Explore every episode of the podcast Write Club Podcast

In this month’s Write Club book club episode, Mary and Beth dive into The Mercy Step, the debut novel from Marcia Hutchinson. Featured in the September issue of Writing Magazine, this beautifully written work of autofiction draws on Hutchinson’s own experiences, following the life of Mercy, a young girl growing up in 1960s Bradford in a household marked by violence, neglect, and silence.

Through vivid imagery, emotional depth, and moments of sharp humour, Hutchinson captures both the resilience and vulnerability of a child navigating a world where safety is never guaranteed. We discuss the book’s central themes of survival, identity, and hope, explore Hutchinson’s writing style, and reflect on the scenes that stayed with us long after reading.

In this week’s episode of The Write Club Podcast, hosts Mary and Beth sit down with bestselling author Emma Cowell - a former actress, BBC presenter, and charity fundraiser turned novelist.

Emma shares the story behind her latest book Under the Lemon Tree, a moving tale rooted in love, grief, and the evocative beauty of Greece. We talk about the power of setting, her sensory writing rituals (yes, she really does choose a signature candle scent for each book!), and how writing has helped her navigate personal loss in a way that resonates with readers.

Under the Lemon Tree is out now.

In this gripping episode of the Write Club Podcast, we’re joined by bestselling crime author and screenwriter MJ Arlidge.

Matt has spent over two decades working in television, producing major crime dramas like Silent Witness and Innocent. But he’s also a household name in the world of fiction, with his DI Helen Grace thriller series selling over 1.5 million copies in the UK alone and translated into 20+ languages.

We chat to him about his latest novel Into the Fire, what draws him to crime writing, how he balances character and plot, and the difference between writing for TV and books. He also shares advice for aspiring thriller writers and tells us what he’s working on next.

In this week’s episode of The Write Club Podcast, we’re joined by the brilliant and award-winning author Linda Newbery. With a career spanning decades, Linda has written widely for all ages - from picture books like Posy and Lob to middle-grade adventures such as Treasure House, and even adult fiction including Quarter Past Two on a Wednesday Afternoon, which was chosen for the Radio 2 Book Club.

Linda speaks to us about her early days as a “secret writer,” hiding stories in her wardrobe, and how she eventually transitioned into full-time writing after working as an English teacher. She shares the inspiration behind her latest novel The One True Thing and explains what led her to co-found Writers Review Publishing - an independent, author-led collaborative born out of frustration with the traditional publishing world.

We also discuss the importance of female friendship and solidarity in the writing world, a topic she explores in her recent article for Writing Magazine. Linda talks to us about her creative process, her love for strong writing communities, and the best piece of advice she’s ever received as an author.

In this episode of the Write Club Podcast, Beth and Mary are joined by British historical fiction author Debbie Wastling. Originally from Yorkshire and now based in Los Angeles, Debbie brings a rich background in theatre, music, and grant writing to her fiction - creating stories that are as heartfelt as they are historically rooted.

Recorded while Debbie was back in England on her East Riding Libraries Author of the Month tour, the episode explores the importance of libraries, her experiences in writing high school plays and published novels, and what inspires her to explore specific historical settings and characters.

She also told us how she balances a busy grant-writing career with her creative work, her writing process (planner or pantser?), and what’s coming next.

In this episode Beth and Mary discuss The Drownings by Hazel Barkworth. The Drownings is an atmospheric new novel about competition, obsession and influence.

We discuss the parallels between competitive swimmers and social media influencers, women’s power, anger and safety and Barkworth’s intriguing use of language.

In this heartwarming and insightful episode of the Write Club Podcast, we sit down with bestselling children’s author Amy Sparkes. From picture books to middle grade fiction, Amy’s magical storytelling has captivated young readers across the UK and beyond - with her books even featured on CBeebies Storytime and shortlisted for major awards like the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.

Amy chats with Beth and Mary about being a busy mum-of-six to becoming an award-nominated author, her passion for encouraging aspiring children’s writers, and how she co-founded the Writing Magazine Picture Book Prize. We also explore the origins of her enchanting StoryGodmother brand and her work producing the Writing for Children pages for Writing Magazine.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Sarah Forbes Stewart, a literary powerhouse and the brilliant mind behind The Lighthouse Children’s Literary Consultancy. Sarah has shaped the literary world as a former Fiction Editor at Scholastic Children’s Books and Senior Editor at Floris Books, where she worked on global phenomena like The Hunger Games and Captain Underpants.

In this episode, Sarah dives into her creative journey - from poetry and children’s fiction to her captivating debut adult novel, Aren’t We Lucky. Narrated by Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls) and available exclusively as an audiobook, the novel explores class, privilege, and the complexities of female friendship.

Discover Sarah’s writing process, her thoughts on crafting compelling stories across genres, and her advice for aspiring writers.

In this episode of the Write Club Podcast, we’re joined by the talented Stephanie Burgis, author of the bestselling Queens of Villainy trilogy. Stephanie shares her journey into the magical world of 'romantasy,' offering insights into crafting captivating characters, immersive fantasy settings, and unforgettable love stories.

Discover the inspiration behind her work, her advice for aspiring romantasy writers, and an exclusive sneak peek into her exciting upcoming projects.

Don’t miss this enchanting conversation with Stephanie and the team at Writers Online!

In this episode of the Write Club Podcast, we sit down with award-winning producer, author, and advocate Renay Richardson. Renay discusses the journey behind her acclaimed podcast and book, Human Resources: Slavery and the Making of Modern Britain, delving into the surprising stories of everyday objects and places that reveal the lasting impact of slavery on modern Britain.

She also shares insights into her creative process, the challenges of collaboration, and advice for writers tackling complex topics.

Join us for this thought-provoking conversation!

In this episode of The Write Club Podcast, Beth and Mary dive into the gripping world of psychological thrillers as they discuss The New Neighbours by bestselling author Claire Douglas.

The conversation unpacks the novel’s twists and turns, the power of unreliable narrators, and how weather can act as a character to heighten tension. They also reflect on the challenges of creating relatable characters, unexpected red herrings, and the emotional impact of heart-racing moments within the story.

If you love psychological thrillers, compelling discussions, and behind-the-scenes insights from a masterful storyteller, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of the Write Club Podcast, Mary and Beth chat with Carl Gorham, acclaimed TV and radio writer, journalist, and author of the award-winning memoir The Owl at the Window. Carl discusses his upcoming sequel, My Life in a Garden, a heartfelt and humorous exploration of life’s challenges and triumphs through the lens of refurbishing a house and garden. He shares insights on the parallels between writing and gardening, the transition from screenwriting to book publishing, and how writing helped him process difficult moments. Carl also offers advice for aspiring authors, reflects on his creative process, and leaves listeners with an inspiring book recommendation. My Life in a Garden is out now.

Join Beth and Mary from Writers Online as they chat with Sunday Times bestselling author and president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Sue Moorcroft. Sue shares her journey from childhood library visits to becoming a globally celebrated novelist.

Explore how her past careers shaped her storytelling, the themes of love, family, and community that inspire her work, and her tips for aspiring writers. Plus, get a sneak peek at what’s next for Sue and her top book recommendation.

Listen now and let us know your favourite takeaway!

In this episode of The Write Club, we’re exploring the world of climate fiction with the brilliant John Ironmonger, author of The Notable Brain of Maximilian Ponder, the international bestseller Not Forgetting the Whale (The Whale at the End of the World), and his latest companion novel, The Wager and the Bear.

Join Beth and Mary as they chat with John about what climate fiction (or "cli-fi") is and why it's a powerful tool for addressing the climate crisis, how a tiny Cornish village became the backdrop for his story of global catastrophe and much more.

In this episode of The Write Club, we sit down with the brilliant Ian Ayris, author of three novels, two novellas, dozens of magazine articles, and over forty short stories. With a career spanning fiction, mentoring, and education, Ian brings a wealth of experience to the table. As a Fellow of the Royal Literary Fund at the University of East London and a regular columnist for Writing Magazine, he’s dedicated to helping writers at all levels improve their craft.

Join us as Ian shares his journey to becoming a writer, from discovering his voice to navigating the path to publication. He reflects on the influence of East London in his stories, offers advice for aspiring authors, and provides practical tips on overcoming obstacles, developing characters, and refining your craft.

Join Mary and Beth as they dive into the second episode of Write Club’s Book Club series! This month, we’re spotlighting The Best of Everything by the acclaimed British-Irish author Kit de Waal.

Discover the story of Paulette, a single mother navigating love, loss, and unexpected connections, in this beautifully written novel that explores the transformative power of kindness. Beth and Mary are joined by special guest Eden Barnes, owner of Next Chapter Books in Leeds, to discuss their favourite moments, standout characters, and the emotional depth of the story.

Grab a cup of tea, your favourite notebook, and join us as we celebrate storytelling at its finest!

This week, we’re joined by bestselling author, freelance writer, and self-publishing expert Simon Whaley! Known for his book One Hundred Ways For A Dog To Train Its Human and his insightful Business of Writing feature in Writing Magazine, Simon shares his journey to full-time writing, the balance between self-publishing and traditional publishing, and what keeps him inspired.

Don’t miss this insightful and inspiring conversation.

In this inspiring episode, we continue our conversation with Amanda Marples, author of The Healing Workbook: Tips and Guided Exercises to Help Overcome Trauma. Amanda shares the journey behind her impactful book, including her route to publication and what inspired her to write it.

We explore further into Amanda’s creative process, discussing her writing routines, including her experience with Morning Pages from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, and how she balances her multifaceted roles with her passion for writing.

In Part 1 of this inspiring episode, we’re joined by Amanda Marples - a mental health professional, mentor, published author, and the creator of Reconcile Creative, a mentoring service tailored for neurodiverse writers.

Amanda shares her journey as a neurodiverse writer, the challenges and triumphs she’s faced, and how her unique perspective fuels her creativity. We speak about the mission behind Reconcile Creative, discussing the importance of inclusive support systems in the writing world.

Join us next week for Part 2 of this inspiring and insightful conversation.

This week on Write Club, we’re joined by Northern Irish crime writer James Murphy!

James is the author of the gripping Farset Investigations series and the psychological thriller How To Be Dead. He’s also the host of the podcast A Life of Crime (Writing), a mentor for aspiring writers, and a driving force behind the Northern Ireland Festival of Writing.

In this episode, James shares his journey from school principal to author, his creative process, and how music influences his storytelling. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at the adaptation process for turning James' novel How To Be Dead into a short film and his advice for breaking into the crime-writing genre.

This week on Write Club it's our first-ever Bookclub episode! Join Mary and Beth as they discuss the powerful debut novel Nesting by Roisin O’Donnell, recently longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction.

Nesting tells a gripping story inspired by the complexities of home, independence, and survival during crisis. With rich themes, evocative imagery, and unforgettable characters, this novel has left a lasting impact on readers.

Listen through to the end to find out how you can win a copy of Nesting and join in on the conversation!

Haven’t read it yet? Pick up your copy now and come back to enjoy this spoiler-filled discussion.

In the latest episode of Write Club, we’re joined by the multi-talented Alex Davis - author, creative writing tutor, media lecturer, workshopper, and events coordinator.

Alex explores the world of genre fiction, sharing his passion for horror, sci-fi, and fantasy, as well as his experiences teaching aspiring authors. We chat about common challenges writers face, tips for tackling genre fiction, and the rewarding aspects of being a creative writing tutor.

Plus, Alex gives us the inside scoop on two exciting upcoming events: Spring Haunts 2025 and Strange as Folk 2025.

In Part 2 of our conversation with bestselling author Carmel Harrington, we delve deeper into the creative process behind her 13 captivating novels.

Carmel shares her thoughts on exploring sub-genres, how to navigate genre expectations as a writer, and the recurring themes that tie her stories together.

We discuss where her characters come from, the balance between inspiration and reality, and what’s next for her as an author. Plus, Carmel offers invaluable advice for aspiring writers and reveals her must-read book recommendation.

To top it off, she treats us to a reading from the first page of her latest novel, The Stolen Child.

In the debut episode of Write Club, we sit down with bestselling author Carmel Harrington, whose novels, including The Girl from Donegal, The Lighthouse Secret, and her latest domestic thriller, The Stolen Child, have captured the hearts of readers across the globe.

Carmel shares the real-life event that inspired her gripping new novel, offers a glimpse into her writing routine, and reveals how she crafts the twists that keep readers hooked. She also dives into genre expectations, the themes that run through her 13 books, and the joys and challenges of balancing life as a writer.

Join us for Part 1 of an engaging and insightful conversation with one of the most versatile and talented voices in fiction today.