The Conversation with Nadine Matheson

Watch as a full video episode on YouTubeWe're back after a short break, but it appears nothing has changed in publishing as we are still talking about our (least) favourite subject: AI! We go through some listener mail and comments on the subject before diving into Jerry Falade's collapsed $2.4m book deal, wonder if AI detectors are reliable, and have a talk about different methods of book marketing, wondering what works and what doesn't.00:00 Intro02:11 From the Slush Pile - Listener Comments17:25 AI Hid the Body - $2.4m Book Deal Collapses24:07 Claude & Pangram - Watermark My Words39:54 Marketing Your Book - Book Tok or Book Flop?51:12 Stranger Than Fiction - Nadine's Idea Factory55:57 The Final Chapter - Entertainment Catch-upLinks:$2m crime novel deal collapses amid questions over AI useAgents react to major book deal that collapsed over suspected AI useClaude's new scarlet letter watermark is invisible—for nowI tested a popular AI slop detector. It felt empowering.I spent $44,000 launching my book. Three of those dollars worked.Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Find all our shows here!Follow us on BlueskyFollow us on Instagram—--------------

This week on The Conversation, we're revisiting one of our favourite gothic conversations with bestselling author Laura Purcell.Laura is known for her atmospheric, unsettling fiction, and in this episode we talk about her novel House of Splinters, a prequel to her hit book The Silent Companions. Set in a haunted house in 1775, the story follows Belinda as she uncovers dark family secrets while trying to protect her children from the shadows of the past.We talk about what it takes to write a prequel that has to honour a beloved original while still standing on its own, and Laura is refreshingly honest about the pressure that comes with that. She also opens up about her writing journey more broadly, from self-publishing her first book to finding her way into traditional publishing, and how she went from historical fiction into the gothic genre that's now her signature.Some of the moments that stayed with us:Laura on constantly reinventing herself as a writer, and why that adaptability matters in a market that never stays stillThe particular sting of "good" rejections, the kind where an editor praises the writing but says no anyway, and how she's learned to sit with thatWhy she refuses to write to trends: "by the time you've finished the book, that trend will be over"The pressure of writing House of Splinters and staying true to her own mythology while giving readers something newHer advice for authors navigating a publishing industry that can feel relentless: patience, flexibility, and trusting your own voiceThis one's for anyone who loves gothic fiction, or anyone who's ever wondered what it really takes to build a career as a novelist. Sit back and enjoy this rewind while we get ready for Season 5, back on 8 September.Follow Laura PurcellBuy House of SplintersPre-Order 'House of Splinters' Paperback

We're taking a summer break here at The Conversation, so we're bringing back one of your favourite episodes, my conversation with Sunday Times bestselling author Adele Parks.In this episode, Adele and I talk about her journey through the literary world and the release of her 25th novel, Our Beautiful Mess. She shares her experience of storytelling from a young age, the challenges she's faced in her career, and how her writing has evolved from romantic comedies to psychological thrillers.We talk about the importance of connection, both in her personal life and through her characters, and what it takes to hold onto your own voice in a competitive industry. Adele reflects on the lessons she's learned from grief, her journey as a writer, and how she balances the demands of a writing career with everyday life.It's a heartfeIt exploration of resilience, creativity, and the power of storytelling — and since we first recorded this conversation, Adele has a brand new book out: Eyes on You. Go grab a copy.Follow Adele ParksBuy Eyes on You

Bestselling thriller author Steve Cavanagh joins Nadine Matheson for a wide-ranging conversation about the reality of a writing career, from selling just 778 copies of his second novel to becoming a multi-million-copy bestseller with the Eddie Flynn series. They talk about the hard truth behind literary "overnight success," how Steve's career as a criminal and civil lawyer in Northern Ireland shaped his storytelling instincts, why he refuses to use AI in his writing process, and the craft of depicting violence without gratuitousness.The conversation also covers the making of his twelfth novel, One of Us Is Guilty, a story of power, corruption, and a couple who are both lying to everyone, including each other. Steve also talks about growing up during the Troubles in Belfast and London, favourite fictional villains, and writing rituals.About Steve CavanaghSteve Cavanagh is a bestselling author and former criminal and civil lawyer from Northern Ireland. His Eddie Flynn series has sold millions of copies worldwide. One of Us Is Guilty is his twelfth novel.Follow Steve CavanaghBuy One of Us Is Guilty

In our last Coffee Break episode before we break for the summer, Nadine sits down with poet Rishi Dastidar to talk about his path into poetry (starting cold at age 30 after discovering Durs Grünbein's Ashes for Breakfast), the making of his new collection Cherry Blossom at Night Break, and how he's learned to let go of controlling what readers take from his work. They also get into his creative routine, why ambient noise beats silence, and his enduring, occasionally MRI-scanned, devotion to Everton FC.Highlights:2:30 – Discovering poetry by accident at a Borders bookstore9:00 – The funniest misinterpretation of one of his poems13:00 – Curating "Cherry Blossom at Night Break" from 100+ poems21:00 – Why you can write poetry anywhere, including the bus to Ikea39:00 – Hitting the wall, and why nothing gets thrown away44:00 – Redefining what "success" means as a writer49:00 – Everton, identity, and an MRI brain-scan football experimentRishi Dastidar's Recommendations:Ashes for Breakfast by Durs GrünbeinGrand Partita by Matthew McDonaldMartini Shot podcast by Rob LongFollow Rishi DastidarBuy Cherry Blossom at Nightbreak

In this episode of The Conversation, Nadine Matheson sits down with the multi-talented author, screenwriter, and neuroscientist Temi Oh, whose latest novel, Not With a Bang, is out now. Temi shares her fascinating journey from the world of neuroscience to becoming a published author, discussing the unique perspectives she brings to her writing from her scientific background. The conversation delves into the intricacies of the publishing process, the psychology of cults, and the complexities of family dynamics in the face of disaster.Temi’s novel centers around the Minchin family, whose lives are turned upside down on the morning of the eldest daughter's wedding when an extinction-level event occurs. As they navigate the chaos, Temi explores themes of connection, belief, and the extraordinary within the ordinary. Join Nadine and Temi for a thought-provoking discussion about the intersection of science fiction and personal storytelling, the challenges of writing under pressure, and the importance of representation in literature.Follow Temi OhBuy 'Not With a Bang'