In this mini episode, Derek reviews the success (or not) of his recent endeavours, shares some vital statistics about authors and publishing, reveals the probability of a regional arts council grant for literature, and quotes an AI answer about the environmental impact of AI (you could call it Meta meta!).

Derek and Lynn are back in conversation together. This time we talk about Lynn's decision to stop writing for a while, consider whether authors choose a genre because of their own wiring, stretch Derek's 'bus' metaphor to breaking point and find a common element to all his books, and revisit the challenges of writing from personal experience.

This episode contains reference to abuse.

Trigger warning. This recording involves discussion about mental health and suicide.

In this episode Derek chats with Charlotte Crocker, a prolific author (under the pen name D. E. White) who made a radical decision that transformed her health and set her on a completely different career path. 

We talk about the challenges for authors in the digital age, mental health and creativity, the realities of writing books for a living, and the importance of talking and listening to find a way through it all.

If you are experiencing any of the issues raised in this podcast edition, help is available. You can contact The Samaritans on 116 123.

D. E. White on Amazon: 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Daisy-White/author/B009IE86RI

Writing Retreat link: https://bluepiercreative.co.uk/ 

MIND: https://www.mind.org.uk/ 

Instagram: areyouokayhunni?

Substack:

https://areyouokayhunni.substack.com/

In this episode Derek chats with Jess Lovibond, a Systemic Practitioner, about the importance of story in her work with children, parents and families.

We also discuss the origin and aims of 'The Story Step' - Jess's online initiative where men record stories for children and parents.

More about Jess: https://www.jltsfamilyservices.org.uk/

Derek's story - The Ball that went to Sea:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITjwGB_GcZQ

Derek chats with debut crime novelist Don Spillane about his book 'Hustling the Mob', Don's time as a Metropolitan Police detective, East End criminals, and the justice system - past and present.

A little levity this time as Derek gives voice to some of his least favourable reviews, with some added commentary. You can't please all of the people all of the time - and neither did he.

This time, Derek is joined by writer and photographer Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu to discuss whether AI is an existential threat to the creative industries. None of our chatter constitutes expert advice.

Here's some additional reading: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/nov/16/ai-isnt-about-unleashing-our-imaginations-its-about-outsourcing-them-the-real-purpose-is-profit

How big a deal is social class when it comes to writing and being published?

In this five-minute episode Derek shares his blog post 'Not Quite Our Sort', which started life as an article and ended up as a boomerang. Five magazines and counting, not including the one that is - in theory - making up its mind. *

* It isn't, unless they make decisions...really...slowly.

This time we explore what failure means to (two) writers, how to cope with it, and whether the problem is expectation.

Along the way: Derek gets sexist about escalators, Lynn talks rejection from a publisher's perspective, and we throw in the odd swearword to try and be edgy.

It's the end of 2023. Lynn and Derek are looking back and looking forward. This time we talk about how well the average book does in its lifetime, the joys of book promotion, what else writers do with their skills, the house that's haunted by a story, sheep, the importance of community, adapting your own work, and divergent views on the latest series of Shetland.

Linen Press: https://www.linen-press.com/shop/

Derek's books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Derek-Thompson/author/B0034ORY08