Sebastian Faulks, author of 'Birdsong' - Bestselling literary writer discusses editing help, being around at the right time, and thinking about each sentence

This week we’re joined by the legendary Sebastian Faulks, the bestselling author of 'Birdsong', 'Charlotte Gray', and so many unforgettable novels. In this episode, he opens up about his writing routine, the stories behind his new memoir 'Fires Which Burned Brightly', and what it really takes to create fiction that sticks with readers.If you've ever wondered where, when and how Sebastian writes bestselling historical fiction, you’ll love this chat.We discuss the impact of 'Birdsong', and how much it changed his life. Also whether his writing career has lived up to the teenage dream he had of it, and why switching to a computer changed how he thought of sentences. You can hear why he feels lucky to be published at this time, why he's surprised that other people don't always understand what writing is, and why being logical is often where you can stumble.You can watch this episode in full vision at www.youtube.com/@writersroutineGet a copy of the book at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutineThis week's episode is sponsored by IngramSpark, who let you publish like a pro. Find out more at ingramspark.com/learnmoreSupport us at -patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate McKean is a literary agent who has built a diverse client list of New York Times Bestselling Authors, in genres from fantasy, TA, humour and horror. A few years ago, she started a newsletter with all the backstage secrets of agent life, and tips on how you can make it happen.Now she's got a book out, filled with even more help. It's called 'Write Through It: An Insider's Guide to Publishing and Creative Life'. We discuss how she came to write a book like this, and how you'd go about planning a book like this. We run through Kate's writing routine, writing space, and life in the industry. You can hear the vital steps in getting an agent, what they'll do if you're signed, and how important the first sentence is.This week's podcast is sponsored by the 'Quick Book Reviews Podcast'. Take a listen here - https://linktr.ee/quickbookreviewsSupport the show at -patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/writersroutineGet a copy of the book here - uk.bookshop.org/shop/[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucy Roth's new novel has one of the best names going. 'When Sally Killed Harry', is a feminist serial-killer thriller. When Sally discovers she's not the only one to have been jilted by dreamy con-man Harry, she takes matters into her own hands, and becomes his worst nightmare.It's Lucy's first thriller, but she has published novels and non-fiction books as Lucy Nichol. 'Parklife' talks about friendship, music and recovery in the 90s. There's also 'The Twenty Seven Club', which is a dark comedy around mental health and fandom. Also, 'Snowflake', 'No Worries If Not', and 'A Series of Unfortunate Stereotypes'. As a journalist, Lucy has written for The Independent, The Guardian, The I, NME and lots more.We talk about the Arts Council Funding Lucy acquired to write the novel, what it helped her do, and who it helped her talk to. It's a thoroughly researched book, with Lucy interviewing a criminologist, a detective, an expert in psychopathy, and the former CEO of Rape Crisis. You can hear why that was so vital for her writing.We discuss how her disorganised filing system keeps her organised, what thriller readers don't want to see and how her perspective on characters change through time.This week's episode is supported by Faber Academy. Their flagship, 'Writing a Novel' course is back. Find out more at faberacademy.com/writing-a-novelSupport the show onpatreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/writersroutineGet a copy of the book at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutineIf you have a few moments, please do this survey which really helps the show - https://acast-d25653fd59cf.intercom-clicks.com/via/e?ob=9oUbiH0woKcJwV9Q8WUiC8BruxQ%2BHlrTALuRpe9%2FPddwKlJNiOX0Ooxy4zRWp%2Fpm&h=66ec8e1b64337f9ef329aeed760397c3843bd55e-ayi0335i_215470486248154@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex North seems to be one of those rare writers. It looks like his debut, 'The Whisper Man', will actually be made into a film. The novel was a Sunday Times and New York Times Bestseller, and has been translated into 30 languages. The Movie will star Adam Scott, Robert de Niro, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Keaton.He's also published 'The Shadow Friend', and 'The Half Burnt House'. His new novel is 'The Man Made of Smoke'. Here's the blurb -Daniel Garvie was only a child himself when he saw the lost little boy. And because he was too frightened to help him, one of the world's most notorious serial killers got away. Years later, Dan has a successful career as a criminal psychiatrist, unpicking the reasons behind the very darkest of human behaviours. But when his father disappears, Dan is forced to return to the small island where he grew up. A place where all the ghosts and monsters he thought he'd left behind him remain all too real. It might be a chance for him to find redemption. Or he might be walking straight into a trap. Alex is also Steve Mosby. Steve has 10 published novels to his name, and won the prestigious CWA 'Dagger in the Library' award to celebrate his collection of works.We talk about why he needs buzz around him to write, and how he tries to make it more enjoyable. You can take a look through his spreadsheet, columns, colour-codes and all. We chat through how he fits in writing around other things, and how odd it is to actually have your book turned into a movie.Get a copy at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutinePlease do take a moment to fill out our survey, which really helps the show - https://acast-d25653fd59cf.intercom-clicks.com/via/e?ob=9dFAKrq%2FHBkvn%2B9z98dsooDq%2FFPEoLWXYYd%2F0BMh%2B2R%2B6hIvtDvMp5sKO%2F2dfWfI&h=c5c0103c3caba18c8ab85ff7ccc6ed8443646a42-ayi0335i_215470435698363Support us at -patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're chatting to Hannah Beckerman. She's been dubbed the 'new Queen of Domestic Noir', and after the success of the bestselling, 'The Forgetting', has published her 5th novel, 'Three Mothers'. If you love Louise Candlish or Liane Moriarty, you'll enjoy how Hannah writes. Here's the blurb...When seventeen-year-old Isla Richardson is killed in a hit-and-run incident, a community’s lives are thrown into disarray. For Isla’s mum, Abby, it is her second devastating bereavement, having lost her husband five years ago. Tackling friendship, family, social prejudice and the pressures facing young women, Three Mothers how well do we really know our children? And how far would any of us go to protect the people we love?Hannah also works as a broadcaster, journalist and book critic, reviewing for The Guardian, The Observer and BBC Radio 2. She presents as a judge and panellist at book events, and we discuss what pressure that puts on her own writing, and how much she tries to learn from other authors' work.You can hear how much she knows at the start, why she treats it like a 'regular' 9-to-5, and how she makes sure her characters are all unique when writing genre-fiction.This week's episode is sponsored by Faber Academy. Their flagship 'Writing a Novel' course is more than a course, it's a commitment to your craft. Find out more at faberacademy.com/writing-a-novelGet a copy of the book at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutineSupport the show at - patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/writersroutineGet the newsletter - [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're chatting to award-winning global bestseller, Faith Hogan.Faith has published many uplit/ women's fiction novels - the last one 'The Bookshop Ladies' won the An Post Irish Book Award for Best Popular Fiction Novel of the Year. Faith's writing journey has taken her from working in many different jobs, never quite sure if she will admit that she wants to be a writer, to becoming a Kindle #1 bestseller across the world. We discuss how she's ended up finally being a full-time writer. Faith has also published crime fiction as Geraldine Hogan.Her novels are often set on fictional Irish islands, which help her bring to life specific elements of the story - she reveals why. Also, she's a perfectly happy pantser, and we discuss what Faith needs to know before starting her novels. You can hear how she knows her readers so well, what drew her to write Uplit, and what a Faith Hogan novel needs to be.Her new novel is 'The Women at Ocean's End', here's the blurb -Constance Macken, in her ninth decade, is looking back on a life filled with laughter and loss, tragedy and triumph, but knows it is time to right the wrongs from her past that have always haunted her.Heather Banks arrives on the island to bury her mother. Already adrift with her business sold and her divorce finalised this may be the perfect opportunity to change the course of her future.Ros Stokes has managed to slip into the perfect job, the perfect cottage and friends that feel like family. However, when the stitches of her life begin to unravel, she must find a way to hold onto the things that have become most dear to her and let go of what holds her back.Now, in a faded art deco house near the ocean's end, these women must come together to save the house they love, and each other, because they might have run from their troubles but only time will tell if they can overcome their past. This episode is sponsored by Faber Academy's 'Writing a Novel' course. Find out how it covers everything you need to master your craft - https://faberacademy.com/writing-a-novel/Support the show -patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're chatting to global bestseller John Niven. His breakthrough novel was the hit 'Kill Your Friends', a brutal takedown of his career in the 90's music industry. He went on to write the screenplay for the movie version too, starring Nicholas Hoult. John has published 10 novels, including 'The Second Coming', 'Straight White Male', and 'Kill 'Em All'. Also, he's written screenplays for more hit movies, co-writing 'How to Build a Girl', with Caitlin Moran.His new novel is 'The Fathers', which tells the story of Dan and Jada, who meet in a busy maternity ward. One is a TV writer and first-time father, the one is a small-tme criminal having his 6th... ot 7th kid. When a tragedy throws them together, Jada sees the chance for one last get-rich-quick scheme. We talk about picking projects, switching to screenplays, and why he's always got a novel on the go. You can hear how much he knows before he starts writing, and when the plot starts to become clear on the writing road trip. Also, we run through how he knows when he's ready to start writing again.You can get a copy of the book at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutineSupport the showpatreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Cowell wrote her debut novel, 'One Last Letter from Greece', through the pandemic to come to terms with losing her mother. Since then, she's published more novels and been translated into 9 languages. They're inspired by Greece and its islands. We discuss how she gets the places right. Who does she speak to? How does she learn? Where does she travel to tell the island's story authentically?The new novel is 'Under the Lemon Tree'. Here's the blurb -Shattered by the sudden loss of her twin, Nik, Kat is lost in grief. The comfort of family feels both soothing and suffocating, but everything changes when she inherits a house on the breathtaking Greek island of Agistri from a mysterious uncle she’s never met. Arriving on Agistri, Kat is mesmerized by its crystalline waters, lush pine forests, and the citrus-scented air. Among the white-washed houses and warm, welcoming locals, she begins to feel her heart heal. The island offers more than solace, sparking courage in Kat to face her loss ― and maybe even embrace the spark of unexpected love… But as she unearths her family’s buried past, Kat must also confront her own fears of belonging, forgiveness ― and the possibility of rediscovering happiness in the shadow of heartbreak… We discuss her previous work as an actor and news presenter, and how they have impacted the way she tells stories. Also, you can hear how she knows when to stop, how she pulls herself through tricky writing times, and we run through Emma's path to publication.This episode might make you want to go on holiday.Get a copy - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutineSupport us - patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Claire Douglas is a bestselling thriller author. Her work has been published across the world, sold many copies everywhere, and she's been a Richard and Judy Book Club Pick. She's just published her 11th novel in 10 years, 'The New Neighbours'. It's about Lena who overhears a conversation between her kind, retired neighbours... that must be a mistake. It sounded like they were planning something awful. Lena can't stop thinking about it, it creeps into memories of her past, and she is consumed by choices of whether to do something.We discuss how Claire discovers her character's unique selling points, and how much she outlines their movements... knowing they're likely to do what they want regardless. You can hear her routine of the year, why she finishes one day thinking of the next, and how useful it is knowing what the 'Claire Douglas' brand is.Get a copy at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutineSupport the show at - patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guy Jenkin is a multi Emmy and Bafta winning writer. Along with Andy Hamilton, he co-wrote the sitcoms 'Drop the Dead Donkey' and 'Outnumbered'. He also worked on the films 'What We Did On Our Holiday', and 'The Sleeping Dictionary'.His new novel is called 'Murder Most Foul', a witty and fast-paced Tudor detective novel that plays with fact and fiction. In the middle of a deadly plague outbreak in 1593, William Shakespeare is implicated in the murder of his friend and rival, Christopher Marlowe. Teaming up with Marlowe's sister and his former flame Ann, they embark on a quest to clear his name, uncovering a web of treachery and corruption that inspires Shakespeare's future masterpieces.You can hear how much he enjoyed the research, so much so that he had to drag himself away to finally write the story. He reveals why it's normally the smallest, hardest to find details, that bring the story to life. We discuss why it's taken him so long to write a novel, after a long career in screenwriting, and how he learned to actually do it.We talk about 'Outnumbered', and why it was much more scripted than many believed, and what it taught him about writing novels.You can support the show at -patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/writersroutineGet a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.