The Write Place (formerly The Joined Up Writing Podcast)

Crime writer Steven Dunne joins me for a special live edition of The Write Place, recorded in front of an audience at Leicester Central Library.

Steven is best known for his dark DI Damen Brook crime thrillers, beginning with The Reaper, which he originally self-published before it was picked up by HarperCollins. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about his journey from indie author to traditional publishing and back again, how the industry has changed, and why he now enjoys writing to his own timetable.

We also dig into the creation of DI Damen Brook and the Reaper trilogy, Steven’s meticulous approach to plotting and rewriting, why editing means being prepared to cut even the lines you love, and the small pieces of research that can make crime fiction feel authentic.

Steven also talks about Blood Summer, which introduced former FBI agent Michael Trent and allowed him to swap the dark streets of Derby for the South of France, Singapore and Barcelona, as well as the follow-up he is currently working on.

And, of course, we discover the Book That Saved Steven’s Life, Thomas Harris’s The Silence of the Lambs, the novel that helped turn him towards crime fiction in the first place.

Find Steven Dunne online:

Website: Steven Dunne's website
X/Twitter: @ReaperSteven
Goodreads: Steven Dunne on Goodreads

REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT

If you’re struggling to keep going with your own writing, my book Real Writers Never Quit: What Hundreds of Authors Reveal About Not Giving Up combines lessons from my own writing journey with advice and inspiration from hundreds of authors who have appeared on the podcast.

Buy Real Writers Never Quit:
https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit

Find out more about me, my books and The Write Place at waynekellywrites.com.

Bestselling science-fiction author Peter F. Hamilton joins me to talk about his latest novel, Exodus: The Helium Sea, the epic conclusion to the Archimedes Engine duology set within the universe of the forthcoming EXODUS video game.

Peter explains how his unusual collaboration with Archetype Entertainment allowed him to help build the universe before writing his own story within it, and why seeing artists turn his written descriptions into fully realised worlds became part of the creative process itself. 

We also get into the nuts and bolts of writing huge speculative worlds: how Peter starts with an idea, builds the technology, economics and politics around it, and only then decides which characters should tell the story. He explains why he can spend six months making notes before beginning a major series, why continuity matters so much, and why he refuses to start a novel without knowing how it ends. 

Peter looks back at beginning his career with short stories and a manual typewriter, the lessons learned from early editors, and the painful writing mistake that permanently changed the way he plans his books. We also discuss how science fiction has evolved during his career, the challenge of future-proofing fictional technology and why, even after more than three decades as a published novelist, writing itself can still be a slog. 

Plus, Peter faces Their Darkest Hour, reveals the Book That Saved His Life, and shares the simple piece of writing advice he still believes matters most:

Keep writing.

Find Peter F. Hamilton

Peter’s author page and books: Pan Macmillan
Peter on Facebook: @PeterFHamilton
Exodus: The Helium Sea: Pan Macmillan / Tor 

Check out my latest book - Real Writers Never Quit: what hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up

Crime writer Angela C Nurse returns to The Write Place to talk about a major change in her writing career, signing with Vinci Books after several years building her readership as an independent author.

Angela is the author of the Rowan McFarlane Detective Mysteries and the DI Ravenscroft & Professor Laing crime series.

In this episode, we talk about why Angela decided the time was right to hand over some of the business and marketing side of publishing, what it feels like to give up a little control after years of doing everything herself, and why she still remains a passionate advocate for indie publishing.

We also get into the realities of selling books, Amazon advertising, covers and genre expectations, book fairs and the challenge indie authors face getting their books into physical bookshops.

Angela also tells me about the Mysterious Murders Short Story Competition, which she co-founded with Jeroen van Rotterdam in memory of writer Anja Boersma. This year writers are challenged to create a locked-room murder mystery of up to 3,000 words, with £3,000 going to the winner. Entries close on 30 September 2026.

We also chat about new ideas arriving at inconvenient moments, writing more than one book at a time, what Angela would tell her younger self and what comes next for both of her crime series.

About Angela C Nurse

Angela C Nurse is a Scottish crime writer and creative writing coach, and the author of the Rowan McFarlane Detective Mysteries and the DI Ravenscroft & Professor Laing series. After building her career independently, Angela signed with Vinci Books in 2026 for her existing backlist and future books in her first two series.

Find Angela and her books

Website and newsletter:
https://www.angelacnurse.com/

Angela's books on Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0957J7JL5

Mysterious Murders Short Story Competition:
https://www.mysteriousmurders.com/

Scottish crime writer Heather J Fitt joins Wayne Kelly to discuss reclaiming the rights to her three published novels and taking control of their future as an independent author.

Heather has recently released new independent editions of Open Your Eyes, The Flight and The Boat Trip. We explore what happens when an author’s books become part of a publisher’s backlist, the practical process of getting those rights returned, and the benefits and challenges of republishing your own work.

The conversation focuses particularly on Open Your Eyes, Heather’s dark psychological thriller about an ambitious Edinburgh journalist investigating a series of attacks against women. Heather explains how reading Laura Bates’s Men Who Hate Women introduced her to the online world of incels and the manosphere, and why she chose to explore those disturbing issues through fiction.

Heather also discusses:

• Researching dark subjects without damaging your mental health
• Creating balance and complexity when writing an antagonist
• The persistent stigma surrounding independent publishing
• Why more traditionally published writers are reclaiming their backlists
• Searching for an agent after already publishing three novels
• Blending crime fiction with elements of horror
• Her evolving approach to plotting and discovery writing
• Finding time to write around freelance work and everyday life
• Overcoming self-consciousness and giving yourself permission to begin

Heather also reveals why Men Who Hate Women is her Book That Saved Your Life and shares her advice for writers who are still waiting to take themselves seriously.

Heather J Fitt is a Scottish crime writer and the author of Open Your Eyes, The Flight and The Boat Trip. She is also an experienced editor and proofreader who has worked within independent publishing.

Find Heather and her books:

Website: https://www.heatherjfitt.com
Books: https://www.heatherjfitt.com/heatherjfitt-books
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherjfitt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherFittAuthor
Support independent bookshops: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/heatherjfittauthor

Find out more about The Write Place Podcast and Wayne’s writing, publishing and mentoring work:

https://waynekellywrites.com

In this episode of The Write Place, I’m joined once again by author Gemma Denham to talk about her new psychological thriller, The Inheritance.

Kate and Patrick are struggling financially when an unexpected inheritance seems to offer the perfect escape: a Victorian townhouse on the north-east coast. But from the moment they arrive, things feel wrong. Objects disappear, footsteps sound in the night, and Kate begins to wonder whether someone is getting into the locked house, whether something more unsettling is at work, or whether she is losing her grip on reality. 

Gemma and I chat about the idea behind the book, balancing thriller and supernatural elements without tipping fully into horror, and why The Inheritance flowed so differently from the difficult second book she originally tried to write. We also talk honestly about second book syndrome, imposter syndrome, Goodreads reviews, publishing timelines, social media, marketing as an author, and the reality of building a writing career after your debut has gone out into the world. 

In this episode, we discuss:

•  The creepy locked-house setup behind The Inheritance
•  Writing suspense without crossing fully into supernatural horror 
•  Why Gemma’s original second book didn’t quite work 
•  The pressure that follows a debut novel 
•  Plotting, character journals and visual references 
•  Researching blessings and exorcisms with a local vicar 
•  How reviews can feed imposter syndrome 
•  The difference between writing for yourself and writing with a publisher waiting 
•  Gemma’s Darkest Hour and what she learned from pushing through a difficult project 

You can find out more about Gemma and her books at her website, GemmaDenham.com, and follow her on Instagram, Facebook and X. The Inheritance is available now in paperback and ebook.

My book, Real Writers Never Quit, is out now: https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrkelly2u/

In this episode of The Write Place, I’m joined by New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost, best known for her hugely popular Night Huntress books.

Jeaniene joins me to talk about her latest novel, A Curse of Beasts and Magic, the first book in her new Beautiful and Beastly series. Described as Beauty and the Beast meets The Witcher, this is a romantasy adventure with a twist: Beauty is the Beast.

We talk about the rise of romantasy, writing morally grey characters, building fantasy worlds from character first, and why Jeaniene doesn’t keep the kind of organised series bible many writers might expect.

Jeaniene also reflects on finally finishing her first novel after years of starting but not completing books, the pressure and reality of becoming a published author, and the difficult balance between writing from passion and treating publishing like a business.

We also discuss social media, book marketing for introverts, burnout, revision, persistence, and why writers need to celebrate the small victories along the way.

In the Book That Saved Your Life segment, Jeaniene talks about the books and authors that shaped her, including Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small, Jackie Collins, Dean Koontz and Stephen King.

Useful links:

Jeaniene Frost website: https://www.jeanienefrost.com
Jeaniene on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jfrostauthor/
Jeaniene on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jfrostauthor
Jeaniene on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jfrostauthor
A Curse of Beasts and Magic: https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/jeaniene-frost/a-curse-of-beasts-and-magic/9781037404429

My book, Real Writers Never Quit, is out now: https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrkelly2u/

This week on The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by actress, podcaster and author Sonya Walger.

Many listeners will know Sonya from her roles in Lost, For All Mankind, FlashForward, The Catch and many more, but she is also the author of the acclaimed debut novel Lion and her latest book, Wifehouse.

In our conversation, Sonya talks about the idea behind Wifehouse, a novel about a woman who leaves her family, and why she wanted to explore that story without judgement. We discuss marriage, motherhood, identity, multiple points of view, and the difficult creative challenge of writing a character readers may not approve of but can still understand. 

We also talk about Sonya’s move from acting into fiction, how years of inhabiting other characters have shaped her as a novelist, and why she finds writing so liberating after a career spent waiting for permission to play a part.

Along the way, Sonya shares her thoughts on rejection, creative fear, handwriting first drafts, journalling, writing on planes, and why reading is one of the most important ways we practise empathy.

And of course, we cover the usual Write Place favourites, including the Book That Saved Your Life, where Sonya chooses The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James and Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates.

A thoughtful, generous and wide-ranging conversation about writing, performance, creativity and the need to keep feeding the artist in you.

Links

Sonya’s website: https://sonya-walger.com/
Sonya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonyawalgerofficial/
Bookish with Sonya Walger: https://bookishwithsonyawalger.com/
Buy Wifehouse: https://www.waterstones.com/book/wifehouse/sonya-walger/9781786586384
My book, Real Writers Never Quit: https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrkelly2u/

Hi, I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world.

This week I’m joined by Nigerian author Foluso Agbaje, whose latest novel, The Talk of the Party, is a gripping family drama and thriller set against the backdrop of an extravagant Lagos birthday celebration where long-buried secrets begin to unravel.
 
We talk about writing across cultures, the pressure of social expectations within Nigerian society, and how reading contemporary African fiction helped Foluso realise there was space for stories that reflected her own experiences and identity. We also discuss creativity, balancing writing with family life, learning the craft through the Faber Academy, and why there’s no single ‘correct’ writing process.
 
As always, there’s plenty here for writers at every stage of the journey.

About Foluso Agbaje

Foluso Agbaje is a Nigerian writer whose novels explore family, identity, class, secrets and social expectations within contemporary Nigerian society. Her debut novel, *The Parlour Wife*, introduced readers to her emotionally rich and character-driven storytelling, while her latest novel, The Talk of the Party, blends family drama and suspense against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos high society. Foluso currently lives in Dubai with her family.

Episode Highlights

• The inspiration behind The Talk of the Party and why Lagos high society became the perfect setting for hidden secrets and family drama.

• How Foluso’s early reading shaped her identity as a writer and the importance of seeing contemporary African stories in publishing.

• The realities of learning the craft through the Faber Academy and online writing resources.

• Why there’s no single writing process and how each book demands something different.

• Creativity, morning pages, artist dates, and finding time to write around family life.

• The differences between working in corporate life and navigating the publishing industry.

The Book That Saved Your Life

Foluso chose Everything Good Will Come by Sefi Atta. Reading a contemporary Nigerian novel for the first time helped her realise that stories rooted in her own culture and experiences could connect with readers around the world.

Find Out More

You can find Foluso Agbaje online across Instagram and other social platforms by searching her name. Her latest novel, The Talk of the Party, is available now.

Links and Extras

If you enjoyed this episode, check out my book Real Writers Never Quit: What Hundreds of Authors Reveal About Not Giving Up, available now.
 
You can also find my self-publishing packages, mentoring and writing resources at:
wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing
 
Follow me on Instagram:
@MrKelly2u

REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT: What hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up is out right now!
 https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit

Special limited signed editions are available from my online shop here:
https://ko-fi.com/wakelly/shop

This week on The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by author, screenwriter and podcaster Mark Stay for a wide-ranging, funny and very honest conversation about writing fantasy, surviving the publishing industry, selling direct to readers, and why author voice matters more than ever in the age of AI.

Mark is the author of The Witches of Woodville series, the End of Magic trilogy, and the novelisation of Robot Overlords. He also co-wrote the films Robot Overlords and Unwelcome, and was co-presenter of the award-winning Bestseller Experiment podcast, which has helped inspire writers around the world to finish and publish their books.

We talk about his latest release, The End of Gods, the final book in the End of Magic trilogy, and how Mark returned to the world of the first book years later after getting the rights back. We also get into his experience of crowdfunding, the changing realities of traditional publishing, and why more writers are having to think seriously about direct sales, newsletters and owning their own little corner of the internet.

Mark also shares some sharp, practical thoughts on AI and creativity. His view is refreshingly clear: readers want a human connection. They want voice, weirdness, personality and something only that writer could have made.

Along the way, we discuss screenwriting, theme, Comic Cons, author branding, what happens when a film doesn’t get the push it deserves, and why learning to enjoy the process might be the only sane way to build a long-term writing life.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

•  Why The End of Gods became the final part of a fantasy trilogy Mark never originally planned 
•  How Mark approaches fantasy by focusing on character over magic systems 
•  Why he thinks writers should “lean into the weird” 
•  The importance of developing a distinctive author voice in the age of AI 
•  Why writers need websites, newsletters and direct connections with readers 
•  What Comic Cons have taught him about selling books face to face 
•  How his screenwriting background shapes his novels 
•  Why the “central dramatic argument” changed the way he thinks about story 
•  The painful release experience behind the film Unwelcome
•  Why enjoying the process matters more than chasing overnight success 

About Mark Stay

Mark Stay is a novelist, screenwriter, teacher and podcaster. After more than 25 years working in books and publishing, he became the author of The Witches of Woodville series, the End of Magic trilogy, and other novels. He co-wrote the films Robot Overlords and Unwelcome, and was co-presenter of the award-winning Bestseller Experiment podcast. His latest release is The End of Gods, the concluding book in the End of Magic trilogy.

Find out more about Mark Stay

Website: https://markstaywrites.com

Witches of Woodville and signed books: https://witchesofwoodville.com

The End of Gods: https://witchesofwoodville.com/product/the-end-of-gods-ebook/

Support the Podcast

If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice. It really helps more writers find the show and literally takes seconds to do.

REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT: What hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up is out RIGHT NOW! https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit

Special limited signed editions available from my online shop here.

In this episode of The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by bestselling indie author Steve Higgs, who’s built a remarkable career writing and publishing across multiple genres, with over 150 books to his name.

We talk about his journey from the military and corporate life into full-time writing, the realities of making a living as an indie author, and the business mindset required to scale book sales beyond a hobby.

Steve also shares the story behind his hugely popular Albert Smith series, including the latest paperback release of Pork Pie Pandemonium, a cosy mystery set in Melton Mowbray that blends humour, food, and murder in equal measure.

Along the way, we get into marketing, mindset, and what it really takes to turn writing into a sustainable career.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

•  How Steve transitioned from a 25-year military career to full-time author 
•  The turning point that made him take writing seriously as a business 
•  Why most indie authors fail to sell books and what to do differently 
•  The reality of spending heavily on ads and making it pay 
•  How Pork Pie Pandemonium became his fastest-selling book 
•  The pros and cons of indie vs traditional publishing 
•  Why understanding genre is more important than most writers realise 
•  Steve’s high-output writing process and how he sustains it 

About Steve Higgs

Steve Higgs is a UK-based author known for his prolific output across cosy mystery, urban fantasy, and thriller genres. A former soldier and corporate professional, he turned to writing later in life and has since published over 150 books, selling millions of copies worldwide. His work is particularly known for its humour, fast pacing, and engaging characters, including the popular Albert Smith series featuring a retired detective and his sharp-witted German Shepherd.

Featured Book

Pork Pie Pandemonium
The first book in the Albert Smith series, now released in paperback, follows a retired detective superintendent and his dog as they travel the UK solving mysteries… starting with a grisly discovery in a Melton Mowbray pork pie.

As Steve explains, the book combines humour, mystery, and a strong central relationship between man and dog, with the added twist of the reader hearing the dog’s thoughts throughout. 

Find out more about Steve

Website: https://stevehiggsbooks.com

Final Thoughts

Steve’s approach is not subtle. He treats writing as both craft and business, and he’s willing to invest heavily in marketing to scale his results. That’s not a model that suits everyone, but it does underline a key point: writing the book is only half the job.

If you’re serious about making a living from your writing, this is a conversation worth paying attention to.

Support the Podcast

If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice. It really helps more writers find the show and literally takes seconds to do!