Bethany Clift’s debut novel The Last One at the Party is hilarious, moving, cathartic and set in an utterly terrifying pandemic. She tells us how writing and reading horror is great for mental health, how seeing E.T. at an impressionable age inspired her, and how writing a novel with only one living character allowed her […]
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Jeevani Charika (aka Rhoda Baxter) is an award-nominated author of women’s fiction with heroines of colour. Her latest novel, Playing for Love, is set in the world of online gaming, giving the classic mistaken identity romcom story a fresh makeover. We discuss how to write a convincing rom com, and why 2022 could be her […]
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Beth Miller is the bestselling author of six novels, one of which took 12 years to write, another just 8 months. Beth tells us why the most important part of the process of her is finding the spine of the story: the thing that moves both her and the reader. We also talk about titles, […]
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Samantha King returns to the podcast to reveal how her latest novel The Secret Keepers’ Daughter was inspired by a “worry box” and how our darkest and most terrifying fears are found in our own homes and in everyday life. We also discuss the career of an author beyond the debut and how she’s learned […]
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British Fantasy Award nominee Shona Kinsella tells us about her new book Outlander and the real Jacobites, which digs into the real history behind Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. Shona’s career has been an extraordinary rollercoaster, and she talks openly about the highs and lows of crowdfunding, flash fiction, writing and editing a novella in 30 […]
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Have you ever wanted to tell a story, but been too scared to write it? Lori Ann Stephens’ near-future thriller Blue Running covers a whole range of contentious topics, but Lori tells us how she overcame such a fear to tell her story, how she had dealt with the reactions of readers and her own […]
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International bestselling author Simon Beckett returns to the podcast to tell us about his new novel The Lost, in which he starts a whole new series. He offers tips on character, tension, and how to develop a great thriller. And the two Marks discuss how theme and endings can help you when you’re stuck, and […]
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BAFTA-award winning actor Daniel Rigby tells us about his Audible original debut Isaac Steele and the Forever Man and how his background in comedy and improvisation helped create his protagonist and his extraordinary world. . . . . . In this episode you will discover: Letting ideas marinade (sometimes for years) and why it’s okay […]
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Join the Two Marks in a Christmas special where they invited their listeners to share their favourite Christmas books and gifts. They dive into the most-loved books, annuals, games, bikes, cuddly toys, dolls and discover how these gifts have shaped us all as writers. We also resolve the Sindy versus Barbie debate once and for […]
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Sunday Times bestselling author Mia Kuzniar brings some light to the bleak midwinter with her wonderful new novel Midnight in Everwood. She discusses how ballet and the Nutcracker Suite influenced her new book and how she moves between adventure stories for children and fairy tales for adults. She also tells us how an 18-month break […]
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