The Conversation with Nadine Matheson

Welcome to Season 5 of 'The Conversation with Nadine Matheson' 🎉"Romance and crime are propping up the entire industry. It's billions of dollars and pounds a year. So if it wasn't for these books, good luck getting your breakout literary moment."Lindsey KelkBestselling author Lindsey Kelk joins Nadine to trace her journey from a South Yorkshire mining village to international publishing success. From being told she wasn't "from the right background" at Harper Collins, to writing her debut novel on Boxing Day and moving to New York within weeks of its publication, Lindsey shares how naivety, spite, and an unstoppable imagination built a 17-year career in romance and why she's not apologising for any of it.About Lindsey Kelk:Lindsey Kelk is the bestselling author of romantic comedy novels including the I Heart series and the Bell Witches YA paranormal series. Her new adult college romance series, Hit or Miss, is written under the pseudonym Elle Kelk. Originally from South Yorkshire, she worked in publishing at Harper Collins before writing her debut novel, I Heart New York, in 2007. She now lives in the US and co-hosts the wrestling podcast Tights and Fights. Find her on Instagram at @lindseykelk.Buy The BookHit or Miss by Elle Kelk (ebook) (paperback)

🌞 Summer Rewind: While we count down to Season 5 (launching 8 September 2026), we're revisiting some of the best conversations and fan favourites from Season 4."The more rejections you get, the less they matter because they become ordinary."Tayari JonesIn this final summer rewind episode, we dive deep into the world of storytelling with the remarkable Tayari Jones, an acclaimed author known for her powerful narratives and profound insights into the writing process. Tayari shares her journey from a talkative child with a passion for storytelling to a successful writer whose works resonate with readers around the globe.One of the most captivating moments in our conversation revolves around the challenges of rejection. Tayari candidly discusses her experience of receiving 22 rejections before finally publishing her first book. She reflects on how resilience builds over time and how rejections lose their sting once they stop feeling exceptional and start feeling routine. This perspective is not only refreshing but also serves as a reminder that persistence is key in the creative world.We also explore the significance of mentorship in Tayari's life. She recalls her university days, where a teacher encouraged her to write down her thoughts instead of merely speaking them. This pivotal moment ignited her passion for writing and helped her find her voice. Tayari believes that the encouragement, or lack thereof from family can shape a writer's journey, highlighting the importance of self-definition in art.As we discuss her best-selling novel and Oprah Book Club pick, Kin, Tayari reveals that the narrative focuses on the complexities of friendship and the bonds that shape our lives, describing friendships as the other great love stories we live through.Follow Tayari JonesBuy KinSeason 5 of The Conversation with Nadine Matheson launches 8 September 2026.

🌞 Summer Rewind: While we count down to Season 5 (launching 8 September 2026), we're revisiting some of the best conversations and fan favourites from Season 4."I think you just have to keep at it. You cannot give up. You just cannot give up."Lily KingIn this episode, Nadine sits down with Lily King, best known for Writers and Lovers, to talk about her latest novel, Heart the Lover, and the long road that shaped her writing life.Lily opens up about her early career, including the pressure of finishing her first book while watching peers find success faster. She talks candidly about self-doubt, what "overnight success" really looks like, and why writing for yourself first, before an audience, is what protects a writer's authenticity. She also walks through her process book by book, including a difficult stretch while writing Heart the Lover that forced her to confront her own struggles in order to finish the story. And she looks back on a high school teacher who first spotted her talent and encouraged her toward creative writing, a moment she credits with setting her on this path.In this episode:Lily's early career and the pressure of watching peers succeed firstThe myth of "overnight success" and what actually sustains a writing careerWriting for yourself vs. writing for an audienceThe specific challenges of writing Heart the LoverThe teacher who first recognised her talentAdvice for aspiring and seasoned writers alikeFollow Lily KingBuy 'Heart the Lover'Season 5 of The Conversation with Nadine Matheson launches 8 September 2026.

☀️This is a Summer Rewind. One of our favourite conversations, back in your feed while we get ready for Season 5.In this episode of The Conversation with Nadine Matheson, we're joined by the insightful Kasim Ali, author of the thought-provoking novel Who Will Remain. Together we delve into the complexities of identity, family, and the struggles young men face in today's society.Kasim shares his journey as a writer, discussing the challenges of portraying the realities of his community authentically while navigating the expectations placed on him as a South Asian author. We explore the themes of his novel, which follows Ahmed, a young man grappling with loss, societal pressures, and the quest for self-identity amidst chaos. As he turns to a life of crime in search of respect and control, the narrative raises poignant questions about choices, consequences, and the quest for belonging.Along the way, Kasim also reflects on his career in publishing as both author and editor, including some sharp, funny observations on the meeting-heavy culture of post-COVID work life, and what it's taught him about respecting people's time and communicating with clarity. It's a candid look at balancing creative ambition with the practical (and sometimes absurd) realities of working in a predominantly white industry.Listeners will gain valuable insight into the creative process, the importance of representation in literature, and the personal experiences that shape a writer's voice. This episode is a compelling exploration of how our backgrounds influence our narratives and the power of storytelling to challenge societal norms.Follow Kasim Ali Buy Who Will Remain 

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