Iain is joined by Joe Rose, musician, singer and the songwriter behind the marvellous, Native and the Name. They talk about writing songs and how the process has some similarities with writing fiction. Who’d have thought?

This week Iain is joined by Robert Mills, studio manager and copywriter at Bluegg, a design agency in Newport, South Wales. They talk about writing to a set structure, which is handy because Rob has just written Designing the Invisible, a book published by Five Simple Steps. The book is broken down into five sections, each containing five chapters. In ‘My favourite thing’ Iain talks about the Kindle Cloud Reader, which was announced this week, while Rob goes for The Atlantic. There is talk of a shark.

In what will be Manuela’s last podcast for a while, she discusses with Iain the big seven-week book debate prompted by his post on the subject earlier this week. The good news is that they remain friends. Other topics include the Booker longlist, which was announced last week and features four novels published by independent presses. In ‘My favourite thing’ Manuela talks about Tony Parsons’ appointment as writer-in-residence at Heathrow airport.

Iain chats with Manuela Boyle about why we write and what motivates people to start scribbling. The conversation heads into a discussion about self-publishing, and Iain isn't sure he explains his points very clearly, but promises he always means well.

Iain is on a solo mission to tell the world about rhythm and meter and how they have as much to do with prose and fiction as they do poetry. He reckons rhythm is what separates the wheat from the writerly chaff.

Iain is joined once again by Manuela Boyle for a good old writing-related natter. First they talk about what it’s like to start a new, large-scale writing project. To be fair, it kind of turns into Iain talking about starting his second novel.

Iain is joined by the marvellous Manuela Boyle to talk about the challenges that come when you have to change direction with your writing. Sometimes we do it by choice, sometimes it’s forced upon us, either way it’s a daunting process.

Iain talks to poet and Publicity Chief for The O’Brien Press, Donna Sørensen. Sending your work to literary agents, publishers and journals can be such a tricky business and often quite daunting. But there are a few things you can do (including what you’re told) to make the submission process easier. If you’re thinking or worried about submitting your writing to some place or another, you'll find this chit-chat useful.

Following Emma Newman’s post on the tricky nature of offering advice to writers (especially new writers), Iain offers his take on the subject. It is indeed difficult to pitch any kind of advice or feedback, even when you have the very best intentions.

Iain says he's never really felt compelled to write until very recently, as he's reflected more on his aunt’s death. Suddenly he finds himself wanting to commit the experience – her experience – to the page. It’s quite surprised him. Other topics include the iPad 2 and World Book Night.