Write, Damn It! with Zoe Richards Mon, 13 Apr 2026 22:11:42 -0400 http://www.zoerichards.co.uk en-gb © 2026 Zoë Richards yes Support this Podcast 8dec540b-fdea-548b-ad76-ddc876277e88 Zoe Richards episodic false Welcome to Write, Damn It!,  interviews with authors and writing mindset for writers who need a nudge or a good old shove to get the writing done, along with inspiration and motivation to help the words flow. Listening to Write, Damn It!  helps you to become your own book coach with a combination of interviews, panels and mindset memos.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Writing, Writing fiction, writing mindset, mindset, creative writing, how to write, how to write a novel, how to write a book, book writing, writers block Zoe Richards https://storage.buzzsprout.com/bm5qxcwddruozsgztqgbni8u3ync?.jpg Write, Damn It! with Zoe Richards http://www.zoerichards.co.uk Zoë Richards Episode 134 Bookaholic Bex Talking Books and More! Episode 134 Bookaholic Bex Talking Books and More! Bookaholic Bex gives us a rundown of her selection of books that we all must read, and oh my, she's picked some great ones - listen in to find out what she picked as well as to hear the books I went and added, too. Oh dear, your TBR is going to be growing and we're not even far into the year yet!

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Bookaholic Bex gives us a rundown of her selection of books that we all must read, and oh my, she's picked some great ones - listen in to find out what she picked as well as to hear the books I went and added, too. Oh dear, your TBR is going to be growing and we're not even far into the year yet!

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-16696968 Wed, 26 Feb 2025 16:00:00 +0000 2400 3 134 full false Episode 133 Panel with Jenni Bayliss and Suzanne Snow Episode 133 Panel with Jenni Bayliss and Suzanne Snow Jenni Bayliss lives on the Kent coast with her husband, their children having flown the nest. After writing stories for many years while raising her children and working as a baker, she enrolled part time on a Creative and Professional Writing degree course at Canterbury Christchurch University when she was 39, to see if she could make a go of this writing malarkey. Her debut novel was published in 2019 when she was 45. 

Jenni's books:
A December to Remember, The Twelve Dates of Christmas. The Winter of Second Chances. Meet Me Under the Mistletoe. 
Titles for children: Malice in Underland. A Trick of Time. Ghost Games.
YA title: Merry Kissmas To You! 

Jenni is on social media as:
Instagram: @jennibayliss
X: @BaylissJenni

Suzanne Snow writes contemporary and uplifting fiction with a vibrant sense of setting and community connecting the lives of her characters. A horticulturist who lives with her family in Lancashire, her books are inspired by a love of landscape, romance and rural life.  

Her debut novel, The Cottage of New Beginnings, was a contender for the RNA’s Joan Hessayon Award and she is currently writing the Hartfell Village series for Canelo. Suzanne is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors

Uplifting romances set in Thorndale (Arncliffe and Kettlewell), in the Yorkshire dales x 4 books

Love in the Lakes series of romance novels at Hazelmere house x 3 

Back to Yorkshire Dales and Hartfell for new romance series

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Jenni Bayliss lives on the Kent coast with her husband, their children having flown the nest. After writing stories for many years while raising her children and working as a baker, she enrolled part time on a Creative and Professional Writing degree course at Canterbury Christchurch University when she was 39, to see if she could make a go of this writing malarkey. Her debut novel was published in 2019 when she was 45. 

Jenni's books:
A December to Remember, The Twelve Dates of Christmas. The Winter of Second Chances. Meet Me Under the Mistletoe. 
Titles for children: Malice in Underland. A Trick of Time. Ghost Games.
YA title: Merry Kissmas To You! 

Jenni is on social media as:
Instagram: @jennibayliss
X: @BaylissJenni

Suzanne Snow writes contemporary and uplifting fiction with a vibrant sense of setting and community connecting the lives of her characters. A horticulturist who lives with her family in Lancashire, her books are inspired by a love of landscape, romance and rural life.  

Her debut novel, The Cottage of New Beginnings, was a contender for the RNA’s Joan Hessayon Award and she is currently writing the Hartfell Village series for Canelo. Suzanne is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors

Uplifting romances set in Thorndale (Arncliffe and Kettlewell), in the Yorkshire dales x 4 books

Love in the Lakes series of romance novels at Hazelmere house x 3 

Back to Yorkshire Dales and Hartfell for new romance series

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-16330207 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:00:00 +0000 3100 3 133 full false Episode 132 Author Confidential with Phillipa Ashley Episode 132 Author Confidential with Phillipa Ashley Phillipa Ashley is a Sunday Times, Amazon and Audible best-selling author of uplifting romantic fiction. After studying English at Oxford university, she worked as a copywriter and journalist before turning her hand to writing novels. since then, her novels have sold well over a million copies and have been translated into numerous languages. Phillipa lives in an English village with her husband, has a grown-up daughter and loves nothing better than walking the Lake District hills and swimming in Cornish coves.

Phillips latest book, Escape for Christmas, is out now. Running her guesthouse nestled in the Cumbrian hills, Sophie is avoiding her feelings after her fiancé jilted her one December. But will she be able to reclaim Christmas and give love a second chance?

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Phillipa Ashley is a Sunday Times, Amazon and Audible best-selling author of uplifting romantic fiction. After studying English at Oxford university, she worked as a copywriter and journalist before turning her hand to writing novels. since then, her novels have sold well over a million copies and have been translated into numerous languages. Phillipa lives in an English village with her husband, has a grown-up daughter and loves nothing better than walking the Lake District hills and swimming in Cornish coves.

Phillips latest book, Escape for Christmas, is out now. Running her guesthouse nestled in the Cumbrian hills, Sophie is avoiding her feelings after her fiancé jilted her one December. But will she be able to reclaim Christmas and give love a second chance?

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-16330199 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:00:00 +0000 3099 3 132 full false Episode 131 Mindset Memo Do You Have The Right Mindset to Self Publish? Episode 131 Mindset Memo Do You Have The Right Mindset to Self Publish? It's no mean feat to self-publish, so in today's episode I ask the question 'do you have the right mindset to do it?' Listen to the end to hear a tip for going into bookshops and asking the question about whether they will stock your book.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> It's no mean feat to self-publish, so in today's episode I ask the question 'do you have the right mindset to do it?' Listen to the end to hear a tip for going into bookshops and asking the question about whether they will stock your book.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-16194244 Fri, 29 Nov 2024 16:00:00 +0000 1507 3 131 full false Episode 130 Author Confidential with Mark Stay Episode 130 Author Confidential with Mark Stay Mark Stay got a part-time Christmas job at Waterstones in the 90s and, despite being working class and quite lippy, somehow ended up working in publishing for over 25 years. He  wrote in his spare time and sometimes those writings got turned into books and films, including the Witches of Woodville series from Simon & Schuster, and the 2023 Warner Bros. horror movie Unwelcome. Nautilus, the #1 Amazon Prime TV series, was based on his treatment.

Mark was also co-presenter of the award-winning Bestseller Experiment podcast, which has inspired writers all over the world to finish and publish their books. Born in London, he lives in Kent with Youtube gardener and writer Claire Burgess and a declining assortment of retired chickens.

You can find Mark here: https://markstaywrites.com/all-the-links/

The Green Room can be found here: https://markstaywrites.com/the-green-room/

And Creative Differences podcast can be found here: https://markstaywrites.com/the-creative-differences-podcast/

His books: SF&F and horror: https://markstaywrites.com/books/
Robot Overlords, Gollancz, 2015
The End of Magic, Unbound, 2019
The End of Dragons, Unusually Tall Stories, 2024
The End of Gods, Unusually Tall Stories, coming 2025
The Crow Folk, The Witches of Woodville I, Simon & Schuster, 2021
Babes in the Wood, The Witches of Woodville II, Simon & Schuster,  2021
The Ghost of Ivy Barn,  The Witches of Woodville III, Simon & Schuster, 2022
The Holly King,  The Witches of Woodville IV, Simon & Schuster, 2023
The Corn Bride, The Witches of Woodville V, Simon & Schuster, coming 2025

Film & TV:
Robot Overlords, 2014, Tempo/BFI: https://markstaywrites.com/robot-overlords/
Unwelcome, 2023, Warner Bros: https://markstaywrites.com/unwelcome/
Nautilus, 2024, Moonriver, Disney, Amazon Prime and AMC (based on my treatment):  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15286302/ 

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Mark Stay got a part-time Christmas job at Waterstones in the 90s and, despite being working class and quite lippy, somehow ended up working in publishing for over 25 years. He  wrote in his spare time and sometimes those writings got turned into books and films, including the Witches of Woodville series from Simon & Schuster, and the 2023 Warner Bros. horror movie Unwelcome. Nautilus, the #1 Amazon Prime TV series, was based on his treatment.

Mark was also co-presenter of the award-winning Bestseller Experiment podcast, which has inspired writers all over the world to finish and publish their books. Born in London, he lives in Kent with Youtube gardener and writer Claire Burgess and a declining assortment of retired chickens.

You can find Mark here: https://markstaywrites.com/all-the-links/

The Green Room can be found here: https://markstaywrites.com/the-green-room/

And Creative Differences podcast can be found here: https://markstaywrites.com/the-creative-differences-podcast/

His books: SF&F and horror: https://markstaywrites.com/books/
Robot Overlords, Gollancz, 2015
The End of Magic, Unbound, 2019
The End of Dragons, Unusually Tall Stories, 2024
The End of Gods, Unusually Tall Stories, coming 2025
The Crow Folk, The Witches of Woodville I, Simon & Schuster, 2021
Babes in the Wood, The Witches of Woodville II, Simon & Schuster,  2021
The Ghost of Ivy Barn,  The Witches of Woodville III, Simon & Schuster, 2022
The Holly King,  The Witches of Woodville IV, Simon & Schuster, 2023
The Corn Bride, The Witches of Woodville V, Simon & Schuster, coming 2025

Film & TV:
Robot Overlords, 2014, Tempo/BFI: https://markstaywrites.com/robot-overlords/
Unwelcome, 2023, Warner Bros: https://markstaywrites.com/unwelcome/
Nautilus, 2024, Moonriver, Disney, Amazon Prime and AMC (based on my treatment):  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15286302/ 

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-16153638 Fri, 22 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000 3996 3 130 full false Episode 129 A Project Approach to Self-Publishing Episode 129 A Project Approach to Self-Publishing In this episode I take you through a project manager's way of approaching self-publishing, sharing different elements that you need to consider up to the point of publishing. Full disclosure, I am not an expert in self-publishing, but I am an expert in project management, having managed projects since the late 1980s.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> In this episode I take you through a project manager's way of approaching self-publishing, sharing different elements that you need to consider up to the point of publishing. Full disclosure, I am not an expert in self-publishing, but I am an expert in project management, having managed projects since the late 1980s.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-16070263 Fri, 08 Nov 2024 11:00:00 +0000 1834 3 129 full false Episode 128 Self-Publishing Panel with JM Simpson, Jane McParkes and Kerry Birds Episode 128 Self-Publishing Panel with JM Simpson, Jane McParkes and Kerry Birds This week we have a panel of authors talking about self-publishing.

JM Simpson, Jo, is in a 1-2-1 interview in episode 47. Her Debut novel Sea State is set in Castleby, a fictional town in Wales (based on Tenby). It's a suspense thriller set against the backdrop of a lifeboat crew. There are now 6 books in the series which has progressed into crime and thriller territory and despite a number of offers Jo chose to self-publish. Christmas in Castleby is released on November 1st. A new series set in Scotland is planned in March 2025.

Next is Jane McParkes, the author of a new Cornish cosy crime series with an eco twist. It includes 'green' characters, ideas and solutions set against the back drop of a traditional murder mystery. The Olivia Wells Mysteries combine Jane's love of Cornwall and her interest in the environment and sustainability. 

A Deadly Inheritance – book 1 - published 2023
Eco -architect Olivia Wells returns from a successful life in New York to the Cornish village of Penbartha to oversee a co-working community of eco and creative entrepreneurs in a converted railway building. There's opposition, arguments and a murder as well as a dark web of secrets and lies.

Deadly Treasures  - book 2 – published 17th July 2024 
It's midsummer in Penbartha and the opening night for eco-architect Olivia Wells' latest project. There's fascinating links to famous plant-hunters of Cornwall. Book 3  (Title TBC) out in 2025, and Book 4, A Penbartha Christmas Mystery - to be published Oct/Nov 2025.

And finally, Kerry Birds. By day, a mother and an environmental chemist, by night wine drinker and writer of lots of stuff, mostly domestic thrillers and contemporary romance, mood dependent. The book thing was a bit of an accident, but she thinks she likes it! Particularly as she’s surrounded by good people in the world of writing.

You can find each of them on social media - @jmsimpsonauthor on TwiX and Insta; @JaneMcParkes on Insta, Twix, Facebook and Substack; @Kerry.BWriter on TwiX

Jo mentioned an article she's written for Abbie Rutherford's blog, and you can get that here: https://www.abbie-editorial.com/to-be-or-not-to-be-self-published

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> This week we have a panel of authors talking about self-publishing.

JM Simpson, Jo, is in a 1-2-1 interview in episode 47. Her Debut novel Sea State is set in Castleby, a fictional town in Wales (based on Tenby). It's a suspense thriller set against the backdrop of a lifeboat crew. There are now 6 books in the series which has progressed into crime and thriller territory and despite a number of offers Jo chose to self-publish. Christmas in Castleby is released on November 1st. A new series set in Scotland is planned in March 2025.

Next is Jane McParkes, the author of a new Cornish cosy crime series with an eco twist. It includes 'green' characters, ideas and solutions set against the back drop of a traditional murder mystery. The Olivia Wells Mysteries combine Jane's love of Cornwall and her interest in the environment and sustainability. 

A Deadly Inheritance – book 1 - published 2023
Eco -architect Olivia Wells returns from a successful life in New York to the Cornish village of Penbartha to oversee a co-working community of eco and creative entrepreneurs in a converted railway building. There's opposition, arguments and a murder as well as a dark web of secrets and lies.

Deadly Treasures  - book 2 – published 17th July 2024 
It's midsummer in Penbartha and the opening night for eco-architect Olivia Wells' latest project. There's fascinating links to famous plant-hunters of Cornwall. Book 3  (Title TBC) out in 2025, and Book 4, A Penbartha Christmas Mystery - to be published Oct/Nov 2025.

And finally, Kerry Birds. By day, a mother and an environmental chemist, by night wine drinker and writer of lots of stuff, mostly domestic thrillers and contemporary romance, mood dependent. The book thing was a bit of an accident, but she thinks she likes it! Particularly as she’s surrounded by good people in the world of writing.

You can find each of them on social media - @jmsimpsonauthor on TwiX and Insta; @JaneMcParkes on Insta, Twix, Facebook and Substack; @Kerry.BWriter on TwiX

Jo mentioned an article she's written for Abbie Rutherford's blog, and you can get that here: https://www.abbie-editorial.com/to-be-or-not-to-be-self-published

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-16033174 Fri, 01 Nov 2024 19:00:00 +0000 4140 3 128 full false Episode 127 In Conversation with Lucy Jane Wood Episode 127 In Conversation with Lucy Jane Wood Lucy Jane Wood is a 33 year old content creator from the Wirral, living in London with her partner Adam and cat Flo. She's been making lifestyle and book content on YouTube and Instagram for ten years or so, and previously worked as a freelance writer before social media took over as her job in around 2018. You can usually find her with a giant coffee, her ridiculous cat and a good book in hand. Rewitched is her debut novel. It came out in September and is a cosy, witchy, autumnal story with a dash of romance, about rediscovering your spark when it feels as though you’ve lost it, and how real-life gets in the way of letting your magic lead the way.

You can find Lucy on YouTube as Lucy Wood or on Instagram and TwiX as @lucyjanewood 

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Lucy Jane Wood is a 33 year old content creator from the Wirral, living in London with her partner Adam and cat Flo. She's been making lifestyle and book content on YouTube and Instagram for ten years or so, and previously worked as a freelance writer before social media took over as her job in around 2018. You can usually find her with a giant coffee, her ridiculous cat and a good book in hand. Rewitched is her debut novel. It came out in September and is a cosy, witchy, autumnal story with a dash of romance, about rediscovering your spark when it feels as though you’ve lost it, and how real-life gets in the way of letting your magic lead the way.

You can find Lucy on YouTube as Lucy Wood or on Instagram and TwiX as @lucyjanewood 

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15990528 Fri, 25 Oct 2024 15:00:00 +0100 3235 3 127 full false Episode 126 Mindset Memo Writers' Reality Check Episode 126 Mindset Memo Writers' Reality Check Ever doubt yourself as a writer or author because things are not happening for you the way that they are for others? In October's Mindset Memo, the first of this new series of the Monthly Mindset Memo, I share some reality checks that will help you experience the world of writing and publishing in a more realistic way. I cover writing what we know, first drafts, six figure book deals, making money as a writer, and fairy dust (yes, fairy dust!), and get into the truth about the world of writing and being published.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Ever doubt yourself as a writer or author because things are not happening for you the way that they are for others? In October's Mindset Memo, the first of this new series of the Monthly Mindset Memo, I share some reality checks that will help you experience the world of writing and publishing in a more realistic way. I cover writing what we know, first drafts, six figure book deals, making money as a writer, and fairy dust (yes, fairy dust!), and get into the truth about the world of writing and being published.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15941997 Fri, 18 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0100 879 3 126 full false Episode 125 In Conversation with Ashley Nova Episode 125 In Conversation with Ashley Nova Ashley is a sci-fi and fantasy author and professional astronomer. When she isn’t studying the intricacies of galaxy evolution and artificial intelligence, she’s plotting out and writing character driven speculative fiction at the intersections of queerness and neurodiversity. Ashley enjoys picking up and putting down heavy objects at the gym, playing table-top RPGs, and she developed a taste for going to raves at the age of thirty.

Title: The Potent Solution

Genre: Historical Urban Fantasy

THE POTENT SOLUTION is a historical urban fantasy, set in the gaslit streets of London in 1834. It follows an apprentice alchemist, thrown into the jaws of a deadly conspiracy after her mentor mysteriously vanishes. To prevent disaster, Charlotte Price must take on magically empowered assassins, gate-crash a society ball and track down the source of a dangerous arcane drug. But her biggest challenge is her own mind—Charlotte has ADHD and her errant attention span threatens to stop her investigation in its tracks.

@DrAshleyNova on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, BlueSky and Threads

During the conversation Ashley mentioned Megan Records, and Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Ashley is a sci-fi and fantasy author and professional astronomer. When she isn’t studying the intricacies of galaxy evolution and artificial intelligence, she’s plotting out and writing character driven speculative fiction at the intersections of queerness and neurodiversity. Ashley enjoys picking up and putting down heavy objects at the gym, playing table-top RPGs, and she developed a taste for going to raves at the age of thirty.

Title: The Potent Solution

Genre: Historical Urban Fantasy

THE POTENT SOLUTION is a historical urban fantasy, set in the gaslit streets of London in 1834. It follows an apprentice alchemist, thrown into the jaws of a deadly conspiracy after her mentor mysteriously vanishes. To prevent disaster, Charlotte Price must take on magically empowered assassins, gate-crash a society ball and track down the source of a dangerous arcane drug. But her biggest challenge is her own mind—Charlotte has ADHD and her errant attention span threatens to stop her investigation in its tracks.

@DrAshleyNova on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, BlueSky and Threads

During the conversation Ashley mentioned Megan Records, and Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15937788 Wed, 16 Oct 2024 17:00:00 +0100 2579 3 125 full false Episode 124 The Autumn Book Haul with Bookaholic Bex Episode 124 The Autumn Book Haul with Bookaholic Bex A new feature on the podcast is a quarterly chat with Bookaholic Bex (@BexBookaholic on TwiX) about books, more books, and even more books.

In this episode, Bex talks about 3 books she's read, and 1 that's coming, and I add in a couple more for good measure too.

Listen in to find out what books Bex thinks everyone should be reading - or adding to the Christmas present list.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> A new feature on the podcast is a quarterly chat with Bookaholic Bex (@BexBookaholic on TwiX) about books, more books, and even more books.

In this episode, Bex talks about 3 books she's read, and 1 that's coming, and I add in a couple more for good measure too.

Listen in to find out what books Bex thinks everyone should be reading - or adding to the Christmas present list.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15908493 Fri, 11 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0100 2210 3 124 full false Trailer for Season 3 of Write Damn It! Trailer for Season 3 of Write Damn It! Welcome to Season 3 - listen in to this short trailer to find out what's coming in this new season. Changes are afoot!

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Welcome to Season 3 - listen in to this short trailer to find out what's coming in this new season. Changes are afoot!

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15908306 Fri, 11 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0100 223 3 trailer false Episode 123 In Conversation with Zen Cho Episode 123 In Conversation with Zen Cho Zen Cho writes fantasy and romance. Her fiction has won the Hugo, Crawford and British Fantasy Awards, and the LA Times Ray Bradbury Prize. Her newest novel, The Friend Zone Experiment, is a contemporary romance set in London. Born and raised in Malaysia, Zen now lives in the UK.

The Friend Zone Experiment, which is contemporary romance, came out in August 2024, and you can go to Zen's website for more information

https://zencho.org/books/the-friend-zone-experiment/

You can find Zen on social media as @zenaldehyde on Instagram, Facebook and X

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zen Cho writes fantasy and romance. Her fiction has won the Hugo, Crawford and British Fantasy Awards, and the LA Times Ray Bradbury Prize. Her newest novel, The Friend Zone Experiment, is a contemporary romance set in London. Born and raised in Malaysia, Zen now lives in the UK.

The Friend Zone Experiment, which is contemporary romance, came out in August 2024, and you can go to Zen's website for more information

https://zencho.org/books/the-friend-zone-experiment/

You can find Zen on social media as @zenaldehyde on Instagram, Facebook and X

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15674812 Sat, 31 Aug 2024 22:00:00 +0100 3273 2 123 full false Episode 122 In Conversation with Julie Haworth Episode 122 In Conversation with Julie Haworth With a degree in English and American Literature, Julie Haworth worked as an English teacher for a number of years, specialising in working with learners with literacy difficulties, before launching her own freelance copywriting business. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, and her debut novel, Always By Your Side, which she wrote whilst recovering from Covid in 2020, won the Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel Award in 2023.

Her latest novel, New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe, is out now in paperback, e-book and audio.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> With a degree in English and American Literature, Julie Haworth worked as an English teacher for a number of years, specialising in working with learners with literacy difficulties, before launching her own freelance copywriting business. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, and her debut novel, Always By Your Side, which she wrote whilst recovering from Covid in 2020, won the Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel Award in 2023.

Her latest novel, New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe, is out now in paperback, e-book and audio.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15674007 Sat, 31 Aug 2024 19:00:00 +0100 3409 2 122 full false Episode 120 In Conversation with Dan Malakin Episode 120 In Conversation with Dan Malakin Dan Malakin has twice been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, and his debut novel, The Regret, was a Kindle bestseller. He is also the author of The Box and The Wreckage of Us. When not writing thrillers, Dan works as a data security consultant, teaching corporations how to protect themselves from hackers. He lives in North London with his wife and daughter.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Dan Malakin has twice been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, and his debut novel, The Regret, was a Kindle bestseller. He is also the author of The Box and The Wreckage of Us. When not writing thrillers, Dan works as a data security consultant, teaching corporations how to protect themselves from hackers. He lives in North London with his wife and daughter.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15673648 Sat, 31 Aug 2024 17:00:00 +0100 3484 2 120 full false Episode 119 In Conversation with Ania Card Episode 119 In Conversation with Ania Card Ania Card lives in Brighton but was born and grew up in Poland. She started writing in English when she arrived at Cardiff University, getting involved with the student cultural magazine 'Quench', where she became part of the editing team and headed the LGBTQ+ section. With a background in film theory and production, she has published film and music essays and reviews on independent platforms. Above Us the Sea is her first novel. 

You can find Ania on social media at
https://x.com/aniacard - Twitter
https://www.instagram.com/ania.card/ - Instagram 

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Ania Card lives in Brighton but was born and grew up in Poland. She started writing in English when she arrived at Cardiff University, getting involved with the student cultural magazine 'Quench', where she became part of the editing team and headed the LGBTQ+ section. With a background in film theory and production, she has published film and music essays and reviews on independent platforms. Above Us the Sea is her first novel. 

You can find Ania on social media at
https://x.com/aniacard - Twitter
https://www.instagram.com/ania.card/ - Instagram 

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15673524 Sat, 31 Aug 2024 16:00:00 +0100 3382 2 119 full false Episode 118 In Conversation with Emma Cowell Episode 118 In Conversation with Emma Cowell Emma Cowell lives in Falmouth Cornwall with her husband, Tony, and their fur baby, a Russian Blue called Papoushka. A former actress and BBC presenter Emma is currently Head of Philanthropy for national children’s palliative care charity, Together for Short Lives. Her first two novels were bestsellers and have been published in seven languages to date. Outside of work, Emma is a keen angler and is attempting to learn Greek to maintain her love affair with the country where she has set her novels.

The Island Love Song publishing on June 6th 2024 with Avon, Harper Collins
Genre: commercial women’s fiction/romantic fiction

The audiobook of The Island Love Song will feature three pieces of original music that Emma has composed for the novel too!

You can find Emma on social media as 
X & Instagram: @emmalloydcowell
FB & TikTok EmmaCowellAuthor

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Emma Cowell lives in Falmouth Cornwall with her husband, Tony, and their fur baby, a Russian Blue called Papoushka. A former actress and BBC presenter Emma is currently Head of Philanthropy for national children’s palliative care charity, Together for Short Lives. Her first two novels were bestsellers and have been published in seven languages to date. Outside of work, Emma is a keen angler and is attempting to learn Greek to maintain her love affair with the country where she has set her novels.

The Island Love Song publishing on June 6th 2024 with Avon, Harper Collins
Genre: commercial women’s fiction/romantic fiction

The audiobook of The Island Love Song will feature three pieces of original music that Emma has composed for the novel too!

You can find Emma on social media as 
X & Instagram: @emmalloydcowell
FB & TikTok EmmaCowellAuthor

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15673423 Sat, 31 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0100 3803 2 118 full false Episode 117 In Conversation with Ellery Lloyd Episode 117 In Conversation with Ellery Lloyd Ellery Lloyd is the pen name for husband and wife writers, Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos. They are the authors of Richard and Judy pick People Like Her and Reese Witherspoon pick The Club, and their new mystery, The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby which was out June 20th which is available here - https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-final-act-of-juliette-willoughby/ellery-lloyd/9781035020805

Collette is a former magazine editor and journalist, and Paul is Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Greenwich. They consider themselves fortunate to write as a husband and wife team, as they can talk about any trials or fears, which they then overcome pretty quickly. Any particularly knotty plot problems are usually solved by several cups of tea and a lot of Post-It notes.

Their website is www.ellerylloyd.com and you can find them on social media - Insta: @elleryllyod_author and TwiX: @ElleryLloyd



Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Ellery Lloyd is the pen name for husband and wife writers, Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos. They are the authors of Richard and Judy pick People Like Her and Reese Witherspoon pick The Club, and their new mystery, The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby which was out June 20th which is available here - https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-final-act-of-juliette-willoughby/ellery-lloyd/9781035020805

Collette is a former magazine editor and journalist, and Paul is Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Greenwich. They consider themselves fortunate to write as a husband and wife team, as they can talk about any trials or fears, which they then overcome pretty quickly. Any particularly knotty plot problems are usually solved by several cups of tea and a lot of Post-It notes.

Their website is www.ellerylloyd.com and you can find them on social media - Insta: @elleryllyod_author and TwiX: @ElleryLloyd



Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15365924 Fri, 05 Jul 2024 14:00:00 +0100 3155 2 117 full false Episode 116 In Conversation with Zoë Richards Episode 116 In Conversation with Zoë Richards For this episode I am joined by two wonderful guest hosts who are chatting with me about my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, which launched on 20th June. My two guest hosts are Jennie Godfrey who wrote The List of Suspicious Things, and Bookaholic Bex, who won a mini competition on TwiX for a book reviewer to join us as a host - Bex is a book blogger and book reviewer who is well loved in the writing community on TwiX.

Thank to both my guest hosts, who did an amazing job - you can really hear that we had a fabulous time, despite me having a nasty bug for publication week!

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> For this episode I am joined by two wonderful guest hosts who are chatting with me about my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, which launched on 20th June. My two guest hosts are Jennie Godfrey who wrote The List of Suspicious Things, and Bookaholic Bex, who won a mini competition on TwiX for a book reviewer to join us as a host - Bex is a book blogger and book reviewer who is well loved in the writing community on TwiX.

Thank to both my guest hosts, who did an amazing job - you can really hear that we had a fabulous time, despite me having a nasty bug for publication week!

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15309082 Tue, 25 Jun 2024 14:00:00 +0100 3857 2 116 full false Episode 115 How Do We Know When We're Ready? Episode 115 How Do We Know When We're Ready? Tonight, as this episode goes live, is the pre-launch event for my novel, Garden of Her Heart. Next week is the launch event. Am I ready? In this episode I do a dive into how we can know when we're ready - be that ready to write, to edit, to query agents, to call ourselves a writer, an author ... whatever your ready is.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Tonight, as this episode goes live, is the pre-launch event for my novel, Garden of Her Heart. Next week is the launch event. Am I ready? In this episode I do a dive into how we can know when we're ready - be that ready to write, to edit, to query agents, to call ourselves a writer, an author ... whatever your ready is.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15243560 Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0100 923 2 115 full false Episode 114 In Conversation with Kate Foster Episode 114 In Conversation with Kate Foster Kate Foster is a journalist and author. Her debut novel, The Maiden, was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2024 and won theBloody Scotland Crime Debut of the Year 2023. Her latest novel, The Kings Witches, is out now. She has been ajournalist for 25 years and began fiction-writing in lockdown as a means of escaping the world.

Kate can be found on social media - TwiX @katefostermedia and Insta @katefosterauthor

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Kate Foster is a journalist and author. Her debut novel, The Maiden, was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2024 and won theBloody Scotland Crime Debut of the Year 2023. Her latest novel, The Kings Witches, is out now. She has been ajournalist for 25 years and began fiction-writing in lockdown as a means of escaping the world.

Kate can be found on social media - TwiX @katefostermedia and Insta @katefosterauthor

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15230670 Tue, 11 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0100 3030 2 114 full false Episode 113 Writing Support from Jericho Writers with Sophie Flynn Episode 113 Writing Support from Jericho Writers with Sophie Flynn I regularly talk about how much support I have received on my writing journey from Jericho Writers, and so today's conversation is with Sophie Flynn, and author in her own right, and also the MD of Jericho Writers.

Sophie is a Cotswolds-based psychological thriller author with an MA in Creative Writing from Oxford Brookes. Her debut novel ALL MY LIES was published by Simon & Schuster in April 2021. She has since had more psychological thrillers published by Hera, mostly recently WHAT STAYS UNSAID (May, 2024).

After being awarded a place at Swanwick Writers’ Summer School on the TopWrite scheme for young writers in 2017, Sophie began writing short fiction. She has since had many stories published and placed in competitions with organisations such as Writing Magazine and The Cheltenham Literature Festival.

When not writing, Sophie can be mostly found on muddy walks with her husband and rescue dog or disappearing to Cornwall whenever possible. 

Alongside writing, Sophie is the Managing Director of Jericho Writers. 

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> I regularly talk about how much support I have received on my writing journey from Jericho Writers, and so today's conversation is with Sophie Flynn, and author in her own right, and also the MD of Jericho Writers.

Sophie is a Cotswolds-based psychological thriller author with an MA in Creative Writing from Oxford Brookes. Her debut novel ALL MY LIES was published by Simon & Schuster in April 2021. She has since had more psychological thrillers published by Hera, mostly recently WHAT STAYS UNSAID (May, 2024).

After being awarded a place at Swanwick Writers’ Summer School on the TopWrite scheme for young writers in 2017, Sophie began writing short fiction. She has since had many stories published and placed in competitions with organisations such as Writing Magazine and The Cheltenham Literature Festival.

When not writing, Sophie can be mostly found on muddy walks with her husband and rescue dog or disappearing to Cornwall whenever possible. 

Alongside writing, Sophie is the Managing Director of Jericho Writers. 

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15210794 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0100 2519 2 113 full false Episode 112 In Conversation with Lily Samson Episode 112 In Conversation with Lily Samson Lily Samson studied English at Oxford University and works in publishing. She divides her time between London and Paris, where her French partner resides. In her spare time she enjoys watching Hitchcock movies and moonlighting as a freelance artist. 

Her debut novel, The Switch, is out now - it is a dark, sexy thriller that hooks the reader from the first page.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Lily Samson studied English at Oxford University and works in publishing. She divides her time between London and Paris, where her French partner resides. In her spare time she enjoys watching Hitchcock movies and moonlighting as a freelance artist. 

Her debut novel, The Switch, is out now - it is a dark, sexy thriller that hooks the reader from the first page.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15198251 Wed, 05 Jun 2024 15:00:00 +0100 3237 2 112 full false Episode 111 What It's REALLY Like Leading Up To Publication Episode 111 What It's REALLY Like Leading Up To Publication Hearing about someone having their novel published is really exciting, isn't it? But what's it really like for the author? In this episode I share the ups and the downs of the lead in to publication date for Garden of Her Heart on 20th June 2024.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Hearing about someone having their novel published is really exciting, isn't it? But what's it really like for the author? In this episode I share the ups and the downs of the lead in to publication date for Garden of Her Heart on 20th June 2024.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15162558 Fri, 31 May 2024 12:00:00 +0100 951 2 111 full false Episode 110 In Conversation with JP Maxwell Episode 110 In Conversation with JP Maxwell Lecturer, producer, Flâneur and novelist, John ‘JP’ Maxwell is the purveyor of nefarious historical antics in his Water Street series of novels. He lives in Liverpool and drinks only good coffee.

Water Street, historical thriller and Western, published by BK Fiction in July 2023 - you can read or listen to WATER Street here: amzn.to/43yZ3Tr

The Americans of Abercromby Square, sequel, out late 2024

On social media you can find John as
Insta & TikTok @outandaboutwithmaxwell
X: @maxmaxwriter

WATER STREET by JP Maxwell is available now via Amazon and all good book shops.

'A brilliant story' - David Morrissey

The aftermath of the Great Irish Hunger crashes headlong into the American Civil War in the city of Liverpool in 1863. An explosive historical adventure thriller detonates on your Kindle.

Read or listen to WATER Street here: amzn.to/43yZ3Tr

Press clips: https://linktr.ee/TheLexicon

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Lecturer, producer, Flâneur and novelist, John ‘JP’ Maxwell is the purveyor of nefarious historical antics in his Water Street series of novels. He lives in Liverpool and drinks only good coffee.

Water Street, historical thriller and Western, published by BK Fiction in July 2023 - you can read or listen to WATER Street here: amzn.to/43yZ3Tr

The Americans of Abercromby Square, sequel, out late 2024

On social media you can find John as
Insta & TikTok @outandaboutwithmaxwell
X: @maxmaxwriter

WATER STREET by JP Maxwell is available now via Amazon and all good book shops.

'A brilliant story' - David Morrissey

The aftermath of the Great Irish Hunger crashes headlong into the American Civil War in the city of Liverpool in 1863. An explosive historical adventure thriller detonates on your Kindle.

Read or listen to WATER Street here: amzn.to/43yZ3Tr

Press clips: https://linktr.ee/TheLexicon

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15149961 Tue, 28 May 2024 16:00:00 +0100 3018 2 110 full false Episode 109 The Publicist's Role with a Novel Episode 109 The Publicist's Role with a Novel Have you noticed how some novels get a lot of media attention and others don't? In most cases, it's likely to be because a publicist is working with the author, and one who knows the right people and how to get the right message out there. In this episode, I talk to my own publicist, Karen Stretch, who is supporting me through UCLan Publishing. Karen is a freelance publicist and if you are interested in working with her, here is her website - https://www.karenstretchpr.co.uk/

In the podcast, Karen mentions Publishers Publicity Circle, and you can find their website here - https://publisherspublicitycircle.co.uk/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Have you noticed how some novels get a lot of media attention and others don't? In most cases, it's likely to be because a publicist is working with the author, and one who knows the right people and how to get the right message out there. In this episode, I talk to my own publicist, Karen Stretch, who is supporting me through UCLan Publishing. Karen is a freelance publicist and if you are interested in working with her, here is her website - https://www.karenstretchpr.co.uk/

In the podcast, Karen mentions Publishers Publicity Circle, and you can find their website here - https://publisherspublicitycircle.co.uk/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15142471 Mon, 27 May 2024 13:00:00 +0100 1850 2 109 full false Episode 108 In Conversation with Ashleigh Nugent Episode 108 In Conversation with Ashleigh Nugent Ashleigh Nugent’s debut novel, LOCKS, was published by Picador Books in 2023 to rave reviews including 4/5 stars in the Daily Telegraph. LOCKS recently secured a TV deal with 2LE Media. Ashleigh has also written for theatres, academic journals, poetry anthologies and magazines. Ashleigh was Liverpool City Region’s Artist of the Year in 2021. He is also course director at RiseUp, where he uses his own life experience and mindset expertise to support prisoners.

LOCKS
Published by Picador 22nd June 2023
First self-published in May 2020
Paperback coming on 27th June 2024

Ashleigh will be touring around libraries, bookshops and prisons throughout 2024.

Ashleigh said "My biggest fear was that my family would hate me for writing the book, and that Black people would misunderstand the message, white people would be offended and LGBT people, women and all kinds of other people would misunderstand my use of derogatory terms from the 1990s."

You can connect to Ashleigh on his website - ashleighnugent.com
And on social media - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

I asked Ashleigh what his advice to other writers would be and he said:
"While writing ‘Locks’ I had a picture of Tupac Shakur on my wall, watching over me and encouraging me to take on board his work ethic. I would hear Tupac’s voice in my head telling me (in his own expletive-laden Tupac-ish way) to get it done. 

 My advice to others, and self, is to do it your way -- 100% -- and, eventually, people will get it, people will come on board and support and help you to make this happen. But don’t wait for anyone, no excuses, stop procrasti-learning. 

Just CRACK ON!

Write 500 words per day. Do that 5 days a week and you have 2,500 words a week; that’s 10,000 words a month; that’s 120,000 words a year. Novel done."

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Ashleigh Nugent’s debut novel, LOCKS, was published by Picador Books in 2023 to rave reviews including 4/5 stars in the Daily Telegraph. LOCKS recently secured a TV deal with 2LE Media. Ashleigh has also written for theatres, academic journals, poetry anthologies and magazines. Ashleigh was Liverpool City Region’s Artist of the Year in 2021. He is also course director at RiseUp, where he uses his own life experience and mindset expertise to support prisoners.

LOCKS
Published by Picador 22nd June 2023
First self-published in May 2020
Paperback coming on 27th June 2024

Ashleigh will be touring around libraries, bookshops and prisons throughout 2024.

Ashleigh said "My biggest fear was that my family would hate me for writing the book, and that Black people would misunderstand the message, white people would be offended and LGBT people, women and all kinds of other people would misunderstand my use of derogatory terms from the 1990s."

You can connect to Ashleigh on his website - ashleighnugent.com
And on social media - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

I asked Ashleigh what his advice to other writers would be and he said:
"While writing ‘Locks’ I had a picture of Tupac Shakur on my wall, watching over me and encouraging me to take on board his work ethic. I would hear Tupac’s voice in my head telling me (in his own expletive-laden Tupac-ish way) to get it done. 

 My advice to others, and self, is to do it your way -- 100% -- and, eventually, people will get it, people will come on board and support and help you to make this happen. But don’t wait for anyone, no excuses, stop procrasti-learning. 

Just CRACK ON!

Write 500 words per day. Do that 5 days a week and you have 2,500 words a week; that’s 10,000 words a month; that’s 120,000 words a year. Novel done."

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15108434 Tue, 21 May 2024 15:00:00 +0100 3954 2 108 full false Episode 107 Writing and Chronic Illness with Ellie Johnson Episode 107 Writing and Chronic Illness with Ellie Johnson Chronic illness is something that impacts on a lot of writers, and I've been asked a few times to do an episode on what sufferers can do - and so I invited Ellie Johnson (Ellie J Wellness) to come and chat to me. Ellie is the host of The Wellness Girly podcast, and can be found on Instagram as @elliejwellness. Ellie has personal experience of living with a chronic illness, as well as having supported many clients who were struggling with their own chronic fatigue or chronic illness. Ellie has helped me personally manage some of my own health issues. Listen in to find out more.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Chronic illness is something that impacts on a lot of writers, and I've been asked a few times to do an episode on what sufferers can do - and so I invited Ellie Johnson (Ellie J Wellness) to come and chat to me. Ellie is the host of The Wellness Girly podcast, and can be found on Instagram as @elliejwellness. Ellie has personal experience of living with a chronic illness, as well as having supported many clients who were struggling with their own chronic fatigue or chronic illness. Ellie has helped me personally manage some of my own health issues. Listen in to find out more.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15085207 Fri, 17 May 2024 12:00:00 +0100 1553 2 107 full false Episode 106 In Conversation with Frances Quinn Episode 106 In Conversation with Frances Quinn Frances Quinn is the author of historical novels The Smallest Man, That Bonesetter Woman and The Lost Passenger (to be published Feb 2025).  Previously a journalist, she’d dreamed of writing books since she was seven years old and finally saw the dream come true when her first novel was published at the age of 57. She lives in Hove with her husband and three Tonkinese cats. 

You can find Frances on social media as:
Twitter @franquinn
Insta @franquinn21
Facebook Author Frances Quinn

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Frances Quinn is the author of historical novels The Smallest Man, That Bonesetter Woman and The Lost Passenger (to be published Feb 2025).  Previously a journalist, she’d dreamed of writing books since she was seven years old and finally saw the dream come true when her first novel was published at the age of 57. She lives in Hove with her husband and three Tonkinese cats. 

You can find Frances on social media as:
Twitter @franquinn
Insta @franquinn21
Facebook Author Frances Quinn

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15065027 Tue, 14 May 2024 12:00:00 +0100 3592 2 106 full false Episode 105 Writing Neurodiverse Characters by Lived Experience with Sarah Ziegel Episode 105 Writing Neurodiverse Characters by Lived Experience with Sarah Ziegel In the last of the mini series on Writing Neurodiverse Characters, I chat with Sarah Ziegel who has lived experience as a mother of 4 boys with autism and other ND traits. Sarah has written and self-published 2 books, her latest of which won her an award. This is a memoir called Marching to a Different Beat, and is an invaluable book for understanding one person's lived experience of neurodiversity.

In this conversation, Sarah and I cover a range of interesting topics related to ND and writing characters who are ND

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> In the last of the mini series on Writing Neurodiverse Characters, I chat with Sarah Ziegel who has lived experience as a mother of 4 boys with autism and other ND traits. Sarah has written and self-published 2 books, her latest of which won her an award. This is a memoir called Marching to a Different Beat, and is an invaluable book for understanding one person's lived experience of neurodiversity.

In this conversation, Sarah and I cover a range of interesting topics related to ND and writing characters who are ND

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15045254 Fri, 10 May 2024 13:00:00 +0100 1869 2 105 full false Episode 104 In Conversation with Natali Simmonds Episode 104 In Conversation with Natali Simmonds Natali Simmonds is a multi-genre fiction author. Her thriller,Good Girls Die Last,is being adapted for TV, and the last book of her fantasy trilogy,Children of Shadows,was shortlisted for an RNA Fantasy Award. She also co-writes paranormal romance as Caedis Knight. Originally from London, she now divides her time between the UK, Spain, and the Netherlands.

Natali can be found on social media as
Twitter: @njsimmondbooks
FB: facebook.com/NjsimmondsAuthor/
IG: instagram.com/njsimmonds_author/

And her website is njsimmonds.com

If you are going to London Festival of Writing, Natali is delivery a workshop and is also available for book doctor 1-2-1 sessions. Tickets are available here: https://jerichowriters.com/events/festival-of-writing/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Natali Simmonds is a multi-genre fiction author. Her thriller,Good Girls Die Last,is being adapted for TV, and the last book of her fantasy trilogy,Children of Shadows,was shortlisted for an RNA Fantasy Award. She also co-writes paranormal romance as Caedis Knight. Originally from London, she now divides her time between the UK, Spain, and the Netherlands.

Natali can be found on social media as
Twitter: @njsimmondbooks
FB: facebook.com/NjsimmondsAuthor/
IG: instagram.com/njsimmonds_author/

And her website is njsimmonds.com

If you are going to London Festival of Writing, Natali is delivery a workshop and is also available for book doctor 1-2-1 sessions. Tickets are available here: https://jerichowriters.com/events/festival-of-writing/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15023844 Tue, 07 May 2024 12:00:00 +0100 3284 2 104 full false Episode 103 Writing Neurodiverse Characters Being Authentic Episode 103 Writing Neurodiverse Characters Being Authentic In the third in the series on Writing Neurodiverse Characters we dive into being authentic, bringing together what ND is, and what the most obvious traits are. This episode explores a series of questions that help to write an ND character with authenticity, and it ends with 3 short exercises that will help you write your ND characters.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> In the third in the series on Writing Neurodiverse Characters we dive into being authentic, bringing together what ND is, and what the most obvious traits are. This episode explores a series of questions that help to write an ND character with authenticity, and it ends with 3 short exercises that will help you write your ND characters.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-15002393 Fri, 03 May 2024 12:00:00 +0100 1341 2 103 full false Episode 102 In Conversation with Rebecca Thorne Episode 102 In Conversation with Rebecca Thorne Rebecca Thorne is the author of the Tomes & Tea cozy fantasy series, as well as several self-published novels. She loves fantasy, romance, and dragons. Rebecca's latest book is Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, which is cozy fantasy (and you can find out more about this on the podcast), and it is out on 7th May (US) & 9th May (UK). This book follows two women who leave their dangerous fantasy lives to open a bookshop that serves tea.  Who doesn't love a bookshop in a book?

You can connect with Rebecca on TikTok where she provides really helpful videos - @rebecca.thorne and also on Instagram @rebeccathornewrites, and Rebecca's website is https://rebeccathorne.net/

Rebecca has a book tour in the US and all dates can be found here on her website - https://rebeccathorne.net/events/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Rebecca Thorne is the author of the Tomes & Tea cozy fantasy series, as well as several self-published novels. She loves fantasy, romance, and dragons. Rebecca's latest book is Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, which is cozy fantasy (and you can find out more about this on the podcast), and it is out on 7th May (US) & 9th May (UK). This book follows two women who leave their dangerous fantasy lives to open a bookshop that serves tea.  Who doesn't love a bookshop in a book?

You can connect with Rebecca on TikTok where she provides really helpful videos - @rebecca.thorne and also on Instagram @rebeccathornewrites, and Rebecca's website is https://rebeccathorne.net/

Rebecca has a book tour in the US and all dates can be found here on her website - https://rebeccathorne.net/events/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14974104 Tue, 30 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0100 3357 2 102 full true Episode 101 Writing Neurodivergent Characters - Introduction to ND Traits Episode 101 Writing Neurodivergent Characters - Introduction to ND Traits In the second of the mini series on writing neurodivergent characters we dive into a high level overview of ND traits - this is not a definitive list, but gives you a sense of how to go beyond the stereotypes of describing a neurodiverse character.

Next week we delve into how to bring the ND context into character building and characterisation.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> In the second of the mini series on writing neurodivergent characters we dive into a high level overview of ND traits - this is not a definitive list, but gives you a sense of how to go beyond the stereotypes of describing a neurodiverse character.

Next week we delve into how to bring the ND context into character building and characterisation.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14955054 Fri, 26 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0100 511 2 101 full false Episode 100 In Conversation with Emma Claire Wilson Episode 100 In Conversation with Emma Claire Wilson Emma-Claire Wilson is an author of emotional commercial and book club fiction. She writes ‘to make sense of the world’, and loves nothing more than tackling tough subjects and issues that affect her readers on a daily basis.

When she is not writing fiction, she enjoys exercising her brain muscles with freelance copywriting, coaching other writers or writing articles for The Glass House Online Magazine. 

Her debut, This Child of Mine, although not autobiographical, was based on personal experiences and resulted in a highly emotional piece of fiction that secured her representation with Kate Nash Literary Agency. 

After almost 20 years living on the continent, she returned to the UK with her husband, two daughters and rescue dog, Pip. Now, trying hard to acclimatise to the UK weather, you will mostly find her snuggled under a blanket; sometimes dreaming of her next holiday in the sun but mostly reading stories that affect her or writing books she hopes will affect others.

This Child of Mine : Debut : Published July 2023 with Avon HC.
Genre: Womens Commercial Fiction – Emotional Family Drama (It's a tearjerker, folks!)

Ways to connect with Emma-Claire

Instagram: @ecwilsonauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ECWilsonAuthor
Twitter: @ECWilsonWriter
Substack: https://substack.com/@emmaclairewilson/
Linktree: http://linktr.ee/ecwilsonauthor

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Emma-Claire Wilson is an author of emotional commercial and book club fiction. She writes ‘to make sense of the world’, and loves nothing more than tackling tough subjects and issues that affect her readers on a daily basis.

When she is not writing fiction, she enjoys exercising her brain muscles with freelance copywriting, coaching other writers or writing articles for The Glass House Online Magazine. 

Her debut, This Child of Mine, although not autobiographical, was based on personal experiences and resulted in a highly emotional piece of fiction that secured her representation with Kate Nash Literary Agency. 

After almost 20 years living on the continent, she returned to the UK with her husband, two daughters and rescue dog, Pip. Now, trying hard to acclimatise to the UK weather, you will mostly find her snuggled under a blanket; sometimes dreaming of her next holiday in the sun but mostly reading stories that affect her or writing books she hopes will affect others.

This Child of Mine : Debut : Published July 2023 with Avon HC.
Genre: Womens Commercial Fiction – Emotional Family Drama (It's a tearjerker, folks!)

Ways to connect with Emma-Claire

Instagram: @ecwilsonauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ECWilsonAuthor
Twitter: @ECWilsonWriter
Substack: https://substack.com/@emmaclairewilson/
Linktree: http://linktr.ee/ecwilsonauthor

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14940512 Tue, 23 Apr 2024 14:00:00 +0100 3593 1 100 full false Episode 99 Writing Neurodivergent Characters - Introduction to ND Episode 99 Writing Neurodivergent Characters - Introduction to ND Neurodiversity is becoming more of a thing in character development since Eleanor Oliphant appeared in May 2017. Since then I've read a few books that have handled neurodivergent characters well - and many that have not.  Even with my level of expertise I would still say that I don't fully know neurodiversity - because the reality is, there are many types of neurodiversity. However, it appears that some writers have chosen to write the stereotypical character with no social skills. This happens, sure, but most people who are neurodiverse are able to mask their traits and appear to have social skills of what's referred to as neurotypical.

It's important, then, that we understand neurodiversity when we write ND characters so that we represent them appropriately. In this episode I introduce you to what neurodiversity is, and what it is not.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Neurodiversity is becoming more of a thing in character development since Eleanor Oliphant appeared in May 2017. Since then I've read a few books that have handled neurodivergent characters well - and many that have not.  Even with my level of expertise I would still say that I don't fully know neurodiversity - because the reality is, there are many types of neurodiversity. However, it appears that some writers have chosen to write the stereotypical character with no social skills. This happens, sure, but most people who are neurodiverse are able to mask their traits and appear to have social skills of what's referred to as neurotypical.

It's important, then, that we understand neurodiversity when we write ND characters so that we represent them appropriately. In this episode I introduce you to what neurodiversity is, and what it is not.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14906223 Fri, 19 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0100 863 1 99 full false Episode 98 In Conversation with Alexandra Potter Episode 98 In Conversation with Alexandra Potter Alexandra Potter is the bestselling author of numerous romantic comedy fiction novels in the UK, including One Good Thing and Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up, one of the bestselling books of 2022 and the basis of a major TV series. These titles have sold in twenty-five territories and achieved worldwide sales of more than one million copies, making the bestseller charts across the world.

MORE Confessions of a Forty-Something F**K Up - paperback release date April 11, 2024 (hardback was released August 2023). Published by Pan Macmillan. More Confessions is the sequel to Confessions of a Forty-Something F**K Up, but can also be read as a standalone novel.

Yorkshire born and raised, Alexandra lived for several years in LA before settling in London with her Californian husband and their Bosnian rescue dog. When she’s not writing or travelling, she’s getting out into nature, trying not to look at her phone and navigating this thing called mid-life.

On social media, you'll mainly find Alexandra on Instagram - alexandrapotter, though she is also on Facebook - alexandrapotterauthor

And her website is alexandrapotter.com

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Alexandra Potter is the bestselling author of numerous romantic comedy fiction novels in the UK, including One Good Thing and Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up, one of the bestselling books of 2022 and the basis of a major TV series. These titles have sold in twenty-five territories and achieved worldwide sales of more than one million copies, making the bestseller charts across the world.

MORE Confessions of a Forty-Something F**K Up - paperback release date April 11, 2024 (hardback was released August 2023). Published by Pan Macmillan. More Confessions is the sequel to Confessions of a Forty-Something F**K Up, but can also be read as a standalone novel.

Yorkshire born and raised, Alexandra lived for several years in LA before settling in London with her Californian husband and their Bosnian rescue dog. When she’s not writing or travelling, she’s getting out into nature, trying not to look at her phone and navigating this thing called mid-life.

On social media, you'll mainly find Alexandra on Instagram - alexandrapotter, though she is also on Facebook - alexandrapotterauthor

And her website is alexandrapotter.com

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14898382 Tue, 16 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0100 3942 1 98 full false Episode 97 It's All About The Voice Episode 97 It's All About The Voice What is an author's voice? And is it the same as a character's voice? In this episode I describe both types of voice, and I offer some tips on how to help develop your voice - one important thing to remember, though, our voice evolves over time. It can't be forced, and once we've found it, it's unlikely to be fixed.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> What is an author's voice? And is it the same as a character's voice? In this episode I describe both types of voice, and I offer some tips on how to help develop your voice - one important thing to remember, though, our voice evolves over time. It can't be forced, and once we've found it, it's unlikely to be fixed.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14871924 Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0100 1261 1 97 full false Episode 96 In Conversation with Triona Campbell Episode 96 In Conversation with Triona Campbell Triona Campbell is a two-time Emmy-nominated TV producer. 

Triona has a Master’s in Creative Writing from Trinity College, Dublin, and is the writer of the award-winning podcast drama Adventures of a Young Pirate Queen. 

She is an award winning writer and her new book The Traitor In The Game is out now.

She is passionate about creating teen content (and finding time to play retro video games with her kids).

For more information see: www.trionacampbell.com

Debut book: 

YA Thriller / dystopian /Sci fi: A GAME OF LIFE OR DEATH (2023) published by Scholastic UK. Book one of a trilogy set in the near future (and touching on issues like A.I, and virtual reality). Hunger Games meets Ready Player One. Winner of the Irish ‘GREAT READS AWARD 2023’ (an award voted on by teen readers).

Just released (& debuting at no.1 in the Irish YA charts) THE TRAITOR IN THE GAME (29.02.2024) published by Scholastic UK. The second book in this twisty thriller trilogy, again set in the near future – you don’t play the game, it plays you.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Triona Campbell is a two-time Emmy-nominated TV producer. 

Triona has a Master’s in Creative Writing from Trinity College, Dublin, and is the writer of the award-winning podcast drama Adventures of a Young Pirate Queen. 

She is an award winning writer and her new book The Traitor In The Game is out now.

She is passionate about creating teen content (and finding time to play retro video games with her kids).

For more information see: www.trionacampbell.com

Debut book: 

YA Thriller / dystopian /Sci fi: A GAME OF LIFE OR DEATH (2023) published by Scholastic UK. Book one of a trilogy set in the near future (and touching on issues like A.I, and virtual reality). Hunger Games meets Ready Player One. Winner of the Irish ‘GREAT READS AWARD 2023’ (an award voted on by teen readers).

Just released (& debuting at no.1 in the Irish YA charts) THE TRAITOR IN THE GAME (29.02.2024) published by Scholastic UK. The second book in this twisty thriller trilogy, again set in the near future – you don’t play the game, it plays you.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14855195 Tue, 09 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0100 3639 1 96 full false Episode 95 The Rejection Series Comparisonitis and Envy Episode 95 The Rejection Series Comparisonitis and Envy Part of the reality of being rejected - or not hearing anything from agents - is that we compare ourselves to others. It's natural to do that. We might also find ourselves getting a little envious of others and their successes. In this episode we delve into this very real, and yet seldom talked about, topic of the rejection experience. As you'd expect, I give you some actionable steps to help when comparisonitis takes you on, and envy rears its head.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Part of the reality of being rejected - or not hearing anything from agents - is that we compare ourselves to others. It's natural to do that. We might also find ourselves getting a little envious of others and their successes. In this episode we delve into this very real, and yet seldom talked about, topic of the rejection experience. As you'd expect, I give you some actionable steps to help when comparisonitis takes you on, and envy rears its head.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14812169 Fri, 05 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0100 1462 1 95 full false Episode 94 In Conversation with Laura Ramnarace Episode 94 In Conversation with Laura Ramnarace Laura Ramnarace lives in rural southwestern New Mexico, USA, in the traditional territory of the Chiricahua and Warm Springs Apache people, where she works as a mediator, facilitator and educator. She holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution. Her other creative endeavours include beadwork, tile mosaics, crochet, soap making and cooking. Other pleasures include hiking, camping, yoga and long conversations with friends and family.

The Sung Home trilogy is a Solar Punk story, which means that its aim is ultimately to leave people with a feeling of positive possibility for our future. The first book in the trilogy, Sung Home, was published in 2019. The second book, Growing Home, was published in 2020, and the third book, Rising Home, was published in 2022.

Laura says she dreamed of being a writer as a child and young woman but had other demands on her time that took precedent and she eventually forgot that dream. That urge to write stories re-emerged when she was in my fifties when finally had time to devote to it. 

Laura has a website - https://lauraramnarace.com/ and can be found on Facebook with her page called 'Sung Home'.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Laura Ramnarace lives in rural southwestern New Mexico, USA, in the traditional territory of the Chiricahua and Warm Springs Apache people, where she works as a mediator, facilitator and educator. She holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution. Her other creative endeavours include beadwork, tile mosaics, crochet, soap making and cooking. Other pleasures include hiking, camping, yoga and long conversations with friends and family.

The Sung Home trilogy is a Solar Punk story, which means that its aim is ultimately to leave people with a feeling of positive possibility for our future. The first book in the trilogy, Sung Home, was published in 2019. The second book, Growing Home, was published in 2020, and the third book, Rising Home, was published in 2022.

Laura says she dreamed of being a writer as a child and young woman but had other demands on her time that took precedent and she eventually forgot that dream. That urge to write stories re-emerged when she was in my fifties when finally had time to devote to it. 

Laura has a website - https://lauraramnarace.com/ and can be found on Facebook with her page called 'Sung Home'.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14812154 Tue, 02 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0100 2963 1 94 full false Episode 93 The Rejection Series What Do You Do When You Get Rejections? Episode 93 The Rejection Series What Do You Do When You Get Rejections? In the third of The Rejection Series we get into what to do when you get rejections, with  combination of tips that you can try to find what works best for you. It might be that all of the tips are worth doing, or you might find a favourite and stick with that.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> In the third of The Rejection Series we get into what to do when you get rejections, with  combination of tips that you can try to find what works best for you. It might be that all of the tips are worth doing, or you might find a favourite and stick with that.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14791483 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 1293 1 93 full false Episode 92 In Conversation with Nicola Gill Episode 92 In Conversation with Nicola Gill
Nicola Gill lives in London with her husband and two sons. At the age of five, when all of the other little girls wanted to be ballet dancers, she decided she wanted to be an author. Her ballet teacher was very relieved.

Nicola has written three published novels, the latest of which is Swimming For Beginners. This tells the story of Loretta who has her life all under control and how she likes it. It’s turned upside down when a stranger at an airport asks her to keep an eye on her sleeping child... and never comes back. Her new book That’s Just Perfect comes out on the 12th September. In this novel we meet Emily who is determined to show her estranged father her life is perfect despite him. So when he turns up for the weekend just after she’s been dumped by her fiancé, Emily decides to pretend the wedding is still on.

When she’s not at her desk, you can usually find Nicola reading, cooking up vast vats of food for friends and family or watching box sets. Occasionally she even leaves the house...

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]>
Nicola Gill lives in London with her husband and two sons. At the age of five, when all of the other little girls wanted to be ballet dancers, she decided she wanted to be an author. Her ballet teacher was very relieved.

Nicola has written three published novels, the latest of which is Swimming For Beginners. This tells the story of Loretta who has her life all under control and how she likes it. It’s turned upside down when a stranger at an airport asks her to keep an eye on her sleeping child... and never comes back. Her new book That’s Just Perfect comes out on the 12th September. In this novel we meet Emily who is determined to show her estranged father her life is perfect despite him. So when he turns up for the weekend just after she’s been dumped by her fiancé, Emily decides to pretend the wedding is still on.

When she’s not at her desk, you can usually find Nicola reading, cooking up vast vats of food for friends and family or watching box sets. Occasionally she even leaves the house...

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14769734 Tue, 26 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 3841 1 92 full false Episode 91 The Rejection Series Why Is My Novel Being Rejected? Episode 91 The Rejection Series Why Is My Novel Being Rejected? In the second of The Rejection Series we delve into four reasons why a novel might be rejected by agents. It's not great being rejected by agents, and it can feel very disheartening, but you'll hear that one of the first things to do is to accept the it's not personal.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> In the second of The Rejection Series we delve into four reasons why a novel might be rejected by agents. It's not great being rejected by agents, and it can feel very disheartening, but you'll hear that one of the first things to do is to accept the it's not personal.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Buzzsprout-14739941 Fri, 22 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 1387 1 91 full false Episode 90 In Conversation with B P Walter Episode 90 In Conversation with B P Walter B.P. Walter is the Sunday Times bestselling author of six thrillers including The Dinner Guest, The Locked Attic and Notes on a Murder. He was born and raised in Essex, worked in bookshops during his teens, then went to the University of Southampton to study Film and English. He is also an alumnus of the Faber Academy. Since then he has previously worked in social media coordination and now writes full time.

His first two thrillers, A Version of the Truth and Hold Your Breath, were published by Avon in 2019 and 2020. His third book, The Dinner Guest, was acquired by HarperCollins imprint One More Chapter in a three-book deal and published in 2021. It became a Waterstones Thriller of the Month, a Top 10 Sunday Times Bestseller and a Number 1 Times Bestseller. The Woman on the Pier and The Locked Attic followed in the years since, and his latest novel Notes on a Murder came out at the end of 2023. My next thriller The Garden Party comes out in July and his debut horror novel Scuttle will be published in October. 

You can make contact with Barnaby on social media
https://twitter.com/BarnabyWalter
https://www.instagram.com/bpwalterauthor/
https://www.facebook.com/BPWalterAuthor

And his website is www.bpwalter.com

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> B.P. Walter is the Sunday Times bestselling author of six thrillers including The Dinner Guest, The Locked Attic and Notes on a Murder. He was born and raised in Essex, worked in bookshops during his teens, then went to the University of Southampton to study Film and English. He is also an alumnus of the Faber Academy. Since then he has previously worked in social media coordination and now writes full time.

His first two thrillers, A Version of the Truth and Hold Your Breath, were published by Avon in 2019 and 2020. His third book, The Dinner Guest, was acquired by HarperCollins imprint One More Chapter in a three-book deal and published in 2021. It became a Waterstones Thriller of the Month, a Top 10 Sunday Times Bestseller and a Number 1 Times Bestseller. The Woman on the Pier and The Locked Attic followed in the years since, and his latest novel Notes on a Murder came out at the end of 2023. My next thriller The Garden Party comes out in July and his debut horror novel Scuttle will be published in October. 

You can make contact with Barnaby on social media
https://twitter.com/BarnabyWalter
https://www.instagram.com/bpwalterauthor/
https://www.facebook.com/BPWalterAuthor

And his website is www.bpwalter.com

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14712038 Tue, 19 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 3559 1 90 full false Episode 89 The Rejection Series Setting Expectations Episode 89 The Rejection Series Setting Expectations Over the next few weeks, the Friday episodes will be devoted to rejections - something that the world of trad publishing requires us to become quickly acquainted with. In this first in the series, I talk about expectations, with practical tips on what you can do to set your expectations in a way that works for you. I also share some figures that help you understand why the querying process is unlikely to change, and listen through to the end of the episode to discover one tip that will give you a better understanding of the life of an agent, too.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Over the next few weeks, the Friday episodes will be devoted to rejections - something that the world of trad publishing requires us to become quickly acquainted with. In this first in the series, I talk about expectations, with practical tips on what you can do to set your expectations in a way that works for you. I also share some figures that help you understand why the querying process is unlikely to change, and listen through to the end of the episode to discover one tip that will give you a better understanding of the life of an agent, too.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14695434 Fri, 15 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 1350 1 89 full false Episode 88 In Conversation with Lisa Timoney Episode 88 In Conversation with Lisa Timoney Originally from Yorkshire, Lisa now lives in London with her husband and two teenage daughters. She started her career teaching English and Drama and has written three family drama novels under her own name, filled with devastating secrets and explosive revelations.

In February, she published her first Book Club novel, The Memory Library, under the pen name Kate Storey. It’s an uplifting book about family, community and the perennial love of books.
Lisa's Books (all published by Avon, HarperCollins):
Her Daughter's Secret, 9/22
Her Mother's Lies, 1/23
His Secret Wife, 4/23
The Memory Library - Kate Storey, 2/24
Here's the link to The Memory Library
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Memory-Library-must-read-charming-uplifting-ebook/dp/B0C9XQQMXG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EX6EHSN0AXPF&keywords=the+memory+library&qid=1707395068&sprefix=The+Memory%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1



Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Originally from Yorkshire, Lisa now lives in London with her husband and two teenage daughters. She started her career teaching English and Drama and has written three family drama novels under her own name, filled with devastating secrets and explosive revelations.

In February, she published her first Book Club novel, The Memory Library, under the pen name Kate Storey. It’s an uplifting book about family, community and the perennial love of books.
Lisa's Books (all published by Avon, HarperCollins):
Her Daughter's Secret, 9/22
Her Mother's Lies, 1/23
His Secret Wife, 4/23
The Memory Library - Kate Storey, 2/24
Here's the link to The Memory Library
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Memory-Library-must-read-charming-uplifting-ebook/dp/B0C9XQQMXG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EX6EHSN0AXPF&keywords=the+memory+library&qid=1707395068&sprefix=The+Memory%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1



Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14675551 Tue, 12 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 3283 1 88 full false Episode 87 Catching Yourself Out With Negative Thinking Episode 87 Catching Yourself Out With Negative Thinking Do you ever find yourself thinking negatively about your writing? In this episode I share an approach for catching yourself out, understanding your limiting believes, and how to play with an alternative way of thinking to turn things around for yourself.

I mention a book that I believe it worth reading - The Big Leap by Gaye Hendricks. It's a book that definitely did a lot to change my thinking, so it comes highly recommended from me.

I also mention Denise Duffield Thomas - you can buy her books too, and probably a good one to start with is Get Rich Lucky Bitch.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Do you ever find yourself thinking negatively about your writing? In this episode I share an approach for catching yourself out, understanding your limiting believes, and how to play with an alternative way of thinking to turn things around for yourself.

I mention a book that I believe it worth reading - The Big Leap by Gaye Hendricks. It's a book that definitely did a lot to change my thinking, so it comes highly recommended from me.

I also mention Denise Duffield Thomas - you can buy her books too, and probably a good one to start with is Get Rich Lucky Bitch.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14647564 Fri, 08 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 1326 1 87 full false Episode 86: In Conversation with Louise Morrish Episode 86: In Conversation with Louise Morrish Louise Morrish is a historical fiction writer and librarian from Hampshire. She writes stories inspired by the lives of women in the past, who achieved extraordinary things, but whom history has forgotten.

Her debut novel, Operation Moonlight, won the Penguin Random House First Novel competition in 2019, and was published by Penguin Michael Joseph in 2022. Operation Moonlight is inspired by the female secret agents of the Special Operations Executive, whose brave exploits helped win World War II. Passionate about books, Louise also loves to trail run.

She is currently under contract to write two more historical novels for Penguin Michael Joseph. These next two are set in World War One, and are inspired by real women whom history has forgotten. “Women of War” will be published this September, and is inspired by three real women who achieved incredible things in WW1. The first, Dorothy Lawrence, was a young woman determined to become a journalist, who disguised herself as a soldier and fought for ten days at the front. The other two are doctors -  Dr Louisa Garret Anderson and Dr Flora Murray – who ran pioneering, all-female-run military hospitals in France and England. 

As someone who is passionate about books, Lou runs a number of bookclubs, and she supports Goldfinch Books in Alton in Hampshire with their author events. https://www.goldfinch-books.com/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Louise Morrish is a historical fiction writer and librarian from Hampshire. She writes stories inspired by the lives of women in the past, who achieved extraordinary things, but whom history has forgotten.

Her debut novel, Operation Moonlight, won the Penguin Random House First Novel competition in 2019, and was published by Penguin Michael Joseph in 2022. Operation Moonlight is inspired by the female secret agents of the Special Operations Executive, whose brave exploits helped win World War II. Passionate about books, Louise also loves to trail run.

She is currently under contract to write two more historical novels for Penguin Michael Joseph. These next two are set in World War One, and are inspired by real women whom history has forgotten. “Women of War” will be published this September, and is inspired by three real women who achieved incredible things in WW1. The first, Dorothy Lawrence, was a young woman determined to become a journalist, who disguised herself as a soldier and fought for ten days at the front. The other two are doctors -  Dr Louisa Garret Anderson and Dr Flora Murray – who ran pioneering, all-female-run military hospitals in France and England. 

As someone who is passionate about books, Lou runs a number of bookclubs, and she supports Goldfinch Books in Alton in Hampshire with their author events. https://www.goldfinch-books.com/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14630812 Tue, 05 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 3533 1 86 full false Ep85 Putting Yourself Out There As An Author: Being On Social Media Ep85 Putting Yourself Out There As An Author: Being On Social Media First up, I'm not an expert on social media, so please do seek advice from someone with much more expertise in this area than me. Having said that, I do know a fair bit about how to use social media and how to make it work for you at a lower scale than most experts push.

In this bonus episode of Putting Yourself Out There As An Author, I take you through 5 simple steps, and in step 5 I have 5 top tips for you that you can action straight away.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> First up, I'm not an expert on social media, so please do seek advice from someone with much more expertise in this area than me. Having said that, I do know a fair bit about how to use social media and how to make it work for you at a lower scale than most experts push.

In this bonus episode of Putting Yourself Out There As An Author, I take you through 5 simple steps, and in step 5 I have 5 top tips for you that you can action straight away.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14606552 Fri, 01 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 1783 1 85 full false Episode 84 In Conversation with Louise Fein Episode 84 In Conversation with Louise Fein Louise writes historical fiction, focussed around unheard voices or from unusual perspectives. Her internationally bestselling debut novel, People Like Us (Daughter of the Reich in the US edition) published 2020, was translated into 12 languages and is set in 1930’s Leipzig. Her second novel, The Hidden Child, about the eugenics movement in 1920’s England and America, was a Globe & Mail bestseller in Canada. Her latest novel, The London Bookshop Affair, is out now.

The London Bookshop Affair, published January 2024 in the US/Canada and February 2024 in the UK, is a dual timeline historical fiction novel, set mainly in 1962 London, but with a 1942 thread. 

At the end of the recording, Louise and I talked a bit more about how tough it can be for writers, and she suggested a podcast, Write Off with Francesca Steel. It's a podcast that covers stories of writers who had a tough time, and Louise assures me that it's uplifting to hear big name authors talk of their struggles.

Louise can be found on social media as:
https://www.facebook.com/louisefeinauthor
https://twitter.com/FeinLouise
https://www.instagram.com/louisefeinauthor/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Louise writes historical fiction, focussed around unheard voices or from unusual perspectives. Her internationally bestselling debut novel, People Like Us (Daughter of the Reich in the US edition) published 2020, was translated into 12 languages and is set in 1930’s Leipzig. Her second novel, The Hidden Child, about the eugenics movement in 1920’s England and America, was a Globe & Mail bestseller in Canada. Her latest novel, The London Bookshop Affair, is out now.

The London Bookshop Affair, published January 2024 in the US/Canada and February 2024 in the UK, is a dual timeline historical fiction novel, set mainly in 1962 London, but with a 1942 thread. 

At the end of the recording, Louise and I talked a bit more about how tough it can be for writers, and she suggested a podcast, Write Off with Francesca Steel. It's a podcast that covers stories of writers who had a tough time, and Louise assures me that it's uplifting to hear big name authors talk of their struggles.

Louise can be found on social media as:
https://www.facebook.com/louisefeinauthor
https://twitter.com/FeinLouise
https://www.instagram.com/louisefeinauthor/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14567035 Tue, 27 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 3151 1 84 full false Episode 83 Putting Yourself Out There As An Author: Being Featured Episode 83 Putting Yourself Out There As An Author: Being Featured This is the longest 'short' episode I've done, but believe me, it's worth it! I've invited my dear friend, Emma-Claire Wilson to join me, but not as an author, rather as a journalist. She shares her expertise with us about how to be featured, and there are real nuggets in this episode. So forgive me a long 'short' on this occasion, but I know you'll find it incredibly helpful, whether or not you are a published author.

Emma-Claire can be found at emmaclairewilson.com where you will find details of working with her as a coach and mentor.

Her novel is This Child of Mine and it is out now in all major retailers.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> This is the longest 'short' episode I've done, but believe me, it's worth it! I've invited my dear friend, Emma-Claire Wilson to join me, but not as an author, rather as a journalist. She shares her expertise with us about how to be featured, and there are real nuggets in this episode. So forgive me a long 'short' on this occasion, but I know you'll find it incredibly helpful, whether or not you are a published author.

Emma-Claire can be found at emmaclairewilson.com where you will find details of working with her as a coach and mentor.

Her novel is This Child of Mine and it is out now in all major retailers.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14555061 Fri, 23 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 2785 1 83 full false Episode 82 In Conversation with Jennie Godfrey Episode 82 In Conversation with Jennie Godfrey Jennie Godfrey was raised in West Yorkshire and her debut novel, The List of Suspicious Things, is inspired by her childhood there in the 1970s. Jennie is from a mill-working family, but as the first of the generation born after the mills closed, she went to university and built a career in the corporate world. In 2020 she left and began to write. She is now a writer and part-time Waterstones bookseller and lives in the Somerset countryside.

In our conversation, Jennie mentions The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.

Jennie's novel, The List of Suspicious Things, is available now from all booksellers.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Jennie Godfrey was raised in West Yorkshire and her debut novel, The List of Suspicious Things, is inspired by her childhood there in the 1970s. Jennie is from a mill-working family, but as the first of the generation born after the mills closed, she went to university and built a career in the corporate world. In 2020 she left and began to write. She is now a writer and part-time Waterstones bookseller and lives in the Somerset countryside.

In our conversation, Jennie mentions The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.

Jennie's novel, The List of Suspicious Things, is available now from all booksellers.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14525361 Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 3557 1 82 full false Episode 81 Putting Yourself Out There as an Author: Being Nervous Episode 81 Putting Yourself Out There as an Author: Being Nervous Apparently the greatest fear we have is not spiders - or in my case, daddy long legs (crane flies). It's public speaking, so it's no wonder that people get nervous when it comes to putting ourselves out there as an author. This episode is all about being nervous - and no, that's not a typo. It is all about BEING nervous. The truth is, you will be nervous, unless you really don't care about what you're doing and what impact you will have on others. If that's the case, you might need to speak to someone, as I wonder if you might be a psychopath or sociopath? Thankfully, most are neither, which means we will get nervous. Listen in to the episode for some simple tips on what to do when you're nervous.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Apparently the greatest fear we have is not spiders - or in my case, daddy long legs (crane flies). It's public speaking, so it's no wonder that people get nervous when it comes to putting ourselves out there as an author. This episode is all about being nervous - and no, that's not a typo. It is all about BEING nervous. The truth is, you will be nervous, unless you really don't care about what you're doing and what impact you will have on others. If that's the case, you might need to speak to someone, as I wonder if you might be a psychopath or sociopath? Thankfully, most are neither, which means we will get nervous. Listen in to the episode for some simple tips on what to do when you're nervous.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14514908 Fri, 16 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 1372 1 81 full false Episode 80 In Conversation with Charlotte Stein Episode 80 In Conversation with Charlotte Stein The Valentine's episode!
Charlotte Stein is the RT and DABWAHA nominated author of over fifty short stories, novellas and novels, including the Library Journal starred When Grumpy Met Sunshine. When not writing deeply emotional and intensely sexy books, she can be found eating jelly turtles, getting way too excited over a million movies and TV shows, and occasionally lusting after moustaches. She lives in Leeds with her family.

When Grumpy Met Sunshine is a Ted Lasso inspired novel, and Charlotte shares how she brings in the humour to her writing.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> The Valentine's episode!
Charlotte Stein is the RT and DABWAHA nominated author of over fifty short stories, novellas and novels, including the Library Journal starred When Grumpy Met Sunshine. When not writing deeply emotional and intensely sexy books, she can be found eating jelly turtles, getting way too excited over a million movies and TV shows, and occasionally lusting after moustaches. She lives in Leeds with her family.

When Grumpy Met Sunshine is a Ted Lasso inspired novel, and Charlotte shares how she brings in the humour to her writing.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14500739 Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +0000 3129 1 80 full false Episode 79 Part 2 Putting Yourself Out There As An Author: Being on 'Stage' Episode 79 Part 2 Putting Yourself Out There As An Author: Being on 'Stage' This week is part 2 of the series all about putting yourself out there as an author, and in this episode I share a load of tips I picked up from experience over the last 35 years, including on stage, on radio, doing the podcast, being on panels (though not author ones), and more. These are actionable steps for the new and the experienced authors who are putting yourselves out there for podcasts, events, panels and launches. Enjoy!

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> This week is part 2 of the series all about putting yourself out there as an author, and in this episode I share a load of tips I picked up from experience over the last 35 years, including on stage, on radio, doing the podcast, being on panels (though not author ones), and more. These are actionable steps for the new and the experienced authors who are putting yourselves out there for podcasts, events, panels and launches. Enjoy!

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14414320 Fri, 09 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 1422 1 79 full false Ep78 In Conversation with WA (Wayne) Kelly Ep78 In Conversation with WA (Wayne) Kelly
W.A. Kelly is an author, filmmaker and musician. His debut crime novel, Safe Hands was released in November 2023 with its sequel due for release later this year. SAFE HANDS is a gritty British thriller about Mickey Blake, a safe cracker forced out of retirement to protect his estranged son and Hazel, a mother driven to kill to stop her teenage boy being sucked in to a life of crime. It is available now, with the audio book out later this year.

Wayne is also a podcaster and since 2014, he has hosted The Joined Up Writing Podcast, interviewing hundreds of writers about their writing journeys, process and inspirations. 

In this episode we talk about the value of critique partners, feedback on our writing, safe cracking, and Wayne's advice for authors going on podcasts.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]>
W.A. Kelly is an author, filmmaker and musician. His debut crime novel, Safe Hands was released in November 2023 with its sequel due for release later this year. SAFE HANDS is a gritty British thriller about Mickey Blake, a safe cracker forced out of retirement to protect his estranged son and Hazel, a mother driven to kill to stop her teenage boy being sucked in to a life of crime. It is available now, with the audio book out later this year.

Wayne is also a podcaster and since 2014, he has hosted The Joined Up Writing Podcast, interviewing hundreds of writers about their writing journeys, process and inspirations. 

In this episode we talk about the value of critique partners, feedback on our writing, safe cracking, and Wayne's advice for authors going on podcasts.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14448515 Tue, 06 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 4160 1 78 full false Episode 77 Part 1 of Putting Yourself Out There As An Author: Being Prepared Episode 77 Part 1 of Putting Yourself Out There As An Author: Being Prepared Are you an author who has an agent, maybe a publishing deal - and maybe you're already published ... but you hate putting yourself out there? This is the first in a series of 4 episodes that teach you how to be ready for any situation such as recording a podcast, a radio interview, or being on a panel.

In the first of this series, we look at a set of questions you can use to help yourself be prepared. It's an approach I've been using for around 40 years, and it works!

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Are you an author who has an agent, maybe a publishing deal - and maybe you're already published ... but you hate putting yourself out there? This is the first in a series of 4 episodes that teach you how to be ready for any situation such as recording a podcast, a radio interview, or being on a panel.

In the first of this series, we look at a set of questions you can use to help yourself be prepared. It's an approach I've been using for around 40 years, and it works!

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14412773 Fri, 02 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000 1223 1 77 full false Episode 76 In Conversation with Heather Fitt Episode 76 In Conversation with Heather Fitt Heather J Fitt was born in Scotland and raised across Europe. An avid reader as a child, her dreams came true when her debut novel,Open Your Eyes,was published in 2022. Described as,Agatha Christie on a plane, The Flightfollowed a few months later and her third book,The Boat Trip,was published in June 2023. When she isn’t writing, Heather is the General Coordinator for the Crime Writers’ Association and a freelance editor and proofreader.

Heather's books are:
Open Your Eyes (psychological suspense) published 27th June 2022
The Flight (murder mystery) published 26th January 2023
The Boat Trip (murder mystery) published 26th June 2023

You can find her on social media as Twitter: @HeatherJFitt, Instagram: @heatherjfitt, Threads: @heatherjfitt, Facebook: HeatherFittAuthor

Heather's books are available here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Heather-J-Fitt/author/B0B2KH8K5S

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Heather J Fitt was born in Scotland and raised across Europe. An avid reader as a child, her dreams came true when her debut novel,Open Your Eyes,was published in 2022. Described as,Agatha Christie on a plane, The Flightfollowed a few months later and her third book,The Boat Trip,was published in June 2023. When she isn’t writing, Heather is the General Coordinator for the Crime Writers’ Association and a freelance editor and proofreader.

Heather's books are:
Open Your Eyes (psychological suspense) published 27th June 2022
The Flight (murder mystery) published 26th January 2023
The Boat Trip (murder mystery) published 26th June 2023

You can find her on social media as Twitter: @HeatherJFitt, Instagram: @heatherjfitt, Threads: @heatherjfitt, Facebook: HeatherFittAuthor

Heather's books are available here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Heather-J-Fitt/author/B0B2KH8K5S

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14419787 Thu, 01 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000 3236 1 76 full false Episode 75 Writing Reboot Steps 5 & 6: Kindness and Caring for YOU! Episode 75 Writing Reboot Steps 5 & 6: Kindness and Caring for YOU! This week is all about kindness and caring, and getting your writing done. Listen in for 3 simple ways you can be kind to yourself and care for you, and 3 simple ways to get the writing done.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> This week is all about kindness and caring, and getting your writing done. Listen in for 3 simple ways you can be kind to yourself and care for you, and 3 simple ways to get the writing done.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14382853 Fri, 26 Jan 2024 13:00:00 +0000 1109 1 75 full false Episode 74 In Conversation with Helen Parusel Episode 74 In Conversation with Helen Parusel Helen Parasel is a Londoner who has lived in Hamburg, Germany over 25 years. She is married, has an adult daughter and rescue dog. Her debut novel, A Mother's War, set in Norway, came out in May 2023, and her second novel, The Austrian Bride, set in the town where her grandparents lived, came out in January 2024.

Helen in an alumni of the Jericho Writers Self Edit Your Novel course run by Debi Alter and Emma Darwin.

You can find Helen on social media as @helenparusel

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Helen Parasel is a Londoner who has lived in Hamburg, Germany over 25 years. She is married, has an adult daughter and rescue dog. Her debut novel, A Mother's War, set in Norway, came out in May 2023, and her second novel, The Austrian Bride, set in the town where her grandparents lived, came out in January 2024.

Helen in an alumni of the Jericho Writers Self Edit Your Novel course run by Debi Alter and Emma Darwin.

You can find Helen on social media as @helenparusel

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14359894 Tue, 23 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 3305 1 74 full false Episode 73 Writing Reboot Steps 3 & 4 Habits, Triggers and Responses Episode 73 Writing Reboot Steps 3 & 4 Habits, Triggers and Responses Continuing with the Writing Reboot, this week is steps 3 and 4, all about habits, triggers and responses. You might also find it useful to listen in to Episode 41, which is about Habit Stacking, to go along with this week's episode.

The book I mention at the end of this episode is Atomic Habits by James Clear which is a great read if you're interested in developing your understanding of habits and how they work.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Continuing with the Writing Reboot, this week is steps 3 and 4, all about habits, triggers and responses. You might also find it useful to listen in to Episode 41, which is about Habit Stacking, to go along with this week's episode.

The book I mention at the end of this episode is Atomic Habits by James Clear which is a great read if you're interested in developing your understanding of habits and how they work.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14338441 Fri, 19 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 1227 1 73 full false Ep72 In Conversation with Araminta Hall Ep72 In Conversation with Araminta Hall Araminta Hall has worked as a writer, journalist and teacher. Her first novel, Everything & Nothing, was published in 2011 and became a Richard & Judy read that year. Her second, Dot, was published in 2013.

She teaches creative writing and currently has guestslots on the Goldsborough Writing Academy. She lives with her husband and three children in Brighton.

Her latest novel, One of The Good Guys is out now.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Araminta Hall has worked as a writer, journalist and teacher. Her first novel, Everything & Nothing, was published in 2011 and became a Richard & Judy read that year. Her second, Dot, was published in 2013.

She teaches creative writing and currently has guestslots on the Goldsborough Writing Academy. She lives with her husband and three children in Brighton.

Her latest novel, One of The Good Guys is out now.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14319435 Tue, 16 Jan 2024 15:00:00 +0000 3413 1 72 full false Episode 71 Writing Reboot Step 2 Sabotage Spotting Episode 71 Writing Reboot Step 2 Sabotage Spotting Ever sabotaged something that in your heart you really want? If you answered no to that question, you're a very rare beast! Because sabotage is something we all do. It's a form of protection for us. Listen in to this episode if you want to feel like you're in amongst the majority, and if you want some tips on how you can manage your sabotage.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Ever sabotaged something that in your heart you really want? If you answered no to that question, you're a very rare beast! Because sabotage is something we all do. It's a form of protection for us. Listen in to this episode if you want to feel like you're in amongst the majority, and if you want some tips on how you can manage your sabotage.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14292915 Fri, 12 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 1246 1 71 full false Ep70 In Conversation with Debi Alper Ep70 In Conversation with Debi Alper Debi Alper is an author with 5 novels published in the Nirvana series, a freelance editor, creative writing tutor and fearless slayer of Doubt Demons. She runs Jericho Writers’ Self-Edit Your Novel course, which has 6 bursaries available in 2024 for underrepresented writers. She is also interested in mudlarking, singing with my choir, micro gardening, working class peeps and radical Jewish voices. And she says she's owned by her cat.

In this episode Debi takes us through the layers of editing, psychic distance, her own journey as a writer and editor and so much more.

You can contact Debi through her website - http://www.debialper.co.uk/editing-services/ and through Jericho Writers - https://jerichowriters.com/our-services/courses-mentoring/self-editing-course/ and https://jerichowriters.com/jericho-writers/about-us/bursaries/self-editing-course-bursary/

And if you want to see all the novels published as a result of the course, here's a link to Debi's ever-growing blog post about it. https://debialper.blogspot.com/2016/05/self-edit-course-roll-of-honour.html

Emma Darwin's blog gets a mention - This Itch of Writing - also gets a mention about psychic distance, and you can access that article HERE

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Debi Alper is an author with 5 novels published in the Nirvana series, a freelance editor, creative writing tutor and fearless slayer of Doubt Demons. She runs Jericho Writers’ Self-Edit Your Novel course, which has 6 bursaries available in 2024 for underrepresented writers. She is also interested in mudlarking, singing with my choir, micro gardening, working class peeps and radical Jewish voices. And she says she's owned by her cat.

In this episode Debi takes us through the layers of editing, psychic distance, her own journey as a writer and editor and so much more.

You can contact Debi through her website - http://www.debialper.co.uk/editing-services/ and through Jericho Writers - https://jerichowriters.com/our-services/courses-mentoring/self-editing-course/ and https://jerichowriters.com/jericho-writers/about-us/bursaries/self-editing-course-bursary/

And if you want to see all the novels published as a result of the course, here's a link to Debi's ever-growing blog post about it. https://debialper.blogspot.com/2016/05/self-edit-course-roll-of-honour.html

Emma Darwin's blog gets a mention - This Itch of Writing - also gets a mention about psychic distance, and you can access that article HERE

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14277251 Tue, 09 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 3729 1 70 full false Ep69 Writing Reboot Step 1 Focus Finder Ep69 Writing Reboot Step 1 Focus Finder Every now and again we could all do with a writing reboot, and over the next 4 weeks I will take you through a series of episodes that introduce you to the Write, Damn It! writing mindset formula that I've used for myself, and that I've taken others through when coaching them - the results are publication deals and wins or shortlisting in competitions, which is quite something. And this is a formula that works for busy people, and people who suffer from writing demons that get in the way. If that's you, listen in to this episode and learn about Step 1 - Focus Finder. At the end there are 3 simple things for you to do to help you get going.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Every now and again we could all do with a writing reboot, and over the next 4 weeks I will take you through a series of episodes that introduce you to the Write, Damn It! writing mindset formula that I've used for myself, and that I've taken others through when coaching them - the results are publication deals and wins or shortlisting in competitions, which is quite something. And this is a formula that works for busy people, and people who suffer from writing demons that get in the way. If that's you, listen in to this episode and learn about Step 1 - Focus Finder. At the end there are 3 simple things for you to do to help you get going.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14246278 Fri, 05 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 1147 1 69 full false Ep68 In Conversation with Neil Alexander Ep68 In Conversation with Neil Alexander Much of the inspiration for Neil Alexander's debut novel, 'The Vanishing of Margaret Small', came directly from the voices of people with a learning disability, and the incredibly moving first person accounts of living in long stay institutions, which he heard while working for the UK charity Mencap. Neil, who has a Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Kent at Canterbury, began his career working in health journalism. Originally from Northern Ireland, he now lives in the seaside town of Whitstable in Kent. He currently teaches English part-time and is editing his second novel, due out later next year. 

The Vanishing of Margaret Small is Uplit/Mystery and was published in UK November 2022. It is also published in translation in Italy (Garzanti) and Germany (Blanvalet), and has sold 50,000 copies since publication.

Neil can be found on social media as:
Twitter @neilalexander_
Insta @neilalexanderwriter
Facebook Neil Alexander Author

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Much of the inspiration for Neil Alexander's debut novel, 'The Vanishing of Margaret Small', came directly from the voices of people with a learning disability, and the incredibly moving first person accounts of living in long stay institutions, which he heard while working for the UK charity Mencap. Neil, who has a Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Kent at Canterbury, began his career working in health journalism. Originally from Northern Ireland, he now lives in the seaside town of Whitstable in Kent. He currently teaches English part-time and is editing his second novel, due out later next year. 

The Vanishing of Margaret Small is Uplit/Mystery and was published in UK November 2022. It is also published in translation in Italy (Garzanti) and Germany (Blanvalet), and has sold 50,000 copies since publication.

Neil can be found on social media as:
Twitter @neilalexander_
Insta @neilalexanderwriter
Facebook Neil Alexander Author

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14233791 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000 3728 1 68 full false Ep67 Rebooting Your Writing Mindset Ep67 Rebooting Your Writing Mindset We end 2023 with a reboot that will help your writing - rebooting your writing reboot. In this episode I give you a couple of simple techniques to help you change the way you think about your writing through a mini reboot of your mindset around writing. If you're ready to make a difference to your writing in 2024, then this episode will get your started.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> We end 2023 with a reboot that will help your writing - rebooting your writing reboot. In this episode I give you a couple of simple techniques to help you change the way you think about your writing through a mini reboot of your mindset around writing. If you're ready to make a difference to your writing in 2024, then this episode will get your started.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14214103 Fri, 29 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000 839 1 67 full false Ep66 In Conversation with Harriet Tyce and Trevor Wood Ep66 In Conversation with Harriet Tyce and Trevor Wood This is my first conversation with 2 authors at the same time, and it's fascinating - we get to hear a comparison between 2 people's approaches to their writing, which is really interesting.


Harriet Tyce was born and grew up in Edinburgh. She graduated in English from Oxford University in 1994, and after gaining legal qualifications worked as a criminal barrister for nearly ten years. After leaving the law she started writing, gaining a distinction in an MA in Creative Writing (Crime Fiction) from the University of East Anglia in 2017.
Harriet has written four novels, Blood Orange, The Lies You Told, It Ends At Midnight and A Lesson in Cruelty which will be published on 11 April 2024. She lives in north London with her husband, children, and two dogs.

Harriet's  new book A Lesson In Cruelty will be published on 11 April 2024.
Bert’s Books:
https://bertsbooks.co.uk/product/a-lesson-in-cruelty/
Waterstones:
https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-lesson-in-cruelty/harriet-tyce/9781472280121
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lesson-Cruelty-propulsive-thriller-bestselling/dp/1472280121/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=XSKKBKFXTU6T&keywords=a+lesson+in+cruelty+harriet+tyce&qid=1701632496&sprefix=a+lesson+in+cr%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-1

Trevor Woods’s first novel, The Man on the Street, set in Newcastle’s homeless community, won the Crime Writers’ Association’s New Blood Dagger. It was followed by One Way Street and Dead End Street.  His fourth book, You Can Run, a standalone thriller set in Northumberland was published this year. 

 Trevor teaches the Faber Academy’s Crime Writing Course, is a founder member of the Northern Crime Syndicate and is a volunteer chef at the People’s Kitchen, a charity that provides hot meals for around 300 people every day. 

You Can Run is a fast-paced, propulsive thriller about a group of armed mercenaries laying siege to a remote village in search of a young girl. They think it’s

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> This is my first conversation with 2 authors at the same time, and it's fascinating - we get to hear a comparison between 2 people's approaches to their writing, which is really interesting.


Harriet Tyce was born and grew up in Edinburgh. She graduated in English from Oxford University in 1994, and after gaining legal qualifications worked as a criminal barrister for nearly ten years. After leaving the law she started writing, gaining a distinction in an MA in Creative Writing (Crime Fiction) from the University of East Anglia in 2017.
Harriet has written four novels, Blood Orange, The Lies You Told, It Ends At Midnight and A Lesson in Cruelty which will be published on 11 April 2024. She lives in north London with her husband, children, and two dogs.

Harriet's  new book A Lesson In Cruelty will be published on 11 April 2024.
Bert’s Books:
https://bertsbooks.co.uk/product/a-lesson-in-cruelty/
Waterstones:
https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-lesson-in-cruelty/harriet-tyce/9781472280121
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lesson-Cruelty-propulsive-thriller-bestselling/dp/1472280121/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=XSKKBKFXTU6T&keywords=a+lesson+in+cruelty+harriet+tyce&qid=1701632496&sprefix=a+lesson+in+cr%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-1

Trevor Woods’s first novel, The Man on the Street, set in Newcastle’s homeless community, won the Crime Writers’ Association’s New Blood Dagger. It was followed by One Way Street and Dead End Street.  His fourth book, You Can Run, a standalone thriller set in Northumberland was published this year. 

 Trevor teaches the Faber Academy’s Crime Writing Course, is a founder member of the Northern Crime Syndicate and is a volunteer chef at the People’s Kitchen, a charity that provides hot meals for around 300 people every day. 

You Can Run is a fast-paced, propulsive thriller about a group of armed mercenaries laying siege to a remote village in search of a young girl. They think it’s

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14204366 Tue, 26 Dec 2023 11:00:00 +0000 4864 1 66 full false Ep65 5 Things That Transformed My Writing, and My Writing Mindset System Ep65 5 Things That Transformed My Writing, and My Writing Mindset System In this episode I reflect on the last year and share the 5 things that made a huge difference to my writing - and one of the 5 things is my writing mindset system, Write, Damn It! which is what gave birth to the name of my podcast.

I mention the episode about the 150 Rule - Ep2 of the podcast, which you can listen to here

And if you would like to have a try at using the Write, Damn It! writing mindset system, you can get hold of a copy through my website by signing up for the Mini Reboot. Get your copy of the Mini writing Reboot here.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> In this episode I reflect on the last year and share the 5 things that made a huge difference to my writing - and one of the 5 things is my writing mindset system, Write, Damn It! which is what gave birth to the name of my podcast.

I mention the episode about the 150 Rule - Ep2 of the podcast, which you can listen to here

And if you would like to have a try at using the Write, Damn It! writing mindset system, you can get hold of a copy through my website by signing up for the Mini Reboot. Get your copy of the Mini writing Reboot here.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14191849 Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000 1978 1 65 full false Ep64 In Conversation With Gill Thompson Ep64 In Conversation With Gill Thompson After forty-one years at the chalkface, Gill retired from English teaching to write full time and is now the author of four historical fiction novels, all set in and around World War Two. She has recently been appointed Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Chichester. Gill lives with her family in West Sussex.

Gill on Social Media
Facebook: Wordkindling
Twitter: GillThompson@wordkindling
Instagram: Wordkindling

Gill's latest novel - The Orphans on the Train

Gill's website, where you can also sign up for her newsletter - www.wordkindling.co.uk

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> After forty-one years at the chalkface, Gill retired from English teaching to write full time and is now the author of four historical fiction novels, all set in and around World War Two. She has recently been appointed Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Chichester. Gill lives with her family in West Sussex.

Gill on Social Media
Facebook: Wordkindling
Twitter: GillThompson@wordkindling
Instagram: Wordkindling

Gill's latest novel - The Orphans on the Train

Gill's website, where you can also sign up for her newsletter - www.wordkindling.co.uk

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14174499 Tue, 19 Dec 2023 17:00:00 +0000 3420 1 64 full false Ep63 Editing Questions that I Find Helpful Ep63 Editing Questions that I Find Helpful I have a set of questions I use that help me think about my editing process, and in this episode I share them with you. Because I want to publish a few novels, I'm keen to have systems I can replicate from one novel to the next to help me with the process of writing and editing. The questions I share here is one of those systems I use to help myself. Listen in to learn what the questions are, and then have a little go at using the questions on one of your chapters.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> I have a set of questions I use that help me think about my editing process, and in this episode I share them with you. Because I want to publish a few novels, I'm keen to have systems I can replicate from one novel to the next to help me with the process of writing and editing. The questions I share here is one of those systems I use to help myself. Listen in to learn what the questions are, and then have a little go at using the questions on one of your chapters.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14147847 Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000 1019 1 63 full false Ep62 In Conversation with Saz Vora Ep62 In Conversation with Saz Vora Saz Vora is an author of East African Asian origin who migrated with her family to England in the ‘60s to Coventry, West Midlands, where she grew up straddling British and Gujarati culture. Before she started writing South Asian melodrama, she had a successful career in Television Production and Teaching specialising in Film and Media Studies to A Level. As a writer she draws on her upbringing in England and the layers of complexity of living with her Indian heritage and her Britishness and uses this to create stories of adult themes ignored in South Asian families. She gets her inspiration from listening to music, exploring world cuisine, and watching all things related to film and television.

Saz's novels are:
Her debut novel is in two parts, a retelling of our baby loss journey:
My Heart Sings Your Song - College Romance, Book Club Reads, Multicultural
Where Have We Come - Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Book Club Reads, Multicultural

She is running an ebook sale from 17th December until 31st December for her debut duet of My Heart Sings Your Song and Where Have We Come. 

https://books2read.com/Saz-Vora

https://books2read.com/WhereHaveWeCome

You can find Saz on social media at:
Instagram: @sazvora
Facebook: @saz.vora
Twitter: @sazvora
TikTok: @sazvoraauthor

I mentioned about split testing as a tool to help with creativity when you have more than one idea - this is episode 24 How To Get Unstuck When You're Torn Between Two Writing Ideas.


Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Saz Vora is an author of East African Asian origin who migrated with her family to England in the ‘60s to Coventry, West Midlands, where she grew up straddling British and Gujarati culture. Before she started writing South Asian melodrama, she had a successful career in Television Production and Teaching specialising in Film and Media Studies to A Level. As a writer she draws on her upbringing in England and the layers of complexity of living with her Indian heritage and her Britishness and uses this to create stories of adult themes ignored in South Asian families. She gets her inspiration from listening to music, exploring world cuisine, and watching all things related to film and television.

Saz's novels are:
Her debut novel is in two parts, a retelling of our baby loss journey:
My Heart Sings Your Song - College Romance, Book Club Reads, Multicultural
Where Have We Come - Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Book Club Reads, Multicultural

She is running an ebook sale from 17th December until 31st December for her debut duet of My Heart Sings Your Song and Where Have We Come. 

https://books2read.com/Saz-Vora

https://books2read.com/WhereHaveWeCome

You can find Saz on social media at:
Instagram: @sazvora
Facebook: @saz.vora
Twitter: @sazvora
TikTok: @sazvoraauthor

I mentioned about split testing as a tool to help with creativity when you have more than one idea - this is episode 24 How To Get Unstuck When You're Torn Between Two Writing Ideas.


Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14119249 Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000 3882 1 62 full false Ep61 What Do You Mean I Have To Market My Book? Ep61 What Do You Mean I Have To Market My Book? The results are in - if we want our books to sell, we have to get involved in the marketing of them. Even when we have a publicist. In this episode I take you through the mini campaign I did for my cover reveal, and how that fits with a wider campaign to help get sales in the future.

And if you've seen the cover, I'd love hear what you think about it. Connect with me on social media at @zoerichardsuk

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> The results are in - if we want our books to sell, we have to get involved in the marketing of them. Even when we have a publicist. In this episode I take you through the mini campaign I did for my cover reveal, and how that fits with a wider campaign to help get sales in the future.

And if you've seen the cover, I'd love hear what you think about it. Connect with me on social media at @zoerichardsuk

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14112295 Fri, 08 Dec 2023 13:00:00 +0000 1285 1 61 full false Ep60 In Conversation with Alison Irving Ep60 In Conversation with Alison Irving Alison Irving lives in a village in Northern Ireland with her husband, 2 children and a spoiled cat called Hamish. She works as a physiotherapist in a hospice in Belfast and Casual Cruelties is her first novel.

Casual Cruelties iss published by Bloodhound Books and came out on 3rd November 2023. It is a psychological suspense novel about a middle aged woman who gradually realises that her husband is increasingly controlling but after years of his behaviour, is unsure whether she is strong enough to leave him.

Alison says "When I started writing Casual Cruelties, I had to do a lot of research into coercive control and toxic relationships and I hope that I was able to do the storyline justice."

We talk about success, and reviews and the writing and publishing journey, and we also touch on breast cancer too.

We talk about Know Your Lemons for early detection of breast cancer. Please check the site out.

Alison can be found on social media as
Instagram – @alison.irving.writer
Twitter/X - @AIrvingWriter
Facebook - @Alisonirvingwriter

And you can purchase your copy of Casual Cruelties here

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Alison Irving lives in a village in Northern Ireland with her husband, 2 children and a spoiled cat called Hamish. She works as a physiotherapist in a hospice in Belfast and Casual Cruelties is her first novel.

Casual Cruelties iss published by Bloodhound Books and came out on 3rd November 2023. It is a psychological suspense novel about a middle aged woman who gradually realises that her husband is increasingly controlling but after years of his behaviour, is unsure whether she is strong enough to leave him.

Alison says "When I started writing Casual Cruelties, I had to do a lot of research into coercive control and toxic relationships and I hope that I was able to do the storyline justice."

We talk about success, and reviews and the writing and publishing journey, and we also touch on breast cancer too.

We talk about Know Your Lemons for early detection of breast cancer. Please check the site out.

Alison can be found on social media as
Instagram – @alison.irving.writer
Twitter/X - @AIrvingWriter
Facebook - @Alisonirvingwriter

And you can purchase your copy of Casual Cruelties here

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14086112 Tue, 05 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000 3227 1 60 full false Ep59 What Motivates You? Ep59 What Motivates You? We each have a motivation preference - some of us are motivate towards something, others are motivated away from something. And what motivates us (to or from) can change depending on our circumstances. In this episode I take you through the way our motivation works, and how you can use this with your writing.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> We each have a motivation preference - some of us are motivate towards something, others are motivated away from something. And what motivates us (to or from) can change depending on our circumstances. In this episode I take you through the way our motivation works, and how you can use this with your writing.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14069817 Fri, 01 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000 1056 1 59 full false Ep58 In Conversation with Laura Pearson Ep58 In Conversation with Laura Pearson Laura Pearson lives in Leicestershire with her husband and their two children. She is the author of four novels, the most recent of which are The Last List of Mabel Beaumont and I Wanted You To Know. The Last List of Mabel Beaumont is a Kindle UK number one bestseller and a Kindle US top ten bestseller. Missing Pieces will be republished in February 2024.

Laura's books:
The Last List of Mabel Beaumont (Aug 23) Uplit women's bookclub fiction
I Wanted You To Know (Oct 23)
Missing Pieces (Feb 24)
A new title (April 24)

Laura helps run a bookclub on Facebook – it’s called The Bookload

You can find Laura on social media as @laurapauthor and her website is laurapearsonauthor.com



Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Laura Pearson lives in Leicestershire with her husband and their two children. She is the author of four novels, the most recent of which are The Last List of Mabel Beaumont and I Wanted You To Know. The Last List of Mabel Beaumont is a Kindle UK number one bestseller and a Kindle US top ten bestseller. Missing Pieces will be republished in February 2024.

Laura's books:
The Last List of Mabel Beaumont (Aug 23) Uplit women's bookclub fiction
I Wanted You To Know (Oct 23)
Missing Pieces (Feb 24)
A new title (April 24)

Laura helps run a bookclub on Facebook – it’s called The Bookload

You can find Laura on social media as @laurapauthor and her website is laurapearsonauthor.com



Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14047144 Tue, 28 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000 3107 1 58 full false Ep57 My Publishing Journey Part 6 Ep57 My Publishing Journey Part 6 This week's update on my publishing journey is a reality check - things are not all wonderful and hunky dory, and this final part of my edit is really tough. Listen in to find out what I think the nub of the issue is, and why things have got tough at this late stage in the process.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> This week's update on my publishing journey is a reality check - things are not all wonderful and hunky dory, and this final part of my edit is really tough. Listen in to find out what I think the nub of the issue is, and why things have got tough at this late stage in the process.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14027672 Fri, 24 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000 731 1 57 full false Ep56 In Conversation with Sarah Moorhead Ep56 In Conversation with Sarah Moorhead This is a fascinating conversation with Sarah around the inspiration and background to her novel, The Treatment. We got into talking about Maslow's hierarchy of needs and psychopathy, amongst other things.

Sarah writes speculative crime/thriller novels, and can be seen on Twitter/X in the early hours, as part of the #5amwritersclub

Sarah's books are:
Witness X
The Treatment

And you can find her on social media as @semoorhead (Twitter/X) and @sarahmoorheadauthor on IG

Her website, which has some fascinating insight into her journey as a writer, is www.semoorhead.com

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> This is a fascinating conversation with Sarah around the inspiration and background to her novel, The Treatment. We got into talking about Maslow's hierarchy of needs and psychopathy, amongst other things.

Sarah writes speculative crime/thriller novels, and can be seen on Twitter/X in the early hours, as part of the #5amwritersclub

Sarah's books are:
Witness X
The Treatment

And you can find her on social media as @semoorhead (Twitter/X) and @sarahmoorheadauthor on IG

Her website, which has some fascinating insight into her journey as a writer, is www.semoorhead.com

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-14010148 Tue, 21 Nov 2023 11:00:00 +0000 3952 1 56 full false Ep55 Writer's Resilience Ep55 Writer's Resilience It's tough at times being a writer - even for those of us who use writing as a form or escape or therapy. So when times do feel tough, such as when you're querying or out on submission to commissioning editors, having a way to develop a little writer's resilience is incredibly useful. In this episode I share a tool I use that helps me - the ABC ... and if you want, you can add in a D too. Listen in to find out more - and to know you are not alone when you find things difficult.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> It's tough at times being a writer - even for those of us who use writing as a form or escape or therapy. So when times do feel tough, such as when you're querying or out on submission to commissioning editors, having a way to develop a little writer's resilience is incredibly useful. In this episode I share a tool I use that helps me - the ABC ... and if you want, you can add in a D too. Listen in to find out more - and to know you are not alone when you find things difficult.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13989305 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000 1162 1 55 full false Ep54 In Conversation with Louise Beech Ep54 In Conversation with Louise Beech Louise Beech - who also writes as Louise Swanson - has wanted to be an author since she filled notebooks with stories aged eight. She finally got a book deal aged 44. Since then, she has had nine novels and one memoir published. They have won Best magazine Book of the year, shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year and the Polari Prize, as well as being a Sophie Hannah Book of the Year pick, and a Clare Mackintosh Book Club Pick.

Amongst her many books, she has written her memoir, Eighteen Seconds, which I am currently reading and it is captivating; and End of Story, a dystopian novel that is currently out in hardback and audio, and will be in paperback in spring 2024.

In this conversation we delve into Louise's memoir, and talk about narcissistic mothers and trauma, and how our life experiences have impacted on our writing. It's worth mentioning that we talk about suicide alongside. One of things we talk about is how trauma in childhood might change our experiences of trauma in adulthood, alongside the way that our experiences have shaped us.

Louise's books can be found here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/End-Story-original-thriller-coming-ebook/dp/B0B7RB4VS8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=eighteen+seconds&i=digital-text

 And you can find Louise on social media:
@LouiseWriter (Twitter)

@louisebeechalsoswanson (Insta)

Apologies for my poorer sound quality on this episode - having told Louise how to improve her sound quality! I'm getting used to my new office, and I'm making changes to get back to top level sound quality.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Louise Beech - who also writes as Louise Swanson - has wanted to be an author since she filled notebooks with stories aged eight. She finally got a book deal aged 44. Since then, she has had nine novels and one memoir published. They have won Best magazine Book of the year, shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year and the Polari Prize, as well as being a Sophie Hannah Book of the Year pick, and a Clare Mackintosh Book Club Pick.

Amongst her many books, she has written her memoir, Eighteen Seconds, which I am currently reading and it is captivating; and End of Story, a dystopian novel that is currently out in hardback and audio, and will be in paperback in spring 2024.

In this conversation we delve into Louise's memoir, and talk about narcissistic mothers and trauma, and how our life experiences have impacted on our writing. It's worth mentioning that we talk about suicide alongside. One of things we talk about is how trauma in childhood might change our experiences of trauma in adulthood, alongside the way that our experiences have shaped us.

Louise's books can be found here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/End-Story-original-thriller-coming-ebook/dp/B0B7RB4VS8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=eighteen+seconds&i=digital-text

 And you can find Louise on social media:
@LouiseWriter (Twitter)

@louisebeechalsoswanson (Insta)

Apologies for my poorer sound quality on this episode - having told Louise how to improve her sound quality! I'm getting used to my new office, and I'm making changes to get back to top level sound quality.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Louise Beech Buzzsprout-13968981 Tue, 14 Nov 2023 13:00:00 +0000 3779 Louise Beech, Louise Swanson, narcissistic mothers, trauma informed writing, suicide 1 54 full false Ep53 My Publishing Journey Part 5 Ep53 My Publishing Journey Part 5 More on my publishing journey as I get on with line edits, copy edits, and meeting my publicist.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> More on my publishing journey as I get on with line edits, copy edits, and meeting my publicist.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13940154 Fri, 10 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000 761 1 53 full false Episode 52 In Conversation with Jenny Bayliss Episode 52 In Conversation with Jenny Bayliss In conversation with Jenny / Jenni Bayliss, we get into talking about being 'boujee', not knowing what genre you're writing in, sticking your feet in cold water to feel the cold when writing a winter novel in the summer, and the love hate relationship with reviews. Jenni gives us her tip for dealing with reviews, and I share about the sunshine folder.

We also got talking about dusting the top of picture frames when the procrastination is in full flow, and the value of writing friends, as well as the nervousness of putting our work out there for others to read.

Jenni lives on the Kent coast with her husband, their children having flown the nest. After writing stories for many years while raising her children and working as a baker, she enrolled part time on a Creative and Professional Writing degree course at Canterbury Christchurch University when she was 39, to see if she could make a go of this writing malarkey. Her debut novel was published in 2019 when she was 45. 

Jenni's books:
A December to Remember publishes 09/11/2023
Previous titles: The Twelve Dates of Christmas. The Winter of Second Chances. Meet Me Under the Mistletoe. 
Titles for children: Malice in Underland. A Trick of Time. Ghost Games.
YA title: Merry Kissmas To You! 

Jenni is on social media as:
Instagram: @jennibayliss
X: @BaylissJenni

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> In conversation with Jenny / Jenni Bayliss, we get into talking about being 'boujee', not knowing what genre you're writing in, sticking your feet in cold water to feel the cold when writing a winter novel in the summer, and the love hate relationship with reviews. Jenni gives us her tip for dealing with reviews, and I share about the sunshine folder.

We also got talking about dusting the top of picture frames when the procrastination is in full flow, and the value of writing friends, as well as the nervousness of putting our work out there for others to read.

Jenni lives on the Kent coast with her husband, their children having flown the nest. After writing stories for many years while raising her children and working as a baker, she enrolled part time on a Creative and Professional Writing degree course at Canterbury Christchurch University when she was 39, to see if she could make a go of this writing malarkey. Her debut novel was published in 2019 when she was 45. 

Jenni's books:
A December to Remember publishes 09/11/2023
Previous titles: The Twelve Dates of Christmas. The Winter of Second Chances. Meet Me Under the Mistletoe. 
Titles for children: Malice in Underland. A Trick of Time. Ghost Games.
YA title: Merry Kissmas To You! 

Jenni is on social media as:
Instagram: @jennibayliss
X: @BaylissJenni

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13924985 Tue, 07 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000 3574 1 52 full false Ep51 My Publishing Journey Part 4 Ep51 My Publishing Journey Part 4 As I come to the end of working on my structural edits, in this episode I share some of the things I've learned, and how I could have done myself favours much earlier in the process with earlier edits.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> As I come to the end of working on my structural edits, in this episode I share some of the things I've learned, and how I could have done myself favours much earlier in the process with earlier edits.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13770821 Fri, 13 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0100 867 1 51 full false Ep50 My Publishing Journey Part 3 Ep50 My Publishing Journey Part 3 Things are moving along with my publishing journey now as the structural edits are in, and in this episode I share how that's going for me.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Things are moving along with my publishing journey now as the structural edits are in, and in this episode I share how that's going for me.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13727682 Fri, 06 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0100 723 1 50 full false Ep49 In Conversation with Charlotte Levin Ep49 In Conversation with Charlotte Levin Charlotte Levin has been shortlisted for the Andrea Badenoch Award, part of the New Writers North Awards, and for the Mslexia Short Story Competition. IF I CAN'T HAVE YOU is her debut novel, and her second IF I LET YOU GO is a Richard & Judy autumn book club pick. And in the R&J exclusive copies in W H Smiths, there’s extra material and a short story. https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/if-i-let-you-go/charlotte-levin/paperback/9781529084115.html

Charlotte can be found on social media at
Twitter/X – tinycharlotte72
Instagram – tinycharlotte29
Facebook - charlottelevinauthor

I have listened to this novel on Audible with Maxine Peake is narrating the audio, and it's such a good book. I didn't want it to end - plus I kept finding myself saying 'No!' in various forms of exclamation. A well deserved Richard and Judy pick.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Charlotte Levin has been shortlisted for the Andrea Badenoch Award, part of the New Writers North Awards, and for the Mslexia Short Story Competition. IF I CAN'T HAVE YOU is her debut novel, and her second IF I LET YOU GO is a Richard & Judy autumn book club pick. And in the R&J exclusive copies in W H Smiths, there’s extra material and a short story. https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/if-i-let-you-go/charlotte-levin/paperback/9781529084115.html

Charlotte can be found on social media at
Twitter/X – tinycharlotte72
Instagram – tinycharlotte29
Facebook - charlottelevinauthor

I have listened to this novel on Audible with Maxine Peake is narrating the audio, and it's such a good book. I didn't want it to end - plus I kept finding myself saying 'No!' in various forms of exclamation. A well deserved Richard and Judy pick.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13706681 Tue, 03 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0100 2954 1 49 full false Ep48 My Plotter Pantser Story Ep48 My Plotter Pantser Story At the end of every chat I always ask a quick 5 questions, and one of them is about plotting or pantsing, so in this episode I share how I go about plotting the boundaries and allowing myself to be able to do discovery writing within those boundaries.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> At the end of every chat I always ask a quick 5 questions, and one of them is about plotting or pantsing, so in this episode I share how I go about plotting the boundaries and allowing myself to be able to do discovery writing within those boundaries.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13673863 Fri, 29 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0100 761 1 48 full false Ep47 In Conversation with JM Simpson Ep47 In Conversation with JM Simpson Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13662586 Tue, 26 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0100 3507 1 47 full false Ep46 Don't Get Dejected Ep46 Don't Get Dejected Have you ever found yourself looking at other writers and thinking 'you're all more advanced than me'? You're not alone. In this episode, I talk about why that's a good thing for us to spot that, and how we can use it to help ourselves. And if you ARE feeling dejected, get in touch with me on social media, and I'll happily be there to support you on your journey.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Have you ever found yourself looking at other writers and thinking 'you're all more advanced than me'? You're not alone. In this episode, I talk about why that's a good thing for us to spot that, and how we can use it to help ourselves. And if you ARE feeling dejected, get in touch with me on social media, and I'll happily be there to support you on your journey.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13638787 Fri, 22 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0100 908 1 46 full false Ep45 In Conversation with Ivy Ngeow Ep45 In Conversation with Ivy Ngeow Ivy Ngeow was born and raised in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. She holds an MA in Writing from Middlesex University, where she won the 2005 Middlesex University Literary Press Prize out of almost 1500 entrants worldwide. Her debut, Cry of the Flying Rhino (2017), was awarded the International Proverse Prize in Hong Kong. Her novels include Heart of Glass (2018), Overboard (2020) and White Crane Strikes (2022). She is commissioning editor of the Asian Anthology New Writing series. Her latest novel The American Boyfriend is published by Penguin Random House Southeast Asia. She lives in London.

The American Boyfriend, an Asian domestic psychological thriller, was longlisted for the Avon x Mushens Entertainment Prize for Commercial Fiction Writers of Colour 2022 and is published by Penguin Random House Southeast Asia. It is out on 19 September 2023.

Where you can find Ivy on Social Media
Instagram: @authorivyngeow
Twitter: @ivyngeow
TikTok: @authorivyngeow
FaceBook: ivyngeowwriter

The amazing book trailer made by Penguin

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Ivy Ngeow was born and raised in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. She holds an MA in Writing from Middlesex University, where she won the 2005 Middlesex University Literary Press Prize out of almost 1500 entrants worldwide. Her debut, Cry of the Flying Rhino (2017), was awarded the International Proverse Prize in Hong Kong. Her novels include Heart of Glass (2018), Overboard (2020) and White Crane Strikes (2022). She is commissioning editor of the Asian Anthology New Writing series. Her latest novel The American Boyfriend is published by Penguin Random House Southeast Asia. She lives in London.

The American Boyfriend, an Asian domestic psychological thriller, was longlisted for the Avon x Mushens Entertainment Prize for Commercial Fiction Writers of Colour 2022 and is published by Penguin Random House Southeast Asia. It is out on 19 September 2023.

Where you can find Ivy on Social Media
Instagram: @authorivyngeow
Twitter: @ivyngeow
TikTok: @authorivyngeow
FaceBook: ivyngeowwriter

The amazing book trailer made by Penguin

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13617271 Tue, 19 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0100 3300 1 45 full false Ep44 My Publishing Journey Part 2 Ep44 My Publishing Journey Part 2 I didn't expect to share another part of the publishing journey so fast, but things are happening around marketing so I thought I'd share that with you, and things I've learned along the way - plus some tips of what you can do now to help yourself be prepared for when you have a publishing deal.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> I didn't expect to share another part of the publishing journey so fast, but things are happening around marketing so I thought I'd share that with you, and things I've learned along the way - plus some tips of what you can do now to help yourself be prepared for when you have a publishing deal.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13590097 Fri, 15 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0100 1053 1 44 full false Ep43 Coaching Conversation with Stephanie Butland Ep43 Coaching Conversation with Stephanie Butland In this episode I have a chat with my own writing coach, Stephanie Butland, who is the writer of many books, as well as being a coach, delivers writing retreats, offers manuscript assessments, and more.

Stephanie wrote Lost for Words, which got a Reese Witherspoon mention, no less, and which she followed up with Found in a Bookshop, which is a beautiful novel about the importance of community - and the story has a book pharmacy in it, which is just adorable. I admit, I did cry reading this novel, but it is also incredibly uplifting.

Stephanie has a newsletter she sends out, and you can sign up for that, as well as find out about the services she offers, by going to her website - stephaniebutlandauthor.com

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> In this episode I have a chat with my own writing coach, Stephanie Butland, who is the writer of many books, as well as being a coach, delivers writing retreats, offers manuscript assessments, and more.

Stephanie wrote Lost for Words, which got a Reese Witherspoon mention, no less, and which she followed up with Found in a Bookshop, which is a beautiful novel about the importance of community - and the story has a book pharmacy in it, which is just adorable. I admit, I did cry reading this novel, but it is also incredibly uplifting.

Stephanie has a newsletter she sends out, and you can sign up for that, as well as find out about the services she offers, by going to her website - stephaniebutlandauthor.com

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13590023 Thu, 14 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0100 2978 1 43 full false Ep42 My Publishing Journey Part 1 Ep42 My Publishing Journey Part 1 Come on my journey from getting a publishing contract to launching the novel next June 2023. This will be an irregular series as I share what happens on my publishing journey - I hope you enjoy hearing about it.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Come on my journey from getting a publishing contract to launching the novel next June 2023. This will be an irregular series as I share what happens on my publishing journey - I hope you enjoy hearing about it.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13554388 Fri, 08 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0100 840 1 42 full false Ep41 Habit Stacking To Make Habits Work For You Ep41 Habit Stacking To Make Habits Work For You When we set new goals for ourselves, we inevitably fail - and it's not actually our fault. It's all to do with the way our brains are wired. But never fear! There's something we can do about it. In this episode, I take you through how to use the way that your brain works so that you can do habit stacking, and master your mindset so that you can become the productive writer you know you can be.

I mention at the end of the episode about Atomic Habits by James Clear, which is well worth reading as he takes you through everything you need to know about habits, and how to work with them.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> When we set new goals for ourselves, we inevitably fail - and it's not actually our fault. It's all to do with the way our brains are wired. But never fear! There's something we can do about it. In this episode, I take you through how to use the way that your brain works so that you can do habit stacking, and master your mindset so that you can become the productive writer you know you can be.

I mention at the end of the episode about Atomic Habits by James Clear, which is well worth reading as he takes you through everything you need to know about habits, and how to work with them.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13531004 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0100 1947 1 41 full false Ep40 The Story You're Telling Yourself Ep40 The Story You're Telling Yourself What story are you telling yourself? Do you know? Listen in to this latest episode to find out what story you are telling yourself, and how you can make that work for you.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> What story are you telling yourself? Do you know? Listen in to this latest episode to find out what story you are telling yourself, and how you can make that work for you.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13525812 Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0100 855 1 40 full false Ep39 How To Find The Gift In Feedback Ep39 How To Find The Gift In Feedback I read recently that if we write and don't want negative feedback, it's like saying we're a boxer and don't want to be punched. Ouch! There's a lot of truth in this, though, as we are going to get feedback at some point, be that when we query agents, sub to publishers, or get reviews from readers. In this episode I look at the mindsets that can get in the way of how we respond to feedback, and what we can do to set ourselves up for success.

Some of this episode is based on the work of Carole Dweck who researched fixed and growth mindset for decades, and wrote about her work in her book, Mindset. You can watch her TedTalk here.

And listen through to the end for an exciting free offer I make - to be able to be in with a chance of being one of the first 5 people to get in touch, sign up for the newsletter here - www.zoerichards.co.uk

Finally, I set you a challenge along with some actionable steps - the challenge? Listen in to hear about 'glimmers' and what you can do to find yours.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> I read recently that if we write and don't want negative feedback, it's like saying we're a boxer and don't want to be punched. Ouch! There's a lot of truth in this, though, as we are going to get feedback at some point, be that when we query agents, sub to publishers, or get reviews from readers. In this episode I look at the mindsets that can get in the way of how we respond to feedback, and what we can do to set ourselves up for success.

Some of this episode is based on the work of Carole Dweck who researched fixed and growth mindset for decades, and wrote about her work in her book, Mindset. You can watch her TedTalk here.

And listen through to the end for an exciting free offer I make - to be able to be in with a chance of being one of the first 5 people to get in touch, sign up for the newsletter here - www.zoerichards.co.uk

Finally, I set you a challenge along with some actionable steps - the challenge? Listen in to hear about 'glimmers' and what you can do to find yours.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13489571 Tue, 29 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0100 1723 1 39 full false Ep 38 New Year's Resolutions in September for Writing Ep 38 New Year's Resolutions in September for Writing Ok, ok I know it's an odd time of year to do New Year's resolutions for your writing, but stay with me here - listen to the episode to find out why I suggest doing your New Year's resolutions now, and get some easy ideas of what to start with.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Ok, ok I know it's an odd time of year to do New Year's resolutions for your writing, but stay with me here - listen to the episode to find out why I suggest doing your New Year's resolutions now, and get some easy ideas of what to start with.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13469137 Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0100 946 1 38 full false Ep37 In Conversation With Lizzy Barber Ep37 In Conversation With Lizzy Barber This is a lovely conversation with Lizzy Barber, whose novel Nanny Wanted is available now. Listen to the end to find out Lizzy's thoughts on the difference between a successful person and an unsuccessful person.

Lizzy Barber is a London-based best-selling author of psychological suspense. Her debut novel, My Name is Anna, was the winner of the Daily Mail / Random House First Novel Prize. Her follow-up, Out of her Depth, was a Richard & Judy Book Club Pick, and has been optioned for television. Nanny Wanted, her third novel, is out August 17th 2023. By day, Lizzy works as the head of brand and marketing for a small restaurant group, The Hush Collection, alongside her brother Jamie.  

Nanny Wanted is a modern gothic suspense, out 17th August.  When Lily leaves behind a toxic relationship in London to become a nanny for the wealthy Rowe family in Cornwall, she thinks she’s found the perfect solution. But as Lily becomes increasingly entangled in the Rowes’ lives, she realizes that the perfect family may not be all that they seem. And as that as much as she fears the past she is running from, perhaps the present is where the real danger lies...

You can buy Nanny Wanted here

On social media you can find Lizzy as @bylizzybarber
Twitter
Instagram
Threads

The podcasts (which are both really good) that got a mention in this episode are:
In Suspense
The Publishing Rodeo

And the book Lizzy mentioned is Story Genius, which I'm currently working my way through and I'm finding it brilliant.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> This is a lovely conversation with Lizzy Barber, whose novel Nanny Wanted is available now. Listen to the end to find out Lizzy's thoughts on the difference between a successful person and an unsuccessful person.

Lizzy Barber is a London-based best-selling author of psychological suspense. Her debut novel, My Name is Anna, was the winner of the Daily Mail / Random House First Novel Prize. Her follow-up, Out of her Depth, was a Richard & Judy Book Club Pick, and has been optioned for television. Nanny Wanted, her third novel, is out August 17th 2023. By day, Lizzy works as the head of brand and marketing for a small restaurant group, The Hush Collection, alongside her brother Jamie.  

Nanny Wanted is a modern gothic suspense, out 17th August.  When Lily leaves behind a toxic relationship in London to become a nanny for the wealthy Rowe family in Cornwall, she thinks she’s found the perfect solution. But as Lily becomes increasingly entangled in the Rowes’ lives, she realizes that the perfect family may not be all that they seem. And as that as much as she fears the past she is running from, perhaps the present is where the real danger lies...

You can buy Nanny Wanted here

On social media you can find Lizzy as @bylizzybarber
Twitter
Instagram
Threads

The podcasts (which are both really good) that got a mention in this episode are:
In Suspense
The Publishing Rodeo

And the book Lizzy mentioned is Story Genius, which I'm currently working my way through and I'm finding it brilliant.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13448720 Tue, 22 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0100 3096 1 37 full false Ep 36 How Playing With The Elements and Senses Can Help Your Writing Ep 36 How Playing With The Elements and Senses Can Help Your Writing Ever have those times where something is not quite working with your writing? Here's a simple technique I use to help me work through plot points that don't work, scenes that aren't going anywhere, or characters that don't have a sufficiently distinct voice.

I'd love to hear how playing with this technique helps your writing, and helps you to become the productive, creative writer you know you can be.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Ever have those times where something is not quite working with your writing? Here's a simple technique I use to help me work through plot points that don't work, scenes that aren't going anywhere, or characters that don't have a sufficiently distinct voice.

I'd love to hear how playing with this technique helps your writing, and helps you to become the productive, creative writer you know you can be.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13427606 Fri, 18 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0100 700 1 36 full false Ep 35 Mini Coaching Session Ep 35 Mini Coaching Session This episode guides you through some coaching you can do for yourself to help you be the productive writer you want to be. I share with you a tool I use in my work life, and you can get a free copy of the PDF to use as you coach yourself by going to zoerichards.co.uk/35 and signing up for my newsletter.

In the episode I make reference to other episodes that you might want to go back and listen to, and they are, in the order that I mention them in this episode of the podcast:

Episode 28: Who Am I?
Episode 32:  What We Can Do About Our Self Sabotage
Episode 24: How To Get Unstuck When You're Torn Between Two Writing Ideas (the split testing episode)
Episode 2: The 150 Rule
Episode 14: Help Yourself Get Unstuck With The 30 for 30 Technique
Episode 33: In Conversation with Philippa East (The Edit Episode)

And I also make reference to the Cheshire Novel Prize, which gives feedback to anyone who enters the competition. It opens for entries for 2024 on 01/01/24 - don't wait until the competition opens to get your writing competition-ready. You can start now, and give yourself time to go back and improve it later. To find out more, go to the Cheshire Novel Prize website.


Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> This episode guides you through some coaching you can do for yourself to help you be the productive writer you want to be. I share with you a tool I use in my work life, and you can get a free copy of the PDF to use as you coach yourself by going to zoerichards.co.uk/35 and signing up for my newsletter.

In the episode I make reference to other episodes that you might want to go back and listen to, and they are, in the order that I mention them in this episode of the podcast:

Episode 28: Who Am I?
Episode 32:  What We Can Do About Our Self Sabotage
Episode 24: How To Get Unstuck When You're Torn Between Two Writing Ideas (the split testing episode)
Episode 2: The 150 Rule
Episode 14: Help Yourself Get Unstuck With The 30 for 30 Technique
Episode 33: In Conversation with Philippa East (The Edit Episode)

And I also make reference to the Cheshire Novel Prize, which gives feedback to anyone who enters the competition. It opens for entries for 2024 on 01/01/24 - don't wait until the competition opens to get your writing competition-ready. You can start now, and give yourself time to go back and improve it later. To find out more, go to the Cheshire Novel Prize website.


Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13408371 Tue, 15 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0100 1437 1 25 full false Ep 34 My Publishing Journey So Far: It Take a Writing Village To Get A Publishing Deal Ep 34 My Publishing Journey So Far: It Take a Writing Village To Get A Publishing Deal In this episode I share the journey I've been on since December 2021, and what happened from starting my first draft in February 2022 of the book I now have a publishing deal for. And it really does take a writing village to get to this point on the journey. If you are feeling alone on your journey, you can connect with me on all the main social medias with @zoerichardsuk

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> In this episode I share the journey I've been on since December 2021, and what happened from starting my first draft in February 2022 of the book I now have a publishing deal for. And it really does take a writing village to get to this point on the journey. If you are feeling alone on your journey, you can connect with me on all the main social medias with @zoerichardsuk

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13388025 Fri, 11 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0100 922 1 34 full false Episode 33 In Conversation with Philippa East Episode 33 In Conversation with Philippa East Philippa East grew up in Scotland and originally studied Psychology and Philosophy before training as a Clinical Psychologist. She writes psychological thrillers / psychological suspense novels, and her debut Little White Lies was longlisted for the Guardian's "Not-The-Booker" prize and shortlisted for the CWA Dagger for best debut of 2020. Her further novels include Safe and Sound, I’ll Never Tell, and A Guilty Secret. Philippa lives in Lincolnshire with her spouse and cat, and continues to work as a psychologist and therapist.

What you can expect in this episode:
11:00 - failing as a writer, even when we do everything right
18:00 - Writing on brand, building a reputation and a profile as a writer
21:00 - Here's where we get into editing
26:40 - A first draft of a manuscript on paper can look exactly the same as a completely finalised manuscript
30:00 - Structural edits
43:00 - The editorial letter with the editors thoughts on your novel
47:00 - Tech tip: be sure to save the original document with a new name to work on with your edits
53:00 - It's a collaboration - your editor has your best interests at heart
1:00:30 - Failing better and the rungs on the ladder

Philippa's books
Little White Lies (Feb 2020)
Safe and Sound (Feb 2021)
I’ll Never Tell (Jan 2023)

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Philippa East grew up in Scotland and originally studied Psychology and Philosophy before training as a Clinical Psychologist. She writes psychological thrillers / psychological suspense novels, and her debut Little White Lies was longlisted for the Guardian's "Not-The-Booker" prize and shortlisted for the CWA Dagger for best debut of 2020. Her further novels include Safe and Sound, I’ll Never Tell, and A Guilty Secret. Philippa lives in Lincolnshire with her spouse and cat, and continues to work as a psychologist and therapist.

What you can expect in this episode:
11:00 - failing as a writer, even when we do everything right
18:00 - Writing on brand, building a reputation and a profile as a writer
21:00 - Here's where we get into editing
26:40 - A first draft of a manuscript on paper can look exactly the same as a completely finalised manuscript
30:00 - Structural edits
43:00 - The editorial letter with the editors thoughts on your novel
47:00 - Tech tip: be sure to save the original document with a new name to work on with your edits
53:00 - It's a collaboration - your editor has your best interests at heart
1:00:30 - Failing better and the rungs on the ladder

Philippa's books
Little White Lies (Feb 2020)
Safe and Sound (Feb 2021)
I’ll Never Tell (Jan 2023)

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13368027 Tue, 08 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0100 4032 1 33 full false Episode 32 What We Can Do About Our Self-Sabotage When Writing Episode 32 What We Can Do About Our Self-Sabotage When Writing Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13270986 Fri, 04 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0100 732 1 32 full false Episode 31 In Conversation with Angela Kirwin Episode 31 In Conversation with Angela Kirwin The one where we get into talking about ADHD and neuro-diversity. This is a fascinating conversation with non-fiction author, Angela Kirwin, who has known she has ADHD from her late teens.

After working for years in social care in prison, Angela left to write 'Criminal - How Our Prisons Are Failing Us All' which was published in 2022 with Orion Trapeze - the paperback came out in May 2023. She is now away on her new book which is all about ADHD - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and how the condition has both helped and hindered her life. Angela blogs about the subject on Substack under the name Hyperactive Living.

In this episode of the podcast we cover a raft of subjects linked to ADHD:
At 15:20 - keeping the chaos contained so that the creativity can come
At 21:00 - how non-fiction is a story your invested and interested in, that just happens to have facts and data to back up the stories of people
At 26:00 - using the voices in our head in our writing
At 29:00 - finding peace in the writing process
At 32:00 - vulnerability and Brené Brown, and doing the work on ourselves

You can find Angela here:
AngelaKirwin.com
Twitter
Instagram
Hyperactive Living on Instagram
Substack

Angela's book Criminal is available here:
Criminal

People Angela mentioned to follow on Twitter:
Harriet Tyce

Books Angela mentioned
Rick Rubin : The Creative Act

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> The one where we get into talking about ADHD and neuro-diversity. This is a fascinating conversation with non-fiction author, Angela Kirwin, who has known she has ADHD from her late teens.

After working for years in social care in prison, Angela left to write 'Criminal - How Our Prisons Are Failing Us All' which was published in 2022 with Orion Trapeze - the paperback came out in May 2023. She is now away on her new book which is all about ADHD - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and how the condition has both helped and hindered her life. Angela blogs about the subject on Substack under the name Hyperactive Living.

In this episode of the podcast we cover a raft of subjects linked to ADHD:
At 15:20 - keeping the chaos contained so that the creativity can come
At 21:00 - how non-fiction is a story your invested and interested in, that just happens to have facts and data to back up the stories of people
At 26:00 - using the voices in our head in our writing
At 29:00 - finding peace in the writing process
At 32:00 - vulnerability and Brené Brown, and doing the work on ourselves

You can find Angela here:
AngelaKirwin.com
Twitter
Instagram
Hyperactive Living on Instagram
Substack

Angela's book Criminal is available here:
Criminal

People Angela mentioned to follow on Twitter:
Harriet Tyce

Books Angela mentioned
Rick Rubin : The Creative Act

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13270848 Tue, 01 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0100 2534 1 31 full false Episode 30 8 Traps Writers Fall Into Episode 30 8 Traps Writers Fall Into We can all be affected by traps, fears and patterns of behaviour that don't necessarily help us. In this episode you can find out about some of the common traps, fears and patters, and learn a simple technique for starting to change things to help your writing. There's the over-achiever, the positive feedback addict and the course addict to name just a few - and if you find yourself caught out by any of the 8 traps covered here, you can apply the simple solution I share to help you change.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> We can all be affected by traps, fears and patterns of behaviour that don't necessarily help us. In this episode you can find out about some of the common traps, fears and patters, and learn a simple technique for starting to change things to help your writing. There's the over-achiever, the positive feedback addict and the course addict to name just a few - and if you find yourself caught out by any of the 8 traps covered here, you can apply the simple solution I share to help you change.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13267955 Fri, 28 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0100 700 1 30 full false Episode 29 Using the STARR Technique in Your Writing Episode 29 Using the STARR Technique in Your Writing Have you ever come across STARR? Or maybe you know it as STAR? It's an interview technique - yes, I know, this is a writing podcast, but bear with me here. Even though this is a technique to use in interviews, it's based on telling stories - and what is our writing about? Telling stories. Listen in to find out more about STARR, and how you can use it in your writing to free up your thinking.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Have you ever come across STARR? Or maybe you know it as STAR? It's an interview technique - yes, I know, this is a writing podcast, but bear with me here. Even though this is a technique to use in interviews, it's based on telling stories - and what is our writing about? Telling stories. Listen in to find out more about STARR, and how you can use it in your writing to free up your thinking.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13267727 Tue, 25 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0100 1091 1 29 full false Episode 28 Who Am I and Why Does That Matter To My Writing? Episode 28 Who Am I and Why Does That Matter To My Writing? When it comes to our writing, to querying, to doing any publicity as a writer, we need to be able to answer the question 'who am I?' But that's not the only way this question can be helpful - we can also use it when we are thinking about our characters, and for our readers too. Listen in to find out how you can delve deeper into your answer to the question 'who am I?'

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> When it comes to our writing, to querying, to doing any publicity as a writer, we need to be able to answer the question 'who am I?' But that's not the only way this question can be helpful - we can also use it when we are thinking about our characters, and for our readers too. Listen in to find out how you can delve deeper into your answer to the question 'who am I?'

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13257479 Thu, 20 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0100 865 1 28 full false Episode 27 In Conversation with Sarah Hilary Episode 27 In Conversation with Sarah Hilary Sarah Hilary is the guest I chat with on this week's episode - and forgive me for it being a longer than usual episode, but I couldn't bring myself to delete any of our conversation. Sarah is such an interesting person to talk with, and I'm sure we could have carried on talking for a while. Amongst a raft of interesting stuff, here are some highlights to look out for:

  • At 16:15 Learn about the importance of the thin skin we have
  • At 20:10 We get into responding to feedback
  • At 23:00 Sarah talks about focusing on what we have influence over as a writer
  • At 27:00 Sarah quotes Iris Murdoch - 'a novel is a great idea ruined'
  • At 29:00 I share Amie Kaufman's wise words about adventures
  • At 34:05 We get into being true to our characters and our readers
  • At 39:49 Sarah says about the darkest stories that we can tell can illuminate people's lives and comfort them
  • At 45:00 Sarah talks of the benefits of community as a writer
  • At 52:20 We're reminded of the need to be social as an introverted writer

Sarah's books
Someone Else's Skin
Black Thorn

The people Sarah mentioned to follow on Twitter
Megan Abbot and Jane Casey on Twitter
Red Hot Chilli Writers Podcast

Sarah's social media and web links
https://sarahhilary.com
https://twitter.com/sarah_hilary
https://facebook.com/sarah.hilary.author
http://instagram.com/sarah_hilary999

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Sarah Hilary is the guest I chat with on this week's episode - and forgive me for it being a longer than usual episode, but I couldn't bring myself to delete any of our conversation. Sarah is such an interesting person to talk with, and I'm sure we could have carried on talking for a while. Amongst a raft of interesting stuff, here are some highlights to look out for:

  • At 16:15 Learn about the importance of the thin skin we have
  • At 20:10 We get into responding to feedback
  • At 23:00 Sarah talks about focusing on what we have influence over as a writer
  • At 27:00 Sarah quotes Iris Murdoch - 'a novel is a great idea ruined'
  • At 29:00 I share Amie Kaufman's wise words about adventures
  • At 34:05 We get into being true to our characters and our readers
  • At 39:49 Sarah says about the darkest stories that we can tell can illuminate people's lives and comfort them
  • At 45:00 Sarah talks of the benefits of community as a writer
  • At 52:20 We're reminded of the need to be social as an introverted writer

Sarah's books
Someone Else's Skin
Black Thorn

The people Sarah mentioned to follow on Twitter
Megan Abbot and Jane Casey on Twitter
Red Hot Chilli Writers Podcast

Sarah's social media and web links
https://sarahhilary.com
https://twitter.com/sarah_hilary
https://facebook.com/sarah.hilary.author
http://instagram.com/sarah_hilary999

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Buzzsprout-13231304 Tue, 18 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0100 3684 1 27 full false Episode 26 How Writing is Like Problem Solving Episode 26 How Writing is Like Problem Solving I used to do bouldering - climbing without ropes. And it's all about learning from the basics, and problem solving. In this episode I look at how we as writers can benefit from seeing ourselves as problem solvers, too.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> I used to do bouldering - climbing without ropes. And it's all about learning from the basics, and problem solving. In this episode I look at how we as writers can benefit from seeing ourselves as problem solvers, too.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13208065 Fri, 14 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0100 692 1 26 full false Episode 25 Dealing with Overwhelm and Feeling Stuck Episode 25 Dealing with Overwhelm and Feeling Stuck Would some useful coaching questions help you get over your overwhelm and stop you feeling stuck with your writing? Get a pen and paper for this episode, and jot down the questions - if you want to go straight to the questions, start at 11:00 minutes into the episode.

We get into how Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs comes into our writing, and how we can use it to help us as a writer, along with those coaching questions that work in the context of the hierarchy.

Here's a  link to each of the things I mention in the episode

Description of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
A book I get lost in: The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett
Episode 4 of Write, Damn It! - Writing With the Seasons of Life

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Would some useful coaching questions help you get over your overwhelm and stop you feeling stuck with your writing? Get a pen and paper for this episode, and jot down the questions - if you want to go straight to the questions, start at 11:00 minutes into the episode.

We get into how Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs comes into our writing, and how we can use it to help us as a writer, along with those coaching questions that work in the context of the hierarchy.

Here's a  link to each of the things I mention in the episode

Description of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
A book I get lost in: The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett
Episode 4 of Write, Damn It! - Writing With the Seasons of Life

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13187255 Tue, 11 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0100 1146 1 25 full false Episode 24: How To Get Unstuck When You're Torn Between Two Writing Ideas Episode 24: How To Get Unstuck When You're Torn Between Two Writing Ideas There are many reasons we get stuck with our writing - and one, that in some ways is a gift, is when we have so many ideas that we don't know which to focus on. In this episode I share a simple technique from my project management experience that we can use to get greater clarity around which idea to put our efforts into.

Listen in to find out how you can use this simple technique, called split testing, and how you can make it work for your writing.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> There are many reasons we get stuck with our writing - and one, that in some ways is a gift, is when we have so many ideas that we don't know which to focus on. In this episode I share a simple technique from my project management experience that we can use to get greater clarity around which idea to put our efforts into.

Listen in to find out how you can use this simple technique, called split testing, and how you can make it work for your writing.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13153120 Fri, 07 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0100 456 1 24 full false Episode 23 In Conversation with JD Kirk Talking About a True Crime Podcast, Writers Block and How The Publishing World Works Episode 23 In Conversation with JD Kirk Talking About a True Crime Podcast, Writers Block and How The Publishing World Works Fascinating conversation with JD Kirk, the pen name of multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, and writer of comics, Barry Hutchison. 

Born and raised in Fort William in the Highlands of Scotland, JD wanted to be a writer from the age of nine, when a kindly librarian wrote his name on the spine of a notebook in which he’d written a terrible short story and put it on the shelf.  Since then, he’s written over 200 books and is now thoroughly enjoying murdering people as JD Kirk.

As such a prolific and well-known writer, JD gets asked a lot of questions about writing and recently started collecting questions from writers looking for advice. He is going to start answering these questions in weekly videos. The form to submit questions is at link.jdkirk.com/learn

You can find JD Kirk on social media here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jdkirkbooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JDKirkBooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdkirkbooks

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jdkirkbooks

You can buy JD's latest books here:
The One That Got Away (DI Filson #1) – released 25th May – Crime Genre
In Service of Death (DCI Logan #17) – due for release 25th July 2023 - Crime

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Fascinating conversation with JD Kirk, the pen name of multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, and writer of comics, Barry Hutchison. 

Born and raised in Fort William in the Highlands of Scotland, JD wanted to be a writer from the age of nine, when a kindly librarian wrote his name on the spine of a notebook in which he’d written a terrible short story and put it on the shelf.  Since then, he’s written over 200 books and is now thoroughly enjoying murdering people as JD Kirk.

As such a prolific and well-known writer, JD gets asked a lot of questions about writing and recently started collecting questions from writers looking for advice. He is going to start answering these questions in weekly videos. The form to submit questions is at link.jdkirk.com/learn

You can find JD Kirk on social media here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jdkirkbooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JDKirkBooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdkirkbooks

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jdkirkbooks

You can buy JD's latest books here:
The One That Got Away (DI Filson #1) – released 25th May – Crime Genre
In Service of Death (DCI Logan #17) – due for release 25th July 2023 - Crime

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13153011 Tue, 04 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0100 2656 1 23 full false Episode 22: 4 Things I Learned About Editing From My Agent Episode 22: 4 Things I Learned About Editing From My Agent I've been watching how my agent goes about her role within the editing process, and I've learned 4 really helpful things. As a result, I am now taking a different approach to my editing, and I think it's having a positive impact. If you're lost in the editing mire, listen in to find out what the 4 simple steps are that you can use straight away to improve your editing process.

My agent is Clare Coombes, who I first met through an agent 1-2-1 session on a different novel than the one that led to her representing me. Although that first novel wasn't ready, she liked my writing style and I was then on her radar, so I genuinely believe that having an agent 1-2-1 is worth having - and she gave me incredible feedback that helped me improve as a writer. You can book a 1-2-1 with Clare through Jericho Writers or I Am In Print.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> I've been watching how my agent goes about her role within the editing process, and I've learned 4 really helpful things. As a result, I am now taking a different approach to my editing, and I think it's having a positive impact. If you're lost in the editing mire, listen in to find out what the 4 simple steps are that you can use straight away to improve your editing process.

My agent is Clare Coombes, who I first met through an agent 1-2-1 session on a different novel than the one that led to her representing me. Although that first novel wasn't ready, she liked my writing style and I was then on her radar, so I genuinely believe that having an agent 1-2-1 is worth having - and she gave me incredible feedback that helped me improve as a writer. You can book a 1-2-1 with Clare through Jericho Writers or I Am In Print.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13103052 Fri, 30 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0100 427 1 22 full false Episode 21: Is Being Focused on the Outcome More Than the Experience Affecting Your Writing? Episode 21: Is Being Focused on the Outcome More Than the Experience Affecting Your Writing? What if being too focused on getting an agent or a publishing deal is impacting on our writing? Product can become much more important than process and performance if we focus on outcome over experience. With that focus on the outcome, we may be missing out the practice stage - practice out-performs success every day, because we won't get success every day ... but we can practice every day and that practice helps up get better and better at our writing. Plus, if we focus on the experience, are we more likely to enjoy our writing?

With our sights on getting an agent, getting a publishing deal, we may be missing out the practice stage, setting our expectations too high, leading to an inevitable disappointment, and missing out on the enjoyment. If you are not getting the outcome you crave, ask yourself, have you put outcome before experience.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> What if being too focused on getting an agent or a publishing deal is impacting on our writing? Product can become much more important than process and performance if we focus on outcome over experience. With that focus on the outcome, we may be missing out the practice stage - practice out-performs success every day, because we won't get success every day ... but we can practice every day and that practice helps up get better and better at our writing. Plus, if we focus on the experience, are we more likely to enjoy our writing?

With our sights on getting an agent, getting a publishing deal, we may be missing out the practice stage, setting our expectations too high, leading to an inevitable disappointment, and missing out on the enjoyment. If you are not getting the outcome you crave, ask yourself, have you put outcome before experience.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13066590 Tue, 27 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0100 1153 1 21 full false Episode 20: The Rule Is There Are No Rules - Or Are There? Episode 20: The Rule Is There Are No Rules - Or Are There? A few years ago I was on a course and the tutor repeatedly told us that there are no rules ... and then in the feedback on my writing from the tutor and fellow students it became clear that there are rules, and I needed to know them. Some were about grammar, some about structure, some about pace ... and so much more. So I struggled being told that there are no rules when clearly there are.

In this episode I delve into this maxim and consider whether it creates a problem for us as writers if we take the phrase of 'the rule is there are not rules' as a rule in and of itself. I look at how principles - rules to write by - can help us, how we can use rules to help us with our writing.

If you want to sign up for the 200 Word Challenge use the link below:
https://bestsellerexperiment.com/bxp2020/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> A few years ago I was on a course and the tutor repeatedly told us that there are no rules ... and then in the feedback on my writing from the tutor and fellow students it became clear that there are rules, and I needed to know them. Some were about grammar, some about structure, some about pace ... and so much more. So I struggled being told that there are no rules when clearly there are.

In this episode I delve into this maxim and consider whether it creates a problem for us as writers if we take the phrase of 'the rule is there are not rules' as a rule in and of itself. I look at how principles - rules to write by - can help us, how we can use rules to help us with our writing.

If you want to sign up for the 200 Word Challenge use the link below:
https://bestsellerexperiment.com/bxp2020/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13060615 Fri, 23 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0100 427 1 20 full false Episode 19: In Conversation with Nigel Stewart Talking About Staying Grounded, and Phrases That Keep Us Focused Episode 19: In Conversation with Nigel Stewart Talking About Staying Grounded, and Phrases That Keep Us Focused Nigel Stewart is the guest this week. He's published 4 books, and is currently working on his 5th. His latest book is Justinian's Daughters, based in St Davids in South Wales.

We talked about imposter syndrome, staying grounded, how writing lyrics helps with writing novels, phrases that keep us focused such as 'let's make this better', and trusting the reader.

Listen in at 13 minutes to hear about trusting the reader
Listen in at 22 minutes to hear about staying grounded

Nigel's social media links
http://Twitter.com/menigestew
http://instagram.com/menigestew
http://facebook.com/nigelstewartauthor

Nigel's website

Nigel's books - Justinian's Daughters; Secrets We Hide From Ourselves; The Lines Between Lies;

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Nigel Stewart is the guest this week. He's published 4 books, and is currently working on his 5th. His latest book is Justinian's Daughters, based in St Davids in South Wales.

We talked about imposter syndrome, staying grounded, how writing lyrics helps with writing novels, phrases that keep us focused such as 'let's make this better', and trusting the reader.

Listen in at 13 minutes to hear about trusting the reader
Listen in at 22 minutes to hear about staying grounded

Nigel's social media links
http://Twitter.com/menigestew
http://instagram.com/menigestew
http://facebook.com/nigelstewartauthor

Nigel's website

Nigel's books - Justinian's Daughters; Secrets We Hide From Ourselves; The Lines Between Lies;

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13060231 Tue, 20 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0100 2464 1 19 full false Episode 18: In Search of Imperfection How Expert Beginner Syndrome Might Be Affecting Our Writing Episode 18: In Search of Imperfection How Expert Beginner Syndrome Might Be Affecting Our Writing As we go in search of imperfection, it helps to understand the impact of cognitive bias through both the expert beginner syndrome and imposter syndrome, and what we can do about it. In this slightly longer short, I share the 4 things we can find ourselves doing when we hit a problem, and number 4 is the one we need to take most note of, as this will help us to learn and grow as a writer.

Blog post I mentioned about othering rejection https://www.janefriedman.com/your-novel-has-been-edited-by-top-professionals-but-you-still-get-rejected-what-gives/
Seth Godin's blog post on imposter syndrom https://seths.blog/2017/10/imposter-syndrome/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> As we go in search of imperfection, it helps to understand the impact of cognitive bias through both the expert beginner syndrome and imposter syndrome, and what we can do about it. In this slightly longer short, I share the 4 things we can find ourselves doing when we hit a problem, and number 4 is the one we need to take most note of, as this will help us to learn and grow as a writer.

Blog post I mentioned about othering rejection https://www.janefriedman.com/your-novel-has-been-edited-by-top-professionals-but-you-still-get-rejected-what-gives/
Seth Godin's blog post on imposter syndrom https://seths.blog/2017/10/imposter-syndrome/

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13051095 Fri, 16 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0100 718 1 18 full false Episode 17 Flipping Feedback How To Make Feedback Work For You Episode 17 Flipping Feedback How To Make Feedback Work For You Feedback is a bit of a rollercoaster, isn't it? I've had some that made me so happy, and others that made wonder why I've bothered writing. And I'll admit it, once I got feedback that stopped me writing for a few years. In truth, though, all the feedback I've received on my writing has got me to where I am now, and much of that is down to my attitude to feedback. 

In this episode I go through 2 key types of feedback, and give you some questions you can use to help you get feedback that is helpful and meaningful. I also give you a couple of tips for when you get conflicting feedback - which you will do, for sure.

I mentioned the Cheshire Novel Prize in the episode, which gives every entrant feedback on their writing. Here's a date for your diary - entries open on 01/01/24. It's well worth entering just for the feedback, and who knows, you may get long listed or shortlisted, like 2 people who have worked with me on the Writing Reboot. Here's the link to the Cheshire Novel Prize - https://cheshirenovelprize.com

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Feedback is a bit of a rollercoaster, isn't it? I've had some that made me so happy, and others that made wonder why I've bothered writing. And I'll admit it, once I got feedback that stopped me writing for a few years. In truth, though, all the feedback I've received on my writing has got me to where I am now, and much of that is down to my attitude to feedback. 

In this episode I go through 2 key types of feedback, and give you some questions you can use to help you get feedback that is helpful and meaningful. I also give you a couple of tips for when you get conflicting feedback - which you will do, for sure.

I mentioned the Cheshire Novel Prize in the episode, which gives every entrant feedback on their writing. Here's a date for your diary - entries open on 01/01/24. It's well worth entering just for the feedback, and who knows, you may get long listed or shortlisted, like 2 people who have worked with me on the Writing Reboot. Here's the link to the Cheshire Novel Prize - https://cheshirenovelprize.com

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-13022868 Tue, 13 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0100 1474 1 17 full false Episode 16: Are You Ready for Failure? Episode 16: Are You Ready for Failure? Failing as a writer is a given - we are going to fail. And brush ourselves off, and fail again. Every step of the way. Listen in to Episode 16, and join the failure train. It's all part of the journey. 


It's strange, though, isn't it? If your life has been anything like mine, we're conditioned to only look for success. How often have you been guided to see the benefits of failure? I know for me, this is something I've had to train myself to accept - that I can learn and grow from the failing experience.


So, are you ready to fail with your writing? Listen to the episode below.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Failing as a writer is a given - we are going to fail. And brush ourselves off, and fail again. Every step of the way. Listen in to Episode 16, and join the failure train. It's all part of the journey. 


It's strange, though, isn't it? If your life has been anything like mine, we're conditioned to only look for success. How often have you been guided to see the benefits of failure? I know for me, this is something I've had to train myself to accept - that I can learn and grow from the failing experience.


So, are you ready to fail with your writing? Listen to the episode below.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12980906 Fri, 09 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0100 349 1 16 full false Episode 15 In Conversation With Jeevani Charika aka Rhoda Baxter Episode 15 In Conversation With Jeevani Charika aka Rhoda Baxter 'Read, read, read. Write, write, write. Submit, submit, submit.' Jeevani Charika shares her top tip for keeping motivated and getting the writing done, as well as sharing thoughts on the routine she set up for herself as a writer who is also a mum and carer, the issues she had with a contract and what she did about that, and how she set up The Debut Authors' Club with writers Janet Gover and Alison May to help writers on their journey to, and beyond, launch day.

Links discussed in the show:

Jeev's website: https://jeevanicharika.com
Jeev on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhodabaxter
Jeev on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeevani.charika
Jeev's latest book, Picture Perfect: https://books2read.com/PPerfect
How to Write Romantic Comedy: https://books2read.com/u/4AQBgk
Getting Published is Just the Beginning: https://books2read.com/IPBook
Contract checklist: https://rhodabaxter.com/contract-checklist/
Debut Author Club (discount code DACBETA will let you get June 2023 for free): https://payhip.com/b/rMqKP
Fiction Tutors: https://fictiontutors.co.uk

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> 'Read, read, read. Write, write, write. Submit, submit, submit.' Jeevani Charika shares her top tip for keeping motivated and getting the writing done, as well as sharing thoughts on the routine she set up for herself as a writer who is also a mum and carer, the issues she had with a contract and what she did about that, and how she set up The Debut Authors' Club with writers Janet Gover and Alison May to help writers on their journey to, and beyond, launch day.

Links discussed in the show:

Jeev's website: https://jeevanicharika.com
Jeev on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rhodabaxter
Jeev on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeevani.charika
Jeev's latest book, Picture Perfect: https://books2read.com/PPerfect
How to Write Romantic Comedy: https://books2read.com/u/4AQBgk
Getting Published is Just the Beginning: https://books2read.com/IPBook
Contract checklist: https://rhodabaxter.com/contract-checklist/
Debut Author Club (discount code DACBETA will let you get June 2023 for free): https://payhip.com/b/rMqKP
Fiction Tutors: https://fictiontutors.co.uk

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12980896 Tue, 06 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0100 1748 1 15 full false Episode 14 Help Yourself Get The Writing Done With The 30 For 30 Technique Episode 14 Help Yourself Get The Writing Done With The 30 For 30 Technique 5 Minute Friday introduces you to a simple technique that I developed out of my grandfather's old Navy sayings - learn how to use the 30 for 30 technique to help you get the writing done. Simple yet incredibly effective.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> 5 Minute Friday introduces you to a simple technique that I developed out of my grandfather's old Navy sayings - learn how to use the 30 for 30 technique to help you get the writing done. Simple yet incredibly effective.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12960805 Fri, 02 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0100 365 1 14 full false Episode 13 How To Create Habits That Work For You By Nudging Your Upper Limit Episode 13 How To Create Habits That Work For You By Nudging Your Upper Limit Did you know you have an upper limit? In this episode, I take you through how to work on your habits by understanding your upper limit, how your identity gets in the way of changing habits, and the technique of nudging habits along, a little at a time, so that you can make changes that stick.


I also give you some small tips you can introduce that will help make a difference for you.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Did you know you have an upper limit? In this episode, I take you through how to work on your habits by understanding your upper limit, how your identity gets in the way of changing habits, and the technique of nudging habits along, a little at a time, so that you can make changes that stick.


I also give you some small tips you can introduce that will help make a difference for you.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12939334 Tue, 30 May 2023 12:00:00 +0100 1209 1 13 full false Episode 12: What Comes Out Of Your Head Is Only As Good As What Goes Into Your Head Episode 12: What Comes Out Of Your Head Is Only As Good As What Goes Into Your Head What informs your writing? I work in project management, and we always talk about input, output, outcomes - we have to know what the input is (the current situation, the problem), so that we can work on that and create an output (data, information, a system etc), which leads to an outcome (improved position with the data, for example). And I find this a useful way to think of what informs our writing.

The one time in my life where I didn't write much was when I didn't read much. It was like my head was empty of inspiration. Then I got back to reading, and it led to me getting back to writing ... but I wouldn't read in the genre I was writing in because I didn't want to influence my writing. THAT was a big mistake - of course I needed to be influenced. And my writing only improved when I started to read a lot, including in my own genre.

In this episode I talk about what informs our writing, so that we can improve, and become stronger writers in our chosen genre. Go on, be honest with yourself, what informs your writing?

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> What informs your writing? I work in project management, and we always talk about input, output, outcomes - we have to know what the input is (the current situation, the problem), so that we can work on that and create an output (data, information, a system etc), which leads to an outcome (improved position with the data, for example). And I find this a useful way to think of what informs our writing.

The one time in my life where I didn't write much was when I didn't read much. It was like my head was empty of inspiration. Then I got back to reading, and it led to me getting back to writing ... but I wouldn't read in the genre I was writing in because I didn't want to influence my writing. THAT was a big mistake - of course I needed to be influenced. And my writing only improved when I started to read a lot, including in my own genre.

In this episode I talk about what informs our writing, so that we can improve, and become stronger writers in our chosen genre. Go on, be honest with yourself, what informs your writing?

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12880701 Fri, 26 May 2023 12:00:00 +0100 365 1 12 full false Episode 11: How To Be Your Own Book Coach Episode 11: How To Be Your Own Book Coach In this episode I talk about what a book coach is, and it can be helpful to have one - and I also give you 3 questions (plus a bonus question) that you can use to coach yourself. If you don't have a pen and paper handy to jot the questions down, you can download my FREE Mini Reboot which includes a simple guide for self-coaching. The 3 questions I use in this episode, along with another 3, are all in the Mini Reboot.

As we grow as writers it can help to have a book coach who acts as our accountability buddy whilst also guiding us and helping us develop better writing skills. My own book coach is Stephanie Butland, who I hope to have on Write, Damn It! as a guest sometime soon. She is insightful and kind, and has helped me immensely to become the writer I am today. Her website is http://www.stephaniebutlandauthor.com and you will find she has a number of options if you want to work with her.

You might also hear book coaches being called book doctors, and Debi Alper and Holly Dawson are two that I have firsthand experience of through Jericho Writers who keep a list of book doctors. Debi is a particular expert on psychic distance. You can find Jericho Writers here and you get access to their wide range of services as a premium member. And I Am In Print can be found here.

I don't always have a book coach, though, and that's where having a set of questions that I can ask myself is helpful. Listen in to the episode to find out what my favourite questions are for helping me get the work done.

Although I am an experienced coach, I am not a book coach - I'm still early on in my writing career - and so I'm not currently offering 1-2-1 coaching to writers. But you can get my FREE Mini Reboot which includes a self-coaching guide, with the questions from this episode included, along with another 3 questions that you will find helpful. You can access that here.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> In this episode I talk about what a book coach is, and it can be helpful to have one - and I also give you 3 questions (plus a bonus question) that you can use to coach yourself. If you don't have a pen and paper handy to jot the questions down, you can download my FREE Mini Reboot which includes a simple guide for self-coaching. The 3 questions I use in this episode, along with another 3, are all in the Mini Reboot.

As we grow as writers it can help to have a book coach who acts as our accountability buddy whilst also guiding us and helping us develop better writing skills. My own book coach is Stephanie Butland, who I hope to have on Write, Damn It! as a guest sometime soon. She is insightful and kind, and has helped me immensely to become the writer I am today. Her website is http://www.stephaniebutlandauthor.com and you will find she has a number of options if you want to work with her.

You might also hear book coaches being called book doctors, and Debi Alper and Holly Dawson are two that I have firsthand experience of through Jericho Writers who keep a list of book doctors. Debi is a particular expert on psychic distance. You can find Jericho Writers here and you get access to their wide range of services as a premium member. And I Am In Print can be found here.

I don't always have a book coach, though, and that's where having a set of questions that I can ask myself is helpful. Listen in to the episode to find out what my favourite questions are for helping me get the work done.

Although I am an experienced coach, I am not a book coach - I'm still early on in my writing career - and so I'm not currently offering 1-2-1 coaching to writers. But you can get my FREE Mini Reboot which includes a self-coaching guide, with the questions from this episode included, along with another 3 questions that you will find helpful. You can access that here.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12880566 Tue, 23 May 2023 12:00:00 +0100 973 1 11 full false Episode 10: The Absolute Truth About Absolutes Episode 10: The Absolute Truth About Absolutes Knowing that we go on a journey of learning, through the 4 different levels of competence, why is it, as writers, we talk in absolutes? I only write in this way, I never plot, I write in 3rd person ... etc - we work with absolutes when we're still learning. In this 5 Minute Friday I share the 4 levels of competence, and how we can move up the levels by ditching absolutist thinking.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Knowing that we go on a journey of learning, through the 4 different levels of competence, why is it, as writers, we talk in absolutes? I only write in this way, I never plot, I write in 3rd person ... etc - we work with absolutes when we're still learning. In this 5 Minute Friday I share the 4 levels of competence, and how we can move up the levels by ditching absolutist thinking.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12857426 Fri, 19 May 2023 12:00:00 +0100 382 1 10 full false Episode 9: If You're Going To Stress, Stress Big Episode 9: If You're Going To Stress, Stress Big This rollercoaster ride of writing brings with it a lot of stress - not just the writing itself, but the industry we're part of once we decide we're going to aim for being published. In this episode I share the techniques I use to help me set aside the stressing I do about the small stuff, so that I'm only stressing the big stuff - let's face it, if we're going to stress, it might as well be over big stuff. Find out about PACE, the ABC of handling small stress, and more.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> This rollercoaster ride of writing brings with it a lot of stress - not just the writing itself, but the industry we're part of once we decide we're going to aim for being published. In this episode I share the techniques I use to help me set aside the stressing I do about the small stuff, so that I'm only stressing the big stuff - let's face it, if we're going to stress, it might as well be over big stuff. Find out about PACE, the ABC of handling small stress, and more.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12830435 Tue, 16 May 2023 12:00:00 +0100 1016 1 9 full false Episode 8: Writing and Mental Health Episode 8: Writing and Mental Health With 54% of respondents to The Bookseller survey on publishing and mental health saying that publishing their debut novel had a negative impact on their mental health, it's important with start with the 3 simple steps in this 5 Minute Friday episode to help us take care of ourselves as writers. As a suicide survivor, I know all too well how difficult life is when our mental health is affected - and also know that nobody deserves writing to negatively impact their mental health. Listen to this episode to get real steps you can follow that will help you as you navigate this long and windy road called writing.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> With 54% of respondents to The Bookseller survey on publishing and mental health saying that publishing their debut novel had a negative impact on their mental health, it's important with start with the 3 simple steps in this 5 Minute Friday episode to help us take care of ourselves as writers. As a suicide survivor, I know all too well how difficult life is when our mental health is affected - and also know that nobody deserves writing to negatively impact their mental health. Listen to this episode to get real steps you can follow that will help you as you navigate this long and windy road called writing.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12828288 Fri, 12 May 2023 12:00:00 +0100 335 1 8 full false Episode 7: 5 Things Every Writer Should Know Episode 7: 5 Things Every Writer Should Know There's 5 things that we all need to know and keep in mind - covering feedback, rejection, plotting and more. This episode is packed full of little nuggets that help remind us of those things that we don't need to give power to - like the rejections we receive - and that plotting is not the enemy.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> There's 5 things that we all need to know and keep in mind - covering feedback, rejection, plotting and more. This episode is packed full of little nuggets that help remind us of those things that we don't need to give power to - like the rejections we receive - and that plotting is not the enemy.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12812905 Tue, 09 May 2023 12:00:00 +0100 1069 1 7 full false Episode 6: We Are What We Think Episode 6: We Are What We Think Our thoughts matter - more than we can imagine. And our brain is so darned clever that it proves our thoughts right. What thoughts are you having that might be impacting on your writing? Is it time to change your thinking?

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Our thoughts matter - more than we can imagine. And our brain is so darned clever that it proves our thoughts right. What thoughts are you having that might be impacting on your writing? Is it time to change your thinking?

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12757416 Fri, 05 May 2023 12:00:00 +0100 361 1 6 full false Episode 5: What If Writer's Block Doesn't Exist? Episode 5: What If Writer's Block Doesn't Exist? Maybe it's time to change the way we think about writer's block - the language we use matters, and by telling ourselves we're blocked, we may be making ourselves even more blocked. Time to start working on our mindset and the words we use with ourselves.

In this week's episode I mention about Carole Dweck's research into mindset.  You can watch her Ted Talk here:
https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve

I also talked about using the 150 rule, which is covered in Episode 2 of Write, Damn It!. You can listen in here:
https://zoerichards.buzzsprout.com/share

And finally, Stephanie Butland, the great writing mentor and coach I mention in this episode, can be found here:
https://www.stephaniebutlandauthor.com

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Maybe it's time to change the way we think about writer's block - the language we use matters, and by telling ourselves we're blocked, we may be making ourselves even more blocked. Time to start working on our mindset and the words we use with ourselves.

In this week's episode I mention about Carole Dweck's research into mindset.  You can watch her Ted Talk here:
https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve

I also talked about using the 150 rule, which is covered in Episode 2 of Write, Damn It!. You can listen in here:
https://zoerichards.buzzsprout.com/share

And finally, Stephanie Butland, the great writing mentor and coach I mention in this episode, can be found here:
https://www.stephaniebutlandauthor.com

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12749850 Tue, 02 May 2023 12:00:00 +0100 979 1 5 full false Episode 4: Writing With The Seasons of Life Episode 4: Writing With The Seasons of Life Be kind to yourself - the big message of this week's 5 Minute Friday which is all about the seasons and phases of our life. If you're finding it difficult to write at the moment, it might be the season or phase of life you are in.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Be kind to yourself - the big message of this week's 5 Minute Friday which is all about the seasons and phases of our life. If you're finding it difficult to write at the moment, it might be the season or phase of life you are in.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12705769 Fri, 28 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0100 301 1 4 full false Episode 3: Writing and The 5 Love Languages Episode 3: Writing and The 5 Love Languages "In their positive form they're incredibly powerful ... and in their negative form we can use our love language against ourselves."

The 5 love languages, the ways we express love and the ways we like to be shown love, can be a tool for our writing life too. In this episode, learn about the 5 different love languages, and how they can help your writing.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> "In their positive form they're incredibly powerful ... and in their negative form we can use our love language against ourselves."

The 5 love languages, the ways we express love and the ways we like to be shown love, can be a tool for our writing life too. In this episode, learn about the 5 different love languages, and how they can help your writing.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12704770 Tue, 25 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0100 1020 1 3 full false Episode 2: The 150 Rule For Writing Motivation Episode 2: The 150 Rule For Writing Motivation 'If we set targets for ourselves we're more likely to at least achieve the target we set.'
This week's 5 Minute Friday is carrying on the theme of motivation, with The 150 Rule - a simple technique that will help with setting and achieving a target for your writing. Happy writing.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> 'If we set targets for ourselves we're more likely to at least achieve the target we set.'
This week's 5 Minute Friday is carrying on the theme of motivation, with The 150 Rule - a simple technique that will help with setting and achieving a target for your writing. Happy writing.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12655029 Fri, 21 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0100 310 1 2 full false Episode 1: Motivation to Write - or Not Being Motivated to Write - Might Not Be Your Fault Episode 1: Motivation to Write - or Not Being Motivated to Write - Might Not Be Your Fault 'Don't allow yourself to lose motivation purely because you're at a new stage of learning.'
Did you realise that lack of motivation might not actually be your fault? Sometimes our expectations make it difficult for us, and in this episode I share some of the things I wish I'd known before I started writing, so that my expectations would have been set better, and I wouldn't have lost motivation simply because I found I'd made things more difficult for myself than they needed to be.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> 'Don't allow yourself to lose motivation purely because you're at a new stage of learning.'
Did you realise that lack of motivation might not actually be your fault? Sometimes our expectations make it difficult for us, and in this episode I share some of the things I wish I'd known before I started writing, so that my expectations would have been set better, and I wouldn't have lost motivation simply because I found I'd made things more difficult for myself than they needed to be.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Richards Buzzsprout-12655016 Tue, 18 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0100 834 1 1 full false Write, Damn It! Trailer Write, Damn It! Trailer Welcome to Write, Damn It! Listen to the trailer now, telling you what's coming on the Write, Damn It! The Mindset Podcast for All Kinds of Writers who are looking for inspiration and motivation to get the writing done, hosted by writer and experienced mindset coach, Zoe Richards.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Welcome to Write, Damn It! Listen to the trailer now, telling you what's coming on the Write, Damn It! The Mindset Podcast for All Kinds of Writers who are looking for inspiration and motivation to get the writing done, hosted by writer and experienced mindset coach, Zoe Richards.

Support the show

Join me on Substack - here - for more insights into writing and being published, as well as mindset tips and tools. You can subscribe to get access to much more from me, including workshops and coaching.

If you would like to show your love for the podcast, please consider buying me a coffee through BuyMeACoffee.com. This gives you an opportunity to make a small, one-off donation - you are not committed to regular payments. Making the podcast earns me no money, and in fact costs me a fair bit, but I do it for the love, and because I have such fun talking with wonderful authors.

Even if you can't afford to buy me a coffee, simply letting me know that you love the podcast means a lot to me. Please take a moment to leave a star rating, write a review, or share the episode with others you know who will benefit from listening in, or you can tag me in social media when you share an episode that you love with your followers.

My website is http://www.zoerichards.co.uk where you can discover how you can work with me, and you can find me on TwiX and Instagram as @zoerichardsuk

And finally my debut novel, Garden of Her Heart, is out now and you can buy your copy here.

Happy writing, and may the wo...

]]> Zoe Buzzsprout-12639071 Fri, 14 Apr 2023 08:00:00 +0100 146 0 trailer false