Write Club Podcast

Join Mary and Beth on the latest episode of the Write Club Podcast as they chat with Harriett De Mesquita, author of The Magickal Summer of Evie Edelman. Harriett chats to us about how writing became a form of self-expression long before her adult autism diagnosis and how newfound self-knowledge has transformed her creative process.

From exploring the role of voice in diary-style storytelling to discussing her experiences with synesthesia, Harriett shares how her unique perspective informs her characters and narrative. She also talks about the importance of featuring a misunderstood protagonist, her journey to publication, and offers a book recommendation for fellow writers and readers.

Buy The Magickal Summer of Evie Edelman.

In this gripping episode of the Write Club Podcast, Beth and Mary sit down with international bestselling author Lucie Whitehouse to explore the dark and fascinating world of crime fiction.

Lucie talks to us about her brand-new novel, The Last Witness - the third in her acclaimed Robin Lyons series - and discusses how she weaves psychological tension, moral complexity, and real-world power dynamics into every page.

This episode is a brilliantly honest, inspiring conversation about balancing research with emotion, the difference between crime and psychological suspense, and how Lucie keeps her readers guessing until the very end.

If you’re a fan of sharp, character-driven thrillers - or dreaming of writing one yourself - this episode is not to be missed.

🎙️ Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Buy The Last Witness.

Gytha takes us behind the scenes of her latest novel - a dark, twist-filled story of love, betrayal, and survival set in Cambridge’s shadowy academic world. She opens up about stepping away from her beloved series, the challenges of writing when real life mirrors fiction a little too closely, and how she rediscovered her creative flow.

We also explore her remarkable career as a playwright, video game writer, and novelist, discuss the art of crafting killer twists, and explore what it takes to keep readers hooked across multiple books.

Whether you’re a fan of Gytha’s DCI Jonah Sheen crime series or simply love a smart, propulsive thriller, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and plenty of writing wisdom.

Buy Dead to Me.

Originally a sell-out talk at the Bournemouth Writing Festival, Organising Chaos has become a must-attend session for writers struggling to bring structure, clarity, and confidence to their early drafts. Gary, an experienced editor and writer, and Sophie, author and director of Cadence Publishing, share how the idea was born, their top tips for re-inspiring your writing brain, and why every writer’s process looks a little different.

The conversation also explores the thriving Bournemouth writing scene, the importance of creative community, and how to stay productive when motivation runs low.

Whether your draft feels like a disaster or you just need a fresh push to the finish line, this episode is packed with encouragement, practical advice, and wisdom from two people who truly understand the writer’s journey.

Book your spot on Organising Chaos now - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/organising-chaos-with-gary-dalkin-and-sophie-beal-tickets-1511499097489?aff=oddtdtcreator

Simon discusses his latest novel, The Room of Lost Steps - the sequel to The Palace at the End of the Sea - which follows Theodore Sterling’s extraordinary journey from 1930s New York to Civil War Spain.

Together, they explore the immense research behind Simon’s sweeping historical duology, how he structures complex projects without losing confidence or momentum, and what it’s like growing up in the shadow (and inspiration) of a literary legend.

Tune in for a fascinating conversation about history, storytelling, and the discipline of writing across worlds - both real and imagined.

Buy The Palace at the End of the Seaor Buy The Room of Lost Steps (book 2)

In this month’s Write Club Book Club episode, Beth and Mary discuss Buckeye by Patrick Ryan - a sweeping post-war novel set in small-town America that explores love, secrets, forgiveness, and the long shadows of the past.

They unpack Ryan’s richly drawn characters, the powerful sense of place in Bonhomie, Ohio, and how war, disability, and spirituality shape the intertwined lives of two families across generations. Expect a lively discussion full of empathy, literary insight, and big questions about what it means to seek redemption - and home - in an imperfect world.

Perfect for readers who love multi-generational stories, heartfelt drama, and the kind of writing that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page.

Featured book: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

Join Beth and Mary on this week’s episode of the Write Club Podcast, where we go behind the pages and into the fascinating world of writing. Our guest is the multi-talented Bibi Berki - a fiction and non-fiction writer, podcaster, and creator of the acclaimed audio series The Kiss.

Bibi talks about her journey from news reporting to storytelling in novels and audio, and how her debut novel The Watch — shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Prize — gave her the confidence to explore different formats. She also discusses her latest release, The Youngster (Deixis Press, August 2025), a tense literary domestic thriller shaped by the Covid lockdowns and set in South East London.

Tune in to hear Bibi on:

* The influence of place and atmosphere on her writing

* The emotional challenges of crafting a domestic thriller

* Her approach to storytelling for audio versus print

* Collaboration, creative experimentation, and her future projects

* And her top book and audio recommendations

Listen now and get inspired to tell your story!

Buy The Youngster

Danny coaches teams and pitches multi-million-dollar deals to some of the world’s biggest brands, blending creativity, psychology, storytelling, and immersive experiences. He also hosts the Pitch Masters podcast and is the author of Pitch, a guide to mastering the art of selling ideas.

Danny shares his journey to becoming The Pitch Guy, explores why so many people fear pitching, and reveals practical tips to help writers confidently pitch their work. From externalising your novel’s themes to flipping your mindset and enjoying the process, this episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to get their writing noticed. Plus, Danny shares his top piece of advice and a recent book recommendation for listeners.

Danny’s book Pitch is out now.

Struggling with how to edit your novel? In this episode of The Write Club Podcast, bestselling author, editor, and mentor Sara Grant shares expert editing tips every writer needs. Sara is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Editing Your Novel: A revolutionary approach to transform your writing and co-founder of Undiscovered Voices, which has launched the careers of over 100 authors.

We talk about why editing can feel so daunting, the most common mistakes writers make, and the powerful ways editing can elevate your work. Sara also tells us about her work with Storymix, co-founding Undiscovered Voices, and what a typical writing day looks like for her.

If you’re a novelist or aspiring writer looking for clear, professional editing advice, this episode will help you take your work to the next level.

Buy The Ultimate Guide to Editing Your Novel: A revolutionary approach to transform your writing

Georgie’s writing life has taken her from shadowing drug dealers in Florida City to teaching English in a Himalayan nunnery, editing publications for the Tibetan Government in Exile, and even working behind the scenes at a funeral parlour. A graduate of UEA’s Prose-writing MA, her debut memoir We Swim to the Shark (2020) chronicled her journey to overcome deep fears by travelling the world, learning to scuba dive, and attempting to swim alongside a whale shark.

Her latest book, Never Had a Dad, was sparked by a trip to Scotland and grew into a fascinating quest exploring fatherhood. The project has been featured across the BBC World Service, The Times, iNews, and more, and has even been optioned for TV by a major production company.

In this episode, Georgie talks with us about her unconventional path into writing, the challenges of turning personal quests into gripping memoir, and why non-fiction and adventure continue to inspire her work. We also dive into the surprising discoveries behind Never Had a Dad, her thoughts on balancing truth and storytelling, and what’s next in her creative journey.

This episode of the Write Club Podcast is sponsored by Arvon.

Since 1968, Arvon has been helping writers at every stage of their journey, with inspiring courses and retreats led by leading authors. Whether you’ve got just an hour, a day, or a week to spare, Arvon offers the space, support, and community to unlock your creativity.

And with grants and concessions available, their courses are open to anyone who wants to write.

Find out more at arvon.org.

Buy Never Had a Dad.