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Always Take Notes

Always Take Notes
Publishing Industry
Local Journalism
Jack the Ripper
Women In History
Ireland's Mother and Baby Homes
Mill Media
The City Changes Its Face
Victimology
The Eleventh Hour
Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service For Children
Gender Identity Issues
Subscription Model
History Writing
Social History
Fatwa
Journalism
Writing
Booker Prize
Philippa Gregory
Reni Eddo-Lodge

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 monthlyEpisodes265Founded9 years ago
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Arts

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Latest Episodes

Rachel and Simon speak with the novelist and short-story writer Lauren Groff. Lauren is the bestselling author of the novels "The Monsters of Templeton", "Arcadia", "Fates and Furies", "Matrix" and "The Vaster Wilds", and the short-story collections ... more

Simon and Rachel speak to Jason Burke, the international security correspondent for the Guardian. Jason has been a foreign correspondent for almost 30 years, reporting from the Middle East, South Asia, Europe and Africa. He writes regularly on terror... more

Rachel and Simon speak to the art historian and author Katy Hessel. While working at a London art gallery, Katy set up @thegreatwomenartists, an Instagram account dedicated to celebrating female artists, as well as "The Great Women Artists Podcast". ... more

Simon and Rachel speak with Doug Naylor, who co-created the hit 1990s science-fiction comedy "Red Dwarf". After abandoning his university studies in psychology in Manchester, Doug spent the better part of a year visiting Manchester Central Library, r... more

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Recent Guests

Lauren Groff
Novelist and short story writer
Author of Brawler
Episode: Lauren Groff on book bans, artificial intelligence and what novels set in the past reveal about the present
Jason Burke
International Security Correspondent at The Guardian
The Guardian
Episode: Jason Burke on his career as a foreign correspondent and unravelling 1970s terror networks in his new book
Katy Hessel
Art historian and author
Art historian and author of How To Live An Artful Life and The Story of Art Without Men
Episode: Katy Hessel on making museums accessible, writing "The Story of Art without Men" and the value of an art-history degree
Doug Naylor
Screenwriter and novelist, creator of Red Dwarf and Sin Bin Island
Episode: Doug Naylor on creating iconic 80s and 90s TV, a hit novelty song and books for children
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

Hosts

Simon Akam
Host and co-host of Always Take Notes
Rachel Lloyd
Co-host of Always Take Notes

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 211 ratings
  • Outstanding interviews

    I look forward to hearing these interviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NeverBored.
    United States9 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.

Guests range from famous authors to industry insiders, with practical, actionable advice.
Engaging interviews with intelligent, thoughtful hosts.
Listeners appreciate the deep dives into publishing and money in writing.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#218
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#75
New Zealand/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#203
Netherlands/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jason Burke on his career as a foreign correspondent and unravelling 1970s terror networks in his new book
Q: What was the hardest part of organizing thousands of pages of research into a cohesive narrative?
Weighed against a novelistic structure, the hardest part was fitting every thread—geographical theaters, timelines, and characters—into a readable flow without losing factual accuracy, which required extensive timelines, grids, and a lot of revision.
Jason Burke on his career as a foreign correspondent and unravelling 1970s terror networks in his new book
Q: How did language barriers shape the project and what role did translation play?
Language was central. I started with English and French, then expanded using translation tools like Google Translate and DeepL to access German, Serbo-Croatian, Italian, Arabic, and Hebrew sources, which opened up vastly more material and allowed authentic quotes and details.
Jason Burke on his career as a foreign correspondent and unravelling 1970s terror networks in his new book
Q: How did you approach the research process, particularly the balance between documentary sources and interviews?
I used a classic historical research approach combined with an oral history element, relying on a wide range of sources—from declassified cables and diplomatic documents to court transcripts and interviews with participants—to build a narrative that is rigorous and human-centered.
Lauren Groff on book bans, artificial intelligence and what novels set in the past reveal about the present
Q: You've described Matrix and your shift toward historical fiction; what changed your mind about writing historical fiction and what drew you to Marie de France specifically?
I fell in love with Marie de France's fearless voice and the way her stories push against constraints, showing how a singular mind can shape the world even within limited historical circumstances. That spark made me rethink historical fiction as more than literary tourism; it could be a vehicle to critique the present through the past.
Doug Naylor on creating iconic 80s and 90s TV, a hit novelty song and books for children
Q: What inspired Sin Bin Island and how did it evolve from concept to novel?
Doug describes it as an epic adventure with comedy elements, evolving from an initial darker orphanage premise into a story about smugglers, hidden tunnels, and a four-kid ensemble whose dynamics drive the plot; later, feedback from his son and a shift away from the flying saucer idea helped reshape it as a more accessible children's novel.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
Professions
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Household Income
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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?

A lively interview show centered on writing, publishing, and the literary world. Listeners gain practical tips on pitching, editing, and building a career, along with candid discussions about money, publishing dynamics, and storytelling craft. The format consistently features accomplished writers, editors, and publishers, giving behind-the-scenes access to how books get made, marketed, and consumed. A notable strength is the breadth of guests—from prize-winning authors to industry insiders—paired with thoughtful, in-depth questions that reveal process, challenges, and practical guidance for aspiring writers and publishing professionals.

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Which podcasts are similar to Always Take Notes?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Always Take Notes:

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

How many episodes of Always Take Notes are there?

Always Take Notes launched 9 years ago and published 265 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?

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What guests have appeared on Always Take Notes?

Recent guests on Always Take Notes include:

1. Lauren Groff
2. Jason Burke
3. Katy Hessel
4. Doug Naylor
5. Mary Beard
6. Jacques Testard
7. Nicole Vanderbilt
8. Frank Close

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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