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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
Kassia St. Clair
The Race To the Future
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 monthlyEpisodes257Founded9 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Rachel and Simon speak with the author and academic Mary Beard. Mary is a professor emerita of classics at Cambridge University and the Classics editor of the Times Literary Supplement. She has written more than 20 books, including "Pompeii" (the win... more

Simon and Rachel speak to Jacques Testard, the founder and publisher of Fitzcarraldo Editions, an independent house based in London that, since its establishment in 2014, has won four Nobel Prizes for literature. Jacques's Nobel winners are Svetlana ... more

In this episode Rachel and Simon speak to Nicole Vanderbilt, managing director of Bookshop.org in the UK. She joined Bookshop - an online bookseller set up to financially support independent bookshops - at its launch in November 2020; since then it h... more

In an episode recorded live at EA Festival, Simon and Rachel speak with the science writer Frank Close. Frank is emeritus professor of theoretical physics at the University of Oxford and is the only professional scientist to have won the Association ... more

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Recent Guests

Mary Beard
Academic and author discussed Talking Classics and public engagement with Classics
Talking Classics (Profile Books)
Episode: Mary Beard on "The Odyssey", "Gladiator 2" and why popular culture is always in dialogue with the ancient world
Jacques Testard
Founder and publisher of Fitzcarraldo Editions
Fitzcarraldo Editions
Episode: Jacques Testard on setting up Fitzcarraldo Editions, publishing fiction in translation and those blue-and-white covers
Nicole Vanderbilt
UK managing director of bookshop.org
Bookshop.org
Episode: Nicole Vanderbilt on how Bookshop.org is taking on Amazon through recommendations, not algorithms
Frank Close
Science writer and physicist, author of 'Destroyer of Worlds'
Episode: Frank Close on the nuclear age, physics' forgotten figures and writing for a general audience
Moira Buffini
Playwright, screenwriter, and novelist
Episode: #229: Moira Buffini, playwright, screenwriter and novelist
Salman Rushdie
Novelist known for his impactful works and experiences as a writer under threat.
Independent author
Episode: #228: Salman Rushdie, novelist
Michelle Paver
Novelist and author known for her series including 'Wolf Brother' and her latest book 'Rainforest'.
Orion
Episode: #227: Michelle Paver, novelist
Anthony Horowitz
Novelist known for the Alex Rider series and other works
Penguin
Episode: #226: Anthony Horowitz, novelist
Susan Choi
Acclaimed novelist and author of Flashlight and Trust Exercise
Episode: #225: Susan Choi, novelist

Hosts

Simon Akam
Co-host and host, experienced writer with a focus on literature and journalism.
Rachel Lloyd
Co-host and host, known for her interviews and insights into the writing community.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 209 ratings
  • Outstanding interviews

    I look forward to hearing these interviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NeverBored.
    United States7 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 Kingdoma year ago
  • Philippe Sands episode is exceptional

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cbsurm
    Australiaa year 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 Kingdom2 years 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 States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the insightful interviews with a range of fascinating guests.
Some feedback indicates a desire for improved interaction and active listening from the hosts during interviews.
The podcast is deemed an excellent resource for aspiring writers, providing practical advice and unique industry insights.
Many find the hosts intelligent and articulate, bringing valuable discussions to the table.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#193
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#89
Brazil/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#106
United Arab Emirates/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jacques Testard on setting up Fitzcarraldo Editions, publishing fiction in translation and those blue-and-white covers
Q: Could you tell us about the origin of Fitzcarraldo's visual aesthetic?
The aesthetic was influenced by French publishing norms and aims to create a uniform look that lets the writing stand out.
Jacques Testard on setting up Fitzcarraldo Editions, publishing fiction in translation and those blue-and-white covers
Q: How do you think that's changed the way that Fitzcarraldo has been perceived?
The perception has transformed significantly due to the awards and the growth of the house, increasing visibility and enabling financial growth.
Jacques Testard on setting up Fitzcarraldo Editions, publishing fiction in translation and those blue-and-white covers
Q: Could you tell us what that's like from the publisher's side of the desk?
Winning a Nobel Prize comes with a surprise and immediate media inquiries, followed by significant sales impact, making the day very intense with adrenaline rush.
Nicole Vanderbilt on how Bookshop.org is taking on Amazon through recommendations, not algorithms
Q: What would the dream scenario in another five years look like?
Simply continuing to deliver a solid experience to convince people there's a better way to buy books online.
Nicole Vanderbilt on how Bookshop.org is taking on Amazon through recommendations, not algorithms
Q: Could you tell us a bit about why that kind of review system does require so much resources?
Anytime you have user-generated content, you open yourselves up to moderation challenges and potential gaming of the system.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Always Take Notes

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

Exploring the multifaceted world of writing and publishing, episodes feature in-depth conversations with accomplished authors, screenwriters, and industry professionals. Common themes include the creative process, the challenges of literary life, and insights into publishing dynamics, with notable discussions encompassing a spectrum of genres and styles. This podcast is particularly appealing to aspiring and established writers, as it offers practical advice along with intimate stories from those who have navigated the complexities of the literary landscape. Unique in its blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights, it serves as both an inspiration and a resource for anyone interested in the craft of writing.

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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 LRB Podcast
2. Backlisted
3. Bookclub
4. This Cultural Life
5. The Slow Newscast

How many episodes of Always Take Notes are there?

Always Take Notes launched 9 years ago and published 257 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. Mary Beard
2. Jacques Testard
3. Nicole Vanderbilt
4. Frank Close
5. Moira Buffini
6. Salman Rushdie
7. Michelle Paver
8. Anthony Horowitz

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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