Share

Confessions of a Debut Novelist
Episode 4.02 Rachel Bower - It Comes From The River
Season 4, Ep. 2
•
In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Rachel Bower about her contemporary novel It Comes From The River. We discuss why asking your characters simple questions can take them in interesting directions, how she represented folklore from the North of England and the psychological challenge of keeping the faith in your novel during the writing process.
Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop*
Buy It Comes From The River: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/9781526672667
Follow Rachel: @rachel_e_bower
Follow Chloe on Twitter: @clotimms
Buy Chloe's debut novel The Seawomen: https://linktr.ee/chloetimms
*affiliate link - if you buy books linked to the Bookshop.org site, I may earn a commission.
More episodes
View all episodes
4. Episode 4.04 Holly Stars - Murder in the Dressing Room
40:31||Season 4, Ep. 4In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Holly Stars about her crime novel Murder in the Dressing Room. We discuss how she wanted to showcase a different side to the drag scene and the variety of talent on show; the importance of having a non-binary main character and Holly’s experience of recording her own audiobook. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop*Buy Murder in the Dressing Room: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/9780241683729Follow Holly: @hollywstarsFollow Chloe on Twitter: @clotimmsBuy Chloe's debut novel The Seawomen: https://linktr.ee/chloetimmschloetimms.co.uk *affiliate link - if you buy books linked to the Bookshop.org site, I may earn a commission.3. Episode 4.03 Jenny Morris - An Ethical Guide to Murder
43:56||Season 4, Ep. 3In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Jenny Morris about her crime novel An Ethical Guide to Murder. We discuss setting the rules of her high concept crime novel with a fantasy twist, exploring the moral and ethical dilemmas of life and death and why her background in psychology helps her develop characters. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop*Buy An Ethical Guide to Murder: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/9781398534407Follow Jenny: dr_jennymorrisFollow Chloe on Twitter: @clotimmsBuy Chloe's debut novel The Seawomen: https://linktr.ee/chloetimmschloetimms.co.uk *affiliate link - if you buy books linked to the Bookshop.org site, I may earn a commission.1. Episode 4.01 Catherine Airey - Confessions
37:33||Season 4, Ep. 1In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Catherine Airey about her contemporary novel Confessions. We discuss how she found the soul of her family saga by experimenting with different perspectives depending on her narrator, the challenge of writing about controversial topics such as 9/11 and when it came to finding an agent, how she chose between them.Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop*Buy Confessions: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/9780241675182Follow Catherine: catherineaireyFollow Chloe on Twitter: @clotimmsBuy Chloe's debut novel The Seawomen: https://linktr.ee/chloetimmschloetimms.co.uk *affiliate link - if you buy books linked to the Bookshop.org site, I may earn a commission.51. Episode 3.51 Holly Gramazio - The Husbands
48:40||Season 3, Ep. 51In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Holly Gramazio about her contemporary novel The Husbands. We discuss how online dating inspired her infinite husbands idea, why her background in video game design helped her figure out the rules of her magic attic and why turning 40 was the push she needed to start writing a novel. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop*Buy The Husbands: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/9781784745356Follow Holly: holly_gramazioFollow Chloe on Twitter: @clotimmsBuy Chloe's debut novel The Seawomen: https://linktr.ee/chloetimmschloetimms.co.uk (**Discoveries Prize 2025** https://www.womensprize.com/writers/discoveries/)*affiliate link - if you buy books linked to the Bookshop.org site, I may earn a commission.50. Episode 3.50 Emma van Straaten - This Immaculate Body
38:45||Season 3, Ep. 50In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Emma van Straaten about her literary novel This Immaculate Body. We discuss how her curiosity in a real life cleaning job inspired her, the challenge of getting into the mindset of an unpalatable character and how winning the Discoveries prize in 2021 changed her life.Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop*Buy This Immaculate Body: @evswritesFollow Emma: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/9780349127309Follow Chloe on Twitter: @clotimmsBuy Chloe's debut novel The Seawomen: https://linktr.ee/chloetimmschloetimms.co.uk (**Discoveries Prize 2025** https://www.womensprize.com/writers/discoveries/)*affiliate link - if you buy books linked to the Bookshop.org site, I may earn a commission.49. Episode 3.49 Ram Murali - Death in the Air
44:05||Season 3, Ep. 49In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Ram Murali about his crime novel Death in the Air. We discuss how Ram never had dreams of being a writer but couldn’t let go of his novel idea, how he took inspiration from Agatha Christie and The Secret History and how he made ruthless decisions when editing his scenes Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop*Buy Death in the Air: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/9781805460008Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer's Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book by Courtney MaumFollow Chloe on Twitter: @clotimmsBuy Chloe's debut novel The Seawomen: https://linktr.ee/chloetimmschloetimms.co.uk (**Discoveries Prize 2025** https://www.womensprize.com/writers/discoveries/)*affiliate link - if you buy books linked to the Bookshop.org site, I may earn a commission.48. Episode 3.48 Tom Newlands - Only Here, Only Now
48:45||Season 3, Ep. 48In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Tom Newlands about his contemporary novel Only Here, Only Now. We discuss how homesickness in lockdown inspired this novel, why he wanted to explore the intersection between neurodivergence and poverty during adolescence and why Tom thinks avoiding all advice was the reason he finished his book.Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop*Buy Only Here, Only Now: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/9781399607896Follow Tom: tomnewlands_https://www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/breakthrough-writers-programmehttps://www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/breakthrough-mentoring-programmeFollow Chloe on Twitter: @clotimmsBuy Chloe's debut novel The Seawomen: https://linktr.ee/chloetimmschloetimms.co.uk (**Discoveries Prize 2025** https://www.womensprize.com/writers/discoveries/)*affiliate link - if you buy books linked to the Bookshop.org site, I may earn a commission.47. Episode 3.47 Genevieve Wheeler - Adelaide
39:57||Season 3, Ep. 47In this episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist, I’m talking to Genevieve Wheeler about her contemporary novel Adelaide. We discuss turning a therapeutic journaling exercise into fiction, putting a mental health diagnosis authentically on the page and writing about a toxic relationship from both sides. Confessions of a Debut Novelist Bookshop*Buy Adelaide: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10990/9781035912742Follow Genevieve: @geewheelerhttps://genevieveewheeler.comFollow Chloe on Twitter: @clotimmsBuy Chloe's debut novel The Seawomen: https://linktr.ee/chloetimmschloetimms.co.uk (**Discoveries Prize 2025** https://www.womensprize.com/writers/discoveries/)*affiliate link - if you buy books linked to the Bookshop.org site, I may earn a commission.