She's back! Charlie and E C Fremantle (The Honey And The Sting) discuss producing a book that is utterly devoid - and then some - of filler, Black people of the Stuart era, and the film of Fremantle's first novel, which will star Jude Law and Alicia Vikander. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-70-e-c-fremantle The Honey And The Sting George Villiers Frances Coke John Felton Eleanor Davies Miranda Kaufmann's Black Tudors Pearl diver Jacques Francis The Poison Bed Robert Carr The painting of Anne of Denmark Firebrand Artemisia Gentileschi You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:40 [Asking Liz about her writing choices in terms of the stripped-back style of her book] 05:43 [Reading] 13:08 Could you talk more about the creation of the sisters themselves? 16:31 Is this book moving towards the fantasy genre? 17:21 Can you talk about the bees, honey, this concept? 19:08 George Villiers - can you talk about how you included the story and why you made the choices you did? 23:45 Were James I and George Villiers lovers, in your opinion? 26:58 Can you talk about your decision to use Francis Bacon's work in your book? 28:16 Can you talk more about your research of Black people of the era and their inclusion in your book? 31:55 Your first novel has now been made into a film (called Firebrand; in post-production). What can you tell us about it at this point? 34:10 Can you tell us about your next book, Disobedient? Photograph used with the permission of the author. Credit: JP Masclet.

Charlie and Cecelia Tichi (A Fatal Gilded High Note) discuss the Gilded Age in its success and its crimes, her rebellious 1890s character who defies class, and the history of French Bulldogs. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-69-cecelia-tichi The 1897 World Expedition in Nashville Parton's, Harris', and Ronstadt's Trio Cecelia's book on country music and literature Virginia City "Boss" Tweed Jay Gould Upton Sinclair's The Jungle John Mackey Evelyn Walsh McLean (Cecelia's book on Gilded Age Cocktails) The Gilded Age Society on Facebook You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:58 Where do country music and literature meet for you? 07:58 [Reading] 12:09 Why the Gilded Age? 15:57 There was a lot of crime in that era?... 21:43 How did you come to create Val, the fictional aspects? 27:11 Tell us about Velvet the French Bulldog 30:50 Tell us about A Deadly Gilded Freefall 31:32 Will there be a fifth book in this series? 31:55 How is Val going to progress as a character going forward? Purchase Links A Fatal Gilded High Note: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters A Deadly Gilded Free Fall: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the marketing team.

Charlie and Kate Glanville (The Peacock House) discuss her main character who is 90 years old, and villains who aren't so villainous after all. Kate also discusses the way her dyslexia has effected her reading, and some of her thoughts on education in this vein in the context of her younger character. Please note that there are spoilers throughout the episode. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-68-kate-glanville Kate's ceramics Newton House St David's College Llandudno and Conway Bodysgallen You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:33 How did you first know when you wanted to write? 03:17 [Reading] 07:41 Can you tell us where the story comes from and your inspiration? 16:17 In terms of Evelyn's romance were there any wartime inspirations? 17:52 Why didn't you include Evelyn and Jack's reunion in the book? 20:34 Kind of on this, is a more pleasant cast of characters what you prefer to go for? 23:18 Tell us about the future for Tilly, Bethan, and Tom 25:20 What's next? 27:53 Tell us more about your ceramics business 29:02 [Kate talks about audiobooks and how they've helped her read] Purchase Links The Peacock House: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the author.

Charlie and Kristin Harmel (The Forest Of Vanishing Stars) discuss the true story, and Kristin's own fictional one, of a group of over a thousand Jewish people who during WW2 slowly escaped to and hid in a vast forest away from the Nazis. Please note that there are spoilers throughout the episode. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-67-kristin-harmel Quotation from Patti Callahan Henry taken from the Friends & Fiction Launch Party for The Forest Of Vanishing Stars (audio only) The Bielski Partisans Naliboki Forest Nechama Tec's Defiance Defiance (the film) The Sweetness Of Forgetting The martyrs of Nowogrodeck Vadem Sidorovich Friends & Fiction website Friends & Fiction Facebook group Mary Alice Monroe Mary Kay Andrews Patti Callahan Henry Kristy Woodson Harvey You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 01:13 As a reporter you were interested in ordinary people who were heroes and also the stories of how people got to where they were. How dd this segue into you becoming a novelist? 04:21 [Reading] 08:47 You've got Yona, who's fictional, but the history is real?... 12:32 You said twelve hundred people - how on earth did they hide all that time? 15:40 One of the Bielkski brothers was a Zus, and you have a character called Zus... 18:03 Is there a reason this fact of so many people hiding in the forest isn't well known? 23:11 Are you able to talk about the theme of stars? 27:59 Why the mysticism? 31:57 On this, what might have happened if Yona hadn't been stolen, with her father? 35:51 Why did you feel the need to have Yona die? 42:04 You weren't able to visit the forest to research it due to the pandemic. Do you think you might go to it at some point? 46:18 What's next? 47:29 Tell us about your weekly web show, Friends & Fiction, and the spin-off podcast, Writer's Block Purchase Links The Forest Of Vanishing Stars: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the author.

Charlie and Sally Page (The Keeper Of Stories) discuss story collection, the forgotten mistress of the abdicated Edward VIII, and dogs who swear something chronic! Please note that there are some spoilers throughout the episode. Please also note that there is a mild swear word in this episode. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-66-sally-page Sally's website (with info about floristry, flower books, and her painting) Libby Page Olivia Coleman's Oscar win and speech Scheherazade Marguerite Alibert Wendy Holden's The Duchess Sally's fountain pens, Plooms (I was incorrect - there *is* a mention of Marguerite on Edward VIII's Wikipedia page.) You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 01:03 Tell us about your flower shop 03:15 On this then, would you say you yourself are a keeper of stories? 04:27 You're a painter - tell us all about it 06:45 [Reading] 09:00 You never give the name of the National Treasure - is there a reason for this and what is their purpose? 10:20 Janice - can you talk about her creation and any inspirations? 12:33 In terms of this subject, were the other characters more function or important in themselves? 14:21 And Mrs B - her creation, etc...? 15:29 You use the Arabian Nights - can you talk about using this, the reasons, etc? 16:57 Janice never asks what the real name of 'Becky' was. Does this help her progression as a character? 18:58 You've mentioned it twice now so I have to ask - what's your favourite period of history to study? 19:43 How did you come to know and use the story of Margherite and what was it about it that interested you? 23:43 [Talking Decius] 27:02 Fiona and Adam - how important was their story to the overall narrative? 28:13 What's next? 29:22 What is it about needing happy endings? 30:19 Tell us about the fountain pens you sell, Plooms? 31:38 [Sally talks about her readers' responses] Purchase Links The Keeper Of Stories: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the author.

Charlie and Natalie Jenner (Bloomsbury Girls) discuss Jane Austen in all Natalie's interesting concepts, tales of related auctions she has been involved in, and the work to 'preserve and pull together' a record of the books that inspired her. They also discuss Natalie's inclusion of Daphne du Maurier in her novel, Persephone Books, and genre in its context as a label. Please note that there are (very slight) spoilers throughout the episode. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-65-natalie-jenner Persephone Books 84 Charing Cross Road (film) Sunwise Turn Madge Jemisin's memoir Lamb's Conduit Street The Second Shelf Bookshop, London Daphne du Maurier's Myself When Young: The Makings Of A Writer Emily Midorikawa: Daphne du Maurier and Oriel Malet Daphne du Maurier's The Doll Sonia Orwell Jane Wells Webb The Mummy! The Godmersham Lost Sheep Society's blog Reading With Austen McGill's Burney Centre Sample and Audible edition of Richard Armitage's narration of The Jane Austen Society Sample and Audible edition Juliet Stevenson's narration of Bloomsbury Girls Natalie's favourite Persephone book is Julia Strachey's Cheerful Weather For The Wedding You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 01:14 You owned a book shop. Tell us about it 05:40 You are obviously very interested in classical writers, Jane Austen in particular. Can you tell us where your inspiration stems from? 14:37 [Reading] 19:55 How much are the Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls related - can Bloomsbury Girls be a standalone? 21:09 Can you talk about three of your inspirations for Bloomsbury Girls - the book 84 Charing Cross Road, and the bookshops Sunwise Turn and Persephone Books? 26:17 Why as it important to you to include Daphne du Maurier? 32:51 Why Jane Wells Webb - why The Mummy, why include this author in particular? 37:20 You have auctions of books in your novel. Are auctions something that interests you and were there real life ones that inspired you? 41:40 You've mentioned genre a couple of times. Can you expand on your thoughts here? 45:51 What's next? 47:59 (Natalie talks about the British audiobook editions of her novels) Purchase Links The Jane Austen Society: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters Bloomsbury Girls: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the author.

Charlie and Chloe Timms (The Seawomen) discuss Chloe's dystopian fictional religious cult in all its fantasy and reality, the major changes she made to the book as the editing progressed, and her own interpretations of the various parts of the ending. Please note that there are spoilers throughout the episode. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-64-chloe-timms The blog post that mentions the Bridport Prize, 'Fighting Self Doubt and Embracing Writing Opportunities' The Bridport Poetry Prize The Faber Academy Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale Kirsty Logan The Literary Consultancy Evie Wyld's The Bass Rock Confessions Of A Debut Novelist You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 01:01 You say on your blog you'll mention Your Bridport Prize for Poetry longlisting at every opportunity. I've introduced it - tell us about it 02:32 How did you find your agent? 05:58 [Reading] 10:49 Can you tell us about the starting point of this novel - the idea, the inspirations, etc? 13:57 Is Esta important for herself or more for what she represents? 17:04 Is what we're talking about to do with the major structural change? 19:22 Why mermaids and selkies? 22:04 The way you incorporated the seawomen, the concept etc, was that always the plan? 24:59 Did you ever consider keeping the untethered women alive? 26:24 Cal, a man, helps Esta to see what was going on. Can you talk about your use of him here, how he came to be the defining moment of that point of the book? 29:11 When in Esta's life is the narrative being written? 30:50 What are The Otherlands to you, what are they like? 33:33 What's the importance of having the men in the dark - or are they? 35:52 Should Mull be forgiven? 37:08 Where does the grandmother fit in terms of her belief and what's going on? 40:33 Does Esta survive? 42:07 What happens to Cal? 43:47 Is Esta's mother okay? 44:15 What's next? 45:41 Tell us about your podcast, Confessions of a Debut Novelist 48:02 [Chloe discusses our conversation, the detail etc] Purchase Links The Seawomen: Amazon UK Waterstones Hive I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the publisher.

Charlie and Amanda Geard (The Midnight House) discuss buying big derelict houses, the importance of community in County Kerry, and Amanda's stunning epilogue - which is one of Charlie's favourites. Please note that there are spoilers throughout the episode. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-63-amanda-geard Writer's Week Patricia O'Reilly My discussion with Liz Fenwick is episode 35; Hazel Gaynor is 46; Nicola Cornick 1 and 38 The Ring of Kerry Delphi Lodge, Galway The Kerry Way Canary Girls You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 01:03 You're a geologist - tell us about your background and what came before writing 01:44 Where does your writer self come in to this? 04:43 So you have planned this book meticulously...? 05:18 So are you going to write a time-slip book? 06:25 [Reading] 09:17 How did you come to the title, The Midnight House? 10:13 Whereabouts does the House itself fall on the scale of importance? 13:28 You mentioned the house you bought - you renovated it etc?... 14:57 The community in the book - was it always important from the get go? 17:36 Can you tell us about Nancy, Charlotte, and Hattie? 19:58 Why did you want to explore Charlotte's story through Ellie's, or was it maybe the other way round for you? 21:54 Were there any particular historical influences that worked for Charlotte's story? 23:57 Was it Charlotte's disappearance itself or more so the subject of it that was important? 25:58 You reveal Ellie's 'mysteries' a lot slower. What was the reason for that? 28:32 Had you considered having Charlotte still alive? 30:29 Why the epilogue, why include Charlotte like this? 31:45 Did a lot of pregnant women work as Canary Girls? 34:10 What would have happened with Charlotte if she'd lived? 34:40 What's going to happen with the peerage and the house, would you say? 36:03 What's next? 37:21 [Amanda talks about reader reactions to The Midnight House] Purchase Links The Midnight House: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the agent.

Charlie and Grace D Li (Portrait Of A Thief) discuss Chinese American identity, art theft and repatriation, and bonkers fun fictional heists. Please note that there are spoilers throughout the episode. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-62-grace-d-li The Sackler Museum The real thefts The Old Summer Palace The Second Opium War looting Information (from last year) about the Netflix deal You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:52 How do you combine your medical studies with your writing? 02:24 You're a museum tour guide?... 03:51 [Reading] 08:15 Can you tell us about the real stories behind your heists? 10:44 Are you able to give us a brief history the palace and the original looting? 12:12 Can you tell us what’s currently happening in terms of art that’s been given back, the changes that have happened since the heist that you’ve fictionalised? 13:28 How have your own feelings of identity progressed? 14:53 Can you talk about your characters in terms of identity, how you created them and so on? 16:03 You give each character their own narrative. Was this always the plan? 16:46 Are you able to talk about the theme of loss in this context? 18:29 Why a heist to explore identity? 19:37 You mention the pandemic – where in our current time does the novel fit? 20:53 Was there a reason for the different levels of digital (and so forth) security in the book? 22:29 Why have Daniel’s father be so high up in the FBI; why was his role important? 25:42 Do you have a favourite character? 27:11 The romances – to you as the writer, how did they help the stories messages and topics come to the fore, etc? 30:37 The ending – was it always going to be this different heist? 32:36 Did you ever considered having more ‘full’ heists than you did? 34:38 Could the characters have found who they were without the heists? 35:44 Has there been progress with the Netflix purchase? 36:41 What’s next? Purchase Links Portrait Of A Thief: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the author. Credit: Yi Li.

Charlie and Yvonne Bailey-Smith (The Day I Fell Off My Island) discuss the effects on children of immigration from Jamaica to the UK, the effects on parents, and the lack of educational care afforded to and the assumptions made about Black British students. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-61-yvonne-bailey-smith The Day I Fell Off My Island on the Author Club's Best Novel Award Professor Carolyn Cooper Lisa Allen-Agostini's The Bread The Devil Knead Diane Abbott After we finished recording, Yvonne spoke to me about how people from all across the world, ethicities, places, religions, have read her book and contacted her about it, and how wonderful that has been. You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 01:55 [Reading] 11:43 Tell us about Grandma Melba 14:25 Can you tell us about your work as a social worker and psychotherapist? 15:54 You've been writing this book for a very long time? 18:22 Is there anything interesting you can tell us about what was edited out? 19:18 How much of this book is informed by your own story of immigration to England? 22:01 Did it take you a while to get used to living in Britain; how similar are yours and Erna's experiences? 24:47 Can you talk about your choices to write half of the novel's dialogue - the half set in Jamaica - in Jamaican patois? 28:58 You said about Carolyn Cooper checking through the book the night beforehand, was anything able to be done about the errors? 31:16 Can you tell us about Violet - what went into creating her, and so on? 36:21 Erna is not given advice about university until she asks about it and she says this happened to other black school mates. Was this something that happened a lot then and further in the future? 40:11 Tell us all about the title! 41:31 Is there anything you can tell us about the sequel? Purchase Links The Day I Fell Off My Island: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of Yvonne's publicist. Credit: Elena Heatherwick.

Charlie and Jennifer Saint (Elektra) discuss the Trojan War in terms of the women the men left behind - Elektra, Clytemnestra, Cassandra, and, arguably, Helen. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-60-jennifer-saint The Trojan War Elektra Clytemnestra Cassandra Agamemnon The Odyssey Odysseus Penelope Ariadne Aegisthus Helen Iphigenia Andromache Paris Roger Lancelyn Green's The Tale Of Troy Atlanta You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:32 When did you first become interested in Greek mythology? 02:00 [Reading] 05:39 Why Elektra, why is she the title character? 06:47 [Jennifer talks about how she initially saw Clytemnestra as more important] 09:39 Is Clytemnestra the character you sympathise with the most? 12:22 Would events have gone the way the did if Clytemnestra had spent more time with Elektra? 14:15 Why is it important to keep telling these stories? 18:16 What was important to you to add in that was missed in the other variations? 21:14 What is your favourite Greek myth? 23:19 Did you ever consider a different narrative - Helen, for example? 27:56 In your opinion, did Helen go willingly to Paris? 31:05 How has history regarded Cassandra - should she have slept with Apollo? 33:43 Is it right that Elektra's left at the end? 35:02 What was the belief in the Underworld at the time in regards to Iphigenia's place in it? 36:30 What's next? Purchase Links Elektra: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of Jennifer's publicist.

Charlie and Melissa Fu (Peach Blossom Spring) discuss the experiences of Chinese refugees during the Second Sino-Japanese War - particularly those who fled to Taiwan - the centuries old hand scrolls that inspired her own character’s scroll, and how the lives of her family influenced her work. Please note that there are spoilers throughout the episode. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-59-melissa-fu The David TK Wong Fellowship George Ella Lyon's Where I'm From Danke Li's Echoes Of Chongqing The Second Sino-Japanese War Chi Pang-yuan's The Great Flowing River The Great Tunnel Disaster of Chongqing Q M Zhang's Accomplice To Memory The Admonitions scroll The British Museum's page on the Admonitions scroll (thanks to Melissa) YouTube scroll-through of Along The River During Qingming Animated version of Along The River (see top of page; thanks to Melissa) Background information on Along The River The Taiping steamer You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:45 You wrote some of this book during a fellowship at UEA? 02:30 [Reading] 05:00 What made you start on the note that you did? 06:56 Can you tell us about the other starting point of the novel, your father and his peach trees? 10:13 Is it right to say there might be a bit of you in Lily? 11:18 Can you tell us about Meilin - how you came to create her and what went in to making her? 14:38 Can you tell us about the experiences of women and refugees during the war? 16:56 The incidence in the tunnel and the plane on the road - are these real events that happened? 21:55 Can you tell us about Taiwan in terms of what it was like for the refugees? 26:10 Why did you include the hand scroll as an item and as a concept in itself? 30:15 Was it always in your mind to shrink Longwei's family as the narrative continued? 34:52 Was Meilin right not to marry Longwei? 36:50 Could things have been fixed so that Meilin could have joined Henry in the US? 39:12 In the US, Henry is paranoid about political people coming after him due to his uncle. Was his uncle actually in a position to make that a possibility? 43:28 What's next? Purchase Links Peach Blossom Spring: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of Melissa's publicist. Credit: Sophie Davidson.

Charlie and Natasha Miller (Relentless) discuss Natasha's incredible and inspirational life as a classical violinist and jazz singer, and founder and owner of a multi-million dollar events company. Our discussion includes her childhood - she's a survivor of abuse - and being a parent who strives to get it right. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-58-natasha-miller Entire Productions on the Inc. 5000 list Jamie Blaine Simon Estes 2004 article about Bobby Sharp and Natasha Entire Productions Entire Productions' YouTube channel Covenant House Fascinating Entrepreneurs 'Over The Moon' Preview Natasha's albums on YouTube Music Buy the CDs and MP3s Previews and other digital versions Natasha's older YouTube channel with earlier performances and other bands Recent Christmas performances and Entire Productions' bands You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:56 Can you tell us how you created this book with Jamie Blaine? 03:49 [Reading] 07:54 Can you tell us about your childhood? 11:44 How do you feel your experiences in childhood have shaped who you are in adulthood, your progression in life? 14:02 Can you tell us about your music career? 16:18 How did your friendship with Bobby Sharp impact your career and life? 18:08 Would you say you're more a singer than a violinist? 19:58 Can you tell us about Entire Productions - how it started, how it grew, and what it's all about? 24:26 Would you say you're more of a musician than a business woman? 25:10 Do you ever have Impostor Syndrome? 26:36 Why have you written Relentless now, why this part of your life? 28:16 The proceeds (partial) are going to Covenant House?... 29:10 Tell us about your podcast, Fascinating Entrepreneurs 30:18 What's next? 31:42 You say about how you've parented Bennett differently - can you give us an example? 35:25 [Natasha discusses her daughter's singing with her and her then-upcoming book launch] 36:42 [Natasha reminds us that if you want to do something, you need to go for it] Purchase Links Relentless: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of Natasha's assistant.

Charlie and Kate Quinn (The Rose Code; The Diamond Eye) discuss the extraordinary people behind Bletchley Park's successes, including socialite Osla Benning, and her relationship with Elizabeth II's future husband, Prince Philip. And, in a nod to her latest novel, Kate introduces us to Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a WWII Soviet sniper from Kyiv. Please note there is a swear word in this episode. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-57-kate-quinn Osla Benning Lord Mountbatten Mavis Lever Dilly Knox Battle of Cape Matapan Mavis Lever's biography of Dilly Knox John Cairncross The Cambridge Five Coventry Blitz Lyudmila Pavlichenko You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:34 Tell us about your degrees in Classical Voice 02:55 How did you come to choose how to write The Rose Code, whose stories to tell? 04:59 Could you tell us more about Osla - who she was factually, and in the context of your novel? 08:01 Were you daunted at all, using Prince Philip as a character? 11:17 Could you tell us about Mavis Lever (a person who worked at Bletchley who made up a portion of Quinn's character, Beth)? 13:52 You've said before that Bletchley was quite diverse. Could you expand on this? 15:47 You've used references to Alice In Wonderland as metaphors - why? 17:11 Did many people suffer from mental illness due to their work? 20:10 How vital were Beth's awful parents to you in terms of her character development? 23:01 The second narrative set in the 'current' day - why include this new code-breaking and traitors? 26:16 How important was it for the traitor to be easy to work out? 27:48 You have a second, fictional, aid raid happening in Coventry. Can you tell us about the facts of the real one and the decisions made? 31:47 Should the reader's opinion of Beth have changed during this section? 35:08 [Reading] 39:55 How was Lyudmila recruited? Purchase Links The Rose Code: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters The Diamond Eye: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the author.

Charlie and Imogen Clark (Impossible To Forget) discuss her latest novel - a pre-release bestseller, creating the story as she goes and publishing what is her first draft, and beginning her career as a novelist in her 50s. Please note that there is a very mild swear word in this episode. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-56-imogen-clark You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:42 Your first book was published when you were in your 50s. How was that? 01:47 You publish what is basically your first draft? 02:49 It seems to me that you often write about secrets. What is it about secrets that gets to you? 04:37 [Reading] 08:01 How important was the plot compared to the characters? 09:09 Hope and her storyline was in your mind from the beginning?... 11:18 Can you tell us about Angie? 13:48 How much of you is in this book? 15:30 The narrative's told by different characters in batches, why this style of narrative? 17:32 Was Leon's exclusion as a narrative voice due to his choices in life? 19:02 (Spoiler question) Did Maggie and Leon getting together come to you as you were writing? 20:25 Was it important that Romany was a narrator? 21:29 Where would Romany be without the friends? 23:18 (Spoiler question) Has Tiger found himself at last by the end of the book? 25:21 How early did you want people to 'get' the twist with Hope? 28:09 Can you tell us about your next book, An Unwanted Inheritance? 31:02 (About the numbers of ideas and their possibilities) 33:04 Is there a possibility for more sequels of your books to be written? Purchase Links Impossible To Forget: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters An Unwanted Inheritance: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Barnes & Noble IndieBound I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the publicity team.

Charlie and Patrick Gale (Take Nothing With You; Mother's Boy) discuss musicality - his own and his character's, setting a childhood in a care home, the beloved Cornish poet Charles Causley, and a future stage production of Take Nothing With You. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-55-patrick-gale North Cornwall Book Festival The Penzance Orchestral Society Steven Isserlis' tribute to Jane Cowan (cello teacher) Weston-super-Mare Charles Causley The Charles Causley Trust Work on the stage production of Take Nothing With You begins this year for performance in 2023. You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:40 You're talking from today from your writing room - can you tell us about it? 02:43 Tell us about your farm and how your writing fits in with the routine 04:41 The use of music in Take Nothing With You is inspired by your own passion for the cello? 07:50 Would you say that Eustace is living his best life (without the cello)? 09:26 You've had a cello made? 10:29 What's your favourite piece of music to play? 11:01 Were Eustace's teachers and the cello school based on anyone, any thing? 14:43 Why did you leave a gap between Eustace's childhood and later adulthood? 17:16 The religion is both a big slice of the book and, in literal, word, terms, not so big. Why did you incorporate it in this way? 19:56 Is there any literary significance to Naomi? 21:58 Why did you set Eustace's childhood in a care home? 23:54 Eustace's state school - what was the significance of using this part of the working class? 27:52 What happened to Vernon? 29:36 [Reading] 34:22 Mother's Boy is about the poet, Charles Causley?... 36:58 You are a patron of the Charles Causley Trust? 39:31 (The upcoming theatre production of Take Nothing With You) Purchase Links Take Nothing With You: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Indigo Chapters Mother's Boy: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the author. Credit: Jillian Edelstein.

Charlie and Kaia Alderson (Sisters In Arms) discuss the little-known 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black female US unit in WW2 - their day-to-day work dealing with a backlog of post that no one else could figure out, the leaders, and the various responses to them then and now - and Kaia tells us about the influential Dr Mary McLeod Bethune as well as the baseball Negro Leagues. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-54-kaia-alderson Links about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion: Website Article Wikipedia Footage of Charity Adams' unit in England Charity Adam Earley's One Woman's Army Brenda L Moore's To Serve My Country To Serve My Race Wikipedia's article on Charity Adams Earley Video interview with Charity Adams Earley >Progress on the Congressional Gold Medal as of the publication of this episode The Negro Leagues Effa Manley Spelman College Mary McLeod Bethune Bethune-Cookman University Dovey Johnson Roundtree Keys versus Carolina Coach Company The Montgomery Bus Boycott You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:43 You are a romance writer as well (as historical)? 01:28 You made initial inroads to this book in your middle school years? 03:13 You found your editor because she posted a photo of the women you were writing about?... 04:18 Can you give us a brief history of the work the 6888th did? 08:23 How did you research your book - were you able to interview surviving members?... 11:48 [Reading] 21:08 Can you tell us more about Charity Adams? 26:33 Can you tell us about the racism they experienced? 29:45 The 6888th didn't get a parade when they got back home? 33:14 Can you tell us about the baseball Negro Leagues? (Includes info about Kaia's next book) 38:24 Grace and Eliza's on-again off-again friendship - why was that important? 40:04 Can you tell us about Mary McLeod Bethune? 44:12 What's the release date for your next book? 44:30 Anything else you'd like to add? Purchase Links Sisters In Arms: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the author. Credit: Jillisa Hope Milner.

Charlie and Sara Nisha Adams (The Reading List) discuss books! The ways they can bring very different people together, the importance of libraries in Sara's life and their impact as a community hub, and her family in the context of her work. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-53-sara-nisha-adams Hodder Studio Barham Community Library You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:48 You've worked at a few different publishers - can you tell us about your job? 12:34 This book has a lot of you and your grandfather in it? 14:15 Where's Aleisha 'from'? 16:11 You've spoken about your maternal grandfather, can you tell us about your paternal grandmother, how she influenced you? 18:51 The list of books Mukesh and Aleisha read - why these books? 21:45 Was The Time Traveller's Wife initially included in a similar way to the other books? 23:25 We learn at the end who wrote the book list. How important was their identity, and revealing it, to you? 25:19 Why the chapters focused on other people? 27:48 What led you to include the narrative device of the answerphone messages? 30:07 The way the write about Aiden, the hint to the reader about what might be going on - what was important about his role in the book for you? 31:58 Was it important to you to stay away from discussing what Leilah suffers from? 33:35 Your fictional Harrow Road Library and the hopes of saving it - is this based on a real library? 36:35 What's the next book Mukesh and Aleisha would be reading (after the end)? 37:54 You've included your own reading list at the end; tell us about your most favourite books 41:00 Your dad wanted to wait until your book was published to read it. Has he read it? 42:01 To sum up, what is the most important thing(s) about reading, to you? 43:29 What's next? Purchase Links The Reading List: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the agency. Credit: Will Handysides.

Charlie and Edward Carey (B: A Year in Plagues and Pencils; The Swallowed Man) discuss his epic drawing project wherein he undertook to create a sketch each day of the pandemic, the various individuals whose lives became a part of the wider picture, and finish on a completely different but relevant subject - the literary and social history of Pinocchio. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-52-edward-carey The Harry Ransom Centre Edward's Twitter Edward's Instagram The Tombow B pencil Robert Louis Stevenson's The Land Of Counterpane Xavier de Maistre's A Journey Around My Room Theodor Kittelsen Pesta is the personification of the Black Death The Parco di Pinocchio Carlo Collodi Wikipedia's article on the original story of Pinocchio The oak tree in Collodi where Pinocchio was hanged Robert Coover's Pinocchio in Venice The Foundling Hospital Museum, London The Ospedale degli Innocenti You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:53 Was there a defining moment in your life when you realised you wanted to write and illustrate? 02:25 (Asking about Edward's role at the University of Texas) 04:24 Plague and Pencils: why did you start the project? 07:58 Was there any day's work/a couple of days' work that defines the project for you in terms of the actual drawings? 10:11 How many pencils did you get through? 10:54 Can you tell us about your art supplies and the pencils you use? 12:14 If you ever ran out of the Tombow Bs, what would be the next best pencil? 13:01 You often drew people who wrote in isolation or quarantine... 17:08 Was there a particular reason for the dates of the drawings not being included in the book? 19:53 You drew for 500 days; when did you know you had finished? 23:16 You've said you'd never written a diary, but you have now effectively got one. Do you think you might consider doing anything similar again? 23:58 If we can funnel what's been said already, what effect did this project have on you? 25:15 Your latest book is The Swallowed Man. Can you introduce it to us? 33:44 You wrote a stage adaptation of Pinocchio?... Purchase Links B: A Year In Plagues And Pencils: Amazon UK Amazon US Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters The Swallowed Man: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the marketing team. Credit: Elizabeth McCracken.

Charlie and Janie Chang (The Library Of Legends) discuss the incredible journeys made by Chinese university students, during the 1937 Japanese invasion, as they evacuated their campuses and made their way on foot to safer areas of the country. We also discuss the Shanghai International Settlement and Janie's compelling family history. Some podcast apps do not show description links properly unless the listener subscribes to the podcast. If you can't click the links below and don't wish to subscribe, copy and paste the following address into your browser to access the episode's page on my blog: http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/podcast/episode-51-janie-chang Janie's article on the TIME website, 'The Risky Journey That Saved One of China's Greatest Literary Treasures' Blog post: The Difficult Daughter (about her paternal grandmother) Blog post: The Idle Son (paternal grandfather) Blog post: The Years of War Blog post: The Village Doctor (Dr Mao) Blog post: The Origins of Nightmares (father's university years during the war) Du Fu Pinghu Sophie's Choice, named after the book and film, relates to making an impossibly difficult choice, which is forced on a person. The Shanghai International Settlement Empire of the Sun (film) About the monument honouring Chinese workers in WW1 You can contact the show at books@carnelianvalley.com Question Index 00:44 [This becomes a longer discussion] Can you tell us about your blog, which is filled with your family's stories? 11:36 Your father and uncle were university students who were evacuated like your characters? 16:49 How do the myths and legends in your book align to the myths and legends told in real life? 18:41 Within the fantasy of your book, what would have happened to the gods in regards to the progress of science and so forth? 21:45 Were the students all okay - did they get through the war? 24:12 Was Doctor Mao and this side of the story influenced by your mother's family history? 26:57 You've mentioned the International Settlement - can you tell us more about it? 29:28 The stories in your book of refugee parents leaving their children behind whilst on the road, did this happen a lot? 30:57 In the history, a couple of years after your book finishes, the International Settlement was invaded and taken over. What would have happened to your characters? 33:03 Why was it important to have the romance in your book? 35:48 What's next - what are you writing now? Purchase Links The Library Of Legends: Amazon UK Amazon US Amazon Canada Waterstones Hive Barnes & Noble IndieBound Indigo Chapters I am an IndieBound affiliate and earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. Photograph used with the permission of the author.