The Failing Writers Podcast

Fergus Craig. Not to be confused with Craig Ferguson. or Fraig Cergus... as sometimes happens... but not very often.You may have seen Fergus on telly. This is because he is an actor. Who acts in things.Or, perhaps you've seen him on your phone screen; a place where he likes to pop up from time to time. This is because he is also a comedian. Who does comedy. Mostly on people's phone screens.Or, OR, maybe you've read his words on the page of a book. More than one page probably. This is because he is also an author.So many hats.which is ironic, because he is very rarely seen actually wearing a hat.Fergus was a delight to chat to about all manner of writerly-type things. That is to say, I can't right at this minute remember the specifics, but I'll have a quick listen to remind myself and pop it all down here soon as I'm done.So enjoy this little-itty-bitty-inbetweeny chitty-chat and we'll be back Get Fergus’s new book here:https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/fergus-craig/im-not-the-only-murderer-in-my-retirement-home/9781408734629/

You know what it's like. You've just tapped the words "The End" into your laptop. You've only gone and bloody done it! You've written an actual book.Congratulations. All that blood sweat and tears has paid off. You have pushed a great big 7 pounder out your imagination-hole.Time to celebrate!But hang on...waaaait up just a teeny tiny moment...Before you pop the cork on that 1998 Dom Perignon... there's something you need to do...Yes. Friend.. you need to do some EDITING.But what exactly does that entail?Can you do it in a couple of hours, while simultaneously watching reruns of Friends?Is it a quick bit o' spit and polish?Well... perhaps... if you're a genius.But for the rest of us... probably not.So lets hear from an expert about what the best ways of breaking down the process are, in order to give us the best chance of succeeding.Yes, we've got Sara Grant here. Writer of "The Ultimate Guide to Editing your Novel" and she's about to stuff your brain with her revolutionary approach to the entire process...So cock your lugoles, and lets begin.You can check out Sara hereNot only that but our Hypewriter this week features the fabulous Lucy Brazier.Check out her What-nottery hereOK. Now go lie down.You deserve it.

Are you incredibly sad you missed out on seeing us live at the Alton Arts Festival? Well, don't worry! Here's the next best thing - a recording of that legendary night.And even better, we've edited out all the boring bits - like the interval and Tommy's literary quiz. (Although that is available on the full video we've posted on YouTube, if you fancy)Video of our live podcast with Claire FullerWe had a lovely time with multi-award-winning author Claire Fuller, discussing her newest book, Hunger and Thirst, as well as discovery writing, character detail, coming up with titles, eavesdropping, writing awards, a whole load of other writingy things.Claire's websiteThen there was our live Hypewriter feature, starring the amazing Madelyn Postman. Check out her book, Staring Into The Sun, here!Thanks to everyone who came, to the organisers of Alton Festival, and a HUGGGGGE thanks to Gary and the team at Goldfinch Books. They were the bestest hosts anyone could wish for. Goldfinch Books

Should you quit your job to write?Seems like an obvious answer to an obvious question.(No! No is the correct answer!)But hang on.It's the dream isn't it?Writing full time.Quitting the day job and having time and energy to write the great novel you've thinking about for ages.Well let's have a closer look at some writers who've done exactly that - and it ain't worked out too badly for 'em.People like...Children's author, Stuart Reid.Thriller author, Jessica Payne.and author of Bright I Burn - Molly Aitken, shortlisted for Royal Society of Literature's Encore Award.All very different stories. All very fascinating and inspiring.So come and find out what you need to do to become a full-time author.

Welcome to our cheeky little bonus episode! The poetry competition has landed. What started off as a crazy little idea from Jon, has turned into a crazy BIG idea. We’ve got prizes (quite a few actually - huge thanks in particular to https://writershq.co.uk/ and https://libro.fm/)We’ve got a judge (the amazing Rowan McCabe https://rowanthepoet.com/)All we need now… are your poems!!!Less than 250 words - FREE to enter - up to two entries per person. Any subject, any style. Send them to failingwriterspodcast@gmail.comGood luck!!!

It's been a while since we had a little poetry splurge. So to rectify that terrible neglect of our duty, Tom and I had a lovely natter with Hollie McNish. We meandered through where her love of poetry began, how it helps her assimilate ideas, writing essays, and the Olympic Breakfast at Little Chef, Chieveley Services. Oh... and we also discuss her brilliant new book, Virgin.Buy it now... in fact, heck, buy all her books! ... right hereWe also bring you our regular feature Hypewriter, where we celebrate one of our listener's glorious bits of work.And what better to round off an episode about poetry, than a lovely, crisp little villanelle from Nichole Johnson.Nichole's Insta: @nichole_johnson_poetry