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Artwork for The Waterstones Podcast

The Waterstones Podcast

Waterstones
The Fury
Ultra-Processed Food
Maurice and Maralyn
Easy Wins
The Last Murder At the End Of the World
You Are Here
My Favorite Mistake
London
Menopause
Obesity
The Silent Patient
Greek Mythology
The Clockwork Conspiracy
Ocean Survival
Citibank
The Trading Game
Cooking
Quantum Leap
Agatha Christie
The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

Going beyond the book with a wide range of authors to discover the story behind the books we love.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes174Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Waterstones Podcast

Latest Episodes

Ian McEwan's masterful new novel is a piece of speculative fiction that shows a radically altered UK on the other side of climate catastrophe and global warfare. But it centres on two academics reaching back into the past to uncover the secrets behin... more

With the arrival of Among the Burning Flowers, the majestic prequel to her classic fantasy, The Priory of the Orange Tree, we sat down with ⁠Samantha Shannon⁠ to talk about prequels, sequels, reading order, star signs, big themes, tiny books and so m... more

Back in 2017, we made Slow Horses by Mick Herron our Thriller of the Month in August and a whole host of readers found their new obsession. Now, 15 years on from its first publication, we sat down with the author of 9 novels and 5 novellas in the ser... more

We sat down with the phenomenal A. F. Steadman to discuss all things Skandar, including emergency sandwiches, superfan events and reading for pleasure as we celebrate the heart-pounding conclusion to the iconic children's fantasy series, as Skandar a... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Bookclub
BookclubBBC Radio 4
Ask Penguin
Ask PenguinPenguin Books UK
A Good Read
A Good ReadBBC Radio 4
World Book Club
World Book ClubBBC World Service

Recent Guests

Catherine Airey
Author of 'Confessions', exploring family dynamics and trauma.
Episode: Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2025 Shortlist Interview
Gurnaik Johal
Author of 'Saraswati', addressing climate issues and familial bonds.
Episode: Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2025 Shortlist Interview
Niamh Ní Mhaolieoin
Author of 'Ordinary Saints', focusing on grief and identity.
Episode: Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2025 Shortlist Interview
William Rayfet Hunter
Author of 'Sunstruck', a story about love and identity.
Episode: Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2025 Shortlist Interview
Lisa Ridzén
Author of 'When The Cranes Fly South', about an elderly man's reflections.
Episode: Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2025 Shortlist Interview
Lucy Steeds
Author of 'The Artist', set in 1920s France, focusing on art and secrets.
Episode: Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2025 Shortlist Interview
Naga Munchetty
Journalist, broadcaster, and author
Episode: Naga Munchetty
Jack Fairweather
Author of 'The Prosecutor' and biographer
Episode: Jack Fairweather
Michael Morpurgo
Acclaimed author and former children's laureate
Episode: Michael Morpurgo

Host

Will Rycroft
Host of discussions with debut authors and interesting literary figures, emphasizing their unique stories and perspectives.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 308 ratings
  • Less Host Talking

    Great guests like Nigel Slater ; would be 5 star if host spoke much much less!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    trillionshelper
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great for finding new authors!

    Love the interviewer and short interviews. Always a good listen to expand my reading horizons!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shooker374
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Fantastic

    A nicely varied podcast about books, with authors, actors and humans discussing all aspects of books and our lives!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hanrutous
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • My favourite!

    This is the best bookish podcast I’ve come across. So enjoying each conversation, emotive themes explored but communicated in a lighthearted and warm style. LOVE ❤️📚

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AlishaBens0n
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Hand sell?

    What precious nonsense - ‘hand selling a book’

    Should we credit supermarkets with hand selling groceries as well? Or should booksellers admit they are businesses whose primary reason for existence is to make a profit

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Cgfry5755435466hfggtu
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the engaging discussions with authors, finding the format enriches their understanding of literature.
Reviews suggest that while some episodes may vary in quality, the overall content remains insightful and valuable for literature enthusiasts.
Many highlight the thematic depth and personal insights provided by the guests, making complex topics accessible and enjoyable.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#32
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#85
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#124
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#118
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#17
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#23
Singapore/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Holly Jackson
Q: What would you do if you were in that situation?
I think I'd probably choose the same as Jet. But let's hope I don't have to.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce
Q: Would you like to see the Blockbusters adapted one day maybe?
Frank mentioned the complexities of adaptation but indicated that it would indeed be exciting due to the layers of storytelling involved in the book.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce
Q: Could you tell us a little about those roles and why you chose to include them?
Frank explained how he always takes his kids to film sets to show them the many roles that exist beyond actors and directors, emphasizing the creativity involved in those jobs.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce
Q: What was it like sort of writing his character?
Frank discussed how he was inspired by children he meets at schools, many of whom have disrupted lives, and he wanted his character to symbolize the importance of love and family.
Ocean Vuong
Q: What do you mean by that? Or rather, what does she mean by that? And how does it apply to you as a writer?
Vuong reflects on his contemplation of death as a way to clarify life and inspire deeper themes in his writing.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About The Waterstones Podcast

What is The Waterstones Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on literature and the art of storytelling, this series features in-depth conversations with a diverse group of authors, discussing themes related to their works and exploring the deeper narratives behind the books. Episodes often emphasize unique topics such as character development, familial ties, historical contexts, and societal issues, providing listeners with a compelling look at the motivations and creative processes of various writers. Notably, the format encourages a blend of literary exploration with personal insights, making it an enriching experience for both avid readers and aspiring writers.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Waterstones Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Waterstones Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Waterstones Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Waterstones Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Waterstones Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does The Waterstones Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Waterstones Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Waterstones Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Waterstones Podcast:

1. Bookclub
2. Ask Penguin
3. The Radio 2 Book Club
4. A Good Read
5. World Book Club

How many episodes of The Waterstones Podcast are there?

The Waterstones Podcast launched 8 years ago and published 174 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 The Waterstones Podcast?

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 The Waterstones Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Waterstones Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Waterstones Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Waterstones Podcast?

Recent guests on The Waterstones Podcast include:

1. Catherine Airey
2. Gurnaik Johal
3. Niamh Ní Mhaolieoin
4. William Rayfet Hunter
5. Lisa Ridzén
6. Lucy Steeds
7. Naga Munchetty
8. Jack Fairweather

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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