This week on The Conversation, we're revisiting one of our favourite gothic conversations with bestselling author Laura Purcell.

Laura is known for her atmospheric, unsettling fiction, and in this episode we talk about her novel House of Splinters, a prequel to her hit book The Silent Companions. Set in a haunted house in 1775, the story follows Belinda as she uncovers dark family secrets while trying to protect her children from the shadows of the past.

We talk about what it takes to write a prequel that has to honour a beloved original while still standing on its own, and Laura is refreshingly honest about the pressure that comes with that. She also opens up about her writing journey more broadly, from self-publishing her first book to finding her way into traditional publishing, and how she went from historical fiction into the gothic genre that's now her signature.

Some of the moments that stayed with us:

• Laura on constantly reinventing herself as a writer, and why that adaptability matters in a market that never stays still
• The particular sting of "good" rejections, the kind where an editor praises the writing but says no anyway, and how she's learned to sit with that
• Why she refuses to write to trends: "by the time you've finished the book, that trend will be over"
• The pressure of writing House of Splinters and staying true to her own mythology while giving readers something new
• Her advice for authors navigating a publishing industry that can feel relentless: patience, flexibility, and trusting your own voice

This one's for anyone who loves gothic fiction, or anyone who's ever wondered what it really takes to build a career as a novelist.

Sit back and enjoy this rewind while we get ready for Season 5, back on 8 September.

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We're taking a summer break here at The Conversation, so we're bringing back one of your favourite episodes, my conversation with Sunday Times bestselling author Adele Parks.

In this episode, Adele and I talk about her journey through the literary world and the release of her 25th novel, Our Beautiful Mess. She shares her experience of storytelling from a young age, the challenges she's faced in her career, and how her writing has evolved from romantic comedies to psychological thrillers.

We talk about the importance of connection, both in her personal life and through her characters, and what it takes to hold onto your own voice in a competitive industry. Adele reflects on the lessons she's learned from grief, her journey as a writer, and how she balances the demands of a writing career with everyday life.

It's a heartfeIt exploration of resilience, creativity, and the power of storytelling — and since we first recorded this conversation, Adele has a brand new book out: Eyes on You. Go grab a copy.

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Bestselling thriller author Steve Cavanagh joins Nadine Matheson for a wide-ranging conversation about the reality of a writing career, from selling just 778 copies of his second novel to becoming a multi-million-copy bestseller with the Eddie Flynn series. They talk about the hard truth behind literary "overnight success," how Steve's career as a criminal and civil lawyer in Northern Ireland shaped his storytelling instincts, why he refuses to use AI in his writing process, and the craft of depicting violence without gratuitousness.

The conversation also covers the making of his twelfth novel, One of Us Is Guilty, a story of power, corruption, and a couple who are both lying to everyone, including each other. Steve also talks about growing up during the Troubles in Belfast and London, favourite fictional villains, and writing rituals.

About Steve Cavanagh

Steve Cavanagh is a bestselling author and former criminal and civil lawyer from Northern Ireland. His Eddie Flynn series has sold millions of copies worldwide. One of Us Is Guilty is his twelfth novel.

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In our last Coffee Break episode before we break for the summer, Nadine sits down with poet Rishi Dastidar to talk about his path into poetry (starting cold at age 30 after discovering Durs Grünbein's Ashes for Breakfast), the making of his new collection Cherry Blossom at Night Break, and how he's learned to let go of controlling what readers take from his work. They also get into his creative routine, why ambient noise beats silence, and his enduring, occasionally MRI-scanned, devotion to Everton FC.

Highlights:

• 2:30 – Discovering poetry by accident at a Borders bookstore
• 9:00 – The funniest misinterpretation of one of his poems
• 13:00 – Curating "Cherry Blossom at Night Break" from 100+ poems
• 21:00 – Why you can write poetry anywhere, including the bus to Ikea
• 39:00 – Hitting the wall, and why nothing gets thrown away
• 44:00 – Redefining what "success" means as a writer
• 49:00 – Everton, identity, and an MRI brain-scan football experiment

Rishi Dastidar's Recommendations:

• Ashes for Breakfast by Durs Grünbein
• Grand Partita by Matthew McDonald
• Martini Shot podcast by Rob Long

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In this episode of The Conversation, Nadine Matheson sits down with the multi-talented author, screenwriter, and neuroscientist Temi Oh, whose latest novel, Not With a Bang, is out now. Temi shares her fascinating journey from the world of neuroscience to becoming a published author, discussing the unique perspectives she brings to her writing from her scientific background. The conversation delves into the intricacies of the publishing process, the psychology of cults, and the complexities of family dynamics in the face of disaster.

Temi’s novel centers around the Minchin family, whose lives are turned upside down on the morning of the eldest daughter's wedding when an extinction-level event occurs. As they navigate the chaos, Temi explores themes of connection, belief, and the extraordinary within the ordinary. Join Nadine and Temi for a thought-provoking discussion about the intersection of science fiction and personal storytelling, the challenges of writing under pressure, and the importance of representation in literature.

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In this episode of The Conversation, Nadine Matheson chats with author and former immigration lawyer Ilona Bannister, who shares her unique journey from the courtroom to the world of fiction. Ilona reflects on her experiences as a solicitor and how those stories influenced her writing process, revealing the complexities of human interaction that shape both legal and narrative storytelling. They discuss the challenges of embracing a creative identity after years in a structured profession, the emotional weight of feedback on personal work, and the delicate balance between pursuing passion and financial stability.

llona also opens up about her latest book, Five, exploring the themes of connection and the unexpected moments that inspire creativity. Join Nadine and Ilona for an insightful discussion on the intersections of law and literature, the importance of setting boundaries in creative work, and the realities of navigating the publishing industry.

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In this episode of The Conversation, Nadine Matheson engages in a heartfelt dialogue with author Rachel Griffin, who shares her remarkable journey of transitioning from a career in healthcare to becoming a published author. Rachel reflects on her early experiences with writing, the challenges she faced in claiming her identity as a writer, and the significant impact of a life-altering concussion on her creative process. They explore how this injury reshaped her writing, leading to the whimsical and heartfelt storytelling found in her latest novel, The Sun and the Star Maker.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of pursuing a writing career, the importance of self-advocacy in both the literary world and healthcare, and the delicate balance between creativity and the business side of being an author. Rachel shares her insights on the evolution of her writing style and how humor has become a vital component in her storytelling, especially after her recovery journey.

Join Nadine and Rachel for an inspiring discussion that highlights resilience, the power of storytelling, and the importance of nurturing one's creative spirit amidst life's challenges.

In this episode:

• 2:53 - When did Rachel know she was a storyteller?
• 10:30 - Her publishing journey and querying agents
• 42:05 - The tennis fall and concussion diagnosis
• 45:08 - 1:20:20 — Rachel tells her full concussion recovery story in detail
• 1:00:00 - Introducing The Sun and the Star Maker
• 1:18:40 - Rapid-fire final questions

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Jane Casey, bestselling author of the Maeve Kerrigan crime series, joins Nadine for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about storytelling, faith, ambition, and the writing life. They talk about growing up in a convent school in Ireland, discovering crime fiction while studying at Oxford, the long road to getting published (including five rejections before her breakthrough), building an iconic series character from scratch, and why comparing yourself to other authors is a waste of energy. Jane shares her journey from being a successful editor in children's publishing to becoming a celebrated author of crime fiction. The conversation delves into the challenges of writing, 'Everything She Didn't Say' a standalone novel set in Ireland, the intricacies of character development, and the emotional toll of navigating the publishing industry.

Join Nadine and Jane for an engaging discussion about the art of storytelling, the importance of authenticity in writing, and the lessons learned from both success and failure in the literary world.

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In this episode of The Conversation, Nadine Matheson sits down with former Detective Chief Superintendent and author Russell Wate, who has led over 100 major crime and homicide cases. Russell shares insights from his remarkable career in law enforcement and reveals how his experiences shaped his crime fiction, particularly his new novel, Getting Away With Murder. They delve into the fascinating overlap between police work and storytelling, discussing why many detectives turn to writing crime novels and the complexities of human behavior that drive these narratives. Russell also opens up about the emotional toll of investigating traumatic cases and the importance of maintaining a balance between work and personal life.

Join Nadine and Russell for a captivating discussion that explores the intersection of real-life crime and fiction, the challenges of leadership in the police force, and the creative process behind his writing.

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Nadine takes a coffee break with debut author Erynne Rivers about Wench, her fae-drenched, romantic reimagining of the Robin Hood myth told through Maid Marian's eyes. They discuss the surreal wait between selling a book and seeing it on shelves, the historical research that shaped the world (including medieval women's erased business ownership and the physical toll of archery), and Erynne's messy-first-draft writing process, including four scrapped versions of her sophomore novel. They close on writing rituals, chronic illness and creative work, and the "word of the year" that's guiding Erynne through 2025: whimsy.

Erynne's recommendations from the episode: Honey in Her Veins by Ruth Mikel, Steel Born by Taylor J. LaRue, and an upcoming gothic horror by Cece Foster.

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