Write Club Podcast

Who’d have thought that your best first draft might not be written at a desk, but spoken aloud while walking your dog?

In this inspiring episode of The Write Club Podcast, our hosts chat with Marcia Hutchinson, author of the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlisted debut, The Mercy Step.

Marcia breaks down her original drafting routine - dictating up to 2,000 words per loop in her local park - and opens up about how receiving an ADHD diagnosis transformed her understanding of focus, routine, and creative energy. From her past careers as a solicitor, publisher, political activist, and Zumba instructor to writing five novels over a decade, Marcia shares invaluable insights on building stories using autofiction, leveraging feedback from writing groups, and pushing through the long haul of publication.

Purchase The Mercy Step today.

How does geographic distance sharpen an author’s view of home - and how do you capture the authentic cadence of an accent on the page?

In this episode of The Write Club Podcast, we are joined by Commonwealth Short Story Prize nominee and award-winning author Dwight Thompson to discuss his second novel, My Own Dear People.

Born and raised in Jamaica and currently teaching at an international school in Japan, Dwight offers a deeply insightful look at writing about home from thousands of miles away. He shares how he captures the unique rhythms and voices of Jamaican dialogue, how he cultivated the self-belief needed to pursue a writing career, and whether he leans toward meticulous plotting or intuitive discovery writing.

Read his beautiful second novel, My Own Dear People, now.

What happens when you drop a high-stakes murder mystery into the middle of magical medical school final exams?

In this episode of the Write Club Podcast, we chat with Hugo Award-nominated author Freya Marske to talk about her upcoming novel, Bodies of Magic (releasing in the UK on September 17th). Freya talks about how her real-world medical background shaped the authentic details, frantic pacing, and pressure-cooker environment of her new story, which follows five randomly assigned students forced to solve a crime in just five days.

We spend time exploring the mechanics of story craft, looking at:

* Pacing tight timelines: Managing a multi-POV narrative that takes place over just five days.

* Balancing subplots: Keeping a fast-paced murder mystery at centre stage while weaving in compelling romance B-plots.

* Shaping your story scope: The structural differences between building a sweeping trilogy, crafting a tight novella, and writing a standalone novel.

* Career strategy: Why chasing market trends will burn you out, and how focusing on the stories you actually want to tell is the ultimate long-term strategy for authors.

Plus, stick around to the end to catch Freya’s top book recommendation.

Order Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske today.

Enter the First 5K Novel Prize or save 50% on your Writers Online membership at writers-online.co.uk!

Struggling to make your characters feel real—or letting self-doubt freeze your typing fingers?

In this powerhouse episode of The Write Club Podcast, our hosts are joined by British author and elite executive coach Robbie Steinhouse to unpack his gripping debut novel, The Process.

Drawing from 25 years as a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) trainer, Robbie spills the secrets on how to use real-world psychological archetypes to build unforgettable characters. He walks us through practical mental hacks - like taking ‘perceptual positions’ - to step directly into your characters’ shoes and write authentic, high-stakes dialogue.

Plus, if you’ve ever struggled with the jump from non-fiction to fiction, or found yourself paralysed by an inner critic, Robbie’s masterclass in author mindset and state management will give you the exact tools you need to stay locked in.

Buy a copy of The Process today.

How do you transition from writing short stories to publishing a full-length supernatural coming-of-age novel - and how do you define success on your own terms?

In this episode of The Write Club Podcast, we had the pleasure of chatting with writer and anthology contributor Damien McKeating to talk about his debut novel, Tallulah Belle, set in the whimsical world of a fantasy burlesque theatre.

Damien breaks down how entering short story competitions helped him sharpen his craft, handle feedback, and build confidence as a writer. He also opens up about his decision to self-publish Tallulah Belle, sharing a refreshing perspective on setting personal criteria for success rather than relying on commercial standards.

👉 Grab your copy of Tallulah Belle today and discover more from Damien McKeating!

How can staying curious, practising deep reading, and ‘starting with a word’ pull you out of a creative rut and transform your manuscript?

In this episode of The Write Club Podcast, we spend 50 minutes with writer, veteran teacher, and retreat leader Marilyn McEntyre to talk about her latest book, Start with a Word.

Drawing on decades of teaching literature, medical humanities, and creative writing, Marilyn shares why returning to learning can be a consoling act in hard times, how slow and spoken-word reading enriches our craft, and how to get to know your narrator on a deeper level. Plus, she reveals her go-to writing exercise for pulling yourself out of a slump and discusses the profound connection between writing, spirituality, and healing.

👉 Find out more about Marilyn McEntyre's work and grab your copy of Start with a Word!

Rahul discusses his decision to handwrite the first draft of his novel using 2B pencils and yellow legal pads to eliminate digital distractions, drawing inspiration from Toni Morrison's writing habits.

He explains how the Indian railway system served as a metaphor for the country's diversity and complexity, with his protagonist Charu working in the personnel department handling grievances across the railway network.

Rahul shares his writing career journey from mathematics and cricket journalism to novel writing, noting that his journalism background helped develop his understanding of pacing and character development.

We also find out about his typical writing routine, which has evolved from late-night sessions to morning writing, and his current project that remains in early development stages.

Get a copy of the Railsong now.

In this episode, hosts Beth and Mary from the Writing Magazine and Writers Online team sit down with R R Haywood (Richard), a powerhouse of British science fiction and horror. As an Amazon All-Star and one of the top ten most downloaded indie writers in the UK, Richard has built a massive global following with his gripping narratives, real-world grit, and signature sharp humour.

Richard joins us to talk about his breakthrough post-apocalyptic series, The Undead, and what it was like to revisit, tear down, and fully rewrite his iconic debut world with over a decade of extra craft experience under his belt.

Get the Book: The Undead series by R R Haywood is available now on Amazon and major retail platforms.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode!

In this episode of The Write Club, Beth and Mary are joined by Jen, the UK Lead for Kindle Direct Publishing and Amazon’s resident self-publishing expert, to celebrate a massive milestone: the 10th anniversary of the Kindle Storyteller Award. Together, we chat about the incredible evolution of self-publishing over the last decade and discuss how it has transformed from a backup plan into a top-tier choice for modern authors.

Jen tells us about why so many writers are bypassing traditional routes to claim total creative control and tap into higher earning potential. We also speak on the life-changing impact of the award, spotlighting the success stories of past winners and finalists who used the prize to secure mainstream validation and career momentum.

Tune in for expert, insider strategies on how to deeply understand your target audience, ensure your formatting meets industry standards, and organically build a reader community.

For more information on entering the Kindle Storyteller Award visit -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/storyteller?ref_=kdpuk_ST26_P1

In this episode, hosts Beth and Mary from the Writing Magazine and Writers Online team chat with David Cairns, the Baron of Finavon. David has a remarkably diverse background - from training as an accountant and working as a technology entrepreneur to living across four continents - all of which feeds into his rich, worldly perspective on writing history.

David joins us to give us an insight into his latest release, The Case of the Hydegild Sacrifice, the gripping fourth instalment in his popular Major Gask Mysteries series.

As always, we wrap up the episode with David’s top book recommendation to add to your reading pile, alongside a sneak peek at what’s next in his writing pipeline!

The Case of the Hydegild Sacrifice by David Cairns is available now at all major book retailers.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode!