Art Bell helped create Comedy Central, ran Court TV, and is now the author of What She’s Hiding, a gripping noir thriller that fans of Harlan Coben and Laura Dave will devour.In this episode, Art takes us behind the curtain of his career and creative journey:* How he helped launch one of the most iconic comedy brands in television history.* The high-stakes reality of running live courtroom coverage on Court TV.* Why he turned his storytelling talents to fiction and how real-life experiences shaped his debut thriller.* His advice for anyone looking to transition between creative mediums (or completely reinvent themselves).* His thoughts on the Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award — and why opportunities like this matter for writers everywhere.👉 Watch on YouTube here:🎧 Listen on the podcast: Listen here or on any of you preferred podcast platforms. 📚 What She’s Hiding by Art BellFor readers of Harlan Coben and Laura Dave, What She’s Hiding is a gripping modern-day noir thriller featuring a hotshot lawyer unexpectedly drawn into a web of violence and intrigue by the ex-wife he hasn't spoken to since their bitter divorce, written by the former president of Court TV.The day Henry Gladstone, a lawyer at a white-shoe Manhattan law firm, met Leslie Dunlop, he knew she was trouble—but he couldn't say no. Their steamy affair became a marriage filled with secrets and lies that collapsed as spectacularly as it began.Cut to today: Leslie, who Henry hasn’t heard from since their divorce, bursts into his office and announces that if he doesn’t hand over a quarter-million dollars, they’ll both be killed. Henry dismisses her story as a stupid attempt to steal his money and—despite his still-smoldering desire for her—tells her to get lost. But when he comes home to find his apartment ransacked, he begins to think this time Leslie may be telling the truth. And now that he desperately needs to find her, she’s disappeared again.In a harrowing journey through the glittering heights and shadowy corners of New York City, Henry assembles a team that includes his best friend Aiden, a private investigator named Gabriella, and Aiden’s ex-wife Emma, to track down a missing engagement ring, stay one step ahead of the Russian mob, and uncover the secrets of Leslie’s past. As the screws turn tighter and tighter, Henry must learn who he can trust to uncover the truth…before it’s too late.In What She’s Hiding, Art Bell masterfully weaves a noirish tale of suspense and emotional turbulence as a dangerous woman draws Henry ever further into a high-stakes game that neither one of them may survive.BUY IT HERE!💬 Join the ConversationThis episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories and valuable insights for writers and creatives. Whether you’re a fan of thrillers, true crime, or inspiring journeys of reinvention, this is one you won’t want to miss.👉 Watch the interview now on YouTube: [insert YouTube link]🎧 Or listen on the podcast: [insert podcast link]We’d love to hear what you think — leave a comment below and share your biggest takeaway from Art Bell’s story.Thank you, as always, for supporting The Writing Community Chat Show. Whether you’re a free subscriber or a paid member, you’re part of a movement that’s helping us grow our new CIC, fund workshops for authors, and support creatives around the world.🏆 The Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award – A Chance for Authors to ShineOne of the most exciting opportunities for writers right now is the Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award, a prestigious annual prize that celebrates outstanding storytelling. It’s open to anyone publishing in English through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and is designed to highlight incredible new voices across all genres.Not only does the winning author receive a £20,000 cash prize, but they also get marketing support and the chance to reach millions of readers through Amazon. Finalists and shortlisted authors also gain massive visibility, making it an incredible opportunity for indie and traditionally published writers alike.📚 Whether you’re working on your debut novel or are a seasoned author, this is your chance to showcase your work to a global audience.👉 Find out more and enter here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/storyteller?ref_=kdpuk_ST25_P2CJ & ChrisThe Writing Community Chat Show

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Last night, we were joined LIVE by none other than Louise Candlish – the Sunday Times and internationally bestselling author behind Our House, Our Holiday, The Only Suspect, and her latest thriller A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder.Louise’s books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies, won multiple awards (including the British Book Awards Crime & Thriller of the Year and the Capital Crime Fingerprint Award), and even made it to TV with the smash-hit ITV adaptation of Our House starring Martin Compston and Tuppence Middleton.But more than the accolades, Louise’s secret weapon is her ability to find danger in the everyday, crafting stories that feel all too real. And in this interview, she told us exactly how she does it.One viewer left this comment: “Awesome interview!”Her latest book, A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder, does exactly that. At its heart is the age-gap friendship between Gwen and Pixie – two neighbours who form an unlikely bond that soon spirals into scandal and, inevitably, murder. BUY IT HERE!Community questions.One of the joys of our live shows is hearing YOUR questions. So it was great to see so many tune into the live show from the various platforms we shared it to. What would really help us grow is if those people, and you, could like the YouTube video, leave a comments, and share it. This will help like-minded people find the show.Support The Writing Community Chat Show.We’ve recently become a non-profit, dedicated to supporting authors and bringing interviews like this to you free, every week.If you enjoy what we do and want to help us keep growing, you can donate here:👉 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/TheWCCSEvery donation (big or small) goes directly back into the show, covering streaming costs, equipment, and helping us reach even more writers and readers. Thank you.The Kindle Storyteller Award 2025 is Open – and We’re Official Partners!We’re proud to announce that The Writing Community Chat Show is an official promotional partner for this year’s Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award.This award is one of the biggest opportunities in self-publishing, open to anyone who publishes a new, unpublished book on KDP between 1 May and 31 August 2025.What’s at stake?🥇 £20,000 cash prize👀 Your book in front of industry pros – including 2024 winner JD Kirk, who was just on our show🌍 Massive visibility on Amazon’s dedicated Storyteller Award pageIt’s free to enter, you keep all your rights, and it might just change your career.👉 Read the full entry details here.Catch up on the full interviewIf you missed it live, you can watch the full conversation with Louise Candlish right now on YouTube:🎥 Watch the replay here »Trust us, you’ll come away inspired – whether you’re a crime fiction fan, a writer yourself, or just love hearing how great storytellers do what they do.Thank you again to Louise Candlish for such an open, engaging, and inspiring chat. And thank YOU for tuning in, asking questions, and being part of this incredible community.📣 Authors! Want your book seen by thousands?We’re dropping our YouTube ads to give YOU the spotlight!🎥 We’ll play your book trailer on The Writing Community Chat Show, and include your links everywhere – in the podcast description, YouTube description, and our Substack article.👉 Why does this matter?All funds from this promotion go directly back into supporting our non-profit, helping us:✨ Provide free author interviews and exposure for indie writers.✨ Run writing workshops that inspire and educate.✨ Grow a supportive global community for authors.💌 Spaces are limited!DM us or email [email protected] to book your spot today.📚 Your book gets seen. Our community grows stronger.#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #AuthorsOnYouTube #IndieAuthor #BookPromoTogether as one, we get it done.– CJ & Chris, The Writing Community Chat Show#LouiseCandlish #AuthorInterview #OurHouse #CrimeFiction #PsychologicalThriller #TheWCCS #KindleStorytellerAward #AmazonKDP #SuburbanNoir

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We’ve got a treat for you in this episode from the Harrogate Crime Writers Festival.Chris Hooley sat down with the award-winning author and screenwriter, Attica Locke — and what followed was a masterclass in storytelling, culture, and creative boldness.From discussing the nuances of American society and writing across different perspectives, to sharing book recommendations, hard truths, and golden advice for aspiring writers — this is an interview not to be missed.🎥 Watch it now on YouTube:🎧 Prefer audio? Listen on any podcast platform — just search The Writing Community Chat Show.👇 Or do both, right here on Substack. You can hit play, leave a comment, and help us grow by liking and sharing this episode.We’re proud to bring conversations like this to your screen and speakers. Whether you’re deep into your own novel, dabbling in screenwriting, or just love hearing from some of the best voices in storytelling — this one’s for you.Let us know what hit home for you in this one.What would you ask Attica Locke if you had five minutes with her? Drop it in the comments!👉 Like, share, and support indie podcasting by hitting the heart. It really helps.#AtticaLocke #CrimeFiction #HarrogateCrimeWritersFestival #TheWCCS #TheWritingCommunityChatShow #WritingAdvice #AuthorInterview #Screenwriting #Podcast #WritersOfSubstack

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If you’ve never had the pleasure of sitting down with Elly Griffiths, let me tell you: it’s like opening the first page of a gripping mystery and realising, with a smile, that you’re in very good hands.This year at The Harrogate Crime Writers Festival, I had the joy of chatting with the legendary author in none other than the Old Swan Library — a place steeped in literary history (yes, the same hotel where Agatha Christie famously vanished to). The couch? Not official. The interview? Absolutely brilliant.Elly Griffiths, bestselling author of the beloved Dr Ruth Galloway series, joined me to talk about her incredible 15-book run (and counting), her thoughts on character longevity, the evolution of crime fiction, and, of course, her impressive streak of 15 consecutive visits to the Harrogate festival. That’s more loyalty than most gym memberships can boast.🖊️ What We Covered:* How her characters have grown across 15 novels.* What draws her back to Harrogate every single year.* The delicate balance between plotting and pantsing.* Her reflections on crime fiction’s place in modern storytelling.* Why she still loves meeting readers face-to-face.It was a quick chat, but one filled with warmth, insight, and plenty of admiration — both ways. Elly was gracious, funny, and as sharp as her writing. Honestly, “Chris on the Couch” might need to become a proper feature if it means more moments like this.Whether you’re a longtime Elly Griffiths fan or you’ve just wandered into the world of crime fiction, this is one conversation you’ll want to hear.🎧 Listen to the podcast episode above.📺 Or watch the full interview here:Let us know what you think — and don’t forget to share it with your fellow bookworms, festival goers, and mystery lovers.Until next time,CJ AggettThe Writing Community Chat Show

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What happens when a full-time financial services professional, father of three, and history lover decides to chase a dream? You get Peter Gibbons, indie author, Viking saga master, and winner of one of the biggest indie publishing prizes out there.Peter Gibbons didn’t start out with a book deal or a writing degree. In fact, he started with a full-time job in financial services, three kids, a global pandemic, and a dream.During lockdown, Peter discovered Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), a service that allowed him to bring his epic Viking tales to readers around the world. What started as early-morning writing sessions and a lot of caffeine quickly turned into a powerful debut, a growing fanbase, and a life-changing win at the Kindle Storyteller Award.📺 We interviewed Peter live at The Writing Community Chat Show to hear how it all happened.We spoke about:* His journey from “just trying something” to full-blown author life.* What writing before work taught him about discipline and drive.* His favourite historical characters to write (spoiler: they’re bloody and brilliant)* Why self-publishing with KDP was the best decision he made.* What winning the Kindle Storyteller Award & £20,000 really means for indie authors.This interview was made possible thanks to Amazon KDP, who proudly sponsor this episode. You can watch the video version of this interview at the bottom of the page. Can Your Book Win £20,000 This Year? Enter the Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award NOW!Exciting news for authors! The Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award 2025 is offering a chance to win £20,000 for those who choose to self publishing with amazon kdp. This is a great writing contest for any author looking for recognition. The Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award 2025 is officially OPEN — and it's your chance to get your story seen, read, and rewarded in a huge way. 🔹 Must be written in English and be un-published. 🔹 Any genre, fiction or non-fiction. 🔹 No entry fee – just publish between 1 May – 31 August 2025. 🔹 Must be enrolled in KDP Select. 🔹 Available in both eBook + Print format (min. 24 pages) 🔹 Judged by publishing experts, and 2024 winner, and recent guest JD Kirk! We’re proud to promote this opportunity as part of a paid partnership, but we genuinely believe in it, it’s exactly the kind of career-changing moment The Writing Community Chat Show CIC exists to support. We're a social enterprise created to help YOU, the author. We will support you all the way! Read our full article on it here: Substack article: https://open.substack.com/pub/thewccs... 📚Whether you’re on your debut or your tenth title — this is YOUR moment. Let’s go, storytellers!👉 ENTER HERE: https://amazon.co.uk/storyteller 👉 Watch our full with Peter Gibbons on YouTube now:📬 If you enjoyed this, please like, share, and comment, we’ve got many more inspiring stories to come.

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What does it take to stay at the top of your game for 25 years in one of fiction’s most competitive genres?Apparently, if you’re Mark Billingham, it takes talent, wit, resilience… and a little bit of stand-up comedy experience.This weekend at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writers Festival, we had the honour of sitting down with the legendary Mark Billingham, whose name has become synonymous with British crime fiction. Celebrating 25 bestselling novels in 25 years, Mark opened up about everything from his roots in TV and comedy, to the changing face of the crime genre, to how he keeps things fresh after two decades at the top.🎙️ In this interview, we dig into:* Why his characters still surprise him.* How the genre has evolved (and where it’s going)* The secret to keeping readers—and himself—hooked.* How he rocks the people attending The Harrogate Crime Writers Festival.There are few voices in the crime world as influential—and as humble—as Mark’s. This one’s not just for fans of his work, but for anyone who wants to understand the staying power behind a brilliant writing career.👉 Watch the full interview on YouTube here:And if you enjoy it, hit like, leave a comment, or share it with a fellow crime fiction fanatic.

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What happens when a tech magnate demonstrates a time machine at a Las Vegas convention… and it actually works?That’s the thrilling (and terrifyingly plausible) premise of Catherine Mayer’s new novel, TIME/LIFE. But this book isn’t just about time travel—it’s about love, grief, and how technology and populism are reshaping the world around us.We sat down with Catherine for a conversation that was part deep dive into her writing process, part exploration of activism and grief, and entirely fascinating.This interview was originally available exclusively to our paid Substack subscribers—they tuned in live, asked their questions directly, and got to watch two weeks ahead of the public. But now, for the first time, it’s live on YouTube for everyone.🎥 Watch it at the bottom of this page.📚 About TIME/LIFEDescribed as “Multiplexly brilliant” by William Gibson and “a book of timeless beauty” by Elif Shafak, TIME/LIFE reimagines H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine for our turbulent 21st century.At its core is Dory Silver, a journalist flung into a strange and dangerous future, desperate to get home to her dying partner. Along the way, the book wrestles with themes of memory, mortality, and the unintended consequences of our tech-driven lives.It’s poignant, funny, and fiercely intelligent—much like its author. BUY IT HERE!🗨️ What We Talked AboutIn this episode, Catherine opens up about:✨ The emotional and political inspirations behind TIME/LIFE.✨ How her experiences with grief shaped the novel’s heart.✨ Her journey from TIME Magazine editor to novelist and activist.✨ Why writing (and reading) matters in a post-truth, AI-driven world.✨ What she learned about resilience through creativity.We also explore her activism—co-founding the Women’s Equality Party, curating festivals, and standing for European elections, and how all of this interweaves with her writing.This is more than an author interview, it’s a conversation about how we live, love, and fight for change.💥 Sponsored by Amazon KDPIf Catherine’s journey inspires you to tell your own story, now’s the perfect time. The Kindle Storyteller Award 2025 is open! And there’s a £20,000 prize up for grabs.📖 Enter your book here:👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindlestoryteller✍️ Be Part of These ConversationsPaid Substack subscribers got to see this interview live, ask Catherine questions in real-time, and watch two weeks before the public release. Want in on future exclusives?💛 Join us: thewccs.substack.comYour support keeps the lights on and helps us grow The Writing Community Chat Show as a CIC—supporting authors, mental health initiatives, and more.🎥 Watch the full Catherine Mayer interview on YouTube now:👉

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Two weeks ago, our paid subscribers got exclusive early access to one of our most compelling interviews yet.Today, it’s your turn.We’re proud to release our full conversation with Alex R. Johnson—a filmmaker whose debut novel is making serious waves. If you love gritty stories, complex characters, or the electric pulse of New York noir, this is the interview for you.🕵️‍♂️ Who is Alex R. Johnson?Alex made his mark in the film world with Two Step, a tense, critically acclaimed thriller that premiered at SXSW and landed a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Since then, he’s written screenplays for major studios like Paramount and Sony, adapted legendary writer Ernest Tidyman’s Big Bucks, and earned a coveted spot on the Black List with his script Northeast Kingdom.But now, he’s taken his storytelling to a new frontier—fiction.His debut novel, Brooklyn Motto, is a literary noir soaked in the raw, changing streets of 1998 New York City. It’s got all the grit, mood, and edge of a classic detective tale, but it also brims with heart, humor, and emotional depth.“Stylish, propulsive, and deeply satisfying.” – Sam Lipsyte“Witty, brooding, and full of soul.” – Evan Handler“A love letter to detective fiction and 90s NYC.” – John Doe (X)💬 What We Talked AboutIn this interview, Alex pulls back the curtain on:* The making of Two Step and what it taught him about storytelling.* The shift from screenwriting to novel writing—and how he found his voice on the page.* Why 1998 New York was the perfect setting for Brooklyn Motto.* Creating Nico Kelly, a reluctant PI with one foot in the past and the other in chaos.* What noir means in a modern world—and why it still matters.It’s part writing masterclass, part personal journey, and part love letter to the city that shaped him.Whether you're a writer, reader, filmmaker, or fan of stories that don’t flinch, this one’s worth your time.📚 Want more like this?If you want to get early access to all our interviews, along with bonus content, behind-the-scenes updates, and more, become a paid subscriber today.Your support helps us keep building this platform, sharing these stories, and spotlighting the voices that matter. Paid subscribers are also helping us develop our new CIC business. That’s right. The Writing Community Chat Show is now a social enterprise. A non-profit business we are building to support authors and more. You can support us by becoming a paid subscriber or donate to our PayPal link here. Thanks for being part of this community. After 5 years hard work on this show, we are just getting the business started. 🎥 CJ & ChrisThe Writing Community Chat Show.WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE!

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She’s sold over a million books, written 80 titles, and quietly built one of the most impressive careers in modern historical romance. We were joined by the incredible Sarah M.Eden, and what a joy it was.To mark the release of her latest time-slip romance, The Tides of Time, Sarah opened up about the real story behind her success, and it’s one of resilience, quiet determination, and endless curiosity.Set against the backdrop of 1793 revolutionary France and 1873 England, The Tides of Time is a sweeping tale of survival, love, and time-bending connection. But what inspired it? What draws readers to time travel now more than ever? And how does someone juggle historical accuracy, deep emotional arcs, and consistent storytelling… across 80 books?Sarah shares all of that and more.We also talk about:* Her early days as a writer (and why she once thought she’d never make it)* How Seeking Persephone made the leap from page to screen.* The reality of writing romance with a PG rating, without losing the heart.* Her surprising take on imposter syndrome.* Why persistence matters more than popularity.Whether you're a die-hard fan or meeting Sarah for the first time, this interview will leave you feeling inspired, informed, and just a little bit in awe.👇 Watch the full interview below and don’t forget to hit reply and let us know your favourite takeaway.💬 Did you know? Our paid subscribers got access to this interview two weeks early! Support the show and unlock exclusive content like this by upgrading today.

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