In this episode of the Write Club Podcast, Beth and Mary are joined by novelist Hazel Barkworth, author of Heatstroke and the newly released The Drownings.

Hazel takes us inside her creative process and talks about the themes at the heart of her latest novel: women’s voices, competitive swimming, and the rivalries that play out both in sport and online. We explore her character Serena’s journey, the pressures of influence and performance, and how Hazel balances meticulous craft with letting a story evolve on the page.

Along the way, Hazel shares the best writing advice she’s ever received, offers her tips for aspiring authors, and gives us a peek at what’s coming next in her writing journey.

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