In this final episode of the season, the girls somehow manage to convince David Shelley, CEO of Hachette UK (look him up, he's a big time businessman) to come on the podcast and they all end up having the time of their lives. They try and get him to buy Rochelle's book for £5 mill on the spot, ask him his fave Frank Ocean songs (not over email this time) and Katie tries not to get fired along the way. With interesting insights into the publishing industry and hot reveals of mistakes all four of us made in the span of our careers, this isn't an episode to miss! And, as this season comes to a close, we leave you with the pressing and timely reminder that ultimately, CEOs are people too <3
In our penultimate episode of this season, the girls walk a mile in the Louboutins of Mireille Harper (publishing superstar and editorial director) and Annie Lord (thee author and Vogue column girlie). They express their excitement for the new Little Mermaid by sharing their own rendition of ‘Part of Your World’, discuss girlbossing too close to the publishing sun and different kinds of friendship with Mireille and gush over Annie’s debut book Notes on Heartbreak. Rochelle struggles to be coherent for the first time ever, Katie name drops her new job about 73 times and Soraya does the best impression of a publishing lady who doesn’t really care about your problems. This is one for the girls who are just doing their best — for best results listen while on a walk with a pumpkin spiced latte.
In this episode the girls talk to two incredible guests - Cal Kenny, who is an editor at Sphere, and Lillian Fishman who joins them all the way from the Big Apple to talk about her incredible debut novel Acts of Service, described by the Guardian as 'a sex masterpiece.'They talk to Cal about their publishing career, trans rights, Beyonce and more, including a cringe-inducing story that starts a very sorry thread of conversation. They also talk to Lillian about her novel that centers a bisexual woman in a very sexy and complicated love-triangle. Enjoy!
In this episode the girls are joined by Aimée Felone, Co-Founder and MD of Knights Of, and award-winning publisher of representative children's and YA books. Aimée is an industry innovator and groundbreaker so tune in for her journey into publishing and why she decided to risk it all to set up Knights Of with a colleague early on in her career. Following their inspiring chat with Aimée, they indulge themselves in book chat and recommendations because sometimes they even read! They also talk about holding Shakespeare to account, why the fake Penguin account can get lost and the story of the Cock hats they can never wear in public. It's a ride, enjoy.
This week the ladies talk all things agenting with the incredible Megan Staunton from Bergstrom Studio. They talk all aspects of the role, from finding new talent to submitting to publishers - so if you've wanted to know more about that aspect of the industry, this is the episode for you! They also have a fantastic author guest, the writer of Love, Wine & Other Highs, Lauren Rae. They reminisce about growing up, the music and media that shaped them, and talk about her incredible memoir. They discuss why dating is the best way to see a new city, the teachers that made them feral, and they sing and rap way too much. Enjoy!
In this episode the girls have TWO incredible guests for your listening pleasure: Josh Smith, publicist extraordinaire and Rochelle's one time twitter nemesis, and Okechukwu Nzelu, the talented author of HERE AGAIN NOW and NNENNA MALONEY.They talk about proof politics on the timeline, the characters you find at a book launch and the intricacies of male relationships in the beautiful book HERE AGAIN NOW.Enjoy!
In this episode, the girls sit down with the absolutely incredible Hannah Knowles, Editorial Director at Faber. They talk about her recent article 'Inconvenient Truths' published in The Bookseller, what publishing is doing wrong, and what they can do better and about supporting colleagues with mental heath issues.They try to be extremely vague about times people have been less than accommodating in the industry so they don't get sued. They speak of the problems of a one-size-fits all mold, the boulder up a hill feeling of diversity surveys and more. Hannah brings up the girls' eloquence by a record-breaking 17%!! This is one you don't want to miss!You can read Hannah's article here: https://www.thebookseller.com/comment/inconvenient-truths
In this episode, Rochelle pretends to understand TikTok, just like the board of every publishing house. We have three (3!) incredible guests: the TikTok queen Emma Quick, who explains what on earth is going on there, and the authors of The Little Book of Ick, Kitty Winks and Anna Burtt. Also Katie will not keep her shoes on, causing a rift in historic race relations.The girls talk about icks they have with romantic partners and each other, how to sell 1 billion (ish) copies using the latest social media sensation and much, much, more. You can pre order The Little Book of Ick here: The Little Book of Ick – Laurence King Publishing UK (and you should [knife emoji]).
In this episode the girls do the unthinkable... talk about publishing. It was so hard for them, so give them a hug if you see them around. (Plot twist, they're drunk).The guests today are two bottles of prosecco. Soraya talks about how a no once isn't a no always when it comes to commissions, Katie falls in love with the newly discovered soundboard, and Rochelle fights the urge to edit out every mention of her novel. If you're writing, looking for an agent, or just curious as to how the process works from writing to signing a deal, this podcast is for you!Thank you so much for listening! If you haven't left a (5*) review, do that!
In this episode there is absolutely zero book content, because sometimes Katie, Soraya and Rochelle don't read, they just enjoy their time off. It's just ink and paper at the end of the day and sometimes your literary guardians need a break. In honour of the Platty Joobs the theme of the week is celebrations! The girls discuss all their favourite party scenes from films and TV and digress a hell of a lot along the way. Rochelle tells her story of telling a baby to shut up with her eyes so she could continue performing 'Time After Time' before her prom, Katie describes her first visit to a sex club (think Inbetweeners rather than 50 Shades of Grey) and Soraya explains how her partying could often lead to her being dragged out of bed and forced to face up to the consequences of her actions. Rochelle and Katie probably needed that to happen to them more.They're all women on the edge, so enjoy!
In this episode, our fave rake and alias-pending friend Rochelle has run off with David Gray into the sunset and so Soraya and Katie take the reigns for this special. Minus 95% of the intelligence, they bring you bilingual vibes, fanta limon and lays by the pool in Spain and some of their top book recommendations when you're lying on a beach with a mojito in hand. Katie tells the story of the lengths she went to to avoid a spider, Soraya describes how she got jumped by a group of homeless kids for her McDonalds and they honestly talk about food for a solid 20 mins.If you are ready to get that fire exit door and fly off to somewhere with better vibes than the UK and feel that gust of hot air when you get off the plane, then this is the episode for you. And as the jubilee weekend is here - we know you're all in the mood for a holiday chat and a holiday book.
The girls attend the British Book Awards. Of approximately 10 billion words spoken by presenters and winning authors, the girls hear about 6 of them, so did their best.They were buzzed before they hit record, so take everything said with a carafe of salt. Soraya says something naughty during a very emotional and politically charged speech, Katie does a snake impression probably from a TikTok when Viper win best imprint and Rochelle fancies everyone. A couple of friends stop by the booth and enough wine is consumed to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool.Thank you so much to The Bookseller for letting the Main Characters record their silly little podcast at your prestigious awards, and just to cover their bases, sorry.
Anthony Doerr comes on the podcast somehow. Pulitzer award winner, Idahoan legend, friend of the Main Characters. The girls even call him Tony, because they are best friends now. The gang share books that changed them, and Anthony talks about his incredible and expansive book Cloud Cuckoo Land. The girls also talk about the British Book Awards (which is literally today, eek), and potential drinking games at the prestigious award show. Also, Kasper in the Glitter is by Philip Ridley, not Philip Pullman. Rochelle is so sorry Philip Ridley, you will ALWAYS be famous.
In this episode the girls are joined by the author of Open Water, Caleb Azumah Nelson, to talk about love songs, ghosting and the potential of a London summer. They also talk dark academia and secondary school antics with Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, author of the New York Times Bestseller Ace of Spades.Rochelle is personally attacked by first hand accounts of committed relationships, the girls force Caleb to sing a song they don't know and Rochelle and Katie almost part ways due to differing views on The Secret History. There's hair pulling (recounted), multiple tales of brief encounters and lots of laughter.
If the girls didn't say it enough times, they're now partners of the British Book Awards and therefore want to sincerely apologise for saying the food at said awards will be dry. They're sure it will be properly seasoned. This is the first of three bumper author episodes. The girls talk about schoolgirl crushes, playground fight clubs and the brilliant book Grown with the authors Melissa Cummings-Quarry and Natalie A. Carter, and the complicated and multifaceted fact of home with the author of the lyrical debut Keeping the House, Tice Cin. As well as the usual nonsense, there are area wars when the podcasters (two thirds South London and one third East) venture to Tottenham, book recommendations, and speculation on how much alcohol the Bookseller will be providing. Bonne chance!
This is a mixed bag, the best kind! In this episode, miraculously, the Main Characters actually give you some publishing content with special guest Kasim Ali, author of Good Intentions. They talk about writing, editing and having your debut published, as well as spill probably more tea than they were intending. Soraya loses several nails, which unfortunately means Rochelle brings up fingering, Kasim tells a story that makes the girls want to quit the podcast, Katie does a Neo by dodging all the shots taken at her.
Because apparently the girls are all dying to get cancelled and sacked! In this episode Katie, Soraya and Rochelle channel Jeanette Winterson and set some pages aflame, letting you know how we really feel about certain books and films. Jam-packed into this episode is a lot of love for Madeline Miller, a note on how white people with rhythm could be considered a superpower and plenty of bleeping out names that we really shouldn't be outing on a public platform.
Now a Diva is a female version of a Hustler! We're back and better than ever. Your favourite, peng and funny host's are so thankful for how patient you've been whilst they spend the summer recharging, and all that. We've got some top tier content and guest episodes to come for you, but in the meanwhile Katie, Rochelle and Soraya give you their favourite stories about hustlers, as well as times they've hustled to get what they want (and deserve) too. Rochelle tells the heartbreaking story of how she tried to finesse £500 from a previous employer, Soraya recounts how easy it was to hustle freebies from customers as a waitress, and Katie does up Curtis from Love Island to talk about her days as a Costa barista. It's good to be back, ladies, gaydies and theydies! Don't forget to subscribe, and review us!
In this episode of the Main Characters Podcast the girls are joined by the New York Times bestselling author of White Ivy , Susie Yang, and discuss all their problematic faves. From Miranda Priestley to Fleabag to Gone Girl to Circe, the girls discuss why flawed main characters will always stay being the best, and tell their own stories of when they were the problematic ones in their own lives. Many things are (over)shared including waking up anus to the wind, straddling someone on a dance floor and acting like a casa amor cuckold IRL. Following a short break over August we'll be back in September with all new content, interviews and of course, utter main character chaos.
It's the week after 'Freedom Day', and Rochelle has been knocked out with COVID. So, because the three hosts love you, Katie and Soraya decided the show must go on, and deliver a special episode. Special being it's chaotic, stupid and a mess because Rochelle isn't there to reign them in. This is a little treat for those who kept asking us to talk about Love Island more, and you also get a bunch of fun content such as Soraya expressing her shock that Taylor Lautner is actually white, Katie reciting all Eminem lyrics she knows, and their reactions to Oloni's latest thread. Don't say we didn't warn you, also don't say we never treat you. DISCLAIMER: If this is your first time listening to us, know that this episode is a fluke. This level of chaos does not represent us.