Simon Tolkien: From courtrooms to civil wars - writing historical fiction with heart
Simon discusses his latest novel, The Room of Lost Steps - the sequel to The Palace at the End of the Sea - which follows Theodore Sterling’s extraordinary journey from 1930s New York to Civil War Spain.Together, they explore the immense research behind Simon’s sweeping historical duology, how he structures complex projects without losing confidence or momentum, and what it’s like growing up in the shadow (and inspiration) of a literary legend.Tune in for a fascinating conversation about history, storytelling, and the discipline of writing across worlds - both real and imagined. Get full access to Writers’s Substack at writersonline.substack.com/subscribe
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Book Club: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
In this month’s Write Club Book Club episode, Beth and Mary discuss Buckeye by Patrick Ryan - a sweeping post-war novel set in small-town America that explores love, secrets, forgiveness, and the long shadows of the past.They unpack Ryan’s richly drawn characters, the powerful sense of place in Bonhomie, Ohio, and how war, disability, and spirituality shape the intertwined lives of two families across generations. Expect a lively discussion full of empathy, literary insight, and big questions about what it means to seek redemption - and home - in an imperfect world.Perfect for readers who love multi-generational stories, heartfelt drama, and the kind of writing that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page.Featured book: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan Get full access to Writers’s Substack at writersonline.substack.com/subscribe
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Bibi Berki
Join Beth and Mary on this week’s episode of the Write Club Podcast, where we go behind the pages and into the fascinating world of writing. Our guest is the multi-talented Bibi Berki - a fiction and non-fiction writer, podcaster, and creator of the acclaimed audio series The Kiss.Bibi talks about her journey from news reporting to storytelling in novels and audio, and how her debut novel The Watch — shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Prize — gave her the confidence to explore different formats. She also discusses her latest release, The Youngster (Deixis Press, August 2025), a tense literary domestic thriller shaped by the Covid lockdowns and set in South East London.Tune in to hear Bibi on:* The influence of place and atmosphere on her writing* The emotional challenges of crafting a domestic thriller* Her approach to storytelling for audio versus print* Collaboration, creative experimentation, and her future projects* And her top book and audio recommendationsListen now and get inspired to tell your story! Get full access to Writers’s Substack at writersonline.substack.com/subscribe
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Danny Fontaine
Danny coaches teams and pitches multi-million-dollar deals to some of the world’s biggest brands, blending creativity, psychology, storytelling, and immersive experiences. He also hosts the Pitch Masters podcast and is the author of Pitch, a guide to mastering the art of selling ideas.Danny shares his journey to becoming The Pitch Guy, explores why so many people fear pitching, and reveals practical tips to help writers confidently pitch their work. From externalising your novel’s themes to flipping your mindset and enjoying the process, this episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to get their writing noticed. Plus, Danny shares his top piece of advice and a recent book recommendation for listeners.Danny’s book Pitch is out now. Get full access to Writers’s Substack at writersonline.substack.com/subscribe
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Sara Grant
Struggling with how to edit your novel? In this episode of The Write Club Podcast, bestselling author, editor, and mentor Sara Grant shares expert editing tips every writer needs. Sara is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Editing Your Novel: A revolutionary approach to transform your writing and co-founder of Undiscovered Voices, which has launched the careers of over 100 authors.We talk about why editing can feel so daunting, the most common mistakes writers make, and the powerful ways editing can elevate your work. Sara also tells us about her work with Storymix, co-founding Undiscovered Voices, and what a typical writing day looks like for her.If you’re a novelist or aspiring writer looking for clear, professional editing advice, this episode will help you take your work to the next level. Get full access to Writers’s Substack at writersonline.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome to Write Club, the ultimate podcast for anyone passionate about the written word. Brought to you by Writers Online, in each episode we'll give you an insight into the world of writing, creativity, and publishing.
Join us as we sit down with celebrated authors, literary agents, industry mentors, and creative professionals to uncover their stories, insights, and advice. Write Club delivers everything you need to spark your creativity and sharpen your skills.
Every great writer knows: the first rule of Write Club is to never stop writing. writersonline.substack.com
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