This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson is joined by the talented author Foluso Agbaje, whose new novel The Talk of the Party invites readers into the glamorous yet tumultuous world of high society Lagos. What does it take to leave a corporate career and survive the chaos of the publishing world.

Foluso Agbaje reflects on her journey from childhood storytelling to becoming a published author, discussing the challenges of writing diverse voices and the importance of representation in literature. With insights into her creative process and the emotional rollercoaster of writing, this episode is a rich exploration of resilience, creativity, and the power of narrative. Get ready for a conversation filled with laughter, wisdom, and the undeniable magic of storytelling.

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This week, we're expanding on our discussion from the last episode about the depressing HarperCollins report on children's reading habits. Author and teacher Cailean Steed joins us to break down the underlying data and explain exactly how hyper-fixating on rigid literacy metrics is actively destroying the sheer joy of reading for kids. Plus, we talk about - of course - AI, as we talk about the Commonwealth Short Story Prize winner scandal, and discuss Nobel Laureate Olga Tokarczuk response to the talk of AI involvement in her work. And we find time to talk about the Guardian's "Best books of all time" list - and make Tariq talk about football again.

00:00 Intro

01:08 Literacy vs Joy: Let Kids Enjoy Reading: Cailean Steed Interview

22:15 Snake Oil Award - Prize-winning Pile On

37:50 Tokarczuk Prize - An Ignoble Use of AI?

44:02 Stranger Than Fiction - Nadine's Idea Factory

52.26 The Final Chapter - Who are books lists for?

Links:

Literacy focus ‘actively undermining’ reading for pleasure, HarperCollins finds

‘Obvious markers of AI’: doubts raised over winner of short story prize

Read The Serpent in the Grove and decide for yourself

Olga Tokarczuk has responded to the controversy over her reputed use of AI

The Guardian 100 Best Books of All Time

Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more!

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In this episode of 'The Conversation Coffee Break', I sit down with the brilliant bestselling thriller author Lucy Clarke to talk about her brand new book The Surf House, a gripping, sun-soaked thriller set on the stunning shores of Morocco.

Lucy shares the fascinating story of how she went from advertising executive to internationally published author , what it was like to be invited into the writers' room for the TV adaptations of her books, and how she wrote an 80,000-word first draft in just 17 days. We also get into the emotional rollercoaster of receiving editor's notes , the importance of finding your writing tribe and why success in publishing is never as straightforward as it looks from the outside.

Lucy Clarke's Recommendation: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaughey

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We're re-releasing this conversation with Marcia Hutchinson, and what a moment to do it. Since we first spoke, Marcia has won the Discover Prize at the British Book Awards 2026 and landed a shortlist spot for the Women's Prize for Fiction all for her debut novel, The Mercy Step. Oh, and The Observer called her one of the debut novelists to watch in 2025. Not bad, Marcia. Not bad at all.

In this conversation, we go back to where it all began, Marcia's journey from a challenging childhood in Bradford to becoming one of the most exciting new voices in British fiction. We talk about what success really means when you've spent your life running away from things rather than running towards them, and how she's learning to slow down and actually celebrate the extraordinary thing she's achieved.

The Mercy Step follows Mercy a precocious, imaginative young girl born into a chaotic household in Bradford in December 1962. Her mother is devoted to the Church, her father's temper rules the house, and Mercy finds her comfort in books, her imagination, and her beloved toy Dolly. It's a story about quiet rebellion, survival, and the fierce desire to be seen and heard.

This is a conversation about resilience, creativity, and what happens when you finally let yourself believe you're allowed to win.

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This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson is joined by the insightful former Lynne McEwan, who also writes as Eva McCrae for a conversation that covers two remarkable careers, the craft of storytelling, and why the truth about crime always begins somewhere ordinary. In this episode, they discuss Lynn's journey from a successful career as a newspaper photographer to writing compelling crime fiction, including her latest book, A Death in Glasgow.

A Death in Glasgow follows Sergeant Mae MacKay as she investigates the mysterious death of a young woman, initially ruled a suicide. As Mae digs deeper, she uncovers layers of complexity surrounding the case, revealing the impact of her own past on her determination to seek the truth. Lynne shares her experiences of writing about working-class women in crime fiction, the challenges of portraying Glasgow authentically, and the importance of empathy in storytelling.

Listeners will find inspiration in Lynne's reflections on overcoming personal challenges, including her hearing loss, and how it has shaped her unique perspective as a writer. This episode is a rich exploration of resilience, the power of narrative, and the intricate connections between life and art.

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This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson welcomes the uniquely talented Will Carver, an author known for his darkly original fiction. In this episode, they dive deep into Will's latest novel, Bad Influence, a gripping tale that explores the murky waters of social media and its impact on youth culture. Bad Influence follows two young friends from different social backgrounds who stumble upon the bizarre phenomenon of 'frogging', living undetected in someone else's home. Their adventure takes a dark turn when they target a fitness influencer, leading to unexpected consequences as their lives intertwine with the reality TV world.

Will shares his thoughts on the challenges of writing about contemporary issues, the delicate balance of humor and horror, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. Along the way they discuss why social media is both essential and exhausting for authors, the "forced gratitude" culture in publishing, what it's like to be on panels at book festivals while out of pocket, and the woman who stood in a signing queue at Harrogate just to tell Will she hated his last book, which he took as a win.I

This episode is a thought-provoking exploration of creativity, resilience, and the power of storytelling in a world dominated by digital distractions.

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Welcome to Conversation Coffee Break! In this episode, Nadine Matheson sits down with crime writer Martyn Waites, writing under the pseudonym C.B. Everett, to chat about his brilliant new book, The Final Chapter.

The Final Chapter is a bold, genre-defying meta-thriller, two complete novels in one. It follows C.B. Everett (yes, Martyn's own pseudonym!) as he's asked to edit a mysteriously reappearing manuscript by a writer who vanished a decade ago. And the real story? It might be hiding in the footnotes.

In this conversation, Martyn reveals:

• Why he created the CB Everett pen name — and borrowed his daughters' initials to do it
• The Russian doll structure of The Final Chapter — a spy thriller inside a literary mystery
• 📺 Getting knocked back by a TV production company — and what they got wrong

This is a warm, witty, and wonderfully candid conversation about creativity, identity, and what it means to keep challenging yourself after 30 years of writing.

Martyn Waites Recommendation: Peacemaker

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This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson is joined by the talented Lulu Taylor, a Sunday Times bestselling author known for her captivating novels. With 15 books to her name, including six that have hit the bestseller list, Lulu's latest work, A Legacy of Secrets, explores the intricate dynamics of family relationships and the weight of inherited secrets.

In this engaging conversation, Lulu discusses her journey from publishing to writing, sharing insights on finding one’s voice and the challenges of ghostwriting. She reflects on the evolution of women's fiction, the impact of personal experiences on her storytelling, and the delicate balance between crafting compelling narratives and ensuring emotional resonance with readers.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the themes woven throughout A Legacy of Secrets, as Lulu delves into the complexities of motherhood, the struggle to break cycles of pain, and the search for belonging. This episode is a rich tapestry of storytelling, resilience, and the transformative power of literature.

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On today's episode of Adventures in Publishing-land, we congratulate Tariq on not one but two new Longlistings, and struggle to understand a story about new research that suggests a heavy focus on literacy skills in schools is actively undermining the motivation to read for fun.

Plus, the TikTok books charts have launched! What effect will they have on the industry? And as copies of Shy Girl sell for more than £100 on ebay, Tariq wonders if he should buy up as many copies as he can to fund his retirement (spoiler: he shouldn't!)

00:00 Intro

05:00 The Reading Paradox - Literacy Skills v Joy

16:52 Top of the Toks - TikTok Book Charts Launch

31:31 From Shy Girl to Prom Queen? Cancelled Book Sales Soar

41:49 Stranger Than Fiction - Nadine's Idea Factory

Links:

Literacy focus 'actively undermining' reading for pleasure, HarperCollins finds

TikTok releases first monthly BookTok Bestseller List

Copies of Mia Ballard's Shy Girl listed online for over £100

Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more!

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This week on The Conversation Coffee Break, Nadine Matheson chats with the multifaceted author Gavin Bell, whose highly anticipated novel 138 Main Street is set to release on May 7, 2026. Gavin, who also writes under the pseudonyms Mason Cross and Alex Knight, shares the intriguing story behind his latest work and the unique challenges of writing under multiple identities.

In this episode, Gavin discusses the inspiration behind 138 Main Street, a gripping mystery thriller that begins with a shocking quadruple murder in a wealthy Long Island neighborhood. As the plot unfolds, listeners will learn about the complexities of investigating crimes that share a common address across the United States, and the societal implications of such events. Gavin reflects on the evolution of his characters, particularly Zoe Hill, an inexperienced police officer who finds herself at the center of the investigation.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Gavin reveals his writing process, the importance of research, and the surprising facts he uncovered while crafting this novel. He also touches on the challenges of writing in a setting far removed from his own experiences and the creative freedom that comes with it. This episode is a deep dive into the mind of a writer navigating the intricacies of storytelling, identity, and the art of suspense.

Gavin Bell's Recommendation: Crime 101

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