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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 Podcast, award-winning writer Pip Landers-Letts discusses her experience self-publishing her action-packed novel Pyg – a queer retelling of George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion.

Pip Landers-Letts is an emerging qu... more

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, debut novelist Jem Calder shares insights into developing the complex central relationship in his novel, I Want You to Be Happy – a sharp-eyed tale of two people searching for meaning and connection in mod... more

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, Singapore-based writer Sithuraj Ponraj shares how he balances his dual life as an international cyber-policy specialist and a multilingual writer.

Sithuraj Ponraj’s work includes novels, short stories, an... more

YouTube

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, Norwich-based writer Anna Goldreich reflects on the personal and creative journey behind her debut novel, The Leveret – a bruisingly tender and lyrically haunting hymn to queer love and the power to rebuil... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Jem Calder
Author of I Want You to Be Happy
Faber & Faber
Episode: Writing relationships: Jem Calder on I Want You to Be Happy
Sithuraj Ponraj
Singapore-based writer; Director of the International Cyber Policy Office at the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (as discussed in the episode)
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore
Episode: Finding balance in writing: Sithuraj Ponraj on working across languages, jobs, and genres
Anna Goldreich
Author of The Leveret
Author, The Leveret
Episode: From draft to debut: Anna Goldreich on The Leveret
Hannah Murray
Author of The Make Believe, memoirist
Author
Episode: Madness and Magic: Hannah Murray on her memoir The Make Believe
Camilla Balshaw
Norfolk-based writer, memoirist
Writer, Named
Episode: Writing the self in memoir: Camilla Balshaw on Named
Anna Trench
Writer and illustrator, winner of the 2025 East Anglian Book of the Year for Florrie
Independent author/illustrator
Episode: Storytelling in graphic novels: Anna Trench on Florrie
Jenni Fagan
Award-winning writer; author of The Delusions, The Panopticon, Sunlight Pilgrims
Author
Episode: Stories of humanity & connection: Jenni Fagan on The Delusions
Grace Murray
Debut novelist, Blank Canvas author
Independent author, WriteNow mentee
Episode: The path to publication: Grace Murray on Blank Canvas
Sam Meekings
Novelist, poet, associate professor of creative writing
Northwestern University in Qatar (lecturer)
Episode: Wonder and Loss: Writing Grief and Memoir with Sam Meekings

Hosts

Stephanie McKenna
Co-host focusing on writers' journeys, craft, and the Norfolk writing scene; affiliated with the National Centre for Writing.
Peggy Hughes
Co-host known for driving conversations on craft, mentorship, and publishing pathways; long-standing involvement with NCW.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 125 ratings
  • tantric meditation

    On Hannah Murrays recent episode, I’d like to share something about tantric meditation. It’s “not” magic, you need to ground yourself in your body (otherwise it’s just mind wandering) and is about using your imagination to exploring hypothetical stories. Your needs and desires play a big role. and is more about your relationship to needs and what stories can teach you.

    There’s a set of talks from an acclaimed meditation teacher (Rob Burbea from Gaia House) called the path of the imaginal. its on... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tommy Gee 123
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • 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
    Australia2 years 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 Kingdom3 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
    Spain4 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 Kingdom4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Varied and insightful discussions, though a few episodes feel slower or more niche
Great mix of guests from debut authors to established writers
Appreciated for mentoring-focused episodes and practical craft tips
Growing, thoughtful conversations with actionable writing advice

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#50
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#135
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#93
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#246
Italy/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#36
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#86
New Zealand/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Writing relationships: Jem Calder on I Want You to Be Happy
Q: Would you talk a little about what you think it is about Joey that draws her to Chuck?
He represents validation of her intellectual ambitions and offers a pathway to a life she aspires to, though the dynamic becomes more complex as the novel progresses.
Writing relationships: Jem Calder on I Want You to Be Happy
Q: That must be fun, sitting opposite from someone on the train. Are you somebody who has always written?
Calder discusses his long-running relationship with writing, noting he started young, paused during teens and early twenties, and then returned with more discipline, balancing work with creative pursuits.
Finding balance in writing: Sithuraj Ponraj on working across languages, jobs, and genres
Q: How do you decide which language to start a piece in, Tamil or English?
I start with the language that lets me express the core feeling most clearly; English often works better for conveying universal themes to a broader audience, while Tamil can ground me in local texture and identity.
Madness and Magic: Hannah Murray on her memoir The Make Believe
Q: You spent years, obviously, taking other people's dialogue, other people's stories and transforming them into a three-dimensional performance. Was it quite a challenge to pivot from that outside-in approach to an inside-out process of writing your own inner monologue?
She notes the fundamental differences between acting and writing, acknowledging the desire for her own voice earlier in her career and explaining how memoir became the form that allowed her to control voice, truth, and representation while still engaging with others' voices thoughtfully.
Madness and Magic: Hannah Murray on her memoir The Make Believe
Q: And how did that decision making happen? How did you decide where to begin and where to end?
Murray details choosing a two-year window (2016–2018) as the book's core arc, then building around that period to create a coherent, chronological narrative that centers on the central experience while including surrounding context and memory.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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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 show centers on writers at all stages of their journeys, with conversations that span craft, form, publishing realities, and the daily life of creating books. Episodes often weigh how structure, voice, and research shape a project, while also unpacking practical steps—from mentorship and editing to navigating publication and festival ecosystems. Guests range from debut novelists to experienced writers across genres, with a strong emphasis on memoir, contemporary fiction, and literary risk-taking, plus frequent attention to regional writing scenes and how place informs work. A notable strength is the capacity to mix detailed craft discussions with intimate, human context—often linking creative choices to personal history, culture, and b... more

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How many episodes of The Writing Life are there?

The Writing Life launched 15 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.

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What guests have appeared on The Writing Life?

Recent guests on The Writing Life include:

1. Jem Calder
2. Sithuraj Ponraj
3. Anna Goldreich
4. Hannah Murray
5. Camilla Balshaw
6. Anna Trench
7. Jenni Fagan
8. Grace Murray

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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