The Failing Writers Podcast
- Episodes
- 175
- Released
- every two weeks
- Latest episode
- Nov 9, 2026
About the podcast
Becoming a better writer, writing a novel, being a successful author - whatever your writing goal is, we’re here for you! Join two struggling writers learning everything there is to know about writing. They talk to best-selling authors, screenwriters and poets - people who actually know what they’re talking about. The award-winning Failing Writers Podcast is the best writing podcast around. Why? It’s funny, informative and could help you get over writer’s block, finish that novel, get a literary agent and achieve your writing goals. (Oh, and they do silly little songs too)
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Episodes 175
S6 Ep20: Amazing writers flash fiction winner!
Drumroll please!Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...and …
Show notes
Drumroll please!
Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...and now...rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.. the winner...rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... of 2026's Amazing Writers...rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... flash fiction...rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.. competition....rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...from The Failing Writers Podcast... rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... OK... that's enough drumroll..rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... seriously... enough of the rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... OI!
rrrr
Thank you.
In this episode we reveal who won, who lost, who came really close, who made us chuckle, who surprised us, who made 'the song', who made the short list and also who made the longlist.
Plus we bang on about Scrivener. Why? Because we love Scrivener. And if you aren't currently a Scrivener user, we are actual, genuine fans of their writing software, and highly recommend you get yourself a copy. Happily, if you go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com and use the code failing, you can get yourself 20% off the normal price, right NOW!
A big thank you also to Libro.fm, who are a wonderful, ethical audiobook alternative to giving all your money to 'less sharey' organisations. In contrast, they give a cut of their profits from every audiobook to your nominated bookshop!
Howay Lads!
One more thank you. Thank you Phil Rowe for the lovely, gravelly Welsh tones of your narration. Beautiful work, we really appreciate it!
Check out Phil's work here
Right... OK....
on to the important business of winning £500 in our massive flash fiction competition...
Who was it?
Well you'll have to listen to find out won't you? We've left it all in the expert hands of our star judge... David Gaffney.
Want to now more about "The Gaffer"? (as we now like to call him)
Yes of course you do.
Well you can here: https://www.davidgaffney.org
Finally - just to say thank you once again to everyone who's been kind enough to send a small donation our way. We absoutely don't expect it from our listeners - but we massively appreciate it when it does happen, and it really does help us to continue with the podcast. So THANK YOU!! (If you want to "buy us a coffee", you can do so here)
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S6 Ep19: Passion projects
What if you could turn your passion into prose? Your hobby into a hardback? Your obsession into an opus? That's what our guests in this episode have done! What started off as a hobby turned into an …
Show notes
What if you could turn your passion into prose? Your hobby into a hardback? Your obsession into an opus? That's what our guests in this episode have done! What started off as a hobby turned into an opportunity.
Our first guest, Rob Potts, started travelling to different football matches with his son. Before long he was travelling across Europe and around the world, creating more that just a travel guide - but a social commentary documenting people's lives, and the role football plays in their very souls.
Then we talk to Jo Moseley. After managing to survive everything life throws at you by mid-life, Jo found a fresh start in the pastime of paddle-boarding. And with it came the opportunity she'd always been waiting for. But how easy was it to grasp it?
Two great chats, with two very interesting folk.
And then to top the episode off, we've got another Hypewriter. Our feature where we feature writing from a listener that they want to feature. So if you've got something you fancy featuring on our feature (1000 words or under of a novel, poetry, flash, a particularly great postcard you wrote once) share it with us at [email protected], and you could be featured on our next Hypewriter!
Here's where you can find the stuff from the episode on the internets...
Check out Rob Potts' Insta here - and get a hold of his groundhopping book, A Football Oydessy here
Find out more about Jo's adventures here
And, if you fancy reading more about our Hypewriter star, Lesley Bungay, this week? Well, click here to do just that. Maybe get yourself a copy of her debut novel, A Year Without Summer.
Finally - just to say thank you once again to everyone who's been kind enough to send a small donation our way. We absoutely don't expect it from our listeners - but we massively appreciate it when it does happen, and it really does help us to continue with the podcast. So THANK YOU!! (If you want to "buy us a coffee", you can do so here)
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S6 Ep18: Lucy Cavendish Prize: What? A Writing Comp where you don't need a finished manuscript?
Competitions, as previously discussed on this pod, are an amazing way of giving you an opportunity to both really think about your novel and your pitch... but also potentially to bag yourself a chance to get in …
Show notes
Competitions, as previously discussed on this pod, are an amazing way of giving you an opportunity to both really think about your novel and your pitch... but also potentially to bag yourself a chance to get in front of some big, powerful, important, cape-wearing Mavel-comic-like-superheros of the industry.
Today we focus on The Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize. An award that's launched the career of many a successful writer.
So let's have a chat with some of those people... those caped crusaders on the inside. Because.... don't know about you.... but Tommy and I feel like the more you know... the more you get a sense of what you need to do to get on in this biz!
Here's the link:
https://www.lucy.cam.ac.uk/fictionprize
So get the first few chapters of your manuscript licked into shape... perfect your blurb... and your synopsis... and get ON IT!
Listen to these people! They want to read your stuff! And you've got good stuff!
Check out Sarah Brooks's beautiful novel here
Janet Todd's array of excellent books here
And Molly Aitken's 2 fantastic books here
Oh, and thanks to everyone who has been so generous as to pop a few coins in our begging cap - you have no idea how much we appreciate it. And that money goes straight back into the podcast to allow us to keep going. So THANK YOU!! (If you want to donate, just click here)
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S6 Ep17: Robert Llewellyn: creating stories & Kryten stories
Our £500 flash fiction competition sponsored by the lovely folk at SCRIVENER is in full swing and requires your urgent involvement!If you fancy having a go at a 300 word, birthday-themed story, listen to …
Show notes
Our £500 flash fiction competition sponsored by the lovely folk at SCRIVENER is in full swing and requires your urgent involvement!
If you fancy having a go at a 300 word, birthday-themed story, listen to episode 15 of this series, for the lowdown. Then go to https://www.failingwriterspodcast.com and click on the competition banner for all the finer details. Deadline is Monday 19th of October, midday GMT!
Also, the first 150 entries will get a free audiobook from the ethical audiobook company: Libro.fm
For 20% off Scrivener, go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com and use the code failing
So what’s on the menu for the rest of the show?
Well I’ll tell you.
A delightful chat with actor, presenter and writer, Robert Llewellyn. You know - Him with the rubber robot mask off-of Red Dwarf.
It turns out Robert is somewhat of a failing writer himself. (As well as a massively successful one! – as we know these things are rarely simple once you start digging.)
So hear our lovely rambley-natter about Robots, AI, writing, fringe theatre and being let down by a publisher who folded and left him having to fulfil orders from his kitchen table, at his own expense.
If you like the sound of Robert’s books, give em a shot! Click
https://robertsmodernbookshop.bigcartel.com/products
and dive into his home-made online book shop!
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S6 Ep16: Benjamin Myers: Write what you want to know
First things first. Our Big Flash Fiction Competition is Awaaaaaay!And a special big ole THANK YOU to Scrivener for sponsoring it!If you fancy 20% off their wonderful and frankly invaluable writing app, git …
Show notes
First things first. Our Big Flash Fiction Competition is Awaaaaaay!
And a special big ole THANK YOU to Scrivener for sponsoring it!
If you fancy 20% off their wonderful and frankly invaluable writing app, git yourself to https://www.literatureandlatte.com Pop in the code ‘failing’ and Bob’s yer nuncle!
So get cracking – and get yourself a free audiobook courtesy of the beautiful folk at https://libro.fm the ethical audiobook alternative, just for taking part!
Now…
Jon has been a big admirer of Benjamin Myers’s writing for a while now. So you can imagine he was pretty blummin thrilled when the opportunity to chat to him arose.
Of course, as usual, Jon played it very calm, cool and collected on meeting one of his literary heroes.
Didn’t he?
Presumably?
I mean, that’s what a professional would do.
Well… No. He didn’t. Not especially. No.
So come and hang out with Benjamin Myers with us. Get the skinny on the slog to get his writing career launched, how he tricks himself into writing an entire book and even the story of his punk band Sour Face’s first big gig… plus a whole ancient cathedral-full of other fascinating facts about this frankly brilliant writer.
And yes, Jon did write that bit. The big bum-suck.
Here’s a link to Ben’s website:
https://www.benjaminmyerswriter.com
And here’s a link to his amazing books:
https://uk.bookshop.org/beta-search?bkshp-astro=t&keywords=benjamin+Myers
This week on our Hypewriter feature we have… another writer called Ben…
Ben Chase.
Hither be Ben Chase’s substack: https://ratracereleases.substack.com/ for all his writing bits n bobs,
and here’s Ben’s website for all things… you know… Ben Chase: https://benchasewrites.com/
Finally check out the excellent vocal athleticism of Ben Chase's Voice-Over friend, Dawn Falato here: https://dawnfalato.com
Great job! Thank you Dawn! x
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S6 Ep15: WIN £500 FOR YOUR FLASH STORY!
Ya know what they say. When one door closes another door opens.And following the joyful culmination of our poetry competitioncomes....OUR MASSIVE ANNUAL £500 FLASH FICTION COMPETITION - Sponsored …
Show notes
Ya know what they say. When one door closes another door opens.
And following the joyful culmination of our poetry competition
comes....
OUR MASSIVE ANNUAL £500 FLASH FICTION COMPETITION - Sponsored by
Scrivener!
Scrivener?
Yes, of course. The wonderful writing software Scrivener.
Which you should quickly go and buy a copy of, before you do anything else, in order to make the writing of things easier, more intuitive and less brain-hurty.
It's an invaluable writing tool trusted by top writers for 20 odd years! (And also us two… but, you know… don't let that put you off - it's not Scrivener's fault, is it?!)
Well OK then.
Sure, why not? We'll let you use our special secret code and get 20% off...
Just go to: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/
and use the code: failing
No problem.
Now, where were we? Ah yes! Our big, annual, £500 flash fiction competition…
Which we're renaming The AMAZING writers flash fiction competition, in honour of our frankly magnificent listeners.
YOU. Yes! I'm talking about YOU!
If you're up for getting involved, which of course you are, just
go to https://www.failingwriterspodcast.com/flashentry
And don't forget to listen to this episode for all the
details including the special phrase you must include in your story!
Right about now, I'd like to give a big shout out to our star judge… David Gaffney!
Thank you David, for some great advice and a couple of beautiful little bits of short prose…
For all things Gaffney click here
And to buy David’s excellent short story collection, Concrete Fields, you’ll want to click here.
Finally... check out Tommy on the excellent Hellish podcast … here.
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S6 Ep14: Poetry Competition WINNERS!
It's time for us to reveal the winners in our rather spontanious poetry competition.Huge thanks to Rowan McCabe for being head judge and helping us choose the winning poems. If you want to see him live on his …
Show notes
It's time for us to reveal the winners in our rather spontanious poetry competition.
Huge thanks to Rowan McCabe for being head judge and helping us choose the winning poems. If you want to see him live on his new tour, check out https://rowanthepoet.com/home/upcoming-gigs/
Thanks to everyone who entered - and a MASSIVE thanks to our prize sponsors - in particular Libro.fm and WritersHQ. Please do check out their stuff.
Right, without further ado, get listening and find out who's won... 'cos no-one likes all that fake tension build up stuff do they??
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S6 Ep13: Fergus Craig - future Booker prize winner (TBC)
Fergus Craig. Not to be confused with Craig Ferguson. or Fraig Cergus... as sometimes happens... but not very often.You may have seen Fergus on telly. This is because he is an actor. Who acts in things.Or …
Show notes
Fergus Craig. Not to be confused with Craig Ferguson. or Fraig Cergus... as sometimes happens... but not very often.
You may have seen Fergus on telly. This is because he is an actor. Who acts in things.
Or, perhaps you've seen him on your phone screen; a place where he likes to pop up from time to time. This is because he is also a comedian. Who does comedy. Mostly on people's phone screens.
Or, OR, maybe you've read his words on the page of a book. More than one page probably. This is because he is also an author.
So many hats.
which is ironic, because he is very rarely seen actually wearing a hat.
Fergus was a delight to chat to about all manner of writerly-type things. That is to say, I can't right at this minute remember the specifics, but I'll have a quick listen to remind myself and pop it all down here soon as I'm done.
So enjoy this little-itty-bitty-inbetweeny chitty-chat and we'll be back
Get Fergus’s new book here:
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S6 Ep12: The Ultimate Guide To Editing - with Sara Grant
You know what it's like. You've just tapped the words "The End" into your laptop. You've only gone and bloody done it! You've written an actual book.Congratulations. All that blood sweat and tears has paid off …
Show notes
You know what it's like. You've just tapped the words "The End" into your laptop. You've only gone and bloody done it! You've written an actual book.
Congratulations. All that blood sweat and tears has paid off. You have pushed a great big 7 pounder out your imagination-hole.
Time to celebrate!
But hang on...
waaaait up just a teeny tiny moment...
Before you pop the cork on that 1998 Dom Perignon... there's something you need to do...
Yes. Friend.. you need to do some EDITING.
But what exactly does that entail?
Can you do it in a couple of hours, while simultaneously watching reruns of Friends?
Is it a quick bit o' spit and polish?
Well... perhaps... if you're a genius.
But for the rest of us... probably not.
So lets hear from an expert about what the best ways of breaking down the process are, in order to give us the best chance of succeeding.
Yes, we've got Sara Grant here. Writer of "The Ultimate Guide to Editing your Novel" and she's about to stuff your brain with her revolutionary approach to the entire process...
So cock your lugoles, and lets begin.
You can check out Sara here
Not only that but our Hypewriter this week features the fabulous Lucy Brazier.
Check out her What-nottery here
OK. Now go lie down.
You deserve it.
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S6 Ep11: The Failing Writers Podcast - LIVE - with special guest, Claire Fuller!
Are you incredibly sad you missed out on seeing us live at the Alton Arts Festival? Well, don't worry! Here's the next best thing - a recording of that legendary night.And even better, we've edited out all the …
Show notes
Are you incredibly sad you missed out on seeing us live at the Alton Arts Festival? Well, don't worry! Here's the next best thing - a recording of that legendary night.
And even better, we've edited out all the boring bits - like the interval and Tommy's literary quiz. (Although that is available on the full video we've posted on YouTube, if you fancy)
Video of our live podcast with Claire Fuller
We had a lovely time with multi-award-winning author Claire Fuller, discussing her newest book, Hunger and Thirst, as well as discovery writing, character detail, coming up with titles, eavesdropping, writing awards, a whole load of other writingy things.
Then there was our live Hypewriter feature, starring the amazing Madelyn Postman. Check out her book, Staring Into The Sun, here!
Thanks to everyone who came, to the organisers of Alton Festival, and a HUGGGGGE thanks to Gary and the team at Goldfinch Books. They were the bestest hosts anyone could wish for. Goldfinch Books
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S6 ep10: Quit your job and become a full-time author
Should you quit your job to write?Seems like an obvious answer to an obvious question.(No! No is the correct answer!)But hang on.It's the dream isn't it?Writing full time.Quitting the day job and having time …
Show notes
Should you quit your job to write?
Seems like an obvious answer to an obvious question.
(No! No is the correct answer!)
But hang on.
It's the dream isn't it?
Writing full time.
Quitting the day job and having time and energy to write the great novel you've thinking about for ages.
Well let's have a closer look at some writers who've done exactly that - and it ain't worked out too badly for 'em.
People like...
Children's author, Stuart Reid.
Thriller author, Jessica Payne.
and author of Bright I Burn - Molly Aitken, shortlisted for Royal Society of Literature's Encore Award.
All very different stories. All very fascinating and inspiring.
So come and find out what you need to do to become a full-time author.
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S6 Ep9: Poetry Competition - with Rowan McCabe
Welcome to our cheeky little bonus episode! The poetry competition has landed. What started off as a crazy little idea from Jon, has turned into a crazy BIG idea. We’ve got prizes (quite a few actually - huge …
Show notes
Welcome to our cheeky little bonus episode! The poetry competition has landed.
What started off as a crazy little idea from Jon, has turned into a crazy BIG idea.
We’ve got prizes (quite a few actually - huge thanks in particular to https://writershq.co.uk/ and https://libro.fm/)
We’ve got a judge (the amazing Rowan McCabe https://rowanthepoet.com/)
All we need now… are your poems!!!
Less than 250 words - FREE to enter - up to two entries per person. Any subject, any style.
Send them to [email protected]
Good luck!!!
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S6 Ep8: Hollie McNish - Poetry
It's been a while since we had a little poetry splurge. So to rectify that terrible neglect of our duty, Tom and I had a lovely natter with Hollie McNish. We meandered through where her love of poetry began …
Show notes
It's been a while since we had a little poetry splurge. So to rectify that terrible neglect of our duty, Tom and I had a lovely natter with Hollie McNish. We meandered through where her love of poetry began, how it helps her assimilate ideas, writing essays, and the Olympic Breakfast at Little Chef, Chieveley Services. Oh... and we also discuss her brilliant new book, Virgin.
Buy it now... in fact, heck, buy all her books! ... right here
We also bring you our regular feature Hypewriter, where we celebrate one of our listener's glorious bits of work.
And what better to round off an episode about poetry, than a lovely, crisp little villanelle from Nichole Johnson.
Nichole's Insta: @nichole_johnson_poetry
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S6 Ep7: How to win writing competitions
Writing competitions. Clearly they’re not all made the same.Some are free, some are costly, some are actually impossible for mere mortals to enter due to their criteria.The prizes vary too. From small cash …
Show notes
Writing competitions. Clearly they’re not all made the same.
Some are free, some are costly, some are actually impossible for mere mortals to enter due to their criteria.
The prizes vary too. From small cash prizes, to publishing deals.
Today, we’re asking the question… on the whole, if you’re serious about being a writer… are they actually worth it? Are they worth the money, the - let’s face it – likely disappointment, the effort and most importantly of all… the time?
And the biggest question of all - are there any quantifiable things you can do to help nudge your entry to the top of the pile?
We consider such things as:
Where’s the best place to send your piece? Maybe a competition isn’t the right destination? Maybe it’s a literary journal instead?
We get some top notch insider insight, from Bath Flash Fiction Award past winner and judge - Kathryn Aldridge-Morris to get the skinny on what works and what doesn’t. What will wow the judges, what will make them spit their tea out and what will make them slide you into their shortlist.
Plus we hear from fabulous literary agent Joanna Swainson from Hardman & Swainson, for an agent’s eye-view.
https://www.hardmanswainson.com
Finally, the winner of a competition who we suspect is quite glad she entered DFB & Arvon Search for a Storyteller prize, because it won her a publishing deal with David Fickling Books – Miranda Moore.
I can personally recommend her excellent YA book, A Beautiful Terrible Thing.
Yes, devastating & emotional, but also joyful & redemptive.
https://www.mirandamooreauthor.com
And speaking of competitions… look out next week for our BRAND NEW POETRY COMPETITION!
We’re too good to you. Seriously. We are.
Lovely episode art by Katie Rand.
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S6 Ep6: Science Fiction - with Joseph Eckert
Hang on... before we start... let us just fill you in on a very exciting evening happening on Monday the 6th of July, in Alton, Hampshire.At 8pm in the lovely Goldfinch Books on Alton High Street, we are doing …
Show notes
Hang on... before we start... let us just fill you in on a very exciting evening happening on Monday the 6th of July, in Alton, Hampshire.
At 8pm in the lovely Goldfinch Books on Alton High Street, we are doing our first ever proper LIVE podcast.
Our guest will be the fabulous Costa-Novel-Prize-Winning Claire Fuller. We'll be talking about her brilliantly unsettling new book Hunger & Thirst and asking her all the questions you want to know the answers to but don't want to sound stupid. Whereas - we don't mind. We're used to it.
So come and join us in the flesh! I promise it's gonna be a reet proper laugh, as well, obviously, as being incredibly, edifyingly educational!
Right... on with the show...
Do you love sci-fi?
We love sci-fi.
Sometimes I think we forget how much we love sci-fi.
Why do we like sci-fi?
well let's explore that for a moment.
Hmmmmmm.
I think it's because sci-fi is all about human possibility. About the extrapolation of all our greatest qualities.
And yes, of course, our absolute worst.
Sci-fi gives us a glimpse into the future of the human race.
And none more so than Joseph Eckert's brilliant new book The Traveler.
A sort of family drama / sci-fi mashup that brings some big emotional hits and meanwhile taps into our deep curiosity about where this strange and wonderful species we call Homo Sapiens are heading.
We talk to Joseph about time travel, about where the stunning concept for his novel came from, about movie options, spending years trying to get a publishing deal, and about how you fit in writing when you have a full time job!
Then we check out another sci-fi novel! In our HYPEWRITER feature, we're celebrating David Deane Haskell's latest work of science fiction: Solarian Deep.
A first contact, distant-future, flooded-planet, techno-mermaid story, which sounds great. In fact we strongly advise you to take the plunge and buy a copy!
Right... I think's that's all the admin done.... now... on with the show...
Do you love sci-fi?
We love sci-fi.
Sometimes I think we forget how much we love sci-fi.
Why do we like sci-fi?
well let's explore that for a moment.
Hmmmmmm.
I think it's because sci-fi is all about human possibility. About the extrapolation of all our greatest qualities.
And yes, of course, our absolute worst.
Sci-fi gives us a glimpse into the future of the human race.
And none more so than Joseph Eckert's brilliant new book The Traveler.
A sort of family drama / sci-fi mashup that brings some big emotional hits and meanwhile taps into our deep curiosity about where this strange and wonderful species we call Homo Sapiens are heading.
We talk to Joseph about time travel, about where the stunning concept for his novel came from, about movie options, about spending years trying to get a publishing deal, and about how you fit in writing when you have a full time job.
Then we check out another sci-fi novel! In our HYPEWRITER feature, we're celebrating David Deane Haskell's latest work of science fiction: Solarian Deep.
A first contact, distant-future, flooded-planet, techno-mermaid story, which sounds great. In fact we strongly advise you to take the plunge and buy a copy!
Wait a minute...
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S6 Ep5: Ashley Storrie on Comedy, Fan Culture & Autism
Come and see us LIVE!We'll be at Alton Arts Festival on July the 6th, at Goldfinch Books, doing our thing in full colour, 4K, Ultra HD, real life.There will be laughter. There will be genuine writing tips and …
Show notes
Come and see us LIVE!
We'll be at Alton Arts Festival on July the 6th, at Goldfinch Books, doing our thing in full colour, 4K, Ultra HD, real life.
There will be laughter. There will be genuine writing tips and insight from Costa Novel Prize Winner Claire Fuller. There will be a ditty or two. There will be give-aways, impromptu poetry and even Tom’s very-very-serious-wordy-writery-quiz-thing!
Little warning, by the way. There are a couple of sweary-type words in this episode. So get ready to clap your hands around your children's ears! (unless you're driving… then maybe just listen on your headphones, eh?)
Our guest writer this week is the brilliant, funny and whip-smart writer & actor Ashley Storrie. We talk about performing stand up at the age of 11, writing fan fiction, her Mum - Janey Godley, autism, writing sitcoms & guest writing on projects, serendipity in art, and giving your characters a tough time. And I don't know if you can tell... but we really blummin enjoyed it.
And when you've heard Ashley, you'll also want to see her sitcom.
Because it's excellent.
And just when you thought all the glorious chatterage was over, Geoffrey G.N. Harrison goes and sends us a lovely little sci-fi story about DUST, for our Hypewriter feature.
Check out more of Geoff's stuff here
And if you've got some work you think should be celebrated in HYPEWRITER don't be shy! Send it to [email protected] and we'll bring it to glorious audio life and tell you why WE like it too!
Go on do it.
Do it now.
Well that's no excuse.
OK, but don't leave it too long, OK?
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S6 Ep4: Philippa Perry - From fact to fiction
We're doing a live podcast at Goldfinch Books in Alton on Monday the 6th of July, with the brilliant Claire Fuller.Come and join us!CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO SEE US LIVE AT ALTON ARTS FESTIVAL!!!So what …
Show notes
We're doing a live podcast at Goldfinch Books in Alton on Monday the 6th of July, with the brilliant Claire Fuller.
Come and join us!
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO SEE US LIVE AT ALTON ARTS FESTIVAL!!!
So what do we have in today's episode?
An absolute treat, that's what.
Philippa Perry, agony aunt, psychotherapist, artist, self-help-book writer and now cosy crime author.
How the heck does she do it all? She must be either:
A) Some sort of magic fairy-person.
or B) An amazing human being.
Have a listen and I'll let you decide.
We talk about:
Failing and rejection.
How to develop meaningful relationships with your family and friends.
Writing for fun.
Cats.
Making your main character a sorta-kinda-loosely-based-but-actually-quite-similar version of yourself.
and of course Philippa's excellent new cosy crime novel, Shrink Solves Murder.
You can buy that here:
But also don't forget to buy the book that has changed Jon's life the most (in a good way!) :)
The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read
Hell... buy 'em all... they're all great!
OK. Is that it?
No!
It's HYPEWRITER, Silly. And this week we've got the opening of a hardboiled detective novel called No Saints Only Killers by Luke Deckard. (Released on the 10th of June)
Details below!
Luke's podcast Cinema Sleuths
Website: lukedeckard.com & Facebook
Photo of Philippa by Pal Hansen
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S6 Ep3: How To Write & Perform A Play
OK, so you've written something.Well done. *light applause*That's nice.But the next stage - getting it out into the world... that's a really tricky bit.However... one sure fire way of doing that, if you can't …
Show notes
OK, so you've written something.
Well done. *light applause*
That's nice.
But the next stage - getting it out into the world... that's a really tricky bit.
However... one sure fire way of doing that, if you can't persuade some other mug to do it for you, is to blummin'-well slap on some grease paint, don some tights and perform it yourself, on what we call...
... the stage.
Well that's what Jon and his wife Katie did with their play How to be The Perfect Couple.
A project you may remember from earlier episodes (Such as S1 Ep10 - 30mins in - where Jon first reveals the logline of the show.)
And now....
Will you look at that!
Years later, the play has finally come to fruition and a tour is in progress.
If you like the sound of it, you can catch Jon & Katie at:
Alton Arts festival 10th July:
https://wegottickets.com/event/696218
Also at Buxton Fringe on the 14th 15th & 16th of July:
https://www.buxtonfringe.org.uk/descriptions2026.html
And at Seven Arts in Leeds on the 12th of September:
https://www.sevenleeds.co.uk/event/how-to-be-the-perfect-couple-2/
Have a listen to the episode and learn how it all went down, including the rather meta reveal of how Jon & Katie managed to stay a couple during the process.
And while we're on the subject of relationships..... we should mention Relate. If anyone's struggling with a relationship… and a massive amount of people do… there are amazing resources available.
Relate offer relationship counselling at a reduced rates depending on household income. As well as other things like… sex therapy, family counseling, online courses and toolkits… all sorts. Life’s hard enough! Don't just muddle on - Relate might be able to help.
And here are the books Jon & Katie recommend: (We promise you won't regret reading these!)
The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work
Philippa Perry's The Book You Want Everyone You Love to Read:
Also a massive THANK YOU! to Aaron Courts! Steve Salisbury & May King! David Lucas! and of course Kristof Mikes-Liu. We love you all.
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S6 Ep2: Gareth Rubin - books about books about books
Oh, you've listened to this episode already and you'd like to cross our palm with gold?Well, you're in luck.... Simply click HERE to show your appreciation in a pecuniary fashionAnd speaking of fashion - take a …
Show notes
Oh, you've listened to this episode already and you'd like to cross our palm with gold?
Well, you're in luck.... Simply click HERE to show your appreciation in a pecuniary fashion
And speaking of fashion - take a look at our merch HERE
and THANK YOU!
Now... onto the less grubby business of writing...
and this week we're lucky enough to be joined by the excellent Gareth Rubin, a writer whose career caught our eye recently from, of all things, an article about pensions!
What do writers do about pensions when your income is so unpredictable?
Well... that introduced us to Gareth... who it turns out isn't just interesting about pensions!
No, seriously. I know that seems crazy, but it's true.
He's written some books that are right up our street. Books within books within books within books, tête-bêches, an officially estate-sanctioned Sherlock Holmes book, a choose your own adventure-type murder mystery! OK... now you can see why we had to talk to him.
Check out Gareth's website:
Buy Gareth's books here:
https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/authors/Gareth-Rubin/188678671
But that's not bloody all. Of course not!
Because our HYPEWRITER feature is BACK.
and this week we're celebrating the rather splendid Simon John Parkin.
Support a fellow writer by buying his excellent book of short stories (all 999 words!)
HERE’S Simon’s info - and he’s @sparkin.lit on instagram - That's a follow!
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S6 Ep1: Setting Targets (or 'Own Goals' as Jon likes to call them)
Heeeey!You’re back.Well, that’s bloody joyful isn’t it?Nice of you to join us again.Now, let me ask you an impertinent question.How seriously are you taking your writing this year?The reason I ask is we’re …
Show notes
Heeeey!
You’re back.
Well, that’s bloody joyful isn’t it?
Nice of you to join us again.
Now, let me ask you an impertinent question.
How seriously are you taking your writing this year?
The reason I ask is we’re looking at writing goals. Last year’s first of all… see how we got on… and then… we’re all making new ones. Yeah. You too.
Come join us in stating your targets and let’s keep each other accountable.
Send your writing goals to [email protected] and we’ll send you a little reminder of what they were at the end of the year, (plus an email of encouragement about halfway to keep you on track!)
Also don’t forget, if you’ve written something you’re proud of, share it with us!
Send roughly 1000 words to us, (either in a doc, or as a sound file) and we’ll celebrate your beautiful wordage on our regular feature HYPEWRITER.
Could be the start of your latest brilliant novel. Could be some flash you smashed. Could be a poem you wrote. Maybe some lyrics for the greatest song noone’s ever heard of, or could be a letter you wrote your ex-partner explaining why they need to stop calling you when they get drunk.
And a big shout out to www.paragraphplanet.com - you really should think about send them your finest 75 word flash fiction musings!!
Right. That’s the important stuff dealt with. Now sit back and as Tom and Jon reveal how they got on with their targets last year!...
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S6 Ep0: Season 6 trailer!
Not long until we get this show back on the road!! Join us for season 6 when we interview some amazing writers, get stuck into some proper writing craft bits and bobs, and loads and loads and loads and loads …
Show notes
Not long until we get this show back on the road!! Join us for season 6 when we interview some amazing writers, get stuck into some proper writing craft bits and bobs, and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads more beside!!
Season 6 of the award-winning Failing Writers Podcast... coming sooooooon!!!!!
(Oh, and while you're here, check out our new merch store right here... https://the-failing-writers-podcast.teemill.com/)
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S5 Ep24: Doug Johnstone
How do you give your readers everything they're looking for?And your agent? You have to feed the beast don't you? (Is calling agents 'The Beast' too offensive?)It's your job as a writer to offer up precisely …
Show notes
How do you give your readers everything they're looking for?
And your agent? You have to feed the beast don't you? (Is calling agents 'The Beast' too offensive?)
It's your job as a writer to offer up precisely what your readership is looking for. Anything else and you risk losing your commercial edge.
And we can't have that can we?
Oh we can?
Oh... OK.
We met up with the wonderful Doug Johnstone, to hear how he refuses to be pigeoned-holed, writes what he likes, and just so happens to say what he like too - and yes, by that, I mean he swears quite a lot.
Some great advice in this chat about the importance of loving what you write and worrying about it later. Plus lots of other entertaining advice too. Get it into your ear'oles now!
And a big THANKS to Scrivener for sponsoring this season of the podcast!
THANK YOU SCRIVENER!
If you haven't tried Scrivener, you can sample their lovely wares for free for 30 days.
OR you could just blummin well take our advice and buy a copy! and using our special code you can get 20% off!
I know. Mental.
You're welcome.
Just go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com/ and use the code failing.
Right. That's the Christmas presents sorted. Have a great festive celebration, happy new year and see you on the other side for Season 6!
Buy Doug's books
https://orendabooks.co.uk/authors/doug-johnstone
More Doug:
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S5 Ep23: The Scottish Literary Legends
The second stop on our literary whistle stop tour of Edinburgh is The Writers Museum in Makars Court.Focussing on the three writers generally considered to be the great Titans of Scottish Literature: Robbie …
Show notes
The second stop on our literary whistle stop tour of Edinburgh is The Writers Museum in Makars Court.
Focussing on the three writers generally considered to be the great Titans of Scottish Literature: Robbie Burns, Sir Walter Scott & Robert Louis Stevenson.
We have a wander round, read some poetry and look into why these fellas are so revered.
We also go on a literary pub tour and have a chat with actor Mike Daviot, who just so happened to be an absolute font of knowledge about poetry and the Scots language.
Turns out literary pub tours are one of our favourite kinds of tour! Now who could have guessed that?!
So hop on board the Failing Writers Tour Bus and join us for a fascinating, if admittedly wholly inadequate look at three of the greatest writers, not just of Scotland, but the world.
The Writer's Museum:
https://cultureedinburgh.com/our-venues/writers-museum
The Literary Pub Tour we enjoyed:
https://www.edinburghliterarypubtour.co.uk/
Tam o' Shanter:
http://www.robertburns.org.uk/Assets/Poems_Songs/tamoshanter.htm
Hopefully that's inspired you to take a closer look at the poems and novels of these absolute titans. More than that, maybe it's encouraged you to have a go yourself.
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S5 Ep22: Michael Pederson
Ahoy there, you weary word-wanderer. You found us. Finally! Thank goodness.Welcome to the Failing Writers Podcast. Think of us as your writing harbour.Your safe haven.Your Lighthouse.Come and moor here for a …
Show notes
Ahoy there, you weary word-wanderer. You found us. Finally! Thank goodness.
Welcome to the Failing Writers Podcast. Think of us as your writing harbour.
Your safe haven.
Your Lighthouse.
Come and moor here for a while and have your brain de-barnacled by the glorious mind of poet Michael Pederson.
Writer, linguaphile, Edinburgh Makar and all-round inspirational wordsmitherizer.
And once you’ve been inspired… time to get involved and write something wonderful yourself.
But hang on… before you do… you might want to consider the fantastic writing software Scrivener? An app that makes writing novels, plays, screenplays, poetry and all the other stuff soooo much easier.
Plus we’ve got a special code you can use at https://www.literatureandlatte.com/store/scrivener to get yourself a majestic 20% off. Our little gift to you for being awesome.
FAILING
(That’s the code btw, I’m not just shouting FAILING! at you. That would be mean)
And now you’ve listened to Michael, I’ll bet you want all his essential info?...
Yep. Thought so.
Insta: @michaelpedersonoyster
Go see Michael live:
https://www.michaelpedersen.co.uk/events
Buy Muckle Flugga:
https://linktr.ee/muckleflugga
Buy Boy Friends:
https://linktr.ee/boyfriendsbook
Other stuff:
https://www.michaelpedersen.co.uk
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S5 Ep21: Flash Fiction Contest Runners Up 2025
Hello writers. Just when you thought the competition was all wrapped up… this week we look at the almost-winners of our big annual comp.Yep, these are the brilliant writers who made the shortlist, but didn’t …
Show notes
Hello writers. Just when you thought the competition was all wrapped up… this week we look at the almost-winners of our big annual comp.
Yep, these are the brilliant writers who made the shortlist, but didn’t quite manage to snaffle a place on Sarah’s podium.
And here are those five wondrously wizard-like word weavers:
Kieran Ahern
Jonathon Davies
Steven Stilbech
Stuart James Taylor
Jasmine Sears
Well done to them all, and keep an eye out for them in future!
All we need do now I think, is thank our beaaauuutiful sponsor Scrivener, without whom there would be no competition frankly. Or there would, but the prize would be a bag of chips, a pack of Dairylea Triangles and some post-it notes. So… you know…
Thank you very much Scrivener!
Who, aside from being a bunch of lovely people, also happens to be a really fantastic bit of writing software which you can secure for 20% less than the usual price, simply by using the code FAILING at checkout
Just go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com
Finally a massive well done to all of you who wrote one or more stories.
You’re all winners in our book.
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S5 Ep20: 2025 Flash Fiction Contest FINAL!
Lovers of flash fiction… prepare to have your ears blown into absolute blummin smithereens, because this episode is the big reveal of the winners of our annual writing competition, and there’s FIVE HUNDRED …
Show notes
Lovers of flash fiction… prepare to have your ears blown into absolute blummin smithereens, because this episode is the big reveal of the winners of our annual writing competition, and there’s FIVE HUNDRED SQUIDS up for grabs. Which, as I’m sure you’ll agree, is a serious amount of squids.
Think of all the ink you could buy.
So, come on in, and hear the traditional ‘YOU’RE ALL WINNERS SONG’, listen to Sarah Lewis from Writers HQ pick a winner, some runner-uppers and a couple of honourable mentions to boot and then follow that up by immersing yourself in the unbelievably high quality of 1st, 2nd & 3rd place.
But before you do all that… just think. One of them could be yours!
There’s only one way to find out though, and I’m not daft enough to give the game away and write them here in the show notes… so you’d best get listening instead.
Big thanks again to Sarah and the excellent Writers HQ:
Also a massive thanks to our amazing competition sponsor - the esteemed writing app, Scrivener!
Don't forget to pick up your copy NOW. Go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com/ - use the code failing & you can get 20% off! Whoop. Get in! Early Christmas present to yourself.
And finally... huge congratulations to our winner.
Whoever that might be.
And don’t forget to join us next week, when we’ll be hearing more First Class, A-Grade, Top Shelf…. Flash Gorge-uns.
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S5 Ep19: Talking self publishing with a very special guest
So, here we are again for the actually now offically award winning Failing Writers Podcast.You were perhaps hoping this was the competition reveal episode weren’t you?Well, look, it’s not that one… not yet …
Show notes
So, here we are again for the actually now offically award winning Failing Writers Podcast.
You were perhaps hoping this was the competition reveal episode weren’t you?
Well, look, it’s not that one… not yet, however, we’ve got a little treat for you today. ’Specially for long time fans of the podcast.
Someone we’ve had on before and was a delight from start to finish.
Someone who's just self published a book, and has come to talk to us all about their experiences of putting a book out into the world, all on their own*
Anyway, I won’t say any more in case I ruin the surprise, but you should definitely have a listen.
What I will say though, is that our mystery guest is also a genuine fan of Scrivener.
And if you’d like to join the thousands of people who swear by the wonderful writing app Scrivener, why not go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com/store/scrivener
and download it now!
It’s currently only £55 - which is already a bargain, BUT if you’d like 20% off on us - simply use the code failing at checkout and it will only cost you… wait… quick bit of arithmetic… erm… roughly… wait… is it £44?
I think so!
So that’s blummin great innit?
Anyway… if you like the sound of our guest’s book… you can purchase it right here: https://amzn.eu/d/eKujSNA
Please do support the indie book world! It makes a helluva difference to your fellow writers, as I’m sure you know.
*OK, maybe not entirely on their own.
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S5 Ep18: Map Men (Map Men Map Map Map Men Men)
Maps? What's that got to do with writing?Men? How are they relevant in 2025? Oh no… wait … Er.OK... let me explain what’s going on today... by introducing youto (another) 2 handsome and charismatic young …
Show notes
Maps? What's that got to do with writing?
Men? How are they relevant in 2025? Oh no… wait … Er.
OK... let me explain what’s going on today... by introducing you
to (another) 2 handsome and charismatic young men.
Jay Foreman – comedian, singer songwriter (bloody great songs-look em up!) & Map-enthusiast.
And Mark Cooper-Jones – Ex-geography teacher, producer & comedian. Both… now… primarily You-Tubers. (Ha! because that’s a real job.)
Together, they are… Map Men. An absolutely genius bit of infotainment, which I’m willing to bet my last rolo, that you will love:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfxy4_sBQdxy3A2lvl-y3qWTeJEbC_QCp
Tell me I’m wrong! I dare you!
But, right… and here’s the important bit…. they’ve written a book! A brilliant book, which like their show is both brain-engorging and extremely funny.
Here’s a link to purchase several copies for yourself, your family & friends:
And while we’re on the subject of books. Have you ever tried writing one?
It’s bloody difficult isn’t it?
Yeah. Seriously. Who knew?
So may I be so bold as to recommend that you try using Scrivener. It has more features than you’ll ever need! However that does mean that if you do need one, Scrivener has got it!
It just makes writing easier. Not just for books either, but also for plays and screenplays and radio plays and non-fiction and stuff.
PLUS – if you go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com/store/scrivener
You can make 20% of the price of Scrivener completely disappear by using the magic word “failing” at checkout. (You could even simultaneously imagine that you’re a flamboyant 80s stage magician with a white tiger and an open collared shirt while you do it, if that’s the kind of thing you enjoy doing.)
And then – our HYPEWRITER feature! Where you send us something you’ve written that you’re proud of and then we go and celebrate the living babaganoosh out of it.
(If you’d like to join in, just send a bit of writing - roughly 5 – 8 mins-worth - to [email protected] – explain what it is, why you wrote it and a bit about yourself and you could feature on the pod!)
This week we introduce the extraordinarily talented Aaron J Courts, who sent us a lovely piece called Pass & Review.
You can find out more about Aaron here:
https://aaroncourts.substack.com
And behold. The shownotes are done for another episode.
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S5 Ep17: Autumn Woods - How to go viral on TikTok
You know those writers who seem to have managed effortlessly to harness the awesome power of social media to hook increasing numbers of readers into their gravitational pull?Well good for them!No but seriously …
Show notes
You know those writers who seem to have managed effortlessly to harness the awesome power of social media to hook increasing numbers of readers into their gravitational pull?
Well good for them!
No but seriously, wouldn’t it be fascinating to talk to someone who’s become an actual viral sensation themselves and find out what their strategy was?
(That’s your cue to stop reading and crack on with listening to this episode btw.)
BUT WAIT, THESE CAPITAL LETTERS STOPPED YOU IN YOUR TRACKS DIDN’T THEY?
Well that’s good, because now I can tell you all about our sponsor, the indispensable writing app: Scrivener!
The writing app that you can get 20% off! by going to https://www.literatureandlatte.com/store/scrivener and using the code: failing
(I promise you won’t regret it.)
So there you go. How to blow up on TikTok? A chat with a lovely writer? Some great advice about not reading reviews? A discount of some amazing writing software? What more could you want?
Ah you want to know how to get your hands on a copy of Autumn’s excellent romance novel?
OK. Fair enough. Should have seen that coming.
Just click on this link…
https://www.authorautumnwoods.com
What? You still want more? Wow… you’re in quite a demanding mood today aren’t you?
Well… you’re in luck, m’friend. Cos this week in our regular Hype-Writer feature we’ve got a darkly disturbing but excellent little extract from last year’s flash fiction competition winner, Katie Holloway!
She’s promised to post more of Cups of Tea at the End of the World on her substack – so keep your eyes peeled here:
https://substack.com/@loseyourselfbooks
Right. Ya happy now?
Phew.
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S5 Ep16: FLASH FICTION COMPETITION!
Finally.I know, I know.It's that time of year we all look forward to.The leaves begin to loosen their grip. The sky is pregnant with it's autumnal offerings.Jon gets poetic.But aside from all that - it's the …
Show notes
Finally.
I know, I know.
It's that time of year we all look forward to.
The leaves begin to loosen their grip. The sky is pregnant with it's autumnal offerings.
Jon gets poetic.
But aside from all that - it's the bloody Failing Writers Five Hundred Pound Flash Fiction Competition, in association with Scrivener!
That's the bit we're really all excited about.
That's when Tommy and I hunker down, curl up and bask in your beautiful little stories.
(I'm not even joking here, it genuinely is a joyful experience.)
So have a listen to the episode - find out everything you need to know in order to enter the competition, including the little phrase you have to include in your story... and be in with a chance of winning that 500 squids!
This years judge is the delightful Sarah Lewis from writers HQ.
Sign up now for a whole smorgasbord of helpful stuff. Workshops. Advice. Masterclasses. and of course the brilliant (and free!) Flash Face Off. Which we urge you to join in with - After all, it could be the thing that takes your flash piece from great to really blummin' marvellous!
Finally we wrap things up with an unusual but brilliant bit of poetry from the very talented free-styling-street-poet: Isaiah Frati.
check him out here:
Insta: @___reaver
And finally... A GIGANTIC THANK YOU to our wonderful sponsor Scrivener yet again, for sponsoring the podcast, and the competition.
If you'd like to get your hands on the writing software that really matters - get yourself to https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview
and get 20% off with the code: failing
Right.
Go on then... crack on! You've got until midday October 24th. We can't wait to read your submissions!
Good luck.
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