In this episode, I’m chatting to Amy, the owner of bookish small business Ink & Ivy, about turning her love of books into bookish merch.

We talk about rediscovering a love of reading after becoming a mum, being a fantasy girly at heart, finding her place on BookTok and building a small business around creating things that people genuinely love.

From the books that stay with us long after we’ve finished them, to the joy of surrounding ourselves with things that celebrate the stories we love, this is a conversation about reading, creativity, motherhood and finding your people in the bookish community.

If you’ve ever finished a book and immediately thought, “But I’m not ready for it to be over,” this one is for you.

In this episode of the Book Besties Club Podcast, I’m joined by indie author John M. Bauer, a writer who takes familiar ideas, genres and legendary stories and turns them into something unexpected.

With four novels and three shorter books spanning fantasy, cosy fiction, romance and more, he isn’t interested in following a typical formula. We discuss experimenting with genres, drawing inspiration from great tales and legends, looking for ways to create stories that feel genuinely different and prompting difficult conversations.

We chat about his approach to writing, why he believes in the power of language and his views on becoming completely immersed in a story.

If you love indie authors, genre-bending stories, unconventional ideas and getting completely lost in a good book, this one is for you...

In this episode of the Book Besties Club Podcast, I’m joined by author Rowan Davidson to talk about creating the romance stories she always wanted to read.

After realising there was a long list of things she didn’t want to see in romance books, Rowan decided to write her own, creating realistic characters, emotional journeys and stories designed to make readers feel truly seen.

We chat about mental health representation in books, writing high-angst romances, subverting familiar tropes, and why authentic relationships matter. Rowan also shares what it’s like publishing books just three months apart and her mission to get her stories into the hands of readers who need them.

If you love romance with depth, realistic characters and stories that explore the messy, complicated sides of love, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Book Besties Club Podcast, I'm joined by fantasy author Stephanie Phillips to explore what it takes to create authentic relationships, compelling characters and a fantasy world that's grittier than ACOTAR.

We discuss why Stephanie wanted to move away from the trend of 19-year-old protagonists, how she builds realistic romance, and why love, or the absence of it drives every decision her characters make. We also chat about creating the ultimate dream book boyfriend, balancing motherhood with writing, and the realities of life as an indie fantasy author.

If you love fantasy romance, morally complex characters, unforgettable book boyfriends and honest conversations with indie authors, this episode is for you.

Don't forget to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode, and if you enjoy the conversation, please leave a rating or review, it helps more readers discover the show.

Join me for a fascinating chat with author Becca Storm as we dive into her witchy historical fiction set in Ayrshire, Scotland. Becca shares the inspiration behind her novel and why it was so important to shine a light on the real people who lost their lives during Scotland's witch trials.

We also talk about the research behind historical fiction, the importance of critique partners throughout the writing process, and what comes next as Becca looks ahead to writing novels set in the modern day.

Whether you love atmospheric historical fiction, stories inspired by real events, or you're an aspiring author looking for writing advice, this episode has something for you.

Today's episode is a little different. I was lucky enough to attend Jupiter Cloud Book Festival and interview a range of different authors about their books.

Tune in and find your next favourite author!

Full lineup:

Lellybean studio

Twice loved tales

Violet Rose

E M Kkoulla

O C Heaton

Craig Hallam

Astrid Kent

Tracy Todd

L A Binley

Linda Jones

Pam C Golden

M Hodgkiss

This week I'm joined by fantasy author Tamsin Sheridan, author of the Silvertree Legacy trilogy.

We chat about the highs and lows of writing fantasy, building a world inspired by d&d, crafting a fiercely morally grey female main character alongside the ultimate cinnamon roll male main character, and why found family continues to be one of fantasy's most beloved tropes.

Whether you're a writer wondering if your draft needs a major rewrite or a fantasy reader searching for your next obsession, this episode is packed with honest insights, behind-the-scenes writing stories, and plenty of bookish chat.

In this episode, I’m joined by Tanya, author of upcoming fantasy novel Hidden Light, for a conversation that gets very real, very fast.

We talk about the fearless (and slightly unhinged) art of killing off main characters, why she refuses to soften the emotional impact for readers, and how she leans fully into making audiences upset for the sake of the story. Tanya also teases the final 41 words of Hidden Light and admits they might be enough to make readers hate her.

We get into the tension between ambition and strategy in publishing: from wanting to secure an agent and give the book its best possible shot, to the bold decision to run preorder special editions before even querying. Preorders are open now but will be closing soon, so make sure you sign up for one while you still can.

If you love fantasy authors who are honest about the chaos behind the craft, the risks, and the emotional damage they’re willing to inflict on readers, this one’s for you

This week, I'm joined by romantic suspense author Lauren Grace for an honest conversation about the realities of being an author today.

We discuss Lauren's journey to securing a publishing deal, the challenges of navigating the publishing industry, and the surprising comment that "women don't like to think when they read."

Lauren also shares how personal experiences and trauma can find their way into fiction and the responsibility that comes with writing those stories.

Whether you're a reader, writer, or aspiring author, this episode offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at publishing, storytelling, and the power of women-centred narratives.

In this episode, I chat with sci-fi author Phil Oddy about his long and winding writing journey. From over 20 years of failed attempts, to finally publishing his interconnected four-book sci-fi series.

We talk indie publishing, finding unexpected support at comic cons and alternative events, and how reader feedback shaped his work. A conversation about persistence, support and finally turning years of ideas into a finished saga.