The Reading Room Podcast with A Writer’s Lighthouse Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:08:17 -0500 https://awriterslighthouse.com en © 2026 Xeni Soteriou yes Support this Podcast 698c95e6-54a9-5daa-ba11-d801107c329c Xeni Soteriou episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Creative writing, fiction writing, writing help Xeni Soteriou https://storage.buzzsprout.com/0vdgn43lf4r0yydlgq5rz6ctdmrh?.jpg The Reading Room Podcast with A Writer’s Lighthouse https://awriterslighthouse.com How to share your message: Lessons from Charles Dickens How to share your message: Lessons from Charles Dickens In this episode, the last of Season 1, we celebrate the magic and message of A Christmas Carol, published on this day, December 19, 1843! We’ll explore how Charles Dickens harnessed the power of storytelling to deliver his message of generosity, kindness, and redemption through his 5-Stave novella and inspired others to act.

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you know a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

You can also donate to the Food Cycle organisation at https://www.foodcycle.org.uk which aims to provide vulnerable people with meals and calls to keep in touch with those feeling lonely. 


Support the show

]]> In this episode, the last of Season 1, we celebrate the magic and message of A Christmas Carol, published on this day, December 19, 1843! We’ll explore how Charles Dickens harnessed the power of storytelling to deliver his message of generosity, kindness, and redemption through his 5-Stave novella and inspired others to act.

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you know a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

You can also donate to the Food Cycle organisation at https://www.foodcycle.org.uk which aims to provide vulnerable people with meals and calls to keep in touch with those feeling lonely. 


Support the show

]]> Xeni Soteriou Buzzsprout-9749036 Sun, 19 Dec 2021 18:00:00 +0000 2593 1 10 full false How to Craft a Sense of Wonder: Lessons from Lewis Carroll How to Craft a Sense of Wonder: Lessons from Lewis Carroll In this episode, we explore the world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and how the author created a timeless children’s story, adored, adapted, and accepted by millions of readers across the world. 

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you know a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

Support the show

]]> In this episode, we explore the world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and how the author created a timeless children’s story, adored, adapted, and accepted by millions of readers across the world. 

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you know a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

Support the show

]]> Xeni Soteriou Buzzsprout-9705611 Sun, 12 Dec 2021 14:00:00 +0000 1149 full false How to craft Gothic Atmosphere: Lessons from C.J. Cooke How to craft Gothic Atmosphere: Lessons from C.J. Cooke In this episode, we explore C.J. Cooke’s The Lighthouse Witches and how the gothic atmosphere of this wonderfully immersive and compelling read has been created. 

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you know a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

Support the show

]]> In this episode, we explore C.J. Cooke’s The Lighthouse Witches and how the gothic atmosphere of this wonderfully immersive and compelling read has been created. 

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you know a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

Support the show

]]> Xeni Soteriou Buzzsprout-9664910 Sun, 05 Dec 2021 13:00:00 +0000 820 1 8 full true How to craft Multiple Characters: Lessons from Leigh Bardugo How to craft Multiple Characters: Lessons from Leigh Bardugo

In this episode, we look at the opening two chapters of Six of Crows’ by Leigh Bardugo to explore how she interweaves the multiple character storylines of her six protagonists. 

First, I’ll read the chapters aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you know a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 


Support the show

]]>

In this episode, we look at the opening two chapters of Six of Crows’ by Leigh Bardugo to explore how she interweaves the multiple character storylines of her six protagonists. 

First, I’ll read the chapters aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you know a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 


Support the show

]]> Xeni Soteriou Buzzsprout-9623689 Sun, 28 Nov 2021 15:00:00 +0000 2809 1 7 full false How to build Fantasy Worlds: Lessons from Samantha Shannon How to build Fantasy Worlds: Lessons from Samantha Shannon How to Build Fantasy Worlds: Lessons from Samantha Shannon 

In this episode, we look at the opening chapter of The Priory of the Orange Tree, by Samantha Shannon and how this sets the scene for the world she has created. First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you know a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community.

Support the show

]]> How to Build Fantasy Worlds: Lessons from Samantha Shannon 

In this episode, we look at the opening chapter of The Priory of the Orange Tree, by Samantha Shannon and how this sets the scene for the world she has created. First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you know a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community.

Support the show

]]> Xeni Soteriou Buzzsprout-9585937 Sun, 21 Nov 2021 13:00:00 +0000 1404 1 6 full false How to absorb your readers into the story: Lessons from Erin Morgenstern How to absorb your readers into the story: Lessons from Erin Morgenstern Disclaimer: This episode contains one use of explicit language during the passage read aloud from Chapter 1 of The Night Circus.

In this episode, we look at the opening chapter of The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern. First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. We’ll look at the literary devices used to create and deliver wonder and intrigue and explore the use of the second-person perspective. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you know a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community.

Support the show

]]> Disclaimer: This episode contains one use of explicit language during the passage read aloud from Chapter 1 of The Night Circus.

In this episode, we look at the opening chapter of The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern. First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. We’ll look at the literary devices used to create and deliver wonder and intrigue and explore the use of the second-person perspective. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you know a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community.

Support the show

]]> https://awriterslighthouse.com/podcast Xeni Soteriou Buzzsprout-9528408 Sun, 14 Nov 2021 03:00:00 +0000 1146 1 5 full true How to drive your story with dialogue: Lessons from John Le Carre How to drive your story with dialogue: Lessons from John Le Carre In this episode, we look at chapter one of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, by John Le Carre. 

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. We’ll look at the use of dialogue to create and deliver tension and intrigue in a narrative. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you have a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

Support the show

]]> In this episode, we look at chapter one of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, by John Le Carre. 

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages with a close reading. We’ll look at the use of dialogue to create and deliver tension and intrigue in a narrative. You’ll then be given an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you have a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

Support the show

]]> https://awriterslighthouse.com/podcast Xeni Soteriou Buzzsprout-9478140 Sun, 07 Nov 2021 03:00:00 +0000 1330 1 4 full false How to set the pace of your novel: Lessons from Shirley Jackson How to set the pace of your novel: Lessons from Shirley Jackson Read Transcript

In this episode, we look at chapter one of The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson. 

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages in detail with a close reading where we’ll look at the narrative’s structure to explore what we can learn about tone and pacing as writers. You’ll then have an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you have a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

Support the show

]]> Read Transcript

In this episode, we look at chapter one of The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson. 

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages in detail with a close reading where we’ll look at the narrative’s structure to explore what we can learn about tone and pacing as writers. You’ll then have an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you have a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

Support the show

]]> https://awriterslighthouse.com/podcast Xeni Soteriou Buzzsprout-9408122 Sun, 31 Oct 2021 03:00:00 +0000 1267 1 3 full false How to set the scene for your novel: Lessons from Emily Bronte How to set the scene for your novel: Lessons from Emily Bronte Read Transcript

In this episode, we look at chapter one of Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte. 

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages in detail with a close reading where we’ll look at the exposition of the narrative style and devices. You’ll then have an exercise to try at home. 

Did you enjoy the show? If you have a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

Support the show

]]> Read Transcript

In this episode, we look at chapter one of Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte. 

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages in detail with a close reading where we’ll look at the exposition of the narrative style and devices. You’ll then have an exercise to try at home. 

Did you enjoy the show? If you have a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

Support the show

]]> https://awriterslighthouse.com/podcast Xeni Soteriou Buzzsprout-9408092 Sun, 24 Oct 2021 04:00:00 +0100 1353 1 2 full false How to introduce characters: Lessons from Charles Dickens How to introduce characters: Lessons from Charles Dickens Read Transcript

In this episode, we look at chapter one of Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens. 

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages in detail with a close reading where we’ll look at character introductions, the rhythm of the writing, and how the action propels the story forward. You’ll then have an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you have a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

Support the show

]]> Read Transcript

In this episode, we look at chapter one of Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens. 

First, I’ll read the chapter aloud before exploring key passages in detail with a close reading where we’ll look at character introductions, the rhythm of the writing, and how the action propels the story forward. You’ll then have an exercise to try at home.

Did you enjoy the show? If you have a fellow writer who would find this helpful, leave a review or recommendation to help grow the podcast and expand our writing community. 

Support the show

]]> https://awriterslighthouse.com/podcast Xeni Soteriou Buzzsprout-9408027 Sun, 24 Oct 2021 03:00:00 +0100 1106 1 1 full false The Reading Room Podcast - Trailer The Reading Room Podcast - Trailer Welcome to The Reading Room. I’m Xeni, a writing coach, workshop host, film and publishing marketer, and storyteller. 

In each episode, I’ll read selected story passages aloud and analyse these as a writer; inviting you to do the same with prompts and exercises to try for yourself at home. 


Support the show

]]> Welcome to The Reading Room. I’m Xeni, a writing coach, workshop host, film and publishing marketer, and storyteller. 

In each episode, I’ll read selected story passages aloud and analyse these as a writer; inviting you to do the same with prompts and exercises to try for yourself at home. 


Support the show

]]> https://awriterslighthouse.com/podcast Xeni Soteriou awriterslighthouse.podbean.com/763c7df2-6b7e-3865-935d-f813bbc103f6 Sun, 17 Oct 2021 04:00:00 +0100 76 trailer false