The Hobcast Book Show

Antony Johnston's list of achievements as a writer take the breath away. His work has been made into a star-studded Hollywood film. He's a legend in the video games industry with some of the biggest franchises amongst his credits. He's worked in the Marvel Comic universe with superheroes such as Daredevil and Wolverine. Antony is also an accomplished novelist working across a number of genres, including thrillers, cosy crime, and now, an innovative take on the "whodunnit" where readers try to solve the crime themselves and have to make decisions as they read Can You Solve The Murder which was published last month. This is a fascinating interview. So good in fact, that we've split it into two parts. Next week Antony will take us through his system for improving your productivity as a writer or freelance creative.Also this week, we run through the winners of this year's CWA Daggers, and ask, should job-sharing become standard practice in publishing?Antony JohnstonCan You Solve The Murder: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Can-You-Solve-Murder-Investigate-ebook/dp/B0D5QP9W2HDog Sitter Detective series: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BW9MGPQC

We had one of those moments this week. In fact we had a few. Those moments when you are given an insight or information that challenges your perception of the world or the work you do. One of those came during our interview with author Jodie Robins, whose debut novella The Off-Season was published earlier this month. Jodie adopted the Eastern Story Structure or Kishōtenketsu, which is traditionally divided into four acts and, in contrast with western story structures, does not require conflict to drive the narrative. As Jodie tells us, it was both challenging and liberating in equal measure. The result is a captivating story set in wintry Blackpool, described by one reviewer as a "darkly glittering fairground of a novella." It's been published by our friends at Wild Hunt Books as part of their Northern Weird series.As for the other moments of insight, Rebecca and Adrian attended this year's Self Publishing Show Live 2025 in London this week. How has the show changed since we first attended five years ago? What are the latest trends in book marketing for independent creators? And how will a landmark legal ruling impact the long-running battle between copyright holders and big tech companies looking to fuel their AI systems? Jodie Robins | SubstackThe Off-Season by Jodie Robins The Northern Weird Project — wild hunt booksThe Northern Weird Project — wild hunt booksThe Self Publishing Show LIVE! 2024 - Digital Tickets

The rise and rise of Icelandic crime fiction continues, and we at The Hobcast Bookshow are here for it! We're delighted to be joined this week by internationally acclaimed playwright, screenwriter and author Jón Atli Jónasson, whose brilliant novel Broken was published in translation this month by Corylus Books. His plays have been performed in major cities including London, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Athens.Jón has also written a number of film scripts, most notably The Deep, produced by 101 Studios Iceland and based on his own play, which was shortlisted for Best Foreign Feature at the 85th Academy Awards in 2015. His crime novels all take place in modern-day Iceland and focus on themes such as corruption within the police force, changing dynamics in Iceland’s society, the evolving underworld and shifting power structures in politics and business. This is a brilliant interview with a master storyteller, who is also joined by translator and former Hobcast guest, Quentin Bates.Also this week, we discuss major changes at leading UK indie crime publisher Bloodhound Books including a partnership with AI-powered editing service, Pro Writing Aid, and is a 31% rise in UK audiobook sales in 2024 as exciting as it seems?Jón Atli Jónasson – Corylus BooksBroken: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-J%C3%B3n-Atli-J%C3%B3nasson-ebook/dp/B0DVZFZ6Y7132: Inside Icelandic Noir - with Quentin Bates - The Hobcast Book Show | AcastEnhancing Our Editorial Process: A New Partnership with ProWritingAid — Bloodhound BooksAudiobooks and fiction drove growth in 2024 - Publishers Association

Every so often, when Rebecca and I put down our microphones after an interview, we turn to each other and say: "That was great." Our interview with New York Times bestseller J.D. Barker is a classic example of that feeling. His journey to the top of the bestseller lists is remarkable. Encouraged by his wife, J.D. sold up everything and they moved to a small duplex in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania while he wrote his debut novel Forsaken. With some support from Stephen King, the book took off, and soon J.D. was being approached by major publishers. He's also written six novels in partnership with James Patterson, and in this fascinating interview J.D. reveals how the two men have influenced each other in the way they approach the craft. J.D's latest novel, Something I keep Upstairs, is his latest release under his own imprint within the Simon and Schuster empire. This is a remarkable story of how taking a huge risk can pay off with skill, creativity, and daring.Also this week, we look again at the downwash from the issues at struggling indie-publisher Boundless/Unbound, and we ask - why are children reading less?J.D. BARKER - NY Times Bestselling Author | Master of Suspensehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Forsaken-J-D-Barker-ebook/dp/B00P1W6RDQhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Keep-Upstairs-J-D-Barker-ebook/dp/B0DJW9ZHWV

You'll know by now that we're obsessed with good storytelling here at The Hobcast Bookshow. Our guest this week, author Anne Booth, has a passion for engaging readers, whatever their age. Anne waited until she was 49 before her first book was published, but she's certainly making up for lost time. Her publisher credits include Puffin, Nosy Crow, OUP, Walker Books, Templar, Tiny Owl, Egmont and Lion, and Catnip. Her works range from picture books for the under fives, through to cosy mysteries for adults. Her story is an inspiring one, demonstrating an unrelenting commitment to creativity and a determination to persevere. As Anne tells us, not all her ideas are going to attract interest, but you should never be disheartened or give up. Also this week, we examine the shortlist for the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the year, and we hear how one aspect of publishing is being positively influenced by AI.Anne Booth – Authorhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=anne+booth&i=amazon-devices&crid=15TPMJP6M5ZU8

Anyone embarking on writing a book will know how tough a journey that can be, and how many unexpected bumps and hurdles can be encountered. Our guest this week, Rachel Grosvenor, has combined her knowledge as a writer and editor with her training as a certified life coach to become a writing coach. She aims to help her clients through the creative writing process from idea to completion, and help them to balance busy lives with completing their writing goals. Rachel draws heavily on her own experience - she completed her PhD while working two jobs, so she understands the competing pressures facing her clients. Rachel is also a successful author: The Finery was published to great acclaim in August 2023, and her next novel, Witchborne will be published in September.Also this week we reveal how authors formerly published by UK independent publisher Unbound will have to wait longer to receive the money they're owed, and we look at the CWA Daggers shortlist for 2025, how many former Hobcast guests feature on the lists.Rachel Grosvenor Author – Rachel Grosvenor Authorhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Finery-Rachel-Grosvenor-ebook/dp/B0CGVF282QWitchborne by Rachel Grosvenor | flyonthewallpress

We're thrilled to be speaking to author Alison Stockham again on The Hobcast Book Show. Alison joins us for a third time, to celebrate the recent release of her latest psychological thriller, The Man She Married published by Boldwood Books. Regular listeners will know that Alison has a background in TV and film production, worked with the Cambridge Literary Festival, and is now a full-time author. In this great interview, Alison discusses the challenges she faced ensuring that her latest protagonist, an Australian woman, was authentic and believable. So sit back and enjoy our in depth discussion about accents, Neighbours and coffee!Also this week, Adrian and Rebecca discuss the potential implications of yet another huge change in the way that audiobook distributor Findaway Voices will operate from August as rights-holders are forced to use two platforms for their productions rather than one. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Man-She-Married-Alison-Stockham-ebook/dp/B0CW1PV9HDSpotify Transitions Select Audiobook Distribution Services to INaudio

Can crime fiction rebuild a national identity? Our guest this week, award-winning author Teresa Solana, believes it can certainly help. Teresa has won admirers world-wide for her crime fiction centered on her native Catalonia and Barcelona, which has been translated into eight languages. But she's most proud of her contribution to rekindling the Catalan language, so long repressed under the regime of General Franco following the Spanish Civil War. Teresa tells us that crime fiction is the perfect vehicle to celebrate the language, the culture and unique humour of the people of the city and wider region. Now living in Bristol, Teresa is also a translator, and was director of the translation center in Tarassona between 1998 and 2004. Her most recent novel, Black Storms, was published in translation by Corylus Books last October. This is a joyous interview celebrating the power of language.Also this week, Amazon and KDP announce a cut in royalties for paperbacks priced below a certain threshold. Does this spell the end of indie and self-publishing? And can Rebecca master a new random accent?Teresa Solana – Corylus Bookshttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Storms-Teresa-Solana/dp/1739298977

Our guest this week, Scottish crime author Douglas Skelton probably won't mind us saying that he's had an eclectic career, so juggling writing several book series in parallel might be easier for him than it would be for other authors. As we discuss in this wide-ranging interview, Douglas wrote several true crime non-fiction books before switching to crime fiction in 2013. Nominated multiple times for the prestigious McIlvanney prize, Douglas has established himself as one of Scotland's leading crime authors, and last year published three novels: his sixth Rebecca Connolly contemporary thriller The Hollow Mountain, and two books in his historical crime and adventure Company of Rogues series set in the early 18th century. So how does he manage to juggle the demands of two series and be so prolific? Also this week, we discuss how last week's release of an AI enabled writing course from Agatha Christie has gone down on social media, and we celebrate releasing our latest Hobeck title, the brilliant Year Zero by Rob Gittins.Douglas Skelton - Crime WriterThe Hollow Mountain: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hollow-Mountain-Rebecca-Connolly-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0CM4N8SDDA Thief's Blood: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thiefs-Blood-gripping-historical-thriller-ebook/dp/B0D52DXP38Year Zero: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=year+zero+rob+gittins&crid=3L1RZ56WH8XHUhttps://www.hobeck.net