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London Writers' Salon

London Writers' Salon

195 episodes — Page 3 of 4

Ep 95#095: Hester Musson — Writing Gothic Historical Thrillers, Querying Agents, Moving Past Rejection, Creating Tense Dialogue

Hester Musson (The Beholders) on her writing and querying process for her gothic historical thriller. She also talks to us about how she overcame rejection and got published.*ABOUT HESTER MUSSONHester Musson studied at Bristol University and the RCS in Glasgow. She worked as an actress and autocue operator in London before writing full time, and now lives in Scotland.The Beholders is her debut novel.*RESOURCES & LINKSThe Beholders by Hester MussonWorking Days: The Journals of The Grapes of Wrath by John SteinbeckNational Trust Propoerties For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Feb 17, 202458 min

Ep 94#094: Farrah Storr — Lessons from a former Editor-In-Chief at ELLE & Cosmopolitan on Writing Engaging Articles, Substack, and Leaning into Discomfort

Farrah Storr, former Editor-In-Chief (ELLE/ Cosmopolitan) and Head of Writer Partnerships for Substack on what it takes to grab the attention of a reader, overcoming the fear of publishing work and leaning into discomfort. We also discuss how we might think like an editor with our own writing, and how we might use feedback constructively. We also chat about why it's important to experiment and talk to your readers.*ABOUT FARRAH STORRFarrah Storr was the Editor-in-Chief of ELLE and Cosmopolitan where she grew the brand to become the No.1 UK women’s glossy. She was also the launch Editor of Women’s Health magazine. Farrah was included in the GG2 Power List, profiling Britain’s 101 most influential Asians. Farrah was also awarded Editor of the Year at the PPA Awards, for the second year running and was included in the Evening Standard’s Progress 1000 list of London’s most influential people of 2019.She is the author of The Discomfort Zone (Piatkus) and is the Head of Writer Partnerships for Substack.*RESOURCES & LINKSThe Discomfort ZoneThings Worth Knowing. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Feb 11, 202454 min

Ep 93#93: Jami Attenberg — Writing 1000 Words A Day, Learning How to Write Again, Finding Creative Inspiration, Committing to Creativity Daily

The New York Times bestselling author Jami Attenberg talks about her latest non-fiction book 1000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round, her journey from being a broke writer to creating a successful creative career, creating the #1000wordsofsummer movement and how she fights for a life of writing. We also discuss the financial struggles and risks of a writing career, finding inspiration even when you’re feeling disconnected, how she stays focused, and how we can commit to creativity every day. *ABOUT JAMI ATTENBERGJami Attenberg is a New York Times bestselling author of seven books of fiction, including The Middlesteins and All Grown Up, and, most recently, a memoir, I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home. Her work has been published in sixteen languages. She is also the creator of the annual online group writing accountability project #1000wordsofsummer. In 2024 she will publish a new novel, and also a creativity book, 1000 Words:A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round. *RESOURCES & LINKS1000 Words:A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round by Jami AttenbergJami’s newsletters, Craft Talk and The 52 ProjectJami’s interview on NPR’s 1A For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Feb 3, 20241h 2m

Ep 92#92: Alex Bescoby - Documentary Storytelling, Brand Partnerships, Funding for Filmmaking, Editing for TV and Pulling Together The Right Team

Filmmaker, author, presenter Alex Bescoby (The Last Overland) takes us behind the scenes of his Channel 4 documentary. We discuss brand partnerships, finding the right team, dealing with setbacks and the editorial process.*ABOUT ALEX BESCOBYAlex Bescoby is an award-winning filmmaker, best-selling author, and an experienced broadcaster. His films have been broadcast in more than 80 countries on Channel 4, History, BBC, Discovery and Canal+ International. His films include ‘The Last Overland’ (accompanied by his book), The Story of Burma’s Lost Royal Family and Searching for Burma’s Forgotten World War Two Heroes.*RESOURCES & LINKSGramma ProductionsThe Whicker Awards The Whicker Awards Podcast PitchWe Were Kings: The Story of Burma’s Lost RoyalsThe Last Overland (Series)The Last Overland (Book) Forgotten AlliesThe Idle Traveller: The Art of Slow Travel by Dan Kieran The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Jan 28, 20241h 6m

Ep 91#091: Suzie Sheehy — Writing Popular Science, Making Complex Subjects Accessible, Narrative Nonfiction, The Reality Of Getting Published, Twelve Experiments That Changed Our World

Accelerator Physicist and author Dr. Suzie Sheehy (The Matter OF Everything: Twelve Experiments That Changed Our World) on simple storytelling techniques to make science and other complex subjects engaging. Plus, Suzie's early impressions as a first-time author, her process for writing and researching The Matter of Everything, and overcoming her 'valley of death' moment with the book to complete it. *ABOUT SUZIE SHEEHYSuzie Sheehy is an accelerator physicist and academic who divides her time between her research groups at the University of Oxford and the University of Melbourne. She is currently focused on developing new particle accelerators for applications in medicine. An award-winning public speaker, presenter and science communicator, Suzie is dedicated to sharing science beyond the academic community. Her 2018 TED talk has been viewed over 1.8M times, and she has been an expert TV presenter for several Discovery Channel shows, including four seasons of Impossible Engineering. 'The Matter of Everything' is her first book. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Jan 20, 20241h 4m

Ep 90#090: David Arnold — Writing Love Stories, Building Strong Characters, Mastering Young Adult Novels, From Musician to Writer

New York Times bestselling author David Arnold on his journey from professional musician to writer, choosing POV, using vignettes and writing characters that YA readers can’t resist in his latest book, 'I Loved You In Another Life.'*ABOUT DAVID ARNOLD David Arnold is the New York Times bestselling author of Mosquitoland, I Loved You in Another Life, The Electric Kingdom, Kids of Appetite, and The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik. He has won the Southern Book Prize and the Great Lakes Book Award, and was named a Publishers Weekly Flying Start for his debut. *RESOURCES & LINKSFollow DavidDavidarnoldbooks.com@IAmDavidArnoldOther links mentionedLI Loved You In Another Life by David ArnoldDavid’s album, I Loved You In Another Life, by neon imposterSociety of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Jan 13, 202459 min

Ep 89#089: Emma Gannon — The Success Myth, Substack, Self-Publishing, Productivity Dysmorphia, The Arrival Fallacy, Being A Happy Creative

Emma Ganon on The Success Myth, our obsession with achievement and how to let go of the idea of having it all. We dive into her creative journey as an entrepreneur and writer of both nonfiction and fiction and the world of Substack. We also talk about Emma’s different income streams, reflections on her Self-Publishing Era, and we look at how she distributes her time and energy. This was a heartfelt discussion about the pressure of wanting success and wanting happiness, navigating those both and how we might ultimately craft a creative life on our own terms.*ABOUT EMMA GANNON Emma Gannon is a Sunday Times bestselling author, broadcaster, speaker, novelist and creator of the no.1 careers podcast in the UK, Ctrl Alt Delete. She has been a columnist for The Times, Telegraph and Courier magazine. Emma has published multiple bestselling books, including The Multi-Hyphen Method; Sabotage and Disconnected. She writes a popular weekly newsletter called The Hyphen that is an exploration of ideas that have got her thinking in new ways.*RESOURCES & LINKSThe Success Myth by Emma Gannon Emma’s Substack, The HyphenEmma's latest post, The Hyphen 2023 Round UpWriting a Novel: Bring Your Ideas to Life the Faber Academy Way by Richard SkinnerIt’ll Be Fun, They Said by Jess Pan on Substack The Pound ProjectElizabeth Gilbert on Distinguishing Between Hobbies, Jobs, Careers, & VocationBill Plotkin on Mythopoetic Identity London Writers’ Salon Interview with Seth Godin For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Dec 30, 20231h 4m

Ep 88#088: Seth Godin — The Practice of Making & Shipping Work That Matters, Marketing, Creative Courage, The Resistance, Finding Purpose, Building Community

Seth Godin is one of the most influential writers and thinkers of our time. He is the author of twenty-one international bestsellers, and his work has been translated into over thirty-nine languages. In this conversation with Seth, we discuss his latest books, The Song of Significance and The Practice, and how we might find the courage to make and share creative work. We also talk about the importance of prioritizing process over outcome, dealing with resistance, how creatives can measure success and why Seth believes that authenticity is a trap. *ABOUT SETH GODINSeth Godin is the author of 19 international bestsellers that have changed the way people think about work and have been translated into 39 languages – among them Unleashing the Ideavirus, Permission Marketing, Purple Cow, Tribes, The Dip, Linchpin, Poke the Box, and All Marketers Are Liars. He writes the most popular marketing blog in the world and speaks to audiences worldwide. He is the founder of the altMBA, the founder and former CEO of Squidoo.com, the former VP of Direct Marketing at Yahoo!, and the founder of the pioneering online startup Yoyodyne.*RESOURCES & LINKSThe Song of Significance by Seth Godin The Practice by Seth Godin altMBAHow to Decide by Annie Duke The War of Art by Steven Pressfield The Carbon AlmanacElizabeth Gilbert on Hobby, Job, Career & VocationA History of Rock Music in 500 Songspurple.space For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Dec 23, 202359 min

Ep 87#087: Victoria Hislop — Writing Bestselling Historical Fiction, Researching History, Character Development, Evoking Sense of Place, Planning A Novel

Bestselling historical fiction novelist Victoria Hislop (The Island, The Figurines) on how she started writing, how she weaves her love of travel and history into her books, the realities of research, and her process for writing books that engineer conversation. We talk about how she evokes a sense of place, how she absorbs a new environment to write about and why she begins with a synopsis before writing a book.*ABOUT VICTORIA HISLOPVictoria Hislop is the international bestselling author of The Island and The Return. In the United Kingdom, she writes travel features for The Sunday Telegraph, The Mail on Sunday, House & Garden, and Woman & Home. The Island sold over a million copies in the UK and has been translated into 24 languages. Victoria’s second novel, The Return, has been published in more than a dozen languages.*RESOURCES & LINKSThe Island by Victoria HislopThe Figurine by Victoria HislopWebsite Twitter: @VicHislopFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Dec 17, 202357 min

Ep 86#086: Gwyn Bennett — Navigating & Succeeding in Self-Publishing, Pros and Cons of Traditional Publishing, Writing Sales Copy, Amazon Categories, Building an Audience, Handling Rights, Hiring Help

Crime mystery author Gwyn Bennett about how she built a successful indie publishing business sold thousands of her own books, and why she accepted a publishing book deal with Indie Publisher Storm. We touch on why it's important to produce a professional indie published book, Gwyn's approach to writing sales copy for her books, hitting the Amazon bestselling list and how she’s approached building an audience for her books. *ABOUT GWYN BENNETT Gwyn Bennett is the best-selling author of the Dr Harrison Lane Mysteries. Her new series is out with Storm.*RESOURCES & LINKSGwyn's first self-published book IslandsMark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula courseAlliance of Independent AuthorsStorm publishingGwyn's Self-Publishing ResourcesGwyn's Dr. Harrison Lane crime series (Amazon US, Amazon UK, Worldwide)Gwyn's newsletter and free novella: Sign upGwyn on LinkedIn*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Dec 9, 202359 min

Ep 85#085: Maggie Smith — Crafting Viral Poems, Writing Memoir, Becoming a Better Poet, Narrative Device, Substack, Commercial vs Creative Work

Award-winning poet and writer on her process of crafting a poem, how she brought lyric sensibility to her memoir, and how we can observe and distill our experience of the world. We also talk about how she constructed her memoir, chose what to include, and navigated the intensity of publication as a memoirist.*ABOUT MAGGIE SMITHMaggie Smith is an award-winning author and poet. her poem Good Bones was called the “Official Poem of 2016” by Public Radio International. Her latest book, a memoir, You Could Make This Place Beautiful, explores the disintegration of her marriage and her renewed commitment to herself. *RESOURCES & LINKSYou Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith For Dear Life with Maggie Smith“Good Bones” by Maggie Smith “First Fall” by Maggie SmithFollow Maggie: @MaggieSmithPoet*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Dec 2, 202355 min

Ep 84#084: Jean Kwok — Writing Family Drama & Constructing Thrillers, Successful Daily Writing Routines, Handling Failure & Pressure, How to Stay Focused On Your Craft

Jean Kwok (New York Times bestselling author) on the process of creating compelling characters and structuring a psychological family drama thriller. Plus we talk about narrative tension, handling criticism and dealing with pressure and failure as a writer.*ABOUT JEAN KWOK Jean Kwok is the award-winning, New York Times and international bestselling author of Searching for Sylvie Lee, Girl in Translation and Mambo in Chinatown. Searching for Sylvie Lee was selected for the Today Show Book Club and featured in The New York Times, Time, Newsweek, CNN, The New York Post, The Washington Post, and more. *RESOURCES & LINKSThe Leftover Woman by Jean KwockSearching for Sylvie Lee by Jean KwockWhat Remains by Wendy Walker The Blind Assasin by Margaret Atwood Writers’ Hour*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Nov 25, 20231h 2m

Ep 83#083: Peter Komolafe — Rewriting Your Relationship with Money & Visualising Success, Writing Non-Fiction, Building A Brand

Nonfiction writer and financial advisor Peter Komolafe, on pulling himself out of homelessness, struggles with debt through to becoming a financial expert. We explore how we might rewrite our relationship with money, his 5 "BASIC" principles of financial security, how visualisation helped him achieve his goals, and his experience writing The Money Basics.Peter also shares his advice on how he utilized platforms like YouTube, and his podcast to build his brand.*ABOUT PETER KOMOLAFE Peter Komolafe founded Conversation of Money (a YouTube Channel and weekly Podcast) in 2020 to have conversations he wished someone had with him when he was in his twenties. Peter has been featured on Lorraine, Steph’s Packed Lunch, BBC World Service, The Times, The Express, ITV and has appeared as the Financial Expert on Secret Spenders: Beat the Price Rises on Channel 4. He's also the author of The Money Basics.*RESOURCES & LINKSPeter's podcast The Conversation of MoneyPeter's new book The Money BasicsPeter's YouTube channelThe Richest Man in BabylonCompound Internet calculatorBook a discovery call with PeterConnect with Peter on Instagram*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Nov 18, 20231h 3m

Ep 82#081: Publisher Natalie Doherty — The Magic of Writing for Children, Market Trends, Behind the Scenes of Publishing, Children’s Book Categories, Social Media

Natalie Doherty, Children’s Publishing Director at HarperCollins, on what she looks for when acquiring books, the case against writing toward market trends, different categories of children’s books, and what makes a magical children’s book. *ABOUT NATALIE DOHERTYNatalie Doherty is Fiction Publishing Director at HarperCollins Children’s Books, where she joined the team in May 2023 and is now working to build a brilliant new list of talent. She was previously an editor at Penguin Random House Children’s, working with a list of award-winning and bestselling authors including Tom Fletcher, Robin Stevens, R J Palacio, Tamzin Merchant and Nazneen Ahmed Pathak. *RESOURCES & LINKSHarperCollins Children’s Books Writers’ & Artist’s YearbookWonder by R.J. PalacioMurder Most Unladylike Series by Robin StevensDog Man by Dav PilkeyBunny vs Monkey by Jamie SmartHeartstopper by Alice OsemanCompass and Blade by Rachel GreenlawThe Last Life of Lori Mills by Max BoucheratThe Last Bear, The Lost Whale and Finding Bear by Hannah GoldCompass and Blade by Rachel GreenlawThe Suitcase Kid and The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline WilsonThe Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness *For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Nov 11, 202355 min

Ep 81#081: Ellie Middleton — Writing While Neurodivergent & Building An Audience, Writing Nonfiction, Content Creation & Going Viral

Youtuber and author Ellie Middleton on how she started sharing her work publicly, her viral posts, how she’s built an audience of 300k and rules she follows for content creation. Plus her experience of writing and publishing her nonfiction book Unmasked: The Ultimate Guide to ADHD, Autism and Neurodivergence.*ABOUT ELLIE MIDDLETONEllie Middleton is an autistic and ADHD creator, speaker, writer, consultant and founder of the (un)masked community for neurodivergents. After a lifetime of feeling misunderstood, she was diagnosed with both Autism Spectrum Condition and ADHD at the age of 24. Since then, Ellie has gone on to build an audience of over 300,000 people online, create the (un)masked community for neurodivergents, and work with global brands like The Independent, Google & LinkedIn to change the narrative on neurodiversity.*RESOURCES & LINKSUnmasked: The Ultimate Guide to ADHD, Autism and Neurodivergence by Ellie Middleton Ellie on LinkedIn Ellie on TikTokEllie on InstagramEllie’s community, Unmasked: The Community for Busy BrainsTiimo (daily planning app)Notion (productivity & note-taking app)Monday (project management software)Time Timer (award-winning visual timer) For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Nov 4, 20231h 11m

Ep 80#080: Benjamin Hutchinson — Writing & Reading as Tools for a Meaningful Life, Writing Big Idea Nonfiction, Learning from Literary Greats

Prize-winning essayist, literary critic, and professor of European literature Ben Hutchinson, author of On Purpose: Ten Lessons on the Meaning of Life, on how reading and meaningfully engaging with literature can help us live more fully—and more purposefully. Plus, lessons on living well from the literary greats, tips for becoming better readers and ways for writers to know they’re on the right path. We also talk about the German poet Rilke. *ABOUT BENJAMIN HUTCHINSONBen Hutchinson is an award-winning essayist, critic and professor of European literature. He is the author of seven books, including The Midlife Mind and Comparative Literature: A Very Short Introduction. His writing appears regularly in the national and international press.*RESOURCES & LINKSOn Purpose: Ten Lessons on the Meaning of Life by Ben HutchinsonComparative Literature: A Very Short Introduction by Ben HutchinsonThe Midlife Mind: Literature and the Art of Ageing by Ben Hutchinson“Church Going” by Philip LarkinEthan Hawke’s TEDTalk, Give yourself permission to be creative Keats and ‘negative capability *For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Oct 28, 20231h 1m

Ep 79#079: Herminia Ibarra — Navigating Career Transitions & Owning the Writing Identity. Also, Writing Big-Idea NonFiction, Being a Confident Writer, Learning Goals Vs Performance Goals

Professor Herminia Ibarra on her hugely influential books Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader, and Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career. In this conversation with Herminia, we discuss reinventing your career, how to gain confidence as a writer, why thinking first and then acting doesn’t always work, navigating periods of flux, advice for leaders and the art of writing big-idea nonfiction.*ABOUT HERMINIA IBARRAHerminia Ibarra is the Charles Handy Professor of Organizational Behavior at London Business School. She is also the author of two best-selling books, Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader and Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career.*RESOURCES & LINKSAct Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader by Herminia Ibarra Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career by Herminia Ibarra “The Authenticity Paradox” by Herminia Ibarra “What’s Your Story” by Herminia Ibarra Herminia’s TED Talk on authenticity How to Become a Recognized Expert with Dorie Clark *For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com *FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Oct 21, 202358 min

Ep 78#078: Chris Guillebeau — Embracing Experimentation in Money-Making and Creativity, Plus Writing Non-Fiction and Tools for Creators

New York Times-bestselling author Chris Guillebeau (Side Hustle School podcast) on the new rules of money, how people are making money in the new economy and his philosophy for how we as creators can experiment with new technology and platforms and turn creativity into income.*ABOUT CHRIS GUILLEBEAUChris is an entrepreneur, explorer, and New York Times-bestselling author. He visited every country in the world (193 in total) before his 35th birthday. He’s the author of eight books: The Art of Non-Conformity, The $100 Startup, The Happiness of Pursuit, Born for This, and Side Hustle. Chris is also the founder and host of the podcast Side Hustle School, which is downloaded more than 2 million times per month. His latest book is Gonzo Capitalism: How to Make Money in an Economy That Hates You*RESOURCES & LINKSChris’s last interview on the London Writers’ Salon Podcast: How to Spark a Movement and Build a Readership (and Make Money Doing It)Gonzo Capitalism by Chris GuillebeauSide Hustle by Chris Guillebeau The 100 Dollar StartUp by Chris Guillebeau Side Hustle School “ChatGPT for you” by Seth Godin“The Big Picture and the Small Details” by Chris Guillebeauhttps://maven.com/https://gumroad.com/For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com *FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Oct 14, 202359 min

Ep 77#077: Guinevere Turner — Writing 'Go Fish', 'American Psycho', Crafting Memoir & Excavating Memories of Growing Up in a Cult

Actress and writer Guinevere Turner on her unconventional journey from screenwriting to memoir. We explore her process of writing the cult queer film "Go Fish," produced on a modest $15,000 budget, co-writing the screenplay for Bret Ellis's book American Psycho. We also discuss her recently released memoir, When the World Didn’t End, about her childhood in the infamous Lyman Family cult, and how she approaches writing challenging material, how she decided to capture her childhood in the memoir and advice she’d give memoirists trying to find the arc in their memoir.*ABOUT GUINEVERE TURNER Guinevere Turner is a writer, director and actor who has worked in film and TV since her 1994 debut film Go Fish, which she wrote, produced and starred in. She teamed up with director Mary Harron to write the films American Psycho, The Notorious Bettie Page and the 2019 film Charlie Says. She was a writer and story editor on Showtime’s The L Word, and she played the recurring character Gabby Deveaux on that show. She has written and directed seven short films, two of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. She can be seen in film roles that include The Watermelon Woman, Chasing Amy, American Psycho and The L Word. Her latest screenplay, Charlie Says, was directed by Mary Harron and opened in theaters and on digital platforms in May of 2019. Guinevere has taught screenwriting at Sarah Lawrence College, Columbia University, University of Georgia, UCLA and NYU. Her memoir When the World Didn’t End charts her time in the Lyman Cult.*RESOURCES & LINKS📄 Interview Transcript (unedited)Go FishAmerican PsychoThe L Word Guinevere’s memoir, When the World Didn’t EndGuinevere’s New Yorker essay, My Childhood in a Cult, that led to her memoir *For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com *FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Oct 7, 202351 min

Ep 76#076: Harriet Johnson — Writing Non-Fiction, Storytelling Like a Barrister & Writing to Inspire Change

Writer and barrister Harriet Johnson on her process for writing, researching, planning and pitching her nonfiction book: "Enough: The Violence Against Women and How to End It”. We talk about using storytelling to advocate for change, combining statistics with personal narratives to provide a holistic understanding of the issues and how she deals with online comments.*ABOUT HARRIET JOHNSONHarriet Johnson is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers specializing in human rights and criminal law and a fierce advocate of women's rights. She is a founding member of Women in Criminal Law, and Joint Chair of Trustees of the charity Women in Prison. In 2016 she founded #DoughtyStWomen events, an annual series of conferences to consider what more the law can do for women. Harriet has given keynote legal addresses worldwide and spoken in the media about law and justice through the lens of gender. She is the author of Enough: The Violence Against Women and How to End it.*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com *FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Oct 1, 202352 min

Ep 75#075: Natasha Lance Rogoff — Bringing Sesame Street to Russia & Writing Memoir, Behind the Scenes Of A Global Television Series, Art in Times of War

Documentary filmmaking Natasha Lance Rogoff on bringing Sesame Street to Russia, the mechanics of a television global series, what makes Sesame Street so successful, the driving force behind creating art in dangerous circumstances and how she learned to write a memoir. *ABOUT NATASHA LANCE ROGOFFNatasha Lance Rogoff is an award-winning American television producer, filmmaker, and the author of the bestselling book, Muppets in Moscow: The Unexpected Crazy True Story of Making Sesame Street in Russia. Lance Rogoff executive produced Ulitsa Sezam, the Russian adaptation of Sesame Street from 1993-1997. * RESOURCES & LINKSMuppets in Moscow by Natasha Lance Rogoff Russian Millenials Speak Openly About America The Art of Memoir by Mary KarrBird by Bird by Anne Lamott Save the CatFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Sep 23, 20231h 0m

Ep 73#074: Joy Sullivan — Growing a Community Around Your Poetry & Writing, Dealing With Creative Blocks, Avoiding Cliches, Tips for Reading & Writing Poetry

Poet and community builder Joy Sullivan @joysullivanpoet on the craft of poetry, tips for reading and writing poetry, how writers can avoid cliches and why she thinks writing from the heart is terrible advice. We talk about the business of writing, how she's grown an online following and how she balances her creative work with her business. *ABOUT JOY SULLIVANJoy Sullivan is a poet, educator, and community leader. A former brand copywriter, Joy decided to leave her day job and devote herself to poetry. She is now the founder of Sustenance, a writing community that helps poets hone their craft. Her debut collection of poems, Instructions for Traveling West, will debut next year from Dial Press. You can find her on Instagram @joysullivanpoet.*RESOURCES & LINKSSustenance - Joy's online writing community Erica Miriam FabriEllen BassMaggie SmithFeedback structure in the Sustenance community: Where is the power in this poem? What questions do I have about this poem? Joy's Instagram AccountJoy's poem, "My mother says kissing a man without a mustache is like eating eggs without salt" Joy's poem, "Instructions for traveling west"Joy's Substack, Necessary SaltThe Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing PoetryIn the Palm of Your Hand: A Poet's Portable Workshop*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts, visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Sep 16, 20231h 1m

Ep 73#073: Nicola May — Self-Publishing Bestselling Rom-Coms, Using Price To Drive Sales, Writing From The Heart, Marketing Tips and The Importance of Persistence

Nicola May, a bestselling rom-com author, on publishing 16 books, making money through self-publishing what authors need to know about marketing, and how persistence has been a key part of her writing journey. Note from Parul & Matt: We had some mic issues when recording this episode, and our sound is a little scratchy; thank you for bearing with us on this episode*ABOUT NICOLA MAYNicola May is the author of sixteen romantic comedies, all of which have appeared in the Kindle bestseller charts. Two of them won awards at the Festival of Romance, and another was named ebook of the week in The Sun. The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay became the best-selling Kindle book in the UK, across all genres, in January 2019, and was Amazon’s third-bestselling novel in that year. Described by Winifred Robinson of BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours as ‘the invisible bestselling author’, Nicola campaigned successfully for the introduction of ebook charts in the publishing trade press. She lives near Ascot racecourse with her black-and-white rescue cat, Stan.*RESOURCES & LINKSNicola’s BooksNicola’s Twitter and InstagramThe Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay Blog ToursThe Friendly Book CommunityKindle Books for 99p (UK) on Facebook *For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Sep 9, 202358 min

Ep 72#072: Cyndie Spiegel — Writing NonFiction, Microjoys, Finding Joy in Difficult Times & Navigating Transitions

Author Cyndie Spiegel (Microjoys: Finding Hope) on how she approaches moments of major transition and building a habit of recognizing joy even in the darkest times. We also talk about the craft of writing nonfiction and how her concept of microjoys grew from an idea to a book.*SHOW SUMMARYCyndie Spiegel, author of Microjoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life Is Not Okay on how she approaches moments of major transition building a habit of recognizing joy even in the darkest times. We also talk about the craft of writing nonfiction, and how her concept of microjoys grew from an idea to a book.*ABOUT CYNDIE SPIEGELCyndie Spiegel is a born storyteller–turned–writer; she's an aspirational voice and an igniter of powerful conversation. She is a former adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology, and holds a masters of professional studies. Her books include Year of Positive Thinking: Daily Inspiration, Wisdom & Courage and Microjoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life Is Not Okay * RESOURCES & LINKSA Year of Positive Thinking: Daily Inspiration, Wisdom and CourageMicrojoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life Is Not Okay Julia Cameron’s Artist DateCyndie’s idea of Pitching the Dream For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com *FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Aug 26, 20231h 2m

Ep 71#071: Ed Wilson — Submitting to Agents & Navigating Publishing, Junior vs Experienced Agents, How to Follow up with Agents, Smaller vs Larger Literary Agencies

London-based Literary Agent Ed Wilson (Johnson & Alcock) @literarywhore on the relationship between agents and authors, finding the right agent for you, what agents are looking for and how long to wait before following up on a submission. Plus, an insight into Ed’s career, examples of submissions he’s taken on and shifts in the publishing industry.*ABOUT ED WILSONEd Wilson is a literary agent and director at Johnson & Alcock, a London-based literary agency established in the 1950s. Ed has a diverse and developing list of authors of fiction and nonfiction. He represents everything from award-winning literary fiction to bestselling crime, science-fiction, and fantasy. Find Ed on Twitter here.*RESOURCES & LINKSEd's profile at Johnson & AlcockEd's Twitter accountJohnson & Alcock's submission guidelines*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALON:Twitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Aug 19, 202343 min

Ep 70#070: Hannah Bos — Writing TV From The Heart, HBO’s Somebody Somewhere, Artistic Partnerships, Writing Friendships For The Screen

Hannah Bos, co-creator and showrunner of HBO’s Somebody Somewhere on landing a series with HBO, her journey as a storyteller, how she navigates collaboration, and her approach to change and character development when writing for the stage and screen. *ABOUT HANNAH BOSHannah Bos is a Brooklyn-based writer who, along with her writing partner Paul Thureen, is the creator/showrunner of HBO’s Somebody Somewhere. The first season of the show received an AFI Award and Peabody nomination and Hannah and Paul were nominated for a 2022 Humanitas Prize for Comedy Teleplay for the pilot episode. Season 2 is available now and the series was recently picked up for a third season. Together they have also written for HBO’s High Maintenance and Amazon’s Mozart in the Jungle. *RESOURCESFollow Hannah Bos:InstagramWebsiteOther links:The Debate SocietySomebody SomewhereMiroFractured Atlas*For show notes, and transcripts and to attend our live podcasts, visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Aug 12, 20231h 2m

Ep 69#069: Polina Marinova Pompliano — Writing Newsletters and Non-Fiction, Ambition vs Delusion, How to Study & Learn From Geniuses

Former Fortune writer Polina Marinova and founder of the popular newsletter 'The Profile' talks about growing her Substack to make a full-time income, landing a non-fiction book deal, writing non-fiction, making difficult decisions, taking risks, and how to study and learn from 'geniuses'.*ABOUT POLINA MARINOVAPolina Marinova Pompliano is the author of Hidden Genius: The Secret Ways of Thinking That Power the World's Most Successful People. She is behind The Profile, a Substack newsletter that studies successful people and companies.*RESOURCES Polina's newsletter The ProfileHidden Genius: The Secret Ways of Thinking That Power the World's Most Successful PeopleAuthor Danielle SteelePolina's profile on The RockAuthor Morgan HouselAlinea chef Grant AchatzHumans of New York by Brandon StantonAuthor Colleen HooverFollow Polina:TwitterInstagramThe Profile For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com *FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Aug 5, 20231h 0m

Ep 68#068: Samantha Shannon — Writing Fantasy Fiction, Plotting, Worldbuilding & Keeping Anxiety At Bay

Bestselling fantasy writer Samantha Shannon on dealing with early success, plotting a seven-book series and keeping anxiety at bay.*ABOUT SAMANTHA SHANNONSamantha Shannon is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of The Bone Season and The Priory of the Orange Tree. *LINKS FROM THE SHOWAsk Shannon questions on her TumblrShannon on Instagram @say_shannonThe Bone Season seriesThe Priory of the Orange TreeFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Jul 29, 20231h 5m

Ep 67#067: Megan Davis — Writing Literary Thrillers & Crime Fiction, Dual Timelines, Bringing Conflict To The Page

Award-winning and debut thriller writer Megan Davis on her book The Messenger, which was influenced by her experience as a whistleblower. We explore her use of dual timelines, conflict and essential elements of a psychological thriller.ABOUT MEGAN DAVISMegan Davis has worked in the film industry, and her credits include Atonement, In Bruges, Pride and Prejudice, and the Bourne films. Megan is also a lawyer at Spotlight on Corruption. Her debut, The Messenger, won the Bridport and Lucy Cavendish prizes. *FOLLOW MEGAN DAVIS:Megan’s TwitterMegan’s WebsiteOTHER LINKS MENTIONED:The 90-Day Novel: Unlock the Story Within by Alan Watts Life & Work by Tim ParksCormac McCarthy’s The Road*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com *FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Jul 22, 202359 min

Ep 66#066: Ricardo Fayet — How to Promote Your Book In a Crowded Marketplace, Finding Readers, Finding Freelance Help with Reedsy

Marketer and Reedsy Co-founder Ricardo Fayet on the essential elements of marketing your book, the importance of knowing your target audience and how to utilise different platforms to find your readers. This interview was recorded in 2021.*ABOUT RICARDO FAYETRicardo Fayet is one of the co-founders of Reedsy, a marketplace connecting authors to the world's top publishing talent--from editors to cover designers, book marketers, or literary translators. He oversees the marketing for all Reedsy products--Marketplace, Book Editor, Learning, Discovery--and is a big SEO and Facebook advertising enthusiast. He is the author of How to Market Your Book where he has distilled lessons learned from helping thousands of writersHis weekly book marketing newsletter is read by over 150k writers.*RESOURCESFollow Ricardo Fayet:Twitter: @RicardoFayetOther links mentioned:LJ RossJoanna PennPublisher RocketFree BooksyBookbub*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Jul 17, 202353 min

Ep 65#065: Maggie O’Farrell — The Art Of Writing & The Marriage Portrait

Award-winning writer Maggie O’Farrell on the role that Arvon played in her early writing career how she crafts her novels today and the mindset that has led her to persist as a writer over the years and why she doesn’t worry about how she is perceived. She also reads from her latest book The Marriage Portrait. This interview was hosted virtually at Arvon.*ABOUT MAGGIE O’FARRELLMaggie O'Farrell is the author of Hamnet (winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award) and the memoir I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death, both Sunday Times number 1 bestsellers. Her other books include The Marriage Portrait, After You'd Gone, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, The Hand That First Held Mine (winner of the Costa Novel Award), and Instructions for a Heatwave. An adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel will premiere at Swan theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in April and at the Garrick theatre in September. *RESOURCES & LINKSUpcoming Arvon CoursesThe Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'FarrellHamnet by Maggie O'FarrellI Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O'Farrell“My Last Duchess” by Robert BrowningAlessandro Allori's portrait of Lucrezia D’ MediciRead Zoe's notes from the interviewFollow Arvon:WebsiteUpcoming Arvon CoursesTwitter*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Jul 9, 202356 min

Ep 64#064: Madeleine Milburn — Catching an Agent's Eye & Building an Author-First Agency

In this episode, we speak to award-winning literary agent Madeleine Milburn (founder of the Madeleine Milburn Film, TV, & Literary Agency. In this conversation with Madeleine, we take a peek behind the scenes into the queries Madeline receives at the agency; she reveals the common mistakes she sees in submissions and what she think sets a writer apart in the query process. *ABOUT MADELEINE MILBURNMadeleine Milburn is on the committee of the Association of Authors' Agents (AAA). She has appeared on The Bookseller's list of the 150 most influential people in the book trade every year since 2017. Since founding the agency in 2012, Madeleine was awarded Literary Agent of the Year at the British Book Awards in 2018 and was shortlisted again in 2020.She has been responsible for discovering some of the highest-selling and award-winning contemporary authors who consistently hit the bestseller lists in the New York Times, including author Nita Prose (The Maid), Costa Book Award winner and multi-million copy bestseller Gail Honeyman (Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine), Ashley Audrain (The Push), Elizabeth Macneal (The Doll Factory), Fiona Barton (The Widow), Beth Morrey (Saving Missy) and Holly Bourne (Am I Normal Yet?) She represents multiple bestselling crime and thriller brands, too, including C.L. Taylor, C.J Tudor, Mark Edwards and Teresa Driscoll.*RESOURCES:Follow Madeleine Milburn:WebsiteAgency Instagram Other links mentioned:Submitting your work to the Madeleine Milburn AgencyThe Maid by Nita Prose (UK, US)Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (UK, US)*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com *FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Jul 1, 202355 min

Ep 63#063: Krystal Sutherland — Writing Young Adult Novels & Bringing Characters to Life

NYT bestselling author Krystal Sutherland on writing young adult novels and bringing characters to life. We also talk about her experience of having her debut novel Chemical Hearts adapted into a film by Amazon Studios. We also talk about she's honed her craft. how she’s learned to plot visualise her stories. *ABOUT KRYSTAL SUTHERLAND Krystal Sutherland’s debut novel, Chemical Hearts, was published in over 20 countries and was named by the American Booksellers Association as one of the best debuts of 2016. The film adaptation, produced by Amazon Studios, stars Lili Reinhart and Austin Abrams. Her other books include A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares and the New York Times bestseller House of Hollow. *RESOURCES:Follow Krystal:Instagram: @km_sutherlandTwitter: @km_sutherlandWebsite: krystalsutherland.com*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Jun 24, 202348 min

Ep 62#062: Emilie Marneur — The Business of Publishing, Role of A Literary Scout, Behind-The-Scenes at the Launch of Amazon Publishing & Audible, Launching Digital-First Imprint Embla & Marketing Essentials.

Emilie Marneur shares her experience of being at the forefront of innovations in the publishing industry. We talk to her about her early days as a Literary Scout to being one of the first two employees at Amazon Publishing’s UK arm, working at Audible in its startup days and her experience of launching Bonnier’s digital-first imprint, Embla Books. Plus, we talk about how Embla (digital-first publisher) approaches digital marketing and lessons learned from years of marketing books. This episode was recorded in 2021.*ABOUT EMILIE MARNEUREmilie began her publishing career as a Literary Scout at Ann Louise Fisher Associates (now Eccles Fisher) where she helped publishers abroad navigate and acquire books in the UK market. In 2005 she left ALF to join Amazon where she spent 7 years at Audible and 7+ years at Amazon Publishing where she rose from Senior Editor to Editor-in Chief, and later Head of Film Acquisition at Prime. As the editor in chief, she oversaw Amazon Publishing’s fiction imprints and editorial strategy, managed the editorial team in the UK and worked closely with the editorial teams in the US, Germany, France, Italy and Spain and was responsible for publishing many of the company’s bestselling authors, including Mark Edwards, Nick Spalding, John Marrs, and Amanda Prowse.A few years ago, she decided she wanted to build a digital-first imprint, and wrote the business plan at her dining table. This led to the launch of Bonnier’s Embla Books where Emilie works today.*RESOURCESFollow Emilie Marneur: LinkedInEmilie's digital-first imprint: Embla.Other links mentioned: Embla Books that we mentioned:One Small Mistake by Dandy SmithRachel Ryan's Resolutions by Laura StarkeyThe Midnight Man by Caroline MitchellEmbla's WebsiteSome of the resources discussed:Writers' and Artists' Yearbook - book to find agentsQuery Tracker - online database to find agentsQuery Shark - a resource of 300+ query letters For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Jun 10, 202349 min

Ep 61#061: Joanna Nadin — Lessons From Writing 90+ Books for Kids, Teens & Adults, Writing Tools & Plotting Your Book

Award-winning author of 90 books, Joanna Nadin, talks about writing engaging stories for and about kids, and the writing practices and tools that have helped her write so many books and how she plots her stories. *ABOUT JOANNA NADINJoanna has written more than 90 books for children and adults. She has a doctorate in adolescent identity and YA literature and is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Bristol. Her books have garnered a number of prizes including the Fantastic Book Award and the Surrey Book Award. She's also been shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Booktrust Best Book award, the Telegraph Sports Book of the Year, the Hearst Big Book Awards, and Queen of Teen. She was twice nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal: for Everybody Hurts, and forJoe All Alone, which was made into a BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated BBC drama series.*RESOURCESFollow JoannaTwitter @joannanadinWebsite: joannanadin.comInstagram: @jonadinJoanna’s booksHer latest book: The Talk of Pram Town.Books for adults:Books for childrenFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com *FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Jun 3, 20231h 0m

Ep 60#060: Natalie Lue & Hattie Crisell — Forging A Portfolio Career: From Journalism To Starting A Substack Newsletter, Launching A Podcast, Self Publishing and Landing A Publishing Deal

Natalie Lue (@natlue) and Hattie Crisell (@hattiehattie) are writers who have forged successful portfolio careers. We explore their adventures in journalism, blogging, podcasting and publishing. We dive into the reality of forging a portfolio career and they give us advice for how they might start today.*ABOUT NATALIE LUE Natalie Lue is behind the incredibly popular Baggage Reclaim Blog. Nat’s self-published books, including Mr Unavailable and the Fallback Girl, The No Contact Rule and Love, Care, Trust & Respect, have sold 150K+ copies, and her podcast, The Baggage Reclaim Sessions, has over 3 million downloads. Earlier in 2023, her book The Joy of Saying No was published by Harper Horizon.*RESOURCESFollow Natalie Lue:Instagram:@natlueTwitter: @NataliemlueSubstack: On Knowing YourselfWebsite: Natalielue.comPodcast: The Baggage Reclaim SessionsLatest Book: The Joy Of Saying NoNatalie’s Book Store: here*ABOUT HATTIE CRISELL Hattie Crisell is a freelance writer and journalist. In her popular podcast In Writing with Hattie Crisell, Hattie interviews writers of all kinds in their studies, and she's a contributing editor of Grazia magazine. She has written for publications including The New York Times, Style Magazine, The Cut, The Telegraph and Vogue. In 2022 she launched her Substack newsletter, In Writing and in March 2023, she announced her book deal with Granta, to be based on her podcast.*Follow Hattie Crisell:Instagram:@hattiecrisellTwitter: @hattiehattieSubstack: In WritingWebsite: hattiecrisell.comPodcast: In Writing with Hattie CrisellFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

May 27, 20231h 2m

Ep 59#059: Madeleine Dore — Rethinking Writing Ruts & Routines, Imperfect Creative Processes, Substack, Blogging, Creative Cycles

Madeleine Dore, author of ‘I Didn’t Do The Thing Today’ on rethinking writing routines and ruts, how to rid ourselves of the pressure to do more, embracing imperfection in the creative process, and her unique approach to her Substack newsletter.*ABOUT MADELEINE DORE Madeleine Dore is a writer, interviewer and author of I Didn’t Do The Thing Today'. As a labour of love, Madeleine spent over five years exploring how we can broaden the definition of a day well spent in her popular blog Extraordinary Routines and podcast Routines & Ruts. She continues to write, speak and explore themes of creativity and connection—but mostly tries to hold things lightly.*Follow Madeleine:Instagram: @madeleine__dore)Madeleine's Substack: On ThingsMadeleine’s blog Extraordinary RoutinesLinks & Resources Discussed:📄 Transcript (unedited)Madeleine’s book I Didn’t Do The Thing TodayMadeleine's quote shared at Writers' HourKatherine May’s book WinteringRilke quote on "Living The Questions"Walt Whitman quote: “Write in the gush"Milanote - a notes app for creative workFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

May 20, 20231h 1m

Ep 58#058: Steven Pressfield — The War of Art, Battling Resistance, Having A Creative Calling, Writing Memoir

Steven Pressfield on what it means to have a creative calling, overcoming rejection and resistance, how faith in something bigger than ourselves can play a role in our creative lives, his experience writing across multiple genres, and his latest memoir, Govt Cheese.*ABOUT STEVEN PRESSFIELDSteven Pressfield (@SPressfield) is the author of The War of Art which has sold over a millions copies globally and been translated into multiple languages. He is a master of historical fiction with Gates of Fire being on the required reading list at West Point and the the recommended reading list of the Joint Chiefs. His other books include A Man at Arms, Turning Pro, Do the Work, The Artist's Journey, Tides of War, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Last of the Amazons, Virtues of War, The Afghan Campaign, Killing Rommel, The Profession, The Lion's Gate, The Warrior Ethos, The Authentic Swing, An American Jew, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t, and The Knowledge. *RESOURCESFollow Steven Pressfield:Website: https://stevenpressfield.com/Twitter: @SPressfieldInstagram: @steven_pressfieldOther links mentioned:📄 Transcript (unedited)Govt CheeseThe Art of WarPut Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to BeNobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t"This Might Not Work" – Seth GodinThe Writers' Journey by Christopher VoglerSteve's 'passage through the wilderness' series on InstagramThe Creative Act by Rick RubinThe Foolscap Method Instagram videosJohn Keats's concept of 'Negative Capability'Joanna Penn*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

May 13, 20231h 0m

Ep 57#057: Abigail Bergstrom — On Becoming A Literary Agent, Tips For Building An Author Brand, Inside the Publishing Industry, Recovering From Burnout

Literary Agent and writer Abigail Bergstrom on her publishing career (Simon & Schuster, Gleam Titles, Bergstrom Studios) choosing to leave editing for agenting, facing and recovering from burnout and her advice for authors developing their brand. Also, her advice for finding an agent, and tips for how to ask the right questions to your marketing and publicity team. We also dive into her journey of writing and pitching her debut novel: What a Shame.*ABOUT ABIGAIL BERGSTROMAbigail Bergstrom is a Welsh writer who has worked in publishing for over a decade. She's edited some of Britain's most prominent feminist voices, was nominated for Literary Agent of the Year 2020, and was listed in 'The Bookseller 150.’ She is the founder of Gleam Titles and Bergstrom Studio, a publishing consultancy. She is the author of What a Shame.*QUOTES[On Author Brand] “I don't think it needs to be gimmicky. I think it could be nuanced and complex. Consider what three things you’re interested in talking about - think of them as your core pillars. *RESOURCESFollow Abigail Bergstrom:Instagram: @abigailbergstromTwitter: @AbigailBergstrmWebsite: Bergstrom StudioOther links and authors mentioned:Article in The Times: ‘AT 32, MY BURNOUT HIT ME HARD’Abigail’s book: What a ShameLaura BatesLotte JeffsFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

May 6, 202359 min

Ep 56#056: Jonathan Escoffery — Writing Award-Winning Short Stories, World Building, Managing Reader Anticipation, Dynamic Storytelling

Short story writer Jonathan Escoffery on his process for writing his linked short story collection, If I Survive You, how he thinks about world building, managing reader anticipation, how questions of identity influence his work, and tips for writing dynamic, moving short stories.*ABOUT JONATHAN ESCOFFERYJonathan Escoffery is the author of the linked story collection, If I Survive You, a New York Times and Booklist Editor's Choice, an IndieNext Pick, and a National Bestseller. His stories have appeared in The Paris Review, Oprah Daily, Electric Literature, Zyzzyva, AGNI, Pleiades, American Short Fiction, Prairie Schooner, Passages North, and elsewhere.*RESOURCESFollow Jonathan Escoffery:TwitterInstagramWebsiteOther links mentioned:Goblins in the Castle by Bruce CovilleR.L. Stine's Goosebumps seriesThe Hardy BoysGrub Street writing classes and community in BostonBoston Writers of Color GroupIf I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com *FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Apr 29, 20231h 1m

Ep 55#055: Dr Gloria Mark — Finding Focus For Creativity, 4 Different Attention States, Practicing Forethought, “Flow" vs “Focused Attention”

Dr. Gloria Mark on her 30+ year writing and academic career, the different attention states, how we can get into an artistic flow and why empty space is our days is important. Plus, we dive into her process of writing Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity.*QUOTE:When you think about a Japanese garden you think of the beautiful rocks that are placed there. But it's the space around those rocks that are just as important and are as carefully considered as the rocks themselves. Consider empty space in your day to be as important as the work you're actually doing because it helps prepare you and enables you to really do this kind of deep work. *ABOUT DR GLORIA MARK Gloria Mark is Chancellor's Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine. She received her PhD from Columbia University in psychology and studies the impact of digital media on people's lives. She takes a deep dive into examining multitasking, interruptions, and mood using digital devices. She has published over 200 articles and in 2017 was inducted into the ACM SIGCHI Academy, which recognizes leaders in the field of human-computer interaction. She has presented her work at SXSW and the Aspen Ideas Festival, and her research has appeared in the popular media, e.g. New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, CNN, The Guardian, the Dax Shepard show, the Dave Asprey show, and many others. She's the author of Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity.*RESOURCESFollow Dr Gloria:Gloria's websiteGloria on Twitter @GloriaMark_PhDGloria's newsletterOther links mentioned:Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and ProductivityChronotypeMorningness Eveningness QuestionnaireFlow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Broaden-and-Build theoryYohaku no bi: The Beauty of Empty Space For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Apr 16, 20231h 1m

Ep 54#054: Anna Jordan — Developing as a Playwright, TV Writing (Killing Eve/ Succession), Shitty First Drafts, Overcoming Self Doubt.

Anna Jordan, playwright (Yen/ Bruntwood Prize) and screenwriter (Killing Eve, Succession) on her early years of writing, how she got commissioned and developed as a playwright. Plus, a behind the scenes look at her writing process and how she deals with self-doubt and the reality of making money as a writer. *ABOUT ANNA JORDANAnna is a playwright, theatre director, and writer for television. Anna is best known for her play Yen, which won the 2013 Bruntwood Prize, going from a successful run in the UK to be performed off-Broadway. Anna's TV credits include Succession (Season 1, HBO), Killing Eve (Season 3, Sid Gentle) and currently Becoming Elizabeth (The Forge / Starz). She originally trained as an actor at LAMDA and runs her own training company for actors and writers: Without a Paddle Theatre.*RESOURCES:Follow Anna:TwitterWebsite:InstagramOther links mentioned:Anna's article on Writing and PlaysJohn Yorke's book Into the WoodsreMarkable digital notebook For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Apr 8, 202359 min

Ep 53#053: Stephen Markley — Writing Epic Novels, Creating Sprawling Narratives, Inside TV Writers Rooms, Persisting as a Writer, Having Stephen King As A Fan, Making Money As A Writer, Staying Away from Feedback

Novelist and screenwriter Stephen Markley on writing his 900-page epic novel The Deluge, writing sprawling narratives and what it’s like to count Stephen King as a fan. We talk about writing for the TV show Only Murders in the Building, making money as a writer, and what it takes to succeed and persist. *QUOTES“You can't guarantee your book will be a success...it comes down to loving the work, loving what you're doing, loving the story you're telling, and being ready..."*ABOUT STEPHEN MARKLEYStephen Markley is the author of The Deluge: A Novel. His previous books include the critically acclaimed bestseller Ohio: A Novel, Publish This Book, and Tales of Iceland. He has also written for the Hulu comedy Only Murderers in the Building. He is a graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop. *RESOURCESThe Deluge by Stephen MarkleyIowa Writers WorkshopOnly Murders in the BuildingS1 Ep7: "The Boy from 6B"S2 Ep7: "Flipping the Pieces"Steve's appearance on Late Night with Seth MyersSteve's previous books: Publish This Book, Tales of Iceland, OhioThis is Us creator Dan Fogelman*FOLLOW STEPHEN MARKLEYWebsite: stephenmarkley.comInstagram: @stephen.markley*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Apr 1, 202356 min

Ep 52#052: Orna Ross — How to Succeed as Indie Author, Marketing Essentials, Paying Yourself First

Poet, novelist and founder of the Alliance of Independent Authors, Orna Ross, on her career from traditional to indie publishing and what it takes to succeed as an indie author. We talk about the benefits of self-publishing, marketing tips, reaching income goals, the '20 Books to 50k' goal, and why pushing past the 1st book is critical. She also tells us why paying yourself first is so important, even in the early days.*ABOUT ORNA ROSSOrna Ross is a bestselling and award-winning author of historical fiction and inspirational poetry. She is also a creativity facilitator and the founder-director of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). She has been named one of The Bookseller's Top 100 people in publishing and advocates for self-publishing as an artistic expression and viable business option for authors.*RESOURCESALLi: Alliance of Independent AuthorsJane Friedman: How I Got My Rights BackA Creativist CompendiumACCESS Marketing: Attract, Captivate, Connect, Engage, Subscribe, Satisfy, SellSelf Publishing Advice from ALLIAuthor marketer David GaughranJoanna Penn's The Creative PennVictoria Strauss's Writer Beware Reedsy - for hiring people to help with your self-publishing workCommunity of romance writers who are self-publishing: https://www.independentromance.com20 Books to 50kMark Dawson's Self-Publishing FormulaBryan Cohen - courses on advertisingIngram SparkHow indie publishers can get on AudibleOrna's poetry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ornaross.poetry/Orna's website: https://ornaross.com/Orna's patreon page: https://ornaross.com/become-a-patron/ FOLLOW ORNA ROSSWebsiteInstagram - @ornaross.poetry*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com *FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Mar 25, 20231h 7m

Ep 51#051: Cecile Pin — Writing Literary Fiction, Telling Your Family’s Story, Starting Your Career as an Author, Reality of Working In Publishing, Advice For First-Time Authors

Debut novelist Cecile Pin author of Wandering Souls (nominated for the Women's Prize for Fiction, 2023), on her choice of using a fragmented structure, having multiple narrators and why she chose to fictionalise a story that was inspired by her mother’s past. Plus, lessons from working in publishing and what all first-time authors should know.*ABOUT CECILE PIN:Cecile Pin grew up in Paris and New York City. She moved to London at eighteen to study philosophy at University College London and received an MA at King's College London. She writes for Bad Form Review, was long-listed for their Young Writers' Prize, and is a 2021 London Writers Award winner. Wandering Souls is her first novel and was longlisted for the Women's Prize For Fiction, 2023. She previously worked as an Editorial Assistant at Jonathan Cape, PRH.*RESOURCES:Wandering SoulsWomen's Prize for Fiction long-list 2023London Writers AwardStephen King's On WritingThe Red Parts by Maggie NelsonHuman Acts by Han KangAtonement by Ian McEwanMinor Feelings: A Reckoning on Race and the Asian Condition by Cathy Park Hong*FOLLOW CECILE PINNWebsiteInstagram: @CecilekvPinTwitter: @CecilekvPin For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com *FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Mar 18, 202353 min

Ep 50#050: Jasmine Richards — Creating Bestselling Children’s Book Series, Ideating, Secrets Of A Great Pitch & The Business Of Children’s Publishing

Jasmine Richards, editor, writer, and award-winning founder of StoryMix Studio talks to us about the business of children’s publishing and how she generates and sells her ideas to publishers and works with writers to create commercial fiction for children. *ABOUT JASMINE RICHARDS Jasmine Richards is the author of over a dozen children's books ranging from picture books to teen fiction. Her most recent novel, Keeper of Myths, was published by Harper Collins. She has over 15 years of experience as an editor, including roles at Hamish Hamilton, Puffin, and Dutton Books in New York. Jasmine is the founder of Storymix, an award-winning children's fiction studio, where she uses her unique experiences to develop new voices and inclusive stories.*RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED:StoryMix StudioWorking Partners (now called Coolabi)Oxford University PressBook Series Jasmine worked on: Rainbow Magic, Beast QuestAziza's Secret Fairy DoorNotion (what Jasmine uses to organise her ideas)Apply to write for StoryMixStoryGrid methodology and Foolscap methodThe "Obligatory Scene" (look under 'End')The Lizzie and Belle MysteriesJasmine's book The Unmorrow Curse21% Monster by P.J. CanningOnyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tolá Okogwu*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Mar 11, 20231h 2m

Ep 49#049: Huma Qureshi — Writing the Memoir You're Not Sure You Can Write, Writing About Grief, Importance Of Role Models

Writer Huma Qureshi on how you know you’re ready to write a memoir. Plus, the importance of role models, writing about grief, loss and love and how she wrote and edited her memoir: How We Met: A Memoir of Love and Other Misadventures. This episode was recorded during the global lockdown in 2021.*ABOUT HUMA QURESHI Huma started her career at The Observer and The Guardian, working as a reporter and features writer before going freelance to write her first book, In Spite of Oceans, Migrant Voices, in 2015. Her short story The Jam Maker won Harper’s Bazaar Short Story Competition in 2020. Huma’s memoir, How We Met: A Memoir of Love and Other Misadventures, is about how she rebelled against tradition and fell in love on her own terms. She is also the author of a short story collection, Things We Do Not Tell The People We Love.*RESOURCESHuma’s books:How We Met: A Memoir of Love and Other MisadventuresThings We Do Not Tell The People We LoveFollow Huma on Social MediaInstagramWebsite*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Mar 4, 202351 min

Ep 48#048: Oliver Burkeman — Writing Impactful Articles, Making the Most of Our Finite Lives, Reevaluate Your Relationship With Time, Being Happier

Bestselling author Oliver Burkeman @oliverburkeman on his process for writing impactful articles plus how he wrote his popular book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. We chat about reevaluating our relationship with time, the truth about perfectionism, why it’s liberating to know that we are insignificant in the cosmos, and how we might use this reality to lead happier and more creative lives. *ABOUT OLIVER BURKEMANOliver Burkeman is a feature writer for The Guardian. He won the Foreign Press Association's Young Journalist of the Year Award and has been short-listed for the Orwell Prize. He wrote a popular weekly column on psychology, "This Column Will Change Your Life". His books include Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals and The Antidote: Happiness for People who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking.*RESOURCESFour Thousand Weeks: Time Management for MortalsArticle: Everyone is Totally Winging It, All of the TimeAll of Oliver's articles from his Guardian column: This Column Will Change Your LifeFinding Meaning in an Imperfect World by Iddo LandouOliver's next masterclass: Designing Your System for CreativityOliver's newsletter: The ImperfectionistConnect with Oliver on Twitter @oliverburkeman*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Feb 28, 202359 min

Ep 47#047: Rebecca Stott — Balancing Writing & Researching Historical Fiction, Chasing Your Curiosity, Accuracy In Historical Fiction, The 'History Of Emotions'

Award-winning writer and historian Rebecca Stott @rebeccastott64 on how she immersed herself in 6th-century history for five years for her latest book Dark Earth, a historical story set in Londinium. We talk about how she balances researching and writing, accuracy in historical fiction and the importance of the 'history of emotions'. *ABOUT REBECCA STOTTRebecca Stott is the author of fifteen books, including works of literary criticism, fiction, and nonfiction. Her nonfiction books include Darwin and the Barnacle (Faber, 2003), Darwin’s Ghosts: In Search of the First Evolutionists (Bloomsbury, 2012), and Oyster in Reaktion’s Animal series (2003). Her first novel, the historical thriller Ghostwalk (2007), was a New York Times bestseller, translated into fourteen languages and shortlisted for several prizes, including the Society of Authors First Novel Award. Her second novel, the historical novel The Coral Thief (2012), was a BBC Book at Bedtime. Her memoir, In the Days of Rain (2017), won the Costa Biography Prize. Her third novel, Dark Earth, set in the sixth century, is published in the UK by Fourth Estate and in the US by Penguin Random House.*QUOTES“We can’t assume that people in the 17th Century grieved the same way that we grieve.”*RESOURCES:Rebecca's newest book, Dark EarthHilary Mantel's Wolf Hall trilogyHistory of emotionsEverything Ravaged, Everything Burned by Wells Tower'Leaving the Ivory Tower' radio segment on BBC4Rebecca's memoir In the Days of RainFreedom appArticles on Rebecca's writing process of Dark EarthRebecca on Twitter @rebeccastott64Poets: R.S. Thomas, T.S. Eliot, Don Paterson, Elizabeth Bishop*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Feb 20, 202358 min

Ep 46#046: ​​Bec Evans & Chris Smith — How To Overcome Creative Blocks & Get It Written. Plus Banish Procrastination, Dealing With Imperfect Environments, The Power Of Noticing

Authors and writing coaches Bec Evans (@eva_bec) and Chris Smith (@beprolifiko) on techniques that have helped thousands of writers get unblocked and write. We talk about banishing procrastination, dealing with imperfect environments and why it’s so important to be present in your writing and not compare yourself to a past version of yourself. We also talk about their process of writing, editing and pitching their new book Written: How to Keep Writing and Build a Habit That Lasts. *ABOUT BEC EVANS & CHRIS SMITHBec Evans and Chris Smith are writers and the co-founders of Prolifiko, a coaching business that helps people build productive writing habits. Their latest book is Written: How to Keep Writing and Build a Habit That Lasts. *RESOURCES:Written: How to Keep Writing and Build a Habit That LastsArvon writing housesMindfulness by Ellen J. LangerStory GridProlifiko NewsletterGretchen Rubin's Four TendenciesAdrian Mole Diaries by Sue TownsendVictoria WoodFOLLOW THE AUTHORS:Prolifiko websiteBec on InstagramBec Evans on TwitterProlifiko on Twitter*For show notes, and transcripts and to attend our live podcasts, visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Feb 11, 20231h 8m