Writer’s Routine
- Episodios
- 426
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- cada semana
- Último episodio
- 13 Nov 2026
Sobre el podcast
How do the best writers get to work?
In every episode, we'll chat to an author about their writing day. Where do they work? What time do they start? How do they plan their time and maximise their creativity, in order to plot and publish a bestseller?
Some are frantic night-owls, others roll out of bed into their desks, and a few lock themselves away in the woods - but none have a regular 9 to 5, and we'll find out how they've managed it.
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Episodios 426
Ben Aaronovitch, author of 'Rivers of London' - Fantasy author discusses unexpected success, keeping track of the little details, and the arcs that keep his 'Peter Grant' series going
Ben Aaronovitch is a science-fiction enthusiast. He started off in TV, writing for Casualty, Doctor Who, and Jupiter Moon. Then, whilst working in a bookshop in London's Convent Garden, he had an idea for a …
Notas del episodio
Ben Aaronovitch is a science-fiction enthusiast. He started off in TV, writing for Casualty, Doctor Who, and Jupiter Moon. Then, whilst working in a bookshop in London's Convent Garden, he had an idea for a magical mystery and murder that would happen nearby. The seed became 'Rivers of London', and the first in the 'Peter Grant series'. It tracks the adventures of a young policeman who discovers he's a wizard, and the secret department of the force that takes him in. It was a completely unexpected success, and the 9 novels that have followed are consistent bestsellers. He's a 'tentpole author', which means publishers and bookshops plan their calendars around his stories. Countless novellas and graphic novels are also in the series.
His novels are - Rivers of London (2011) Moon Over Soho (2011) Whispers Under Ground (2012) Broken Homes (2013) Foxglove Summer (2014) The Hanging Tree (2016) Lies Sleeping (2018) False Value (2020) Amongst Our Weapons (2022) Stone and Sky (2025)
We talk about why he's utterly focused on his job as a writer and what it actually means, also how he plans short-term arcs for his characters which keep the series going, and why he's learned to step away from the things he's bad at. You can hear why reviews are never useful, what he's learned about keeping track of characters, and the story behind his covers.
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Ryan Pyle, author of 'The India Ride' - Adventurer discusses bringing pictures to life on the page, how video diaries help, and being your own editor
Ryan Pyle is an adventurer, documentary-maker and now, author. He travels the world making films for the Discovery Channel, the Travel Channel, BBC Earth and more. After starting out living in China and writing …
Notas del episodio
Ryan Pyle is an adventurer, documentary-maker and now, author. He travels the world making films for the Discovery Channel, the Travel Channel, BBC Earth and more. After starting out living in China and writing for the New York Times, he was named by Photo District News as one of the 30 photographers to look out for. Now, he makes documentaries.
His films have taken him on adventures up mountains in South America, through treks across India, and seen him set a Guinness World Record for the 'Longest Motorcycle Trip in a Country', when he travelled through China. When he returns from these adventures, he'll let them rest and then a few months later, will write their story. Following a process that involves video-diaries and many screens at home, he's able to remember precise moments from a journey months ago, and gets them down into books. These are self-published, and we talk about the fine points of improving when you're your own editor and soundboard.
He's published 'The India Ride', 'Tough Rides: Brazil', 'The Middle Kingdom Road', and 'Sacred Mountains of China'. We talk about why it's important to not get misty-eyed and try to remember the bad bits. Also, how he's managed to translate a documentary into a gripping, page-turning read, and how he's moved from being a picture man to now someone who deals in words.
Get a copy of one of Ryan's book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
This episode is supported by Philippa Hall's 'Quick Book Reviews Podcast', take a listen wherever you've got this.
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Daisy Stephens, author of 'The Island of the Lost' - Horror writer discusses making sentences chilling, editing to add more words, and creating a good query letter
Daisy Stephens is a journalist who has written stories forever. When she was young she filled notebooks with them, now living in a house-share with 3 friends and a grumpy cat, she fills notebooks with ideas and …
Notas del episodio
Daisy Stephens is a journalist who has written stories forever. When she was young she filled notebooks with them, now living in a house-share with 3 friends and a grumpy cat, she fills notebooks with ideas and plots. During lockdown, she tried to turn one into a novell. It didn't go well. After 100,000 words she fell out of love and put it away. Then, for her job, she interviewed an author who did what she hadn't. An author who carried on. That writer turned her lockdown project into a published novel... why couldn't Daisy?
Then, whilst querying one finally finished novel, she had the idea for another. An idea about a twin that goes searching for her sister on a desolate, abandoned island. That novel became 'The Island of the Lost', which you can find on horror shelves in bookshops right now.
We talk about why horror is hard to classify into genre, and why most scary stories are actually so much more. You can hear how Daisy manage to make her sentences chilling, and why she litters description through the plot to keep things claustrophobic. Daisy discusses why she still overthinks sentences, how to keep true to your characters even when the ending is in mind, and how to write a good query letter.
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Laurell K. Hamilton, author of 'A Glimmer of Death' - Romantasy writer discusses splitting an entire book in half, finishing a series, and her late ADHD diagnosis
Laurell K. Hamilton is a pioneer of romantasy and urban fantasy. One of the biggest names in the genre, Sarah J. Mass has cited Laurell as an enormous inspiration. She's published more than 40 novels and has …
Notas del episodio
Laurell K. Hamilton is a pioneer of romantasy and urban fantasy. One of the biggest names in the genre, Sarah J. Mass has cited Laurell as an enormous inspiration. She's published more than 40 novels and has sold over 20 million of them. She's a Number 1 New York Times bestseller known for her 'Anita Blake' series and the 'Merry Gentry' books - the first of which was published in 2000.
She's back with the penultimate novel in that series, 'A Glimmer of Death'. Merry Gentry, the Fairy Princess turned Private Investigator is looking into a string of magical attacks against up-and-coming Hollywood actresses, which bring up things from her past she'd preferred stayed forgotten. Originally it was the final book, but she was pursuaded by her publishers to split it in two.
We talk about the lead in process for a book... how long does it take to get from premise to being published? Also you can hear why this new novel is probably the hardest thing she's ever done, and how she discovered which colours boost her creativity.
We discuss her late in life ADHD diagnosis and how it's changed her process, also why an entire book was inspired by a fleeting glance at one picture gave her inspiration for an entire book, and how she's come to have 3 seperate desks.
Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
This week's episode is sponsored by Philippa Hall's 'Quick Book Reviews' podcast. Take a listen wherever you get your shows.
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Elif Shafak, author of 'In One Brief Moment All Eternity' - Bestselling writer discusses why writing is at the core of humanity, how it damages your health, and why you need to ask childish questions
Elif Shafak is an incredibly successful and influential author. Born in France to Turkish parents, Elif was raised by her single mother and traditional grandmother. She spent her childhood moving across the …
Notas del episodio
Elif Shafak is an incredibly successful and influential author. Born in France to Turkish parents, Elif was raised by her single mother and traditional grandmother. She spent her childhood moving across the world, living in Madrid, Cologne, Amman and Istanbul.
Her debut 'Pinhan', won the Rumi Prize in Turkey, and since her first English translated novel, 'The Gaze', she's published more than 20 books which have been translated into almost 60 languages. Her books have been finalists for the Costa Award, the British Book Awards, the Women's Prize for Fiction, have been Reese Witherspoon Book Club Picks, and Elif has been nominated for the Booker Prize. Her novel, 'The Forty Rules of Love', was picked by the BBC as one of the 100 novels that have shaped our world, and her book, 'There are Rivers in the Sky', was the UK's bestselling literary hardback novel in 2025.
Elif's new book is 'In One Brief Moment All Eternity'. It's a reinvention of the story of Gustave Flaubert. The French author created perhaps literature's most scandalous heroine, in Madame Bouvary. Shafak imagines a moment where the women history have overlooked get to tell their side of his story.
We discuss why colour is so important to her space and stories, also why connection is more important than ever, and why she doesn't really believe in routines.
You can hear why she believes stories tap into something bigger than us all, why you need to ask childish questions, and also how it ends up damaging her health.
Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
This week's episode is sponsored by Damonza, the premier cover design and formatting solution for independent authors. Head to damonza.com/routine for a free cover genre guide, and use ROUTINE10 when you're ready to get started, to save 10%.
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Jenna Helwig, author of 'The Foreign Correspondent's Wife' - Cookbook writer discusses turning to mysteries, being focused with research, and the recipe for a perfect thriller
Jenna Helwig is a food editor, a cookbook evangelist, and now novel writer. She's a culinary school graduate, and in 2025 launched, the Cookbookery Collective, a very successful Substack for cookbook lovers …
Notas del episodio
Jenna Helwig is a food editor, a cookbook evangelist, and now novel writer. She's a culinary school graduate, and in 2025 launched, the Cookbookery Collective, a very successful Substack for cookbook lovers. Jenna has published 5 cookbooks herself focusing on everything from feeding a baby, to cooking on a budget.
Her debut novel, 'The Foreign Correspondent's Wife' tells the story of reporter Kat Kelly, and her husband, a foreign correspondent. She lives in Paris in 1949, just a few years after the end of the war, at a time when the city is starting to find its joy again. When Kat finds the body of an old American classmate, she must race to solve the case, and save her marriage, before it's too late.
We talk about what inspired her switch to novel writing, and how difficult she found diving into the story after so long focusing on food. You can hear about her incredibly focused research, and how she got into the mind of a half-French, half-American journalist living in Paris 70 years ago.
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This week is sponsored by Philippa Hall's 'Quick Book Reviews Podcast', take a listen wherever you've found this.
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Benjamin Abravenel, author of 'The Past, Again' - Debut author discusses learning from history, hybrid-publishing, and keeping busy in retirement
Benjamin Abravenel practiced medicine for 35 years, whilst in snatches of spare time, started work on a novel with a message he was passionate to get heard in the world. When he retired with something like a …
Notas del episodio
Benjamin Abravenel practiced medicine for 35 years, whilst in snatches of spare time, started work on a novel with a message he was passionate to get heard in the world. When he retired with something like a first draft, he hired a Professor to help him edit into something publishable - she said there was very little chance it would ever be traditionally published. Benjamin went the hybrid-route, and has spent the last few years putting the finishing touches on 'The Past, Again'.
It asks the question, what if the horrors of Jewish history could happen again in 21st Century America?'. The story tells the tale of Judah Cohen, who whilst living in sun-drenched California, stumbles upon the truth of the Holocaust, he then spends the rest of his life running from his Jewish identity.
We talk about learning from history and having a message you're so passionate about, you'd do anything to get it heard. Also, his unique road to publication, and how hard it was to act on feedback you've paid for.
You can hear about the name change that helped him tell his story, where he goes from here, and how he researched by finding real life experience.
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This week is sponsored by the 'Quick Books Reviews' podcast with Phillipa Hall. Take a listen wherever you're listening to this.
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Claire McGowan, author of 'The Other Couple' - Million-Copy Bestseller discusses what's changed in 5 years, spreading the net wide, and challening yourself to make things better
This week, we're chatting to the million-copy bestseller, Claire McGowan. She's an Amazon bestselling crime and thriller author, with almost 30 novels. Best known for the 'Paula Maguire series', she's also …
Notas del episodio
This week, we're chatting to the million-copy bestseller, Claire McGowan. She's an Amazon bestselling crime and thriller author, with almost 30 novels. Best known for the 'Paula Maguire series', she's also known for non-fiction true crime, and has published women's fiction under the name Eva Woods. Claire was director of the Crime Writers' Association, and launched the UK's first MA program in Crime Writing, and now writes regularly for TV and radio.
Her newest novel, 'The Other Couple', tells the story of Beth and Vince, who escape to a luxurious Spanish resort for a break from the brewing tensions in their marriage. They befriend a a glamorous couple who seem perfect, but when a body is found in the water, Beth begins to wonder if everything she knows about her husband is the truth.
We discuss why Claire floats across genre, regularly writing out of contract if there's a subject she's interested in. Also, Claire joined us on the show 5 years ago, and is one of our rare returning guests, so we chat about how her life and routine has changed in that time. Plus, what she's learned about the publishing industry, and how that affects what she works on, and how much she thinks about the future.
Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
This week's episode is sponsored by Faber Academy, their flagship 'Writing a Novel' course is back. Find out more - https://faberacademy.com/creative-writing-courses/fiction-writing-courses/
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Scott Mariani, author of the 'Ben Hope series' - Bestselling thriller writer discusses keeping the discipline, finding new mysteries, and learning what readers want
This week we're chatting to one of the UK's best-selling thriller writers. Scott Mariani has published 30 novels in the 'Ben Hope series', a few more in his 'Will Bowman historical thriller adventures', and …
Notas del episodio
This week we're chatting to one of the UK's best-selling thriller writers. Scott Mariani has published 30 novels in the 'Ben Hope series', a few more in his 'Will Bowman historical thriller adventures', and some chilling books about vampires. He writes in his sprawl of land hidden in the Welsh countryside, almost secluded with his stories.
Ben Hope is an ex-SAS soldier turned reluctant hero, who finds himself in thrilling chases across the world, all centred around an historic mystery waiting to be solved. His debut, 'The Alchemist's Secret', was a number 1 bestseller for 6 weeks, although it took quite a strange route to success. Following it up with 29 more Hope novels, Scott finally retired the character... only to be drawn back to his hero a few years later. He has announced a new one, 'The Jericho Road', due to be released in 2027.
We discuss why his routine is built around strict discipline, putting the words together much like a builder will make a house with bricks. Also you can hear about how he's learned what a reader wants, whether he's figured out any plotting tricks, and how he researches his globe-trotting adventures without the internet.
Get a copy of the debut novel here - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
This week's episode is sponsored by Faber Academy's 'Writing a Novel' course, which is back. Find out more - https://faberacademy.com/
Also, we're supported by Philippa Hall's 'Quick Book Reviews' podcast. Take a listen wherever you've got this show.
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Simon Wroe, author of 'Ghost Month' - BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick discusses listening to your instinct, getting into your characters' heads, and writing a novel for London
Simon Wroe started work as a chef and still works in a kitchen. Only this time, he writes novels in them. He's worked as a journalist for The Guardian, The Economist, The Times and more, and his debut, 'Chop …
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Simon Wroe started work as a chef and still works in a kitchen. Only this time, he writes novels in them. He's worked as a journalist for The Guardian, The Economist, The Times and more, and his debut, 'Chop Chop', was nominated for the Costa First Novel Award. He also penned the screenplay for 'Sweet Dreams', a mixed-media film starring Munya Chawawa and Morgana Robinson.
His new novel is 'Ghost Month'. It tells the story of how strange a month September has become. Every year, the spirits of the dead return for 4 weeks only. The novel focuses on 4 characters and their experiences of this time, and how society has learn to live with, and profit from, the haunting month.
We talk about how it was inspired by personal, and societal, grief, also how he got into the headspace of multiple characters, and how much pressure he felt to make things chilling.
You can hear about his wide-ranging research and influences, the seeds for the idea, and why he wanted to write a novel for London.
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This week's episode is sponsored by Faber Academy's 'Writing a Novel' course. Find out more at faberacademy.com
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Kevin Wade, author of 'One Good Eye' - 'Blue Bloods' showrunner talks learning the rules of crime shows, writing 20 individual mysteries, and switching to novels
Kevin Wade is a screenwriter and show-runner, behind some of the biggest films and series of recent times. After acting for a bit, he started off penning Off-Broadway plays. Kevin moved on to write on 'Working …
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Kevin Wade is a screenwriter and show-runner, behind some of the biggest films and series of recent times. After acting for a bit, he started off penning Off-Broadway plays. Kevin moved on to write on 'Working Girl', 'Meet Joe Black', 'Maid in Manhattan', before getting huge success as the exec producer and showrunner for most of the 'Blue Bloods' series. The show was a police procedural starring Tom Selleck. It ran for years, and meant Kevin and his team needed to write over 20 mysteries a season, that individually wrapped up and all contributed towards the overall was series arc.
His debut novel, 'Johnny Careless', was nominated for an Edgar Award, and he's followed that up with 'One Good Eye'. It tells the story of Police Chief Jeep Mullane, who sets off on a lonely and dangerous path to find out who attacked one of his oldest, closest friends.
We discuss the marathon of writing 20+ episodes of a show every year, and learning to hit the beats and fit the format of network television. Also you can hear why he ditched the initial idea for the novel, and why a fire isn't really exciting.
Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
This week's episode is sponsored by Faber Academy's 'Writing a Novel' course. Find out more - https://faberacademy.com/creative-writing-courses/fiction-writing-courses/
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Matt Hill, author of 'Wrecks' - Speculative fiction author discusses a big editing change, feeling guilty about creating, and keeping the pace up
Matt Hill is a Philip K. Dick nominated author, having published 6 books over the last 13 years. 'Lamb', 'The Breach', 'Zero Bomb', 'Graft' and 'Folded Man', have all be acclaimed for their prose, innovation …
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Matt Hill is a Philip K. Dick nominated author, having published 6 books over the last 13 years. 'Lamb', 'The Breach', 'Zero Bomb', 'Graft' and 'Folded Man', have all be acclaimed for their prose, innovation and invention... he descibes them as 'getting a little weird'. He's also published novels as MT Hill. Matt's new novel is 'Wrecks'. It tells the story of mechanic Jim Sorrel, who is dismissed by his rally team for his part in a life-changing crash. When he is offered a second chance, he discovers his punishment has only just begun.
It's inspired by Matt's childhood spent in a motor-racing loving family, and we discuss how he's used that for a speculative, noirish thriller. You can hear how he keeps the pace of a car-focused book going across the novel, why he's very open to learning things, and what he's done with a new dedicated writing space.
We chat about the challenge of sticking the landing, his big editing change, and why his method and routine has changed over the last few years.
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Vaseem Khan, author of 'Quantum of Menace' - CWA Award Winner discusses bringing to life a caricature, having the energy to keep going, and editing on the go
Vaseem Khan tried to be an author for a long time. He wrote widely, in all genres, even analytically studied the greats to learn from how they did it, but kept gettiing rejected. Finally, after many turned down …
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Vaseem Khan tried to be an author for a long time. He wrote widely, in all genres, even analytically studied the greats to learn from how they did it, but kept gettiing rejected. Finally, after many turned down pitches, he landed a deal for 'The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra'. It tells the story of a retiring police officer, who is given an elephant to adopt. It was selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels between 2015-20.
He still writes widely. Vaseem published the 'Malabar House' novels set in 1950s India, which focus on the country's first female police officer. His most recent novel, 'The Edge of Darkness' is in that series. He also won the CWA Crime Dagger award in 2021 for his book, 'Midnight at Malabar House'. He's given psychological thriller a go with 'The Girl in Cell A', set in the United States which sold very well, and has more recently turned his hand to something like cosy crime, with his novel, 'Quantum of Menace'. It tells the story of Q from the world of James Bond. Recently fired and pottering about at home, he must solve the mystery of a friends murder. You can hear about the process of being approached by the Ian Fleming estate, and the deal-breaker that he insisted on for the character.
We talk about why everything needs to be spot on as he goes through the novel, also how he brought life to a caricature, and how he managed to keep going through the rejections. There's also a lot of editing and workplace tips to inspire your own day.
You can get a copy of the book at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
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This week's episode is sponsored by Philippa Hall's 'Quick Book Reviews' podcast. Take a listen wherever you've got this.
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Ajay Chowdhury, author of 'Eden Falls' - Thriller writer discusses creating with AI, finishing things off, and writing in different genre
Ajay Chowdhury was the first winner of the Harvill Secker Bloody Scotland Prize. His 'Kamil Rahman' crime stories are incredibly successful, works on various boards, ran a global deep-tech business, and …
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Ajay Chowdhury was the first winner of the Harvill Secker Bloody Scotland Prize. His 'Kamil Rahman' crime stories are incredibly successful, works on various boards, ran a global deep-tech business, and co-founded Shazam! Also he runs a few groups, and is a theatre director. He's a busy man.
He's back with 'Eden Falls', a thriller about Adam and Aisha, who are about to go on their honey. Only, Adam disappears at the airport along with Aisha's passport, simply leaving behind the message, 'I'm sorry'. What follows is a chase across the USA, diving into the shadowy world of weaponised AI.
Ajay is very open about how he uses AI when writing - to bounce ideas off, for quick searching - and in a world in which many authors are scared of AI's place in creativity, Ajay thinks that it's here to stay, so he may aswell make the most of it.
We discuss how he balances creativity with business, and has the energy to stick with ideas through to the finish. We also talk about changing his writing style, how he gets to know his characters, and the simple letters he remembers to get things done.
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Cathy Bramley, author of 'Somewhere Only We Know' - Sunday Times Bestseller discusses inspiration from location, being particular, and embracing being an author
Cathy Bramley has published 18 novels, and sold over 2 million of them. Since her debut in 2015, it's taken a while to finalise she is actually an author. Cathy writes light-hearted romantic uplit, often …
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Cathy Bramley has published 18 novels, and sold over 2 million of them. Since her debut in 2015, it's taken a while to finalise she is actually an author. Cathy writes light-hearted romantic uplit, often focused on ordinary women doing extraordinary things.
Her new novel is 'Somewhere Only We Know', telling the story of Magnolia Jones, who sets off on the gap year trip her daughter so wanted to do... and she finds a bit of herself along the way.
We talk about her busy, busy location, and the software that stops her panicking. Also you can hear how she navigated life moving from being a self-published writer, to a more traditionally published author, and all the unexpected work that comes with it.
Get a copy at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
This week's episode is supported by Philippa Hall's 'Quick Book Reviews' podcast. Take a listen wherever you've found this.
Support the show -
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Julie Owen Moylan, author of 'Elizabeth and Marilyn' - Historical fiction writer discusses thorough research, her path to publication, and remembering you've done the hard stuff before
Julie Owen Moylan's debut novel, 'That Green Eyed Girl', was a Waterstones' Welsh Book of the Month and a runner up for the Paul Torday Memorial Prize. She followed that up with '73 Dove Street' and 'Circus of …
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Julie Owen Moylan's debut novel, 'That Green Eyed Girl', was a Waterstones' Welsh Book of the Month and a runner up for the Paul Torday Memorial Prize. She followed that up with '73 Dove Street' and 'Circus of Mirrors'. Her short film, 'Baby Cakes', won the Celtic Media Award and won at the Swansea Film Festival. She's inspired by finding the fiction in history, thoroughly researching a time, so she can dive right in and create her own world.
Her new novel is 'Elizabeth and Marilyn', which takes us back to the summer of 1956. It looks at the intertwining lives of Queen Elizabeth II and Marilyn Monroe, two of the 20th Century's biggest icons, and why for a brief moment they were neighbours.
We discuss how art inspires her writing, and reminds her she's done the hard stuff before. You can hear why she doesn't believe in writers' block, why the idea came from, and how she has figured out her best writing process.
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Joseph Eckert, author of 'The Traveller' - Sci-fi writer discusses great hooks, 15 years of planning, and editorial push-back
This week, we're chatting to Joseph Eckert whose debut novel has been 15 years in the making, and almost took him to Hollywood.It's an incredible hook, about Scott Treder who finds himself thrown forwards in …
Notas del episodio
This week, we're chatting to Joseph Eckert whose debut novel has been 15 years in the making, and almost took him to Hollywood.
It's an incredible hook, about Scott Treder who finds himself thrown forwards in time by a day. Then by 2 days. Then 4, 8 16, months, and years. You can hear how it all came from a childhood fascination with exponents and a pocket-money pact.
Joseph lives on the USA's west coast, but works east coast hours - we discuss how that affects his writing day. Also hear about his dream den, how his novel began directly on the big screen, and his very thorough first reader.
We discuss how time-travel novels often ask more questions of the author, than providing solutions, how he planned the future of humanity, and his scope for editorial push-back.
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Foluso Agbaje, author of 'The Talk of the Party' - Thriller writer discusses writing in Dubai, worldwide influences, and her pursuit of perfection
This week, we chat to Foluso Agbaje. Her debut, 'The Parlour Wife', was published to widespread acclaim in 2024. She's following it up with 'The Talk of the Party'. It tells the story of a 60th Birthday Party …
Notas del episodio
This week, we chat to Foluso Agbaje. Her debut, 'The Parlour Wife', was published to widespread acclaim in 2024.
She's following it up with 'The Talk of the Party'. It tells the story of a 60th Birthday Party, the envy of Lagos. However, the dream of Bukola Obanile's perfection comes at a price, and this one glorious night could shatter and detroy a family buily on deception.
We talk about why she gets fussier in her pursuit of perfection in each book, also why she uses Canva to write her novel, and why she went back to school to learn to write. You can hear about the energy of Dubai influencing her storytelling, how she's trying to unpick Nigerian culture, and why she's always across how everything looks.
Get a copy at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
This week's episode is sponsored by Philippa Hall's 'Quick Book Reviews' Podcast.
Support the show -
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Sara Sheridan, author of 'The Jewel Keepers' - Book of the Year winner discusses treasure hunt thrillers, long lunches, and the role of a writer
Sara Sheridan's 2022 novel, 'The Botanists', was the Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year, and was a pick for 'The Queen's Reading Room'. Her debut, 'Truth or Rare', won the Scottish Library Award. 'On Starlit …
Notas del episodio
Sara Sheridan's 2022 novel, 'The Botanists', was the Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year, and was a pick for 'The Queen's Reading Room'. Her debut, 'Truth or Rare', won the Scottish Library Award. 'On Starlit Seas', was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Prize, and she's been shortlisted for the Saltire Prize and the CWA Dagger in the Library Award. Sara's published 20 novels, spanning crime, thrillers, TV tie-ins, ghostwriting and historical fiction.
Her new novel is 'The Jewel Keepers'. It tells the story of 25 year old Amarinta McKenzie-Moore, who in 1837 is summoned to her great-aunt's deathbed, and learns the family secret... that she is a Jewel Keeper to the Scottish Crown. She's thrust into a high-stakes treasure hunt that could change the lives of every woman alive.
We discuss comparisons to 'The Da Vinci Code', how public-speaking helps her writing, and how she gets into the mind of real people who lived so long ago. You can hear how she's realised exactly what he role as a writer is, what she needs to start, and about long-lunches that lead to exciting ideas.
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Ollie George Clark, author of 'Youngest Faircrest and the Search for a Sorcerer’ - Award-winning writer discusses making reading accessible, why strict word-counts help the pace, and finding the audience
Ollie George Clark is an award-winning right, who is having a moment. He's got 3 new TV comedy-dramas under commission. He's written plays that have been performed across the UK, had criticially-acclaimed …
Notas del episodio
Ollie George Clark is an award-winning right, who is having a moment. He's got 3 new TV comedy-dramas under commission. He's written plays that have been performed across the UK, had criticially-acclaimed stories broadcast on BBC Radio 4, and won the 'British Comedy Guide Sitcom Competition'.
His new novel is 'Youngest Faircrest and the Search for a Sorcerer'. It's the start of a new middle-grade trilogy, about Youngest who on the day of the Deciding, during which every 12 year old learns who they'll be forever, decides to take his future into his own hands.
We talk about setting it in a different world, and making it relatable to a younger audience. Also you can hear about his path to publication, and how much pressure he feels having signed a contract for a trilogy of stories. You can hear about how he finds the funny later on, how much he analyses his writing day, and why his word-count is so strict.
Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
This week's episode is sponsored by the 'Quick Book Reviews Podcast'. Listen in to Philippa Hall and her fantastic guests wherever you've got this show.
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Kate Lord Brown, author of 'The Silver Thread' - Historical fiction bestseller talks about writing out of order, fact or fiction, and thorough research
Kate Lord Brown is a bestselling historical fiction author. She was a finalist in ITV's 'The People's Author Contest', has been shortlisted for Romantic Novel of the Year, and is read all over the world. Her …
Notas del episodio
Kate Lord Brown is a bestselling historical fiction author. She was a finalist in ITV's 'The People's Author Contest', has been shortlisted for Romantic Novel of the Year, and is read all over the world. Her books travel fantastically well, that could be because she has travelled far and wide too. She worked as an art consultant across Europe, and was part of the first book club in the Middle East for 2 years.
'The Golden Hour', 'The House of Dreams', 'The Perfume Garden', and many more, have all been loved by readers. Her new one is 'The Silver Thread', it's a globetrotting and history-travelling story.
Here's the blurb...
London, 1875. Bel has secured a design job at the newly opened Liberty store, where Japonisme is all the rage. When Hiro, a fellow designer, travels with her to Tokyo to source silks and inspiration, little does she know it will be the start of an unforgettable love story. Paris, 1985. Mira, a recently qualified art curator, is hired to catalogue the contents of an apartment which has been closed for decades. As she works through the treasures it reveals, she longs to discover what happened to famed designer Isobel Bright – and why her apartment has been locked for so many years. . .
We discuss writing out of order, how she steers clear of blind alleys and has learned what her characters want, and why its so easy to get lost in research.
You can hear about Kate's civilised writing routine, about the online writing club that's changed everything, and how she deals with the battle between historical fact and fiction.
Get a copy of the book at uk.bookshop.com/shop/writersroutine
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This week's episode is sponsored by IngramSpark, get 15% off your first 15 books with the code ROUTINE15 at ingramspark.com
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Lucy Ashe, author of 'The Model Patient' - Historical Thriller writer discusses finding control, why a book deal changes things, and unpacking therapy
This week, we're chatting to Lucy Ashe. Lucy trained at the Royal Ballet school, and now works as a teacher in Brooklyn, whilst writing brilliant books. Her debut, 'Clara and Olivia', was shortlisted for the …
Notas del episodio
This week, we're chatting to Lucy Ashe. Lucy trained at the Royal Ballet school, and now works as a teacher in Brooklyn, whilst writing brilliant books. Her debut, 'Clara and Olivia', was shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger Award. Her follow up, 'The Sleeping Beauties', was also set in the world of ballet.
The new novel is 'The Model Patient'. Set in 1960s London, it explores obsession and betrayal. In the quiet hush of her therapists office, Evelyn Westbrook finds herself revealing secrets she'd prefer to stay hidden. When her sessions with the enigmatic Dr. Daley starts to give more questions than answers, she finds her interest in him turn into an obsession. It was inspired by Lucy's own traumatic relationship with a therapist, and it helped her find some control in that strange situation.
We talk about Lucy's writing life, after recently having her first child, and how that's changed how much time she thought she'd have to write. Also, hear how a book deal changes how you write... does it add confidence or pressure? And, how it's a slight diversion from her normal historical fiction book - she's found the psychological thriller in this one.
Get a copy of the book at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
This week's episode is sponsored by IngramSpark. Get 15% off your first 15 books when you use the code ROUTINE15 at ingramspark.com
Also, this week we're supported by the Quick Book Reviews podcast with Philippa Hall. Take a listen wherever you've got this show.
Support us at
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Deepa Anappara, author of 'The Last of Earth' - Multi-award-winner discusses dealing with success, writing by hand, and keeping track of characters
Deepa Anappara's debut, 'Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line' was a critically-acclaimed bestseller. It was named as one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, the Washington Post, The Guardian and …
Notas del episodio
Deepa Anappara's debut, 'Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line' was a critically-acclaimed bestseller. It was named as one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, the Washington Post, The Guardian and National Public Radio. Time Magazine included it in its list of 'The 100 Best Mystery and Thriller Books of All Time'. It won the Edgar Award for Best Novel, was shortlised for the JCB Prize fo Indian Literature, and has been translated into over 20 languages.
Her new one looks set to be an equal smash. 'The Last of Earth', has already been named as one of the BBC's 12 books to read in 2026. It tells the story of an Indian school teacher and a British explorer, attempting to undertake a treacherous journey across Tibet.
We discuss why writing by hand helps Deepa unlock an unknown connection. Also, how she wrestles themes and ideas into one plot-driven thread. You can hear her fascination with Tibet, keeping characters on the right path, and her thoughts on AI coming for creativity.
This episode is supported by IngramSpark. Get 15% off 15 books or more at ingramspark.com, use the code ROUTINE15.
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Liz Alterman, author of 'A Different Type of Poison' - Thriller writer discusses embracing the meta, always having a listen, and changing how you write depending on how it's read
Liz Alterman has written all sorts. Young adult fiction, uplit, memoir, and is back with a new psychological, campus thriller, 'A Different Type of Poison'. It's about the author Molly Archer, whose latest …
Notas del episodio
Liz Alterman has written all sorts. Young adult fiction, uplit, memoir, and is back with a new psychological, campus thriller, 'A Different Type of Poison'. It's about the author Molly Archer, whose latest novel, 'Birds at Night', is an instant hit. She's invited to a book club, by an incredibly enthusiastic reader who she should remember from her hometown. The problem is, she can't place her... and might be stepping into a very deadly chapter.
Liz has also published, 'You Shouldn't Have Done That', 'Claire Casey's Had Enough', 'The House on Cold Creek Lane', 'He'll Be Waiting', 'The Perfect Neighbourhood', and 'Sad Sacked'.
We discuss why, after moving through genres, it's psychological thriller that has drawn her in. Also, why stories are written differently, depending on where they're read, why the most vital writing skill is listening, and about her new-found lease of writing life.
This week's episode is sponsored by IngramSpark. Get 15% off your first 15 books or more at ingramspark.com. Use the code ROUTINE15
Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.com/shop/writersroutine
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Mark Frost, co-creator of 'Twin Peaks' - Thriller author and screenwriter discusses working with David Lynch, super-agents, and his new novel, 'The Yankee Sphinx'
Ever since Mark Frost saw his actor father prepare all day for work, having to leave every evening to jump on stage, he knew he wanted to get his work done early in the morning. A life as a writer came calling …
Notas del episodio
Ever since Mark Frost saw his actor father prepare all day for work, having to leave every evening to jump on stage, he knew he wanted to get his work done early in the morning. A life as a writer came calling. He's worked on all sorts, writing on 'Hill Street Blues', the 'Fantastic Four' movies, sports books, thriller novels, and it's his work with David Lynch, as the co-creator of the cult series, 'Twin Peaks', that he's most loved for.
'Twin Peaks' was a show like no-other. A surreal, ethereal, chilling couple of series, that was a ratings win, a critical hit, and now has a cult-following. We discuss how the show, and working with Lynch, has influenced his writing since.
His new novel is, 'The Yankee Sphinx', inspired by his great-uncle's diaries, it tells the story of Will Hassett, a close confidence of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States.
We talk about how this idea met his fine criteria for working on a project. Also you can hear why, inspired by script-writing, he splits an idea into 3 parts, how he knows when something is done, and we get stories of working with a literary super agent.
Get a copy of the novel - uk.bookshop.com/shop/writersroutine
This week's episode is sponsored by IngramSpark. Get 15% off your first order of 15 or more books, with the code ROUTINE1 - get to ingramspark.com to make the most of the offer.
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Sarah Vaughan, author of 'Based on a True Story' - Bestselling writer discusses streaming success, a chaotic writing room, and realising you're too busy
Sarah Vaughan worked as a reporter and correspondent for The Guardian for years, before finally starting a novel on her 40th birthday. She published 'The Art of Baking Blind' and 'The Farm at the Edge of the …
Notas del episodio
Sarah Vaughan worked as a reporter and correspondent for The Guardian for years, before finally starting a novel on her 40th birthday. She published 'The Art of Baking Blind' and 'The Farm at the Edge of the World', aimed at book-clubs, which in her words, 'didn't really trouble the bestsellers list'.
Then, out of contract, she wrote, 'Anatomy of a Scandal', and everything changed. It was a smash-hit and inspired a Netflix series which was viewed hundreds of millions of times. She's since published, 'Little Disasters', which was made into a Paramount+ show, and released, 'Reputation'.
Her new novel is, 'Based on a True Story'. It tells the tale of Dame Eleanor Kingman, the nation's most loved storyteller, with an entire generation growing up on her stories.... but now, someone wants to reveal the truth about who she really is.
We discuss whether streaming success has changed how she thinks through a plot, and whether knowing what might land on screen has altered what ideas she takes on.
Also you can hear about starting late and finally getting success, why she's switched to write scenes, and her journeys through genre and writing out of contract.
Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
Read the newsletter - writersroutine.substack.com
This week's episode of the podcast is sponsored by Philippa Hall's 'Quick Book Reviews Podcast'.
Support the show -
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Annie Elliot, author of 'Mr & Mrs Charles Dickens: Her Story' - Knowing when you need to get words written, mining your own past, and was Charles Dickens a narcissist?
Annie Elliot has always been around words. She worked in local government, taught communication, as a newspaper reporter, which taught her the importance of being able to get the words down on time. She's …
Notas del episodio
Annie Elliot has always been around words. She worked in local government, taught communication, as a newspaper reporter, which taught her the importance of being able to get the words down on time. She's written short-stories and flash-fiction which have been successful in competitions, and was longlisted for Mxslexia Magazine's Novel Award.
Her new novel is 'Mr & Mrs Charles Dickens: Her Story'. It's a self-portrait of Catherine, Charles Dickens' wife, and the marriage that nearly destroyed her. After 22 years of marriage, she was banished from the home and their nine children, with her reputation destroyed, when her husband fell in love with an 18 year old actress. On her deathbed, Kate asked her daughter to give Charles' letters to the British Museum, 'so the world may know he loved me once'. Annie's novel fulfills her dying wish, and restores Kate to history as more than a famous author's discarded wife.
We talk about Annie's career, and what that taught her about communication and precision. You can hear why she went back to school, and what Annie learned from a masters degree. We discuss her thorough research, why she is in the best place to write, and how 'Hamnet' inspired her story.
You can get a copy of the book at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
Support the show -
patreon.com/writersroutine
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This week's episode is sponsored by Philippa Hall's 'Quick Book Reviews' podcast, take a listen wherever you've got this show.
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Stig Abell, author of 'A Twist in the River' - Breakfast Show host discusses golden age crime fiction, why planning sets you up for failure, and why AI will kill culture
Stig Abell is a media polymath. He's worked for The Sun and LBC, was the editor of the Times Literary Supplement, and now hosts the breakfast show on national Times Radio. He's just published the fourth novel …
Notas del episodio
Stig Abell is a media polymath. He's worked for The Sun and LBC, was the editor of the Times Literary Supplement, and now hosts the breakfast show on national Times Radio. He's just published the fourth novel in the Jake Jackson series, 'A Twist in the River'.
His debut fiction novel, 'Death Under a Little Sky', won the Specsavers Debut Crime Novel Award' and CrimeFest 2024. Since then, he's published 'Death in a Lonely Place' and 'The Burial Place'. He's written non-fiction, 'How Britain Really Works', and 'What to Read Next'.
'A Twist in the River', tells the story of Jake Jackson, an ex-detective who is hoping for peace in the countryside, but finds himself deep into an investigation when a young nurse disappears on the riverbank.
We talk about how a writing day looks when you need to get up at 2.45am to be on the radio. Also, you can hear why planning sets you up for failure, and why for Stig, writing is all about momentum.
Stig talks about his wide-interests, and balancing different projects while finding time to write. Also about looking up words, and why AI is coming for culture.
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Elle McNicoll, author of 'Unapologetic Love Story' - Carnegie Award nominated writer discusses making your book stand out, the importance of representation, and being full-time whilst never having time to write
Elle McNicholl is a Carnegie Award nominated author. Her debut 'A Kind of Spark' won the Blue Peter Book Award and the overall Waterstones Children's Book Prize, alongside Blackwell's Book of 2020. It was …
Notas del episodio
Elle McNicholl is a Carnegie Award nominated author. Her debut 'A Kind of Spark' won the Blue Peter Book Award and the overall Waterstones Children's Book Prize, alongside Blackwell's Book of 2020. It was turned into a BBC Children's TV show, which she wrote. That won a Royal Television Society Award, and was nominated for an Emmy.
She's published many more, 'Some Like It Cold', 'Wish You Were Her', 'Role Model', and many others.
Pretty good for a writer who didn't actually set out to write.
Her new novel is her debut for adults, 'Unapologetic Love Story'. It's all about Raina Lewis, London's hottest It Girl, who is effortlessly cool and beloved for her smash-hit podcast spotlighting autistic women. However, when she meets the investigative journalist Tom Branimir who is out to discover her secret, things change.
You can hear why representation is so important, and why her own neurodivergence helps and hinders her writing. We talk about how she gets her characters to do what she wants, how much she thinks about other audiences, and why she takes a social-media break after writing.
Elle runs through her path to publication, detailing how she really fell into writing, also she talks about how she makes her relatable novels stand out on kids bookshelves that are stuffed with magic and dragons.
You can get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
This week's episode is supporter by Philippa Hall's 'Quick Book Reviews' podcast, take a listen wherever you get your shows.
Support the show yourself -
patreon.com/writersroutine
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Jane Dougherty, author of 'Pasiphae' - Re-imagining Greek mythology, capturing a moment in poetry, and detaching from technology
Jane Doughtery writes magical, often apocalyptic fiction. She's been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and is inspired by myth, history and classical tradition. Also, she's a poet, seeking to capture the moment …
Notas del episodio
Jane Doughtery writes magical, often apocalyptic fiction. She's been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and is inspired by myth, history and classical tradition. Also, she's a poet, seeking to capture the moment in a spark of creativity.
Her new novel is 'Pasiphae'. It's a re-imagining of the Greek minotaur myth, a bid to reclaim one of its most maligned women. From the perspective of his mother, it's inspired by how women's roles are distored in Irish and Greek mythology. Jane is putting that right.
We talk about why she's detached from technology, also about the intention of poetry and what living in the country means for her idea.
You can hear why she just wants to live in the world of her novels, what she needs to know to start, and how she wrestles with the fear of rejection.
Get a copy of the book at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine
Support the show -
patreon.com/writersroutine
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Read the newsletter - writersroutine.substack.com
This episode is supported by the 'Quick Book Reviews Podcast' by Philippa Hall.
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