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We’re a podcast for anyone who writes. Every week we talk to writers about their writing journeys and techniques, from early career debuts to self-publishers and narrative designers. We’ve featured Margaret Atwood, Jackie Kay, Sara Collins, Antti Tuomainen, Val McDermid, Sarah Perry, Elif Shafak and many more! The Writing Life is produced by the National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall in Norwic... more

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Artwork for The Writing Life

Latest Episodes

In this episode of The Writing Life, poets Erica Hesketh and Jenny Pagdin share insights into the poetry of motherhood, and how they each share their ‘emotional truth’ in their writing.

Erica Hesketh is a poet and editor, originally from Japan and D... more

In this episode of The Writing Life, poet, editor, and literary activist Vanessa Bell discusses the journeys she has taken as a writer, both literally and figuratively, and her recent book tour around the UK.

Based in Quebec City of Literature, Vane... more

In this episode of The Writing Life, illustrator Hayley Wells delves into the importance of representation in children’s books.

Hayley Wells is an Essex-based illustrator with an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art. Their... more

Content warning: Mentions of rape, sexual assault, and war.

In this episode of The Writing Life, bestselling author Pat Barker shares insights about the art of retellings, and the craftsmanship and research needed to write reimaginings of classic li... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Vanessa Bell
Poet, editor, and literary activist
Contours and Éditions du Quartz
Episode: A writer’s journey: Vanessa Bell on book tours, friendship, and revisiting old projects
Hayley Wells
An Essex-based illustrator with an MA in Children's Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art, known for their work on The Spectacular Suit.
Episode: Representation in children’s literature: Hayley Wells on The Spectacular Suit
Pat Barker
Booker Prize-winning author known for her Regeneration Trilogy and The Silence of the Girls
Episode: Reimagining classics: Pat Barker on the Regeneration Trilogy
Val McDermid
Acclaimed novelist and crime writer
Episode: Writing contemporary crime fiction: Val McDermid on Past Lying
Wen-yi Lee
Singaporean young adult author known for her works in fantasy and horror.
Author of 'When They Burned the Butterfly' and 'The Dark We Know'
Episode: Becoming a published author: Wen-Yi Lee on representation, writing residencies, and building a readership
Kate Worsley
Writer and mentor who engages in discussions about writing careers.
Mentor and writer supporting emerging authors.
Episode: Becoming a published author: Wen-Yi Lee on representation, writing residencies, and building a readership
Michael Pedersen
Award-winning poet and author of Boy Friends and Edinburgh's Makar
Episode: Writing between genres: Michael Pedersen on Muckle Flugga
Julia Armfield
London-based fiction writer and author of Salt Slow and Our Wives Under The Sea.
Episode: World building in horror fiction: Julia Armfield on Private Rites
Eleanor Anstruther
Author of 'A Perfect Explanation' and 'A Memoir In 65 Postcards'.
Episode: The world of Substack: Eleanor Anstruther & Simon K Jones on serial fiction

Hosts

Steph McKenna
Host of discussions covering various aspects of writing and literature, engaging with guests through thoughtful dialogue.
Peggy Hughes
Co-host and Chief Executive at NCW, facilitating conversations with authors about their journeys and writing processes.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 108 ratings
  • Nope

    I’ve tried this podcast twice now. Don’t know why—think I was tricked by the change of thumbnail/image. The conversations are terribly boring, waffly. Couldn’t find anything helpful or insightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    broadcastappeal
    Australiaa year ago
  • Nourishing a writing community

    As a writer based in Edinburgh, this podcast makes me feel like part of a wider writing community. The conversations between writers on this podcast - particularly the episode feat. Joelle Taylor, Jay Bernard, Anthony Capildeo & Gail McConnell - are so enriching and motivating, they’ve become part of my writing practice. Thank you for all you do!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EDubhglas
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • What a find.

    There are so many podcasts about books and writing, offering advice on different aspects of the trade. The Writing Life tackles the practicalities of getting those words down and in order and flowing and interesting and gripping ….. I could go on.

    There are so many really good discussions with people (authors) who are actually doing it and sometimes making the mistakes that we do and explaining the pitfalls.

    Well worth a listen to if you are a writer or want to be.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Wee-Stan
    Spain3 years ago
  • Great podcast!

    It is the perfect companion for everyone interested in all aspects of the book industry. Packed with insightful tips and great guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Novel reader
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Wonderful podcast

    I only discovered this podcast two weeks ago & am really blown away by it. Every episode is a gem. The hosts are thoughtful, questions penetrating & what an incredible array of guests! From those starting out to those well-established. This is a great resource for writers (and readers!) at any stage of their journey. I’m a writer recently moved to Norfolk so am extra grateful as it’s bringing more intellectual sparkle to the place.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    clemochka
    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 thoughtful exploration of writing and creativity.
Some note a range of engaging topics covered by diverse guests, highlighting both practical tips and creative inspiration.
A few express dissatisfactions with specific episodes or hosts, but overall feedback leans positively towards the value offered.
Many find the discussions enriching and motivating, feeling a sense of community.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#218
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#234
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#97
South Korea/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#190
South Korea/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Representation in children’s literature: Hayley Wells on The Spectacular Suit
Q: Do you think you're going to continue to pursue self-expression and identity themes in your future works?
Hayley confirms an ongoing interest in these themes, noting their next book, Train of Thought, will explore a character's imagination tied to neurodivergent experiences.
Representation in children’s literature: Hayley Wells on The Spectacular Suit
Q: What do you mean by own voices, authors?
'Own voices' refers to stories that include elements of identity, such as being non-binary or trans, told by authors who have lived those experiences, allowing for authenticity in representation.
Representation in children’s literature: Hayley Wells on The Spectacular Suit
Q: Can you just give us a quick kind of run through of what happens in the book? What's the journey that we go on?
Hayley summarizes the journey of Frankie, a child excited about her first birthday party, who struggles to find an outfit that represents her. Ultimately, her family surprises her with a suit that reflects her individuality, resulting in a joyful reveal.
Representation in children’s literature: Hayley Wells on The Spectacular Suit
Q: How did you end up in the world of illustrating children's literature? What were the draws for you?
Hayley shares their linear journey into illustration, starting with a degree in illustration, working in children's publishing, and pursuing a master's in children's book illustration, which led to their first book deals including The Spectacular Suit.
World building in horror fiction: Julia Armfield on Private Rites
Q: How does architecture play a role in the novel?
Julia describes the novel's focus on architecture as a signifier of privilege and how it impacts the characters' lives.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Writing Life

What is The Writing Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast engages in insightful conversations with a variety of writers, exploring their unique journeys, writing techniques, and approaches to storytelling. Each episode features authors discussing a wide range of experiences, from debut writers to established figures, delving into genres such as literature, crime fiction, and children's literature, while emphasizing diversity and representation in storytelling. Noteworthy discussions cover the intricacies of creative writing, the challenges of publishing, and the evolving landscape of contemporary literature, offering valuable insights for aspiring writers and avid readers alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Writing Life?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Writing Life. 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 Writing Life and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Writing Life get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Writing Life, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Writing Life?

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How many subscribers and views does The Writing Life have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Writing Life 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 Writing Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Writing Life:

1. Writer's Routine
2. The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience
3. Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
4. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
5. Writers on Writing

How many episodes of The Writing Life are there?

The Writing Life launched 14 years ago and published 200 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 Writing Life?

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 Writing Life?

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

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Writing Life?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Writing Life. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Writing Life?

Recent guests on The Writing Life include:

1. Vanessa Bell
2. Hayley Wells
3. Pat Barker
4. Val McDermid
5. Wen-yi Lee
6. Kate Worsley
7. Michael Pedersen
8. Julia Armfield

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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