The Northern Gravy Podcast

Can an adaptation ever be superior to the original? Ralph and Nick wax lyrically about what their favourite book-to-film or TV show adaptations are, some that really don’t work, and what they think makes a good one. There’s news on submissions reopening, as well as all the usual nonsense.

Our fiction editor Nick Jones sits down with Ralph Dartford (who also answers all the questions, hence how long this is) for a good old natter and to pick his Desert Island Dust Jackets. Expect silly jokes, hot takes, a little bit of fruity language and some laughs.

Happy New Year! Do you have any writing-related New Year’s resolutions? Let us know on our socials. In the meantime, our fiction editor Nick brings you a recording of his interview with Erin Braithwaite, discussing her Wilko Johnson prize-winning piece “Different Reasons”, recorded live at the Louder Than Words festival last year.

As a Christmas treat, Nick presents an excerpt from the Q&A portion of our recent live event, HOW TO LAND AN AGENT, with superstar literary agent Kesia Lupo. It was a wonderful night packed with brilliant lessons, real insight, and some fantastic tips on how to stand out in the slush pile. Give it a listen, and may it bring you good luck if you’re searching for representation yourself.

In the hope of possibly conjuring a white Christmas, Nick and Ralph discuss their favourite books set amidst snow. They chat about what went on at the recent Louder Than Words festival in Manchester, our upcoming live event HOW TO LAND AN AGENT (December 12th), and that our submissions window is currently open. Plus the usual rambling, waffle, nattering and silliness.

In this episode, Nick looks back on our recent live event to launch Ralph Dartford’s new poetry collection “House Anthems”, which is available now. Hear recordings from the night as Ralph reads his work, as well as friend of the gravy boat JP Seabright, who reads from her collection “White Cloud over Purple”. Both books are available now. There’s a reminder also of our next live event, How To Land An Agent - With Kesia Lupo, coming up on the 12th of December.

In this special episode, we’re showcasing our latest live event, which was an evening with the incredible poet and literary superstar Helen Ivory. Hear our very own Ralph Dartford in conversation with Helen, as well as questions from the audience. Don’t forget, our next live event: Ralph Dartford and JP Seabright, reading and in conversation is coming on November 14th, so grab your tickets now.

This week, Nick and Ralph sit down to chat about tonight’s live event with Helen Ivory (25th October), the Wilko Johnson Prize for music writing, Louder then Words festival 2024, and of course the state of Ralph’s borage. Expect an in depth explanation of competitive ploughing also.

What more could you want from a podcast about books and writing?

In this episode, Nick interviews our very own Ralph Dartford about his ‘desert island dust jackets’ - his favourite books, his life in writing, and what he counts as his favourite reads.

Ralph’s new collection, House Anthems, is available this autumn from Valley Press.

Welcome back to another live event recap, in which Piu DasGupta talks us through how to craft captivating cliffhangers to keep your readers gripped and turning the page. Suspense, revelations, sausage dogs… this episode has it all, or does it? You’ll just have to listen to find out!