London Writers' Salon

What does it mean to turn a life of art, love, and loss into story? How do we write honestly about the people who shaped us? And what can theater teach us about the art of memoir?In her debut memoir No Stars in Jefferson Park (Northwestern University Press), writer and professor Maggie Andersen tells a Chicago coming-of-age story that alternates between the exhilaration of founding a theater company and the devastating realities of loss, resilience, and rebuilding.In this conversation with Maggie Andersen, we discuss the craft of storytelling at the intersection of theater and memoir, what it means to write through loss, and the risks and revelations of choosing your own story.Resources and Links:No Stars in Jefferson Park About Maggie AndersenMaggie Andersen has published fiction and nonfiction in magazines such as Salt Hill, Blood Orange, the Los Angeles Review, Creative Nonfiction, Grain, Cutbank, and DIAGRAM. She has been a finalist for the Montana Prize for Nonfiction and has been nominated twice for the Pushcart Prize. She is an Associate Professor of English at Dominican University and an ensemble member at the Gift Theatre. Her debut memoir, No Stars in Jefferson Park, was published by Northwestern University Press in October 2025.   For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

The Diary of a CEO’s Director of Trailers, Anthony Smith, on capturing attention in the first few seconds, building cliffhangers and emotional momentum that keep audiences watching (or reading), and testing hooks and packaging without losing trust or story.You'll learn:Why you only have 3–5 seconds to earn attention, and what that changes about your opening lines and first scenes.How to take the guesswork out of hooks by testing titles and thumbnails to see what audiences actually care about.Ways to pull a more compelling later moment forward and work in reverse when the early material is setup.What makes a cliffhanger work across books and videos, and how to raise the stakes so people feel “gutted” not knowing the answer.How to build an “emotional rollercoaster” so the narrative never flatlines.Why sound and silence can help storytelling work, creating intensity and then giving the audience space to breathe.How to balance intrigue with respect for your audience by offering a “moment of value” instead of holding everything back.Why giving away too much can kill curiosity, and how to protect the reason someone keeps reading or watching.Resources and Links:📄 Interview transcriptMichael Bublé on The Diary of a CEO The Diary of a CEO YouTube ChannelJürgen Klopp on The Diary of a CEOSimon Kernick books Peter James BooksAnnie Jacobsen on The Diary of a CEOCreativity, Inc by Ed Catmull The Chimp Paradox by Steve PetersIncrease Your Productivity! Playlist - The Diary of a CEO CapCut for DesktopAdobe Premiere ProAnthony’s LinkedIn About Anthony SmithAnthony Smith is Director of Trailers at The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett, where he leads storytelling through video for one of the world’s most-watched podcasts, and his work spans Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Sky, and Netflix. Through talks and consulting, he helps creators and brands combine narrative craft with human psychology to make emotionally engaging, purposeful content. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Poet, novelist, and broadcaster Salena Godden on turning love, grief, and fury into books and poems, surviving years in the wilderness before publication, and sustaining a boundaryless creative life through performance, early-morning writing, and community.You'll learn:Why you don’t have to be a “starving artist” and how to make powerful work while loving yourself and looking after your health.How to treat your story as uniquely yours, with material that no one else can reproduce.How Salena’s “rule of three” can help you balance meaning, generosity, and income in a creative career.Ways to draft poems and prose from an image or phrase and reshape darker early drafts into a final piece.How to write for “tomorrow you” first, using self-doubt and a critical future self as fuel for deeper revision.What it looks like to carry a memoir from years of rejection to publication without letting the work disappear.How to “compose on the lips” by walking, speaking drafts into your phone, and writing in the space between sleep and waking.Ways to ground yourself after writing emotionally charged work, including nature, slow rituals, and leaning on trusted loved ones.Resources and Links:📑Interview TranscriptSalena’s Books: Mrs Death Misses DeathPessimism is for LightweightsWith Love, Grief and FurySpringfield Road - A Poet's Childhood RevisitedFishing in the AftermathSalena's Instagram Poets, Musicians, and Authors mentioned: Jock ScottShane MacGowanJohn Cooper ClarkeNeneh CherryJoelle TaylorJenni FaganCider with Rosie by Laurie LeeBurning Eye BooksNational Theatre At Home - Medea (Greek Tragedy)Salena’s Roaring 20s Radio Show (Soho Radio)About Salena Godden:Salena Godden FRSL is an award-winning novelist, poet, and broadcaster of mixed Jamaican–Irish heritage, and the author of the acclaimed debut novel Mrs Death Misses Death, which won the Indie Book Awards for Fiction and the People’s Book Prize and was shortlisted for the British Book Awards and the Gordon Burn Prize. Her books include the poetry collections Pessimism is for Lightweights – 30 Pieces of Courage and Resistance and With Love, Grief and Fury, and the literary childhood memoir Springfield Road: A Poet’s Childhood Revisited, and she is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, a Patron of Hastings Book Festival, and an Honorary Fellow of West Dean, Sussex.    For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Award-winning poet Mary Jean Chan on emotional truth in contemporary poetry, the imagery and juxtaposition that hold big feelings on the page, writing queerness, family and grief with care, and what submissions and prize judging reveal about poems that endure.You'll learn:Why emotional truth sits at the centre of Mary Jean’s work and how you can use it as a compass in your own poems.How to move from a single striking line into a finished poem by working on rhythm, line breaks, and imagery.What juxtaposition and understatement can do for poems about grief and other intense subjects (and how to avoid tipping into melodrama).How to decide whether a memory or idea belongs in a poem, a short story, or another form.Ways to write about queerness, family, and other vulnerable themes while setting boundaries that protect your relationships and your wellbeing.How to approach submissions, rejections, and prize lists so they support a long-term poetry practice rather than define your worth.What reading and judging for major prizes can teach you about sentences, images, and books that stand out in a crowded field.How to sustain a poetry life alongside teaching, study, and care by staying attentive to everyday moments and small pockets of time.Resources and Links:📑Interview TranscriptAdrienne RichPoetry SchoolNight Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong Submit your work to FaberPity by Andrew McMillanBilly-Ray Belcourt National Poetry Competition The Window by Mary Jean Chan Seamus Heaney Mary OliverWestern Lane by Chetna Maroo Prophet Song by Paul Lynch Whereas by Layli Long Soldier Contact page  About Mary Jean ChanMary Jean Chan is the author of the poetry collections Flèche and Bright Fear; Flèche won the Costa Book Award for Poetry and was shortlisted for multiple international prizes, while Bright Fear was a Guardian Best Poetry Book of 2023 and shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best Collection, the Writers’ Prize, and the Dylan Thomas Prize. They co-edited 100 Queer Poems, co-wrote Siblings, teach poetry on the MSt in Creative Writing at the University of Oxford, and have judged major awards including the Booker Prize and the Dylan Thomas Prize. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Bestselling novelist Adele Parks on her writing life, routines and techniques, character work, and creative strategies that have kept her stories fresh and her readership devoted for over two decades.You'll learn:How Adele moved from imitating other writers to trusting her own voice and background.How loss and adversity can shape resilience and urgency in writing.Why Adele treats discipline as a secret weapon and uses daily word targets to deliver a book a year.How to test ideas and use character interviews to build stories.How Adele outlines chapters, tracks point of view balance, and keeps multiple narrators emotionally coherent.The truth about plot in commercial fiction and what to do if you feel like “nothing happens” in your writing.How to handle criticism and reviews while still writing primarily to fulfil yourself.Why Adele writes to connect with readers, what “adding to the sum of happiness” means to her, and how she stays grounded around money and success. Resources and Links:📑 Interview TranscriptAdele in Platinum MagazineRachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes Our Beautiful Mess by Adele ParksPlaying Away by Adele Parks Lies Lies Lies by Adele Parks Adele’s Instagram  About Adele ParksAdele Parks is the author of 25 bestselling novels, including the Sunday Times number one hits Lies Lies Lies and Just My Luck; over six million English editions of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into 31 languages. She is an ambassador for the National Literacy Trust and the Reading Agency in the UK, and in 2022 she was awarded an MBE for services to literature. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Self-published authors Anne Ditmeyer and Martin Lake share what it really takes to go indie, from choosing platforms and budgeting for editing, design, and ISBNs to redefining success, avoiding scams, and playing the long game of finding readers and building a sustainable writing life.  You'll learn:Why Anne and Martin chose self-publishing over traditional routes and how they framed readers as their gatekeepers.How both authors define success beyond bestseller lists, from “book as business card” to improving the craft across 25 books.The real timelines of an indie career, including slow early sales, backlist effects, and why self-publishing is a marathon, not a sprint.What a realistic budget looks like for editing, design, typesetting, audiobooks, and print on demand, plus where they chose to DIY or outsource.How they use platforms such as Kindle Direct Publishing, Lulu, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, and Shopify, and why most sales still come through Amazon.Practical approaches to marketing that do not require a huge following, including series, mailing lists, events, workshops, and using your existing communities.The role of ISBNs, imprints, metadata, and print on demand for getting into libraries and bookstores, and why in-store placement is harder than it looks.Red flags to watch for with third-party “publishing services” and why due diligence can save you thousands in fees and frustration.   Resources and Links:📑Interview TranscriptMartin Lake’s Author PageOverride by Anne DitmeyerReedsyLulu FiverrBlurb Bookshop.orgIngram SparkAnne Ditmeyer Resources About the panelists:Martin Lake is a historical novelist who discovered his love of history and writing early in life and later combined those interests after careers as a teacher, college lecturer, conference planner, and business owner. He has written 25 novels and several short story collections set from ancient Minoan times to the present day, earning around $275,000 in royalties, most of it from self-published ebooks, and now focuses on writing series fiction, running writing groups, and sharing what he has learned about the indie long game. Anne Ditmeyer is a Paris-based designer turned writer, creative coach, and workshop facilitator who is American by birth and French by “hard work.” She runs global creative workshops such as Write Your Own Rules and Mapping Your Path, is known for her playful “banana mapping” exercises, and in 2024 self-published her first book, Override: What if there was another way? A pocket playbook for possibility, using platforms like Lulu, IngramSpark, and Amazon to distribute a small-format book that doubles as a business card for her workshops and speaking.  For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Anna Davis, novelist, agent, and founder of Curtis Brown Creative, shares how to turn a messy first draft into a strong, market-ready novel through diagnostic editing, practical rewriting tools, and a clear understanding of what agents actually look for.You'll learn:Why every writer’s process is different (and why messy drafts are fine).How to diagnose problems mid-novel and bring a manuscript back to life.The Rewrite Doctor method: creating distance, interrogating your story, and planning the edit.How to stress-test structure, plot, and pacing without relying on rigid templates.Using prompts and “play” to loosen up when you’re stuck.How to choose between competing novel ideas and know which has real legs.What agents are truly looking for and how to make your submission stand out.Common myths about publishing (and what actually happens behind the scenes). Resources and Links:Curtis Brown Creative CoursesCBC Editorial Services Friend Request by Laura Marshall  The Rewrite Doctor CourseEdit and Pitch Your Novel Book a consultation with Curtis Brown CreativeWriters’ Hour  About Anna DavisAnna Davis is the founder and Director of Curtis Brown Creative, a leading UK writing school she launched in 2011. She’s the author of five novels published in twenty languages, a former journalist and Guardian columnist, and previously worked as a literary agent at Curtis Brown and a creative-writing lecturer at the University of Manchester. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Literary agent and author Kate McKean shares how to pitch like a human, read rejection letters usefully, and protect your joy so you can build a durable writing life. You'll learn:How to build a clear 1–2 line pitch others can repeat and sell.How to read rejection letters, spot strong notes, and decide when to revise.Query etiquette and timelines: when to follow up and how resubmissions work.Fixing weak nonfiction proposals with clearer scope, audience, and takeaway.Write for the reader: comp titles, positioning, and a useful synopsis.US vs UK agenting models and what that means for money and process.Why agents don’t steal ideas and why execution is what matters.Self-publishing realities: expectations, track records, and when it helps the book. Resources and Links:📑 Interview TranscriptAgents & Books SubstackMargo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi ThorpeWrite Through It Howard Morhaim Literary Agency  About Kate McKeanKate McKean is a literary agent at the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency, author of Write Through It, and the writer of the Agents & Books newsletter; she represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction and fields hundreds of queries each month. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Debut novelist Carys Shannon on how to stay true to your voice through submissions and agent feedback, why an editorially led indie press was the right home for her book, and the craft that brought it to life.We discuss:How to decide what your book wants to be and center its emotional life.Submission strategy after competitions: reading agent feedback without losing your vision.Indie presses 101: editorially led models, scale, and alignment.Contracts with a small press: advances, rights splits, and what to expect.Publicity with an indie: bespoke support and realistic reach.Craft choices that unlocked the book: first-person present vs close third, “killing your darlings.”Landscape as character.Redefining success through integrity of voice. Resources and Links:📑Interview TranscriptTruth Like WaterCree Hummingbird by Tristan Hughes Mslexia Indie Press GuideBig Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert  About Carys ShannonCarys Shannon is a Welsh writer whose debut novel Truth Like Water (Parthian Books) was longlisted for the Bath Novel Award and the Mslexia Novel Award, shortlisted for the Caledonia Novel Award, and winner of the Jericho Writers Festival of Writing Prize. Her short fiction has appeared with Honno Press, Parthian Books, and Mslexia Magazine, with work broadcast on BBC Radio 4. She’s originally from North Gower, Swansea, and divides her time between Wales and the Spanish Pyrenees. About Parthian BooksParthian is an independent, editorially led publisher based in Cardigan, Wales. Founded in 1993, it champions debut and regional voices across contemporary fiction, poetry, drama, non-fiction, and literature in translation.  For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Head of Books at the Madeleine Milburn Agency, Liv Maidment, shares how literary agents read, evaluate, and champion submissions (from pitches and comps to strategy, timelines, and today’s AI-driven market), helping writers pitch their work clearly and confidently.You'll learn:How to build a snappy 1–2 line elevator pitch that helps everyone down the chain sell your book (“the art of summing something up in one or two sentences”).Tips for writing comp titles and using them smartly.Blurbs vs synopses: how the pitch sells your book while the synopsis tells your book.What strong synopses and author bios must include: how much to reveal, and why they matter.Why agent editorial and development with an agent still matter.Today’s submission etiquette: realistic timelines, when to chase, and how resubmissions work.Market and positioning: genres currently on the rise, platform and geography demystified (do you need social media, does location matter).Implications of AI in today's publishing landscape: contracts, transparency, and more.More exclusive insight and advice for writers from an expert on the other side of the publishing industry. Resources and Links:📑Interview TranscriptMadeleine Milburn WebsiteSubmission FAQs About Liv MaidmentLiv Maidment is Head of Books at the Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency, representing a prizewinning list of literary, upmarket, and book club fiction. She previously worked at The Blair Partnership and United Agents and has brokered major UK and North American deals, guiding debut and established authors throughout their careers.  For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Indyana Schneider—international opera singer and novelist—shares practical ways to write rhythm and desire on the page, craft scene-level tension, and shape compressed-time narratives; plus lessons from drafting her debut on the Tube.  You'll learn:How to build sentence-level cadence: vary lengths and read aloud to tune flow.A simple spine for short-timeframe novels: day-by-day beats, rising stakes, a final choice.Where to start and stop scenes so pages move (start late, leave early).Writing desire without cliché: stay in character voice; revise for rhythm and clarity.Turning musical training into prose: sensory sequencing that guides attention.When to query (and what “ready” looked like) plus handling editorial feedback.Smart ways to measure success beyond sales and keep momentum across careers. Resources and Links:📑Interview TranscriptSince the World is Ending by Indyana Schneider28 Questions by Indyana SchneiderIf the World Was Ending by JP Saxe ft Julia MichaelsWhat Makes a Bestseller? | Jonny Geller | TEDxOxford ReaderBankOne Day by David NichollsFundamentally by Nussaibah YounisSo Thrilled for You by Holly BourneThe Transgender Issue by Shon FayeLove in Exile by Shon FayeI Love You, I Love You, I Love You by Laura DockrillIndy’s Instagram About Indyana SchneiderIndyana Schneider is an international opera singer and novelist from Sydney. She studied Music at Oxford and Opera in Hanover, completed training at the Zurich Opera studio, and now performs across the UK, Europe, and Australia. She is the author of 28 Questions and Since the World Is Ending, a novel set over a sweltering weekend in Vienna, steeped in music, desire, and consequence. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Natalie Lue, bestselling author and writer (Baggage Reclaim) shares how she shaped her mini-memoirs Let Go (Family & Friction) with The Pound Project, why intention is your best editor, and the inner tools that helped her write through grief, illness, and complicated family ties — without turning her life into content.You’ll learnHow to decide if you’re writing from the scar or the wound.Practical ways to protect yourself on the page: boundaries, pauses, and purpose.A simple test for what stays in your memoir and what gets cut.Why journaling and “scrap-paper noodling” reveal patterns you can’t see in real time.How a small, focused publisher like The Pound Project co-builds a project — and what they look for in pitches.The mindset shift of “hold it lightly” when outcomes are uncertain.Gratitude for your past self as a creative survival skill.Natalie’s reflection prompts:What am I pretending not to already know?What am I clinging to — and what would it mean to let it go?Who will I become if I let go? Who will I keep being if I don’t?What pattern keeps replaying in my journals — and what’s it trying to teach me?What do I need to feel safe enough to tell the truth?Resources and Links:📑Interview TranscriptThe Baggage Reclaim SessionsThe Pound ProjectEmail for The Pound Project - editor@poundproject.co.ukLet Go by Natalie LueAbout Natalie Lue:Natalie is a writer, speaker, and host of The Baggage Reclaim Sessions, a podcast with 3M+ downloads across 140+ countries. Her books include The Joy of Saying No (Harper Horizon) and self-published titles such as Mr Unavailable and the Fallback Girl. In Let Go (The Pound Project), she explores a decade marked by estrangement, loss, illness, and publishing, showing how releasing what no longer serves can restore creative power and clarity. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Sarah Hall—twice Booker Prize–nominated author and the only writer to win the BBC National Short Story Award twice—on crafting fiction that is both lush and uncompromising, and how to captivate readers on the sentence level while staying true to creative freedom.We discuss:Her early reading life in the countryside and the characters who first sparked her imaginationLessons learned from an “unpublishable” first novel and how Haweswater found its true formThe discipline and intuition behind her writing process and when to share draftsWhy handwriting first drafts rekindled a sense of play and sharpened her editingHow to build short stories that hold “the world on a pin” and reverberate beyond the pageGiving voice to Britain’s only named wind in Helm and weaving folklore, climate themes, and playfulnessDiscerning a story’s ending and sustaining joy in the writing process About Sarah HallSarah Hall is one of Britain’s most acclaimed contemporary authors. Twice nominated for the Booker Prize and the first and only writer to win the BBC National Short Story Award twice, she is the author of ten acclaimed novels and short story collections, including Haweswater, The Electric Michelangelo, The Carhullan Army, and Burntcoat. Her latest novel, Helm, blends myth, climate anxiety, and playful storytelling to bring Britain’s only named wind to life.Resources and Links:📑Interview TranscriptHelmThe Helm Wind, the only named wind in Britain - the Met OfficeSarah’s WebsiteSarah’s booksHaweswaterThe Electric MichelangeloHow to Paint a Dead ManThe Carhullan ArmyBurntcoat“The Grotesques” - BBC National Short Story Award WinnerInterview with Sarah Hall in The GuardianFaber & Faber - Sarah’s publisherLee Brackstone - Sarah’s editorZ for Zachariah by Robert C. O’BrienSombrero Fallout by Richard BrautiganIs A River Alive? by Robert MacfarlaneLight Years by James SalterHilary Mantel’s Website For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Nicolas Cole—digital writer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Ship 30 for 30, Premium Ghostwriting Academy, Typeshare, and Write With AI—on building a portfolio of writing businesses, ghostwriting as a path for writers, and how to balance art and commerce.  We discuss:How poetry kept him creatively grounded while building businessesWhy every piece of writing answers a question Career paths to making money as a writer todayThe power of ghostwriting for skill and incomeHow AI changes (and doesn’t change) the job of a writerBuilding consistent writing systems and habitsHow to focus when you have too many ideas + other mindset shifts to scale businesses and find creative clarity About Nicolas ColeNicolas Cole is a digital writer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Ship 30 for 30, Premium Ghostwriting Academy, Typeshare, and Write With AI. He first rose to prominence as the #1 most-read writer on Quora, later writing a popular column for Inc Magazine. He has ghostwritten for hundreds of entrepreneurs, artists, and authors, and is the author of The Art & Business of Online Writing and The Art & Business of Ghostwriting. Today, he helps writers build sustainable careers by mastering both the art and the business of writing.Resources and Links:📑 Interview Transcriptnicolascole.comPremium Ghostwriting AcademyShip30for30Commercial Fiction Club   For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Chris Banks—writer, entrepreneur, and founder of ProWritingAid—on how to embrace what makes you unique, use AI as a tool for inspiration, and build resilience and joy into the writing process, from creating faster feedback loops to reframing the creative pit of despair.We discuss:Why “leaning into your weird” can unlock originality and stronger ideasWhere you might use AI for inspiration. How to overcome the ‘creative pit of despair’Why faster feedback loops can be helpful for your craft How gratitude fuels creativity and flowWhat both entrepreneurs and writers need to know about resilience and joy About Chris BanksChris Banks is a writer, entrepreneur, and the CEO and founder of ProWritingAid, the editing tool trusted by millions of authors worldwide. With a background in software development and a lifelong passion for writing, he built ProWritingAid to make the editing process more empowering for writers of all levels. His forthcoming book, The Writer’s Mind, explores how resilience, joy, and creative practice can help writers overcome obstacles and sustain their craft.Resources and Links:ProWritingAidChris Banks  Episode Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Scrivener. It’s a tool many of us use at the Salon. It’s a great system to accompany you through the whole writing process from research, editing, organization, formatting, and exporting. To find out more about Scrivener, head to Scrivener.app. To get 20% off, use code WRITERSSALON.For show notes, transcripts, and to attend our live podcasts, visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Amie McNee—creativity coach and writer  behind the popular account @InspiredToWrite—on how to stay grounded through success and setbacks, forge a creative life on your own terms, and why art is both essential and revolutionary.We discuss:How to deal with rejectionAdvice for artists starting out on social mediaTips and reflections on self-publishing and book dealsWhy the world needs your artHow to start trusting yourself as an artist (and deal with jealousy)Having big dreams and low standardsAnd more exclusive insights for writers and creativesAbout Amie McNee:Amie is a trained historian turned creativity coach, writer, and speaker best known for her popular Instagram account, @InspiredtoWrite and The Unpublished Podcast. She’s self-published two historical fiction novels: The Rules Upheld by No One, Regrettably, I Am About to Cause Trouble. Her latest book is We Need Your Art: Stop F*cking Around and Make Something, a manifesto on the vital, human importance of creating. Resources and Links:Amie’s Ted Talk (The case for making art when the world is on fire)The Rules Upheld by No One by Amie McNeeAmie’s Instagram Amie’s SubstackWe Need Your Art by Amie McNeeThe Icarus Deception by Seth Godin Episode Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Scrivener. It’s a tool many of us use at the Salon. It’s a great system to accompany you through the whole writing process from research, editing, organization, formatting, and exporting. To find out more about Scrivener, head to Scrivener.app. To get 20% off, use code WRITERSSALON.For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Poet, novelist, and teacher Joseph Fasano on how to find the unique language and rhythm in our work, building a meaningful online presence, and why he believes that embracing limits in life (and writing) is key to creative freedom.We discuss:Joseph’s creative evolution, from astrophysics to poetryWhy studying craft is essentialThe value of constraint and rhythm in unlocking creativityHow he found his voice, and why he writes persona poemsBuilding a meaningful career outside of traditional publishingAdvice for poets starting out (with or without an MFA)The story behind The Magic Words and teaching poetic thinkingHow faith and service shape his creative practiceAbout Joseph FasanoJoseph Fasano is an award-winning poet, novelist, and teacher whose lyrical storytelling has captivated readers on the page and across social media, where he’s built a following of over 100,000. His work—translated into more than a dozen languages—includes poetry collections (The Magic Words, Inheritance, The Last Song of the World), novels (The Swallows of Lunetto, The Dark Heart of Every Wild Thing), and lyrical prose. He’s received the Rattle Poetry Prize, the Cider Press Review Book Award, and a Poets’ Prize nomination. A passionate educator, Joseph teaches poetry workshops through the Fasano Academy and fosters creative community online.Resources and Links:📑Interview TranscriptFasano AcademyBoa EditionsNew PagesThe Magic WordsJoseph’s InstagramCaedmon by Denise LevertovEpisode Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Scrivener. It’s a tool many of us use at the Salon. It’s a great system to accompany you through the whole writing process from research, editing, organization, formatting, and exporting. To find out more about Scrivener, head to Scrivener.app. To get 20% off, use code WRITERSSALON. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

George Walkley, AI strategist and former publishing executive at Hachette, on what writers need to know about artificial intelligence, how it’s reshaping the creative and publishing industries, and how to use it responsibly in your writing life.We discuss:How George transitioned from traditional publishing to AI consultingThe difference between AI probability and human creativityWhy everyone should develop “prompt literacy”How publishing houses and bookselling platforms are already using AIThe challenges of AI detection, authorship disclosure & ethical sourcingThe environmental cost of AI — and how it compares to other toolsWhy AI is already embedded in tools we use every dayHow writers can make informed, personal choices around AI useAnd more exclusive tips for writers and creativesAbout George WalkleyGeorge Walkley is an independent consultant specialising in AI and the publishing industry. He has developed and delivers the world’s first independent, CPD-accredited AI course aimed specifically at the publishing industry and has trained people from over 200 publishing organisations. Prior to this, he held senior roles at Hachette.Resources and Links:📑 Interview TranscriptOpen letter to publishersMistral AISociety of AuthorsJane FriedmanGeorge’s newsletterEpisode Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Scrivener. It’s a tool many of us use at the Salon. It’s a great system to accompany you through the whole writing process from research, editing, organization, formatting, and exporting. To find out more about Scrivener, head to Scrivener.app. To get 20% off, use code WRITERSSALON. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Gretchen Rubin—bestselling author of The Happiness Project and The Four Tendencies on how self-awareness shapes her creative process, the habits that sustain her writing life, and how she wrote her latest nonfiction book Secrets of Adulthood.We discuss:How Gretchen found her voice and path as a writerDealing with naysayers & rejectionBuilding confidence and redefining “success” in the early stagesHow to structure and sustain a long-term writing practiceHer favorite aphorisms—and how she uses them as creative toolsWhy time management is personalHow to simplify big ideas into meaningful insightsAnd more exclusive tips for writers and creativesResources and Links:Books She's Reading:The English Understand WoolPiranesi by Susanna ClarkeUpcountry by Nelson DeMilleGretchen's Website & Books mentionedGretchen’s Website: https://gretchenrubin.com/Secrets of AdulthoodThe Four TendencesForty Ways to Look at JFKAbout Gretchen RubinGretchen Rubin is one of today’s most influential and thought-provoking observers of happiness and human nature. She’s known for her ability to convey complex ideas—from science to literature to stories from her own life—with levity and clarity.She’s the author of many bestselling books, such as The Happiness Project, Better Than Before, Life in Five Senses and The Four Tendencies, which have sold millions of copies in more than thirty languages. Her most recent book is Secrets of Adulthood.She’s also host of the popular podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin and founder of award-winning Happier app which helps people track their happiness-boosting habits.Our Sponsor:This episode is brought to you by Scrivener. It’s a tool many of us use at the Salon. It’s a great system to accompany you through the whole writing process from research, editing, organization, formatting, and exporting. To find out more about Scrivener, head to Scrivener.app. To get 20% off, use code WRITERSSALON. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Francesca Simon is the legendary author of over 60 books for children, including the global bestselling Horrid Henry series, which has been translated into 27 languages. Her books have sold over 25 million copies. She talks to us about early rejection, finding fame, reinventing her voice to write librettos, and her first foray into adult fiction with Salka: The exquisite retelling of the tragic myth of the Lady of the Lake. Francesca was appointed MBE in 2023 and continues to advocate for literacy and storytelling across generations.RESOURCES & LINKS📑Interview TranscriptSalka by Francesca SimonGoodreadsFrancesca’s Website For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!