The Failing Writers Podcast

A change is in the air here at Failing HQ. A scent on the wind, a signal that the new dawn will herald the arrival of long overdue success.This week, not only do Tom and Jon have a lovely chat with acclaimed author and current Richard and Judy Book Club pick Mike Gayle...but Jon also discusses his submissions to some actual writing competitions. AND Tom talks a bit more about the book he's actually published!Oh, and Dave's there too.Mike's latest novel:A Song of Me and You: a heartfelt and romantic novel of first love and second chances, picked for the Richard & Judy Book Clubhttps://amzn.eu/d/2DqUyK9Or see more at www.mikegayle.co.uk"Under A Blood Red Sun" from Aaron Brooks in our WIP up a storm feature.TOM'S BOOK - If you can't be bothered to go to Amazon and put in "Two Hour Sales Bible" then here's a link to it - GO AND BUY IT! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If we were really clever, we'd have written the show notes for this week's episode in the form of a cryptic crossword clue in honour of our guest, Samuel Burr.We spoke to him about his debut novel "The Fellowship of Puzzle Makers", his frankly unbelievable journey to getting published and even had a chat about all things cryptic.But, unfortunately, we're not really clever...so we didn't.Which makes Tom's incredible publishing news even more puzzling!Find Sam's already bestselling novel hereOr... if you're feeling adventurous, join an exclusive club and be one of the few to buy a copy of Tom's hilarious satire on the world of sales and salespeople...PAPERBACK - KINDLE - AUDIO BOOKHere's the link to Writers HQ - Write a Novel Month Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The average age of our guests this week is 64. Nothing too amazing about that you might say… until you find out the first of our two guests is in her mid-twenties! This week we ask, “Is there a best age to write?”Plus we enjoy a WIP from Geoffrey G N Harrison. And here’s a load of links…Check out Aline’s YouTube here!Here's Aline's ToktokHere's Babette's new book and her website: https://www.babettehughesbooks.comAnd you can read more of Geoff's story "Divided" here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you like a pun? Well, that's handy because this week we've been punning for gold and ended up with a bucket load.Director, writer and stand up comedian Darren Walsh chats to us about his career, the art of a good pun and whether AI will ever be funnier than him.Plus Jon comes up with what is almost certainly not an entirely new form of joke!Find out more about Darren here...https://darrenwalsh.co.ukHere's Darren doing his award winning joke (and some others) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever been to Scarfolk? It's a strange, yet hauntingly familiar place. Join us as we take a bus trip into the mind of the man who dreamt it all up, Richard Littler.Plus we take a look at another listener's bit o' writing they've kindly sent in to share with the class. This week we try and make Madelyn Postman cry...Find out more about Richard here...https://scarfolk.blogspot.comand here...https://www.richardlittler.com/And thanks [email protected] for letting us use those bangin' music tracks in Data Double! https://www.totim.audio/music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If comedy writing is your thing, we've got a real treat for you. This week we talk to the super talented and rather prolific Robert Popper. From how he broke into the industry via Steve Coogan and The Comic Strip to his smash hit sitcom Friday Night Dinner. We also chat about Robin Cooper, The Timewaster Letters, South Park, Look Around You, and plenty more besides.Robert’s Wikipedia Plus, in our regular 'Dare To Share' feature (where we have a look at what our listeners have been writing, read it out, then discuss it) we look at an excerpt from J. Aaron Courts' 'Hot Box'.See more from Aaron here:https://www.instagram.com/aaron.courts/ https://aaroncourts.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The great Carl Reiner once said “Improvisation is just writing in front of an audience”. So we figured if we could brush up on our improv skills it's bound to make us better writers... right?This week improv extraordinaire, and official Comedy Store Player, Ruth Bratt talks to us about her life, her craft and the eating habits of her cat... before putting us to the test with our own improvised play. What could possibly go wrong?Go and see Ruth with the legendary Comedy Store Players here:https://comedystoreplayers.comGet your ticket for Showstopper! The Improvised Musical here:https://showstopperthemusical.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unfortunately we're not able to include show notes this week, for legal reasons.Thanks for listening.www.floraopil.comFind out more about Flora here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writing can be a solitary business. All those hours spent with nothing but a blank page and a bottomless coffee cup.On reflection we reckon it's probably good to interact with other human beings occasionally.It can stop you going full fruit-loops. (You know...dressing as your main character and wandering around the house talking to yourself.)It can help you find friendly Alpha / Beta readers.It can boost the learnies.It can even help you become more productive... apparently.So this week, we thought we'd have a look at the benefits of reaching out to other writers. Be it through communities like Writers' HQ, classes, retreats or social media.And in the process we stumble across a writer who is living proof of just how beneficial reaching out to others can be...and then some!Check out Writers' HQ here:https://writershq.co.ukBuy Sam's excellent book here:https://geni.us/PuzzlemakersAnd thanks to Jennifer Last for sharing her excellent Not Dead Girl extract! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Tom & Jon on another rambly exploration.This time we're off back to the 1840s to take a good, hard look at the Brontë sisters. Who were Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë? What were they like? How is it possible that three sisters all wrote so brilliantly? Why are they still so revered by readers across the world? and what was the deal with Branwell?Pack a rain coat, a poetry book and a flask of tea and come with us o'er the moors, as we chat to experts: biographer - Lucasta Miller, English Lit Professor - Gregory Dart, and the lovely folk at the Brontë Museum in Haworth, to learn more about these fascinating and extraordinary writers.Lucasta's Website:https://www.lucastamiller.com/theauthorBuy The Brontë Myth:https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/355538/the-bronte-myth-by-lucasta-miller/9780099287148Visit The Brontë Parsonage Museum:https://www.bronte.org.ukAnd thank you to Professor Gregory Dart - a total legend.See him give Philomena Cunk a run for her money here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beP0rZIITmI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As an aspiring young writer it's easy to be put off by even the most well intentioned constructive criticism...what's not so easy is to revisit that critique many years later and be inspired to write a novel that has publishers literally fighting each other for the chance to print it.Join us for a fascinating interview as Jessica Bull, author of the much anticipated "Miss Austen Investigates" describes the downs and very significant ups of her writing journey.Buy Miss Austen Investigates here: https://shor.by/MissAusten Jessica’s soash:Twitter: @NovelistJessica (https://twitter.com/NovelistJessica)Instagram: @jessicabullnovelist (https://www.instagram.com/jessicabullnovelist/)author pic by Cassie Baruc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aaaaaand we're back!The Failing Writers return for what some are calling the fourth season of this spectacular podcast. We look forward to a whole new smorgasbord of writing tips, challenges, goals and cock-ups plus a raft of interviews with some of the biggest names in the writing world. Starting with a real corker courtesy of writer, presenter and thoroughly lovely fella Danny Wallace.So hold tight and keep your legs and elbows tucked in at all times... it's gonna be a hell of a ride!Danny stuff:https://dannywallace.comPreorder Danny's new book here:https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/393456/somebody-told-me-by-wallace-danny/9781529931181Phil Oddy's Echoes:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Echoes-Entanglement-Book-Phil-Oddy/dp/B0CSRZVPQZDanny's photo: www.selashiloniphoto.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy New Year Folks! We continue our seasonal ghost stories with a handful of listener-written tales. So gather around the hearth with us again as we bring you a selection of eerie yarns, to make your timbers shiver.Massive thanks to our fantastic contributors:AB Finlayson: https://abfinlayson.com Threads: a.b.finlayson Craig Margolis: X: @damnblankpageSteve Salisbury: X: @SalisburyWriter Threads: salisbury.writerChristian FieldhouseSteven Stilbech: X: @stilbechSimon Curtis: X: @simonmcurtisGeoffrey G. N. Harrison: https://www.deaf-duck.uk Threads: gharrisonauthor(In this weeks episode, we also completely forgot to mention that Simon Curtis sent us a brilliant M.R. James Christmas picture quiz! Check the blog to see how many M.R. James stories you can recognise from his natty little sketch!) A history of ventriloquist dummies coming to life:It appears Gerald Kersh was one of the first to publish such a story in 1939 called “The Extraordinarily Horrible Dummy," this was adapted by screenwriter John Baines for the Dead of Night movie.Dead of Night Moviehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_of_NightMagichttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_(1978_film)Goosebumpshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goosebumps_(film) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Please accept this as a most cordial invitation to accompany Jon, Tom and as yet unnamed guests for an evening of traditional ghost story telling. We have chosen the most atmospheric venue we could acquire at short notice and now request your company, to consummate this joyously Victorian Christmas night of heebiejeebies. Please bring only yourself. We shall provide the spirits.Talking Scared:https://talkingscaredpod.com/about/Michelle Paver:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talking-scared/id1530064310?i=1000638347893The King:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talking-scared/id1530064310?i=1000623833730Dark Matter:https://michellepaver.com/dark-matter/‘Cherry Ripe’ Paintinghttps://fineartamerica.com/featured/cherry-ripe-detail-john-everett-millais.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alec Worley is an award-lacking (his own words!) author from South London. He writes comics, fiction and audio drama about swords, fangs and lasers. He’s best known for his work on 2000 AD (home of Judge Dredd), Star Wars, and for legendary horror director John Carpenter.He's one of those really annoyingly talented people, with an eye for story and an ear for dialogue.You know the ones.He's also a dead nice bloke.You can read his newsletter, ‘Agent of Weird: Exploring the Write Fantastic’ (alecworley.substack.com)Or find out more on his website alecworley.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/AlecWorleyDredge Runners audio drama:https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/178999229X?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=library_overflow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Out of the blue, someone sent us a game. A game all about words and etymology and language - the very stuff we LOVE. So, we decided that we'd get together and play the game to see if it's any good, and have a chat with the bloke who created it. That game is The League of the Lexicon. That bloke is Joshua Blackburn and this is the podcast where all of the above takes place. To try your hand at a few questions and maybe even win a copy of the game - click here!Here's where you can find out more about the game, and maybe even order one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We couldn't let the amazing stories that made it to the final short-list go un-read and un-heard... so here they are. Plus there's a nice little chat with the overall winner of our £500 prize, Manu St Thomas. Enjoy!!Still not had your fix?Geddaload o' these beauties...."God of Ramen" (shortlisted for a Flash Fiction Magazine competition in 2022) - https://flashfictionmagazine.com/blog/2022/11/10/god-of-ramen/ "I Have an Invisible Cat" (nr. 7, winner of the Globe Soup July 2022 micro-fiction challenge) - https://www.globesoup.net/cats "The Man Who Married the Sea" (nr. 10, winner of the Globe Soup May 2022 micro-fiction challenge) - https://www.globesoup.net/blue "Dinner" - https://101words.org/dinner/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NaNoWrimOhNo! It's that time of year again when words-per-day becomes the currency. So we thought we'd bring you even more words... Words of novel-writing wisdom! No, no... not from us... obviously. From novelist and longtime book editor Howard Mittelmark. Co-writer of How NOT to Write A Novel. A fantastic book full of the pitfalls most writers fall into when they're setting off along the long and arduous road to Novelton, Nebraska.So join us for some entertaining and enlightening chitchat, and learn things about yourself you've long suspected, but have been deliberately ignoring for years.We can't guarantee any of this will help with your word count, but we all need to take breaks, right?How Not To Write A Novel:https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/56677/how-not-to-write-a-novel-by-sandra-newman-howard-mittelmark/9780141038544Howard's novel - 'Written Out':https://www.amazon.co.uk/Written-Out-Howard-Mittelmark/dp/157962572XHire Howard...https://howardmittelmark.com/editorial/National Novel Writing Month:https://nanowrimo.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the help of two expert spookologists: Stephen Volk - horror writer & mastermind behind the BBCs infamous 'GHOSTWATCH', and Dr Ciaran O'Keeffe - famed ghostbuster & parapsychologist, we're attempting to figure out what gives us the heebie jeebies, so that we can all go away and write the world's GREATEST EVER GHOST STORY.That invitation extends to you too, listeners! We want your submissions for our Traditional Ghost Story Christmas Special later in the year.So get writing - and hopefully we can all sit down round the fire and share a little anthology of all our spooky stories in December.Here's the link to buy Stephen's brilliant new ghost story book:http://tartaruspress.com/volk-the-good-unknown.htmlCoffinmaker's Blues, Stephen's excellent book of horror essays:https://www.pspublishing.co.uk/coffinmakers-blues-ebook-by-stephen-volk-5605-p.aspand Stephen's website:https://www.stephenvolk.net/the-good-unknown.htmlAlso, Afterlife: Lost Loved Ones is out on audiobook (Bafflegab) on Halloween!Don’t forget you can also follow what Ciaran's up to on Twitter / Xhttps://twitter.com/ciaranokeeffe?lang=enand don't miss him on Danny Robbins new TV series Uncanny:https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001rckl/uncanny-series-1-1-case-1-miss-howard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well... there's a lot of talk about whether it's right or wrong to use AI to write your book for you. But that's not what this episode is about really. I mean, we touch on that and discuss it. You can't just ignore the moral questions, can you? But we mostly have a natter with Andy Stanton. An author of some repute.He's written a new book, using ChatGPT, but perhaps not quite as you would imagine. Benny The Blue Whale is a journey through the workings of the mind of a genius writer, and through the "mind" of ChatGPT.https://oneworld-publications.com/work/benny-the-blue-whale/Episode cover image created using https://hotpot.ai/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AND THE WINNER IS......... announced in the podcast. Plus the runners up and some highly commended entries, and as many of the superb entries that we can mention. It's been a brilliant comp this year - with some amazing stories submitted. Listen to see if you've won, and to hear the winning entries in all their glory!Huge thanks to our judge, Kathy Hoyle - and to our brilliant sponsors Scrivener!https://kathyhoyle.com/https://www.literatureandlatte.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 14th is BOOKSHOP DAY! So here's a little episode... well... it started out as a little episode... to celebrate the humble bookshop. Jon visits his local store to find out more about the art of selling paper and ink. In the process discovering the formula for writing the quintessential indie bookshop bestseller. The boys share the names of the bookshops they would open and.. well gosh... they just... have so many incisive and fascinating things to say about books and writing and candles and shelving... so... you definitely won't want to miss any of it. And then... as if you're not already stuffed to the very brim with amazing podcast content... off we go... on a whistle stop tour of THE GREATEST BOOKSHOPS ON THE PLANET.We're too good to you. We really are.Jon's local:https://www.grovebookshop.comGoldfinch Books in Alton:https://www.goldfinch-books.comBookshop.org:https://uk.bookshop.orgEl Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Ateneo_Grand_SplendidShakespeare and Company in Paris:https://www.shakespeareandcompany.comLivraria Lello in Porto:https://www.livrarialello.pt/en/homeBarter Books in Alnwick:https://www.barterbooks.co.ukAlso... don't forget you can get 20% off Scrivener if you're quick!'urry up and go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com, Hit '+Add Discount' on the pay page - and use the code FAILINGThe lovely pastel picture of Grove Bookshop used for the episode art is by Jon's dad, Clive Rand. Who sells all his work to raise money for The Royal National Lifeboat Institution.https://www.cliverand.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're out and about tracking down poetry for National Poetry Day 2023. We take to the Yorkshire hills in search of the Stanza Stones. Join us on our adventure and help us celebrate some of the work of our current Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage.http://www.stanzastones.co.uk/https://www.simonarmitage.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine being a writer and not actually writing!Oh wait. That's us.Imagine being a writer and NOT BEING ABLE TO WRITE!That was Oli. He had a 10 month long migraine that almost literally killed him.Listen to his fascinating story and hear how he tried to made sense of it all through his autofiction book: Train Lord. We talk about writing the truth, finding roots, failed orgies and about just how bloody hard writing can be.You can buy Oli's fantastic book Train Lord direct from:Penguin UK:https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/444219/train-lord-by-mol-oliver/9780241525081Penguin Australia:https://www.penguin.com.au/books/train-lord-9780241525074As well as all the usual places.Plus we remind you, as if you needed reminding, about our £500 flash fiction contest in association with the wonderful Scrivener app.For 20% off Scrivener in September... 'urry up and go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com, Hit '+Add Discount' on the pay page - and use the code FAILINGYou're absolutely bloody welcome. x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello again. This time out we're having a nice sit down with author Emma Healey. Her debut novel, Elizabeth is Missing, (which has been described as "bloody brilliant, honestly, you should read it Tom, it's funny and sad and intriguing. Proper mint it is.") has sold over a million copies and won the Costa First Novel Award. Plus it ended up being made into a film by the BBC, starring the late Glenda Jackson, who it turns out performed her own stunts.(That will make sense when you listen)Find out more about Emma here...https://www.emmahealey.co.uk/Here's where you can support Alzheimer's Society...https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/navigation/make-donationand don't even think about forgetting to remember the Failing Writers Podcast £500, 500 word Flash Fiction Competition in association with Scrivener*. (*An amazing writing app that facilitates the makey-upping of books a whole tonne-load. Which suggests you should really go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com, Hit '+Add Discount' on the pay page - use the code FAILING and get 20% off the indispensable Scrivener app!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DO YOU LIKE WRITING?DO YOU LIKE FREE MONEY?WHAT ABOUT HILARIOUS AND GOBSMACKING PODCASTING?Yeah? Well then blummin' well enter the Failing Writers Podcast £500, 500 word Flash Fiction Competition in association with Scrivener, you noodle-face.PLUS make writing easier and go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com, Hit '+Add Discount' on the pay page - use the code FAILING and get 20% off the indispensable Scrivener app!But before you do any of that... listen to this episode! Not only will you hear the phrase you have to use in your story. You will also hear an amazetesticles chat with the fabulously talented, award winning flash fiction writer Kathy Hoyle - who’s basically going to tell you how to win. I mean, you’d be a proper nugget-munch to miss that one, wouldn’t you?CHECK OUT THE BLOG POST FOR ALL THE T's AND ALL THE C'sKathy’s website:https://kathyhoyle.comFlash Face Off!:https://writershq.co.uk/creative-writing-retreats/flash-face-off-challenges/Kathy’s Top Ten Tips for Writing Flash:https://writershq.co.uk/ten-top-tips-for-writing-flash-fiction/Kathy’s astonishing little novella in flash book:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C79T4QVP?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_JGN4ZF0ESYQY0BC3KFDZ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time out we chat with award-winning, best-selling Patrick Ness. Author of young adult books, including The Chaos Walking trilogy and A Monster Calls - his newest book Different For Boys - as well as books for adults n all, like.https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/patrick-ness(Not to be confused with Patrick Nest, a bee keeper from Godalming, Surrey. Although, I'm not sure how you could become confused, they've got completely different names).https://patrickness.com/Also this episode, we've got a rather chilling listener WIP from Kalina Holzapfel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, in answer to the question in the title... we're not sure. We should have asked our guests really - because they are self-confessed word-nerds. Authors and language bloggers, Jess Zafarris and Paul Anthony Jones (you might know Paul as "Haggard Hawks") are two people obsessed with the roots, origins and use of language. So, we thought we'd bring them together for a big ol' chat about interesting word things.Jess - https://uselessetymology.com/Paul - https://www.paulanthonyjones.com/ https://www.haggardhawks.comAlso! In this week's "W.I.P. Me a New One" we look at an excerpt from Hayley Price's sapphic fantasy - The Vermillion Ribbon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello there. Welcome to our little podcast. Do you like stories? Would you like to hear some now? Well click play, and you'll get to listen to loads of them! Somehow this episode has turned into a bit of a story-a-thon. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You might know Mark Billingham as the prolific and award winning crime fiction author. We know him as a really nice bloke who we had a really lovely chat with. But we didn't think that even an interview as excellent as the one we enjoyed with Mark was enough for our amazing listeners. So, we also get stuck into another WIP, this time from listener Gayle Ramage, who shares her Scottish vampire story with us! Thanks for listening!Here's info about Mark's latest book - available in all good bookshops...https://uk.markbillingham.com/the-last-dance/Mark's TITANS:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16927.Dashiell_Hammetthttps://www.george-pelecanos.comhttps://www.jamesleeburke.comhttps://www.michaelconnelly.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time out we talk to middle-grade kids' author Jack Meggitt-Phillips. We chat about his big break, about badgers and sexy fizzy drinks bottles. You know, all the usual stuff. We also check out another WIP from a listener and... and... erm... well, that's about it really. Jack's details: https://twitter.com/meggittphillips?lang=enSome of Jack's books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beast-Bethany-Collection-Meggitt-Phillips-Revenge/dp/9124154911/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=jack+meggitt&qid=1687556188&sr=8-4Jack's top 5 middle-grade funny books...https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amphigorey-Fifteen-Books-Edward-Gorey/dp/0399504338/ref=sr_1_2?crid=26AXKS1XWG5UM&keywords=edward+gorey&qid=1687422426&s=books&sprefix=edward+gorey%2Cstripbooks%2C68&sr=1-2https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audible-Rainbow-Grey/dp/B097YT66BF/ref=sr_1_3?crid=W030LZEE1D4A&keywords=laura+ellen+anderson&qid=1687422517&s=books&sprefix=laura+ellen+anderson%2Cstripbooks%2C65&sr=1-3https://www.amazon.co.uk/Day-My-Bum-Went-Psycho/dp/0330400894https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audible-Stink/dp/B0BS1MZ9Z6/ref=sr_1_7?crid=28PDPPRQDC1DG&keywords=jenny+mclachlan&qid=1687422651&s=audible&sprefix=jenny+mc%2Caudible%2C77&sr=1-7https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Underpants-of-Chaos/dp/B09DRH1HJH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ONQJ6XVGC5E4&keywords=the+underpants+of+chaos&qid=1687422706&s=audible&sprefix=the+underpants+of+chaos%2Caudible%2C70&sr=1-1Jack's podcast, about advertising: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-history-of-advertising-podcast/id1455036275 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week we talked to Louise Voss, who spoke to us about her first agent, Joanna Frank. So, this week we talk to Joanna Frank, who speaks to us about Louise Voss. She also chats about her journey through the publishing industry, taking in pretty much every stop along the way. PLUS get some top tips for pitching and querying, as Joanna kindly shares with us her “dos” and “don’ts” when approaching an agent. We also take a look at another work in progress too, this time from listener S.G.Sangster. (@ScarlettGraceHS) In yet another amazing instalment of… THE FAILING WRITERS PODCAAAAAAAAST!!!Check out Joanna’s literary services at https://joannafrank.co/And here's just a couple of the brilliant authors she's worked with... (sorry we couldn't mention them all!) Check 'em out!https://www.carolinemontague.co.ukhttps://www.simonberthon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello. Look at you reading the show notes! So... what have we got to tell you about? Erm, well, I guess the main bit is that we're talking to author Louise Voss this week. A bit back she tweeted that she was packing it all in because her enthusiasm balloon had been well and truly popped. We have a chat with her about that and other bits'n'bobs. Then in our Work In Progress feature, listener Donal Fogarty has sent in a short story, with a very, very interesting backstory. There's a few other things we talk about - but best that you just hear them on the podcast, not really worth mentioning in the show notes. So, go on, less reading more listening please. Press the play button.Buy Louise Voss' latest book here...https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kerry-Tucker-Learns-Live-heartbreaking-ebook/dp/B0B7S9H2D3And the one Louise was especially proud of...https://www.amazon.co.uk/Old-You-Louise-Voss/dp/1912374110Mark Edwards (Louise's erstwhile writing partner)... https://www.markedwardsauthor.comThe rest of Donal's story...https://donalfogarty.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/tomorrow-james-and-the-blue-cat.pdf...and his bloghttps://donalfogarty.com/Want clothes that you can read? Then make yourself a coat out of a newspaper… or subscribe to t-post...https://www.t-post.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fancy going for a spin with us? ‘Cos we’re about to head off in this ole, beat up Cadillac. Laura Barton is at the wheel and she’s got the windows down and the radio up. Jon’s nodding seriously to the majestic growl of Johnny Cash and Tommy’s got his head out the window, forcing air up his nose like a blood hound. And we’re here and we’re alive and just shooting the breeze about sad songs, rock stars, lost love, writing, Betjeman, Springsteen, journalism, and turnips… for some reason. Yeah. I’m not entirely sure why, but turnips seem to… crop up, so… Laura's new book - Sad Songshttps://www.waterstones.com/book/sad-songs/laura-barton/9781529406948Laura's BBC "Notes on music" https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m000t4t5Laura's sad songshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElygSMtokAwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP6a-7MP91gJon's sad songhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhDnyPsQsB0Tom's sad songhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVfaf43W9cMSome other things that crop up:The amazing producers of ‘Notes’http://www.fallingtree.co.uk/about/Rebecca Solnit;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_SolnitLaura’s novel, Twenty-One Locks:https://www.waterstones.com/book/twenty-one-locks/laura-barton/9780857381217Shape note singing:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyrUhdBHOg8Cold Mountain:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_Mountain_(film)John Betjeman & Jim Parker’s Banana Blush Albumhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lCyv7pJrrVekvs4QdgFQfNYwwEb3XS9w0How to grow really nice turnipshttps://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/turnips/grow-your-own Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello. Welcome to our limerick special! In celebration of National Limerick Day, on the 12th of May, we’ve had a good delve into where limericks came from, what they mean to people and we’ve even had a crack at writing some ourselves too.A huge thank you to our fantastic contributors:Fred Hornaday - https://kingoflimericks.comDoug Harris – limerick collector extraordinaire Dr Matthew Potter - https://www.limerick.ie/limerick-museumThe people of www.reddit.com/r/limericks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eh up Chucks. Int’ episode this week, we bants wit’ Bard o’ Barnsley ‘imsen, like.Ye know the fella: that one who does all that poetry, and is ont’ wireless: BBC’s T’Verb. Yeah. Reight Yorkshire Talker ‘e is. Aye! That’s ‘im.Ian McMillan.There’s also some other little surprises for ya, which you’ll ‘ave to find out by usin’ yer lug’oles.Ian McMillan’s ‘My Sand Life My Pebble Life'https://www.waterstones.com/book/my-sand-life-my-pebble-life/ian-mcmillan/9781472982940The Verb:https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tnsf/episodes/downloadsPantoums: https://www.poetrysoup.com/famous/poems/best/pantoumLuke Wright: https://poetryarchive.org/poet/luke-wright/David Wheatley’s poetry and other books... https://www.waterstones.com/author/david-wheatley/45754 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time out, we talk about Andy Stanton working with AI on his next book - and discuss whether that's a bit naughty of him or not. We also take a look at some work-in-progress that listener AB Finlayson was kind enough to share with us. And sandwiched between all that quality content, is a rather lovely interview with author (and self-confessed writing addict) Kasim Ali.Here's some links for ya...https://www.juskasim.com/https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/oneworld-signs-stantons-chatgpt-inspired-adult-debuthttps://abfinlayson.com/BUY ONE OF HIS BOOKS RIGHT NOW, PLEASE AND THANK YOU.https://www.amazon.co.uk/A.B.-Finlayson/e/B08SHPR11G%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello again! This week we're having a chat with Stuart Turton, author of "The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle" and "The Devil and the Dark Water". We also try to give some worthwhile feedback on work that one of our listeners has kindly sent in to us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just a little episode, to say "Welcome to season 3". This week join Jon and Tom to have a chat about what it was like to (try and) work together on our Poker Night project. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you ready for a BRAND NEW SEASON of the Failing Writers Podcast? Of course you are!! Well... you'll need to wait a bit longer. We've got to finish the end of Season 2 first. We promised that we would write a sitcom and pitch it to a TV big-wig, and (rather surprisingly) that's exactly what we've done. Enjoy!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some will be sad. Some may be happy for what has been. Many will call it an “end of an error”. Well, you know what, they might all be right. This week we share some of our old writing from years ago, as we bring season two to an end… ish. We say “ish”, because we promise to be back soon for a one-off special, in which we’ll be pitching our Poker Night comedy project to a TV exec. But until then, goodbye and thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedy star Lucy Porter joins us this week, to have a good old natter about comedy, quiz shows and cephaloporn. Plus she throws a few shiny pearls of wisdom in along the way too. Fancy seeing Lucy on tour? https://www.lucyporter.co.uk/gigs/Fancy seeing Lucy in an embarrassing ad? Digital Cell Phones TV Commercial 2000 youtu.beAny other links we need???I don't know.Should we delete this bit?Yes, probably.On it... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A little bit of a spooky special this week, as we reveal the winner of our Trick or Tweet Halloween writing competition and we welcome author of The Book Eaters, Sunyi Dean, on the show. We have a lovely chat with Sunyi about her writing, vampires, the world of publishing and few other things too. Check out Sunyi's great blog here - https://sunyidean.com/ Buy Sunyi’s excellent debut novel here:https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-book-eaters/9780008479442Sunyi’s inspiration for her blog: https://www.kameronhurley.comSunyi's recommendation for writing emotional connection:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emotional-Craft-Fiction-Beneath-Surface/dp/1440348375 Get yourself in a write panic, right here - https://www.squibler.io/dangerous-writing-prompt-app/ - Check out our twitter for all the Halloween stories - https://twitter.com/failingwriters/status/1581891373933830145 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're after some tips and tricks to help us when we pitch our Poker Night idea. So, we've asked Sakia Schuster to come on. She's worked for loads of TV companies over the years, and is now Head of Scripted at Fullwell 73 Productions. It's fair to say that she knows her onions. And we're going to take some of those onions, and unwrap them... hoping that they don't make us cry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, we weren't actually going to do an episode this week. What with our various domestic dramas and general time shortages, we thought our time would be better focussed on doing more work on our Poker Night project. So that's what we did... until we had an idea, that we just had to share. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We celebrate National Poetry Day with some “free writing”, as we go for a little paddle in the stream of consciousness. Four minutes of furious writing which we are brave stupid enough to share with the class. We also take the opportunity to share one last favourite from our love story competition. And here's a link to our lovely special guest's lovely bookhttps://www.waterstones.com/book/where-theres-muck-theres-bras/kate-fox/9780008472894 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our love story flash fiction competition (in association with the delightful folk at Scrivener) comes to a thrilling finale as we announce the two runners up, each winning a copy of the fantastic Scrivener software - AND our £300 first prize, gold medal, top of the class, cream of the crop, tippity of the toppoty, overall winner - as chosen by our lovely guest judge; comedian, and author of the Breakup Monologues, Rosie Wilby! Enjoy!! Check out our supreme courting judge’s book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breakup-Monologues-Unexpected-Joy-Heartbreak/dp/1472982304And her fabulous podcast right here: http://podfollow.com/breakupmonologues Get your hands on probably the bestest writing software EVER! And get 20% OFF with the code FAILING https://www.literatureandlatte.com Oh, and many thanks to our lovely voice actors - The inimitable Alex Hall and of course Katie Rand.http://www.alexhallvoice.comhttps://randmade.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you entered our Love story flash fiction competition? Well, we're announcing the winner next week, but this week we're giving you a sneek peak of some of the entries for which we've fallen head over heels. They might go on to win or we may read others that we like more as we digest our way through the mountain of entries. Either way, we just thought that these were too good not to share. So, are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin... And a link to Scrivener (get 20% off by using the code FAILING)https://www.literatureandlatte.com/store/scrivener?tab=macOS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, a guest we're expecting doesn't show up... and we've got no other time to record the show. So, we just have to go with it, put our big boy pants on and deliver some high quality, unscripted content. You can probably guess how that went. Or maybe you can't, and you're still going to listen. Which we thank you for. Loads of great writing comps at https://www.globesoup.net/ And a link to Scrivener (get 20% off by using the code FAILING) https://www.literatureandlatte.com/store/scrivener?tab=macOS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We thought it was time we got a bit of expert advice from a professor of sitcomology, to help us progress our Poker Night project (which we've been regretting making the focus of this season for some time now). So who better to get than the bloke who is the author of the book Writing Television Sitcoms, Prof Evan S Smith? And, there's only one week left of our writing competition!! So, hurry up and get your entry in to [email protected] for your chance to win £300, thanks to our friends at Scrivener! The beat sheet article Evan talked about - https://scriptmag.com/features/comedy-writing-every-script-deserves-good-beating Evan's book - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/304655/writing-television-sitcoms-by-evan-s-smith/ www.literatureandlatte.com - get 20% off Scrivener using the code FAILING Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.