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Always Take Notes

Always Take Notes
Publishing Industry
Philippa Gregory
Writing
Journalism
Jhumpa Lahiri
Television Production
Everything You Have
Biography Writing
John Le Carré
Central African Republic
Greece
The Secret Lives Of Colour
The Race To the Future
Kassia St. Clair
English Wine
Interpreter Of Maladies
Roman Stories
Crime Fiction
Harry Hole
Eleanor Moran

Always Take Notes is a fortnightly podcast from London for and about writers and writing. Hosts Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd speak to a diverse range of people in the industry on a variety of topics, from the mysteries of slush piles and per-word rates, to how data are changing the ways newspapers do business and how to pitch a book. patreon.com/alwaystakenotes

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes221Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

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Latest Episodes

Rachel and Simon speak with the novelist Eimear McBride. Born in Liverpool to Irish parents, Eimear studied acting before pursuing writing. Her debut novel, "A Girl is a Half-formed Thing", was published in 2013 after almost a decade of rejections; i... more

Simon and Rachel speak with the veteran British publisher Anthony Cheetham. Anthony began his career in 1966 at the New English Library, where his first acquisition was the paperback rights to "Dune", Frank Herbert’s science fiction epic. In 1969, An... more

In this episode, recorded in conjunction with Hay Festival, Rachel and Simon speak with the novelist Jacqueline Wilson. Born in 1945, Jacqueline wrote her first (unpublished) novel, "Meet the Maggots", when she was nine and has since gone on to write... more

In this episode, recorded live at the London Library, Simon and Rachel speak with the screenwriter Jesse Armstrong. Born in Shropshire and educated at Manchester University, Jesse co-created the Channel 4 comedy series "Peep Show" (2003–2015) and "Fr... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Eimear McBride
Novelist known for her distinctive linguistic style and character-driven narratives.
Faber and Faber
Episode: #221: Eimear McBride, novelist
Jacqueline Wilson
A renowned children's author known for her books exploring themes of childhood and personal experiences.
Episode: #219: Jacqueline Wilson, novelist
Jesse Armstrong
Screenwriter and Director, known for Succession and Mountainhead
HBO, Sky
Episode: #218: Jesse Armstrong, screenwriter
Hallie Rubenhold
Historian and author known for her works on Jack the Ripper's victims and other historical narratives
Author of 'Story of a Murder' and 'The Five'
Episode: #217: Hallie Rubenhold, historian
Viet Thanh Nguyen
Novelist and Academic
Episode: #216: Viet Thanh Nguyen, novelist and academic
Jojo Moyes
Novelist and author known for her book 'Me Before You'
Michael Joseph
Episode: #215: Jojo Moyes, novelist
Ben Macintyre
Journalist and author known for works including Operation Mincemeat and The Spy Among Friends
The Times and Penguin Viking
Episode: #214: Ben Macintyre, journalist and author
Diana Evans
Novelist and journalist
Episode: #213: Diana Evans, novelist and journalist
Andrew O'Hagan
Novelist and non-fiction writer, author of Caledonian Road
Faber and Faber
Episode: #212: Andrew O'Hagan, novelist and non-fiction writer

Hosts

Simon Akam
Co-host known for his articulate interviewing style and knowledge of the writing industry, with a focus on engaging discussions about the art of storytelling and the intricacies of publishing.
Rachel Lloyd
Co-host recognized for her thoughtful approach to conversations with writers and her ability to draw out personal stories and insights pertaining to the creative journey.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 204 ratings
  • Outstanding interviews

    I look forward to hearing these interviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NeverBored.
    United States2 months ago
  • Entertaining, helpful and informative

    I really enjoy Always Take Notes. It has the most incredible guests. My favourites so far are Harlen Coben and Lee Child. But it’s great when they move away into screenwriting and other platforms (James Graham and David Nicholls are also fab interviewees.)

    Simon and Rachel are intelligent and articulate interviewers.

    The most heartening thing to hear is how successful writers have struggled, either creatively, financially or emotionally with their work - but have found a way through.

    Also a us... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rob M U rphy
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Philippe Sands episode is exceptional

    Philippe Sands episode absolutely fascinating. The best episode. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cbsurm
    Australia9 months ago
  • Really helpful

    As a graduate of an MA in Magazine Journalism, I recently discovered a podcast that perfectly complements and extends what I learned during my course. Even after graduation, I continue to learn something new from each episode. The best part is that most of the guest speakers are working journalists, making it feel like attending hundreds of journalism seminars without actually having to go. I highly recommend it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wangmo44
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Podcast overall good, but

    I enjoy the Always Take Notes Podcast. I don’t listen regularly but I do listen from time to time, I enjoy the hosts and being exposed to writers with which I’m otherwise unfamiliar. I took a point off just because I wouldn’t rate it a perfect 5, however I took another point off for the Naomi Klein interview. The approach Klein took to write her book Doppelgänger doesn’t sit well. It seems attacking, unaccepting and condemning of the work of Naomi Wolfe in a way that’s almost underhanded. Kle... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Jesus-in-the-City
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many reviews emphasize the show's tremendous value for aspiring writers and those interested in the literary world, complimenting the practical advice and insights shared in each episode.
The hosts are commended for their intelligent questioning, although some suggest they could improve their engagement with guests to facilitate a more interactive experience.
Critiques mention occasional sound quality issues and a perceived lack of listening depth by the hosts, indicating room for improvement in interview styles.
Listeners appreciate the variety and quality of guests, with many highlighting the informative and inspiring nature of the conversations.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#239
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#179
Hong Kong/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#221
South Africa/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#219: Jacqueline Wilson, novelist
Q: Could you tell us about your first steps to publishing books?
I wrote two full length adult novels and one children's book when I was married at 19, and they were all turned down. Then I wrote Ricky's Birthday, which was accepted for publication.
#219: Jacqueline Wilson, novelist
Q: What was it like updating the characters and the story for the mid-2020s?
It was fun if I can understand it. You will find very few people in my books rely all the time on watching things on their mobile phones.
#218: Jesse Armstrong, screenwriter
Q: How has it worked for you over the course of your writing career? How have you made it work?
Armstrong expressed concerns about how writing about billionaires in America after achieving success himself can feel uncomfortable.
#218: Jesse Armstrong, screenwriter
Q: What took you to that project, and what was it like both writing in a different form, but also operating in a slightly different literary industry?
Armstrong found writing a novel lonely and scary compared to the collaborative nature of writing for TV, describing it as a long trudge to the North Pole.
#218: Jesse Armstrong, screenwriter
Q: What was that like? How did you feel taking on that challenge?
Armstrong admitted he was scared and found directing a notable challenge, especially during the first day on set with well-known actors.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Always Take Notes

What is Always Take Notes about and what kind of topics does it cover?

With a focus on writers and the writing process, this podcast features an array of guests from the literary industry, including authors, journalists, and publishing professionals. Conversations often explore the intricacies of the creative process, the challenges encountered in writing and publishing, and the evolving landscape of the literary world. The discussions cover a broad spectrum of topics such as personal storytelling, the nuances of journalism, the distinct experiences of authors across genres, and insights into navigating the publishing industry. This offers both aspiring writers and literary enthusiasts valuable perspectives and practical advice.

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How many listeners does Always Take Notes get?

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What are the audience demographics for Always Take Notes?

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How many subscribers and views does Always Take Notes have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Always Take Notes?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Always Take Notes:

1. The Waterstones Podcast
2. The Penguin Podcast
3. London Review Bookshop Podcast
4. Writer's Routine
5. Bookclub

How many episodes of Always Take Notes are there?

Always Take Notes launched 8 years ago and published 221 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Always Take Notes?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Always Take Notes?

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What guests have appeared on Always Take Notes?

Recent guests on Always Take Notes include:

1. Eimear McBride
2. Jacqueline Wilson
3. Jesse Armstrong
4. Hallie Rubenhold
5. Viet Thanh Nguyen
6. Jojo Moyes
7. Ben Macintyre
8. Diana Evans

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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