Katy Massey

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Programme Officer Vicki Maitland speaks with writer, editor and workshop leader Katy Massey about the process of writing real people in memoir. Katy was a journalist for many years before studying for an MA and PhD in Creative Writing. Her memoir, Are We Home Yet? was published in 2020 and praised by Bernardine Evaristo as ‘a gem’. It was shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize and the Portico Prize. In addition, her work has been widely anthologised, including Common People edited by Kit de Waal, The Place for Me, and speculative collection Glimpse. Her first novel All Us Sinners, an unusual take on the crime genre, is due to be published by Sphere in January 2024. Together, they discuss how her new self-paced course for NCW, How to Write Real People in Memoir, provides the tools you need to think of yourself as the main character in your story: from creating distinct voices in your narrative to discovering the difference between memory, truth and perspective.

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Programme Officer Vicki Maitland speaks with writer, editor and workshop leader Katy Massey about the process of writing real people in memoir. Katy was a journalist for many years before studying for an MA and PhD in Creative Writing. Her memoir, Are We Home Yet? was published in 2020 and praised by Bernardine Evaristo as ‘a gem’. It was shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize and the Portico Prize. In addition, her work has been widely anthologised, including Common People edited by Kit de Waal, The Place for Me, and speculative collection Glimpse. Her first novel All Us Sinners, an unusual take on the crime genre, is due to be published by Sphere in January 2024. Together, they discuss how her new self-paced course for NCW, How to Write Real People in Memoir, provides the tools you need to think of yourself as the main character in your story: from creating distinct voices in your narrative to discovering the difference between memory, truth and perspective.

Writing Real People in Memoir with Katy Massey

Claire McGowan

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Chief Executive Chris Gribble caught up with Claire McGowan to discuss how she got started as a writer, her route(s) into publishing and how she’s maintained and developed a career in writing across a range of genres and over a lengthy period of time. Claire McGowan published her first novel in 2012, and has followed it up with many others in the crime fiction genre and also in women’s fiction (writing as Eva Woods). She has had four radio plays broadcast on the BBC, and her thrillers What You Did and The Other Wife were both number-one bestsellers. She ran the UK’s first MA in crime writing for five years, and regularly teaches and talks about writing. Her first non-fiction project, the true-crime book The Vanishing Triangle, was released in 2021. She also writes scripts and has several projects in development for TV. Together, they discuss how Claire's teaching work has developed across her writing career and how her new course for NCW distils a lot of what she’s learned about the many different ways and means of creating suspense in your writing: from character to landscape, to plot to style. Claire's self-paced online course 'How to Create Suspense in Fiction' will launch on the NCW website on Monday 7 August.

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Chief Executive Chris Gribble caught up with Claire McGowan to discuss how she got started as a writer, her route(s) into publishing and how she’s maintained and developed a career in writing across a range of genres and over a lengthy period of time. Claire McGowan published her first novel in 2012, and has followed it up with many others in the crime fiction genre and also in women’s fiction (writing as Eva Woods). She has had four radio plays broadcast on the BBC, and her thrillers What You Did and The Other Wife were both number-one bestsellers. She ran the UK’s first MA in crime writing for five years, and regularly teaches and talks about writing. Her first non-fiction project, the true-crime book The Vanishing Triangle, was released in 2021. She also writes scripts and has several projects in development for TV. Together, they discuss how Claire's teaching work has developed across her writing career and how her new course for NCW distils a lot of what she’s learned about the many different ways and means of creating suspense in your writing: from character to landscape, to plot to style. Claire's self-paced online course 'How to Create Suspense in Fiction' will launch on the NCW website on Monday 7 August.

How to Write Suspense Fiction with Claire McGowan

Patrick Barkham

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Chief Executive Chris Gribble speaks with writer Patrick Barkham about the process of writing his new book The Swimmer, and how he found ways to ‘hear’ the voice of an author whose work he knew well, but who he never met. Patrick Barkham is an award-winning author and natural history writer for the Guardian. His books include The Butterfly Isles, Badgerlands, Islander and Wild Child. He is President of Norfolk Wildlife Trust and lives in Norfolk with his family. His new book The Swimmer is a creative biography of the late writer, filmmaker and environmentalist Roger Deakin. The book is told primarily in the words of the subject himself, with support from a chorus of friends, family, colleagues, lovers and neighbours. Together, they touch on the impact and legacy of Roger, as one of the forerunners of the new nature writing movement, the ethics of biography, and the hard graft of reconstructing a life from the myriad of physical and emotional traces a writer has left behind.

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Chief Executive Chris Gribble speaks with writer Patrick Barkham about the process of writing his new book The Swimmer, and how he found ways to ‘hear’ the voice of an author whose work he knew well, but who he never met. Patrick Barkham is an award-winning author and natural history writer for the Guardian. His books include The Butterfly Isles, Badgerlands, Islander and Wild Child. He is President of Norfolk Wildlife Trust and lives in Norfolk with his family. His new book The Swimmer is a creative biography of the late writer, filmmaker and environmentalist Roger Deakin. The book is told primarily in the words of the subject himself, with support from a chorus of friends, family, colleagues, lovers and neighbours. Together, they touch on the impact and legacy of Roger, as one of the forerunners of the new nature writing movement, the ethics of biography, and the hard graft of reconstructing a life from the myriad of physical and emotional traces a writer has left behind.

Writing a Biography with Patrick Barkham

Raymond Antrobus

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Chief Executive Chris Gribble speaks with writer, poet and educator Raymond Antrobus in an interview which was recorded ahead of his performance at the City of Literature weekend 2023. City of Literature takes place in May each year and is a National Centre for Writing and Norfolk &amp; Norwich Festival partnership, programmed by National Centre for Writing. Raymond was born in London, Hackney to an English mother and Jamaican father. He is the author of Shapes &amp; Disfigurements (Burning Eye, 2012), To Sweeten Bitter (Out-Spoken Press, 2017), The Perseverance (Penned In The Margins / Tin House, 2018) and All The Names Given (Picador / Tin House, 2021). In 2019 he became the first ever poet to be awarded the Rathbone Folio Prize for best work of literature in any genre.  Raymond chats to Chris about his development and life as a poet and educator: from finding a community in the London spoken word scene to winning the Folio Prize for The Perseverance through to his most recent collection All The Names Given. He discusses the challenges and joys of working in the poetry ‘business’ as well as the poetry community.

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Chief Executive Chris Gribble speaks with writer, poet and educator Raymond Antrobus in an interview which was recorded ahead of his performance at the City of Literature weekend 2023. City of Literature takes place in May each year and is a National Centre for Writing and Norfolk &amp; Norwich Festival partnership, programmed by National Centre for Writing. Raymond was born in London, Hackney to an English mother and Jamaican father. He is the author of Shapes &amp; Disfigurements (Burning Eye, 2012), To Sweeten Bitter (Out-Spoken Press, 2017), The Perseverance (Penned In The Margins / Tin House, 2018) and All The Names Given (Picador / Tin House, 2021). In 2019 he became the first ever poet to be awarded the Rathbone Folio Prize for best work of literature in any genre.  Raymond chats to Chris about his development and life as a poet and educator: from finding a community in the London spoken word scene to winning the Folio Prize for The Perseverance through to his most recent collection All The Names Given. He discusses the challenges and joys of working in the poetry ‘business’ as well as the poetry community.

Life as a Poet - with Raymond Antrobus

Victoria MacKenzie

In this episode of The Writing Life, National Centre for Writing’s Head of Programmes &amp; Creative Engagement Holly Ainley caught up with Victoria Mackenzie after her event in Norwich to discuss her debut novel For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy on My Little Pain, the joys and pitfalls of researching historical periods, and how you communicate this to contemporary readers. Victoria is a fiction writer and poet. She is the winner of the Scottish Book Trust New Writer Award and the inaugural Emerging Writer Award from Moniack Mhor. She was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, as well as being awarded prestigious writing residencies in Scotland, Finland and Australia. This insightful discussion covers the blurry lines between fact and fiction; the moral responsibility of authors when writing about real historical figures; and what the term historical fiction actually encompasses – how it is used by the publishing industry and what it really means to authors. 

In this episode of The Writing Life, National Centre for Writing’s Head of Programmes &amp; Creative Engagement Holly Ainley caught up with Victoria Mackenzie after her event in Norwich to discuss her debut novel For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy on My Little Pain, the joys and pitfalls of researching historical periods, and how you communicate this to contemporary readers. Victoria is a fiction writer and poet. She is the winner of the Scottish Book Trust New Writer Award and the inaugural Emerging Writer Award from Moniack Mhor. She was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, as well as being awarded prestigious writing residencies in Scotland, Finland and Australia. This insightful discussion covers the blurry lines between fact and fiction; the moral responsibility of authors when writing about real historical figures; and what the term historical fiction actually encompasses – how it is used by the publishing industry and what it really means to authors.

Writing About Historical Figures with Victoria Mackenzie

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Programme Manager Rebecca DeWald had the pleasure of talking with Katherine Gregor and Caroline Lamarche about the process of writing and translating The Memory of the Air, a novella by Caroline which explores a universal experience of gender and sexual violence and challenges common notions of victimhood. The book was translated into English by Katherine and published by Héloïse Press in 2022. Together with Rebecca, they discuss how Katherine first discovered Caroline’s book and the experience of it being rediscovered and translated in a post-#MeToo era. Caroline talks about the process of drawing on personal experiences to write this book, and about finding her voice. Please note that this conversation contains references to domestic violence and sexual assault, so listener discretion is advised.

In this episode of The Writing Life, NCW Programme Manager Rebecca DeWald had the pleasure of talking with Katherine Gregor and Caroline Lamarche about the process of writing and translating The Memory of the Air, a novella by Caroline which explores a universal experience of gender and sexual violence and challenges common notions of victimhood. The book was translated into English by Katherine and published by Héloïse Press in 2022. Together with Rebecca, they discuss how Katherine first discovered Caroline’s book and the experience of it being rediscovered and translated in a post-#MeToo era. Caroline talks about the process of drawing on personal experiences to write this book, and about finding her voice. Please note that this conversation contains references to domestic violence and sexual assault, so listener discretion is advised.

Working with a Translator - with Caroline Lamarche and Katherine Gregor

Max Porter

On this episode of The Writing Life, we are delighted to welcome Max Porter back to Norwich! Max was here in April for an event hosted by The Book Hive to celebrate the publication of his latest novel, Shy. NCW Executive Director Peggy Hughes settled in for a cosy chat with Max upstairs in The Book Hive. Their expansive conversation covers the special power of bookshops, questions of masculinity and vulnerability portrayed through Shy’s protagonist, the musicality of Max’s language, and much more. Max’s first novel Grief Is the Thing with Feathers won the Sunday Times/Peter, Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year, the International Dylan Thomas Prize, the Europese Literatuurprijs and the BAMB Readers’ Award and was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and the Goldsmiths Prize. His second novel, Lanny, was a Sunday Times bestseller and was longlisted for the Booker Prize. The Death of Francis Bacon was praised as a ‘miniature masterpiece’ and his new book, Shy, has been called a ‘miracle of language’.    Editing by Omni Mix

On this episode of The Writing Life, we are delighted to welcome Max Porter back to Norwich! Max was here in April for an event hosted by The Book Hive to celebrate the publication of his latest novel, Shy. NCW Executive Director Peggy Hughes settled in for a cosy chat with Max upstairs in The Book Hive. Their expansive conversation covers the special power of bookshops, questions of masculinity and vulnerability portrayed through Shy’s protagonist, the musicality of Max’s language, and much more. Max’s first novel Grief Is the Thing with Feathers won the Sunday Times/Peter, Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year, the International Dylan Thomas Prize, the Europese Literatuurprijs and the BAMB Readers’ Award and was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and the Goldsmiths Prize. His second novel, Lanny, was a Sunday Times bestseller and was longlisted for the Booker Prize. The Death of Francis Bacon was praised as a ‘miniature masterpiece’ and his new book, Shy, has been called a ‘miracle of language’.  Editing by Omni Mix

In conversation with Max Porter at the Book Hive

Richard Balls

On this episode of The Writing Life, we speak to news journalist turned non-fiction writer and biographer Richard Balls about interviewing difficult subjects. Richard is the author of three books: A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan; Be Stiff: The Stiff Records Story, and Sex &amp; Drugs &amp; Rock 'n' Roll: The Life of Ian Dury. In this conversation with Steph McKenna, he talks about using the experience and techniques acquired through a 20-year journalism career to inform the way he approaches, interviews, and writes about high-profile figures such as Shane MacGowan, whose life story is as much fiction as fact! How do you secure an interview with a reluctant subject? What do you do when an interview isn’t going to plan? And what ethics or responsibilities are involved when writing about someone’s complex, contradictory, or unacceptable behaviour? Richard covers all this and more on the podcast.

On this episode of The Writing Life, we speak to news journalist turned non-fiction writer and biographer Richard Balls about interviewing difficult subjects. Richard is the author of three books: A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan; Be Stiff: The Stiff Records Story, and Sex &amp; Drugs &amp; Rock 'n' Roll: The Life of Ian Dury. In this conversation with Steph McKenna, he talks about using the experience and techniques acquired through a 20-year journalism career to inform the way he approaches, interviews, and writes about high-profile figures such as Shane MacGowan, whose life story is as much fiction as fact! How do you secure an interview with a reluctant subject? What do you do when an interview isn’t going to plan? And what ethics or responsibilities are involved when writing about someone’s complex, contradictory, or unacceptable behaviour? Richard covers all this and more on the podcast.

Interviewing difficult subjects with Richard Balls

Rabi Thapa

A conversation from the archive! National Centre for Writing’s Kate Griffin talks to writer, translator and editor Rabi Thapa. Kate is our Associate Head of Programmes and Rabi stayed in the Dragon Hall cottage as part of our Visible Communities programme in June 2021. Rabi is a British-born Nepali writer and translator. He is also the Editor of La.Lit, the literary magazine from Nepal, and the author of Nothing to Declare and Thamel, Dark Star of Kathmandu. From 2010 to 2011, he was the Editor of the weekly paper, Nepali Times. Kate and Rabi discuss a number of topics including his background - spending the first six years of his life in Plymouth - his relationship to the UK and Nepal, the Katmaundu literary scene, bridge languages and the 123 languages used in Nepal.

A conversation from the archive! National Centre for Writing’s Kate Griffin talks to writer, translator and editor Rabi Thapa. Kate is our Associate Head of Programmes and Rabi stayed in the Dragon Hall cottage as part of our Visible Communities programme in June 2021. Rabi is a British-born Nepali writer and translator. He is also the Editor of La.Lit, the literary magazine from Nepal, and the author of Nothing to Declare and Thamel, Dark Star of Kathmandu. From 2010 to 2011, he was the Editor of the weekly paper, Nepali Times. Kate and Rabi discuss a number of topics including his background - spending the first six years of his life in Plymouth - his relationship to the UK and Nepal, the Katmaundu literary scene, bridge languages and the 123 languages used in Nepal.

In Conversation with British-Nepali Writer and Translator Rabi Thapa

As part of the annual Norfolk and Norwich Festival we run a series of events called City of Literature. A central part of our programme is the Harriett Martineau Lecture which celebrates the legacy of a remarkable, world-changing woman by inviting globally-renowned radical speakers to respond to her life and work. In 2022, we were excited to welcome bestselling novelist, memoirist and literary activist Kit de Waal - presenting the lecture in the beautiful environs of the Spiegeltent. Kit gave a thought-provoking lecture covering a range of topics, including human rights, equality, hunger and, as she calls it, ‘compassion without judgement’. Kit is a fantastic writer and speaker, and, in the course of the lecture, talks about social mobility and what it really takes; how smartphones are essential for some of the most marginalised people in society; as well as quoting Terry Pratchett as she explains what keeps the poorest in our society poor. This episode is that lecture - recorded at the event back in May - more relevant now than ever with inflation rampant, the cost of living impacting everyone in society, and the energy crisis hitting those with the least worst of all.

As part of the annual Norfolk and Norwich Festival we run a series of events called City of Literature. A central part of our programme is the Harriett Martineau Lecture which celebrates the legacy of a remarkable, world-changing woman by inviting globally-renowned radical speakers to respond to her life and work. In 2022, we were excited to welcome bestselling novelist, memoirist and literary activist Kit de Waal - presenting the lecture in the beautiful environs of the Spiegeltent. Kit gave a thought-provoking lecture covering a range of topics, including human rights, equality, hunger and, as she calls it, ‘compassion without judgement’. Kit is a fantastic writer and speaker, and, in the course of the lecture, talks about social mobility and what it really takes; how smartphones are essential for some of the most marginalised people in society; as well as quoting Terry Pratchett as she explains what keeps the poorest in our society poor. This episode is that lecture - recorded at the event back in May - more relevant now than ever with inflation rampant, the cost of living impacting everyone in society, and the energy crisis hitting those with the least worst of all.

The Martineau Lecture with Kit De Waal

We’re a podcast for anyone who writes. Every week we talk to writers about their writing journeys and techniques, from early career debuts to self-publishers and narrative designers. We’ve featured Margaret Atwood, Jackie Kay, Sara Collins, Antti Tuomainen, Val McDermid, Sarah Perry, Elif Shafak and many more!The Writing Life is produced by the National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall in Norwich.

We’re a podcast for anyone who writes. Every week we talk to writers about their writing journeys and techniques, from early career debuts to self-publishers and narrative designers. We’ve featured Margaret Atwood, Jackie Kay, Sara Collins, Antti Tuomainen, Val McDermid, Sarah Perry, Elif Shafak and many more! The Writing Life is produced by the National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall in Norwich.

The Writing Life

Leena Norms

Prominent BookTuber Leena Norms joins us to talk about developing and maintaining an online profile, handling abuse and her parallel careers on YouTube and in the publishing industry. Also, she politely explains to Simon what BookTube actually means.Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna, who are joined by special guest - and BookTube afficionado - Vicki Maitland.Find out more about what we do: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.ukLeena's website: https://www.leenanorms.com/Leena on Twitter: https://twitter.com/leenanorms

Prominent BookTuber Leena Norms joins us to talk about developing and maintaining an online profile, handling abuse and her parallel careers on YouTube and in the publishing industry. Also, she politely explains to Simon what BookTube actually means. Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna, who are joined by special guest - and BookTube afficionado - Vicki Maitland. Find out more about what we do: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk</a> Leena's website: <a href="https://www.leenanorms.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.leenanorms.com/</a> Leena on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/leenanorms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/leenanorms</a>

BookTube & Your Online Platform - with Leena Norms

Jon Ingold

Jon Ingold, co-founder of Inkle Studios, joins us on the podcast today. The studio has produced award-winning adventures for mobile and PC, including the Sorcery series and 80 Days, and they're only weeks away from releasing their latest project, Heaven's Vault. Jon somehow found the time to talk to us about his career, the founding of Inkle and the creation of their games, as well as diving into the nuts and bolts of what it means to write interactive, branching fiction and dialogue. There's incredible insight here from one of the most experienced writers in gaming, and if you're interested in games writing this is a must-listen.Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing.Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/Links:Inkle Studios: https://www.inklestudios.com/Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

Jon Ingold, co-founder of Inkle Studios, joins us on the podcast today. The studio has produced award-winning adventures for mobile and PC, including the Sorcery series and 80 Days, and they're only weeks away from releasing their latest project, Heaven's Vault. Jon somehow found the time to talk to us about his career, the founding of Inkle and the creation of their games, as well as diving into the nuts and bolts of what it means to write interactive, branching fiction and dialogue. There's incredible insight here from one of the most experienced writers in gaming, and if you're interested in games writing this is a must-listen. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/</a> Links: Inkle Studios: <a href="https://www.inklestudios.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.inklestudios.com/</a> Music by Bennet Maples: <a href="https://sonicfruit.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://sonicfruit.co.uk/</a>

#33 How to write video games with 80 Days' Jon Ingold

Kelleigh Greenberg Jephcott

Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott, writer of the Women's Prize for Fiction longlisted book Swan Song, joins us on the podcast to discuss her debut novel and it's 10-year road to publication.Also on the pod today: We talk about the Nottwich gathering of delegates from the UNESCO Cities of Literature network, which took place earlier this week, and this weekend's exciting Norfolk &amp; Norwich Festival literature extravaganza.Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna, with guest Flo Reynolds.Find out more about the National Centre for Writing:https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/Norfolk &amp; Norwich Festival: http://nnfestival.org.ukMore info on Nottwich: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/nottwich-begins/About UEA Live: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/uea-live/Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott, writer of the Women's Prize for Fiction longlisted book Swan Song, joins us on the podcast to discuss her debut novel and it's 10-year road to publication. Also on the pod today: We talk about the Nottwich gathering of delegates from the UNESCO Cities of Literature network, which took place earlier this week, and this weekend's exciting Norfolk &amp; Norwich Festival literature extravaganza. Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna, with guest Flo Reynolds. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing:<a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/</a> Norfolk &amp; Norwich Festival: <a href="http://nnfestival.org.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://nnfestival.org.uk</a> More info on Nottwich: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/nottwich-begins/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/nottwich-begins/</a> About UEA Live: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/uea-live/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/uea-live/</a> Music by Bennet Maples: <a href="https://sonicfruit.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://sonicfruit.co.uk/</a>

#45 The 10 year road to publication with Kelleigh Greenberg Jephcott

Margaret Atwood

It's a very special episode this week, as we present the full, extended interview with Margaret Atwood conducted by our Young Ambassadors Emily Webb and Grace Murray earlier in the year. The interview covers everything from how Margaret started writing, why her novels tackle such challenging subjects and her top 5 tips for new writers.Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing.You can watch a video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fDkbyyPRKFYFind out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/Links:Young Ambassador scheme: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/young-ambassadors/Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

It's a very special episode this week, as we present the full, extended interview with Margaret Atwood conducted by our Young Ambassadors Emily Webb and Grace Murray earlier in the year. The interview covers everything from how Margaret started writing, why her novels tackle such challenging subjects and her top 5 tips for new writers. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. You can watch a video version of this episode on YouTube: <a href="https://youtu.be/fDkbyyPRKFY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/fDkbyyPRKFY</a> Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/</a> Links: Young Ambassador scheme: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/young-ambassadors/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/young-ambassadors/</a> Music by Bennet Maples: <a href="https://sonicfruit.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://sonicfruit.co.uk/</a>

#24 Margaret Atwood's Top 5 Writing Tips

90 years ago, Virginia Woolf published her ground-breaking essay 'A Room of One's Own', which posited that to be a writer, a woman needed money and a room of her own. We joined forces with the Royal Society of Literature to offer a week-long residency at Dragon Hall to address this: giving a female-identifying writer the time, space and support to write whatever they wanted.Alicia Morgan was selected from many amazing submissions. She is a poet, playwright, performer and culture maker now based here in Norwich. She talks with Steph about being an active part of the underground New York punk scene in the 80s and 90s, working as a journalist and her move into fiction.Follow her on Instagram @alicia13morganHosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna.Find out about writer opportunities at https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.ukMusic by Bennet Maples.

90 years ago, Virginia Woolf published her ground-breaking essay 'A Room of One's Own', which posited that to be a writer, a woman needed money and a room of her own. We joined forces with the Royal Society of Literature to offer a week-long residency at Dragon Hall to address this: giving a female-identifying writer the time, space and support to write whatever they wanted. Alicia Morgan was selected from many amazing submissions. She is a poet, playwright, performer and culture maker now based here in Norwich. She talks with Steph about being an active part of the underground New York punk scene in the 80s and 90s, working as a journalist and her move into fiction. Follow her on Instagram @alicia13morgan Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. Find out about writer opportunities at <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk</a> Music by Bennet Maples.

Alicia Morgan in a Room of Her Own

Ed Parnell

Ed Parnell is on the pod to talk about his first non-fiction book, Ghostland. He discusses his obsession with structure, how to pitch a non-fiction book and how he switched from fiction to non-fiction.Simon and Steph also dive into the pod archive to pick out their favourite episodes of the year:Outer Wilds with Kelsey Beachum: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/the-writing-challenges-of-outer-wilds/Jon Ingold from Inkle Studios: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/how-to-write-interactive-narratives-for-games/Elif Shafak &amp; Bidisha: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/elif-shafak-talks-metoo-identity-politics-libraries-and-inequality/Life of Bookseller with Joe Hedinger: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/life-of-a-bookseller/Val McDermid &amp; Sian Cain: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/val-mcdermid-sian-cain-on-the-publishing-landscape-for-lgbtqi-writers/Hosted by Steph McKenna and Simon Jones.Find out about our work: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/Music by Bennet Maples.

Ed Parnell is on the pod to talk about his first non-fiction book, Ghostland. He discusses his obsession with structure, how to pitch a non-fiction book and how he switched from fiction to non-fiction. Simon and Steph also dive into the pod archive to pick out their favourite episodes of the year: Outer Wilds with Kelsey Beachum: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/the-writing-challenges-of-outer-wilds/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/the-writing-challenges-of-outer-wilds/</a> Jon Ingold from Inkle Studios: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/how-to-write-interactive-narratives-for-games/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/how-to-write-interactive-narratives-for-games/</a> Elif Shafak &amp; Bidisha: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/elif-shafak-talks-metoo-identity-politics-libraries-and-inequality/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/elif-shafak-talks-metoo-identity-politics-libraries-and-inequality/</a> Life of Bookseller with Joe Hedinger: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/life-of-a-bookseller/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/life-of-a-bookseller/</a> Val McDermid &amp; Sian Cain: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/val-mcdermid-sian-cain-on-the-publishing-landscape-for-lgbtqi-writers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/val-mcdermid-sian-cain-on-the-publishing-landscape-for-lgbtqi-writers/</a> Hosted by Steph McKenna and Simon Jones. Find out about our work: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/</a> Music by Bennet Maples.

Structuring non-fiction with Ed Parnell

Bernardine Evaristo

Lucy Caldwell

Sara Maitland

Elif Shafak

Elif Shafak hosted a conversation with three of her selected writers for the International Literature Showcase at London Book Fair earlier this month. Bernardine Evaristo, Lucy Caldwell and Sara Maitland contribute to a wide ranging discussion involving identity, trends, social media, impostor syndrome and the state of the publishing industry.The first International Literature Showcase of 2019 is a collaboration between the National Centre for Writing and British Council.Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing.Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/To read more about the International Literature Showcase and Elif's selection, visit https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ils/Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

Elif Shafak hosted a conversation with three of her selected writers for the International Literature Showcase at London Book Fair earlier this month. Bernardine Evaristo, Lucy Caldwell and Sara Maitland contribute to a wide ranging discussion involving identity, trends, social media, impostor syndrome and the state of the publishing industry. The first International Literature Showcase of 2019 is a collaboration between the National Centre for Writing and British Council. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/</a> To read more about the International Literature Showcase and Elif's selection, visit <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ils/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ils/</a> Music by Bennet Maples: <a href="https://sonicfruit.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://sonicfruit.co.uk/</a>

#37 Elif Shafak talks to Bernardine Evaristo, Lucy Caldwell & Sara Maitland

Kelsey Beachum

Indie game Outer Wilds has been rapturously received and we were very excited to talk with Kelsey Beachum, writer on the project. We discuss writing non-linear stories, how to handle player agency and interactions, mixing game mechanics with storytelling and how to inject characterful dialogue into exposition.Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna.Find out more at https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.ukMusic by Bennet Maples.

Indie game Outer Wilds has been rapturously received and we were very excited to talk with Kelsey Beachum, writer on the project. We discuss writing non-linear stories, how to handle player agency and interactions, mixing game mechanics with storytelling and how to inject characterful dialogue into exposition. Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. Find out more at <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk</a> Music by Bennet Maples.

Writing non-linear narratives with Outer Wilds' Kelsey Beachum

Ekaterina Petrova

On the pod today we have literary translator and non-fiction writer Ekaterina Petrova. Ekaterina is from Bulgaria, and was our visiting resident for 10 days thanks to support from the Elizabeth Kostova Foundation.A big part of the conversation is about the challenge of making a living from being a literary translator - which, as you can imagine, is even harder than making a living from being a writer.Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna.Find out more about our work: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.ukRead a translated extract by Ekaterina: http://www.eurolitnetwork.com/from-traveling-in-the-direction-of-the-shadow-by-iana-boukova-translated-by-ekaterina-petrova/Don't miss Ekaterina's contribution to the Walking Norwich collection: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/walking-norwich/stranger-on-a-walk/Music by Bennet Maples.

On the pod today we have literary translator and non-fiction writer Ekaterina Petrova. Ekaterina is from Bulgaria, and was our visiting resident for 10 days thanks to support from the Elizabeth Kostova Foundation. A big part of the conversation is about the challenge of making a living from being a literary translator - which, as you can imagine, is even harder than making a living from being a writer. Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. Find out more about our work: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk</a> Read a translated extract by Ekaterina: <a href="http://www.eurolitnetwork.com/from-traveling-in-the-direction-of-the-shadow-by-iana-boukova-translated-by-ekaterina-petrova/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.eurolitnetwork.com/from-traveling-in-the-direction-of-the-shadow-by-iana-boukova-translated-by-ekaterina-petrova/</a> Don't miss Ekaterina's contribution to the Walking Norwich collection: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/walking-norwich/stranger-on-a-walk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/walking-norwich/stranger-on-a-walk/</a> Music by Bennet Maples.

Making a living as a literary translator with Ekaterina Petrova

Charlotte Higgins

Evie Wyld

For our 40th episode we return to the International Literature Showcase with a special conversation between Elif Shafak, Patience Agbabi, Charlotte Higgins and Evie Wyld - all writers who have been selected by Elif for her showcase of women writers working in the UK today. This event was recorded at the Free Word Centre on 25 March 2019.The International Literature Showcase is a partnership project between the National Centre for Writing and British Council.Hosted by Simon Jones and new regular voice Steph McKenna!More about the ILS: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ils/Granta: https://granta.com/Norfolk &amp; Norwich Festival: https://nnfestival.org.uk/Granta event at NNF: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/the-path-to-publication-40-years-of-granta-magazine/Creative Writing Online courses: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/online-courses/Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

For our 40th episode we return to the International Literature Showcase with a special conversation between Elif Shafak, Patience Agbabi, Charlotte Higgins and Evie Wyld - all writers who have been selected by Elif for her showcase of women writers working in the UK today. This event was recorded at the Free Word Centre on 25 March 2019. The International Literature Showcase is a partnership project between the National Centre for Writing and British Council. Hosted by Simon Jones and new regular voice Steph McKenna! More about the ILS: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ils/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ils/</a> Granta: <a href="https://granta.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://granta.com/</a> Norfolk &amp; Norwich Festival: <a href="https://nnfestival.org.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nnfestival.org.uk/</a> Granta event at NNF: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/the-path-to-publication-40-years-of-granta-magazine/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/the-path-to-publication-40-years-of-granta-magazine/</a> Creative Writing Online courses: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/online-courses/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/online-courses/</a> Music by Bennet Maples: <a href="https://sonicfruit.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://sonicfruit.co.uk/</a>

#40 Elif Shafak, Patience Agbabi, Charlotte Higgins & Evie Wyld

Robert Thorogood

Season 8 of the massive BBC television crime drama Death in Paradise starts this week. Robert Thorogood was here at Dragon Hall last year for the Noirwich Crime Writing Festival, and today's episode is a recording of the conversation he had with Nina Nannar, Arts Editor for ITV News. Robert talks about everything from getting his unlikely break into prime time TV, why he set the show in the Caribbean and how Death in Paradise has impacted representation on British screens. Do note that there are some spoilers in here for earlier seasons of the show Links: Creating Writing Online: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/online-courses/

Season 8 of the massive BBC television crime drama Death in Paradise starts this week. Robert Thorogood was here at Dragon Hall last year for the Noirwich Crime Writing Festival, and today's episode is a recording of the conversation he had with Nina Nannar, Arts Editor for ITV News. Robert talks about everything from getting his unlikely break into prime time TV, why he set the show in the Caribbean and how Death in Paradise has impacted representation on British screens. Do note that there are some spoilers in here for earlier seasons of the show Links: Creating Writing Online: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/online-courses/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/online-courses/</a>

#27 Death In Paradise creator Robert Thorogood

Tim Clare

You'll be hard-pressed to find someone who is more passionate and driven about writing than Tim Clare. We talk about Tim's Weekly Writing Workout newsletter, his Couch to 80k Writing Bootcamp as well as his novels The Honours and forthcoming The Ice House.Plus, of course, we discuss the word count required for reaching the optimum point of neuroplasticity, what Tim learned while talking to the Institute for Procrastination Research and how the same part of your brain is used for processing fiction and reality.Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing.Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/Links:Tim talks to the Institute for Procrastination Research: http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/death-of-1000-cuts-season-2-episode-37-chatting-with-tim-pychyl/Couch to 80k Bootcamp: http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/couchto80kwritingbootcamp/Weekly Writing Workout: http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/tim-clares-weekly-writing-workout/Events:Agent Insight with Eve White: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/agent-insights-with-eve-white/Dragon Hall Salon: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/dragon-hall-salon-3/All upcoming events: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-onMusic by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

You'll be hard-pressed to find someone who is more passionate and driven about writing than Tim Clare. We talk about Tim's Weekly Writing Workout newsletter, his Couch to 80k Writing Bootcamp as well as his novels The Honours and forthcoming The Ice House. Plus, of course, we discuss the word count required for reaching the optimum point of neuroplasticity, what Tim learned while talking to the Institute for Procrastination Research and how the same part of your brain is used for processing fiction and reality. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/</a> Links: Tim talks to the Institute for Procrastination Research: <a href="http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/death-of-1000-cuts-season-2-episode-37-chatting-with-tim-pychyl/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/death-of-1000-cuts-season-2-episode-37-chatting-with-tim-pychyl/</a> Couch to 80k Bootcamp: <a href="http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/couchto80kwritingbootcamp/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/couchto80kwritingbootcamp/</a> Weekly Writing Workout: <a href="http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/tim-clares-weekly-writing-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/tim-clares-weekly-writing-workout/</a> Events: Agent Insight with Eve White: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/agent-insights-with-eve-white/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/agent-insights-with-eve-white/</a> Dragon Hall Salon: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/dragon-hall-salon-3/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/dragon-hall-salon-3/</a> All upcoming events: <a href="https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on</a> Music by Bennet Maples: <a href="https://sonicfruit.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://sonicfruit.co.uk/</a>

#30 How to be a productive writer with Tim Clare

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