Chris Banks—writer, entrepreneur, and founder of ProWritingAid—on how to embrace what makes you unique, use AI as a tool for inspiration, and build resilience and joy into the writing process, from creating faster feedback loops to reframing the creative pit of despair.

We discuss:

• Why “leaning into your weird” can unlock originality and stronger ideas
• Where you might use AI for inspiration. 
• How to overcome the ‘creative pit of despair’
• Why faster feedback loops can be helpful for your craft 
• How gratitude fuels creativity and flow
• What both entrepreneurs and writers need to know about resilience and joy
   

About Chris Banks

Chris Banks is a writer, entrepreneur, and the CEO and founder of ProWritingAid, the editing tool trusted by millions of authors worldwide. With a background in software development and a lifelong passion for writing, he built ProWritingAid to make the editing process more empowering for writers of all levels. His forthcoming book, The Writer’s Mind, explores how resilience, joy, and creative practice can help writers overcome obstacles and sustain their craft.

Resources and Links:

• ProWritingAid
• Chris Banks 
   

Episode Sponsor: 

This episode is brought to you by Scrivener. It’s a tool many of us use at the Salon. It’s a great system to accompany you through the whole writing process from research, editing, organization, formatting, and exporting. To find out more about Scrivener, head to Scrivener.app. To get 20% off, use code WRITERSSALON.

For show notes, transcripts, and to attend our live podcasts, visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.

For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: 

writershour.com

.

For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.

For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.

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FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALON

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Amie McNee—creativity coach and writer  behind the popular account @InspiredToWrite—on how to stay grounded through success and setbacks, forge a creative life on your own terms, and why art is both essential and revolutionary.

We discuss:

• How to deal with rejection
• Advice for artists starting out on social media
• Tips and reflections on self-publishing and book deals
• Why the world needs your art
• How to start trusting yourself as an artist (and deal with jealousy)
• Having big dreams and low standards
• And more exclusive insights for writers and creatives

About Amie McNee:

Amie is a trained historian turned creativity coach, writer, and speaker best known for her popular Instagram account, @InspiredtoWrite and The Unpublished Podcast. She’s self-published two historical fiction novels: The Rules Upheld by No One, Regrettably, I Am About to Cause Trouble. Her latest book is We Need Your Art: Stop F*cking Around and Make Something, a manifesto on the vital, human importance of creating. 

Resources and Links:

• Amie’s Ted Talk (The case for making art when the world is on fire)
• The Rules Upheld by No One by Amie McNee
• Amie’s Instagram 
• Amie’s Substack
• We Need Your Art by Amie McNee
• The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin
   

Episode Sponsor: 

This episode is brought to you by Scrivener. It’s a tool many of us use at the Salon. It’s a great system to accompany you through the whole writing process from research, editing, organization, formatting, and exporting. To find out more about Scrivener, head to Scrivener.app. To get 20% off, use code WRITERSSALON.

For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.

For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.

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FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALON

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Instagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalon

Facebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon

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Poet, novelist, and teacher Joseph Fasano on how to find the unique language and rhythm in our work, building a meaningful online presence, and why he believes that embracing limits in life (and writing) is key to creative freedom.

We discuss:

• Joseph’s creative evolution, from astrophysics to poetry
• Why studying craft is essential
• The value of constraint and rhythm in unlocking creativity
• How he found his voice, and why he writes persona poems
• Building a meaningful career outside of traditional publishing
• Advice for poets starting out (with or without an MFA)
• The story behind The Magic Words and teaching poetic thinking
• How faith and service shape his creative practice

About Joseph Fasano

Joseph Fasano is an award-winning poet, novelist, and teacher whose lyrical storytelling has captivated readers on the page and across social media, where he’s built a following of over 100,000. His work—translated into more than a dozen languages—includes poetry collections (The Magic Words, Inheritance, The Last Song of the World), novels (The Swallows of Lunetto, The Dark Heart of Every Wild Thing), and lyrical prose. He’s received the Rattle Poetry Prize, the Cider Press Review Book Award, and a Poets’ Prize nomination. A passionate educator, Joseph teaches poetry workshops through the Fasano Academy and fosters creative community online.

Resources and Links:

• 📑Interview Transcript
• Fasano Academy
• Boa Editions
• New Pages
• The Magic Words
• Joseph’s Instagram
• Caedmon by Denise Levertov

Episode Sponsor: 

This episode is brought to you by Scrivener. It’s a tool many of us use at the Salon. It’s a great system to accompany you through the whole writing process from research, editing, organization, formatting, and exporting. To find out more about Scrivener, head to Scrivener.app. To get 20% off, use code WRITERSSALON.

For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.

For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.

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FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALON

Twitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalon

Instagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalon

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George Walkley, AI strategist and former publishing executive at Hachette, on what writers need to know about artificial intelligence, how it’s reshaping the creative and publishing industries, and how to use it responsibly in your writing life.

We discuss:

• How George transitioned from traditional publishing to AI consulting
• The difference between AI probability and human creativity
• Why everyone should develop “prompt literacy”
• How publishing houses and bookselling platforms are already using AI
• The challenges of AI detection, authorship disclosure & ethical sourcing
• The environmental cost of AI — and how it compares to other tools
• Why AI is already embedded in tools we use every day
• How writers can make informed, personal choices around AI use
• And more exclusive tips for writers and creatives

About George Walkley
George Walkley is an independent consultant specialising in AI and the publishing industry. He has developed and delivers the world’s first independent, CPD-accredited AI course aimed specifically at the publishing industry and has trained people from over 200 publishing organisations. Prior to this, he held senior roles at Hachette.

Resources and Links:

• 📑 Interview Transcript
• Open letter to publishers
• Mistral AI
• Society of Authors
• Jane Friedman
• George’s newsletter

Episode Sponsor: 

This episode is brought to you by Scrivener. It’s a tool many of us use at the Salon. It’s a great system to accompany you through the whole writing process from research, editing, organization, formatting, and exporting. To find out more about Scrivener, head to Scrivener.app. To get 20% off, use code WRITERSSALON.

For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.

For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.

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FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALON

Twitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalon

Instagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalon

Facebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon

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Gretchen Rubin—bestselling author of The Happiness Project and The Four Tendencies on how self-awareness shapes her creative process, the habits that sustain her writing life, and how she wrote her latest nonfiction book Secrets of Adulthood.

We discuss:

• How Gretchen found her voice and path as a writer
• Dealing with naysayers & rejection
• Building confidence and redefining “success” in the early stages
• How to structure and sustain a long-term writing practice
• Her favorite aphorisms—and how she uses them as creative tools
• Why time management is personal
• How to simplify big ideas into meaningful insights
• And more exclusive tips for writers and creatives

Resources and Links:

Books She's Reading:

• The English Understand Wool
• Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
• Upcountry by Nelson DeMille

Gretchen's Website & Books mentioned

• Gretchen’s Website: https://gretchenrubin.com/
• Secrets of Adulthood
• The Four Tendences
• Forty Ways to Look at JFK

About Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin is one of today’s most influential and thought-provoking observers of happiness and human nature. She’s known for her ability to convey complex ideas—from science to literature to stories from her own life—with levity and clarity.

She’s the author of many bestselling books, such as The Happiness Project, Better Than Before, Life in Five Senses and The Four Tendencies, which have sold millions of copies in more than thirty languages. Her most recent book is Secrets of Adulthood.

She’s also host of the popular podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin and founder of award-winning Happier app which helps people track their happiness-boosting habits.

Our Sponsor:

This episode is brought to you by Scrivener. It’s a tool many of us use at the Salon. It’s a great system to accompany you through the whole writing process from research, editing, organization, formatting, and exporting. To find out more about Scrivener, head to Scrivener.app. To get 20% off, use code WRITERSSALON.

For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.

For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.

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FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALON

Twitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalon

Instagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalon

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If you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Francesca Simon is the legendary author of over 60 books for children, including the global bestselling Horrid Henry series, which has been translated into 27 languages. Her books have sold over 25 million copies. She talks to us about early rejection, finding fame, reinventing her voice to write librettos, and her first foray into adult fiction with Salka: The exquisite retelling of the tragic myth of the Lady of the Lake. 

Francesca was appointed MBE in 2023 and continues to advocate for literacy and storytelling across generations.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• 📑Interview Transcript
• Salka by Francesca Simon
• Goodreads
• Francesca’s Website

For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.

For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.

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FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALON

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How do you write a great query letter, find the right agent, and stand out in today’s crowded submissions inbox? In this special compilation episode, four top literary agents: Ed Wilson, Lucinda Halpern, Madeleine Milburn & Sam Copeland, share their honest advice on getting signed, writing marketable books, and navigating today's publishing industry.

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Timestamps:

Ed Wilson - 1:01
Lucinda Literary -  19:11
Madeleine Milburn - 37:20
Sam Copeland - 48:47
 

ABOUT THE LITERARY AGENTS 

Ed Wilson is a literary agent and director at Johnson & Alcock, a London-based literary agency with a diverse and developing list of authors of fiction and nonfiction. He represents everything from award-winning literary fiction to bestselling crime, science-fiction, and fantasy. 

• Ed's profile at Johnson & Alcock
• Ed's Twitter account
• Johnson & Alcock's submission guidelines
• Full LWS episode: #071: Ed Wilson — Submitting to Agents & Navigating Publishing, Junior vs Experienced Agents, How to Follow up with Agents, Smaller vs Larger Literary Agencies

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Lucinda Literary is a New York literary agent and the author of Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author. She represents a range of New York Times and internationally bestselling authors in the categories of business, health, lifestyle, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and upmarket fiction. 

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• Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author
• Lucinda Literary
• Follow up question? Get in touch with Lucinda here.
• Full LWS episode: #96: Lucinda Halpern — How to Get Signed With a Literary Agent, Unlock Your Book’s Big Idea, Query Letter Essentials, Unconventional Ways to Engage With Beta-Readers

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Madeleine Milburn has been responsible for discovering some of the highest-selling and award-winning contemporary authors who consistently hit the bestseller lists in the New York Times, including Nita Prose (The Maid), Costa Book Award winner and bestseller Gail Honeyman (Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine). She represents bestselling crime and thriller brands including C.L. Taylor, C.J Tudor, Mark Edwards and Teresa Driscoll.

• Website
• Submitting your work to the Madeleine Milburn Agency
• Full LWS episode:  #064: Madeleine Milburn — Catching an Agent's Eye & Building an Author-First Agency

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Sam Copeland was shortlisted for Literary Agent of the Year at the 2020 and 2021 British Book Awards and selected for the Bookseller's Most Influential People in Publishing in 2020. He welcomes e-mail submissions and can be contacted on [email protected]. He is also a children’s author.  His Charlie Changes series was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book of the Year shortlisted

• Sam Copeland 
• RCW Literary Agency
• Full LWS episode: #118: Sam Copeland — How to Catch The Eye Of A Literary Agent, Compelling Pitch Letters & Writing Funny Children’s Fiction

For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.

For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.

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FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALON

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What if uncertainty wasn’t something to fear, but your greatest creative ally?

Dr. Margaret Heffernan—author, entrepreneur, and TED speaker—on how artists and writers thrive in chaotic times. We also talk about embracing the unknown, navigating AI-driven anxiety, and staying creatively resilient in a world that rewards certainty.

We discuss:

• Margaret’s early creative life and career across TV, tech & writing
• What artists can teach us about navigating uncertainty
• Why AI can’t replicate the human imagination
• How writers manage doubt, income & purpose
• The danger of over-planning and the value of wandering
• Lessons from writing Embracing Uncertainty under deadline
• Making peace with the chapter that always fights back
• The creative power of soft focus & soaking up the world
   

About Margaret Heffernan

Margaret Heffernan is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and former BBC producer. She has written seven books, including Willful Blindness—named one of the most important business books of the decade by the Financial Times—and her latest, Embracing Uncertainty. Her TED Talks have over 15 million views, and she writes regularly for the Financial Times and BBC Radio 4. She is Professor of Practice at the University of Bath and mentors leaders around the world.

Resources and Links:

• 📑Interview Transcript
• The Human Skills We Need in an Unpredictable World - TED Talk
• Embracing Uncertainty 
• Unchartred 
• Margaret’s Substack

For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.

For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.

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FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALON

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Celebrated writer and memoirist Melissa Febos on the art of the memoir,  the alchemy of personal experience and literary craft, and how to turn the raw material of life into art. We also her latest book, The Dry Season,  where she examines the solitude, freedoms, and feminist heroes Febos found during a year of celibacy.

We also talk about:

- Writing the unspeakable and undoing shame.

- The role of research and personal obsession in memoir.

- Finding structure through inventory, list-making & reflection.

- Balancing vulnerability with privacy on the page.

- How Melissa decides what’s hers to tell—and when.

- Her advice on discouragement, creative play & sustaining the practice.

ABOUT MELISSA FEBOS

Melissa Febos is the nationally bestselling author of four books, including Girlhood, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism, and Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative. She has received fellowships and awards from the Guggenheim Foundation, NEA, LAMBDA Literary, the British Library, and more. Her essays appear in The Paris Review, The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, and Best American Essays. She is a full professor at the University of Iowa and lives in Iowa City with her wife, poet Donika Kelly.
 

RESOURCES & LINKS:

📑 Interview Transcript (forthcoming)

• Order a Signed Copy of The Dry Season
• Pre Order The Dry Season
• The Dry Season
• Melisa’s Website
• Whip Smart
• Abandon Me
• Body Work
• “Living Like Weasels” by Annie Dillard
• Belgian Beguines

For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.

For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.

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Legendary Seth Godin, bestselling author of Linchpin, Purple Cow, The Dip, Tribes, and The Practice on wrestling with creative resistance, getting past self-doubt, and how to build a resilient creative practice that thrives—even in an age of AI

We talk about:

• Why writing isn’t about talent—but about creating the conditions for skill
• Why “Do you like it?” is the wrong question to ask
• And how to build a resilient creative practice that thrives—even in an age of AI
• How to keep going when there’s no map and no promise of success

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About Seth Godin

Seth Godin is the author of 21 bestselling books that have reshaped the way people think about marketing, leadership, and creative work. His books have been translated into 39 languages and include Linchpin, Purple Cow, The Dip, Tribes, and The Practice. He’s also the founder of altMBA, the Carbon Almanac, and multiple pioneering ventures in the online business world. Seth writes one of the most popular blogs in the world and continues to inspire millions of creators to make and ship work that matters.

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Resources and Links:

• 📄 Interview Transcript (unedited)
• The Song of Significance by Seth Godin 
• The Practice by Seth Godin 
• altMBA
• How to Decide by Annie Duke 
• The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
• The Carbon Almanac
• Elizabeth Gilbert on Hobby, Job, Career & Vocation
• A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
• purple.space 

For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.

For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.

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FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALON

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Facebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon

If you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!