Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

My guest is Tyler Keevil, author of Your Still Beating Heart, to be published on 10 September, 2020.  We discuss the book, its themes, and its compelling narrative voice. Publisher: https://myriadeditions.com/books/your-still-beating-heart/ Your Still Beating Heart is out in e-book and hardback. Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

What is success to writers?  Getting published?  Making money?  Fame?  Lizzie and I discuss what counts as success and what writers might like to realistically aim for. Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

All writers need at least some skills as publicist and marketeer of their own work.  We learn from Lizzie what it means to take on these roles in support of her book.  We also hear how she is getting on with book number 7. Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

My guest is Lizzie Enfield, author of Finish Your Book: Complete Your Half-Written Novel.  Published (Amazon) in July 2019.  We discuss the book, and talk about advice to writers who would like to beat the block and finish their work. Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

Tom explains how he is wary of writing advice - one size does not fit all. It is one of the pleasures of this podcast that we get to hear such a range of advice and opinions on how to write!  Tom talks more about his influential book: Naples '44, by Norman Lewis. Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

Tom talks about how he marked publication of his debut novel online, when a physical, social book launch was not possible. Tom's next book, The Hunting Season, is out soon. He discusses writing book 3. Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

My guest is Tom Benjamin, author of A Quiet Death in Italy , published by Constable/Hachette in 2019.  We discuss the book, and how the city of Bologna and its history is a major theme. SPOILER ALERT!  We discuss the book in detail! Publishers: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/tom-benjamin/a-quiet-death-in-italy/9781472131560/ A Quiet Death in Italy is out now in e-book, paperback, and audiobook....

Listen to excellent advice from Ed, creative writing teacher, on how to write narrative non-fiction. Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

Ghostland is out now in hardback and audiobook, and out on 15 October 2020 in paperback. Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

My guest is Edward Parnell, author of Ghostland : In Search of a Haunted Country , published by William Collins in 2019.  We discuss the book, and Ed's research into the writers and settings of some classic ghost stories. SPOILER ALERT!  We discuss the book in detail! Author website https://edwardparnell.com/ Publishers: https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9780008271954/ghostland-in-search-of-a-h...

Wonderful advice, and notes on an inspirational poetry collection, from Andy that will boost your creativity! Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

Publication of any work of art is a very personal experience, as you will hear! Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

My guest is Andrew McDonnell, author of The Somnambulist Cookbook , published by Salt in 2019.  We discuss the book, which is Andy's debut poetry collection, and learn about his influences and the power of dreams. SPOILER ALERT!  We discuss the book in detail! Author website: http://www.gatehousepress.com/lighthouse/about/ Publishers: https://www.saltpublishing.com/collections/author-andrew-m...

Perseverance is key as you will hear! Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

We discuss online launch events and writing the next book. Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

My guest is Louise Fein, author of People Like Us , published by Head of Zeus in 2020.  We discuss her novel, which is about an ill-fated romance set in 1930s Germany. SPOILER ALERT!  We discuss the book in detail! WEBSITE https://www.louisefein.com/ Publishers: https://headofzeus.com/books/9781789545340 Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

In the last of the series, Amanthi and I discuss what aspiring authors should be doing (hint: read widely!).  She tells me about a short story/novella that she admired, the influence of which can be felt in her work.  Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

Amanthi tells me about her book tour of India for the promotion of Beautiful Place .  She tells me about how her experiences as a Sri Lankan/British author, and how politics inevitably crept into the discussion of her book.  Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

My guest is Amanthi Harris, author of Beautiful Place , published by Salt in 2019.  We discuss her book, set at a guesthouse on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, and the multitude of characters we meet. SPOILER ALERT!  We discuss the novel in detail! https://www.saltpublishing.com/collections/author-amanthi-harris Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

I hear Sally’s advice to aspiring authors (hint: writing courses are a good idea!).  We also discuss a book that influenced her at a young age, and consider that it’s never too late to read the classics.   Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

Sally tells me about life as a writer after Haverscroft (no pun intended) and the fun of post-publication activities.  We also discuss writing book two, similar in flavour to the first but with new characters and setting.  Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!

My guest is Sally Harris, author of Haverscroft , published by Salt in 2019.  We talk about her book, which is a traditional haunted house tale mixed with domestic noir, and what publication of her debut meant to her. SPOILER ALERT!  We discuss the novel in detail! https://www.saltpublishing.com/collections/author-s-a-harris Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what...

Eleanor and I discuss advice to writers (here’s a hint: turn up to work!) and why writing must be its own reward; we would do it come what may!  We also learn about a classic book that made a great impression on her.  Please heart or rate an episode on your podcast provider if you like what you hear!