The Writing Community Chat Show

This week on The Writing Community Chat Show, we sat down with someone whose life’s work is all about courage, compassion, and transformation. Renee Zukin is an author, educator, coach, and mental health advocate with more than 20 years of experience helping others do the inner work that sparks outer change. Her book, Every Day I’m Brave: Cultivating Resilience to Gain Freedom from Fear (Wonderwel...

When life feels overwhelming, we often reach for stories that make the world feel lighter, warmer, and a little more magical. That’s exactly what bestselling author Ciara Blume offers her readers and why she’s become one of the most talked-about voices in cozy fantasy today. Her Natural Magic Series didn’t just land well with readers, it exploded. In less than six months, her debut racked up over...

Georgina Moore is an author and seasoned book publicist with a long-standing career in the publishing industry. She worked behind the scenes managing publicity for major authors such as Patrick Gale, Penny Vincenzi, and Maggie O'Farrell before writing her own debut novel, The Garnett Girls. This novel is a family drama set on the Isle of Wight that has received praise from authors like Lucy Foley...

Laura Gaddis's journey to becoming a published author is a testament to perseverance and passion. While she always loved writing, she initially pursued a more "practical" career, earning a master's in clinical psychology and working in the field for 14 years. It was after a period of burnout that she decided to pivot back to her true calling, enrolling in an MFA program and reigniting her writing...

We recently had the pleasure of hosting international bestselling author J.L. Witterick on The Writing Community Chat Show, a show recently ranked among the top 10 writing podcasts in the UK. In a wide-ranging and insightful conversation, Jennifer, a master of emotional depth and compelling narratives, shared her journey from a high-stakes career in finance to becoming a globally recognized author...

Art Bell helped create Comedy Central, ran Court TV, and is now the author of What She’s Hiding, a gripping noir thriller that fans of Harlan Coben and Laura Dave will devour. In this episode, Art takes us behind the curtain of his career and creative journey:* How he helped launch one of the most iconic comedy brands in television history.* The high-stakes reality of running live courtroom covera...

Last night, we were joined LIVE by none other than Louise Candlish – the Sunday Times and internationally bestselling author behind Our House, Our Holiday, The Only Suspect, and her latest thriller A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder. Louise’s books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies, won multiple awards (including the British Book Awards Crime & Thriller of the Year and the Capital Crime Fin...

We’ve got a treat for you in this episode from the Harrogate Crime Writers Festival. Chris Hooley sat down with the award-winning author and screenwriter, Attica Locke — and what followed was a masterclass in storytelling, culture, and creative boldness. From discussing the nuances of American society and writing across different perspectives, to sharing book recommendations, hard truths, and gold...

If you’ve never had the pleasure of sitting down with Elly Griffiths, let me tell you: it’s like opening the first page of a gripping mystery and realising, with a smile, that you’re in very good hands. This year at The Harrogate Crime Writers Festival, I had the joy of chatting with the legendary author in none other than the Old Swan Library — a place steeped in literary history (yes, the same h...

What happens when a full-time financial services professional, father of three, and history lover decides to chase a dream? You get Peter Gibbons, indie author, Viking saga master, and winner of one of the biggest indie publishing prizes out there. Peter Gibbons didn’t start out with a book deal or a writing degree. In fact, he started with a full-time job in financial services, three kids, a glob...

What does it take to stay at the top of your game for 25 years in one of fiction’s most competitive genres? Apparently, if you’re Mark Billingham, it takes talent, wit, resilience… and a little bit of stand-up comedy experience. This weekend at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writers Festival, we had the honour of sitting down with the legendary Mark Billingham, whose name has become synonymous w...

What happens when a tech magnate demonstrates a time machine at a Las Vegas convention… and it actually works? That’s the thrilling (and terrifyingly plausible) premise of Catherine Mayer’s new novel, TIME/LIFE. But this book isn’t just about time travel—it’s about love, grief, and how technology and populism are reshaping the world around us. We sat down with Catherine for a conversation that was...

Two weeks ago, our paid subscribers got exclusive early access to one of our most compelling interviews yet. Today, it’s your turn. We’re proud to release our full conversation with Alex R. Johnson—a filmmaker whose debut novel is making serious waves. If you love gritty stories, complex characters, or the electric pulse of New York noir, this is the interview for you.🕵️‍♂️ Who is Alex R. Johnson?...

She’s sold over a million books, written 80 titles, and quietly built one of the most impressive careers in modern historical romance. We were joined by the incredible Sarah M.Eden, and what a joy it was. To mark the release of her latest time-slip romance, The Tides of Time, Sarah opened up about the real story behind her success, and it’s one of resilience, quiet determination, and endless curio...

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewccs.substack.com/subscribe Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support . Connect With The Community 🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the cr...

We’ve had some powerful conversations on this show… but this one? This one might top them all. Sara Banyan, Hollywood coach, mental health advocate, and author of Dating for Dudes, joined us for an unforgettable episode that had our live audience buzzing. Seriously. The chat was lighting up with words like "AMAZING," "deeply moving," and "one of the best episodes yet." And they weren’t wrong. Sara...

The full interview with Chad Boudreaux is now available to the public! If you’re a fan of gripping legal thrillers, government secrets, and high-stakes storytelling, you’re going to want to dive into this one. We had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Chad Boudreaux, a man whose real-life resume reads like a political thriller. From the U.S. Department of Justice to Deputy Chief of Staff a...

Our latest episode of The Writing Community Chat Show was the kind that makes you glance over your shoulder before switching off the hallway light. International bestseller J.D. Barker, fresh off the May 13 release of his ghost-thriller Something I Keep Upstairs (already #1 in Amazon’s Ghost Thrillers) joined us for a live, laughter-and-screams-filled conversation that our chat hailed as “Outstand...

JD Kirk is Back – and He's Shaking Things Up! Two weeks ago, our paid subscribers got early access to a very special episode. Now, it’s time to share it with everyone. And trust us, you’re going to love this one. We welcomed back JD Kirk, the multi-million copy bestselling author of the beloved DCI Logan crime series… but this time, he’s bringing something new to the table. JD (aka Barry Hutchison...

There are moments in life, and in podcasting, when something shifts. This was one of those moments. In our latest episode, Tough Guys Are an Endangered Species, we opened a door that many still keep firmly shut:What happens when men feel broken, lost, and alone, and why don’t we talk about it? This wasn’t just another chat. It was an honest, emotional, and transformative conversation between three...

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewccs.substack.com/subscribe Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support . Connect With The Community 🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the cr...

We’ve interviewed hundreds of writers on The Writing Community Chat Show, but this one stands out, because our latest guest brings not only writing chops but serious filmmaking cred to the table. In this brand-new public episode, we sat down with Josh Mendoza, the award-winning filmmaker of What Still Remains and now the debut author of the sci-fi noir novel Shadow of the Eternal Watcher. You can...

We had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with debut author L. Costevelos. Known for her imaginative blend of psychological thrillers, romance, and fantasy, L has captured readers’ hearts and minds with her first novel Wanderlust, a haunting, twisting story that challenges the very nature of reality itself. And what a conversation it was. For those of you who joined us live (thank you, paid sub...

Dr. Gibson is a leading voice in education and mental health, and our chat covered so many essential topics that every teacher, parent, and learner will find something to take away from it.🎙️ What we talked about:* The everyday reality of teaching in primary schools.* How understanding child psychology can transform classroom practice.* Supporting young people in the digital age.* The power of rea...

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewccs.substack.com/subscribe Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support . Connect With The Community 🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the cr...