The Bestseller Experiment

Julie Cohen is the author of over twenty novels, including the Richard & Judy bestseller Dear Thing. She also teaches creative writing workshops and is a goldmine of writing wisdom. Julie shares some insights that are game-changers when it comes to writing, from dealing with failure to planning and storytelling. Her latest novel Together is featured on the BBC's list of books to watch out for in 2017.

Some chancer called Mark Stay hijacks the podcast to shamelessly plug his new novel The Crow Folk. He gets all evasive about listener questions, refuses to discuss his murky past and almost storms out of the show… three times. Nevertheless, Mark Desvaux manages to pin him down and gets the answers we all want, not least: how can I get a bar of that Crow Folk chocolate? We also have an exclusive clip from The Crow Folk audiobook read by Candida Gubbins. Many thanks to Simon & Schuster UK for the clip.

We discuss:

Choosing and developing ideas Working with agents and editors Writing non-sweary period dialogue Comparing Mr Stay's experiences in traditional publishing, self-publishing and crowdfunding And how you really can get your hands on that chocolate...

John Jarrold is a literary agent and editor who has worked with the likes of Michael Moorcock, Guy Gavriel Kay and John Courtney Grimwood. He answers our Patreon and Academates' questions on pitching to agents, common mistakes, how self-published authors can approach agents, genres, self-representation and editorial tips on point-of-view, dialogue, words to avoid and more.

Bestselling indie author Caimh McDonnell makes a triumphant return to the podcast as Transworld author CK McDonnell with his new novel Stranger Times. Caimh tells us how he took everything he learned as an indie author to pitch this book to traditional publishers. We discuss launching a book during lockdown, inventive book marketing ideas, why selling humour is tricky, and being a squeaky wheel...

Rich Leder is a screenwriter and novelist who tells us why our brains are always lying to us, why he writes with the door open (even with young kids running around), why finishing is so important, and why — despite all that's going on in our lives — we should write anyway. And he reassures us that his latest book — Cooking for Cannibals — is a work of fiction. We think.