Write Club Podcast

This week on the Write Club Podcast, we’re joined by Melanie Blake, bestselling author and former talent agent. Melanie talks to us about her fascinating journey from working in the entertainment industry to creating the hit Ruthless trilogy, including the latest instalment, Vengeful Women.Discover how she draws inspiration from real-life experiences while crafting gripping commercial fiction, her tips for developing strong, memorable characters, and how she found her unique writing style. Listen now and take a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a bonkbuster! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe

This week on the Write Club Podcast, Mary and Beth chat with novelist and journalist Zoe Apostolides, author of The Homecoming - beautifully eerie and emotionally rich debut that has captivated us this Halloween season.Zoe talks us through:🏚️ The inspiration behind Elver House, and how physical spaces can mirror emotional and cognitive decline🧠 Memory, legacy, and dementia as central themes in her novel🐍 Why she chose eels - yes, eels! - as a recurring, unsettling symbol🦠 How writing during lockdown shaped the book’s tone of isolation📚 Her evocative writing style, route to publication, and what she’s working on nextThis episode is full of insight for writers who love atmospheric fiction, rich symbolism, and stories anchored in a strong sense of place.If you’re interested in haunted houses, slow-building dread, and the craft of writing deeply layered fiction, this is an episode you’ll love. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe

Join Mary and Beth on the latest episode of the Write Club Podcast as they chat with Harriett De Mesquita, author of The Magickal Summer of Evie Edelman. Harriett chats to us about how writing became a form of self-expression long before her adult autism diagnosis and how newfound self-knowledge has transformed her creative process.From exploring the role of voice in diary-style storytelling to discussing her experiences with synesthesia, Harriett shares how her unique perspective informs her characters and narrative. She also talks about the importance of featuring a misunderstood protagonist, her journey to publication, and offers a book recommendation for fellow writers and readers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe

In this gripping episode of the Write Club Podcast, Beth and Mary sit down with international bestselling author Lucie Whitehouse to explore the dark and fascinating world of crime fiction.Lucie talks to us about her brand-new novel, The Last Witness - the third in her acclaimed Robin Lyons series - and discusses how she weaves psychological tension, moral complexity, and real-world power dynamics into every page.This episode is a brilliantly honest, inspiring conversation about balancing research with emotion, the difference between crime and psychological suspense, and how Lucie keeps her readers guessing until the very end.If you’re a fan of sharp, character-driven thrillers - or dreaming of writing one yourself - this episode is not to be missed.🎙️ Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe

Gytha takes us behind the scenes of her latest novel - a dark, twist-filled story of love, betrayal, and survival set in Cambridge’s shadowy academic world. She opens up about stepping away from her beloved series, the challenges of writing when real life mirrors fiction a little too closely, and how she rediscovered her creative flow.We also explore her remarkable career as a playwright, video game writer, and novelist, discuss the art of crafting killer twists, and explore what it takes to keep readers hooked across multiple books.Whether you’re a fan of Gytha’s DCI Jonah Sheen crime series or simply love a smart, propulsive thriller, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and plenty of writing wisdom. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe