The Writing Life

#14 The Noirwich Lecture: Val McDermid

Val McDermid delivered the annual lecture at the 2018 Noirwich Crime Writing Festival, on the subject of "What we really talk about when we talk about crime fiction", and we have the full speech on the podcast for you today. As well as being a legendary crime author, Val is also one of this year's Man Booker Prize judges, and her lecture examines where crime fiction sits in the wider literature scene and how it relates to society and the real world. The Noirwich Lecture is presented by The Times and Sunday Times Crime Club, and the Noirwich festival is a partnership between us and the University of East Anglia. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Mentioned events: Noirwich Crime Writing Festival: https://noirwich.co.uk Dragon Hall tours: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/dragon-hall/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#13 Bring books to life with Story Machine Productions

We talk to Sam Ruddock, director of Story Machine Productions, about reinventing live literature and how to create transformative experiences based on the reading of books. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Mentioned events: Life & Times of Michael K: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/life-times-of-michael-k/ Related links: Story Machine Productions: https://storymachineproductions.co.uk/ Neil Gaiman on finding your tribe: http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2008/03/at-eastercon.html Norfolk & Norwich Festival: https://nnfestival.org.uk/ Wigtown: http://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/ Edinburgh Book Festival: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/ Extract from 'The Quiet' by Carys Davies, one of the stories in the 2017 show The Story Machine: Under Surveillance, co-produced by National Centre for Writing and Norfolk & Norwich Festival. Sound design by Jose McGill, featuring the voice of Joanna Swann. Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#12 Anthony Horowitz on The Word is Murder

As the Noirwich Crime Writing Festival 2018 kicks off, we look back at the 2017 festival when Anthony Horowitz sat down with Chris Gribble to discuss his long and varied career and the creation of The Word is Murder. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Mentioned events: Noirwich Crime Writing Festival: https://noirwich.co.uk Dragon Hall Salon: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/dragon-hall-salon/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#11 MacBride, Billingham and Brookmyre

We have a trio of amazing crime writers on the show today, as we get ever-closer to the launch of the 2018 Noirwich Crime Writing Festival. First up is Christopher Brookmyre and Mark Billingham talking to Steph McKenna in their comedy duo mode, followed by Stuart MacBride in conversation with Alice Kent. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Mentioned events: Noirwich Crime Writing Festival: https://noirwich.co.uk Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#10 Val McDermid & Elodie Harper at Noirwich

As we close in on the return of the Noirwich Crime Writing Festival, we take a look back at the 2017 festival. Today we've got interviews with none other than Val McDermid and Elodie Harper - plus I catch up with Steph McKenna (of newsletter fame) about what's on at the festival this year. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Mentioned events: Noirwich Crime Writing Festival: https://noirwich.co.uk Amer's blog, 'How to write your first crime novel': https://noirwich.co.uk/2018/08/17/writing-your-first-crime-novel/ Online courses: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/online-courses/ Courses at Dragon Hall: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/courses/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#9 World building in science fiction with Ian Nettleton

Dive into the science fiction genre with an in-depth look at world building with tutor Ian Nettleton. We discuss alternate realities, imagined futures and how world building relates to plot, character and story. Take the FREE world building course: https://courses.nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/p/sci-fi-world-building Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Mentioned events: Online courses: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/online-courses/ Courses at Dragon Hall: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/courses/ Workshops: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/workshops/ The Noirwich Crime Writing Festival: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/noirwich/ Dragon Hall Debates: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/dragon-hall-debates/ Referenced works & writers: Neuromancer, William Gibson Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro Watchmen, Alan Moore A Game of Unchance, Philip K Dick Brian Aldiss The Expanse series, James SA Corey Culture series, Iain M Banks Star Wars, George Lucas Solaris, Stanislaw Lem Chris Foss art: https://www.chrisfossart.com/ Black Panther (film), directed by Ryan Coogler Kim Stanley Robinson Isaac Asimov Dune, Frank Herbert Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K LeGuin 2001: A Space Odyssey, Arthur C Clarke (film directed by Stanley Kubrick) The Fifth Element, directed by Luc Besson Star Trek Moebius Oryx and Crake, Margaret Atwood Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott (based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Philip K Dick) Frankenstein, Mary Shelley Alien, directed by Ridley Scott The Time Machine, HG Wells Brave New World, Aldous Huxley Music by Bennet Maples: sonicfruit.co.uk/

#8 Ben Okri on Active Citizenship

Novelist and poet Ben Okri delivered a powerful provocation on the urgent need for 'active citizenship' during the Norfolk & Norwich Festival earlier this year. Afterwards, we caught up with Ben to discuss leadership, responsibility and dealing with seemingly insurmountable challenges. We highly recommend reading Ben's provocation on The Guardian's website alongside this episode: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/30/populism-brexit-citizens-political-responsibility Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Mentioned events: Can we, as citizens, make a difference? https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/can-we-as-citizens-make-a-difference/ Useful links: Active citizenship provocation: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/30/populism-brexit-citizens-political-responsibility Barack Obama: A Celebration in Verse: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/19/barack-obama-celebration-verse-ben-okri Music by Bennet Maples: sonicfruit.co.uk/

#7 Be an empowered writer with Joanna Penn

We talk to indie author Joanna Penn about being an early adopter of self-publishing and how the landscape has changed in the last decade. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/introducing-the-national-centre-for-writing/ Mentioned events: NCW at Edinburgh Book Festival: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/meet-the-national-centre-for-writing-edinburgh-international-literature-festival/ Useful links: The Creative Penn: thecreativepenn.com Ingram Spark: https://www.ingramspark.com/ Music by Bennet Maples: sonicfruit.co.uk/

#6 The power of comics with Canan Marasligil

This week it's all about comics, as Peggy talks with Canan Marasligil about their power, cultural significance and the importance of translation. Don't miss Canan's top recommendations for new comics readers! Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/introducing-the-national-centre-for-writing/ Mentioned events: Dragon Hall open day: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/open-house/ Creative Writing Online courses: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/welcome-to-creative-writing-online/ Useful links: Canan's website: http://www.cananmarasligil.net/ Canan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ayserin Read My World festival: http://www.readmyworld.nl/en/ Canan's comic recommendations: Ethel & Earnest, Raymond Briggs Anything by Posie Simmons Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi Arab of the Future, Riad Sattouf Maus, Art Spiegelman Palestine, Joe Sacco Dare to Disappoint, Ozge Samanci Snapshots of a Girl, Beldan Sezen Music by Bennet Maples: sonicfruit.co.uk/

#5 How to write a bestseller with Mark Stay

Flo Reynolds discusses the Man Booker longlist and we talk with Mark Stay about writing and publishing a book in 52 weeks, in the form of The Bestseller Experiment podcast. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/introducing-the-national-centre-for-writing/ Mentioned events: Noirwich: noirwich.co.uk Creative Writing Online courses: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/online-courses/ Useful links: The Bestseller Experiment: http://bestsellerexperiment.com/ Mark Stay's website: https://markstaywrites.com/ Guardian's gallery of Man Booker covers: https://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2018/jul/24/man-booker-prize-2018-longlist-in-pictures Music by Bennet Maples: sonicfruit.co.uk/