The Honest Authors' Podcast
Episodes
S8E08 - Special episode - Running our mouths LIVE at Waterstones
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon for a special episode recorded live at Bluewater Waterstones one cosy Sunday morning. For the first time, the...
S8E07 - With special guest Stacey Halls
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon chat to award winning, bestselling historical fiction author, Stacey Halls about getting published, finding ideas ...
S8E06 - Two announcements and work/life balance
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Holly Seddon and Gillian McAllister discuss two upcoming things:Holly's book is out now, and you can buy it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/59-Minutes-...
S8E05 - With special guest Sophie Hannah
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling authors Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon talk to Sophie Hannah, not only a superstar author but the founder and coach of Dream Author C...
S8E04 - With special guest, foreign rights agent Tanja Goossens
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling thriller writers Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon talk to brilliant Curtis Brown foreign rights agent, Tanja Goossens, about what forei...
S8E03 - With special guest Erin Kelly
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a festive episode that - true to tradition is going out in mid-January - bestselling thriller writers Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon catch up ...
S8E02 - With special guest Liane Moriarty
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Novelists Liane Moriarty, Gilly McAllister and Holly Seddon talk work/life balance, coming up with fresh ideas, meeting readers, fate, parenting and a...
S8E01 - We're BACK! And we have Blake Crouch with us.
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thriller writers Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon grill Blake Crouch about his journey to publication, getting adapted, becoming a showrunner and c...
S7E05 - We answer listener questions!
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling thriller writers Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon answer a whole heap of quick fire listener questions on plotting, writers' block, the...
S7E04 - Our Achilles Heels, plus chat about reviews
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling thriller writers Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon chat Achilles heels, reviews and Mastermind specialist subjects, and - what we don't ...
S7E03 - Our incredibly late new year episode
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In keeping with all the preceding years, the Honest Authors Christmas and New Year episode is dropping late. Bestselling thriller writers Gillian McAl...
S7E02 - With special guest Mhairi McFarlane
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling writers Gillian McAllister, Holly Seddon and Mhairi McFarlane chat about getting started, coming up with fresh ideas, bad reviews and Arch...
S7E01 - We're back! And we have Linwood Barclay with us
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Gillian and Holly are back, talking about their years, fears and Archilles heals. PLUS in-depth interview with Linwood Barclay on how he keeps writing...
S6E08 - Season finale PLUS we answer your probing questions
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Before signing off for maternity leave, Gilly and Holly talk future plans and answer your questions. *Some slightly rude chat so wait until your kids ...
S6E07 - How Alex Michaelides writes a novel
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Multi-million selling author of The Silent Patient and The Maidens, Alex Michaelides, talks process, sudden bestsellerdom and finding renewed joy in w...
S6E06 - How Clare Mackintosh writes a novel
03 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Clare Mackintosh talks us through precisely how she writes her international bestsellers, from idea to planning to writing to rewriting until it's a 1...
S6E05 - How Lisa Jewell writes a novel
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors interview the incomparable Lisa Jewell about how she writes a novel, from idea to delivery.If you enjoy this podcast episode, pleas...
S6E04 - How WE write our novels
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors interview each other about how we write a novel - from the germ of an idea to hanging the manuscript in to our editors.If you enjoy...
S6E03 - How Jill Mansell writes a novel
15 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Gilly and Holly talk to Sunday Times bestseller of over 30 books, Jill Mansell, about how she writes her novels...If you enjoy this podcast episode, p...
S6E02 - End of Year Review
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors discuss their 2021 in review, and look forward to 2022.If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, review and buy o...
S6E01 - How Giovanna Fletcher writes a novel
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, review and buy our books!
The Honest Authors' Podcast S5E10 - Season finale! With big news from Gilly and Holly.
10 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors both have big news, plus listener questions answered on money and agent submission. Warning: a few swearwords so don't listen with ...
The Honest Authors' Podcast S5E09 - With Jane Fallon and Lindsey Kelk
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors talk finding fresh ideas, giving readers what they want and writing through these weird times with fascinating and funny veteran wr...
The Honest Authors' Podcast S5E08 - With special guest Tim Weaver
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Tim Weaver is on the podcast talking standalone novels, keeping a series fresh and how success is not always linear.If you enjoy this podcast episode,...
The Honest Authors' Podcast S5E07 - Redrafts, professional jealousy and finding time to write
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Gilly and Holly talk about redrafting, how long it takes to write a book, dealing with professional jealousy and finding time (and space) to write.If ...
The Honest Authors' Podcast S5E06 - We interview our agents!
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors interview their own agents. What have you always wanted to ask an agent but were too afraid to? Well, look no further.If you enjoy ...
The Honest Authors' Podcast - S5E05
26 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Writing through lockdown (yawn, of course), Gilly and Holly's plans for 2021 and answering listener questions.If you enjoy this podcast episode, pleas...
The Honest Authors' Podcast - S5E04 - A Christmas special! On time! It's a Christmas Miracle!
24 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, review and buy our books!
The Honest Authors' Podcast - S5E03 - Mental health roundtable with Charlotte Levin, Robin Morgan-Bentley and Sunita Thind
24 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Three writers join the Honest Authors to talk mental health and creativity, coping strategies and more.If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remem...
The Honest Authors' Podcast - S5E02 - Prolific authors who publish more than one book per year
03 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors talk to prolific authors who publish more than one novel per year.If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, revie...
The Honest Authors' Podcast - S5E01 - Debuts who were published in lockdown, roundtable
06 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon talk to debut authors published during the 2020 lockdown.If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rat...
The Honest Authors' Podcast - S4 summer special all about audiobooks
01 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors talk audiobooks and audio writing opportunities with star actor Tuppence Middleton and audio expert Paul Stark from Orion Publishin...
The Honest Authors' Podcast - S4E10 - OMG it's a season finale! Featuring brilliant bestseller Fiona Barton
28 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In the season four finale, we interview Fiona Barton (author of The Widow, The Child and The Suspect) and talk about our big publication news.If you e...
The Honest Authors' Podcast - S4E09 - Are newsletters worth it? How do you choose which idea to write?
23 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We take questions from listeners including how you know which idea is a 'runner' and whether having an author newsletter is worth it.If you enjoy this...
The Honest Authors' Podcast - S4E08 - Featuring Mark Edwards and his wild ride to becoming a bestseller!
20 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors hear from bestseller Mark Edwards, whose real life journey to publication features more twists than any thriller.If you enjoy this ...
The Honest Authors' Podcast - S4E07 - How to write a novel during lockdown... without losing your mind
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors are still locked down... and still writing. They talk about their writing processes and how they're staying on track during such st...
The Honest Authors' Podcast - S4E06 - With special guest CL Taylor
31 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sunday Times bestseller CL Taylor joins Gilly and Holly for a candid chat about writing life, changing genres, writing processes and more.If you enjoy...
The Honest Authors' Podcast - S4E05 - What things do you do that are part of being a writer but aren't writing?
04 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The honest authors discuss creative panic, anxiety and things they do that are part of being a writer but aren't writing.If you enjoy this podcast epi...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S4E04 - The end of year review
07 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Horrific shower scenes, changing agents, canine chaos, the best of times, the worst of times AND SO ON. Happy 2020!If you enjoy this podcast episode, ...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S4E03 - We answer your questions
03 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors answer your questions on series versus standalone, the differences between publishers, how to write a synopsis and more!If you enjo...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S4E02 - The d*ck pic episode
23 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Everything bad you wanted to know about being an author but were too afraid to ask...If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, revie...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S4E01 - With Paula Daly
08 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors are back! Paula Daly tells Gilly and Holly all about having her books turned into TV and how she approaches writing bestsellers wit...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S3E12 - Finale with Shari Lapena
07 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors interview Shari Lapena and talk self doubt, shelving books, and how to have a steady stream of new ideas.If you enjoy this podcast ...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S3E11 - LIVE from the Breakthrough Festival!
24 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Gilly and Holly's first live appearance as the Honest Authors, talking publication, hooks, setbacks and successes.If you enjoy this podcast episode, p...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S3E10 - Tony McAllister and YOUR pitches
04 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We're joined by Gilly's dad, Tony McAllister, who talks about how he helps Gilly (and Holly!) with her books plus we discuss listeners' pitches.If you...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S3E09 - Hilda Burke, Psychotherapist
19 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Are creatives more prone to anxiety and stress? Does extensive phone use get in the way of writing and thinking? How can authors cope better with the ...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S3E08 - Phoebe Morgan
05 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Phoebe Morgan, editorial director AND author, tells the Honest Authors why manuscripts get chosen, how publishers spot trends, what she's working on r...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S03E07
15 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors are back from the Easter break! Talking about Gilly's latest publication, the latest weird worries and, for some reason, floatation...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S03E06 - Mark Billingham
12 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors grill expert bestselling author Mark Billingham on how he's managed to write a book a year for nearly 20 years, how he keeps coming...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S03E05 - Isabelle Broom
27 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, review and buy our books!
The Honest Authors Podcast - S3E04 - Therese Coen
14 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What do we mean by foreign rights? What actually happens at book fairs? How much money can authors make from translated copies of their books? The Hon...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S3E03 - Sam Eades
27 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors get the chance to grill phenomenal Trapeze Books publishing director Sam Eades about the acquisitions process, what happens behind ...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S3E02 - Alison Barrow
13 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The honest authors answer Q&As on writing processes and chat to Alison Barrow about publicity including the most effective way to promote a book.If yo...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S3E01
30 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors are back! Talking full-time writing, routines, redrafts, weird messages, switching off and, er, spinning, Cardi B and Wall-E.If you...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S2E10 - Season Finale with Caroline Hulse
17 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the season three finale episode, the authors talk honestly about life changes, career changes, representation changes and why it's so very hard to ...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S2E09 - Helen Cullen
07 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Helen Cullen, author of The Lost Letters of Willam Woolf, talks to the Honest Authors about her publication journey, giving up the London rat race to ...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S2E08 - Claire Allan
10 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We interview Claire Allan and talk social media, word counts, and writing two books a year.If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate,...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S2E07 - Lia Louis and Anxiety
25 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We talk to debut novelist Lia Louis during an anxiety special!If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, review and buy our books!
The Honest Authors Podcast - S2E06
14 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss how to have an idea, when you're reviewed poorly by people you know and how to develop a hook for your book.If you enjoy this podcast episo...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S2E05
26 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We interview Joy Rhodes and discuss pre-publication nerves!If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, review and buy our books!
The Honest Authors Podcast - S2E04
09 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In our most honest episode yet we discuss crises of confidence, abandoning projects and the etiquette of book blurbs. PLUS a really interesting interv...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S2E03
22 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We interview bestselling author Tracy Buchanan, speak about press reviews for debuts and outlining.If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember ...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S2E02
11 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss publishing news, cover reveals, light bulb moments and (to a surprisingly extensive degree) Neighbours.If you enjoy this podcast episode, p...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S2E01
21 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Gilly and Holly are back, with a new jingle and a lot of opinions. The honest authors discuss publishing news, violence against women, "twists you won...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E19
17 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The final episode of season 1. We take questions, discuss how it feels to have second books out, reviews and writing through the chaos.If you enjoy th...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E18: Imran Mahmood
05 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors talk to author Imran Mahmood about his incredible debut You Don't Know Me, meeting about a billion famous DJs, dialling down the sw...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E17: Mark Stay
26 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, review and buy our books!
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E16: Christmas Special!
24 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We review our year in writing, answer questions, and moan.If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, review and buy our books!
Honest Authors Podcast - S1E15: Will Dean
13 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We talk to forest-dwelling thriller writer Will Dean about his brilliant debut, Dark Pines, and how he writes a first draft in four weeks! FOUR WEEKS!...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E14: Sarah Pinborough
27 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We interview Sarah Pinborough about marketing, social media, and author longevityIf you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, review an...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E13
21 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The Honest Authors talk the power of taking breaks, recommendations for brilliant plots, exploding ketchup and the usual anxieties...If you enjoy this...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E12
04 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, review and buy our books!
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E11
29 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
James Swallow, New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of Nomad and Exile, joins Gilly and Holly. We talk about the route to getting publis...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E10
26 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We talk finances, 'fame' and - weirdly - air disasters. We also discuss a difficult court case that Gillian visited for research, some listeners may f...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E09
15 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We talk events, being part time and being verified.If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, review and buy our books!
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E08
17 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Holly Seddon and Gillian McAllister discuss moving from first drafts to second drafts, selling foreign rights and the agent/author relationship.If you...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E07
02 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon talk social media and being an author.If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, review and buy o...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E06
22 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss launches, sales, and generally being completely anxious.If you enjoy this podcast episode, please remember to rate, review and buy our book...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E05
07 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Special guest G.J. Minett, author of The Hidden Legacy and Lie In Wait, joins the Honest Authors to discuss his route to publication, how to fit writi...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E04
19 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon talk submitting to agents, writing processes and the embarrassing truth about reading their own book reviews.If yo...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E03
01 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Deborah O'Connor, author of the brilliant thriller My Husband's Son, joins the Honest Authors to talk about setbacks, the bumpy road to publication an...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E02
22 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Gillian McAllister, author of Everything But The Truth, and Holly Seddon, author of Try Not To Breathe and Don't Close Your Eyes, discuss grappling wi...
The Honest Authors Podcast - S1E01
10 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Gillian McAllister, author of Everything But The Truth, and Holly Seddon, author of Try Not To Breathe and Don't Close Your Eyes, discuss the honest t...