London Writers' Salon
Episodes
#193: Rebecca Fallon — Juggling Motherhood and Creative Ambition, Crafting Dual Timelines, Inhabiting Multiple Points of View
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Debut novelist Rebecca Fallon on ambition, motherhood, crafting dual timelines, and writing a novel built around the person who isn't there. We discus...
#192: Steven Pressfield — The War of Art, Battling Resistance, Hearing the Call of the Muse, Writing Memoir (From The Vault)
02 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Steven Pressfield on what it means to have a creative calling, battling resistance, the role of faith in writing, and his memoir Go...
#191: Debra Curtis — Becoming a Novelist After Sixty, Surviving Hundreds of Rejections, Radical Forgiveness, and Not Giving Up as a Writer
25 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 l...
#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)
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Screenwriters Hannah Bos (HBO’s Somebody Somewhere), Kim Krizan (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset) and Selina Lim (Sex Education, Hanna) on building wr...
#189: Juliet Mushens — Building Bestselling Writer Careers, Decoding Agent Feedback, and Why Writing for the Market Rarely Works
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Literary agent Juliet Mushens on what makes her offer representation, how she builds bestselling careers from debut to long-term success, and why writ...
#188: Josh Ritter — Songwriting as Exploration, Working Across Art Forms, Inviting the Muse In, and Sharing Work in Public
04 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Singer-songwriter and author Josh Ritter on writing songs for the muse instead of waiting for it, letting creative ideas find their shape across songw...
#187: Lidia Yuknavitch — Writing from the Body, Finding Your Core Metaphors, plus The Memoir That Became a Kristen Stewart Film
28 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Novelist, memoirist, and Corporeal Writing founder Lidia Yuknavitch on writing from the body, finding form in the natural world, and why the stories w...
#186: Jennifer Breheny Wallace — The Science of Mattering, Outrunning Your Inner Critic, Building a Writing Life Around Deep Work
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Jennifer Breheny Wallace on mattering, resilience through relationships, and the writing practices beh...
#185: David Eagleman — The Neuroscience of Creativity, Navigating Genres, Protecting Your Brain in the Age of AI, plus The Lazy Susan Method
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Description: Neuroscientist and bestselling author David Eagleman on the brain science behind creativity, what actually causes writer's block, and how...
#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)
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Acclaimed short fiction writers Sarah Hall, Jonathan Escoffery, and Niamh Mulvey on building immersive worlds in compressed spaces, grounding stories ...
#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
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Memoirist and filmmaker Curtis Chin on pitching for national press, booking venues through cold emails, and making a high-volume book events strategy ...
#182: Morgan Cooper — Bel-Air, Creative Audacity, Turning a Viral Short Film Into a Series, Producing with Will Smith
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and director Morgan Cooper on turning a self-funded Bel-Air short into a series, building creative audacity before opportunity arrives, and sta...
#181: Erica Stern — Writing Hybrid Nonfiction, Genre-Bending Memoir, Blending Research and Story, Finding A Publisher
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Essayist and fiction writer Erica Stern on writing hybrid nonfiction, weaving memoir with research and a ghost-story thread, and finding a publishing ...
#180: How to Write Historical Fiction with Maggie O'Farrell, Ruta Sepetys & Stacey Halls — Research that Sparks Story, Non-Linear Structure & Authentic Dialogue (Compilation)
08 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Novelists Maggie O’Farrell, Stacey Halls, and Ruta Sepetys on turning research into living scenes, building non-linear structure that still feels cl...
#179: Moira Buffini — From Playwright to Novelist, Writing Dystopian YA, plus Creative Resilience and Sustaining a Long Creative Career
01 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Playwright and BAFTA-nominated screenwriter Moira Buffini on moving between theatre, film, and fiction, writing for yourself instead of the market, an...
Bonus: Dreaming Big in 2026 – Prompts for a Creative Year with Matt & Lindsey
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
London Writers’ Salon co-founder Matt Trinetti and Head of Writer Experience Lindsey Trout Hughes share prompts from our Dreaming Big in 2026: Creat...
#178: Haleh Liza Gafori — Rumi’s Wisdom for Modern Life, The Craft of Translation, Poetry as Liberation
25 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Translator, performance artist, writer, and educator Haleh Liza Gafori on translating Rumi with fidelity and music, and what his poetry can teach us a...
#177: Mason Currey — Daily Routines and How Artists Work: Focus, Time, and Protecting Your Best Hours
18 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and editor Mason Currey on what artists’ routines can teach us about focus, discipline, procrastination, and building a sustainable creative ...
#176: Allison King — Writing History, Memory, and Magical Realism as a Debut Novelist
11 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 l...
#175: Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross — Your Brain on Art: Neuroaesthetics, Wellbeing, and Creative Practice
04 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Neuroaesthetics researcher Susan Magsamen and Google design leader Ivy Ross on creativity as a biological necessity, intuition, and the aesthetic mind...
#174: 3 Poets Read Their Work and Talk Craft Choices — Mary Jean Chan, David Whyte and Anthony Anaxagorou (Compilation)
28 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Poets Mary Jean Chan, David Whyte, and Anthony Anaxagorou read their work and unpack emotional truth, craft choices, and poems built from lived detail...
#173: Maggie Andersen — The Courage to Write Memoir From the Stage: Emotional Marks, Caregiving, and Ethics
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Memoirist and professor Maggie Andersen on turning a Chicago theater coming of age into No Stars in Jefferson Park, translating performance craft to t...
#172: The Diary of a CEO’s Director of Trailers, Anthony Smith — Storytelling Through Video and Writing: Audience Psychology, Intrigue, and Retention
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Diary of a CEO’s Director of Trailers, Anthony Smith, on capturing attention in the first few seconds, building cliffhangers and emotional momen...
#171: Salena Godden — Spoken Word, Poetry, Memoir, and Novels: Turning Pain into Courage on the Page and Getting Published
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Poet, novelist, and broadcaster Salena Godden on turning love, grief, and fury into books and poems, surviving years in the wilderness before publicat...
#170: Mary Jean Chan — Emotional Truth in Contemporary Poetry: Imagery, Juxtaposition, and Finding the Right Form
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning poet Mary Jean Chan on emotional truth in contemporary poetry, the imagery and juxtaposition that hold big feelings on the page, writing...
#169: Adele Parks — Writing 25 Bestsellers in 25 Years: Discipline, Voice, and Long-Term Success in Commercial Fiction
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling novelist Adele Parks on her writing life, routines and techniques, character work, and creative strategies that have kept her stories fres...
#168: Anne Ditmeyer and Martin Lake – Self-Publish Successfully: Choosing Platforms, Managing Costs & Earning Six Figures
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Self-published authors Anne Ditmeyer and Martin Lake share what it really takes to go indie, from choosing platforms and budgeting for editing, design...
#167: Anna Davis, founder of Curtis Brown Creative — Learning How to Write: Messy Drafts, the Rewrite Doctor, and What Agents Want
08 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 di...
#166: Kate McKean — Author and Literary Agent on Building a Writing Life: Pitches, Rejections, and Publishing Truths
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 durab...
#165: Carys Shannon — Debut Novelist on Choosing an Indie Press, Finding Your Voice, Writers’ Hour, and Holding Your Vision
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 righ...
#164: Liv Maidment — A Literary Agent’s Playbook for Writers: Query Smart, Pick Comps, Nail the Pitch & Synopsis, and Today’s Market
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Head of Books at the Madeleine Milburn Agency, Liv Maidment, shares how literary agents read, evaluate, and champion submissions (from pitches and com...
#163: Indyana Schneider — Lessons from an Opera Singer Who Wrote Her Novel on the Tube; Rhythm, Desire & Tension for Fiction Writers
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Indyana Schneider—international opera singer and novelist—shares practical ways to write rhythm and desire on the page, craft scene-level tension,...
#162: Natalie Lue — Publishing Mini-Memoirs, Writing Difficult Truths, Choosing Indie Publishing
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Natalie Lue, bestselling author and writer (Baggage Reclaim) shares how she shaped her mini-memoirs Let Go (Family & Friction) with The Pound Project,...
#161: Sarah Hall — Writing Award-Winning Short Stories & Literary Fiction, Evocative Landscape & Creative Freedom; Booker-Nominated Writer
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
#160: Nicolas Cole — How to Balance Art and Business as a Writer: Ghostwriting, AI, Focus & Sustainable Success
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nicolas Cole—digital writer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Ship 30 for 30, Premium Ghostwriting Academy, Typeshare, and Write With AI—on buildin...
#159: Chris Banks — How to Build Creative Resilience: Feedback, Gratitude, Positive Psychology & the Courage to Write
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Banks—writer, entrepreneur, and founder of ProWritingAid—on how to embrace what makes you unique, use AI as a tool for inspiration, and buil...
#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
16 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Amie McNee—creativity coach and writer behind the popular account @InspiredToWrite—on how to stay grounded through success and setbacks, forge a...
#157: Joseph Fasano – How to Think Like a Poet: Unlock Rhythm, Creative Freedom & the Courage to Create; Plus Build a Following For Your Writing
09 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
#156: George Walkley – Understanding AI: A Practical & Positive Guide for Writers, Creators & Publishers, Plus Ethics, AI vs Human Imagination.
03 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
George Walkley, AI strategist and former publishing executive at Hachette, on what writers need to know about artificial intelligence, how it’s resh...
#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
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gretchen Rubin—bestselling author of The Happiness Project and The Four Tendencies on how self-awareness shapes her creative process, the habits tha...
#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
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Francesca Simon is the legendary author of over 60 books for children, including the global bestselling Horrid Henry series, which has been translated...
#153: Find A Literary Agent & Get Published, Advice From Four Lit Agents Ed Wilson, Lucinda Halpern, Madeleine Milburn & Sam Copeland
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
#152: Margaret Heffernan — The Secret Weapon of Great Artists: Harnessing Uncertainty, Wandering & Creative Instincts That Machines Can't Create
05 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if uncertainty wasn’t something to fear, but your greatest creative ally?Dr. Margaret Heffernan—author, entrepreneur, and TED speaker—on ho...
#151: Melissa Febos — The Art of Memoir: Turn Life Into Art, Undoing Shame, and Choosing The Artist’s Life
28 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 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)
21 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Legendary Seth Godin, bestselling author of Linchpin, Purple Cow, The Dip, Tribes, and The Practice on wrestling with creative resistance, getting pas...
#149: Tim Duggan – You Can Make Your Work More Meaningful, Plus How to Ideate And Write Bestselling Nonfiction Books
14 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How can you make your life and work more meaningful? Bestselling author Tim Duggan on ideating and writing bestselling non fiction books, creating ki...
#148: Mark Haddon — The Writing Habit That Changed Everything: Lessons from 18 Books, Creative Doubt & Writing Without A Map
07 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 bo...
#147: Jane Friedman — The Publishing Industry is Changing. Here’s What Writers Should Know About Pitching, Platforms & Protecting Their Work
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to craft a pitch that truly grabs attention in today’s publishing world? In this conversation, Jane Friedman—publishing industry...
#146: Alda Sigmundsdóttir — How Blogging Changed My Life, Indie Publishing 101, Memoir, Writing About Culture With Integrity
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alda Sigmundsdóttir is a journalist, author, and independent publisher who has built a thriving literary life outside the traditional system. From bl...
#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)
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning and bestselling author Maggie O’Farrell Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait author takes us behind the scenes of her creative process—f...
#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
10 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the traditional publishing world says “no”? Eleanor Anstruther—acclaimed novelist and creator of The Literary Obsessive—shares her bol...
#143: Julia Cameron – How to Reignite Your Creativity Through Daily Rituals, Believing Mirrors & The Artist’s Way (From the Vault)
04 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
#142: Chris Banks – How To Use AI In Your Writing , Staying Weird & Keeping Control as Creatives
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
(Interview from 2024) The founder of ProWritingAid, Chris Banks, shares his thoughts on how AI is reshaping writing, editing, and the creative process...
#141: Jono Hey – Build a Creative Practice That Sticks: Mastering Visual Thinking, 900+ Sketches, Deep Simplicity and Collaborating with Bill Gates
19 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jono Hey, author of Big Ideas Little Pictures and creator of Sketchplanations, shares insights from over a decade of explaining the world through sket...
#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
12 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
#139: Steve Almond – The Truth About Creative Failure, Overcoming Ego, and Writing Stories That Actually Matter
05 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Almond, bestselling author on ‘failing’ for decades, finding flow, finding success in Hollywood, overcoming writer’s block and telling the...
#138: Nicola Slawson – From Journalism to Book Deals: Pitching, Newsletters, and Building a Writing Life on Your Own Terms
29 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nicola Slawson, creator of the award-winning newsletter The Single Supplement, shares her journey of building a creative career on her own terms. From...
#137: Sareeta Domingo – Writing Love That Feels Real, Breaking into Publishing, Writing Intimacy on the Page, and Selling Romance
22 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author and Editorial Director Sareeta Domingo on writing love stories that feel real, breaking into publishing, and crafting authentic intimacy in fic...
#136: Tessa Hadley – The Secrets of Literary Fiction: How to Craft Powerful, Resonant Stories, Creating Compelling Stories, Publishing in your 40s, 50s and beyond
15 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Best-selling Author Tessa Hadley on getting published in her 40s and beyond, the craft of literary fiction, developing character and conflict, and the...
#135: Anne-Laure Le Cunff — The Science of Creativity: Using Tiny Experiments to Unlock Growth, Learning, and Better Writing
08 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writer, neuroscientist, and Ness Labs founder Anne-Laure Le Cunff shares insights on redefining success, writing in public, and using tiny experiments...
#134: Jody Eddy – Michelin Kitchens, Monks & The Cookbook Playbook: What Top Chefs Taught Me About Rituals & Success; NonFiction Proposal & Food Writing
01 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Foodwriter and Chef Jody Eddy on what goes on in Michelin-star kitchens, monastic culinary traditions, and the rigorous world of food writing. From wo...
#133: Michael Dean – The Invisible Patterns Behind Great Essays: How Essay Architecture Can Shape Your Writing and Break Through Perfectionism.
22 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Essayist, editor and creator of Essay Architecture, Michael Dean on the hidden structures and key patterns within great essays. *ABOUT MICHAEL DEAN ...
#132: Dava Sobel — The Art of Science Storytelling, Writing Hidden Histories & How a Rejected Pitch Became a Bestseller
16 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Best-selling Science Writer Dava Sobel on blending science with storytelling—how to craft compelling narratives, navigate deep research, and bring h...
#131: Sophie Flynn — Writing Thrillers, Should You Be A Kindle Bestseller or Go Down The Traditional Publishing Route? Plus the Mindset for a Long-Term Writing Career
09 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling thriller author Sophie Flynn reveals the raw truth about publishing—traditional vs. indie, rejection, and what it really takes to succee...
#130: Oliver Burkeman - An Imperfectionist's Guide to Overcoming Distraction and Finding Creative Flow, Writing NonFiction
02 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Oliver Burkeman, bestselling author of Four Thousand Weeks and Meditations for Mortals, on the power of embracing imperfection in both life and creati...
#129: Anita Bhagwandas - Pitching And Crafting Viral Stories, Navigating ADHD, and Breaking Beauty Myths.
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning journalist Anita Bhagwandas on her journey from ambitious intern to a celebrated writer with bylines in The Guardian, Vogue, and Condé ...
#128: Sanjoy K. Roy — From 0 to 500k: Growing the Jaipur Literature Festival and Shaping Global Culture, How Art & Festivals Transform Cities
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sanjoy K. Roy, the visionary behind the Jaipur Literature Festival in India, on growing the largest literary festival in the world (half a million vis...
#127: Holly Black — Crafting Bestselling Fantasy: World-Building, Character Development, and The Prisoner’s Throne
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Holly Black, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels, on her process for writing bestselling fiction, on getting vital feedback on ...
#126: John Muirs Laws — The Nature Journaling Framework To Unlock Boundless Creativity, Curiosity as a Superpower, and How to Deepen Your Writing
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Naturalist, artist, and educator John Muir Laws on how writers can awaken curiosity, deepen their connection to nature, and unlock boundless creativit...
#125: Vicky Reynal — Financial Therapy for Creatives, Balancing Art & Income, Financial Resilience, Writing Non-Fiction
28 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Financial therapist and writer Vicky Reynal on how creatives can better understand our belief systems around money and what tools we can turn to when ...
#124: Beth Kempton — Writing Non-Fiction, Turn Life’s Challenges into Creative Fuel, Unlocking Your Intelligent Heart, Fearless Creativity, Navigating Grief
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling nonfiction author Beth Kempton shares how writers can navigate life’s transition,s embrace impermanence, and unlock fearless creativity ...
#123: Anna Bogutskaya — Writing Horror, Role of the Monster, Breaking Creative Boundaries, Writing Nonfiction
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Anna Bogutskaya has studied thousands of horror films and books. In this interview we talk to Anna about the role of the monster and how writers can...
#122: David Perell — Find Your Voice, Make Your Writing Memorable & Build a Personal Monopoly plus The Write of Passage Story
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Writer, Entrepreneur & Podcaster David Perell on simple frameworks you can use to bring your voice to life and write in a way that makes your writing ...
#121: Kate Mosse — From Aspiring Writer to Literary Game-Changer, Launching The Women's Prize For Fiction, Writing Historical Fiction, Finding Success After Rejection
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Literary Legend Kate Mosse on writing 11 + novels, finding her voice with her fifth novel, researching historical fiction, pushing past doubt, dealing...
#120: Dr. Isaac Prilleltensky — Wellness For Writers, How to Matter, Writing Non-Fiction, Building Communities, Why You Should Stay Away From Narcissists
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Isaac Prilleltensky has dedicated his life to studying happiness. In this episide we talk to him about ‘mattering’ and how we can use his re...
#119: Penny Wincer — Home Design For Writers, How To Transform Any Space Into A Space to Write, Writing Non-Fiction Proposals, Balancing Creativity with Life’s Demands
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Penny Wincer, an author, writer and non-fiction book coach on how writers can think deeply about their living spaces, what makes a house a home and we...
#118: Sam Copeland — How to Catch The Eye Of A Literary Agent, Compelling Pitch Letters & Writing Funny Children’s Fiction
29 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Literary Agent (RCW Agency) and children’s author Sam Copeland on what he’s looking for in his submissions pile, how to write a compelling pitch l...
#117: Kate Young — Writing Cookbooks, Viral Blogs, Plotting Romcoms and Writing Sex Scenes
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning cookbook writer, blogger and novelist Kate Young on creating a viral cooking blog, how she turned her blog into a series of cookbooks, a...
#116: Pádraig Ó Tuama — Using poetry to notice the world, Knowing when a poem is done, How to strengthen your poetry writing
14 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Practical advice from Irish poet Pádraig Ó Tuama on writing and editing poetry and expanding your world with poetry. Highlights from a previous epis...
#115: Rachel Blackmore & Literary Agent Juliet Pickering — Getting Published, Historical Fiction, Making Your Pitch Stand Out & Inside a Literary Agent’s World
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For decades, Rachel Blackmore dreamed of becoming an author. In 2020, she joined Writers’ Hour and began her first novel. Now, her debut, COSTANZA, ...
#114: David Whyte - Reads poems: A Seeming Stillness, A Song for the Salmon and Start Close In. Plus Writing Rituals, Fallow Periods and Frontiers
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A curation of our favourite questions and poems from our interview with poet David Whyte. We ask him: What we can do when we can’t access our writin...
#113: Lyn Slater — How to Reinvent Yourself At All Ages, Becoming An Accidental Icon, The Reality of Going Viral, Blogging for Pleasure, Writing Memoir & Moving Beyond Fame
17 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lyn Slater on going viral with her blog, Accidental Icon in her 60s, writing memoir How to Be Old and starting a Substack in her 70s and why getting o...
#112: Olivia Petter — The Power of Vulnerability, Finding Your Niche in Journalism, Viral Posts, Writing about Love, Relationships & Culture
10 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Olivia Petter, award-winning journalist & author on breaking into journalism, vulnerability, writing about consent and celebrity (Gold Rush), finding ...
#111: Charlie Hoehn — Launching Bestselling Nonfiction; Why Play is Key For Happiness & Marketing For Writers
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Marketing strategist, editor and author Charlie Hoehn on the key things bestselling authors do to create a successful and shareable books. We talk ab...
#110: Beth Morrey — Writing Funny, Upmarket Fiction
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sunday Times Bestseller Beth Morrey (Saving Missey, Lucky Day) on her journey as a writer and TV producer and writing humorous upmarket books while ex...
#109: Nora Neus — Turn Your Ideas Into Newsworthy Stories, Pitching Articles, Books and Graphic Novels
29 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nora Neus, Emmy-nominated producer, writer, and freelance journalist (CNN, Vice News, The Washington Post) and creator of the Long Form Lab on finding...
#108: Oisín McKenna — Literary Novels, Breaking Into Spoken Word, Writing In Fragments, Trusting Your Impulses
16 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
SHOW SUMMARYSpoken word artist and writer Oisín McKenna on Oscar Wilde as inspiration, finding his footing in the spoken word world, turning his hand...
#107: Niamh Mulvey — Writing Literary Fiction, Short Stories & Navigating The Publishing Industry, Creating Memorable Characters
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Short story and literary novelist and former Hachette Editor, Niamh Mulvey on how to create memorable characters, finding her voice as a writer after ...
#106: David Heinemeier Hansson — Turning Blogs into Bestselling Books, Writing Non-Fiction, Books as Products, Selling 1 million copies, Rethinking Work, Finding Meaning In Business & Writing
01 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
David Heinemeier Hansson, serial entrepreneur and bestselling author on his 14-year journey to selling millions of copies of his books, why you should...
#105: Krystal Sutherland — Secrets To Writing a Page-Turner, Writing Young Adult Fantasy & Thrillers, How to Motivate Yourself, Amazon Studios
18 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Young Adult Bestselling author Krystal Sutherland on the reality of hitting the New York Times Bestseller list, how she constructs compelling hooks an...
#104: Rupal Patel — Lessons from the CIA, Building A Creative Practice, Prioritising Time & Writing Non-Fiction
04 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rupal Patel, an ex-CIA agent and author of From CIA to CEO on applying CIA tools to your personal and creative life. Plus she gives us tips for how to...
#103: Pádraig Ó Tuama — Reading, Analysing & Writing Poetry; Making A Living as a Poet
27 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The poet and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama tells us about his journey into poetry, how he knows a poem is complete and how poets might practice noticin...
#102: Michael Jamin — Writing for TV, Personal Essays, Self-Publishing & Building a Platform
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
TV writer Michael Jamin (‘Just Shoot Me!’ and ‘King of the Hill.’) on his experience as a writer and showrunner, growing his platform and how ...
#101: Eliza Reid — Writing Fiction & Nonfiction as Iceland's First Lady
06 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The First Lady of Iceland Eliza Reid on her writing habits, her creative life and why the Iceland Writers’ Retreat is a perfect place for writers. ...
#100: Clara Vulliamy — Crafting Picture Books and Older Children's Stories, Dealing with Rejection, Finding Your Voice
30 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Clara Vulliamy, a children’s author of over 30 books talks about how she approaches collaboration, and what she’s learned from decades in the worl...
#99: Kim Krizan — Writing 'Before Sunrise' series, Crafting Memorable Characters For Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy & Other Screenwriting Tips
23 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Before Sunrise co-writer, Kim Krizan on plotting for the screen, creating memorable characters for Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy and advice on how to st...
#98: Chip Conley — Why Life Gets Better With Age, Creativity in Midlife, Role of Newsletters and Blogs, Creating Ideal Conditions for Writing
10 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
New York Times bestselling author Learning to Love Midlife on why life gets better with age, midlife as a chrysalis & awakening and how we can create ...
#97: Leo Vardiashvili — Disciplined Writing, From Aspiring to Debut Author, Plotting Literary Fiction, Maintaining Pace, Organising the Query Process
03 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leo Vardiashvili on disciplined writing, completing his literary novel and writing about home. *ABOUT LEO VARDIASHVILILeo Vardiashvili moved to Londo...
#96: Lucinda Halpern — How to Get Signed With a Literary Agent, Unlock Your Book’s Big Idea, Query Letter Essentials, Unconventional Ways to Engage With Beta-Readers
25 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
New York Literary Agent Lucinda Halpern on positioning your book, finding the big idea for your pitch and finding and getting signed with a literary a...
#095: Hester Musson — Writing Gothic Historical Thrillers, Querying Agents, Moving Past Rejection, Creating Tense Dialogue
17 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hester Musson (The Beholders) on her writing and querying process for her gothic historical thriller. She also talks to us about how she overcame reje...