London Writers' Salon
A deep dive into the habits, mindsets, tools, craft secrets and creative practices bestselling writers use to write novels, plays, poetry, and articles. Hosted by the co-founders of the London Writers' Salon, Matt & Parul.
Episodes
#215: How to Go Indie — Joanna Penn, Orna Ross, Eleanor Anstruther on Owning Your Rights, Paying Yourself First, and Serialising Your Novel on Substack | Compilation
Indie authors Joanna Penn, Orna Ross, and Eleanor Anstruther on going direct to readers and protecting your rights, the business and money side of self-publishing, and building an audience by serialising on Substack.You'll learnWhy the writers you admire may not make their money the way you think.What separates an independent author from someone who simply self-publishes.When a traditional deal ma
#214: Emma Gannon — Finding Your Creative Compass, Letting Go of People-Pleasing, Redefining Success, and Owning Your Work Through Self-Publishing
Sunday Times bestselling author Emma Gannon on healing burnout through play and joy, trusting your creative intuition over people-pleasing, and what she's learned from self-publishing alongside traditional publishing.You'll learnWhy burnout might be healed through play and joy rather than by pushing harder.How some books arrive in a month while others take years, and why there's no single right wa
#213: Anthony Anaxagorou — Thinking Like a Poet, Pushing Past Self-Doubt, and Treating Rejection as Part of the Job (From The Vault)
Poet, publisher, and educator Anthony Anaxagorou on treating rejection as part of the job, pushing an idea to its edge without losing the reader, and ending a poem where it can keep travelling — a re-release of episode #012.You'll learn:Why walking away from writing for years doesn't necessarily mean you ever left it.How to treat rejection as part of the job rather than a verdict on your worth.Wha
#212: Marti Leimbach — The Art of Writing a Novel, Why Self-Doubt Is a Good Sign, Revising Without Losing Heart, and Surviving the Highs and Lows of Publishing (From The Vault)
Bestselling novelist Marti Leimbach on the art of writing a novel, surviving early success and the long career that follows, and turning lived experience into fiction — a remastered version of episode #016.You'll learnWhy your relationship to the page has to outrank every other voice in writing and publishing.How to tell apart the voice that says you're no good and the voice that says you're not f
#211: Laura Palmer & Jessie Sullivan — How to Market Your Book, from the Founders of Digital-First Publisher Pellerin Books, Finding the Readers Who Will Love Your Book, and Why the Best Book Still Wins
Pellerin Books founders Laura Palmer and Jessie Sullivan on how readers discover books now, where to put your marketing money, and why the quality of the book still decides everything.You'll learnThe rule that quietly decides which authors get a publisher’s time, budget and attention.Why the first question about marketing a book is never “how?”How to research your readers and your market without p
#210: Lily King — Emotional Arc, Women and Literary Ambition, Silencing the Inner Critic, and Why Patience Is a Writer's Real Craft
Award-winning novelist Lily King on finding the emotional arc of a novel, writing the scene you keep avoiding, and making peace with ambition, self-criticism and the long road to a first book.You'll learnWhy the scene you most want to avoid is usually the one your book needs.How a small change in the final pages of one section can rebuild an entire novel.What it means to think in emotional arc rat
#209: Literary Agent Rachel Mann — What Makes an Agent Say Yes, Navigating the Submissions Process, and the Tension Between Art and Commerce
CAA literary agent Rachel Mann on what makes her say yes to a manuscript, how to navigate the submissions process without losing control of your career, and why cutting is the work that makes prose land.
You'll learn
Why the recognition an agent needs is physical rather than analytical.
What to do when you're not sure your manuscript is ready to send out.
How to buy more time after a full manu
#208: What Keeps Us Writing? Memoirist Deepa Paul, Essayist Gina Beach, and Novelist Daisy Buchanan on Finishing a Book an Hour at a Time, Writing in Community, and Taking Yourself Less Seriously
In this special episode we go behind the scenes with memoirist Deepa Paul, essayist, cookbook author Gina Beach, and novelist Daisy Buchanan and talk about the two things that keep them going: the passion behind the work, and the practice that makes the work possible.
From an essay that no editor wanted to a Women's Prize-longlisted memoir, a personal research rabbit hole that became a four-year b
#207: Writing Bestselling Middle-Grade Fiction — Jasmine Richards (Storymix), Natalie Doherty (Puffin and HarperCollins), Soman Chainani (The School for Good and Evil) on Standing Out on the Shelf and Writing Unputdownable Voice | Compilation
Children’s fiction studio founder Jasmine Richards (Storymix), publisher Natalie Doherty (Puffin and HarperCollins Children’s Books), and bestselling author Soman Chainani (The School for Good and Evil) on shaping an idea commercial enough to sell, what makes a children’s book impossible to put down, and trusting the unconscious to write it.
You’ll learn
Why the most commercial idea is the on
#206: Maya C. Popa — Writing with Wonder, Surviving Rejection, and Building a Life in Poetry
Poet Maya C. Popa on writing with wonder, the ruthless craft of revision, and building a sustainable life in poetry.
You’ll learn
Why wonder has more in common with the sublime — the beautiful and the terrible — than with simple delight.
How a poem loses its charge the moment its ending is visible from the opening line.
What “negative capability” asks of a writer stuck in the dark middle of a
#205: Casper ter Kuile — Sacred Writing, Turning Routine into Ritual, Rest as Creative Fuel, Moving Past Self-Doubt (From The Vault)
Author Casper ter Kuile on transforming everyday writing into a sacred ritual, drawing on rest and reflection to fuel creativity, and moving past self-doubt to write as a gift for others.
You'll learn
Why the point of the work week might be the rest, not the other way around.
How to turn an ordinary daily habit into a ritual using three simple ingredients.
What a weekly tech sabbath can unlock
#204: Secrets & Rituals of Building a Writing Practice — Seth Godin, Amie McNee, Mason Currey on Choosing Yourself, Protecting Your Writing Time, and Process Over Outcome | Compilation
Bestselling and award-winning writers Seth Godin (The Practice), Amie McNee (We Need Your Art) and Mason Currey (Daily Rituals) on choosing yourself before anyone else does, protecting the hour you actually have, and why the practice that works is the one that fits your life rather than someone else’s.
You’ll learn
Why "grow a thicker skin" is the wrong advice for a writer facing rejection.
Wha
#203: Doireann Ní Ghríofa — Turning Archives into Narrative, Excavating History, Writing Poetry and Fiction, Why Writers Are Often Their Own Gatekeepers
Irish writer Doireann Ní Ghríofa on turning archival fragments into living narrative, writing across the borders of genre, and giving voice to the forgotten lives of women committed to a Victorian asylum.
You’ll learn
Why the greatest gatekeeper between a writer and the page is often the writer themselves.
How a single word buried in clinical notes can become a bridge to a silenced voice.
What
#202: Tara Menon — Writing a Debut Novel Over Eight Years, Moving From Critic to Novelist, and Surviving Self-Doubt as a Writer
Debut novelist Tara Menon on writing friendship as a life-shaping bond, the emotional architecture of grief, and researching the natural world for her novel Under Water.
You’ll learn
Why a platonic friendship can shape a life as profoundly as any romance
How to build tension in a story when the reader already knows what’s coming.
What an unexpected sea creature reveals about writing the bonds
#201: Writing Bestselling Fantasy — Holly Black (The Cruel Prince) & Samantha Shannon (The Priory of the Orange Tree) on Magic Systems, Building Worlds From Research, and Writing Through Self-Doubt | Compilation
Bestselling fantasy authors Holly Black and Samantha Shannon on building believable magic systems, researching and constructing immersive worlds, and why the right book often only emerges once you’ve written the wrong one.
You’ll learn
Why the most convincing magic on the page often starts with something you once half-believed was real.
How writing the wrong version of a book can be the only
#200: Louise Dean — How to Finish a Novel, Why Most Writers Stall at 30,000 Words, and Why Storytelling Beats Beautiful Sentences, plus founding Novelry
Award-winning novelist and founder of The Novelry Louise Dean on what separates storytelling from beautiful prose, planning a novel without killing the joy, and how to edit your own first draft.
You'll learn
Why learning to craft perfect sentences can quietly delay your path to publication.
How a single shift from style to storytelling turns a promising writer into a published one.
What treati
#199: Katie da Cunha Lewin — How Space Shapes Creative Work, the Myth of the Perfect Writing Room, Building Creative Rituals, and Writing in Imperfect Conditions
Writer Katie da Cunha Lewin on how physical spaces shape creative work, why the perfect writing room is a myth, and the rituals and routines that sustain a writing life.
You'll learn
Why the perfect writing space is largely a myth (and why that can set you free).
How physical environments quietly shape creative practice and identity.
What our fascination with visiting writers' houses reveals.
#198: Mastering Young Adult Fiction — Krystal Sutherland (House of Hollow), Joanna Nadin (90+ Books for Kids & Teens), Moira Buffini (Songlight) on Finding Your Writing Home, Knowing Your Audience, Why Stories Matter to the Young | Compilation
YA masters Krystal Sutherland (The Invocations), Joanna Nadin (author of 90+ books for children and adults) and Moira Buffini (Songlight) on hooking teen readers from the very first page, plotting methods that tame a whole novel, and why stories matter so much to young people.
You'll learn
What sparks the magic system of a supernatural thriller.
What it means to find your writing home, and how
#197: Chris Pavone — Writing the Modern Thriller, Sustaining Tension Over Action, and Defining Success on Your Own Terms
Edgar Award–winning novelist Chris Pavone on creating tension that never lets up, editing a book to make it bigger rather than just better, and turning a single apartment building into a portrait of a whole city.
You'll learn
Why every book has to be one clear thing before it can be anything else.
How two decades of editing other people’s books prepares you to write your own.
The offhand note
#196: Missouri Williams — Writing Strange and Ambitious Fiction, Doubt as a Generative Force, and Why Idleness Is Essential to Creativity
Award-winning novelist Missouri Williams on writing strange and ambitious fiction, treating doubt as a generative force, and why idleness is essential to creative work.
You'll learn
How a destabilising illness and a new language can reshape a writer’s whole relationship to words.
Why style isn’t something you construct so much as a way of seeing you’re partly stuck with.
The case for drafting
#195: Holly Ringland — The Pain of Not Writing, Breaking Through Decades of Self-Doubt, Meeting the Inner Critic with the Inner Fan, and Building a Toolkit for the Creative Life
Bestselling novelist Holly Ringland on writing from joy instead of fear, the toolkit she built to meet the inner critic with self-compassion, and finding the first true sentence of her debut after decades of silence.
You'll learn
Why the pain of not writing eventually outweighs the pain of writing.
What grief and loss can crack open in a writer that nothing else can.
How the first true line
#194: Finding Peak Writing Flow & Focus — Dr Gloria Mark, Oliver Burkeman & Charlie Hoehn on Designing Your Day Around Peak Attention, Embracing Imperfection, and the Power of Play (Compilation)
Attention researcher Dr Gloria Mark (Attention Span), bestselling author Oliver Burkeman (Meditations for Mortals) and book strategist Charlie Hoehn (Play It Away) on designing your day around peak focus, embracing imperfection in creative work and bringing play back to the page.
You'll learn
The four states of attention every writer should know.
Two daily peak focus windows, and a simple metho
#193: Rebecca Fallon — Juggling Motherhood and Creative Ambition, Crafting Dual Timelines, Inhabiting Multiple Points of View
Debut novelist Rebecca Fallon on ambition, motherhood, crafting dual timelines, and writing a novel built around the person who isn't there.
We discuss
Why quitting a stable job to write a novel can be framed as a calculated bet rather than a leap of faith.
How to prototype the writer's life before fully committing to it.
What genre fiction can teach a literary novelist about plotting and stru
#192: Steven Pressfield — The War of Art, Battling Resistance, Hearing the Call of the Muse, Writing Memoir (From The Vault)
Bestselling author Steven Pressfield on what it means to have a creative calling, battling resistance, the role of faith in writing, and his memoir Govt Cheese. A remastered version of episode #058.
You'll learn:
Why a typewriter sat untouched in the back of a van for seven years before becoming a career.
How self-sabotage shows up at the finish line, not just at the start.
A rule of thumb for
#191: Debra Curtis — Becoming a Novelist After Sixty, Surviving Hundreds of Rejections, Radical Forgiveness, and Not Giving Up as a Writer
Debut novelist Debra Curtis on teaching herself to write by copying poems by hand as a dyslexic child, using contemporary novels as craft manuals to learn structure, meeting the Dalai Lama, the importance of radical forgiveness & publishing her first novel in her sixties after years of rejection.
You'll learn:
Why copying poems by hand into a composition notebook secretly teaches a dyslexic chi
#190: Writing Hits for the Screen — Hannah Bos (Somebody Somewhere), Kim Krizan (Before Sunrise), Selina Lim (Sex Education) on Writing Partnerships, Character-First Screenwriting, Life in the Writers’ Room (Compilation)
Screenwriters Hannah Bos (HBO’s Somebody Somewhere), Kim Krizan (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset) and Selina Lim (Sex Education, Hanna) on building writing partnerships, developing characters from the inside out, and finding your way into a writers’ room.
You'll learn
Why a writing partnership only works when you can separate your ego from your ideas.
How seven years of making weird theatre in
#189: Juliet Mushens — Building Bestselling Writer Careers, Decoding Agent Feedback, and Why Writing for the Market Rarely Works
Literary agent Juliet Mushens on what makes her offer representation, how she builds bestselling careers from debut to long-term success, and why writers need a life outside of publishing.
We discuss
Why tension is the single most important quality an agent looks for in any genre of fiction.
How personalized feedback from an agent signals you’re closer than you think.
The editorial conversatio
#188: Josh Ritter — Songwriting as Exploration, Working Across Art Forms, Inviting the Muse In, and Sharing Work in Public
Singer-songwriter and author Josh Ritter on writing songs for the muse instead of waiting for it, letting creative ideas find their shape across songwriting, painting, and fiction, and building a sustainable creative life over more than two decades.
We discuss:
Writing for the muse instead of waiting for it.
Why working across multiple art forms keeps each one alive.
The craft behind a single
#187: Lidia Yuknavitch — The Art of Memoir & Writing from the Body, Plus Breaking Narrative Form and Finding Core Metaphors
Novelist, memoirist, and Corporeal Writing founder Lidia Yuknavitch on writing from the body, finding form in the natural world, and why the stories we need most come from the places we’ve been afraid to go.
We discuss:
Why the element that makes you vibrate — water, forest, rock, wind — might be the key to unlocking your creative access path.
How to find your core metaphors through a body-base
#186: Jennifer Breheny Wallace — The Science of Mattering, Outrunning Your Inner Critic, Building a Writing Life Around Deep Work
Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Jennifer Breheny Wallace on mattering, resilience through relationships, and the writing practices behind two New York Times bestselling nonfiction books.
You’ll learn
Why resilience as a writer has far less to do with self-care routines and far more to do with the people you surround yourself with.
How to tell whether your idea is a series of art
#185: David Eagleman — The Neuroscience of Creativity, Navigating Genres, Protecting Your Brain in the Age of AI, plus The Lazy Susan Method
Description:
Neuroscientist and bestselling author David Eagleman on the brain science behind creativity, what actually causes writer's block, and how pre-commitment strategies like the Ulysses contract can help writers finish what they start.
You'll learn:
Why creativity isn't a rare gift, and what's actually happening in every brain when it absorbs and remixes the world around it.
The thre
#184: How to Write Short Stories with Sarah Hall, Jonathan Escoffery & Niamh Mulvey — Building Worlds in Small Spaces, Research That Sparks Story, Writing Endings That Feel Inevitable (Compilation)
Acclaimed short fiction writers Sarah Hall, Jonathan Escoffery, and Niamh Mulvey on building immersive worlds in compressed spaces, grounding stories in real human stakes, and writing openings and endings that transform both character and reader.
Timestamps:
(00:01:06) Sarah Hall, from Episode 161
(00:14:43) Jonathan Escoffery, from Episode 56
(00:26:40) Niamh Mulvey, previously unreleased conv
#183: Curtis Chin — Landing National Press, Running 300+ Book Events, Booking Venues With Cold Emails, Making Book Tours Pay, Building Book Buzz Without a Marketing Team
Memoirist and filmmaker Curtis Chin on pitching for national press, booking venues through cold emails, and making a high-volume book events strategy financially sustainable. You’ll learn:Why Curtis booked readings before his memoir released to drive pre-orders, and what that early push unlocked. How he found venues by researching programs and series online, then sending cold outreach without ov
#182: Morgan Cooper — Creative Audacity & Creating Your Own Opportunities, Making Bel-Air, Turning a Viral Short Film Into a Series, Producing with Will Smith & Writing Picture Books
Writer and director Morgan Cooper on turning a self-funded Bel-Air short into a series, building creative audacity before opportunity arrives, and staying resourceful across drafts, collaboration, and a children’s picture book.You'll learn:Why “imperfect action” can be a practical antidote to creative paralysis, especially early in your craft.How he found a compelling dramatic lens by stripping aw
#181: Erica Stern — Writing Hybrid Nonfiction, Genre-Bending Memoir, Blending Research and Story, Finding A Publisher
Essayist and fiction writer Erica Stern on writing hybrid nonfiction, weaving memoir with research and a ghost-story thread, and finding a publishing home for genre-defying work. You'll learn:What “hybrid nonfiction” can look like when memoir, research, and a fictional thread are all working toward one emotional truth.Ways to make a genre-bending draft feel cohesive, even when it’s built from mu
#180: How to Write Historical Fiction with Maggie O'Farrell, Ruta Sepetys & Stacey Halls — Research that Sparks Story, Non-Linear Structure & Authentic Dialogue (Compilation)
Novelists Maggie O’Farrell, Stacey Halls, and Ruta Sepetys on turning research into living scenes, building non-linear structure that still feels clear, and writing voice and dialogue that make the past feel immediate. Timestamps:00:01:30 Maggie O’Farrell00:26:14 Stacey Halls00:49:33 Ruta Sepetys You’ll learn:The importance of "reading like a writer" to reverse-engineer time, tense, and technique
#179: Moira Buffini — From Playwright to Novelist, Writing Dystopian YA, plus Creative Resilience and Sustaining a Long Creative Career
Playwright and BAFTA-nominated screenwriter Moira Buffini on moving between theatre, film, and fiction, writing for yourself instead of the market, and shaping structure by rewriting toward the ending you want readers to feel. You’ll learn:Why “you are the audience” can be a practical rule for cutting through market noise and writing with conviction. A useful way to handle reviews and outside o
Bonus: Dreaming Big in 2026 – Prompts for a Creative Year with Matt & Lindsey
London Writers’ Salon co-founder Matt Trinetti and Head of Writer Experience Lindsey Trout Hughes share prompts from our Dreaming Big in 2026: Creative Goal Setting for Writers workshop – designed to help writers get clear on what they actually want from their writing life in 2026, and translate that desire into a plan that can survive reality in the first 1-3 months of the year.Through 8 steps –
#178: Haleh Liza Gafori — Rumi’s Wisdom for Modern Life, The Craft of Translation, Poetry as Liberation
Translator, performance artist, writer, and educator Haleh Liza Gafori on translating Rumi with fidelity and music, and what his poetry can teach us about liberation, attention, and love.You’ll learn:Habits Haleh uses to re-centre and get quiet enough to work.How she learned to trust sound and rhythm first, and let meaning arrive through the ear.The moment she realised she needed to make her own t
#177: Mason Currey — Daily Rituals: Building a Creative Life With Routine, Discipline, and Procrastination
Writer and editor Mason Currey on what artists’ routines can teach us about focus, discipline, procrastination, and building a sustainable creative life.You'll learn:What led Mason to writing, and the early pressures that shaped his relationship with the work.Why he started Daily Routines as a side project, and what he was trying to solve with it.The moment the blog went viral, and what changed wh
#176: Allison King — Breaking into Publishing as Debut Novelist, Writing Historical Fiction With Magical Realism, Plus Tools For Structure
Debut novelist and 2023 Reese’s Book Club LitUp fellow Allison King on blending history with magical realism, and what it takes to build a writing life while navigating the modern publishing landscape.We discuss:Allison’s early relationship with stories and the role her grandmother played in shaping it.The path from fan fiction and short stories to publishing a debut novel.The dual timeline and br
#175: Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross — Your Brain on Art: Neuroaesthetics, Wellbeing, and Creative Practice, plus Finding Your Voice, Tapping Into Intuition
Neuroaesthetics researcher Susan Magsamen and Google design leader Ivy Ross on creativity as a biological necessity, intuition, and the aesthetic mindset for a good life. You'll learn:Habits that Susan and Ivy turn to when they need to re-centre.What Susan and Ivy are trying to change in the world with their day jobs. The beginning of Susan and Ivy working together.Clear evidence that proved to
#174: 3 Poets Read Their Work and Talk Craft Choices — Mary Jean Chan, David Whyte and Anthony Anaxagorou (Compilation)
Poets Mary Jean Chan, David Whyte, and Anthony Anaxagorou read their work and unpack emotional truth, craft choices, and poems built from lived detail. You'll learn:How early “bad” poems can still be soothing and give you a way through angst. Why simplicity of voice can beat complexity when a poem needs clarity. How form and layout can carry a poem’s physicality, including a modern sonnet’s const
#173: Maggie Andersen — Memoir, Theatre and the Courage To Write
What does it mean to turn a life of art, love, and loss into story? How do we write honestly about the people who shaped us? And what can theater teach us about the art of memoir?In her debut memoir No Stars in Jefferson Park (Northwestern University Press), writer and professor Maggie Andersen tells a Chicago coming-of-age story that alternates between the exhilaration of founding a theater compa
#172: The Diary of a CEO’s Director of Trailers, Anthony Smith — Storytelling Through Video and Writing: Audience Psychology, Intrigue, and Retention
The Diary of a CEO’s Director of Trailers, Anthony Smith, on capturing attention in the first few seconds, building cliffhangers and emotional momentum that keep audiences watching (or reading), and testing hooks and packaging without losing trust or story.You'll learn:Why you only have 3–5 seconds to earn attention, and what that changes about your opening lines and first scenes.How to take the g
#171: Salena Godden — Spoken Word, Poetry, Memoir, and Novels: Turning Pain into Courage on the Page and Getting Published
Poet, novelist, and broadcaster Salena Godden on turning love, grief, and fury into books and poems, surviving years in the wilderness before publication, and sustaining a boundaryless creative life through performance, early-morning writing, and community.You'll learn:Why you don’t have to be a “starving artist” and how to make powerful work while loving yourself and looking after your health.How
#170: Mary Jean Chan — Emotional Truth in Contemporary Poetry: Imagery, Juxtaposition, and Finding the Right Form
Award-winning poet Mary Jean Chan on emotional truth in contemporary poetry, the imagery and juxtaposition that hold big feelings on the page, writing queerness, family and grief with care, and what submissions and prize judging reveal about poems that endure.You'll learn:Why emotional truth sits at the centre of Mary Jean’s work and how you can use it as a compass in your own poems.How to move fr
#169: Adele Parks — Writing 25 Bestsellers in 25 Years: Discipline, Voice, and Long-Term Success in Commercial Fiction
Bestselling novelist Adele Parks on her writing life, routines and techniques, character work, and creative strategies that have kept her stories fresh and her readership devoted for over two decades.You'll learn:How Adele moved from imitating other writers to trusting her own voice and background.How loss and adversity can shape resilience and urgency in writing.Why Adele treats discipline as a s
#168: Anne Ditmeyer and Martin Lake – Self-Publish Successfully: Choosing Platforms, Managing Costs & Earning Six Figures
Self-published authors Anne Ditmeyer and Martin Lake share what it really takes to go indie, from choosing platforms and budgeting for editing, design, and ISBNs to redefining success, avoiding scams, and playing the long game of finding readers and building a sustainable writing life. You'll learn:Why Anne and Martin chose self-publishing over traditional routes and how they framed readers as th
#167: Anna Davis, founder of Curtis Brown Creative — Learning How to Write: Messy Drafts, the Rewrite Doctor, and What Agents Want
Anna Davis, novelist, agent, and founder of Curtis Brown Creative, shares how to turn a messy first draft into a strong, market-ready novel through diagnostic editing, practical rewriting tools, and a clear understanding of what agents actually look for.You'll learn:Why every writer’s process is different (and why messy drafts are fine).How to diagnose problems mid-novel and bring a manuscript bac
#166: Kate McKean — Author and Literary Agent on Building a Writing Life: Pitches, Rejections, and Publishing Truths
Literary agent and author Kate McKean shares how to pitch like a human, read rejection letters usefully, and protect your joy so you can build a durable writing life. You'll learn:How to build a clear 1–2 line pitch others can repeat and sell.How to read rejection letters, spot strong notes, and decide when to revise.Query etiquette and timelines: when to follow up and how resubmissions work.Fixin
#165: Carys Shannon — Debut Novelist on Choosing an Indie Press, Finding Your Voice, Writers’ Hour, and Holding Your Vision
Debut novelist Carys Shannon on how to stay true to your voice through submissions and agent feedback, why an editorially led indie press was the right home for her book, and the craft that brought it to life.We discuss:How to decide what your book wants to be and center its emotional life.Submission strategy after competitions: reading agent feedback without losing your vision.Indie presses 101:
#164: Liv Maidment — A Literary Agent’s Playbook for Writers: Query Smart, Pick Comps, Nail the Pitch & Synopsis, and Today’s Market
Head of Books at the Madeleine Milburn Agency, Liv Maidment, shares how literary agents read, evaluate, and champion submissions (from pitches and comps to strategy, timelines, and today’s AI-driven market), helping writers pitch their work clearly and confidently.You'll learn:How to build a snappy 1–2 line elevator pitch that helps everyone down the chain sell your book (“the art of summing somet
#163: Indyana Schneider — Lessons from an Opera Singer Who Wrote Her Novel on the Tube; Rhythm, Desire & Tension for Fiction Writers
Indyana Schneider—international opera singer and novelist—shares practical ways to write rhythm and desire on the page, craft scene-level tension, and shape compressed-time narratives; plus lessons from drafting her debut on the Tube. You'll learn:How to build sentence-level cadence: vary lengths and read aloud to tune flow.A simple spine for short-timeframe novels: day-by-day beats, rising stake
#162: Natalie Lue — Publishing Mini-Memoirs, Writing Difficult Truths, Choosing Indie Publishing
Natalie Lue, bestselling author and writer (Baggage Reclaim) shares how she shaped her mini-memoirs Let Go (Family & Friction) with The Pound Project, why intention is your best editor, and the inner tools that helped her write through grief, illness, and complicated family ties — without turning her life into content.You’ll learnHow to decide if you’re writing from the scar or the wound.Practical
#161: Sarah Hall — Writing Award-Winning Short Stories & Literary Fiction, Evocative Landscape & Creative Freedom; Booker-Nominated Writer
Sarah Hall—twice Booker Prize–nominated author and the only writer to win the BBC National Short Story Award twice—on crafting fiction that is both lush and uncompromising, and how to captivate readers on the sentence level while staying true to creative freedom.We discuss:Her early reading life in the countryside and the characters who first sparked her imaginationLessons learned from an “unpubli
#160: Nicolas Cole — How to Balance Art and Business as a Writer: Ghostwriting, AI, Focus & Sustainable Success
Nicolas Cole—digital writer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Ship 30 for 30, Premium Ghostwriting Academy, Typeshare, and Write With AI—on building a portfolio of writing businesses, ghostwriting as a path for writers, and how to balance art and commerce. We discuss:How poetry kept him creatively grounded while building businessesWhy every piece of writing answers a question Career paths to makin
#159: Chris Banks — How to Build Creative Resilience: Feedback, Gratitude, Positive Psychology & the Courage to Write
Chris Banks—writer, entrepreneur, and founder of ProWritingAid—on how to embrace what makes you unique, use AI as a tool for inspiration, and build resilience and joy into the writing process, from creating faster feedback loops to reframing the creative pit of despair.We discuss:Why “leaning into your weird” can unlock originality and stronger ideasWhere you might use AI for inspiration. How to o
#158: Amie McNee – The Hardest Lesson Every Creative Must Learn: Choose Yourself Before Anyone Else Does; The Salve for Jealousy, How to Overcome Rejection & Rebuild Self-Trust
Amie McNee—creativity coach and writer behind the popular account @InspiredToWrite—on how to stay grounded through success and setbacks, forge a creative life on your own terms, and why art is both essential and revolutionary.We discuss:How to deal with rejectionAdvice for artists starting out on social mediaTips and reflections on self-publishing and book dealsWhy the world needs your artHow to
#157: Joseph Fasano – How to Think Like a Poet: Unlock Rhythm, Creative Freedom & the Courage to Create; Plus Build a Following For Your Writing
Poet, novelist, and teacher Joseph Fasano on how to find the unique language and rhythm in our work, building a meaningful online presence, and why he believes that embracing limits in life (and writing) is key to creative freedom.We discuss:Joseph’s creative evolution, from astrophysics to poetryWhy studying craft is essentialThe value of constraint and rhythm in unlocking creativityHow he found
#156: George Walkley – Understanding AI: A Practical & Positive Guide for Writers, Creators & Publishers, Plus Ethics, AI vs Human Imagination.
George Walkley, AI strategist and former publishing executive at Hachette, on what writers need to know about artificial intelligence, how it’s reshaping the creative and publishing industries, and how to use it responsibly in your writing life.We discuss:How George transitioned from traditional publishing to AI consultingThe difference between AI probability and human creativityWhy everyone shoul
#155: Gretchen Rubin — Secrets of a Creative Life: Better Time Management, Happiness Hacks, Sustainable Habits & How To Know Yourself Better; also Writing Nonfiction, Research & Redefining Success
Gretchen Rubin—bestselling author of The Happiness Project and The Four Tendencies on how self-awareness shapes her creative process, the habits that sustain her writing life, and how she wrote her latest nonfiction book Secrets of Adulthood.We discuss:How Gretchen found her voice and path as a writerDealing with naysayers & rejectionBuilding confidence and redefining “success” in the early stages
#154: Francesca Simon — From 40+ Rejections to Bestselling Children’s Author (25M+ Book Sales), Moving from Children’s Books to Opera & Myth, and Reinventing Herself at Every Stage
Francesca Simon is the legendary author of over 60 books for children, including the global bestselling Horrid Henry series, which has been translated into 27 languages. Her books have sold over 25 million copies. She talks to us about early rejection, finding fame, reinventing her voice to write librettos, and her first foray into adult fiction with Salka: The exquisite retelling of the tragic my
#153: Find A Literary Agent & Get Published, Advice From Four Lit Agents Ed Wilson, Lucinda Halpern, Madeleine Milburn & Sam Copeland
How do you write a great query letter, find the right agent, and stand out in today’s crowded submissions inbox? In this special compilation episode, four top literary agents: Ed Wilson, Lucinda Halpern, Madeleine Milburn & Sam Copeland, share their honest advice on getting signed, writing marketable books, and navigating today's publishing industry.
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Timestamps:
Ed Wilson - 1:01
Lucinda Halpern
#152: Margaret Heffernan — The Secret Weapon of Great Artists: Harnessing Uncertainty, Wandering & Creative Instincts That Machines Can't Create
What if uncertainty wasn’t something to fear, but your greatest creative ally?Dr. Margaret Heffernan—author, entrepreneur, and TED speaker—on how artists and writers thrive in chaotic times. We also talk about embracing the unknown, navigating AI-driven anxiety, and staying creatively resilient in a world that rewards certainty.We discuss:Margaret’s early creative life and career across TV, tech &
#151: Melissa Febos — The Art of Memoir: Turn Life Into Art, Undoing Shame, and Choosing The Artist’s Life
Celebrated writer and memoirist Melissa Febos on the art of the memoir, the alchemy of personal experience and literary craft, and how to turn the raw material of life into art. We also her latest book, The Dry Season, where she examines the solitude, freedoms, and feminist heroes Febos found during a year of celibacy.We also talk about:- Writing the unspeakable and undoing shame.- The role of r
#150: Seth Godin – How To Build A Thriving Creative Writing Practice In the Age of AI. Plus, Stop Seeking Validation, Find Your Audience And Overcome Obscurity (From the Vault)
Legendary Seth Godin, bestselling author of Linchpin, Purple Cow, The Dip, Tribes, and The Practice on wrestling with creative resistance, getting past self-doubt, and how to build a resilient creative practice that thrives—even in an age of AIWe talk about:Why writing isn’t about talent—but about creating the conditions for skillWhy “Do you like it?” is the wrong question to askAnd how to build a
#149: Tim Duggan – You Can Make Your Work More Meaningful, Plus How to Ideate And Write Bestselling Nonfiction Books
How can you make your life and work more meaningful? Bestselling author Tim Duggan on ideating and writing bestselling non fiction books, creating killer opening lines and plotting. We also talk about how to unclog our creativity, find meaning in our work and life through a simple hack. We discuss:Tim’s outlining and editing process for non-fictionFinding the “anchor points” that define your perso
#148: Mark Haddon — The Writing Habit That Changed Everything: Lessons from 18 Books, Creative Doubt & Writing Without A Map
Mark Haddon, bestselling author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, A Spot of Bother, and The Red House on his process writing 18 books, including his latest book Dogs & Monsters, plus how he approaches success and failure.We discuss:Why writing begins before you start writingCreating strong beginningsHow poetry can expand your creative rangeWriting without a mapOn self-doubt, im
#147: Jane Friedman — The Publishing Industry is Changing. Here’s What Writers Should Know About Pitching, Platforms & Protecting Their Work
What does it take to craft a pitch that truly grabs attention in today’s publishing world? In this conversation, Jane Friedman—publishing industry expert and author of The Business of Being a Writer shares her journey into the publishing world and she shares her advice for writers looking to perfect their submission materials and navigate the ever-changing publishing landscape.We discuss:How to cr
#146: Alda Sigmundsdóttir — How Blogging Changed My Life, Indie Publishing 101, Memoir, Writing About Culture With Integrity
Alda Sigmundsdóttir is a journalist, author, and independent publisher who has built a thriving literary life outside the traditional system. From blogging about Iceland to launching her own press, Alda has published over 11 books and grown a loyal global readership—while staying in full control of her creative work.We discuss: Alda’s early writing career and transition to self-publishingWhat she
#145: Maggie O’Farrell — Confessions of a Novelist: Writing from Instinct, Why Revision is Essential, Facing Doubt & Finding the Story’s Heartbeat (From the Vault)
Award-winning and bestselling author Maggie O’Farrell Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait author takes us behind the scenes of her creative process—from the early struggles of starting out to the discipline and instinct that shape her acclaimed novels.We explore the irresistible drive to write, the role of characters in steering a story, and how she blends history with imagination. Maggie also shares
#144: Eleanor Anstruther – The Book Industry Rejected Me. So I Built My Own Audience on Substack; Serialising Online, Writing Literary Fiction; Being an Independent Artist, Creating Your Artist DNA
What if the traditional publishing world says “no”? Eleanor Anstruther—acclaimed novelist and creator of The Literary Obsessive—shares her bold leap into indie publishing, serialising fiction and memoir on Substack, and why you need an Artist DNA to draw an audience.We discuss: Her aristocratic background and experience living in a communeNavigating rejection and the pivot to serialising work onli
#143: Julia Cameron – How to Reignite Your Creativity Through Daily Rituals, Believing Mirrors & The Artist’s Way (From the Vault)
Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way and one of the most influential voices on creativity of the last three decades, shares timeless wisdom on nurturing the artist within.We discuss: Morning Pages and Artist Dates as tools for creative recovery.Why being of service is at the heart of writing.Writing in dialogue with intuition (and the divine).How to handle criticism, praise, and creative resi
#142: Chris Banks – How To Use AI In Your Writing , Staying Weird & Keeping Control as Creatives
(Interview from 2024) The founder of ProWritingAid, Chris Banks, shares his thoughts on how AI is reshaping writing, editing, and the creative process. Recorded in front of a live audience after Writers' Hour. We discuss:- AI as a creative partner: Can it replace writers?- Using AI responsibly to save time, enhance editing, and elevate your craft.- How to adapt AI tools to fit unique writing style
#141: Jono Hey – Build a Creative Practice That Sticks: Mastering Visual Thinking, 900+ Sketches, Deep Simplicity and Collaborating with Bill Gates
Jono Hey, author of Big Ideas Little Pictures and creator of Sketchplanations, shares insights from over a decade of explaining the world through sketches. We discuss: The power of visual thinkingBuilding a new identity when changing careersKnowing when a piece is done and ready for publishingTips to get started with sketching& lessons from long-term creative projects, including illustrating for B
#140: Matt Trinetti – Building The World's Most Engaged Writing Community: Navigating Boundaries, Fostering Belonging, Harnessing the Power of Connection & the Importance of Creative Health
Matt Trinetti, co-founder of the London Writers' Salon, on building the world’s most engaged writing community, the role of creativity in the face of AI and the transformative power of writing for creative and mental health.*ABOUT MATT TRINETTIMatt Trinetti is the co-founder of London Writers' Salon, our community, dedicated to helping writers connect, make progress, and launch successful careers.
#139: Steve Almond – The Truth About Creative Failure, Overcoming Ego, and Writing Stories That Actually Matter
Steve Almond, bestselling author on ‘failing’ for decades, finding flow, finding success in Hollywood, overcoming writer’s block and telling the stories only you can tell with truth and mercy.*ABOUT STEVE ALMOND Steve Almond is the award-winning author of twelve books of fiction and nonfiction, including the New York Times bestsellers Candyfreak and Against Football and Which Brings Me To You (tur
#138: Nicola Slawson – From Journalism to Book Deals: Pitching, Newsletters, and Building a Writing Life on Your Own Terms
Nicola Slawson, creator of the award-winning newsletter The Single Supplement, shares her journey of building a creative career on her own terms. From launching her newsletter with zero subscribers to securing a book deal, Nicola offers insights into embracing your unique story, building an authentic community, and navigating the realities of freelance journalism and book writing.*ABOUT NICOLA SLA
#137: Sareeta Domingo – Writing Love That Feels Real, Breaking into Publishing, Writing Intimacy on the Page, and Selling Romance
Author and Editorial Director Sareeta Domingo on writing love stories that feel real, breaking into publishing, and crafting authentic intimacy in fiction. She shares insights on balancing her dual careers in writing and editing, the biggest mistakes authors make when submitting, and how the romance industry is evolving.*ABOUT SAREETA DOMINGO Sareeta Domingo is the Editorial Director at Trapeze Bo
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