Forthwrite
Welcome to Forthwrite, a podcast about creative writing with, for and by women. Formerly called Writing Around The Kids. Hosts Anna and Sam chat to a variety of brilliant women writers about their creative process. From finding inspiration to the nitty gritty of the writing/life balance.
Episodes
AMITA MURRAY
We chat with author Amita Murray about her process for writing Regency novels, getting to know your characters and the importance of filling her creative cup.Follow AmitaAmita Murray's Unladylike series of Regency novels are published with Harper Collins. She has won the Exeter Novel Prize and the SI Leeds Literary Prize, been a writer-in-residence with Leverhulme, Literature Works, Spread the
ROISIN MAGUIRE
In this episode we speak with novelist Roisin Maguire about being kind to yourself, filling your well as a source of creativity and the inspiration for her wonderful book Night Swimmers. Also includes a reading from the novel.You can connect with Roisin through her publisher Serpent's TailRoisin is an award-winning short story writer who lives by the sea in rural County Down. A former bouncer,
ORLAINE MCDONALD
We chat to Orlaine Mcdonald about protecting herself as a writer, her process and what it's like to be shortlisted for an award as a debut novelist. Plus a reading from her book No Small Thing.Please note this episode comes with a trigger warning for discussion of suicide. Follow OrlaineOrlaine is a writer of mixed Jamaican & Irish heritage. She lives in London. No Small Thing won the 2024 Kat
MARISA LINTON
This week we speak with YA author Marisa Linton about writing fiction as a means of refuge, bringing a wealth of academic knowledge to a creative outlet and we hear a reading from her novel The Binding Spell.Follow MarisaMarisa Linton is an author, historian and professor emerita. She is one of the world's leading experts on the French Revolution, and taught history for many years at Kingston Univ
FIONA WILLIAMS
We chat with prize-winning author Fiona Williams about her creative process, how it felt winning the Bridport first novel prize and giving herself time to play with different writing styles. Plus a reading from her beautiful novel The House of Broken Bricks.Follow Fiona.Fiona Williams is a writer of literary fiction. Her debut novel The House of Broken Bricks was the winner of the 2021 Bridport Pr
KATE LORD BROWN
We chat to Kate Lord Brown about what it takes to write a book a year around the challenges of life, her process and honouring historic women through literature. Follow KateKate Lord Brown was a finalist in ITV's The People's Author contest, and her novel The Perfume Garden, which has been published in nine languages, was shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year 2014. Her books have been top
DIANA ANYAKWO
We speak to author Diana Anyakwo about her fascinating route into writing, where her inspiration comes from and how she balances writing with everything in life. Plus we hear a reading from her fab YA novel My Life as a Chameleon.Follow DianaDiana Anyakwo grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. She is of mixed Irish and Nigerian heritage. She moved to the UK when she was a teenager and later graduated from the
FRANCES QUINN
We spend a joyful half hour talking to Frances Quinn about writing historical novels, finding out what a Titanorack is and discovering that Francis hides Abba song titles in her novels!Follow FrancesFrances Quinn is the author of historical novels The Smallest Man, That Bonesetter Woman and The Lost Passenger. She grew up in Forest Gate, East London and studied English at King’s College, Cambridg
MONIQUE ROFFEY
In this episode we speak to the brilliant award-winning author and activist Monique Roffey. We hear a reading from her brilliant latest novel Passiontide, as well as discussing her creative writing process and gleaning some gems of advice for would-be writers.Follow MoniqueMonique Roffey, FRSL, is an award-winning Trinidadian born British writer of novels, essays, literary journalism and a memoir.
MARCIA HUTCHINSON
This week we speak with the absolute force of nature that is author Marcia Hutchinson. From Zumba, yoga and spin to writing brilliant books. We hear a reading from her new novel The Mercy Step, plus talk about the process of co-authoring The Blackbirds of St Giles - plus an absolute lightbulb moment tip for hitting your daily word count!Follow MarciaMarcia Hutchinson was born to Windrush generatio
JENNIFER COX
We hope you enjoy our conversation with author, podcast host and psychotherapist Jennifer Cox. We hear a reading from her phenomenal book Women Are Angry and get the lowdown on how the book came about and how she writes.Follow JenniferJennifer Cox is a UK psychotherapist and author of Women Are Angry, The Times and Sunday Times Best Self-Help Book of the Year. She co-hosts the hit global podcast W
KIA ABDULLAH
We speak to the wonderful Kia Abdullah about how to write a page turner, being a travel writer and the threat of AI. Follow KiaKia Abdullah is a bestselling author and travel writer. Her novels include Take It Back, a Guardian and Telegraph thriller of the year; Truth Be Told, which was shortlisted for the Diverse Book Awards; and Next of Kin, which won the Adult Fiction Diverse Book Award, and wa
JO MIDDLETON
Listen to this bonus festive episode with Jo Middleton author of Happy Bloody Christmas! We talk about her incredibly speedy novel writing process, challenges going from blog to book, and her brilliant advice to just get cracking!
Follow Jo @jomiddletonauthor
Jo Middleton is a writer, bookshop manager, creative writing teacher and mum of two daughters. She lives in Somerset with her three cats,
LIZZIE DAMILOLA BLACKBURN
This week we are in conversation with brilliant Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, on all aspects of her creative writing process, watching reality TV as research and fitting the writing in around everything else.
Follow Lizzie @lizziedamiblackburn
Lizzie Damilola Blackburn is a British-Nigerian charity worker turned author who grew up in south London and now lives with her husband and young son in Milt
ROSANNA AMAKA
This week Anna and Sam chat creative writing with wonderful author Rosanna Amaka. Tune in for our conversation about writing to a deadline (or not), finding inspiration in unexpected places and writing your way out of a creative block.
Follow Rosanna @rosannaamaka
Rosanna Amaka is a writer from London, and is of African and Caribbean heritage. Her debut novel ‘The Book of Echoes’, was shortliste
RESHMA RUIA
In this episode Anna and Sam chat with fabulour author Reshma Ruia. We talk about her writing from poetry, to short stories to novels and not forgetting her PhD. Reshma shares her wisdom on the writing process.
Follow Reshma @reshma_ruia_writer
Dr. Reshma Ruia is a Manchester based British writer of Indian origin. She has a PhD and Master’s in Creative Writing from Manchester University. Her f
KATE MORRISON
In this episode Anna and Sam chat with the lovely Kate Morrison about researching her novel it before and after the dawn of the internet, having a slow process and the different experience of writing historical vs 1990s fiction.
Follow Kate @katecmorri
Kate Morrison's debut historical novel A Book of Secrets was published in 2019 by Jacaranda Books and longlisted for the Historical Writers Assoc
DISHA BOSE
This week Anna and Sam speak with fabulous author Disha Bose. We talk about writing with a young baby, finding inspiration in parenting forums and when to follow the shiny new idea.
Follow Disha @dishabossy
Disha Bose was born and raised in India. She worked in the tech industry for a few years before deciding to pursue her dream of writing a novel. She lives in Ireland now, her first novel Dirt
KATE SAWYER
This week we talk to brilliant author Kate Sawyer, about killing your darlings, doing character development work by watching reality TV and breaking your novel down into manageable chunks.
Follow Kate @mskatesawyer
Kate Sawyer worked as an actor and theatre and events producer, before writing several short films and then turning her hand to fiction. Her debut novel, The Stranding, was shortliste
REBECCA RYAN
This week we chat with ever so lovely Rebecca Ryan about prioritising her writing, her way into being published and the cost of a tin of beans.
Follow Rebecca @becsryanauthor
Rebecca Ryan is the author of two uplifting fiction novels. My (extra) Ordinary Life was out last year and The Philosophy of Love is her more recent work. She left a career in teaching to write full time and lives in Bradfo
EFFIE BLACK
In this episode Anna and Sam talk to Women's Prize longlisted author Effie Black about how it felt for her debut In Defense of the Act to be nominated and her route to writing it. Plus she helps Sam out with her book group homework.
Follow Effie @effie_black_
Effie Black is a London-based writer with a background in science. She enjoys writing from a queer perspective and she likes bringing a
CHIKODILI EMELUMADU
This week Anna and Sam chat to Chikodili Emelumadu about her brilliant book Dazzling and the process of writing it. Also the wisdom of leaning into your stage of life.
Follow Chikodili @chikodiliemelumadu
Chikọdịlị Emelụmadụ was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire and raised in Awka, Nigeria. Her work has been shortlisted for the Shirley Jackson Awards (2015), the Caine Prize for African Literature (
LOLA JAYE
This week Anna and Sam chat to Lola Jaye about her writing process, from finding inspiration in the National Portrait Gallery, to interviewing family members and making time to write.
Follow Lola @lola.jaye
Lola Jaye is a critically acclaimed author, registered psychotherapist and speaker who has penned six novels and a self-help book.
She was born and raised in London, England and has lived in
ELLA FOOTE
In this episode Anna and Sam chat to Ella Foote, about all things writing. Dive in to hear how Ella turned her passion for open water swimming into a career writing about it, how she juggles writing around her busy life and the importance of a deadline.
Follow Ella @ellachloeswims
Ella Foote is an author, editor and outdoor swimming expert. She is Editor at Outdoor Swimmer magazine, the world’s o
PAM WILLIAMS
Welcome to a brand new series of Forthwrite, the podcast formerly known as Writing Around The Kids. In this episode Anna and Sam talk with Women's Prize long-listed authour Pam Williams, about finding the right way to tell her family's story, the value of feedback and how she squeezes writing into her busy schedule.
Find Pam @pamwilliamsauthor
Pam is a Grenadian heritage writer born i
MIRA SHAH
Sam and Anna chat to Mira Shah about writing her debut novel during the pandemic and working around a full time job.
Mira V Shah is a #1 bestselling author and legal writer who lives in North London with her husband, three good dogs and a mediocre cat. She studied History at the University of Warwick before practising as a City lawyer. During the pandemic, Mira wrote her first ever novel, HER, a
HANNAH EATON
This week Anna and Sam dive into a brilliant chat with graphic novelist Hannah Eaton. We find out her process of drawing and writing stories, including making time to write and the importance of reality TV! Plus an exclusive reading from Hannah’s short story Senior Boys.
Hannah Eaton has written and illustrated two acclaimed graphic novels: Naming Monsters (MyriadEditions, 2013) was shortlisted
LUCE BRETT
Anna and Sam talk to Luce Brett about writing from personal experience and becoming an advocate for women's health.
Luce is the author of PMSL the first incontinence memoir. It was published by Green Tree an imprint of Bloomsbury in 2020. PMSL was her first book and has been influential with healthcare professionals as well as patients and many women and men have contacted her to say it made them
UJU ASIKA
In this episode Sam and Anna speak with the wonderful Uju Asika, about her love of 'wild' writing, how much of yourself to put into your work and the joy of bringing a picture book into the world, plus Uju reads from her brilliant book Raising Boys Who Do Better.
Uju is a multi-award nominated blogger, writer, speaker and creative consultant. She is the creator of the popular family blog Babes Ab
CATHY HAYWARD
Anna and Sam speak to Cathy Hayward about her writing process, getting up early and running an independent
bookshop. Plus enjoy a reading from her novel The Girl in the Maze.
Cathy trained as a journalist and edited a variety of trade publications, several of which were so niche they were featured on Have I Got News for You. She then moved into the world of PR and set up an award-winning communi
NICOLA GILL
This week Anna and Sam chat with Nicola Gill about her writing process, her road to getting published and how it felt to get published during the pandemic. Plus a reading from her latest novel Swimming For Beginners.
Nicola lives in London with her husband and two sons. At the age of five, when all the other little girls wanted to be ballet dancers, she decided she wanted to be an author. Her bal
JACQUELINE CROOKS
Anna and Sam chat to Women's Prize 2022 short-listed author Jacqueline Crooks about her creative process, keeping her writing free and we hear a reading from her novel Fire Rush.
Jacqueline was born in Jamaica and grew up in 70s and 80s Southall, part of London's migrant community, carving out a space through music, where she raved at dub reggae dances. She has carved out a career for herself in
PHILIPPA EAST
This week we chat to fabulous Philippa East, about balancing her writing and psychology practices, creating great characters and we hear a reading from I'll Never Tell.
Philippa grew up in Scotland and originally studied Psychology and Philosophy at the University of Oxford. After graduating, she moved to London to train as a Clinical Psychologist and worked in NHS mental health services for over
ELIZABETH HAYNES
On our episode this week we chat with wonderful Elizabeth Haynes. Our chat takes in NaNoWriMo, writing across genres and the freedom that can be found writing without a plan. Plus a reading from her latest novel You Me And The Sea.
Elizabeth is a former police intelligence analyst who lives in Norfolk with her husband and son. Her first novel, Into the Darkest Corner, was Amazon’s Best Book of th
NICOLA WILLIAMS
In this episode Anna and Sam chat to the brilliant Nicola Williams about writing in a busy schedule and serendipity, plus a reading from her novel Until Proven Innocent.
Nicola is a part-time Crown Court Judge, author, and sits on numerous boards as a non executive director.
She has been listed as one of the 100 most influential Black people in the UK.
After a successful career at the Bar (incl
ANNIE GARTHWAITE
This week Anna and Sam chat to wonderful Annie Garthwaite, about her long journey to writing, her process and whether she thinks its ok to make things up in historical fiction. Episode also includes reading from her book Cecily.
Annie Garthwaite grew up in a working-class community in the north east of England. She studied English at the University of Wales before embarking on a thirty-year inter
KIT DE WAAL
Join us for this brand new series of Writing Around The Kids Podcast, to kick us off we chat with the ever so wonderful Kit de Waal. Listen for her reading from My Name Is Leon and a valuable insight into what makes her tick as a writer.
Kit de Waal, born to an Irish mother and Caribbean father, was brought up among the Irish community of Birmingham in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Her debut novel My Name I
SHARON DUGGAL
This week Anna and Sam chat to Sharon Duggal.
Sharon writes novels and short stories. Her second novel, Should We Fall Behind (2020, Bluemoose Books) was shortlisted for the Royal Society of Literature’s 2021 Encore Award, selected for Between the Covers, BBC television’s flagship book show and chosen as a Prima Magazine Book of the Year. Her debut, The Handsworth Times was The Morning Star’s Fict
JOSIE LLOYD
Anna and Sam talk to Josie Lloyd about writing, sea swimming and landing a huge book deal for her debut novel.
Josie Lloyd is the best selling author of over 20 novels and several parodies which she co-wrote with her husband, Emlyn Rees including 'We're Going On A Bar Hunt' and 'The Very Hungover Caterpillar'. Also with Emlyn she wrote the nineties rom-hit Come Together which was published in 26
LOUISE FEIN
This week Anna and Sam chat to Louise Fein about writing historical fiction and where she finds her inspiration. Find her Tik Tok series on writing tips here https://www.tiktok.com/@louise.fein.author
Louise writes twentieth century historical fiction, based around unheard voices, or from unusual perspectives. Her debut novel, People Like Us (entitled Daughter of the Reich in the US/Canada edit
JACQUELINE ROY
Jacqueline Roy was born and raised in London. Her father was Jamaican and her mother was English and she comes from a family of writers. She hated the pressure to conform at school and left early, so she did her degrees as a mature student and moved to Manchester to take up a full-time teaching post at Manchester Metropolitan University.
She lectured in English for many years, specialising in post
LISA JEWELL
On this week's episode Anna and Sam chat to fabulous Lisa Jewell, about her amazing career, her creepy characters and writing by the seat of her pants. As well as a reading from her novel The Family Remains.
Lisa Jewell is a New York Times and Sunday Times No 1 bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over twenty-five languages. Lisa has written a number of dark psychological thrill
ANDREINA CORDANI
Writing chat with this week’s guest Andreina Cordani, about writing for young adults and her dubious browser history.
Before writing her first novel, Andreina Cordani was a senior editor and writer for women’s magazines including Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan, where her assignments included interviewing gun-toting moms on the school run, ordering illegal DIY Botox online and learning to do th
GILLIAN HARVEY
We talk to Gillian Harvey about how she writes around her five children.
After graduating from university in 2000 with a degree in English literature, Gillian Harvey trained as a secondary school teacher. She worked in the profession until 2009, when she decided (on the spur of the moment) to move to France with husband Ray.
It was there she began working as a freelance writer and has since built
KATE LEE
Anna and Sam talk to Kate Lee about what it is to write for different age ranges and how she finds inspiration for her novels.
Kate is the author of six books for children including the best-selling Santa's Suit which sold 291,000 copies in 7 languages and the popular Snappy pop-up series. Her short stories and poetry have won awards at Shoreham Litfest, the WRITE Festival and the Bath Flash Awar
LORRAINE BROWN
We chat to Lorraine about writing in lockdown and using your neighbours for inspiration.
Lorraine lives in London with her partner and their 10-year-old son. She previously trained as an actress and has recently completed a postgraduate diploma in psychodynamic counselling. THE PARIS CONNECTION is her debut novel and was published in the UK by Orion Fiction in February 2021 and in the US by G.P. P
LAURA WILKINSON
Anna and Sam talk to novelist Laura Wilkinson about her process as well as hearing her read from her novel, Crossing the Line.
Laura Wilkinson is a feminist and lover of ginger hair. A resident of a shabby quarter of Brighton, she likes to write stories which entertain and provide food for thought. Her novels are Crossing the Line, The Family Line, Redemption Song and Skin Deep. Crossing the Lin
CATHERINE COOPER
Catherine Cooper chats to Sam and Anna about her process and setting her books in glamorous places.
Catherine Cooper is Sunday Times Bestseller of thrillers The Chalet and The Chateau, her new book The Cruise was published by Harper Collins this autumn and she is currently working on a fourth thriller set in the Maldives. Her children are aged 20 and 18 and they all live in the South of France.
VICTORIA DOWD
Join Anna and Sam for this chat with Victoria Dowd, journey with us into Victoria's brilliant/bonkers writing process.
Victoria is the award-winning author of the No.1 bestselling Smart Woman’s Mystery series. Her debut novel, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Murder, won The People’s Book Prize for fiction 2021 and was named In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel’s Book of the Year 2020. Victoria was aw
JUDITH BRYAN
In the first episode of season two, Anna and Sam chat to Judith Bryan.
Judith Bryan’s short fiction, non-fiction and poetry appear in various magazines and anthologies including publications by Penguin, Bloomsbury and Peepal Tree. Her debut novel, Bernard and the Cloth Monkey, won the 1998 Saga Prize – republished in 2021 for Penguin’s inaugural Black Britain: Writing Back series, curated by
LOU TONDEUR
Anna and Sam chat to Lou Tondeur about her process and inspiration, Lou shares some brilliant tips for writing including how traffic lights can help you manage your time. Lou reads from her book of short stories Unusual Places, the reading includes references to sex.
After doing a Creative Writing MA at The University of East Anglia in the noughties, Lou Tondeur published The Water’s Edge and The
SUSAN ALLOTT
In this episode Anna and Sam talk to Susan Allott about writing a thriller and how Australia has influenced her writing.
Susan Allott grew up on the south coast of England, then moved north to study English at Leeds University. In her late twenties she travelled to Australia, where she found work and settled for a while, despite her overwhelming homesickness. When she eventually returned to
VICTORIA SCOTT
This week Anna & Sam chat to the lovely Victoria Scott
Victoria has been a journalist for two decades, working for outlets including the BBC, Al Jazeera, Time Out and the Telegraph. She lives on a Thames island with her husband, two children and a cat called Alice, and when she's not writing she works as a university lecturer and copywriter. She has a degree in English from King's College Lond
HOLLY RACE
In this episode Anna and Sam talk to Holly Race. Holly reads from the first of her trilogy, Midnight's Twins.
Holly is an author and script editor, and has worked for companies including Working Title Films, Aardman Animations and Red Planet Pictures. She is a Faber Academy graduate, and her Young Adult trilogy, Midnight’s Twins, A Gathering Midnight and A Midnight Dark and Golden, is publis
NIKKI SMITH
This week Anna and Sam are chatting with Nikki Smith.
Nikki studied English Literature at Birmingham University, before pursuing a career in finance where she worked for companies including an investment bank and a trampoline park. Following a ‘now or never’ moment, she applied for a Curtis Brown Creative course where she started writing her debut novel All In Her Head which was pre-empted by Orio
ROSIE WALKER
in this episode Anna and Sam talk to Rosie Walker about her process, writing with a young baby and what's on her bookshelf, as well as hear her read from her novel, The House Fire.
ZOË SOMMERVILLE
In this episode Anna and Sam have all the writing chat with Zoë Sommerville, including a reading from her novel The Marsh House and some gentle advice about not being too hard on yourself when you've lost writing mojo.
Zoë Somerville is a writer and English teacher. Her debut novel, The Night of the Flood, was published in September 2020 by Head of Zeus. It is inspired by her home county, Norfolk
KILEY DUNBAR
In this episode Anna and Sam talk to Kiley Dunbar. Kiley reads from her novel, The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday and we discuss her writing and the power of romantic fiction.
Kiley Dunbar had published 6 contemporary romantic comedies with her publisher Hera Canelo. She is Scottish and lives in the North of England with her partner and two children. Her debut, One Summer’s Night, was nominated f
JO CLEGG
This week Anna and Sam are chatting all things writing with Jo Clegg. Listen to hear Jo read an extract from her brand new book, as well as how writing is like decorating the kitchen and for a wonderful tip for getting yourself unstuck.
Jo’s brief stint as a stand-up comic ended when a promoter told her she was really funny until she got on stage. After ten years as a producer in TV and radio come
REBECCA LEY
This week Anna and Sam chat to Rebecca Ley and she reads from her new novel The Trip, which is out now as an Ebook.
Rebecca has been a journalist for twenty years after starting her career at The Times Magazine and then moving to staff roles at other newspapers. Since going freelance in 2009 she’s written for a wide variety of outlets, including a column in The Guardian’s now-defunct Family
BETH MILLER
In this episode Beth Miller reads an extract from 'The Woman Who Came Back to Life' and chats to Anna and Sam about the nuts and bolts of her writing process.
Beth has published eight books with four different publishers: one of the Big Five, an indie, a digital first publisher, and a commercial non-fiction pile ’em high press. She has bumped across genres, from women’s commercial and
EVE AINSWORTH
In this episode Anna and Sam chat to Eve Ainsworth. Eve reads chapter 1 of her latest book Duckling and we talk all things writing.
Eve Ainsworth is an award-winning and Carnegie nominated children’s author, for both middle grade and teen readers. She has vast experience working as a public speaker and creative workshop coordinator for schools, libraries and other events both nationally and
LISA ALLEN AGOSTINI
Welcome to the very first episode of our podcast. In this episode we chat to Women's Prize for Fiction 2022 shortlisted author the very fabulous Lisa Allen Agostini.
Lisa Allen-Agostini is a writer, editor and stand-up comedian. Her books include The Bread the Devil Knead (Myriad Editions UK), Home Home (Delacorte Press), Swallowing the Sky (Cane Arrow Press) and Trinidad Noir (Akashic
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