The Writing Community Chat Show

The WCCS at the Brooklyn Book Festival: Writing Through the Chaos with Queer Indie.

Tackling toxic perfectionism, trauma, and the neurodivergent imagination with a stellar panel of authors. Plus, a healthy dose of live-stream chaos.

Welcome back to The Writing Community Chat Show. I’m your host, CJ, and in this special episode, Chris Hooley and I are incredibly proud to present an official 2026 Bookend Event as part of the Brooklyn Book Festival.

For our third year running with the festival, we teamed up with the fantastic folks at Queer Indie, a brilliant community whose golden rule is simply “don’t be a dick.” to bring you a panel that is as raw as it is necessary.We’re digging deep into the realities of the creative journey alongside a truly stellar lineup of authors and content creators straight from the Queer Indie directory: Anya Pavelle, Halo Scot, Anna Bloom, Ross Young, and Mario Dell’Olio.In this episode, we unpack:

• Toxic Perfectionism: How to recognise when the drive to edit is actually just fear in disguise, and why you need to let your manuscript go.
• The Neurodivergent Edge: Harnessing hyperfocus for massive word counts, and how to navigate the dreaded “kryptonite crash” that follows.
• Writing in Survival Mode: Why getting just a single sentence down is a massive win when life is heavy, and how writing through trauma can be both exhausting and deeply healing.
• Alternative Productivity: Ditching the standard writing rules for chaotic drafting methods that actually work, including the cruel but effective trick of stopping mid-sentence.

You can also expect our usual brand of live-stream chaos, including a heated debate on magnets, an impromptu adult show-and-tell featuring a T-Rex bottle opener, and Ross fighting a losing battle against gravity with his wall art.Support our guests and find their work:

• Anya Pavelle: anyapavelle.com - Currently working on a brilliant historical magical realism and contemporary crime fusion.
• Ross Young: rossyoung.ink - Author of four books about the afterlife and proud owner of 800,000 words of unfinished novel beginnings.
• Mario dell’Olio: mariodellolio.com - Author of Letters from Italy, currently drafting a 19th-century Italian historical fiction.
• Halo Scot: haloscot.com - Master of dark, cinematic writing and our wonderful Queer Indie liaison.
• Anna Bloom: Sharing insights on translation, the emotional power of James Baldwin, and surviving the writer’s life.

Learn more about Queer Indie and their inclusive community at queerindie.com.Bookend events are a vital part of the Brooklyn Book Festival’s mission to present programming that is hip, smart, diverse, and inclusive for NYC and beyond. Visit brooklynbookfestival.org for more info.


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🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.

• 📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.
• ✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack
• 🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.Me

Together as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

In this episode of The Writing Community Chat Show, we are joined by the incredible Melanie Blake for a must-listen conversation. We pull back the curtain on the book world, unpacking recent publishing drama with a professional, candid lens, and exploring what it really takes to navigate the industry.

As if that wasn't enough, we also have all the exciting details on an unbelievable 100k necklace giveaway!

In this episode, we dive into:

• A candid look at the latest publishing drama and industry dynamics.
• Behind-the-scenes insights from Melanie Blake's incredible career.
• Everything you need to know about the massive 100k necklace giveaway.
• Actionable advice and inspiration for writers navigating the modern publishing landscape.

Whether you are actively drafting your next novel, querying, or simply love hearing the incredible stories behind the books, this conversation delivers invaluable insights you won't want to miss.

Buy Vengeful Women for your chance of winning here!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

Connect With The Community

🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.

• 📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.
• ✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack
• 🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.Me

Together as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

Our final show before we go dark for the 3-Month Writing Challenge is an absolute banger! After over 400 interviews and six years of virtually never taking a Friday night off, we are officially putting the microphones on standby to write a novel in 90 days. To send us off in style, we are joined by the incredible sci-fi and fantasy authors Dominique Mondesir and Gabriel Rathweg, hosts of The Story Forge podcast.

This episode goes deep into the gritty reality of being a working author today. Dom and Gabe pull no punches as we discuss the "dark side" of Amazon's algorithms, the harsh mathematical realities of traditional publishing advances versus indie royalties, and how to actually stand out in a ridiculously saturated market.

Plus, we debut our brand new game, Blurb or Absurd, testing the guys on whether they can spot a real sci-fi/fantasy plot from a completely fake one (Spoiler: Kung Fu chickens and coffee-brewing Orcs are involved).

If you are joining us for the writing challenge or just want an unfiltered look at the publishing industry, this is a must-listen.

Support the show & join the 3-Month Challenge: ✍️ Write your novel with us in just 12 weeks: Join the Challenge on Substack

Connect with Dominique & Gabriel:

• Subscribe to The Story Forge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DGstoryforge/streams
• Dominique's Website & Books: https://dominiquemondesir.com
• Gabriel's Books: Search "Gabriel Rathweg" on Amazon

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

Connect With The Community

🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.

• 📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.
• ✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack
• 🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.Me

Together as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

Welcome to another Friday night episode of The Writing Community Chat Show! In our growing archive of over 400 interviews, we've had the pleasure of sitting down with everyone from brilliant indie authors to household names—and today's guest is nothing short of spectacular.

Join us as we welcome New York Times best-selling author Essie Fox for a deep dive into the shadowy, mesmerising world of Gothic historical fiction. Essie shares her incredible journey from a 20-year career as a home-based illustrator to taking a leap of faith on a three-month creative writing course that changed her life.

We unpack her brilliant passion project, Katherine—an audacious and emotional retelling of Wuthering Heights from the perspective of a ghost—and discuss how to find the spaces between the pages of classic literature. We also delve into the wild history of Lord Byron, the literary origins of the vampire, and how to balance meticulous historical research with deeply human character arcs.

Plus, we've got an exciting update on our upcoming 12-week novel-writing challenge where the community is teaming up to write 800 words a day. Whether you are a dedicated historical fiction writer or just love a twisting, atmospheric tale, this episode is packed with inspiration.Thank you for tuning in and helping make us one of the top writing podcasts in the UK! Grab a drink, settle in, and let's get into it.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Path to Publication: Essie's transition from an illustrator to a bestselling author and the perseverance required to break into the industry.
• Finding the Story: The serendipity of historical research and uncovering a novel idea right under your own floorboards.
• Reimagining a Classic: Unpacking the complex, humanizing layers of Wuthering Heights and why Essie had to write her own version.
• Vampires & Lord Byron: How John Polidori's The Vampyre and the infamous "Summer of Darkness" inspired Essie's historical thriller.
• Gothic Recommendations: Essie's top three Gothic novel recommendations for every writer and reader.

Links & Resources:

• Follow Essie Fox on Instagram: @essiefox_author
• Listen to Essie's podcast on Substack: Talking the Gothic
• Pick up a copy of Katherine and Essie's other novels at your local indie bookshop, or here.
• Join our community Discord and Substack to participate in the upcoming 12-Week Novel Writing Challenge!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

Connect With The Community

🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.

• 📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.
• ✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack
• 🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.Me

Together as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

In this episode of The Writing Community Chat Show, Chris sits down with UK-based television producer, script editor, and debut author, Charlotte Robinson!Charlotte brings an incredible wealth of storytelling knowledge from the screen to the page. After working her way up from an on-set runner (mastering the art of making the perfect cup of tea), she became a driving creative force behind major TV hits like Sky’s Fortitude, Amazon Prime’s adaptation of The Power, and Steven Knight’s A Thousand Blows for Disney+.

Now, she’s translating that high-stakes, binge-worthy pacing into her highly anticipated debut sci-fi thriller, MARS ONE( publishing May 23rd with Transworld).

If you have ever struggled with pacing, character depth, or bloated first drafts, this episode is an absolute masterclass. Grab a pint or a perfectly brewed tea, and get ready to take notes!

In this episode, we dive into:

• The "Ruthless TV Editor" Mindset: How Charlotte applied TV production rules to cut a staggering 80,000 words from her first draft.
• The Margaret Atwood Timeline: A brilliant character-building exercise to give your protagonists deep psychological context.
• Writers' Room Secrets: How to use the "Post-It Note" method and Scrivener to weave together multiple POVs without losing the emotional thread.
• The Billionaire Space Race: A fascinating debate into the real-world inspirations behind Mars One and the geopolitical dangers of handing space exploration over to private companies.
• The Geek Vault: How a professional script editor would fix the controversial ending of Game of Thrones, and the fictional characters Charlotte would take on a one-way trip to Mars!

About Charlotte Robinson: Charlotte is a writer, TV producer, and die-hard sci-fi & fantasy fan living in Essex. Her debut novel, MARS ONE, is a fast-paced thriller about a reality TV-funded colonization mission to Mars where a saboteur strikes in the dark vacuum of space.

• Pre-order MARS ONE: https://amzn.to/4e1G9NM

Show Notes & Resources:

• 🚀 Join the 100-Day Writing Challenge! We kick off on May 1st. Join the community, get your templates, and hop into our Discord by heading to our Substack: https://thewccs.substack.com/p/write-your-novel-with-us-in-just?r=20fopa
• 💻 Get 20% off Scrivener! Use the code COMMUNITY at checkout to get an exclusive discount on the ultimate writing software. https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview?fpr=welcome&fp_sid=m

Support The WCCS: Together as one, we get it done! If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave us a 5-star review, and share it with a fellow writer.

• Website: thewritingcommunitychatshow.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

Connect With The Community

🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.

• 📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.
• ✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack
• 🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.Me

Together as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

Welcome back to another fantastic episode of The Writing Community Chat Show! With over 400 interviews under our belts - chatting with everyone from indie debutants to NYT bestsellers - we are incredibly proud to continue bringing you the very best insights into the publishing world. It’s been an amazing journey recently reaching number 3 in the top 10 writing podcasts in the UK, and we couldn’t do it without this brilliant community.

This week, we are thrilled to welcome the award-winning author of contemporary women’s fiction and romance, Fiona Lucas (also known for her decades of enchanting readers as Fiona Harper). Fiona has written over 30 books, hit the number one spot on the Kindle bestseller list, and cracked the code for authors on TikTok, accumulating over a million likes!

Whether you are plotting your first romance or trying to figure out how to market your latest release on social media, Fiona’s journey from a mother of two seeking a creative outlet to a seasoned industry veteran is packed with actionable advice.



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

Connect With The Community

🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.

• 📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.
• ✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack
• 🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.Me

Together as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

How do you turn the rhythm of a song into the heartbeat of a novel?

In this episode of The Writing Community Chat Show, we sit down with the multi-talented Antonio Michael Downing—a writer, musician, and "creative force" whose work spans critically acclaimed memoirs like Saga Boy and his stunning new debut novel, Black Cherokee.

Antonio shares a perspective on the craft that is as soulful as it is practical. We dive deep into his "sensory hypnosis" ritual—why he writes every first draft longhand with a "sacred" fountain pen—and explore his "gardening mindset" for productivity, which might just change the way you look at your daily word counts forever.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Economy of Words: What novelists can learn from hip-hop legends and the tight structure of a three-minute song.
• Ritualising the Flow State: How to use physical objects to "hypnotise" your brain into writing mode.
• Writing What You Don't Know: The meticulous research and radical empathy required to write across culture, gender, and history.
• Reverse-Engineering Emotion: How to study the books that move you to figure out exactly how the "magic" works.
• The 1990s & The "Trail of Tears": Why Antonio chose a pre-cellphone era to explore the history that "never stays in the past."

Whether you’re an indie author struggling with your first draft or a seasoned pro looking for a fresh spark of inspiration, this conversation is a masterclass in staying curious and finding your own unique "fingerprint" on the page."Your job is to be available... to create the conditions so that tomatoes can grow. Then the tomatoes will naturally grow." — Antonio Michael Downing.

Connect with Antonio:

• Website: antoniomichaeldowning.com
• Instagram: @antoniomichaeldowning

Join the WCCS Community: Don't forget to like, subscribe, and check out our upcoming community project, "The 100," where we’ll be writing 80,000 words together starting this May! Visit https://substack.com/@thewccs for more.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

Connect With The Community

🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.

• 📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.
• ✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack
• 🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.Me

Together as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

One viewer described this episode as “a university lecture on creative writing.” This week, we unearth the systems behind a sustainable, profitable indie author career.Our guest is romantic suspense author and book coach Maria L. Secoy.

As a former English teacher with a Master’s in Secondary English, Maria spent over a decade in the classroom before transitioning into a full-time indie career. Her teaching background shines through as she breaks down the science of writing and the business of being an author.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The 15-Hour Productivity Rule: How to write four high-quality books a year without burning out.
• The "Legacy Quest": Transitioning from writing for your soul to building a commercial catalog.
• Crafting Fierce Heroines: Using the "Vulnerability Gap" to create strong, relatable characters.
• The 80/20 Research Method: How to build authentic tech and security worlds without "data dumping."

The Masterclass Highlights

Productivity & Deep Work: Maria emphasizes that full-time writing doesn’t require a 40-hour week. By utilizing "Power Hours"—60 to 90 minutes of disconnected deep work—and batching administrative tasks, you can protect your creative energy.



 The Science of Character: We dive into Maria’s Taylor Industries and On-Trail Love Adventures series. She explains why competence is key for romantic suspense heroines and how to find the one thing your strongest character is afraid of.

Treating Writing as a Business: Passion is the spark, but systems pay the bills. Maria advocates for a "Truly Successful Author" mindset where rest is treated as a vital productivity metric.

The Research Balance: Learn how Maria handles deep research into tech and security. The goal is to use research to build your own confidence so the dialogue feels authentic to the reader, even if 80% of the facts never leave your notes.

Join the Community: If you enjoyed this "University Lecture" on the craft, consider subscribing for more deep dives into the indie author world.

Visit our home base: thewccs.substack.com/subscribe

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

Connect With The Community

🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.

• 📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.
• ✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack
• 🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.Me

Together as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

The Burden of Mental Noise: Social Anxiety & Psychic Thrills with D.I. JollyWhat if you couldn’t turn off the thoughts of everyone around you? In this episode of The Writing Community Chat Show, we sit down with Berlin-based indie author D.I. Jolly to dive into his latest psychological thriller, Blurred Lines.More than just a "superpower" story, Blurred Lines serves as a visceral metaphor for social anxiety. We discuss how the protagonist, Miles, navigates a world of overwhelming mental chatter and the moment a psychic cry for help forces him out of his self-imposed isolation.Inside the Episode:

• The Power of Practice: How writing over 300 short stories for the Berlin Poetry Club sharpened Jolly's craft.
• Genre-Bending & Metaphor: Using lycanthropy to explore bipolar disorder in the Mostly Human series.
• The Research Process: Consulting with therapists to accurately portray the mechanics of anxiety and human thought.
• Killing Your Darlings: The reality of cutting 15,000 words to save a story.
• The Indie Hustle: Insights into the “Buy My Effing Book” marketing strategy and the impact of living in seven different countries on world-building.

Whether you're an aspiring novelist looking for consistency tips or a fan of dark, psychological fiction, this conversation is packed with raw honesty and wit.Connect with D.I. Jolly:

• Buy Blurred Lines: https://amzn.eu/d/05ZGvoUo

Support the Show: We are celebrating our 6th Birthday! Help us make it a big one by visiting: https://thewccs.substack.com/p/six-years-400-episodes-and-166-days?r=20fopa

Follow The Writing Community Chat Show: Ranked in the top writing podcasts in the UK, we bring you interviews with NYT best-sellers, celebrities, and the best indie voices in the business.Watch the video version on YouTube: The Writing Community Chat Show - YouTube

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

Connect With The Community

🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.

• 📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.
• ✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack
• 🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.Me

Together as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

The Secret Sauce to a 'Big Five' Deal with Linda Wilgus.

The WCCS: Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025)

An overnight success 21 years in the making.
We were joined by the brilliant Linda Wilgus, author of the enchanting debut novel, The Sea Child. From writing during two-hour nap times to securing a "Big Five" publishing deal and a coveted starred review from Publishers Weekly, Linda’s journey is a masterclass in persistence.

The Story of The Sea Child is set against the rugged cliffs of 1800s Cornwall during the Napoleonic Wars. The Sea Child follows Isabel—a widow found as a child, dripping wet and alone. Is she the daughter of a seboka (sea spirit)? When a wounded smuggling captain is carried into her cottage, a timeless tale of folklore, adventure, and romance begins.

💡 Masterclass Tips: The Linda Wilgus Method

• The 75% Rule for Plotting: Plan 75% for structure, but leave the final 25% open so your characters can surprise you.
• The “Crap First Draft” Philosophy: You can edit a bad page, but you can’t edit a blank one. Stick to your daily word count!
• Don't Self-Reject: Linda landed a superstar agent by being brave enough to hit "send" on a "long shot" query.
• The “Tiffany Effect”: How to balance 18th-century authenticity with modern readability in historical fiction.
• Magic Needs Rules: In Magical Realism, magic must have firm limits—it can't be a "get out of jail free" card for your plot
• Follow Linda: Instagram @LindaJWilgus | LindaWilgus.com
• Watch the Interview: https://youtube.com/live/sBan9N46S0Q
• Support the Community: Join our Substack for more "stories behind the stories. WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack

The WCCS: Together as one, we get it done!

What was your favorite tip from Linda? Let us know in the comments!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

Connect With The Community

🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.

• 📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.
• ✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack
• 🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.Me

Together as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.