Send us a text In this episode Adelle Stripe and I talk about her writing process, living with another writer, working through self-doubt and the punk rock gardening club. We also give a shout out to 3:AM, Andrew Gallix, Ben Myers and Lee Rourke. Adelle Stripe is a writer based in West Yorkshire. Her books include the Sunday Times bestseller Ten Thousand Apologies and Black Teeth and a Brilliant Smile, a fictionalised biography inspired by the playwright Andrea Dunbar. She has been shor...

Send us a text In this episode I talk with Naomi Booth about how place sparks inspiration, enmeshment, resistance to and the demands of the creative impulse and how vital it is to decolonise our minds from patriarchal capitalism if we are to create. Naomi Booth is the author of the short-story collection Animals at Night and the novels Sealed and Exit Management. Her work has been listed for the Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award, included in the Guardian’s Best Fiction of the year 2020, and ...

Send us a text In this episode I talk to Cauvery about self doubt, claiming your voice, and the importance of naming in finding your characters. Born in India, Cauvery Madhavan moved to Ireland 38 years ago and has been in love with the country ever since. Her books Paddy Indian and The Uncoupling were published to critical acclaim. Her last novel, The Tainted, was chosen by Laureate Sebastian Barry for his Laureate Picks 2020. It was one of An Post Irish Book Awards’ Top Summer Reads. ...

Send us a text In this episode I talk to Annabel about her painting, writing in fragments, the value of small things and writing with and through depression. Through a variety of media including painting, photography, video, cyanotype, and drawing. Annabel Dover engages the viewer in untold tales of wonder. Throughout her practice she finds herself drawn to objects and the invisible stories that surround them. Her work is part distillation, part peripatetic ramble through her influences...

Send us a text In this episode I talk to Kirsteen McNish about writing grief, place and writing as an act of vulnerability. Kirsteen writes a regular column for Caught By The River, and was long listed for the Nan Shepherd Prize in 2023. She is also an events curator who works with writers, filmmakers, musicians and artists on special one off events in unusual places often outdoors. She curated the album "Mirry" around lost work by a female musician with musicians Simon Tong and...

Send us a text In this episode I talk to filmmaker and musician, Luke Seomore, about finding your own style as an artist, collaboration, falling in love with image and our mutual love for the Werner Herzog film, Stroszek. Luke Seomore is an award winning filmmaker whose thought-provoking work spans commercials, features, documentaries and art installations. Working alongside his directing partner Joseph Bull, their debut fictional feature, BLOOD CELLS premiered at Venice Film Festival. It wa...

Send us a text In this episode I talk Amanda Mason, author of The Wayward Girls, about writing the uncanny, fear, nostalgia-washing, and art as reciprocity. https://greyhoundliterary.co.uk/authors/amanda-mason

Send us a text In this episode I talk to author of Mary and the Rabbit Dream, Noemi Kiss-Deaki about writing as a form of exorcism after a long pause, indulging in playfulness and anger as a fuel for creativity. https://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/noemi-kissdeaki-author-bio https://www.instagram.com/noemikissdeaki_author/

Send us a text In this episode I talk about writing, visual art, trauma and noticing with Rose Ruane; Rose is an artist & writer who lives in Glasgow with her ever expanding collection of 20th Century kitsch. Her novels This is Yesterday and Birding are published by Corsair Books. She is chair of The Adamson Collection: work created in the art therapy studio at Netherne Hospital by individuals who were compelled to live there during the 20th century. https://www.instagram.com/regretterua...

Send us a text This episode I talk with Duke Garwood about his creative process, getting stuck and how to free yourself from creative blocks. Duke is a multi instrumentalist, singer, songwriter who has released six studio albums (including Holy Week, Emerald Palace, Heavy Love) and has collaborated and worked with many other artists including Mark Lanegan, The Orb, Morcheeba, The Archie Bronson outfit and more… Links to Duke's work below: https://youtu.be/8oS4H9Gt98c?si=yYwwlJpOE7Vfc4kH ...

Send us a text *TW* Child poverty, abuse, neglect. In this episode Terri White and I discuss our personal experiences of child poverty, sexual abuse and neglect. Please take care listening if these issues are difficult for you. We also talk about our right to tell our stories, privilege and what inspires and lifts Terri (Rocky II features high!). Links to Terri's work: https://terriwhite.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=email&utm_source=post&utm_content=152259302&utm_campaign=e...

Send us a text In this episode I talk about make believe, dialogue, the minute ways characters (and all of us!) reveal themselves and paying close attention with Wendy Erskine. Wendy Erskine is the author of two short story collections, Sweet Home and Dance Move, She has been listed for the Gordon Burn Prize, the Republic of Consciousness Prize, the Sunday Times Audible Short Story Award and the Edge Hill Prize. She was awarded the Butler Prize for Literature and the Edge Hill Re...

Send us a text We're back. Join me while I explore the hard graft of creating the work we all love. I'll be talking to writers, artists, musicians and film makers about what inspires and drives them, what gets in the way and how they overcome obstacles.

Send us a text In this chapter I talk to the wonderful Katherine Angel, the author of Daddy Issues (Peninsula Press, 2019), and Unmastered: A Book On Desire, Most Difficult To Tell (Penguin, 2012). Her next book is called Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again, and will be published by Verso. Katherine teaches creative and critical writing at Birkbeck College, University of London, and has a PhD in the history and philosophy of sexuality and psychiatry from the University of Cambridge. We talk...

Send us a text In this chapter I share some news... and chat with my editor Hetha Duffy about editing, our process, what to look out for in your work, what Hetha loves to read and she also gives us top tips on submitting your work and the intricacies of writing, editing and publishing.

Send us a text Join me as I chat with Rónán about his novel, music, silence, making meaning, translation, writing and the wild creativity of family lexicons and fibs. Read this book! https://www.bluemoosebooks.com/books/leonard-and-hungry-paul

Send us a text Hey, How're you? This chapter we talk about writing in a colloquial voice; it's importance in reflecting diverse characters, but not misrepresenting or diminishing them. How do we do it? And do it well? I share a short extract of the first draft of The Sound Mirror, where I'm working on voice. Also I chat about the following books: Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh The Panopticon by Jenni Fagan The Colour Purple by Alice Walker The Wake by Paul Kingsnorth A Clockwor...

Send us a text Triumph, wobbles, anxiety and first draft trials... So, had recorded the charming and talented Ronan Hession, author of Leonard and Hungry Paul but the quality wasn't good enough for you beauties... hence just me this chapter. I will be recording Ronan when he's in London promoting his book. Sorry Ronan! If you would like to come on and discuss your work (ANY creative process not just literary endeavours) let me know, get in touch! Books I mention this chapter are: Dogwood ...

Send us a text I chat with Sharon about writing her novel The Handsworth Times and her forthcoming novel, Should I Fall Behind, process, confidence, social media, empathy, appropriation, Nick Cave, music playlists, swearing and more... We mention writers: Janet Frame Kit de Waal (check out their work if you haven't already) Sharon's book is available here: http://www.bluemoosebooks.com/books/handsworth-times

Send us a text In this episode I talk about time; theory, experience, the novel, death, ageing, New Years Resolutions and writing. Pretty basic then. I am indebted to the incredible website, http://www.exactlywhatistime.com for all the information I discuss on theories and philosophies of time and I recommend you check it out if it interests you; and it should!! I also talk about: From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace The Blind Assassin ...