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

Lynn and Derek talk about Lynn's new novel - the water all around us, motivation, the challenges of upping sticks to embrace life on an island, the witchcraft of marketing, and the author persona.

This episode we look at changes in Lightning Source and Kindle that affect authors, and consider the big question: should we expect fairness in the world of writing and publishing? Or, to put it another way, when it comes to writing, did McFly get it wrong? Another conundrum is whether the greatest enemy of creativity is expectation?

Huge thanks to Charles Topham (he appears in an earlier episode) who not only transformed the poor sound quality of the original recording but also encouraged me to put a blanket over my head. (I'm assuming just for recording sessions, but he may have a point.)

PATHFINDER, mentioned in this episode (I say mentioned - I mean 'plugged), is available here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PATHFINDER-Derek-Thompson-ebook/dp/B0CBZ32YP6

This time Derek chats with Emma Bennet, an author of contemporary romance and a children's book. We chat about what makes for a good romance, writing for children and self-publishing, the importance of understanding - and meeting - audience expectations, reader reviews, writer events, and why no book should smell of egg.

You can find out more about Emma and her work here: https://linktr.ee/emmabennetromance

The Snotty Princess can be purchased here: https://amzn.to/452ZbMF

Derek tries to make a meal (well, snack) out of four bullet-points. Contains references to false narratives, imposter syndrome, and the occasional use of the word sh*t. It will make sense when you get there.

Derek chats with Sue Louineau, a literary fiction and magical realism author, about the joys of self publishing, which social media platform works best for her, and why writers cannot afford to hold back when it comes to telling the stories that matter. 

Grab yourself a brew and come and join us.

In this episode Derek talks with Dave Brown aka The Bullshit Detective, who hosts his own 'A Dose of Dave' podcast' and who was instrumental in getting Lynn and Derek started here.

Expect occasional adult language and a chat that takes in: books, brassicas, football, dancing (or not...), music, feedback, an intentional use of the word 'thus', comedy recommendations, an unfortgettable band that Derek can't remember* and whatever else comes to mind. Enjoy.

* It was Edgar Winter Group (Thanks, Charles)