Our book is now available on Amazon and we will be launching it at the FiLiA Conference on 10 October 2025 in Brighton. In this episode, we share the Foreword written by Victoria Smith, author of Hags and Unkind. We also share some excerpts from the book about some of our favourite writers. Imagine a young reader discovering a world of female pioneers, storytellers, and changemakers and seeing themselves reflected in these women’s courage, creativity, and strength. That’s the heart of She Wrote Too.That question sparked our next step: creating a book that passes the legacy on. Legacy matters. Knowing these women existed matters. It shows young people that they too can create, can think widely, can be heard.She Wrote Too - the book - is not just something to read. It’s a book to join in with to write, to draw, to dream, to reflect. It offers young readers (aged 9+ and curious adults too) the chanceOver the next few weeks, we will share some more of our original artwork and creative challenges as well as photographs of our book launch! Please share our book which is available in paperback and Kindle. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
Lots of people first meet Jane Austen through Pride and Prejudice often at school, and often as their only encounter with her work. It's certainly her most dramatised novel. In this episode, Caroline and Nicola delve into something a little different: one of Austen’s earliest stories, Love and Freindship (spelled just as she wrote it!), penned when she was just fourteen, and Sanditon the novel she sadly never finished before her untimely death.Caroline, whose expertise lies in the history of medicine, shares why the cause of Austen’s death at 41 remains uncertain and looks at the competing theories.This episode comes with a small audio caveat: Nicola was recording from a holiday cottage in the wilds of Cornwall with dodgy broadband and no microphone, and may sound a little Dalek-esque at times. She hopes you’ll forgive the wobble in sound in exchange for the joys of Austen. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
In this episode, we discuss Wide Sargasso Sea with writer Victoria Smith. Commonly referred to as the prequel to Jane Eyre, it does tell the story of Antoinette (Bertha in Jane Eyre) but works beautifully as a stand-alone read in its own right.Victoria Smith is the author of brilliant books Hags and Unkind and is one of the significant feminist voices of our time, so we were delighted to hear her thoughts on this highly acclaimed work.This is what some of the critics have said about the book: Angela Carter, novelist and critic:“The best post-colonial novel of the twentieth century. It’s not just a prequel to Jane Eyre — it’s a complete reimagining of what literature can do.”The New York Times Book Review:“Brilliant… A work of fierce poetic intensity, richly imagined and quietly devastating.”Diana Athill, editor of André Deutsch publishing house:“Jean Rhys wrote it as though it had to be written — and it did. It’s that rare thing: a work of literature that also rights a moral wrong.”Time Magazine (Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century):“A hypnotic and hallucinatory vision of the Caribbean — Rhys reclaims Bertha Mason’s voice and in doing so, reshapes the entire legacy of Jane Eyre.”Jamaica Kincaid, novelist and critic:“Rhys understood the cruelty of colonialism and the way madness can be imposed, not born. Her writing is laced with beauty and fury.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
In this episode, we consider Lois the Witch, a haunting novella by Elizabeth Gaskell set against the backdrop of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. With her characteristic emotional depth and historical sensitivity, Gaskell explores themes of fear, isolation, and the dangers of moral panic and in doing so offers a powerful critique of society’s treatment of women, both in 17th-century Massachusetts and Victorian England.Like many women writers of her time, Gaskell’s work has often been overlooked or dismissed, side-lined as too ‘domestic’ or ‘feminine’ to warrant serious study. A mother of four and a minister’s wife, Gaskell was long boxed into the role of a sentimental storyteller, despite her sharp engagement with social justice, gender inequality, and mental illness in both fiction and biography.This podcast examines why Lois the Witch as well as considering Gaskell more broadly, who we think deserves closer attention - particularly in light our of earlier episode where we discussed Gaskell with Graham Watson. We wonder: how did gender shape the way her writing was received? What happens when stories about women, written by women, are categorized as ‘lesser’ literature? And what can Gaskell’s nuanced portrayal of historical trauma teach us today?Aside from Gaskell’s interesting life and treatment, revisiting the time of the Salem witch trials is an interesting topic to consider - the real dangers, the serious threats to the newly established communities leading to the paranoia of the time. Join us as we revisit this quietly radical voice in literary history and consider whether the fear and hostility that communities felt a very long time ago are still of contemporary relevance today. Particularly in light of the idea that sometimes it suits those who are upholding power to encourage paranoia. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon (1827-1891) is one of 19th-century Britain’s most influential feminist campaigners, involved in women’s suffrage, female higher education, the abolition of slavery and passing of the Married Women’s Property Acts.In this episode of She Wrote Too, historian Jane Robinson tells Caroline about her biography of this impressive - yet now little-known - woman, Trailblazer: Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon, the First Feminist to Change our World. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
Charlotte Brontë’s life was complex and dramatic. A survivor of unimaginable loss, she turned her back on the past to become not only an acclaimed writer but a figure of public fascination. There has not been a biography of Charlotte in over 10 years and in this interview, Graham Watson makes his very convincing argument as to why another one was needed.In her effort to make sense of it all, Brontë’s friend, the novelist Elizabeth Gaskell, produced a tell-all biography that revealed secrets of love, rivalry, and rebellion. Charlotte had been treated shabbily by many and Gaskell was out to seek justice for her friend. The life she had begun to reinvent for herself after the tragic deaths of Anne and Emily is often overlooked and barely gets a mention. No more.In his ground-breaking debut, The Invention of Charlotte Brontë, Graham Watson revisits this story not to sensationalise it, but to restore Charlotte’s voice. It’s a biography that reclaims Brontë’s legacy from the myths that have long overshadowed her.In our conversation, Graham shares his fresh perspective on the final chapter of Charlotte’s life and how his research sheds new light on Elizabeth Gaskell’s sensational Life of Charlotte Brontë, published in 1857, which Graham sees as a whistleblowing exercise ultimately compromised by those Gaskell wished to expose. He reflects on the dangers of tidying up women's lives to fit a narrative, and why the truth matters, especially for those who were written over in their own time.Graham Watson is a writer and editor who studied English language, linguistics and literature at the University of Glasgow. His first paper, on fraudulent Brontë portraiture, was published in Brontë Studies in 2019. The Invention of Charlotte Brontë is his first book, out now in the UK and from August in the US.It is to be published in the US with this cover:Our sincere thanks to Graham for this incredibly fascinating talk on his excellent book. One piece of advice - read it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
In this episode of She Wrote Too, I talk with comedian and writer Andy Gleeks, who also brings his background as an English teacher to our conversation. This is our second episode on Emily Brontë’s extraordinary novel, if you haven’t already, do listen to our first discussion with best-selling gothic novelist Essie Fox, where we reviewed other fascinating aspects of the book.Few novels inspire such strong and conflicting reactions as Wuthering Heights. It is a story of obsession, revenge, and passion so intense that it transcends death itself. Unlike many of its 19th-century counterparts, which explore love within the constraints of social convention, Wuthering Heights is wild, gothic, and deeply unsettling. It is a novel that resists easy categorization as it is many things; a love story and an anti-romance, a family saga and a supernatural tale, a narrative of social class and exclusion that also carries echoes of Britain's colonial past.One of the most fascinating aspects of Wuthering Heights is its narrative structure. Brontë gives us a story within a story, mediated by unreliable narrators including Lockwood, the clueless outsider, and Nelly Dean, whose biases and personal stake in events leave us constantly questioning what is true. This fragmented storytelling enhances the novel’s sense of mystery and psychological complexity, as the past seems to haunt the present at every turn.We also discuss how Wuthering Heights is, in many ways, the antithesis of Pride and Prejudice. Where Austen’s novel is witty, rational, and deeply concerned with social norms, Brontë’s is elemental and ungovernable, steeped in passion, violence, and the supernatural. If Pride and Prejudice teaches its characters to temper their emotions, Wuthering Heights shows what happens when they consume and destroy.Beyond its gothic intensity, Wuthering Heights is also a novel about intergenerational trauma and about the way pain and obsession pass down through families like a curse. The novel’s themes of power, race, and exclusion have led to modern readings that explore its links to Britain’s colonial past. As Andy observes, Heathcliff, a dark-skinned foundling whose origins remain ambiguous, is repeatedly dehumanized and brutalized by those around him, his suffering transforming into a relentless cycle of cruelty. The novel’s exploration of outsider status, revenge, and inherited suffering makes it feel as urgent today as it did when it was first published.We consider why Wuthering Heights endures. Perhaps because it refuses to be easily explained. It is not simply a gothic romance, nor a ghost story, nor a critique of class and power but somehow all of these things at once. It is a novel that lingers in the mind long after reading, as unsettling and unforgettable as the howling winds over the Yorkshire moors.Join us as we consider the many layers of this haunting masterpiece and discuss why Wuthering Heights remains a must-read for lovers of literature, gothic fiction, and stories that defy easy resolution. As Andy says ‘just read it’.Our sincere thanks to Andy Gleeks and Essie Fox for their fascinating insights. 🎧 Missed our first episode with Essie Fox? Catch up here: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
What do the Brontë family and the Methodist movement have in common? More than you might think. In our latest episode of She Wrote Too, we had the pleasure of speaking with genealogist Dr. Sarah Halton, who has been tracing the intricate and often surprising connections between the Brontës and Methodism. Diagrams are provided below!Most of us think of the Brontës as being firmly rooted in the Anglican tradition. After all, their father, Patrick Brontë, was a clergyman in the Church of England, and their home at Haworth Parsonage is steeped in the trappings of traditional Anglican life. But, as Dr. Halton reveals, the family's ties to religious nonconformity run deeper than many realize.The Methodist movement, founded in the 18th century by John and Charles Wesley, was a powerful force in shaping the religious landscape of Britain. It was a movement that attracted working-class communities and emphasized personal faith, social justice, and education which are values that would have resonated with the Brontës. Dr. Halton’s research uncovers how Patrick Brontë’s early theological training and connections to evangelical circles may have influenced not only his ministry but also the intellectual and moral framework in which his children were raised.This raises fascinating questions: Did the Brontës’ exposure to nonconformist ideas shape their literary imaginations? Can we see traces of Methodist themes such as redemption, struggle, and social reform in Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, or The Tenant of WIldfell Hall? And what does this tell us about the broader intersection of faith and literature in the 19th century?Join us for this deeply engaging conversation as we explore faith, history, and storytelling with Dr. Halton. If you’re a fan of the Brontës, historical detective work, or the way belief systems shape culture, this is an episode that you will enjoy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
Caroline and Nicola explore Anne Brontë’s final novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, where an enigmatic world unfolds—a narrative that boldly challenges Victorian conventions through its portrayal of a woman's struggle for independence. In their discussion, they delve into Anne’s life and her position within the Brontë family, examining how personal and familial conflicts shape the key themes of the book. They also consider the legal rights and vulnerability of women at the time and explore how the novel intertwines gothic intrigue with incisive social commentary, inviting reflection on enduring issues of gender, morality, and personal freedom. It is a beautifully rich book, full of well-developed range of characters, mystery and a resilient heroine determined to ensure her son is shielded from the pitfalls of toxic masculinity. We thoroughly enjoyed reading it and hope that you will too.Trigger Warning: This discussion addresses challenging themes including alcoholism, domestic abuse, coercive behaviour, and portrayals of child treatment that may be disturbing by modern standards. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
Historical novelist Essie Fox joins Caroline and Nicola to talk about one of her favourite books - Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë - and to introduce her own new novel, Dangerous, a Byronic tale of vampirism and mystery. Find out more about Essie at www.essiefox.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
Exploring Black Beauty with Anne Brooke and Mari Durward-Akhurst: A Journey into Anna Sewell’s LegacyIn our latest podcast episode, we delve into the enduring legacy of Black Beauty, Anna Sewell’s iconic novel that has touched hearts for generations. Joining us for this fascinating discussion are Anne Brooke, fabulous author, and Mari Durward-Akhurst, an inspirational Paralympian dressage athlete. Together, we consider the novel’s timeless themes, its impact on equestrian culture, and the profound empathy it fosters for animals and humans alike.A central thread of our conversation is Celia Brayfield’s biography Writing Black Beauty, a compelling exploration of Anna Sewell’s life and the making of her masterpiece. Sewell, a little known writer in her time, channelled her own struggles with disability and her deep bond with horses into a novel that championed animal welfare and advocated for kindness. Her book has never gone out of publication and went on to be one of the best-selling novels of all time. Brayfield’s work unveils the rich historical and personal context behind Black Beauty, bringing Sewell’s world vividly to life. A recommended read from us.Anne Brooke shares her literary insights on Sewell’s narrative technique and the groundbreaking way Black Beauty gives voice to its titular character. The novel’s first-person perspective from the horse’s point of view was revolutionary, transforming how readers perceive animal intelligence and emotion. Anne offers a contemporary lens on why the story continues to resonate today, over a century after its publication.Mari Durward-Akhurst brings a unique perspective, connecting her own experiences as a Paralympian in the equestrian world to the novel’s themes of resilience and mutual respect between humans and horses. Her reflections on how Black Beauty has inspired generations of riders and animal advocates enrich the discussion, making it deeply personal and powerful.To complement the episode, we also take a trip to the London International Horse Show, immersing ourselves in a vibrant celebration of equestrianism. The event highlights the continuing importance of the human-horse connection—a bond so beautifully depicted in Black Beauty.This episode is more than a tribute to a beloved novel; it’s a journey into the life of a remarkable author, the enduring relevance of her work, and the ways horses inspire us today. Whether you’re a literary enthusiast, an equestrian lover, or simply someone who cherishes stories of compassion, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
Caroline and Nicola wish all our listeners a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.Thank you for your support during 2024. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
In the first episode of She Wrote Too, we considered Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner. This novel is a feminist classic in which Laura Willowes creates a new kind of freedom for herself - as a witch. In this episode, Nicola speaks with Jade Loren, a modern day witch about what that means to her and her relationship with the natural world.Jade M Loren writes books about witchcraft that are available on Amazon. Our thanks to Jade for taking time to share her thoughts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
Dr Sarah Halton is the guest on this episode. We have been so fortunate this month in having so many experts. Sarah is a genealogist and her research is excellent. Enjoy.Thank you Sarah. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
Nicola spoke with collector and self-confessed Christie-obsessive, Scott Wallace Baker, who kindly explained where his love of Agatha Christie originated, his adoration of the cover art by Tom Adams and how his pursuit of building a glorious collection has had it’s own mysteries and adventures. On this page are photographs of some of the scenes that Scott has curated that relate to Christie novels.Thank you Scott for your time and your fascinating stories. Scott posts his tributes on Instagram if you would like to see more of his extensive collection. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
Caroline and Nicola went to see the Mousetrap in the West End. They discuss the plot and characters - without revealing whodunnit - respecting the best kept secret in Theatreland. The play opened in 1952, stopping only for Covid in 2020 for a period of 14 months. So, the actual 70th Anniversary celebrations were disrupted by this and consequently the ‘spirit’ of these have continued for some years, so people are still celebrating #TheMousetrap70.The cast of the Mousetrap changes regularly, normally every year, keeping the play fresh and providing different interpretations and performances of the characters.As you go up the stairs in St Martins Theatre, these old posters are on display, illustrating the rich history of its journey.The Mousetrap is even older than 1952. It began as a radio play, Three Blind Mice, written by Agatha Christie in 1947 as a gift for Queen Mary’s 80th birthday. It was later adapted into a stage play and renamed.It holds the Guinness World Record as the longest-running play in the world, with over 28,000 performances since its debut in 1952. It moved to St Martins in 1974 and has now been there for 50 years. This was pleasing to Nicola who was also 50 this year and went to see the Mousetrap not long after the big day.Nicola and Caroline sat up here, in the Gods, which did not spoil their enjoyment of this charming, nostalgic play with undercurrents of darkness. It was an extremely enjoyable outing and a trip is highly recommended. #SheWroteToo #TheMousetrap70 #AgathaChristie #Podcast #WomenWriters #TheatreMagic #WestEnd This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
As She Wrote Too nears the end of the Agatha Christie month, Nicola spoke with Hazel of A Bit of A Christie podcast about why she loves Christie as Hazel takes her investigations forward. We hope you enjoy the conversation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
Nicola spoke with Michael Ritchie of Berts Books in Swindon who is not only a writer and bookseller but a reader and re-reader of Agatha Christie. Michael is one of the knowledgeable superfans that we have had the chance to talk with this month. Michael shares his thoughts and insights as well as his experiences with working with books and readers. Thank you Michael. Berts Books are online and are an independent book shop so if you like to support the smaller specialists in the book world, you can use the link above.We hope you are enjoying this celebration of Agatha Christie - there are more episodes to come including an anniversary episode of 70 years of The Mousetrap on 25 November. Nicola apologises to Dr Jamie Bernthal-Hooker for pronouncing his name wrongly in this episode and has written a New Year resolution to get name pronunciation right in future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
Agatha Christie month continues on She Wrote Too. Join us as we dive into two of Agatha Christie's most iconic mysteries, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and A Murder is Announced. Known for their clever plotting and unforgettable twists, these novels showcase Christie's mastery at weaving suspense with insightful portrayals of human nature. In The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, often hailed as one of the most daring and controversial whodunits in mystery fiction, we meet Hercule Poirot in a small English village where secrets are buried as deeply as motives. Caroline teaches Nicola how to pronounce Hercule Poirot’s name correctly. Prepare for one of Christie's most talked-about twists that has left readers stunned for decades - although there are no spoilers. We discuss the wit, wisdom and insight of Agatha Christie and give her credit for this which may have been rather dismissed due to her fiction being ‘genre fiction’.A Murder is Announced features Miss Marple, who unravels the mystery surrounding a chilling murder announced in a village newspaper ad. With a cast of quirky characters and red herrings galore, this novel is both a puzzle and a commentary on small-town life, illustrating Christie’s keen observation of people and her subtle sense of humour. When a murder is announced and then actually happens, it is by happy coincidence that Miss Marple is staying in a spa hotel nearby.Listen to the discussion of the genius behind these plots, the psychological insights into her characters, and the legacy of Agatha Christie’s storytelling. Whether you are a long-time fan or new to these classics, we hope you enjoy this discussion of these two fabulous pieces of fiction. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com
Nicola spoke with musician and Agatha Christie superfan, Peggy Mackay, who has read all of Agatha Christie’s novels and seen the Mousetrap many times. She also has a great deal of knowledge about Christie’s life and attitudes and has fascinating views and theories about Christie and her writing style. We hope you enjoy this conversation which particularly focuses on Death Comes as the End (without spoilers) but also on the innovative nature of Christie’s work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shewrotetoo.substack.com