Hello.

Come here.

A little closer.

Closer.

Don’t be afraid.

There. That’s it.

I’m going to tell you a story.

A story about an author called C.J. Tudor.

Who many years ago, waaay way back in season 1, episode 13, joined the Failing Writers Podcast for a harmless little natter.

Back when they were just podcasting children, playing down in the basement of obscurity.

Meanwhile, however, C.J. was on the way up. Climbing the stairs. Up, up she rose. Up to the very attic of literary accomplishment.

And there she’s lived ever since.

But wait.

What's that?

There’s something up there with her.

Something hiding in the shadows.

Something shapeless and malevolent.  Watching. Waiting.

What could it be?

What could haunt such a successful writer, with its grim, brooding presence?

Let's find out, shall we? As we catch up with C.J. Tudor again, 4 years on.

You can buy Caz’s books here:

(Yooooou’ll be sorry if you dooooon’t)

https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/131110/c-j-tudor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aaaaaaand we're back.

Bet you missed us. Ah come on. Just a little bit?

Oh.

Well we're here now, so let's make the best of it.

Now... let's look at the menu.

What's for starters?

A delicious breakfast at Bettys Tea Rooms - a proper Yorkshire institution.

Then... the very antithesis of failing... Jennie Godfrey and her bestselling debut book: A List Of Suspicious Things,

All rounded off with a smorgasbord of excellent questions!

Bon appetit!

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/454971/the-list-of-suspicious-things-by-godfrey-jennie/9781804942949

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello Worldwrights, The Failing Writers are now on a little sabbatical, plotting, (or possibly pantsing) the next season of the podcast and maybe... maybe... even writing some stuff? I'd like to think so anyway.

In absentia, they've decided to bring you all 6 episodes of Anything 4 U, which some of you may remember being occasionally mentioned on the podcast.

Yes... it's the lost classic.... The cult hit that got away... it's Dave's radio sitcom! Here to entertain you while you wait for the new season, with a few familiar voices, so you don't miss us too much.

Happy listening.

EPISODE 6: FINISHED

Many years ago a simple undertaker made a blood oath to the Godfather of the Herringthorpe Mafia. Now, armed with incriminating CCTV footage of an urn theft, the conniving cremator tricks Jed and Bobby into taking that oath onto themselves. Being forced to choose between his best mate and the love of his life may well be too much for Jed. After all, when they said they'd do Anything 4U, this isn't what they had in mind.

Starring

Peter Dickson, Dave Baird, Tom Turner, Della Phillips, Gabriella Ashcroft, Emma Clarke, Elinor Hamilton, Sarah Sealey, Jon Rand, Katie Rand and Pete Nottage

Anything 4U is a full cast audio sitcom following the micro jobbing adventures of Jed and Bobby. From walking the dog or mowing the lawn to faking a DNA test or fulfilling a blood oath to the mafia, anything you know you have to do, but just don't want to..they'll do it for you!

Award winning writer Dave Baird and mega producer Rik Watson create a raft of outrageous characters, brought to life by some of the best voice actors in the business.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello Worldwrights, The Failing Writers are now on a little sabbatical, plotting, (or possibly pantsing) the next season of the podcast and maybe... maybe... even writing some stuff? I'd like to think so anyway.

In absentia, they've decided to bring you all 6 episodes of Anything 4 U, which some of you may remember being occasionally mentioned on the podcast.

Yes... it's the lost classic.... The cult hit that got away... it's Dave's radio sitcom! Here to entertain you while you wait for the new season, with a few familiar voices, so you don't miss us too much.

Happy listening.

EPISODE 5: TIPPED

With business finally booming the lads are forced to tackle jobs on their own if they're to have any chance of finishing in time for Jed to finally meet Rachel's Dad. But with a house clearance to organise, a flat-pack to assemble, windows to clean and a hypnotherapy appointment to keep things end up in one giant, flaming mess. Will Jed and Rachel's relationship survive the day? Will Jed and Bobby survive at all? Only one way to find out...

Starring:

Tom Turner, Dave Baird, Gabriella Ashcroft, Rachel Kershaw, Jack Oddie, Melissa Sinden, Stephanie Hirst, Della Phillips and Peter Dickson

Anything 4U is a full cast audio sitcom following the micro jobbing adventures of Jed and Bobby. From walking the dog or mowing the lawn to faking a DNA test or fulfilling a blood oath to the mafia, anything you know you have to do, but just don't want to..they'll do it for you!

Award winning writer Dave Baird and mega producer Rik Watson create a raft of outrageous characters, brought to life by some of the best voice actors in the business.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello Worldwrights, The Failing Writers are now on a little sabbatical, plotting, (or possibly pantsing) the next season of the podcast and maybe... maybe... even writing some stuff? I'd like to think so anyway.

In absentia, they've decided to bring you all 6 episodes of Anything 4 U, which some of you may remember being occasionally mentioned on the podcast.

Yes... it's the lost classic.... The cult hit that got away... it's Dave's radio sitcom! Here to entertain you while you wait for the new season, with a few familiar voices, so you don't miss us too much.

Happy listening.

EPISODE 4: SWABBED

Despite Rachel now being a firm part of the team, times are tough for Anything 4U, with dog walking their only source of income. So when they lose an expensive thoroughbred, things get really desperate. Conned by one of Crystal's criminal exes and making a surprise appearance on the Timothy Vile show don't help matters, but it all leads to what can only be described as a nut-busting finale.

Starring:

Tom Turner, Dave Baird, Gabriella Ashcroft, Elinor Hamilton, Everall Walsh, Guy Harris, Darren Altman, Blanche Anderson, Marie Ekins and Melissa Sinden

Anything 4U is a full cast audio sitcom following the micro jobbing adventures of Jed and Bobby. From walking the dog or mowing the lawn to faking a DNA test or fulfilling a blood oath to the mafia, anything you know you have to do, but just don't want to..they'll do it for you!

Award winning writer Dave Baird and mega producer Rik Watson create a raft of outrageous characters, brought to life by some of the best voice actors in the business.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello Worldwrights, The Failing Writers are now on a little sabbatical, plotting, (or possibly pantsing) the next season of the podcast and maybe... maybe... even writing some stuff? I'd like to think so anyway.

In absentia, they've decided to bring you all 6 episodes of Anything 4 U, which some of you may remember being occasionally mentioned on the podcast.

Yes... it's the lost classic.... The cult hit that got away... it's Dave's radio sitcom! Here to entertain you while you wait for the new season, with a few familiar voices, so you don't miss us too much.

Happy listening.

EPISODE 3: CATERED

Things get political when Jed and Bobby provide the catering for the national convention of the BNP. The moral quandary creates a rift between Jed and Rachel. Will their relationship survive? In fact, with cooking THIS bad...will anyone survive?

Starring:

Tom Turner, Dave Baird, Rachel Kershaw, Gabriella Ashcroft, Elinor Hamilton, Jack Oddie, Kenny Blyth, And Gerard Fletcher

Anything 4U is a full cast audio sitcom following the micro jobbing adventures of Jed and Bobby. From walking the dog or mowing the lawn to faking a DNA test or fulfilling a blood oath to the mafia, anything you know you have to do, but just don't want to..they'll do it for you!

Award winning writer Dave Baird and mega producer Rik Watson create a raft of outrageous characters, brought to life by some of the best voice actors in the business.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello Worldwrights, The Failing Writers are now on a little sabbatical, plotting, (or possibly pantsing) the next season of the podcast and maybe... maybe... even writing some stuff? I'd like to think so anyway.

In absentia, they've decided to bring you all 6 episodes of Anything 4 U, which some of you may remember being occasionally mentioned on the podcast.

Yes... it's the lost classic.... The cult hit that got away... it's Dave's radio sitcom! Here to entertain you while you wait for the new season, with a few familiar voices, so you don't miss us too much.

Happy listening.

EPISODE 2: DUMPED

Desperate for money, Jed and Bobby offer a brand new "dumping" service. If you've had enough of your boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, whatever, but can't face dumping them yourself...they'll do it for you. After all, it's hardly a matter of life or death...or is it?

Starring:

Tom Turner, Dave Baird, Katie Rand, Jon Rand, Gabriella Ashcroft, Emma Clarke, Simon White, Elinor Hamilton, David Lane, Jack Oddie And Gerard Fletcher

Anything 4U is a full cast audio sitcom following the micro jobbing adventures of Jed and Bobby. From walking the dog or mowing the lawn to faking a DNA test or fulfilling a blood oath to the mafia, anything you know you have to do, but just don't want to..they'll do it for you!

Award winning writer Dave Baird and mega producer Rik Watson create a raft of outrageous characters, brought to life by some of the best voice actors in the business.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello Worldwrights, The Failing Writers are now on a little sabbatical, plotting, (or possibly pantsing) the next season of the podcast and maybe... maybe... even writing some stuff? I'd like to think so anyway.

In absentia, they've decided to bring you all 6 episodes of Anything 4 U, which some of you may remember being occasionally mentioned on the podcast.

Yes... it's the lost classic.... The cult hit that got away... it's Dave's radio sitcom! Here to entertain you while you wait for the new season, with a few familiar voices, so you don't miss us too much.

Happy listening.

EPISODE 1: STRIPPED

Jed's feeling nervous about his first date with Rachel. Fortunately, he and Bobby have a big job on hand to keep him distracted. All they have to do is erect a fence at a naturist club. What could possibly go wrong?

Staring: Tom Turner Dave Baird Kenny Blyth Abi Phillips Elinor Hamilton Gabriella Ashcroft Jon Rand Simon White And Kristian Tiffany.

Anything 4U is a full cast audio sitcom following the micro jobbing adventures of Jed and Bobby. From walking the dog or mowing the lawn to faking a DNA test or fulfilling a blood oath to the mafia, anything you know you have to do, but just don't want to..they'll do it for you!

Award winning writer Dave Baird and mega producer Rik Watson create a raft of outrageous characters, brought to life by some of the best voice actors in the business.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello and happy new year, you lovely lot.

Please allow us a moment of self indulgence now, as all three of us bring you a bonus episode looking back on where we were 4 years ago, when we first began this lovely little writing / podcasting project.

Because for some inexplicable reason, we've decided to take our first ever episode and provide a kind of 'director's commentary' over it.

There will be cringing. There will be self-reflection. There might even be the odd moment of pride - as we look back at just how far we've come.

Well... alright... admittedly, from the outside it doesn't look like we've come very far, does it?

But the journey is long my friends, and the road is badly paved, and we're all easily distracted by all the fascinating little distractions along the way, aren't we?

So try not to judge too hard.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we have a look at the rest of our festive flash fiction competition shortlist.

Warning:  They’re upsettingly good.

Any one of them, frankly, could have won.

Which must rankle somewhat.

Thankfully though, this is the moment they can shine.

Here were the winners (Announced last week):

Katie Holloway:

https://loseyourselfbooks.wordpress.com/

James Montgomory

https://www.jamesmontgomerywrites.com

John R Preston.

And here are the incredible Shortlisters:

Camilla Cassidy:

https://camillacassidy.co.uk

Genevieve Marenghi Daly

@genevieve.m.d

Rachael Dunlop:

https://rachaeldunlop.com

Insta: @rachaeldunlop1

Rebecca Latham

Debbie Howard

Please give them a massive round of applause and buy them a drink next time you see them.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.