London Writers' Salon

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Jay Clouse (@Jay Clouse), entrepreneur, writer and host of The Creative Elements Podcast, on how to find your niche, become a professional creator and build your creative platform. We discuss the role of a creative platform and how to charge for your services without guilt. Plus, the importance of experimentation, finding and succeeding in your creative niche and leveraging platforms like Linkedin, Twitter, and Newsletters platforms.*ABOUT JAY CLOUSEJay Clouse hosts the Creative Elements podcast and the Creator Science newsletter. He is behind several courses including Podcast Like The Pros, Freelancing School, Marketing for Freelancers and Selling for Freelancers. His creative community, The Lab helps digital creators experiment and grow. He was the founder of the community Unreal Collective which was acquired by Pat Flynn and Smart Passive Income (SPI).*RESOURCES & LINKSJay's websiteCreative Elements podcastCreator Science newsletterThe Lab creator communityJay on LinkedIn and TwitterWhy being a creator is a scienceEspree Devora: WebsiteJoy Sullivan poet: website, InstagramArticle about Creator Science rebrandWes Kao: Spiky point of viewJustin Welsh & Jay Clouse: Building your business on LinkedIn and Twitter*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!

Author and co-founder of Banshee Press, Eimear Ryan (@eimear_ryan) on her 13-year journey to writing her award-nominated debut book, the importance of creative resilience and a behind-the-scenes look at Banshee Press & Banshee Literary Journal.*ABOUT EIMEAR RYANEimear Ryan is a co-founder of the literary journal Banshee and its publishing imprint, Banshee Press. She was shortlisted for the Newcomer of the Year Award at the Irish Book Awards for her first novel, Holding Her Breath and she was nominated for the Bookseller's Rising Star Award 2021 for her work with Banshee Press.*RESOURCES:Banshee PressEimear’s WebsiteSocialsInstagramTwitterEimear’s WritingJournalismShort Stories & EssaysHolding Her Breath*QUOTES“In terms of common mistakes, throat clearing is my number one thing — a sense that the story hasn’t been redrafted enough by the writer. It is talking themselves into a story…A lot of these stories are really well written. They just haven’t been honed. When you’re a writer, you don’t realize that an editor is reading dozens and dozens of stories, so something really has to grab you from the first page for them to remember it and to fight for 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!

Award winning novelist and screenwriter Tom Rob Smith (Child 44 Trilogy & American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace) on his writing journey from Cambodian soap operas to screenplays and novels, why creating a treatment is integral to his planning process and how he thinks about writing quick-paced high-stakes stories,. We dive into his latest novel Cold People, a sci-fi thriller set in Antarctica and why he eagerly experiments with genres like sci-fi and romance.*ABOUT TOM ROB SMITHTom Rob Smith is the author of the acclaimed Child 44 trilogy, a global publishing sensation, selling over two million copies. His most recent novel, The Farm, was a Number One international bestseller. Tom also writes for television and won a Writer's Guild Award for best adapted series and an Emmy and Golden Globe for best limited series with American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace.*RESOURCES & LINKS Tom’s Work:Child 44 trilogyThe FarmCold PeopleAmerican Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni VersaceLondon SpyFollow Tom:Tom's websiteTom on Instagram @tomrobsmith*QUOTES“Be open, and be open to opportunities that might not be on your dream scenario. There is lots of stumbling but you know when you come across something that you have a strong reaction to and if you trust that, that is powerful”“Passion and love for the material always shines through”*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!

Novelist Laura Kay (@lauraelizakay) on her writing journey from journalism to novels, how her writing career was launched from Penguin WriteNow programme, queer visibility in fiction, writing sex scenes and how Laura writes and edits her romantic comedies. Laura also talks about tackling writer’s block with an ‘ideas walk’, the reality of forging a career as a full-time writer and her approach to dealing with critics and feedback.*ABOUT LAURA KAYLaura Kay is an author and journalist whose work has appeared in Diva Magazine, The Guardian, Stylist, The Metro, and more. Laura was one of ten writers selected for Penguin’s 2018 WriteNow programme, during which she developed her debut novel, The Split, published by Quercus in 2021. Her second novel, Tell Me Everything is out in paperback now. *RESOURCES:Laura’s books:The Split: Amazon UK/ Amazon USATell Me Everything: Amazon UK/ Amazon USAWild Things (coming in May 2023)*Follow Laura on socials:Twitter: lauraelizakayInstagram: lauraekayWebsite: laurakayauthor.co.uk*Books and links mentioned in the interview:Penguin's WriteNow programmeThe Split by Laura KayInfamous by Lex CroucherFirst Time for Everything by Henry FryDouble Booked by Lily LindonAuthor Matt CainAuthor Justin MyersIn at the Deep End by Kate DaviesWhat Page Are You On? PodcastOn Writing by Stephen King*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!

Christy Lefteri, the international-best selling author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo and Songbirds on finding inspiration from real life, how she brings her characters to life, and what it means to her to tell other people’s stories with compassion. We also chat about Christy’s writing, research, and plotting process.*ABOUT CHRISTY LEFTERIBrought up in London, Christy Lefteri is the child of Cypriot refugees. She is a lecturer in creative writing at Brunel University. Her debut novel A Watermelon, a Fish and a Bible is set during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and was which was longlisted for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Her second novel The Beekeeper of Aleppo was born out of her time working as a volunteer at a Unicef supported refugee centre in Athens and deals with the flight of refugees from Aleppo in Syria to Europe during the Syrian Civil War. It was selected as a Richard and Judy Book Club Choice and has sold over 1 million copies. Her latest novel, Songbirds follows the disappearance of a Sri Lankan nanny from her new life in Nicosia.*RESOURCES: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!

The award-winning novelist Jean Kwok talks about her writing journey from poverty to becoming a bestselling author, how she drafts and plans her novels, why she uses Writers’ Hour to write her novels, and the importance of conflict in her writing. Also how she has overcome continual rejection throughout her life. *ABOUT JEAN KWOKJean Kwok is the award-winning, New York Times and international bestselling author of Searching for Sylvie Lee, Girl in Translation and Mambo in Chinatown. An instant New York Times bestseller, 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. Jean has been chosen for numerous honors including the American Library Association Alex Award, and the Sunday Times Short Story Award shortlist. *RESOURCES:Writers' HourJean’s websiteJean’s books:Searching for Sylvie LeeGirl in TranslationMambo in ChinatownThe Today ShowJenna Bush Hager’s Book Club*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!

Award-winning writer and the founder of The Good Agency, Nikesh Shukla (@nikeshshukla), on the journey to becoming a writer, running a Literary Agency, crowdfunding The Good Immigrant and the process for writing his memoir. ABOUT NIKESH SHUKLANikesh Shukla is a novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of Coconut Unlimited (shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award), Meatspace, and the critically acclaimed The One Who Wrote Destiny. Nikesh is the editor of the bestselling essay collection, The Good Immigrant, which won the reader's choice at the Books Are My Bag Awards. He co-edited The Good Immigrant USA with Chimene Suleyman.He is also the author of two YA novels, Run, Riot (shortlisted for a National Book Award) and The Boxer (longlisted for the Carnegie Medal). Nikesh was one of Time Magazine’s cultural leaders, Foreign Policy magazine's 100 Global Thinkers and The Bookseller's 100 most influential people in publishing in 2016 and in 2017. He is the co-founder of the literary journal, The Good Journal and The Good Literary Agency. Nikesh is a fellow of the Royal Society Of Literature and a member of the Folio Academy. Nikesh’s new book, Brown Baby: A Memoir Of Race, Family And Home was released on Bluebird in February 2021. He is also the host of the Brown Baby Podcast.*RESOURCES:Twitter: Nikesh ShuklaInstagram: Nikesh Shukla WriterWebsite: Nikesh-Shukla.comNikesh’s Books*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!

Entrepreneur, publisher and writer Derek Sivers (@sivers) on giving away $22 million, breaking rules, why “If it’s not a hell yeah, it’s a no.” Plus how to stay focused, why he sells directly to his readers and what it means to live a good life. *ABOUT DEREK SIVERSOriginally a professional musician, Derek created CD Baby in 1998. It became the largest seller of independent music online with $100 million in sales for 150,000-plus musicians. Derek Sivers is the author of four non-fiction books, as well as a musician, entrepreneur, and publisher. His latest book is How to Live: 27 conflicting answers and one weird conclusion*RESOURCES:Derek's websiteDerek's books: Anything You Want, Your Music and People, Hell Yeah or No, How to LiveDerek's TED talk: Leadership Lessons from Dancing GuyE-Myth Revisited by David GerberRaising the Bar: Integrity and Passion in Life and Business: The Story of Clif Bar by Gary EricksonGrowing a Business by Paul HawkenJoanna Penn interview with DerekSaeah Lee, Derek's book designerConsiderate Book Pricing - how Derek chose his book pricingWrite Useful Books: A modern approach to designing and refining recommendable nonfiction by Rob FitzpatrickOn Writing Well by William ZinsserOn Writing by Stephen KingSum by David EaglemanDerek's musicFor 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!

New York Times Bestselling author and ghostwriter Daniel Paisner on how he landed his first ghostwriting job, how the ghostwriting process works, working with celebrities like Serena Williams and Whoopi Goldberg and what it takes to unearth the real story of a person’s life. Also, how his ghostwriting work helps him with his own creative work including his latest book Balloon Dog. *ABOUT DANIEL PAISNERDaniel Paisner is a journalist, author, and podcaster. He is the winner of two NAACP Image Awards for his work with Shark Tank panellist and serial entrepreneur Daymond John. His novel A Single Happened Thing was named an Indies Finalist for Best Book of the Year by the editors of Foreword Reviews. Paisner hosts As Told To, a podcast that features interviews with fellow authors about their ghostwriting experiences. His most recent novel is Balloon Dog, published by Koehler Books.*LINKS:Twitter: @DanielPasiner.Website: danielpaisner.com*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free silent 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!

In this episode we talk with Professor Prayga Agarwal about her writing journey from academia to commercial non-fiction, how to tackle difficult and complex subjects, and what it takes to research, write and publish 'big idea' non-fiction books. We also discuss overcoming procrastination, writing within small pockets of time, her writing and research process and how she brings together the hard research alongside the personal narrative.*ABOUT PRAGYA AGARWALPragya Agarwal is a behaviour and data scientist and Visiting Professor of Social Inequities and Injustice at Loughborough University in the UK. She is the founder of a research think-tank The 50 Percent Project investigating women’s status and rights around the world. Pragya is the award-winning author of (M)otherhood: On the choices of being a woman, SWAY: Unravelling Unconscious Bias and Wish we knew what to say: Talking with children about race, and a book for children Standing up to Racism.RESOURCES:(M)otherhood: On the choices of being a womanSway: Unravelling Unconscious BiasWish we knew what to say: Talking with children about race*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!

In this episode we speak to bestselling children’s author Soman Chainani about working in the film industry, overcoming failure and rejection, working as a tutor to make ends meet and how he wrote and pitched his first book series 'The School For Good And Evil' that sold 3 million copies and is now a Netflix film. Plus how he balances deep creative work with life and the power of myth and fairytale. Plus why you should never believe anything anyone tells you in Hollywood.*ABOUT SOMAN CHAINANISoman Chainani’s debut series, The School for Good and Evil, has sold more than 3 million copies, been translated into 30 languages across 6 continents, and is a Netflix film starring Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington. He has made films that have played all over the world, and his writing awards include honors from Big Bear Lake, the CAPE Foundation, and the Sun Valley Writers’ Fellowship. His latest book, Beasts & Beauty: Dangerous Tales, Soman reimagines old stories into fresh fairy tales for a new era.*RESOURCES:The School for Good and EvilBeasts & Beauty: Dangerous Tales*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!

In this interview we speak with Bonnie MacBird, a screenwriter and author (@macbird), about writing Sherlock Holmes mystery novels, lessons from Hollywood and screenwriting, how Bonnie’s Sherlock Holmes novels came from a personal NaNoWriMo, and why Sherlock Holmes has stood test of time.*ABOUT BONNIE MACBIRDBonnie MacBird is an American writer, actress, and producer. She is the writer of the original screenplay for the film Tron. Her Sherlock Holmes series (HarperCollins) written in the style of Arthur Conan Doyle and featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, has been released in 17 languages worldwide to critical acclaim. Her latest Holmes Adventure is a Christmas novella, What Child is This? with illustrations by Marvel Artist FRANK CHO.*RESOURCES:NaNoWriMoBonnie's blog post on NaNoWriMoLWS NaNoWriMo resources on genreNo Plot, No Problem by Chris BatyTron filmArt In The BloodWhat Child is This?Marvel graphic artist Frank Cho*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!

In this interview we speak with bestselling independent author Joanna Penn (@thecreativepenn) about what it means to be an indie writer today, the mindset needed to live a creative life, and what writers need to know about Web 3.0 and the bleeding edge of publishing. We discuss contracts and what all authors should look out for, and how we can utilise AI tools to help us with our creative projects.*ABOUT JOANNA PENNJoanna Penn is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F. Penn, as well as writing non-fiction for authors. She has sold nearly a million books across 169 countries and 5 languages. Her podcast, The Creative Penn, has been downloaded over 5.6 million times in 220 countries. *RESOURCES:Tools mentionedAI tools for Art: Dal-E, MidjourneyAI for marketing - JasperAI for writing - SudowriteLinks to Joanna's work:The Creative Penn websiteJoanna’s Courses (affiliate link) - note we have a discount code for LWS members until Dec 2nd.Joanna on Social media: Twitter/ Facebook/ Youtube/ InstagramCreative Penn Books (Jo's new website combining all interests)Books mentioned: Successful Self-publishing (free ebook), How to Write a Novel, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Virtual WorldsThe Creative Penn PodcastPodcast : Interview with Derek Murphy on Using AI for ArtPodcast: Interview with Ruth Ware on contracts in publishingPodcast: Copyright and AI with Joanna PennJoanna’s collection of AI writing toolsJoanna’s NFT ArtOther books mentionedThe One Thing by Gary KellerRange: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David EpsteinCollen Hoover in the New York TimesRule of the Robot by Martin FordThe Inevitable by Kevin Kelly:Undisruptable: A Mindset of Permanent Reinvention for Individuals, Organisations and Life by Aidan McCullenCommunities Jo recommends:The Alliance of Independent Authors20 to 50k BooksOther LinksClifton Strengths to assess where your strengthsMeta and Microsoft’s Virtual Reality Headset Deal - news*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!

Internationally renowned poet David Whyte (@whytedw) on his life and craft as a poet, writer, and speaker. We explore poetic imagination, how we might use poetry as a tool to engage more deeply with the world and balancing soul vs survival work. David reads his poems: Blessing of the Morning Light, Song for the Salmon, Your Prayer and Start Close in.*ABOUT DAVID WHYTEDavid Whyte is an internationally renowned poet, author, and speaker. His books include The Heart Aroused: Poetry and the Preservation of the Soul in Corporate America, Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words, and The Bell and the Blackbird. His latest collections are David Whyte: Essentials and Still Possible.*RESOURCES:David on Instagram: @davidjwhyteDavid on Twitter: @whytedwAll of David's books including Consolations, Three Marriages and Still PossibleDavid's Online Sunday SeriesDavid's Walking Tours*QUOTES:“One of the reasons poetry is so difficult is because we’re under the delusion that we’re going to find the part of us that’s going to know what to say. But actually, you’re going to find the part of you that doesn’t know what to say. That’s the part of you that will write the poetry, because you’re paying attention in a deeper way through not speaking and not knowing.”"We write because we want to be deeper friends with the world."*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!

In this episode we speak to Bestselling author Beth Kempton (@bethkempton) about her journey into writing, from her first published book Freedom Seeker to her latest The Way of the Fearless Writer, her process for writing and pitching her bestselling non-fiction books, and her philosophy for leading a fearless and authentic writing life. Beth shares with us why we can't think our way into writing a good book, how she learned to let go and let her writing flow and why she balances her work seasonally.*ABOUT BETH KEMPTONBeth Kempton is a bestselling author whose books include The Way of the Fearless Writer The Way of the Fearless Writer, Wabi Sabi / Freedom Seeker. Her books have been translated into twenty-five languages. Beth has a Master’s degree in Japanese and teaches and writes about doing what you love and living well. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Devon, England.*RESOURCES:Beth on Instagram: @bethkemptonBeth's The Fearless Writer Podcast: bethkempton.com/podcastBeth's Books: The Way of the Fearless Writer / We Are in This Together / Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year / Wabi Sabi / Freedom SeekerThe River sung by Danni Nicholls (co-written by Danni Nicholls and Beth Kempton) iTunes / Spotify / YoutubeMake Art That Sells: https://makeartthatsells.com/Make It In Design: https://makeitindesign.com/How to Land a Non-Fiction Book Deal w/ Beth KemptonBeth's Courses: dowhatyouloveforlife.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!

How can we escape the trap of overworking and spend more time on our creative work? In this interview with Harriet Minter – journalist, coach, and author of WFH (Working From Home): How to build a career you love when you’re not in the office – we chat about the practicalities of setting daily and monthly goals, structuring your day while working from home, navigating our writing careers and our creative ambitions, pricing our work and balancing soul work with survival work.*ABOUT HARRIET MINTERHarriet Minter is a journalist, author and flexible work specialist. She writes the only weekly newsletter guaranteed to get you promoted and is the author of WFH (Working From Home): How to build a career you love when you’re not in the office.*RESOURCES:Twitter@HarrietMinterHarriet’s website: harrietminter.comWFH (Working From Home): WFH (Working From Home): How to build a career you love when you're not in the office*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!

In this episode we talk with Sunday Time bestselling author Stacey Halls (@stacey_halls) - author of Mrs England, The Foundling and The Familiars on how she approaches her first draft, how she tricks herself to write 2000 words a day, her planning, plotting, and researching process, and what it takes to build a life around your writing.*ABOUT STACEY HALLSStacey has worked as a journalist at The Bookseller and Fabulous magazine, and has written for publications including Stylist, Psychologies and The Independent. Her debut novel The Familiars, immediately charted on The Sunday Times bestseller list and remained there for eleven weeks. Her second novel, The Foundling, was also a Sunday Times Bestseller. Mrs England is her third book. She’s been called 'next Hilary Mantel'.*QUOTES BY STACEY HALLS:“Persistence and regrouping after a failure is just as necessary as it is after a success. If you want to be a writer, you have to continually pursue ideas and in most cases write whole manuscripts with no idea of how it's gonna be perceived. You still have to find a new idea and write a new book. So it's in your interest to, I think, move on from every book that you finish writing, whether that has been a failure or a success.”*RESOURCES:Twitter@stacey_hallsStacey’s website: www.staceyhalls.comStacey’s books:The Familiars (UK, US)The Foundling UK/The Lost Orphan US),Mrs England (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!

In this episode we talk with bestselling author and behavioral design expert, Nir Eyal @nirandfar on what it means to be ‘Indistractible’, and how we as writers can master our internal and external triggers, make time for our writing, and build more productive, successful, and creative writing lives. Nir also shares how he built his audience and his email list, why he crowd-edited his book with over 500 readers, and how he stays engaged with his readership.*ABOUT NIR EYALNir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. Nir previously taught as a Lecturer in Marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. He is the author of two bestselling books, Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life.*QUOTES BY NIR EYAL:“All human behaviors are prompted by a desire to escape discomfort, which means that time management is pain management…Money management is pain management. Weight management is pain management.Fundamentally, if you don't figure out what are those internal triggers that spur you to escape? If you don't figure out what those are and learn to deal with it, if you don't master them, they will become your masters”*RESOURCES:Twitter:@nireyalNir's website and blog: https://www.nirandfar.com/Nir's books: Hooked (UK, US) and Indistractable (UK, US)Book 15-minute office hours with NirFree 80-page supplemental Indistractable workbookCan Someone with ADHD be ‘Indistractable’?Nir’s Podcast: Nir And Far - Business, Behaviour and the BrainNir's email: [email protected]*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/LondonWritersSalon 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!

In this episode we go behind the scenes with writer and Substack co-founder Hamish McKenzie (@hamishmckenzie) to explore his journey from journalism to working at Tesla, writing a book about Elon Musk, and his motivation for creating Substack, a newsletter platform that allows independent writers to publish directly to their audience and if they choose to, monetize their writing. We discuss what commonalities he sees with the more successful writers on the platform, why he's excited about new writers that will emerge in the coming years and his take on the future of publishing and newsletters.*ABOUT HAMISH MCKENZIEHamish McKenzie is the co-founder of subscription publishing start-up Substack and author of Insane Mode: How Elon Musk’s Tesla Sparked an Electric Revolution to End the Age of Oil. In recent years, he has been the lead writer for Tesla, an advisor to Kik, a tech reporter, and a freelance journalist covering everything from the World Beard and Moustache Championships to the world’s most comprehensive face transplant. Hamish is a New Zealander who lives in San Francisco.*RESOURCES:Connect with Hamish:Twitter:@hamishmckenzieWebsite: Hamish's SubstackOther resources mentioned in the interview: SubstackPodcasting with SubstackHamish’s Book: Insane Mode: How Elon Musk’s Tesla Sparked an Electric Revolution to End the Age of OilKurt Vonnegut quote: If this isn't nice I don't know what isFor 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/LondonWritersSalon 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!

In this episode we talk with Julia Cameron (@j_cameronlive), creative teacher and the author of over forty books including The Artist’s Way and The Listening Path. We explore Julia’s early career as a journalist, her relationship with sobriety and spirituality, and how she still uses morning pages and artist dates each week to decide what to write next. She explains the importance of Believing Mirrors - people who mirror us back to ourselves as powerful, strong, and in our most positive light. We also talk about essential tools to help you listen to your intuition, learn how to play again and overcome perfectionism. Julia’s Memoir Floor Sample, has been released in the UK. *ABOUT JULIA CAMERONJulia Cameron is the author of forty books, including her bestselling works on the creative process: The Artist’s Way, Seeking Wisdom, The Listening Path, Walking In This World and Finding Water. Her work has been translated into more than forty languages. Also a novelist, playwright, songwriter, and poet, she has multiple credits in theatre, film, and television. Her memoir Floor Sample takes behind the scenes of her extraordinary life and career as a writer and teacher.*QUOTES BY JULIA:“I believe in something called Believing Mirrors. And Believing Mirrors are people who reflect back to us, our possibility, our probability, our strength, our recovery, and I have in my intimate circle, many people who are for me, Believing Mirrors. And so by committing to write a poem week with Nick, I keep my poet alive and I write music on a little teeny keyboard and play it for Emma and Emma writes harmony, and that keeps my musician alive.And I think it's very important that you are committing to your own art and finding people who reinforce that. You're an artist and not just a teacher. And one of the things that I would I teach is that I sometimes sing or I'll read a poem and it's a chance to sort of duck out from behind the teacher and say, actually, I'm an artist.”*RESOURCES:Connect with Julia:Twitter:@j_cameronliveWebsite: juliacameronlive.comJulia’s Books:Julia's memoir published in the UK, Floor SampleMorning PagesArtist's DateJulia's musical AvalonJulia's poemsAll of Julia's booksFor 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/LondonWritersSalon 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!

In this episode we speak to the award-winning author, Will Storr (@wstorr) about The Science of Storytelling, from his research process to planning and writing his first draft, why he thinks “writing is mostly about rejection” and why ultimately critics' feedback doesn’t matter to him. We also delve into his signature “Sacred Flaw” technique, which will help you truly understand your character (if fiction), or yourself if you’re writing a memoir.*ABOUT WILL STORRWill Storr is an award-winning writer. He’s the author of five critically acclaimed books: The Status Game (Sept 2021), The Science of Storytelling, The Selfie, The Heretics and The Hunger and The Howling of Killian Lone. His journalism has appeared in titles such as The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The New Yorker and The New York Times. His prizes include a National Press Club award for excellence and the AFM award for Best Investigative Journalism. He’s an in-demand ghostwriter whose books have spent months at the top of The Sunday Times bestseller chart.*QUOTES BY WILL:"There was a study in the 1950s of a small island in Micronesia which ran this status game of yams and whoever brought the biggest yam to the feast was declared number one. The yam growers would grow in secret plots on the island and cover them with overgrow. I always think about the yams because this book is it's a yam is what it is and all the things that we're trying to do, it's just a big, bloody yam. That's all it is. And it can feel really important. And if I get a shitty review this week from The Guardian, it's just somebody mocking a yam. It sounds contradictory because on the one hand saying status is really important and it is really important. We need it. But I do think it's really useful to remind ourselves that it's just symbols that we're chasing. And we are kind of drugged into thinking that it is of immense importance that this critic likes my book, but it isn't. No one else really cares. It's just a yam." RESOURCES:Connect with WillTwitter:@wstorrWebsite: willstorr.comWill’s Books:The Status GameThe Science of StorytellingThe SelfieThe HereticsThe Howling of Killian Lone*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/LondonWritersSalon 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!

Steph has used her blog (stephsmith.io) to explore everything she's interested in – from learning to write with confidence to Antifragility at work to her favourite destinations as a digital nomad. She also publicly tracks the books she's reading, her personal goals and monthly income. It's also where she launches side projects like Make Yourself Great Again and Eunoia (words that don't translate). We talk to Steph about launching side projects quickly, how she evolved her blog (400k readers) into a book, self-publishing her book on Gumroad and making $40k in the first week and why she’s experimenting with pricing and how she sells with heart.*ABOUT STEPH SMITHSteph Smith is a growth marketer, writer, and indie maker. Steph left consulting and a 2+ hour commute to redesign her life. Since then she's set up a blog read by 400k+ readers, wrote a book, Doing Content Right, that sold $40k and over 1500 copies within a few weeks of launch. She learned to code with a $20 course, and created products like Make Yourself Great Again that hit #1 on Product Hunt, and led to a nomination for Maker of the Year. She also works for the Hustle (you may know them for running one of the largest newsletters in the world), leading Trends.*RESOURCES AND LINKS:For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*Follow Steph online:Twitter: @stephsmithioSteph’s Book: Doing Content Right,Steph’s Side Projects: Make Yourself Great Again , Eunoia, Make Yourself Great Again*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon 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!

In this episode we speak to journalist, author and writing coach Rebecca Schiller. In 2017, Rebecca moved her family to a countryside smallholding for a life of sowing and growing. But the reality of managing a smallholding led to a mental health crisis and it was her work on the land that helped to save her. She writes about this in her memoir, Earthed. We talk to Rebecca about the craft of writing, the art of writing a memoir, writing truthfully about family and mental health, her ADHD diagnosis and writing practices that have helped her deal with her neurodivergence.*ABOUT REBECCA SCHILLERRebecca Schiller is the author of several books including Earthed, Your No-Guilt Pregnancy Plan and Why Human Rights in Childbirth Matter. Rebecca is also writing coach, and is the founder of the Mothers Who Write community and retreats: restorative, supportive and creative writing retreats for writers-who-happen-to-be-mothers.*QUOTES BY REBECCA:“There's a beauty in being vulnerable and not covering the things that we are taught to cover.”*RESOURCES:Connect with RebeccaTwitter: @schillerrrrrInstagram: @rebecca.schillerWebsite: rebeccaschiller.co.ukFor 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/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSMIxed by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen 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!

Award-winning Young Adult writer and screenwriting tutor Kat Falls on how to brainstorm your story using techniques from screenwriters, why it’s important to make your character feel uncomfortable, how to easily generate an outline for your story and what it takes to create complex complex fantasy and sci-fi worlds.*ABOUT KAT FALLSAward-winning novelist Kat Falls writes fast-paced science fiction for middle schoolers and young adults. Her Dark Life series has been translated into 18 languages and is in development for a film at Disney. In addition to her work as an author, Fall is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University in the Writing for the Screen and Stage MFA program.*RESOURCES AND LINKS:For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW KAT ONLINEFacebookKat’s WebsiteKat’s YA Books: Dark Life Series*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSMixed by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen 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!

In this episode we speak with writer and co-founder of Kickstarter, Yancey Stricker, about his origins as a writer, tools he’s used to overcome creative anxiety, why it's important to share your ideas early and how he wrote his book: This Could Be Our Future: A Manifesto for a More Generous World. He explains why the Bento model - rethinking short-term interest - can create a better future for us all. *SHOWNOTES[02:25] Yancey’s early writing career as a music journalist[05:29] Leaving his writing career and launching Kickstarter with friends[09:09] Writing at Kickstarter and the importance of writing when communicating your vision and communicating to employees and readers[12:45] Stepping back from Kickstarter, how he decided on his next project. Plus his ambitions for This Could Be Our Future.[17:07] How he overcame creative anxiety and wrote his book, using inspiration from the Beatles[22:12] An alternative to optimizing for financial values and how the idea bentoism can help[22:44] Apply bentoism to help you make better decisions [33:05] Using the Bento model to deconstructing how how Butch in Pulp Fiction makes decisions [37:00] How he sits with self-doubt and imposter syndrome while writing[41:18] Yancey’s self-talk when he’s feeling anxious, why he shares his ideas to help him and how and why he wants to write authentically.[46:41] Yancey’s philosophy and method for building and growing the Bento community around his book*ABOUT YANCEYYancey Strickler is the founder of The Bento Society, the cofounder of Kickstarter, and the cofounder of the artist resource The Creative Independent. His book This Could Be Our Future: A Manifesto for a More Generous World, explores a vision for building a society that looks beyond money and toward maximizing the values that make life worth living.*QUOTES FROM YANCEY:“Holding ideas is bad. You have got to, you know, even if it's just a close friend, you gotta let ideas feel the oxygen. You have got to try to talk them through” *RESOURCESConnect with Yancey:Twitter: @ystricklerInstagram: @ystricklerOther links:KickstarterBento SocietyThis Could Be Our Future: A Manifesto for a More Generous WorldNot for Bread Alone: A Business Ethos, a Management Ethic by Kōnosuke MatsushitaSmall Is Beautiful by E. F. SchumacherHara hachi buOtter.ai appYancey's interview with Hank Willis ThomasFor 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/LondonWritersSalon 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!

Every journey in life, creative or other, has seasons of Winter – difficult periods where the world can seem overwhelming, when our next step is unclear, and where doors close before our eyes. How can we face such fallow periods, learn to rest, and be kinder to ourselves? In this episode, we chat with Katherine May, New York Times bestselling author of Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times’ about writing memoirs, writing through fallow periods, finding our natural rhythm, and how the key to happiness might be found in incremental progress over grand ambitions. *ABOUT KATHERINE MAYKatherine May is a New York Times bestselling author, whose titles include Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times and The Electricity of Every Living Thing, her memoir of being autistic. Her fiction includes The Whitstable High Tide Swimming Club. She is also the editor of The Best, Most Awful Job, an anthology of essays about motherhood. *QUOTES FROM KATHERINE:“Suffering is actually quite functional to us as human beings, I think. And in the fullness of time, we look back on the periods we've wintered and see them as sites of transformation. And often you hear people say it was a terrible time, but I wouldn't change it now. And so that's what winter is all about” “I wasn't writing about what I thought I was going to write about. Actually... there was a different story that was trying to creep out from between the lines. And as writers, we have a choice with that kind of thing. Either we resist the story that's trying to come, or we surrender to it in a radical way and let that story out.”*RESOURCESConnect with Katherine:Twitter: @_katherine_may_Instagram: @katherinemay_Katherine May’s books:Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult TimesThe Electricity of Every Living ThingThe Whitstable High Tide Swimming Club and Burning OutThe Best, Most Awful Job - EditorOther links:On Being with Krista Tippet - Krista Tippett’s podcastMedway Mermaids Writing GroupWintering for Writers - Katherine’s writing courseShip of Theseus - mentioned in the show*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/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen 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!

In this episode we talk with Psychotherapist and podcaster Emma Reed Turrell on developing her writing practice alongside her day job, launching a book around her expertise, and how she wrote without expectation - in fact it was more important that she meant what she said than it was to get published. Emma also talks about how we can stop "people pleasing" in our writing.*ABOUT EMMA REED TURRELL Emma Reed Turrell is a Clinical Supervisor, therapist and podcaster (Best Friend Therapist which she hosts with Elizabeth Day). In her practice she works with people pleasers every day. Her book Please Yourself: How to Stop People-Pleasing and Transform the Way You Live, Emma offers insights and techniques that will help you understand yourself more fully and live more authentically.*QUOTES FROM EMMA:“If your reader was already on your side and already bought into everything you had to say, what would you say next?” “People cannot respect your boundaries if you don't set any. And resentment is a fantastic symptom for you to spot because resentment is the felt symptom of unfelt anger. So if you start to notice that you're resenting people, you might want to reinstate a boundary with the person you resent. So the first thing to do is be really honest with yourself. Have you set any boundaries before you wonder whether anyone's crossed them?”RESOURCESConnect with Emma:Twitter: @etcounsellingInstagram: @emmareedturrellEmma's Website: emmareedturrell.comEmma’s book: Please Yourself: How to Stop People-Pleasing and Transform the Way You Live.*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/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen 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!

In this episode we talk with the Carnegie winner and #1 New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction, Ruta Sepetys, about the joy of writing historical fiction, building believable characters, the research process, how she finds objects from history to have by her side as she’s writing and why she writes her first draft like the world’s on fire. Plus, the importance of melody and rhythm in writing, the power of collaboration and dealing with critics.*ABOUT RUTA SEPETYSRuta Sepetys (Rūta Šepetys) is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction published in over sixty countries and forty languages. Sepetys is considered a “crossover” novelist as her books are read by both students and adults worldwide. Winner of the Carnegie Medal, Ruta is renowned for giving voice to underrepresented history and those who experienced it. Her books have won or been shortlisted for over forty book prizes, are included on over thirty state reading lists, and are currently in development for film and television.*QUOTES FROM RUTA:“Tonight you might hear a song that you haven't heard in five years and you can sing every word to that song, every word. And that's because melody and rhythm make things memorable and powerful. Melody and rhythm are often overlooked and writers I want you to read your work aloud, listening for rhythm and flow” RESOURCESConnect with Ruta:Twitter: @RutaSepetysInstagram: @rutasepetysauthorRuta's Website - Ruta’s Website*LINKS FROM THE SHOWBooks by Ruta Sepetys:I Must Betray YouThe Fountains of SilenceSalt to the SeaOut of the EasyBetween Shades of Gray*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/LondonWritersSalonCREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen 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!

How can you reclaim your creative and emotional life? How can you create content that impacts your audience deeply? We talk to the influential blogger, Natalie Lue, about how she launched and grew her blog, Baggage Reclaim, and how she created a profitable business around her writing. We dive into her success in both self-publishing and traditional publishing, and what it feels like to be an outsider in the publishing industry. We also talk about how to deal with the inner critic, reclaim our emotional lives and learn to say ‘no’.*ABOUT NATALIE LUENatalie is the author of the hugely popular relationship and self-esteem blog, Baggage Reclaim where for over a decade, she’s shared the journey of her transition from toxic relationships to love, care, trust and respect. Her podcast The Baggage Reclaim Sessions have been downloaded over 2 million times. Natalie has sold hundreds of thousands of copies of her books including including Mr Unavailable & The Fallback Girl, and How to Self-Sooth Quick Guide.*SHOW NOTES:[02:03] Finding inspiration and setting boundaries with social media.[04:05] How her mother's advice that she should learn to love herself, led to the start of her blog.[07:03] The story behind Baggage Reclaim and what her early posts looked like[12:35] What's kept her writing consistently over the years[17:42] How she approaches her blogging today versus 18 years ago[19:10] Coming up with new ideas and topics for her blog[20:20] Natalie explains what “future faking” is[21:43] How she decides what to focus on and how Seth Godin’s advice: ‘what is the change you're seeking to make?” helped[23:11] Dealing with imposter syndrome and self-doubt[28:56] Trusting our intuition and how to be more intuitive with creative work[35:04] Allocating time across different projects and mediums[36:44] How her income is distributed[38:17] Why she ventured into self-publishing[41:18] Managing her publishing team, and why she recommends hiring help[43:06] Tips on how to promote and market your own book[46:06] Why Natalie’s upcoming book will be published traditionally[51:04] A difficult experience with an agent and how she bounced back[54:56] The importance of saying no*QUOTES FROM NATALIE:“If you can quiet the negative voices down, what do you hear? Because I think that your creativity will show itself. Your intuition, your ideas will show what's out there.”“So I've realized that no, no is just the inverse of yes. So when you say no to certain things, then you're gonna be saying yes to something else. No can release you from stuff that you don't even know that you need to be released from. I've realized that no can actually be the, really the greatest gifts of your life, that those nos, that kind of wounded you in the past.”*RESOURCESConnect with Natalie Lue:Twitter: @baggagereclaimInstagram: @natlueBaggage Reclaim - Natalie’s blogBaggage Reclaim Sessions - Natalie’s podcastBambino GoodiesBooks by Natalie Lue:Mr Unavailable and the Fallback GirlThe No Contact RuleThe Joy of Saying NoThe Dreamer and the Fantasy RelationshipLove, Care, Trust & RespectOther books mentioned:Disconnected by Emma GannonStill Writing by Dani ShapiroThe Practice: Shipping Creative Work by Seth GodinThis is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn To See by Seth Godin*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/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen 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!

NY Times Bestselling Author and Oxford University Creative Writing Tutor, Marti Leimbach, on the art and craft of writing and plotting a novel. She shares her journey across two decades within publishing from being on a film set with Julia Roberts to dealing with family loss, and writing about difficult subjects. Also lessons learned including how writing a draft is like being in a ‘sandbox’, what it takes to finish and move beyond the first draft, and why some of the best works of art are great because of their imperfection. *ABOUT MARTI LEIMBACHMarti Leimbach is known for her bestsellers Dying Young which was made into a film starring Julia Roberts, and Daniel Isn’t Talking. Her interest in science influenced her eighth novel, a YA thriller, Dragonfly Girl. She teaches on the Masters Programme in Creative Writing at the University of Oxford.*QUOTES FROM MARTI:“Novels are never perfect. And some of the best work of art works of art, whether it's novels or screenplay or paintings or whatever else are very imperfect, actually, if you analyze them, that's what made them a great work of art. And Picasso has something to say about that. In fact, he said that the really original work, the important work never looks as good as its imitators. And the reason is that there's something in that first thrust of creativity that is ugly and raw, and the people who imitate you come after you.”*RESOURCESConnect with Marti:Twitter: @MartiLeimbachInstagram: @Marti LeimbachMarti’s website*Books mentioned in the show:Daniel Isn’t Talking by Marti LeimbachDragonfly Girl by Marti LeimbachSave the Cat by Blake SnyderThe Story Grid by Shawn CoyneBird by Bird by Ann LamottPeople mentioned in the show:Connor O’Brien - ComedianJulia Roberts - ActressJoel Schumacher - DirectorLeonard Cohen - Songwriter*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/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen 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!

How can a writer start and grow their career in TV? What does it take to work your way into a Writer’s Room for a hit TV series? What happens behind the scenes of deals between producers and media giants like Netflix, BBC, and Amazon Prime? In this interview, held during lockdown, we talk with TV and film agent Nish Panchal (Curtis Brown) about his role as an agent, the main players in the TV industry and how budding writers can make connections and forge a career as a screenwriter. *ABOUT NISH PANCHALNish Panchal is an agent at Curtis Brown, working closely with Sam Greenwood. Their mission is to find unique filmmaking talent that they’re passionate about and enable them to build careers in the UK film and television industry, and beyond. They work with book agents from Conville & Walsh.*SHOW NOTES:[02:35] Desert Island Disks - the TV show Nish would take on a desert island[5:29] The influences and people that led Nish to pursue a career in film and TV[08:01] Nish’s journey to getting a job in Curtis Brown[15:18] His role as an agent and how he helps writers[19:06] Understanding the market and what production companies are looking for[20:21] An overview of the main players in the TV industry [24:10] How he helps a writer move from an idea to a commercial project [27:27] How might writers get representation? What emails have caught his eye recently?[31:10] The importance of a good spec script[33:06] Recent trends in the industry[36:47] How books get turned into TV deals [38:36] How TV writers get paid from treatment to script fees[42:32] The process of getting a deal with the BBC versus Netflix [44:36] Can writers make a full-time living from writing for TV?[47:04] What motivates Nish as an agent?*QUOTES FROM NISH:“People ask - what do I send through? I think just one good spec script is, is really what we need…If you're an aspiring television writer, um, you know, having a strong spec, pilot that can demonstrate that you can tell a story in 60 pages, set up a character and throw something interesting at them and set up a world. And then also at the end of it, ask enough questions for us to make us to make me think, oh, this is a great world. I'd love to know what happens next. Those things are quite really hard to do.”*RESOURCESConnect with Nish Panchal:Twitter: @Nish_PanchalCurtis Brown Website*Links from the show:TV shows:Mad MenThe CrownOzarkDeath in ParadiseMidsomer MurdersHANNAFriendsLutherLine of DutyGrey’s AnatomySex EducationBooks:This Is Going To Hurt by Adam KFor 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/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen 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!

Why are creative partnerships so powerful? How can we work on multiple creative projects at one time? In this interview, we talk to the award-winning investigative journalist and Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman, we discuss her non-fiction book It Takes Two: A History of the Couples Who Dared to Be Different which is all about the power of collaboration. We deconstruct how she writes news stories, books, and her research process. We also explore the idea of creative partnerships from Beyonce and JayZ to Clement Attlee and Winston Churchill, how these partnerships are like a ‘dance’ and how we might spot our own creative collaborator. *ABOUT CATHY NEWMANCathy Newman is an award-winning investigative journalist and Channel 4 News’ first female main presenter. Cathy is also the author of Bloody Brilliant Women: Pioneers, Revolutionaries & Geniuses Your History Teacher Forgot to Mention, and her latest book, It Takes Two: A History of the Couples Who Dared to Be Different.*SHOW NOTES:[03:41] Cathy’s love for music, and why she shifted from music to writing[05:15] Playing in The Commons, and about her music group, The Statutory Instruments[07:40] Transitioning from writing journalistic articles to writing for TV[10:10] Some examples of what Cathy’s writing process for TV looks like[14:19] How she stays on top of things, including the tools she uses[16:18] The inspiration behind her book It Takes Two[19:19] The themes that unify the power collaborators, including competitiveness, muses, and the idea of the power couple[22:34] The pas de deux and the concept of balance in relationships[26:20] The partnerships and collaborations that have helped Cathy with her career[30:18] How to find and form creative partnerships[33:39] The writing and research process for her book[43:24] Self-doubt and responding to positive and negative reception[45:40] The power of reading and how it’s helped Cathy in difficult times*QUOTES FROM CATHY:“I was fascinated by the idea that a coupledom is a dance and whether that's a work relationship, a romantic relationship, and as part of the research, I read, um, a German sociologist called Georg Simmel, who talked about this concept of dyads and why this relationship of two is so crucial. And here's what I felt was quite revolutionary, was that he was talking about the need for balance and a horizontal type approach to any relationship…you've got to be finely tuned and balanced for the dance to work.”*RESOURCESConnect with Cathy Newman:Twitter: @cathynewmanInstagram: @cathynewmanc4Links from the show:A dilemma for Nick Clegg as Lord Rennard apologisesManhunt: Closing in on a British PaedophileUkraine conflict: Military actions unfortunately connected to human loss, says Sergei Lavrov‘You’re being emotional’: What happened when I asked Sergei Lavrov about the blood on his handsBloody Brilliant Women: The Pioneers, Revolutionaries and Geniuses Your History Teacher Forgot to Mention by Cathy NewmanIt Takes Two: A History of the Couples Who Dared to Be Different by Cathy NewmanThe Statutory Instruments - UK Parliamentary String QuartetGeorg Simmel - A German sociologist, philosopher, and critic.Serial podcastFor 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/LondonWritersSalonCREDITS:Production by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen 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!

​​In this episode, Selina Lim, BAFTA-nominated screenwriter (Sex Education, Hanna) shares her screenwriting journey from her first BBC script to earning a BAFTA nomination, and how she broke into the industry as an outsider. Selina also gives us a peek at the inner workings of a writers’ room on hit TV shows - including the roles, exercises they use, and how writers collaborate inside it. We deconstruct what it takes to write a great scene, including sex scenes, what it means to write authentic dialogue and the importance of knowing our characters. *ABOUT SELINA LIMSelina is a BAFTA and BIFA nominated screenwriter currently writing on series 3 of Sex Education (Eleven/Netflix) and season 3 of Hanna (Amazon/NBC) and has previously written for Hollyoaks (Lime Pictures/Channel 4) and was in the writers’ room for The Night Manager Series 2 (The Ink Factory/AMC).*SHOW NOTES[02:42] Selina talks about how she became one of the Sex Education writers and her experience of being in an online writers' room[07:22] How she started as a screenwriter[13:24] The dynamics in a writers' room[17:01] How to understand a character's role in your story and why it’s important to know your characters really well[19:45] How a writers’ room function, how writers ideate and collaborate[22:14] Writing a scene and knowing the bigger picture[27:08] Creating a scene's structure, why she believes you should "write drunk, edit sober", and showing instead of telling[29:32] On writing sex scenes [32:14] What makes good and authentic dialogue?[33:34] Selina shares what helps her understand her character more[36:04] Dealing with self-doubt*QUOTES FROM SELINA LIM“What is the work that the scene is doing? Why is it there? You have to ask so you know what emotional beat you are hitting.” *RESOURCES:Connect with Selina Lim:Website: selinalim.co.ukTwitter: https://twitter.com/muppet0013Instagram: instagram.com/selinalim888Links from the show:Instagram picture we mention at the start of the show TV Shows mentioned:HANNASex EducationSuccessionThe Night ManagerOthersPlaying Ball - a short written by Selina for BBCPainkiller - a 15-minute short film*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/LondonWritersSalon*Twitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalon 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!

How does a poet see the world? How can we move past self doubt and keep writing after rejection? In this episode we talk to Anthony Anaxagorou about how his journaling practice helps him generate ideas for his work, what his editing process looks like, and why he might spend eight or nine hours working on a single poem. Anthony is candid about his experience of failure and rejection, shares why we should be wary of the temptations of ‘prize culture’ (always seeking validation through the next prize), and why it’s crucial to develop our own internal value system to sustain ourselves and our writing. He even reads us some of his poetry!*ABOUT ANTHONY ANAXAGOROUAnthony Anaxagorou is a British-born Cypriot poet, fiction writer, essayist, publisher and poetry educator. His second collection After the Formalities was shortlisted for the 2019 T.S Eliot Prize. He was awarded the 2019 H-100 Award for writing and publishing, and the 2015 Groucho Maverick Award for his poetry and fiction. He’s the founder of one of London's leading poetry nights, Out-Spoken, and the independent publisher Out-Spoken Press.*SHOW NOTES[03:22] The experience of writing a book during the pandemic[04:41] Anthony talks about his uncle and how he influenced him as a writer[08:07] On failures and why it's important to ask yourself searching questions and see rejection as part of your job[11:48] What is prize culture and why does Anthony think it's dangerous?[14:06] Measuring success and creating your own value system[15:04] Anthony reads his poem, "Uber"[18:31] On being dissatisfied with his own work [21:53] On why he carrys a notebook with him all the time, and a writing habit he got from Lydia Davis[22:34] Anthony’s morning writing exercise[24:15] Anthony talks about his writing process, including 7-8 hours of focusing on one poem[27:43] How do you stop feeling intimidated by the academic side of poetry?[31:32] Anthony reflects on what "pushing your writing as far as it can go" means to him[34:32] Anthony shares the exercises he gives to his students to help them in writing a poem[36:38] What is the loaf of bread analogy, and why is playing with timelines when you write essential?[37:40] Resolving the poem and the idea of leaving the reader with questions[39:15] How do you know when a poem is done? [43:33] On being in conversation with the reader and why the writer is only half the conversation[46:13] Anthony shares how he started his London-based Out-Spoken open mic nights [49:44] Anthony reads his poem, "After the Formalities"*QUOTES BY ANTHONY:“The more you read, the more you get a sense for how poems work. And it's literally just from reading and you get a sense of where things end and where is an interesting place to end. If you think along the lines of—if you think the word interesting as opposed to kind of definitive. Then it kind of—it swaps. I just want to be interesting on the page. I don't want to be correct. I don't want to be certain. I want to be interesting.”*RESOURCES:Connect with Anthony:Twitter: @Anthony1983Facebook: anthonyanaxWebsite: anthonyanaxagorou.com*Links from the show:After the Formalities by Anthony AnaxagorouHow To Write It by Anthony AnaxagorouSuppose a Sentence by Brian DillonUber by Anthony AnaxagorouAfter the Formalities by Anthony Anaxagorou*Authors/Poets mentioned:Don PatersonTa-Nehisi CoatesEmily DickinsonOcean VuongMatthew SweeneyJericho BrownFor 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/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen 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!

We have published 10 episodes and we realised that we had never really introduced ourselves…So, we’re going to talk a little about where we’ve come from and why the London Writers’ Salon exists and what this podcast means to us. We’re going to do this by interviewing each other!*ABOUT MATT AND PARULMatt Trinetti and Parul Bavishi are the co-founders of the London Writers' Salon (@WritersSalon) and the creators of the Webby-nominated Writers' Hour where they write with hundreds of writers every week day. The Salon began as an in-person monthly interview series in central London and has since evolved to become a global community. In addition to the daily Writers' Hours, they host weekly interviews with writers and run workshops to help writers get published. They have partnered with organisations like Soho House, Allbright and Women's Prize for Fiction.Matt Trinetti is a writer, publisher, TEDx speaker, and facilitator. In addition to running LWS, Matt designs programs to help unfulfilled professionals pursue creative work, start businesses, and reinvent their careers. Matt's work has appeared in Quartz, Observer, Creative Mornings, and on his blog GiveLiveExplore.Parul Bavishi has been an editor for over a decade. In addition to running LWS she helps thriller, YA and non-fiction writers level up their craft and get published. She previously worked as an editor and literary scout at Quercus and Random House.*RESOURCES AND LINKS:For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.comEscape the City*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSArtwork by Emma Winterschladen 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!

During times of enormous change, how can you harness the power of ritual to create stability and creativity? How can ordinary practices, such as writing, help us find meaning and cultivate deeper spiritual lives? We talk to author Casper Ter Kuile (The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities Into Soulful Practices) about the difference between habit and ritual and how to turn habits into meaningful rituals. We explore Casper’s journey in publishing, how he moved past the first draft and his practices for overcoming the pitfalls of comparison. *Casper ter Kuile is the author of The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities into Soulful Practices, co-host of the award-winning podcast Harry Potter and the Sacred Text, and co-founder of startup Sacred Design Lab - a research and design consultancy working to create a culture of belonging and becoming. *SHOW NOTES[03:18] Casper talks about his 24-hour tech sabbatical and why rest isn't just about preparing us for the workweek[07:45] Why Casper, an atheist, was drawn to Harvard Divinity School to study and the surprising pull of community, ritual and tradition in the religious community[11:18] How his observation of the growing disaffiliation from religion and the fraying of our connections with each other led him to explore the power of ritual[13:11] The difference between habit and ritual and how to turn habits into meaningful rituals[15:51] Why we should develop our ability to be choiceful[17:23] An observation of connection practices during the pandemic, including the absence of ritual[19:57] Applying the triptych: intention, attention, and repetition to his writing[22:23] Casper talks about moving past a terrible first draft of his book, The Power of Ritual, and how he landed his book deal[27:14] How Casper deals with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, including going on long walks[29:25] Casper shares how he balanced researching and studying while he was writing his first book, also how he deals with the pitfalls of comparison[31:13] Casper shares advice from Seth Godin for when you're having self-doubt[32:43] On how to move away from introspection, and writing not just as something to make you great, but as a gift[35:08] Casper shares how accountability is important in creating practices in new communities[36:14] How to both hold on and let go of a growing community[38:23] Casper shares the origin of his podcast with friends, Harry Potter and the Sacred Text, and the community it built[41:50] What are the things that started and changed as the podcast community grew, and how did it even bring the community closer?[44:44] A parting note - understanding the sufficiency of the gift that you have to give*QUOTES:“Think of writing, not as something that is going to make you great, but as a gift to someone who might need it."*RESOURCESThe Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities Into Soulful Practices by Casper Ter KuileHarry Potter and the Sacred Text podcastSeth GodinThe Sabbath by Abraham Joshua HeschelHarperOneHow We Gather - Casper’s co-written paperDavid SedarisVanessa Zoltan*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONFor show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.comFollow London Writers’ Salon:Twitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalon*CREDITSProduction by Victoria Spooner. Artwork by Emma Winterschladen 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!