Iain is joined by Donna Sørensen to talk about literary prizes for female authors. It's a conversation that leads to all sorts of related topics, including assumptions, perceptions, and how women are represented in the publishing world. It's fair to say that this is meant as a conversation starter and we'd love to hear your thoughts on any of the subjects and examples we cover on the show. Listen up and get in touch!

Iain is joined by author Lily Dunn whose fantastic debut novel , Shadowing the Sun, was published in 2008. They chat about the various trials and tribulations that come with writing a second novel, especially when parenthood comes along at the same time. Other topics include the publishing process, working with a mentor, and taking a postgraduate writing course. Headphones at the ready. Off you go.

This week, Iain is joined by Nathan Filer, whose hotly anticipated debut novel, The Shock of the Fall, is published by HarperCollins in May. They cover lots of topics, hence the catch-all episode title, but the general theme is about how they both got published and the effect publication has on you as an author and a person. Iain recorded a reflection/extension to the episode on his other podcast, Chat Broome, which you can find in the show notes below. Enjoy!

Iain is joined by poet and copywriter, Donna Sørensen, to talk about the effect of place on writing. From bizarre road accidents in Dublin to swallow murmurations in Somerset, where we live and what we see on our travels has a huge impact on what we write about. How does where we come from affect how we live and think now? Can you write about somewhere you’ve never been? Grab a cup of tea and listen in.

Iain flies solo this week and has an important announcement to make! He also talks about Chat Broome, his exciting new podcast project, and puts the blogging world to rights with what is very close to a rant or diatribe. It’s not really, but there are some important points to consider if you’re a writer and you’re thinking of setting up your own blog. Oooh, statistics. Iain also talks statistics. Not many people do that. It’s a big one folks. Get your headphones!

This week Iain is joined by Sean Platt, respected blogger and co-author of several highly successful pieces of serial fiction, including Yesterday’s Gone and Available Darkness. Sean talks about how he came to write serial fiction, his philosophy on writing, and the last 15 minutes is a fascinating insight into the trials and tribulations of blogging for writers. It’s a must-listen episode so pop your headphones on and get stuck in.

This week, Iain is joined by Robert Mills, design studio manager, copywriter, and author of Designing the Invisble. Having recently begun speaking at conferences about his work and book, Rob is in the perfect position to chat about being an author and speaking in public. It’s one thing writing your thoughts down and quite another to build on those ideas and articulate them to an audience. Same goes for creative writers too, a topic Iain covers in this episode. Go on. Get your headphones. Make a brew.

Iain is joined by Sophie Lambert, Director at Tibor Jones & Associates and Iain’s own literary agent. Sophie talks about the role of an agent,what it’s often like for an author to work with an agent these days, and the sort of expectations publishers have for your manuscript. She also tells us about the Pageturner Prize, a fantastic opportunity for debut novelists. Pop on your headphones and listen up!

This week Iain is joined by Jason Rehmus, founder of Sweating Commas, a spiffy new editorial service for bloggers and the like. Topics covered include the Sweating Commas subscription model and why you need to think professionally and check before you publish. There’s even a little time at the end to talk about pet peeves, which is always nice and cathartic.

Iain and Myke are reunited for this, the first episode of the Write for Your Life podcast in 2013. The duo talk about writing setups, including why we like other people’s so much and what impact they have on our work. Iain talks about his new writing setups series on the Write for Your Life blog and talks about some of the writing apps he uses. Make yourself a brew. Headphones on. Enjoy.