The Writing Life
Episodes
Jennifer Anne Champion on poetry and embroidery
12 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jennifer Anne Champion is on the podcast this week talking to Rosy Carrick about her mix of poetry and embroidery. Jennifer is a poet, writer and educ...
Adam Z Robinson on theatre, Patreon and adapting to Covid-19
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Writer, performer, theatre maker and workshop leader Adam Z Robinson is on the podcast this week to discuss his work, how he's using Patreon and being...
Editing & translating for young readers with Ella Micheler
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Editor, translator and co-founder of Kurumuru Books, Ella Micheler, joins us on the podcast to discuss the editing process, why books in translation f...
Writing fantasy with Nuraliah Norasid
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nuraliah Norasid is on the podcast this week, talking with Sally-Anne Lomas. Nuraliah is a writer, researcher and educator with a PhD in English Liter...
Going from self-publishing to traditional publishing with AE Warren
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
AE Warren's science fiction books Subject Twenty One and The Hidden Base were released earlier this year by Del Rey but began life in self-published ...
Jenn Ashworth on writing fiction & non-fiction
08 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jenn Ashworth is on the podcast this week to discuss her writing across fiction and non-fiction, taking in projects Ghosted: A Love Story and Notes Ma...
Nazry Bahrawi & Vineet Lal in conversation
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In June 2021, we welcomed three writers and translators from Singapore in virtual residence in Norwich, with the support of the National Arts Council ...
Carole Angier on writing the first biography of W.G. Sebald
24 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
W.G. Sebald wrote books including The Emigrants, Austerlitz and The Rings of Saturn, and mixed fiction, history, autobiography and photography . Carol...
Megan Abbott on crime writing‘s power to change society
17 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Fresh from the Noirwich Crime Writing Festival comes Megan Abbott's astonishing lecture about the power of crime fiction and true crime to influence a...
Structuring a novel: Rebecca Watson talks to Chitra Ramaswamy about Little Scratch
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We have a new Early Career Writers' Resource Pack, and it's all about STRUCTURE. On the podcast we're thrilled to have journalist Chitra Ramaswamy int...
Kate Mosse on the Women‘s Prize, Discoveries and research
03 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The inimitable Kate Mosse joins the podcast to talk about her work on The Women's Prize for Fiction and her career as an author of fiction and non-fic...
Finding hope in an age of crisis - with Tom Whyman
27 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Simon is joined on the pod today by Tom Whyman, author of Infinitely Full of Hope: Fatherhood and the Future in an Age of Crisis and Disaster. Part ph...
Lewis Buxton on boyhood, sexuality, sport and publishing his first poetry collection
20 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lewis Buxton returns! Steph talks to Lewis about his new poetry collection Boy in Various Poses, which explores masculinity, mental health and sport. ...
Shash Trevett & Geetha Sukumaran on translating Tamil poetry
13 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Literary translators Shash Trevett and Geetha Sukumaran talk about their collaboration on the work of Tamil poet Nillanthan and Shash's involvement wi...
Olivia Hellwell on translating from Slovene (+ the cultural importance of crisps)
06 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On the podcast this week is Olivia Hellewell, a translator from Slovene to English of literary fiction, children's fiction, and non-fiction. Olivia is...
Substack, the creator economy & serialised storytelling with Elle Griffin
30 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
"Books are dead," so declares Elle Griffin, a journalist and debut writer who is preparing to serialise her first novel via a Substack newsletter. Not...
Tommy Sissons on writing a prose polemic
23 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Tommy Sissons chats to Sam Ruddock on the podcast about his book A Small Man's England, a prose-polemic exploration of white, working class masculini...
How to become a literary translator: deep dive
16 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week we have a special episode for anyone considering or embarking on a career as a literary translator. Sarah Ardizzone, translator and mentor, ...
Tsitsi Dangarembga on representation, feminism and Zimbabwean literature
09 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Tsitsi Dangarembga is a novelist, playwright and filmmaker who joins us on the pod today to discuss her groundbreaking work and its influence on reade...
William Ryan's Guide to How to Write
02 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
William Ryan is the author of historical crime fiction novels, including the Captain Korolev series. William joins us on the pod to talk about his lat...
Jen Campbell on building your writer platform
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning poet and short story writer Jen Campbell is on the pod to discuss her prolific work in children's fiction, non-fiction and poetry as wel...
We pick our top episodes from lockdown
18 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Something of a minisode this week, as Steph and Simon pick their favourite podcast episodes since lockdown began in the UK in March 2020. They also di...
J. Michael Straczynski on Becoming A Writer, Staying A Writer
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Joe Michael Straczynski is the creator of influential science fiction classic Babylon 5; he has worked extensively for Marvel and DC comics, was nomin...
Jessie Greengrass on The High House
04 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jessie Greengrass is on the pod to discuss her latest novel The High House. Jessie is an award-winning writer and was selected by Elif Shafak for the...
Lynn Buckle on positive climate writing with Flo Reynolds
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the final episode of our Imagining the City series, author and artist Lynn Buckle joins us from Dublin to talk to Flo Reynolds about writing her fi...
Abir Mukherjee: Weather With You #3
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Three writers reflect on the atmospheric pressure of the year they’ve just had in Weather With You – a series of three written commissions and pod...
Derek Owusu: Weather With You #2
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Three writers reflect on the atmospheric pressure of the year they’ve just had in Weather With You – a series of three written commissions and pod...
Kerri ní Dochartaigh: Weather With You #1
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Three writers reflect on the atmospheric pressure of the year they’ve just had in Weather With You – a series of three written commissions and pod...
Valur Gunnarsson & Sarah Bower on writing alternate histories
21 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Icelandic writer Valur Gunnarsson joins Sarah Bower to discuss his work, with a focus on alternate histories. He is best known as a writer of creative...
Liz Breslin & Tiffany Atkinson on discovering yourself through writing
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the third of our Imagining the City podcasts, New Zealand writer Liz Breslin talks to British academic and poet Tiffany Atkinson about writing comm...
Polish writer Marcin Wilk talks to Joe Hedinger from The Book Hive
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our Imagining the City series continues with virtual writer in residence Marcin Wilk, at home in Krakow, talking to bookseller Joe Hedinger from Norwi...
Julian of Norwich & biscuits with Vahni Capildeo and Jeremy Noel-Tod
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Vahni Capildeo stayed with us in a virtual residency back in February and is joined in this week's episode by Jeremy Noel-Tod, editor, critic a...
Writing a short story collection with Jo Lloyd + Norfolk & Norwich Festival!
23 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Winner of the BBC Short Story Award in 2019, Jo Lloyd has now published her collection The Earth, Thy Great Exchequer, Ready Lies, and joins Chris Gr...
Neill Cameron on writing for young comics readers, representation, The Phoenix & MEGA ROBO BROS
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and illustrator Neill Cameron is on the pod to talk about his debut novel Freddy Vs School, the long-running comic series MEGA ROBO BROS and co...
Ambiguity & metaphor in The Last Good Man with Thomas McMullan
07 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is The Last Good Man about? When Duncan Peck arrives at a remote village in Dartmoor, he immediately notices the wall towering over it and displa...
Writing HADES with Greg Kasavin of Supergiant Games
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
BAFTA Award-winning writer and games designer Greg Kasavin joins the pod to talk about his work at Supergiant Games, focusing on the critically acclai...
Crowdfunded publishing with Tom Cox
26 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Tom Cox is on the pod talking about his TWO new books out this year, Notebook (out now!) and Villager (out later!). Tom talks to Steph about the inspi...
Writing about the slave who became Queen Victoria's goddaughter - with Anni Domingo
18 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and actor Anni Domingo is on the pod to talk about her debut novel Breaking the Maafa Chain, the remarkable true story of Sara Forbes Bonetta....
Writing creative non-fiction with Sonia Faleiro
11 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Author and journalist Sonia Faleiro joins us to discuss The Good Girls: An Ordinary Killing, her new narrative non-fiction book which examines the kil...
Horatio Clare's journey through madness, mania & healing
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and broadcaster Horatio Clare is on the pod this week to talk to Peggy about his latest book, Heavy Light: A Journey Through Madness, Mania an...
Theatre in translation with William Gregory & Sue Healy
25 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Translator William Gregory joins us on the pod to discuss translating for the stage, how he started his professional career and the challenges of work...
To Olivia - film adaptation with Stephen Michael Shearer & John Hay
17 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We talk to author Stephen Michael Shearer and director John Hay about To Olivia, the film adaptation of Stephen's book An Unquiet Life. Focusing on th...
Styles of dialogue with Chris Beckett
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Author Chris Beckett joins us this week to explore styles of dialogue in literature and how Chris uses it in his novel Two Tribes. Covering topics as ...
Writing a novel on a phone - with Jon Ransom
03 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Debut author Jon Ransom shares his tips for avoiding writer's block, the importance of deadlines, why he avoids using word counts to judge progress, s...
Kate Worsley on the value of mentoring & the challenges of Covid-19
28 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We're very pleased to finally have Kate Worsley guest on the pod, author of She Rises, discussing her route to publication, her time on our Escalator ...
Nicola Upson on why books are more vital than ever
20 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
"The world of the imagination is being diminished by the day, with theatres dark, cinemas closed, and actors and musicians encouraged to retrain in mo...
Owen Nicholls on his first novel & the Escalator scheme
13 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Escalator needs your help! Our talent development scheme has helped 10 writers every year since 2004 but austerity and funding challenges means we can...
World building using narrative voice - with Abi Daré
06 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year! We begin 2021 with a conversation with Desmond Elliott Prize shortlisted Abi Daré, whose debut The Girl With The Louding Voice caught...
Characters in translation - with Thomas Heerma van Voss
16 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're joined on the pod by Dutch writer Thomas Heerma van Voss, who is talking about his new chapbook, Thank You For Being With Us. We're also very pl...
The Black Writers on Democracy Project
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We talk to producer Tamsin Flower about Black Writers on Democracy, a project conceived following the Black Lives Matters protests in 2020. Funded rap...
Form & feeling with poet Will Harris
02 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning poet Will Harris, creator of RENDANG (Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection and a Guardian best poetry book of 2020), is our gues...
The Artful Dickens, literary conjuror - with John Mullan
26 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Think you know everything there is to know about Charles Dickens? Professor John Mullan is back with his new book The Artful Dickens to show us Dicke...
Research, editing & planning novels with Stuart Turton
20 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Stuart Turton discusses the research, editing and planning process behind The Devil and the Dark Water, as well as his route into publishing his first...
Publishing with a small press - with Sally-Anne Lomas & Sam Ruddock
12 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Debut author Sally-Anne Lomas shares her route to being published, which resulted in Gatehouse Press picking up her book Live like Your Head’s on Fi...
Oyinkan Braithwaite on My Sister, The Serial Killer - Noirwich 2020
06 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lockdown didn't stop us from putting on the Noirwich Crime Writing Festival this year in partnership with our friends at the University of East Anglia...
What happens when Covid-19 cancels your book launch? - Richard Lambert returns!
28 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We spoke to Richard Lambert on the podcast in October 2019 about his debut novel The Wolf Road, which was to be published in early 2020. It never came...
Writing narrative non-fiction with Kate Summerscale
21 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kate Summerscale, the award-winning author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, joins the pod to talk to Chris about her new book, The Haunting of Alma Fi...
Agents, representation, childcare & moving out of London - with Emma Shercliff
14 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Emma Shercliff of Laxfield Literary Associates talks to us about being an agent outside of London and her efforts to better represent both regional wr...
How to be an organised writer with Antony Johnston
07 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Want to be a more organised writer? On the pod this week we have Antony Johnston, prolific and bestselling creator of comics, novels, podcasts and mor...
Kieron Gillen on world building in Eternals, Wicked+Divine, Star Wars
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Multi-award-winning comics writer Kieron Gillen joins us on the pod today to discuss his methods for world building. Kieron is perhaps best known for ...
Attica Locke on Power, Property And Prejudice
24 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's a very special episode this week award-winning US author and screenwriter Attica Locke joins us to deliver the annual Noirwich Lecture, in which ...
Book Club:: RENDANG by Will Harris
17 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
RENDANG by Will Harris has been revealed as our new Book Club book! Flo Reynolds returns to the pod to introduce the book and why it's been selected f...
Noirwich 2020: Poirot Special with Sophie Hannah & Mark Aldridge
13 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is Hercule Poirot the world's greatest detective? Dr Mark Aldridge certainly think so, as he explores in his latest book Poirot: The Greatest Detectiv...
Noirwich 2020: Anita Terpstra, virtual writer in residence
11 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Noirwich Crime Writing Festival continues with Anita Terpstra joining us on the pod from Leeuwarden in the Netherlands to discuss her crime writin...
Noirwich 2020: Paddy Richardson, virtual writer in residence
10 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Noirwich 2020 has begun! Our crime writing festival is online this year, which means all the author events can be accessed for free here on the podcas...
How to get your poetry published - with Flo Reynolds
02 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Poet Flo Reynolds joins us on the pod to share their tips on getting published as a poet. This episode is packed full of practical advice, including w...
Okechukwu Nzelu's 10 year writing journey
26 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Okechukwu Nzelu joins us on the pod to talk about his debut The Private Joys of Nnenna Maloney, writing in lockdown and balancing life as a full-time ...
Debut author Eliza Clark on Boy Parts, being published during Covid-19 & lazy comparisons
20 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're joined on the pod by Eliza Clark, the debut author of Boy Parts. Eliza talks to Steph about being published in her mid-20s, the inevitable com...
How Arts Council National Lottery Grants Work
12 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our CEO Chris Gribble joins us on the pod to discuss Arts Council England's new National Lottery Funding Grants. Available now to artists they offer m...
Elvira Dones on identity and translation in Sworn Virgin
07 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Long overdue, we finally have this wonderful recording from the BCLT Summer School 2019, featuring Swiss-Albanian writer Elvira Dones, her translator ...
The Writing Life Trailer
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Get a taste of what we do and meet hosts Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. We're a weekly podcast for anyone who writes - find us on Spotify, Apple Podca...
Sarah Perry on crafting characters
29 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We are very excited to have Sarah Perry back on the podcast! Sarah talks to Chris Gribble about crafting characters and what it means when an author t...
Designing Your Plot - Nicola Upson returns!
24 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Crime writer Nicola Upson returns to the pod to talk about designing a good plot. Nicola tells us how her process has adjusted over time and discusses...
Earning a writer's trust - with translator Sarah Ardizzone
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Ardizzone is a translator from the French with forty-something titles to her name. This week she joins us on the pod to discuss her career as a ...
Eva Meijer and Animal Languages
10 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Eva Meijer, writer and philosopher, joins Kate Griffin on the pod to discuss her work. Topics range from understanding animal languages to writing rou...
Book Club: Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke
02 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for our summer Book Club! We're reading Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke, a crime thriller set in Texas. Flo Reynolds joins us on the pod to...
Simon & Steph Celebrate 100 Episodes
24 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're 100 episodes old! To celebrate, Simon and Steph indulgently look back on The Writing Life show and pick out their favourite episodes, which turn...
Eimear McBride's Method
17 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week Eimear McBride shares her writing method with advice on characters, how to finish a book and what makes someone a writer. Interview origina...
Poetry In Lockdown - with Lewis Buxton of TOAST
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Time for a burst of optimism and inspiration, courtesy of poet, producer and tutor Lewis Buxton. If lockdown is getting to you, have a listen to this ...
Announcing the Desmond Elliott Prize Shortlist
03 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The time to reveal the Desmond Elliott Prize shortlist has finally arrived! NCW Programme Assistant and almost absurdly well-organised person Lillie C...
Searching For Answers with Bregje Hofstede
28 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bregje Hofstede returns to the podcast with this full length version of her conversation with our Programme Director Peggy Hughes. Bregje stayed with ...
Owen Sheers' International Literature Showcase Reveal
23 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Owen Sheers, author, poet and playwright and Professor in Creativity at Swansea University, reveals his selection of ten inspiring writers asking the ...
A Portrait Of An Artist And A Writer
20 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our City of Literature festival continues with today's podcast: A fascinating glimpse into the daily process of making and writing from Sara Baume (Sp...
A Delicate Sight: Max Porter & Sam Winston
18 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
City of Literature 2020 begins! Today's special episode features Max Porter and Sam Winston, talking about the collaborative exhibition A Delicate Sig...
Creating Characters With Michael Donkor
13 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Donkor, author of HOLD, graduate of our Escalator talent programme and a Desmond Elliot Prize nominee, guests on the pod to talk about creatin...
Join our Book Club!
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We have something of a mini-episode this week as NCW Programme Officer Flo Reynolds joins Simon and Steph to introduce our new Book Club. Starting tod...
Becoming A Translator with Motoyuki Shibata
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Moto Shibata returns to the podcast for an in-depth conversation about how he became a translator, balancing the academic and more accessible styles o...
The responsibilities of writers - with Kendel Hippolyte
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Poets Kendel Hippolyte and Flo Reynolds talk on the pod about Kendel's career, taking in his work on page and stage, sharing tips and techniques for p...
Researching True Crime with Stephanie Scott
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Stephanie Scott's debut What's Left Of Me Is Yours releases on April 21st - that's Tuesday, for fast listeners - and Laura Stimson sat down to discuss...
Writing In Interesting Times - with Vahur Afanasjev
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Former Dragon Hall resident Vahur Afanasjev joins the pod to talk to Lewis Buxton about his books, how coronavirus has affected his writing and why he...
Finding Your New Normal - Mark Stay returns!
01 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and presenter Mark Stay, co-creator of The Bestseller Experiment and author of Robot Overlords and The End of Magic, returns for this week's ep...
Method And Digital Tools - Bregje Hofstede & Moto Shibata
25 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's a bumper edition of the pod today, with TWO special guests: Bregje Hofstede and Motoyuki Shibata. As part of our new Early Career Writers' Resour...
Jenny Offill: Catastrophising, coronavirus & Weather
20 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
None other than Jenny Offill joins the podcast to talk about her new book Weather with Joe Dunthorne. Along the way they discuss catastrophising, doom...
Exploring Themes Through Characters: Ayobami Adebayo
13 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Flo talks to Ayobami Adebayo about the writing of her debut novel Stay With Me, in particular focusing on the creation of the characters. Meanwhile, ...
BookTube & Your Online Platform - with Leena Norms
06 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Prominent BookTuber Leena Norms joins us to talk about developing and maintaining an online profile, handling abuse and her parallel careers on YouTub...
The Writing Life podcast trailer
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Get a taste of what we do and meet hosts Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. We're a weekly podcast for anyone who writes - find us on Spotify, Apple Podca...
From Teacher To Writer: Ashley Hickson-Lovence
26 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"If you write, you're a writer." This week we talk to Ashley Hickson-Lovence about the creation of his debut novel The 392, and how he had to fit writ...
Taking Yourself Seriously - with Cat Woodward
21 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Poet Cat Woodward talks to Flo about taking her writing seriously and why she publishes with small presses. Plus a reading of one of the poems from he...
Leaving Your Job To Become A Writer - with Nuril Basri
14 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"Do not be limited by the things that surround you." That's the advice from Nuril Basri, who joins us on the podcast this week to talk about his journ...
How To Pitch To An Agent - Ed Wilson
07 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Agent Ed Wilson joins the pod today to discuss what an agent does, why - and when - writers need them and also how to *become* an agent. If you're abo...