Alex Pavesi, author of 'Ink Ribbon Red' - Thriller writer discusses why his characters will do what he wants, the routine that finally got him published, and murder mysteries

Sarah Easter Collins, author of 'Things Don't Break on their Own' - Author and painter discusses showing and not telling, poetry focusing prose, and bringing themes together

Louise Swanson, author of 'Lights Out' - Award-winning author discusses pseudonyms, being strict, and improving through rejections

Gareth Rubin, author of 'Holmes and Moriarty' - Mystery thriller writer discusses getting Sherlock Holmes right, playing with timelines, and getting bored of the craft

Molly Green, author of 'Courage for the Cabinet Girl' - Wartime novelist discusses starting early, honouring women, and building a train carriage

Jodi Picoult, author of 'By Any Other Name' - Forty million copy Bestseller discusses writing for therapy, forgetting your readers, and who Shakespeare really was

Ciar Byrne, author of 'A Deadly Discovery' - Gardening journalist and author discusses balancing work, starting early, and a strange path to publication

Jack Strange, author of 'Look Up, Handsome' - Rom-com author discusses finding the right genre, representation, and being inspired by Hallmark movies

Catherine Gray, author of 'Versions of a Girl' - Award-winning journalist talks switching to fiction, giving characters flexibility, and why taking a break from alcohol boosts creativity

J.M. Hall, author of 'A Clock Stopped Dead' - Cosy Crime writer discusses working in long-hand, retirement changing things, and how working as a teacher helps tell stories

Santa Montefiore, author of 'The Deverill Chronicles' - World-renowned bestseller discusses finally finding success at home, getting it written before getting it right, and why she needs spirituality

Alan Rhode, author of 'The Eagle and the Cockerel' - Journalist, Lawyer and Author discusses political thrillers, writing in a second language and why concentration is subjective

Catherine Steadman, author of 'Look in the Mirror' - Actor turned bestselling thriller writer discusses career pivots, character nuances, and why word count doesn't matter

Milly Johnson, author of 'The Happiest Ever After' - Bestselling Romance Writer discusses keeping the concentration up, why greeting cards help novels, and how to keep the plates spinning

B.P. Walter, author of 'The Garden Party' - Crime writer discusses escaping and being distracted, publishing horror, and making characters nuanced

Amy Neff, author of 'The Days I Loved You Most' - Debut writer discusses spending 10 years with characters, getting over rejection, and why editing needs help

Julietta Henderson, author of 'How to Get a Life' - Richard and Judy Book Club pick talks scattered scenes, finding the story thread, and why writing doesn't get any easier

Shaun Bythell, author of 'The Diary of a Bookseller' - Scotland's most famous bookseller discusses editing diaries, why everyone loves a bookshop, and style guides

Jonny Sweet, author of 'The Kellerby Code' - Screenwriter and Author discusses jokes influencing novels, why guilt is useless, and dealing with praise

Kate Storey, author of 'The Memory Library' - Book Club author discusses why a change of genre means a change of name, whether outlining curbs creativity, and why she watches for jokes