Not Too Busy To Write

Stacey Heale is a fashion academic and writer whose husband Greg was diagnosed with terminal cancer when their youngest daughter was just a baby. Greg died 5 years later. In her memoir Now Is Not The Time For Flowers, Stacey writes about the big conversations that arise from imminent death. In this epsiode Stacey and I talk about writing about the dead, abandoning the typical memoir structure and the very funny side of a very dark experience. Now Is Not The Time For Flowers is out March 28thLinksNow Is Not The Time For Flowers - Stacey HealeStacey Heale on Instagram @stacey_healeNot Too Busy To Write on Substack - pennywincer.substack.com

Jesse Sutanto is the best selling author of Dial A for Aunties and Vera Wang's Unsolicited Advise for Murders and the winner of the Comic Writer in Print Award 2021. Jesse and I chat about her latest book in her very funny Aunties crime series The Good, The Bad and The Auntie, about her journey from Oxford MFA in Creative Writing, to leaning into her irreverent funny side and the success it led to. We also talk about writing drafts in 5 weeks (yes 5 weeks!!), the joy of sharing her Indo-Chinese culture with the rest fo the world and her favourite funny authors.LinksThe Good, The Bad and The Aunties - Jesse SutantoDial A For Aunties - Jesse SutantoVera Wang's Unsolicited Advice for Murders - Jesse SutantoJesse Sutanto on Instagram @jesseqsutantoNot Too Busy To Write on Substack pennywincer.substack.comWrite Your Non-Fiction Book Proposal with Penny Wincer is at 7pm March 27th Book you place here - pennywincerwrites.com/workshopsPodcast listeners can use the code TOOBUSY at checkout to receive £5 off

Charlotte Wood is an award winning Australian author of 10 books including the 2016 Stella Prize winner The Natural Way of Things and the 2020 international bestseller The Weekend. Her latest novel Stone Yard Devotional is about a woman who abandons her life, her marriage, her career and retreats to a religious community in a remote area of Australia, where she grew up. Charlotte and I talk about the themes that come up in her work, how her craft has changed over the course of her career, why it's so important to her to not over explain to the reader and of course, her favourite Australian fiction writers.LinksStone Yard Devotional - Charlotte WoodThe Weekend - Charlotte WoodThe Natural Way of Things - Charlotte WoodThe Writers Room - Charlotte WoodThe Slap - Christos TsiolkasThe Golden Age - Joan LondonThe Good Parents - Joan LondonThe Conversion - Amanda LohreyCharlotte Wood's Substack - charlottewood.substack.comcharlottewoodauthor.com.auNot Too Busy To Write on Substack - pennywincer.substack.com

Tamu Thomas is a transformational coach whose debut book Women Who Work Too Much helps over-achieving, over-functioning women set boundaries, find joy and flourish. In this conversation we talk about natural (rather than toxic) productivity, radical rest and why work (not over work) can be a positive thing. This is such an important conversation for those of us who are writers and have blurred boundaries between work, rest and play.LinksWomen Who Work Too Much - Tamu ThomasTamu on Instagram @tamu.thomasTamu on TikTok @tamu_thomasBook your place on the Non-fiction Book Proposal Workshop 27th March 2024 7pm Discount code for podcast listeners - TOOBUSY pennywincerwrites.com/workshopsNot Too Busy to Write on Substack - pennywincer.substack.com

Author Bijal Shah is a trained Bibliotherapist who brings the power of reading into the therapy room. It's a technique that dates back to Ancient Greece and Bijal shares some of the tools and techniques she uses in todays episode. Certain that reading is a big part of your mental wellbeing? You will love this episode which does a deep dive into why books matter and how we can get the most out of our reading experience.LinksBibliotherapy: The healing power of reading by Bijal ShahBijal Shah's websiteNot Too Busy To Write on Substack pennywincer.substack.com

Amy Arthur is an award winning writer and science journalist whose new book Pace Yourself is a practical guide to pacing - a tool developed to the manage symptoms of chronic illnesses like ME/CFS which Amy was diagnosed with as a teenager. This is such an important (and practical) conversation, not just for those who are managing chronic illnesses but for any writer juggling writing alongside many other responsibilities, who constantly feel like they never have quite enough energy.LinksPace Yourself - Amy ArthurAmy Arthur on Instagram @a_e_arthurNot Too Busy To Write on Substack pennywincer.substack.comPenny on Instagram @pennywincer

Jessica Bull's debut novel Miss Austen Investigates sets Jane Austen up as an amateur sleuth, when a dead woman is discovered at a ball and her beloved brother is arrested and facing the noose. I had so much fun talking to Jessica about the challenges of blending fact and fiction, her passion of Jane Austen (and the books and films that have been inspired by her) and the pleasures of researching late Georgian England. Miss Austen Investigates is a delight and is out nowLinksMiss Austen Investigates - Jessica BullJessica Bull on Instagram @jessicabullnovelistJessica Bull on Twitter @NovelistJessicaNot Too Bust To Write on Substack - pennywincer.substack.comBook coaching with Penny Wincer - pennywincerwrites.com

Katherine May is the Sunday Times and New York Times best selling author of Enchantment. Today we talk about the challenges of writing a follow up to her phenomenal bestseller Wintering, the importance of writers being open about the constraints they face, especially successful authors and advocating for accessibility while promoting your work. We also do a deep dive into Substack and why Katherine loves it so much and the importance of writers getting paid for their work.linksEnchantment - Katherine MayWintering - Katherine MayThe Electricity of Every Living Thing - Katherine MayThe Clearing - Katherine's SubstackKatherine May's Accessibility and Language GuideNot Too Busy To Write on SubstackPenny Wincer's book coaching - pennywincerwrites.com

Marisa Bate is a freelance journalist, women's rights advocate and author of Wild Hope. Part memoir, part reportage and part social history, Wild Hope tells the story of expanding and contracting women's rights in America through two bus journey's across the mid west - one by Marisa's mother in the 70s and the other, by Marisa in 2021. In this episode Marisa talks about finding hope in dark times, keeping faith in action and writing your own story when it so intertwined with the stories of others.LinksWild Hope - Marisa BateWriting About Women - Marisa Bate's substackNot Too Busy To Write on SubstackNon-fiction writing coaching with Penny - pennywincerwrites.comPenny on instagram @pennywincer

Laura Bates is a Sunday Times Bestselling author, an activist and speaker. Laura founded the Everyday Sexism Project in 2012 and has gone on to write multiple best selling non-fiction books about gender equality. She has spoken in the United Nations, the Houses of Parliament, is regularly called on to provide evidence for parliamentary reports and has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her work on gender equality. Laura also writes Young Adult fiction and today we are discussing her latest novel Sisters of Sword and Shadow and why she's so passionate about writing for young people, the incredible power of storytelling and why activism needs fiction as well as non-fiction. LinksSisters of Sword and Shadow - Laura BatesFix the System, Not the Women - Laura BatesMen Who Hate Women - Laura BatesEveryday Sexism - Laura BatesThe Burning - Laura BatesGlitch Charity - Promoting Online Safety for women and girls Not Too Busy To Write on Substack Penny on Instagram @pennywincer

Award winning writer Huma Qureshi returns to the podcast to discuss her debut novel Playing Games, a story about two sisters, their very different ways of processing grief and the question over whether it's ok for a writer to take from real life. We talk about the challenges of moving from short to long form fiction, the pluses (and minuses) of having a two book deal and the pleasures of writing about a writer. Huma is also a brilliant creative writing teacher and we discuss her style as a teacher and some of her favourite book recommendations for writers. Playing Games is out Nov 9thLinksPlaying Games - Huma QureshiThings We Do Not Tell The People We Love - Huma QureshiHow We Met - Huma QureshiHuma's creative writing classes Sign Up to Dear Huma newsletterHuma Qureshi on Not Too Busy To Write in 2021Recommended BooksAmerican Wife - Curtis SittenfeldHelp Yourself - Curtis SittenfeldWriters and Lovers - Lily KingDear Life - Alice MonroeUnaccustomed Earth - Jhumpa Lahiri

What's it like to publish a book as an expert in your field? Karen Haller is a behavioural colour and design psychology expert and is the author of The Little Book of Colour. Karen and I talk about some of the highs and lows of traditional publishing, some of the particular challenges she faced, as well as the many opportunities it opened up for her when her book became a huge success and was published in 14 languages. We also dive into what colour psychology is and how the book fits into Karen's aim to help people be less afraid of using colour. LinksThe Little Book of Colour - Karen HallerKaren Haller's website and newsletterDownload a free ebook on Colour MythsKaren Haller on Instagram @karen_haller_colourPenny's Cornish Writing Retreat Feb 2024 - pennywincerwrites.com/retreatYou can sign up to Penny's Substack Not Too Busy To Write

Kate Sawyer is novelist and podcaster with a background in theatre producing and acting. Her first novel The Stranding was shortlisted for the Costa first novel award in 2021 and today we are talking about her second novel This Family. We talk about how her career in theatre has fed into her work as a novelist, genre expectations and how being a solo mother by choice made her rethink how she was going to earn a living and flex her creative muscles.Kate is the host of the wonderful podcast Novel Experience - if you are a fan of Not Too Busy To Write, then this is right up your street. Available on all your favourite podcast feeds.linksThis Family - Kate SawyerThe Stranding - Kate SawyerNovel Experience podcast with Kate SawyerFollow Kate on Instagram - @mskatesawyerFollow Penny on Instagram - @pennywincerSign up to Not Too Busy To Write on Substack

Marchelle Farrell's debut memoir Uprooting is about a year of tremendous upheaval and Marchelle's attempt to find home in a garden. In this conversation, we talk about vulnerability in the garden and on the page, identity in medicine and as a writer and how Marchelle's garden gave her a new perspective on colonialism. Uprooting is out now. LinksUprooting - Marchelle FarrellMarchelle on Instagram @afroliageMarchelle on Substack - AfroliagePenny on Instagram @pennywincerPenny's Newsletter

Daisy Buchanan is an award winning journalist, author and broadcaster who has had a varied writing career beginning in teen magazines, and now as a novelist. She's also the host of the chart topping podcast You're Booked - one of my favourite podcasts of all time.We talk about Daisy's move from journalist and non-fiction author to fiction, and how terrifying that was, the joys and challenges of writing about sex and the importance of reading for pleasure when you're a writer. Daisy is also very open about the highs and lows of her publishing career and how not everything has been smooth sailing. LinksCareering - Daisy BuchananInsatiable - Daisy BuchananLimelight - Daisy Buchanan (pre-order)You're Booked PodcastPeter Hujar's Day - Linda RosenkrantzKick The Latch - Kathryn ScanlanDaisy Buchanan on Instagram @thedaisybeePenny Wincer on Instagram @pennywincer

Are you tearing your hair out about social media? Do you want to use it to grow your profile as a writer or shout about your book but it makes you uncomfortable? Nicola Washington is a social media marketer and she is passionate about helping writers get their work out into the world. As she says in this episode, after the immense hard work of writing a book, what a huge waste if nobody hears about it!This is a hugely practical episode looking at strategy, building genuine relationships and creating community to help you spread your ideas, share your work and create meaningful change through the power of social media.LinksNicola on instagram @toomuch_socialNicola's personal account on instagram @toomuchmotheringinformationInstagram with Impact WorkshopWork with NicolaInstagram accounts mentioned@joanna_wolfarth@emilyhenrywritesPenny on Instagram @pennywincerPenny's weekly writing newsletter pennywincerwrites.comNon-fiction Retreat with Penny Wincer - easeretreats.com

Suzy Reading is a chartered psychologist, yoga teacher and coach whose work all centres around giving people the skills to nourish themselves. Her latest book is Rest to Reset: The busy persons guide to pausing with purpose. As well as talking about Suzy's journey from expert to author of 8 books, we talk about what rest actually looks like, the problem with the current conversations around burnout and moving towards the idea of rest as rebalancing, and that is going to look different for everyone. We also talk about relationship building in publishing, saying yes to opportunities and growing your authority as an expert in your field.Links:Rest To Reset - Suzy ReadingSelf-care Revolution - Suzy ReadingThis Book Will (Help) Make You Happy - Suzy ReadingYou can find Suzy on Instagram @suzyreadingYou can find Penny on Instagram @pennywincerSign up to penny's newsletter here - pennywincerwrites.com

Joanna Wolfarth is a cultural historian with a PhD in Southeast Asian art history. Her first book Milk: An intimate history of breastfeeding is a fascinating look at the social, historical and cultural contexts for this very personal of experiences, through art, philosophy, folk wisdom and interviews.Joanna talks about how needing to make sense of the experience of new motherhood, led to a furious dive into the research between feeds and in tiny snatches of time when her baby slept, how motherhood made her fearless when it came to writing and non-fiction that seeks to ask questions, rather than provide all of the answers.LinksMilk: An intimate history of breastfeedingJoanna Wolfarth on Instagram @joanna_wolfarthPenny on Instagram @pennywincerSign up for Penny's weekly writing newsletter here pennywincerwrites.com

Lucy Werner is a PR expert and founder of The Wern, an agency specialising in PR and branding for creative small businesses. Lucy is not only an expert at book PR but also a published author herself and in this episode Lucy shares what she has learned about book PR and marketing from both sides. From building your authority and your brand before you publish, to promoting a book that already exists in the world, Lucy is a goldmine of information on how best to spread the word and get people buying your books. Her infectious enthusiasm and fun approach to an area that many writers find daunting, will have you dipping your toes in the PR waters.LinksHype Yourself: A no-nonsense PR toolkit for small businesses - Lucy WernerBrand Yourself - A non-nonsense brand toolkit for small businesses - Lucy Werner and Hadrian Chatelet The Wern Agency Lucy Werner on Instagram @lucywernerprPenny on instagram @pennywincerPenny's weekly writing newsletter - pennywincerwrites.com

Catherine Newman is a writer with a varied career including two parenting memoirs and a middle grade novel. She had written for the New York Times, O Magazine, The Boston Globe and was a columnist for Real Simple Magazine. Her debut novel We All Want Impossible Things is the story of Ash, whose best friend Edi is dying of cancer. Set over a few weeks in a hospice, this book is filled with laughter and heartbreak. Catherine and I talk about the relief of laughing in the face of death, learning to embrace your natural writing voice and the how years of having to make a living from writing has had a positive impact on Catherine's daily writing habit. We All Want Impossible Things is out now.Ease Retreat - Non-fiction with Penny Wincer, Wales, April 20-23 2023We All Want Impossible Things - Catherine Newman#AmWriting Podcast Love, Nina - Nina Stibbe Catherine Newman on instagram - @catherinenewmanCatherine's website - catherinenewmanwriter.comPenny on instagram - @pennywincerPenny's newsletter