The Writing Life

#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/

#4 Sarah Perry, Fiona Sampson & Peggy Hughes on Shelley, du Maurier and Spark

Direct from the Spiegeltent at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, this week on the podcast we join Sarah Perry, Fiona Sampson and Peggy Hughes to talk about Mary Shelley, Daphne du Maurier and Muriel Spark, chaired by Caroline O'Donoghue. 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/ Useful links: Norfolk & Norwich Festival: nnfestival.org.uk Music by Bennet Maples: http://sonicfruit.co.uk/

How to earn a 6-figure income by self-publishing with Mark Dawson

Mark Dawson joins us this week to discuss his road towards indie publishing success. 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 Salon (Tuesday 17th July): https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/dragon-hall-salon/ Useful links: Mark Dawson's website: https://markjdawson.com/ Mark's Self-Publishing Formula courses: https://selfpublishingformula.com/ Music by Bennet Maples: http://sonicfruit.co.uk/

Kickstarting feminisms with Deborah Smith

We spoke to Deborah Smith, translator and founder of Tilted Axis, about using Kickstarter to crowdfund the publication of their new chapbook series, Translating Feminisms. 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: Worlds: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/worlds/ East Anglian Book Awards: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/east-anglian-book-awards/ NCW job openings: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/get-involved/join-the-team/ Useful links: Tilted Axis Press: https://www.tiltedaxispress.com/ Tilted Axis ‘Translating Feminisms’ Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/71029616/translating-feminisms-poetry-chapbooks-from-across Sarah Perry in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/apr/27/sarah-perry-novelist-literary-award-prize-winning-debut-writer Dragon Hall residency opportunities: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/residencies/ Music by Bennet Maples: http://sonicfruit.co.uk/