The Conversation with Nadine Matheson

In this episode of The Conversation, Nadine Matheson engages in a heartfelt dialogue with author Rachel Griffin, who shares her remarkable journey of transitioning from a career in healthcare to becoming a published author. Rachel reflects on her early experiences with writing, the challenges she faced in claiming her identity as a writer, and the significant impact of a life-altering concussion on her creative process. They explore how this injury reshaped her writing, leading to the whimsical and heartfelt storytelling found in her latest novel, The Sun and the Star Maker.The conversation dives deep into the realities of pursuing a writing career, the importance of self-advocacy in both the literary world and healthcare, and the delicate balance between creativity and the business side of being an author. Rachel shares her insights on the evolution of her writing style and how humor has become a vital component in her storytelling, especially after her recovery journey.Join Nadine and Rachel for an inspiring discussion that highlights resilience, the power of storytelling, and the importance of nurturing one's creative spirit amidst life's challenges.In this episode:2:53 - When did Rachel know she was a storyteller?10:30 - Her publishing journey and querying agents42:05 - The tennis fall and concussion diagnosis45:08 - 1:20:20 — Rachel tells her full concussion recovery story in detail1:00:00 - Introducing The Sun and the Star Maker1:18:40 - Rapid-fire final questionsFollow Rachel GriffinBuy 'The Sun and the Star Maker'

Jane Casey, bestselling author of the Maeve Kerrigan crime series, joins Nadine for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about storytelling, faith, ambition, and the writing life. They talk about growing up in a convent school in Ireland, discovering crime fiction while studying at Oxford, the long road to getting published (including five rejections before her breakthrough), building an iconic series character from scratch, and why comparing yourself to other authors is a waste of energy. Jane shares her journey from being a successful editor in children's publishing to becoming a celebrated author of crime fiction. The conversation delves into the challenges of writing, 'Everything She Didn't Say' a standalone novel set in Ireland, the intricacies of character development, and the emotional toll of navigating the publishing industry. Join Nadine and Jane for an engaging discussion about the art of storytelling, the importance of authenticity in writing, and the lessons learned from both success and failure in the literary world.Follow Jane CaseyBuy 'Everything She Didn't Say'

In this episode of The Conversation, Nadine Matheson sits down with former Detective Chief Superintendent and author Russell Wate, who has led over 100 major crime and homicide cases. Russell shares insights from his remarkable career in law enforcement and reveals how his experiences shaped his crime fiction, particularly his new novel, Getting Away With Murder. They delve into the fascinating overlap between police work and storytelling, discussing why many detectives turn to writing crime novels and the complexities of human behavior that drive these narratives. Russell also opens up about the emotional toll of investigating traumatic cases and the importance of maintaining a balance between work and personal life.Join Nadine and Russell for a captivating discussion that explores the intersection of real-life crime and fiction, the challenges of leadership in the police force, and the creative process behind his writing.Follow Russell WateBuy 'Getting Away With Murder'

Nadine takes a coffee break with debut author Erynne Rivers about Wench, her fae-drenched, romantic reimagining of the Robin Hood myth told through Maid Marian's eyes. They discuss the surreal wait between selling a book and seeing it on shelves, the historical research that shaped the world (including medieval women's erased business ownership and the physical toll of archery), and Erynne's messy-first-draft writing process, including four scrapped versions of her sophomore novel. They close on writing rituals, chronic illness and creative work, and the "word of the year" that's guiding Erynne through 2025: whimsy.Erynne's recommendations from the episode: Honey in Her Veins by Ruth Mikel, Steel Born by Taylor J. LaRue, and an upcoming gothic horror by Cece Foster.Buy Wench Follow Erynne Rivers

Jo Morey spent two decades as an executive headhunter before finally writing the novel she'd dreamed about since childhood. In this episode, she and Nadine talk candidly about the realities of breaking into publishing later in life from the Faber Academy course and competition shortlists, to landing agent Madeleine Milburn after a single extraordinary weekend of interest. Jo opens up about writing with tinnitus and hearing loss, the research trips to Belize that shaped her novel The Night Lagoon (titled Lime Juice Money in the US), and why she now sees rejection as simply "subjective" rather than personal. A must-listen for anyone balancing a demanding career with a creative dream.Follow Jo MoreyBuy 'The Night Lagoon'

Watch as a full video episode on YouTubeMarco is in a bad mood this week, and doesn’t hold back when discussing the march of AI into audiobooks…! Plus, we chat about the depressing reaction to a book piracy site being taken down, and wonder if Canongate’s new approach to paying authors more regularly will catch on (we aren’t optimistic…)00:00 Intro00:54 Here Come The Robots - AI voices taking over?20:21 A Pirate’s Life For You? How Piracy Hurts Authors29:38 Opening the (Canon)Gates - Will The Big 5 Follow?35:50 Stranger Than Fiction - Nadine's Idea FactoryLinks:Bolinda creates AI cloned voice of Barbara Cartland[Not linking to the Piracy story as it names the site]Canongate moves to quarterly royalty paymentsAdventures 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

Camilla Balshaw, acclaimed author of the award winning memoir Named joins Nadine Matheson for a captivating conversation about the complexities of identity, naming, and storytelling. Camilla shares her unique journey of reclaiming her name and the cultural significance behind it, while also delving into the challenges of writing a memoir that resonates with readers. They discuss the cultural clash behind her naming (Nigerian and Jamaican heritage), the honesty required to write memoir without "settling scores," the ethics of ghostwritten celebrity memoirs, and how Camilla balanced a career in criminal law with writing. They also talk about self-care, yoga, the discipline of a writing routine and a confession involving green leather trousers.Join them for a thought-provoking discussion that highlights the power of names and the stories we tell about ourselves.Follow Camilla BalshawBuy Named

Candice Carty-Williams, Sunday Times bestselling and award winning author of Queenie, People Person, and creator of the BBC/Netflix series Champion sits down with Nadine to talk about her new novel, Queenie Is Working On It, the sequel to her 2019 debut. Candice shares her journey of bringing Queenie back to life, exploring the character's growth and the challenges she faces in her 30s.During their candid conversation, Nadine and Candice delve into:What the seven years between Queenie and its sequel taught Candice about herselfStarting therapy after winning Book of the Year, and the gap between public praise and how she actually feltCompartmentalising who you are as a person from who you are in your workThe exhausting, chaotic experience of showrunning Champion (including an all-night scramble to save a scene while filming in Jamaica) and developing the Queenie TV series over eight yearsHitting burnout: sleeping two hours a night, her body "giving up," and the day she couldn't function until a friend intervenedThe idea behind Queenie Is Working On It: Queenie, now 33, exploring Black women's journey to conception — fertility testing, IVF, and a topic she felt wasn't being talked aboutJoin them for an insightful discussion that captures the essence of growth, creativity, and the complexities of navigating life as a writer.Follow Candice Carty-WilliamsBuy Queenie is Working on It