Antonia Hodgson is a novelist, screenwriter, former publisher and now, fantasy author. She made her name writing historical crime. Her debut, 'The Devil in Marshalsea', won the CWA Historical Dagger Award in 2014 and was shortlisted for Theakston's Crime Novel of the Year, it was a Richand and Judy, and Waterstone's Book Club pick. All in all, a huge debut.

Now, she's returning to her first love, with a brand new fantasy trilogy. 'The Raven Scholar', tells the story of Bersun the Brusque, Emperor of Orrun, who is bringing his reign to an end after 24 years on the throne. It looks at the 7 contenders to replace him... who soon become 6. It's up to Neema Kraa to investigate the killer before the Empire falls.

We discuss the tricks and tropes of fantasy, and how much you can possibly research the world you're creating. Also, you an hear why fantasy is all about asking strange questions, how much she knows about the future of the series, and how much planning can go into a sprawling, epic saga.

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Nicholas Binge has lectured in creative writing, co-hosts the 'Binge Reading Book Club' podcast, and has just published his 4th book. It's called 'Extremity'.

It follows up the success of 'Professor Everywhere', which won the Proverse Prize for Literature, 'Dissolution', and the bestselling, 'Ascension'. 'Extremity' is a time-travelling police procedural. It follows Julia Torgrimsen, brought out of retirement to investigate the murder of a billionaire she once worked with. When she finds the body... there's an identical one right next to it.

We discuss how this book came to be a novella - does the idea dictate the form? Also, you can hear why he found it tricky becoming a full-time writer, why he always tries to celebrate the small wins, and about his winding path to publication.

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Kelly Mullen is a creative powerhouse who has just released her debut novel, 'This Is Not a Game'. Previously, Kelly has produced in Hollywood, working on the movie 'Trumbo', and the series 'Dads' for Apple TV+. She works as a marketing consultant, helping brands achieve their creative potential, and now she's trying to realise her own.

She's been named by Cosmopolitan, The Bookseller, and the Daily Mail as 'One to Watch', and the rights to her new novel have already been snapped up in the USA and Germany.

'This Is Not a Game' is about the hard-drinking, crossword solving Mimi, who enlists her stranged granddaughter Addie to help solve a murder. It was inspired by a summer taking care of her own grandma, and dreaming of the strange scrapes they could get into.

We talk about why she wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel, what she learned from working in Hollywood, and how she made sure her characters got to her ending.

You can hear Kelly's path to publication, what she's taken from her writing career so far, and whether she's taking on too much.

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This week we're joined by Kate Kemp, occupational therapist, psychotherapist and now, author. Her debut novel, 'The Grapevine', is out now. It started life as a manuscript called 'Warrah Place', which won the Stylist Prize for Feminist Fiction, and landed her a publishing deal.

It's a gripping mystery set in 1970s Australia, about a murder in a close-kint community, and the rumours that spread like wildfire afterwards.

We discuss why her bed is so crucial for her work, and how she edits on the move. Also, you can hear how pressured she feels to make time to write when she's not really feeling it, why you should be prepared for the disappointments along the way, and her winding path to publication.

This week's episode is sponsored by IngramSpark, who let you publish like a pro. Also, this week's episode is sponsored by Quick Book Reviews Podcast.

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This week we’re joined by the legendary Sebastian Faulks, the bestselling author of 'Birdsong', 'Charlotte Gray', and so many unforgettable novels. In this episode, he opens up about his writing routine, the stories behind his new memoir 'Fires Which Burned Brightly', and what it really takes to create fiction that sticks with readers.

If you've ever wondered where, when and how Sebastian writes bestselling historical fiction, you’ll love this chat.

We discuss the impact of 'Birdsong', and how much it changed his life. Also whether his writing career has lived up to the teenage dream he had of it, and why switching to a computer changed how he thought of sentences. You can hear why he feels lucky to be published at this time, why he's surprised that other people don't always understand what writing is, and why being logical is often where you can stumble.

You can watch this episode in full vision at www.youtube.com/@writersroutine

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Kate McKean is a literary agent who has built a diverse client list of New York Times Bestselling Authors, in genres from fantasy, TA, humour and horror. A few years ago, she started a newsletter with all the backstage secrets of agent life, and tips on how you can make it happen.

Now she's got a book out, filled with even more help. It's called 'Write Through It: An Insider's Guide to Publishing and Creative Life'. We discuss how she came to write a book like this, and how you'd go about planning a book like this.

We run through Kate's writing routine, writing space, and life in the industry. You can hear the vital steps in getting an agent, what they'll do if you're signed, and how important the first sentence is.

This week's podcast is sponsored by the 'Quick Book Reviews Podcast'. Take a listen here - https://linktr.ee/quickbookreviews

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Lucy Roth's new novel has one of the best names going. 'When Sally Killed Harry', is a feminist serial-killer thriller. When Sally discovers she's not the only one to have been jilted by dreamy con-man Harry, she takes matters into her own hands, and becomes his worst nightmare.

It's Lucy's first thriller, but she has published novels and non-fiction books as Lucy Nichol. 'Parklife' talks about friendship, music and recovery in the 90s. There's also 'The Twenty Seven Club', which is a dark comedy around mental health and fandom. Also, 'Snowflake', 'No Worries If Not', and 'A Series of Unfortunate Stereotypes'. As a journalist, Lucy has written for The Independent, The Guardian, The I, NME and lots more.

We talk about the Arts Council Funding Lucy acquired to write the novel, what it helped her do, and who it helped her talk to. It's a thoroughly researched book, with Lucy interviewing a criminologist, a detective, an expert in psychopathy, and the former CEO of Rape Crisis. You can hear why that was so vital for her writing.

We discuss how her disorganised filing system keeps her organised, what thriller readers don't want to see and how her perspective on characters change through time.

This week's episode is supported by Faber Academy. Their flagship, 'Writing a Novel' course is back. Find out more at faberacademy.com/writing-a-novel

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Alex North seems to be one of those rare writers. It looks like his debut, 'The Whisper Man', will actually be made into a film. The novel was a Sunday Times and New York Times Bestseller, and has been translated into 30 languages. The Movie will star Adam Scott, Robert de Niro, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Keaton.

He's also published 'The Shadow Friend', and 'The Half Burnt House'. His new novel is 'The Man Made of Smoke'. Here's the blurb -

Daniel Garvie was only a child himself when he saw the lost little boy. And because he was too frightened to help him, one of the world's most notorious serial killers got away. Years later, Dan has a successful career as a criminal psychiatrist, unpicking the reasons behind the very darkest of human behaviours. But when his father disappears, Dan is forced to return to the small island where he grew up. A place where all the ghosts and monsters he thought he'd left behind him remain all too real. 

It might be a chance for him to find redemption. Or he might be walking straight into a trap.

Alex is also Steve Mosby. Steve has 10 published novels to his name, and won the prestigious CWA 'Dagger in the Library' award to celebrate his collection of works.

We talk about why he needs buzz around him to write, and how he tries to make it more enjoyable. You can take a look through his spreadsheet, columns, colour-codes and all. We chat through how he fits in writing around other things, and how odd it is to actually have your book turned into a movie.

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This week, we're chatting to Hannah Beckerman. She's been dubbed the 'new Queen of Domestic Noir', and after the success of the bestselling, 'The Forgetting', has published her 5th novel, 'Three Mothers'. If you love Louise Candlish or Liane Moriarty, you'll enjoy how Hannah writes.

Here's the blurb...

When seventeen-year-old Isla Richardson is killed in a hit-and-run incident, a community’s lives are thrown into disarray. For Isla’s mum, Abby, it is her second devastating bereavement, having lost her husband five years ago.

Tackling friendship, family, social prejudice and the pressures facing young women, Three Mothers how well do we really know our children? And how far would any of us go to protect the people we love?

Hannah also works as a broadcaster, journalist and book critic, reviewing for The Guardian, The Observer and BBC Radio 2. She presents as a judge and panellist at book events, and we discuss what pressure that puts on her own writing, and how much she tries to learn from other authors' work.

You can hear how much she knows at the start, why she treats it like a 'regular' 9-to-5, and how she makes sure her characters are all unique when writing genre-fiction.

This week's episode is sponsored by Faber Academy. Their flagship 'Writing a Novel' course is more than a course, it's a commitment to your craft. Find out more at faberacademy.com/writing-a-novel

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This week, we're chatting to award-winning global bestseller, Faith Hogan.

Faith has published many uplit/ women's fiction novels - the last one 'The Bookshop Ladies' won the An Post Irish Book Award for Best Popular Fiction Novel of the Year. Faith's writing journey has taken her from working in many different jobs, never quite sure if she will admit that she wants to be a writer, to becoming a Kindle #1 bestseller across the world. We discuss how she's ended up finally being a full-time writer. Faith has also published crime fiction as Geraldine Hogan.

Her novels are often set on fictional Irish islands, which help her bring to life specific elements of the story - she reveals why. Also, she's a perfectly happy pantser, and we discuss what Faith needs to know before starting her novels. You can hear how she knows her readers so well, what drew her to write Uplit, and what a Faith Hogan novel needs to be.

Her new novel is 'The Women at Ocean's End', here's the blurb -

Constance Macken, in her ninth decade, is looking back on a life filled with laughter and loss, tragedy and triumph, but knows it is time to right the wrongs from her past that have always haunted her.

Heather Banks arrives on the island to bury her mother. Already adrift with her business sold and her divorce finalised this may be the perfect opportunity to change the course of her future.

Ros Stokes has managed to slip into the perfect job, the perfect cottage and friends that feel like family. However, when the stitches of her life begin to unravel, she must find a way to hold onto the things that have become most dear to her and let go of what holds her back.

Now, in a faded art deco house near the ocean's end, these women must come together to save the house they love, and each other, because they might have run from their troubles but only time will tell if they can overcome their past.

This episode is sponsored by Faber Academy's 'Writing a Novel' course. Find out how it covers everything you need to master your craft - https://faberacademy.com/writing-a-novel/

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