The Conversation with Nadine Matheson

This week on The Conversation, I'm delighted to welcome the talented Claire McGowan, author of the gripping new novel, The Other Couple. Join us as we delve into Claire's journey as a writer, reflecting on her evolution from a young storyteller in rural Ireland to a successful author with 28 published works.In our conversation, Claire shares her experiences of the writing process, the challenges of navigating the publishing industry, and the importance of understanding genre. We discuss the nuances of writing crime fiction versus romantic comedy, and how her personal life influences her storytelling. Claire opens up about her recent diagnosis of autism and how it has reshaped her perspective on her writing and characters.We also explore the themes of her latest book, set against the backdrop of a luxury resort where a murder investigation unfolds. Claire's insights into the psychological complexities of her characters and the societal issues reflected in her work are both thought-provoking and inspiring.Follow Claire McGowanBuy The Other Couple

Watch as a full video on YouTubeThis week on Adventures in Publishing-land, we’re heading to San Francisco to look at Bindery Books. This startup is turning "bookfluencers" into acquiring editors, letting communities choose their own bestsellers. Is this the "Taylor’s Version" of publishing, or a risky bet on "tastemakers"? Plus, we discuss top literary agencies sounding the alarm on "formulaic" and "flattened" AI-generated queries, and also return to the topic of genre snobbery, and why fantasy is making everyone think again about it.00:00 Intro01:17 Facile & Formulaic - Agents Ban AI Queries12:21 The Tastemaker Model - BookTok Becomes The Editor21.39 Myth-understandings - Fighting Genre Snobbery34:35 - Off Script: Stranger Than Fiction39:53 Final Chapter - A Wonderful New Take on SuperheroesLinks:Literary agents urge writers to avoid AI as they see ‘change in nature of submissions’Bindery Books Influencer-led Publishing ModelMyth, monsters and making sense of a disenchanted world: why everyone is reading fantasyAdventures 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!Follow us on BlueskyFollow us on Instagram

This week on The Conversation, I'm excited to welcome the incredible Anna Caig, author of the captivating debut novel, The Wise Witch of Orkney. Join us as we dive into Anna's journey from aspiring writer to published author, reflecting on the pivotal moments that led her to this milestone.Anna shares her experiences of the writing process, the challenges of historical fiction, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. We explore the fascinating character of Elspet Balfour, a wise woman navigating the treacherous waters of 16th-century Scotland, as well as the historical context of witchcraft that inspired her narrative.Anna's passion for her craft shines through as she recounts the surreal experience of holding her book for the first time and the emotional rollercoaster of bringing her characters to life. We also touch on the significance of female friendships in her writing and the responsibility she feels to honor the voices of women from the past.Follow Anna CaigBuy The Wise Witch of OrkneyAnna's Recommendation: Small Prophets

This week on The Conversation, I'm thrilled to welcome the dynamic duo, Jo Dinkin and Catherine Brinkworth, also known as J.D. Brinkworth, the creative minds behind the delightful new cosy mystery, The Pie and Mash Detective Agency. Join us as we explore their unique writing partnership and the intricate process of bringing their characters to life.In our chat, Jo and Catherine share insights into their collaborative writing journey, discussing how they navigate the challenges of co-authoring while maintaining a unified voice. We dive into the importance of plotting, their approach to character development, and the joys of writing a cozy mystery set against the charming backdrop of Kent.We also touch on their experiences with the publishing process, the thrill of seeing their book come to life, and the role of humour in their storytelling. Plus, get ready for some fun anecdotes about their research adventures, including a murder mystery weekend that inspired their book!Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with laughter, writing tips, and a peek into the world of cozy crime. Jo and Catherine's chemistry and passion for storytelling are sure to inspire aspiring writers and mystery lovers alike!Follow JD BrinkworthBuy The Pie and Mash Detective Agency

Joining me for a coffee break is Sunday Times Bestselling author, the talented Harriet Tyce, author of the captivating new novel, 'Witch Trial'. We delve into the inspiration behind 'Witch Trial', set in Edinburgh, which follows a heart surgeon juror navigating a murder trial involving two teenage girls accused of witchcraft. Harriet discusses the unique blend of research and creativity that shaped her narrative, including her deep dive into jury psychology and the historical context of witchcraft.Throughout our conversation, Harriet opens up about the emotional challenges of writing, particularly the impact of bullying and ostracism on her characters. We explore the dynamics of storytelling, the importance of character development, and how her experience on the reality show The Traitors has influenced her writing process.Join us for an engaging discussion filled with insights into the craft of writing, the complexities of human relationships, and the power of storytelling. Don't miss Harriet's insightful take on the balance between humor and darkness in literature!Follow Harriet TyceBuy 'Witch Trial'Harriet Tyce's Recommendations:📚 Book: Fallen Sisters by Louise Hare 📺 Show: Culinary Class Wars on Netflix

In this episode of The Conversation, I'm joined by the talented author Nina Bhadreshwar, whose latest novel, The Day of the Roaring, dives deep into the complexities of identity, resilience, and the stark realities faced by urban youth. We discuss Nina's incredible journey from Barnsley to California, her experiences in the publishing industry, creating her own magazine and the challenges of being an underrepresented voice in literature.Nina shares her candid thoughts on the importance of maintaining integrity in storytelling and the significance of crafting authentic characters. We explore the struggles she faced while writing her debut and the lessons learned from navigating the intricacies of the publishing world. With humor and honesty, she reflects on the need for a resilient nervous system in the arts and the transformative power of embracing one's unique voice.Join us for an engaging conversation that highlights the beauty of creativity and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. Don't miss out on Nina's insightful perspectives and her exciting new release!Follow Nina Bhadreshwar Buy The Day of the Roaring📗OUT NOW 'THE SHADOW CARVER' - Inspector Anjelica Henley Book 4

Watch as a full video on YouTubeThis week, we’re unpacking the controversy surrounding Emerald Fennell’s "Wuthering Heights" adaptation. From historically inaccurate corsets to Margot Robbie’s "raunchy" take on Cathy, we debate how far a retelling can stray before it loses the source material entirely.Plus, we look at how one writer used AI to publish 200 novels in a single year, allegedly earning six figures. But is she a writer? And after a century of dominance, are paperbacks shuffling toward extinction?00:00 Intro01:25 200 'Books' A Year - The AI Romance Gold Rush?12:48 Pulp Fiction No More - The Death of Paperbacks?23.35 Raunchy Brontë - Straying Too Far From the Source?37:38 Off Script: Stranger Than Fiction43:15 Final Chapter - Best RomComsLinks:Can AI Chatbots Write Romance? NY Times ArticleThe Death of the Mass Market Paperback?How Different Is Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” Compared to Emily Brontë’s Book?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!Follow us on BlueskyFollow us on Instagram—--------------

Joining me for a coffee break is debut author, M.K. Oliver who shares the inspiration behind his unique protagonist, Lala Rook, a stylish North London mother with sociopathic tendencies, navigating the complexities of family life while employing unconventional methods to achieve her goals in 'A Sociopath's Guide to a Successful Marriage'.Join us as we explore Oliver's creative process, from the initial spark of an idea to the challenges of writing in a first-person female voice. He reflects on the importance of character development and how Lala's unexpected actions continually surprised him throughout the writing journey. We discuss the balance between humor and darkness in storytelling, as well as the significance of empowering readers to embrace their individuality.Oliver also opens up about the transition from teaching to writing full-time, the joys and challenges of the publishing world, and the thrill of receiving his proof and final copies. With insights into the writing process and the importance of community among writers, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the art of storytelling.Don't miss out on M.K. Oliver's debut novel, A Sociopath's Guide to Successful Marriage, and stay tuned for more from this exciting new voice in fiction!Follow M.K. OliverBuy 'A Sociopath's Guide to a Successful Marriage'

📗Buy 'THE SHADOW CARVER' - Inspector Anjelica Henley Book 4Amazon | Waterstones | Bookshop.Org | Barnes & Noble | Indigo-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I am thrilled to welcome Sunday Times Bestselling Author Jennie Godfrey, author of the 'The List of Suspicious Things' and her new book, 'The Barbecue At No. 9' to 'The Conversation'. Jennie shares her inspiring journey from a corporate HR director, redundancy, bookseller to a bestselling author, revealing the pivotal moments that shaped her path, including the impact of the pandemic on her writing career.During our candid conversation, Jennie Godfrey opens up about the challenges of following up her debut novel, List of Suspicious Things, and the pressure of second book syndrome. We dive deep into her creative process, discussing the importance of reading widely, the role of music in her writing, and how she navigates the complexities of storytelling while staying true to real-life events.Jennie also shares her thoughts on the transformative power of sobriety and how it has influenced her writing journey. With humor and honesty, she reflects on the lessons learned from her experiences, emphasising the significance of taking breaks and prioritizing mental health in the fast-paced world of publishing.Join us for an enlightening discussion that highlights the beauty of creativity, the importance of resilience, and the joy of storytelling.Buy 'The Barbecue at No.9' and 'The List of Suspicious Things'Follow Jennie Godfrey