Not Too Busy To Write

A bonus episode today! It's peak inside the writing coaching audio sessions of my new writers membership The Fold. This audio session is all about finding motivation when we are not excited to sit down and write. In it, I give a number of journaling prompts to get to the heart of your lack of motivation (which we all experience from time to time) and figure out what's causing it, in order to better address the problem.If you enjoy this writing coaching audio session you can join The Fold to receive these weekly, along with co-writing sessions and monthly workshops with guest experts, all designed to help you get your writing done. The Fold is suitable for writers of all kinds fiction/non-fiction/memoir/poetry/substack, for new writers and old hats - any writer working on projects that would love support and accountability to achieve their writing goals.Join by Friday 9th May and you can take part in the 21 day Writing Sprint which includes daily audio sessions, extra co-writing sessions and prizes for those who take part! Join The Fold to take pat in the sprint.Join The Fold here pennywincerwrites.com/the-foldMore about Penny Wincer

Alice Kinsella is a poet based in the west of Ireland. She's the author of the poetry pamphlet Sexy Fruit, the prose poem memoir Milk: On motherhood and madness and the genre blending Wake of the Whale, co-authored with Daniel Wade, which was a Sunday Independent Book of the Year in 2024. This conversation covers so much - from unpaid work in publishing, to blending genres, to the creative energy and frustrations of early motherhood. We also talk about why Alice and Daniel chose their local independent publisher Mayo Books Press to publish their latest book.You can order Wake of the Whale directly from Mayo Books and use the code Whale25 to get free shipping. *Join The Fold writers membership*This series of the podcast is sponsored by award winning audio book app xigxagListeners of Not Too Busy To Write can receive their second book FREE To redeem, download the xigxag app from the App Store or Google Play. Go to My xigxag/Settings, then click on Account. Under Vouchers, click on the ‘Enter code' button and add your voucher code NTBTW to your account. After your first purchase, your second title will be free!*LinksWake of the Whale by Alice Kinsella and Daniel WadeMilk by Alice KinsellaSexy Fruit by Alice KinsellaAlice Kinsella on Substack Poet Mark Grist Not Too Busy To Write on Substack

Sarra Manning is the author of 8 adult novels, over 15 YA novels. She began her career on teen magazines and has been writing about love and sex ever since. Sarra talks about being a 'word count slut', writing books fast, how what she learned on magazines helps her pitch novels and the secret to writing about sex successfully. Sarra is also the literary editor of Red magazine and is my go to person for book reccos - this episode is chock full of amazing books!!The Last Days of Summer is out March 27thThis series of the podcast is sponsored by award winning audio book app xigxagListeners of Not Too Busy To Write can receive their second book FREE To redeem, download the xigxag app from the App Store or Google Play. Go to My xigxag/Settings, then click on Account. Under Vouchers, click on the ‘Enter code' button and add your voucher code NTBTW to your account. After your first purchase, your second title will be free!You can listen to The Last Days of Summer on xigxag :)LinksThe Last Days of Summer - Sarra ManningLondon, With Love - Sarra ManningRachel's Holiday - Marian KeyesA Sky Painted Gold - Laura WoodRomantic Comedy - Curtis SittenfeldThe Wedding People - Alison EspachMaeve Kerrigan Series - Jane CaseyDeep Cuts - Holly BrickleyThe Eights - Joanna Miller

Want to know how to get funding to write?Today I'm speaking to Robyn Law, head of Fundraising, Grants and Prizes at The Society of Authors, a UK trade union for writers, illustrators and literary translators. As well as looking at everything the SoA can do for all of us, we do a deep dive into how to apply for grants to help support you while you write, including my own experience as an SoA grant recipient.This series of the podcast is sponsored by award winning audio book app xigxagListeners of Not Too Busy To Write can receive their second book FREE To redeem, download the xigxag app from the App Store or Google Play. Go to My xigxag/Settings, then click on Account. Under Vouchers, click on the ‘Enter code' button and add your voucher code NTBTW to your account. After your first purchase, your second title will be free!LinksThe Society of Authors - How to joinThe Society of Authors - GrantsThe Society of Authors - Advice and Resources

Aime McNee is a writer and creativity coach and author of We Need Your Art - a look at the power and essential nature of creativity and how to kick start and maintain your own creative habits. From perfectionism to permission and the difficulty in finishing work, Aime talks about some of the big challenges and joys we experience as artists, and why it's worth spending our precious time on the process of creating. We Need Your Art is out 13th MarchThis series of the podcast is sponsored by award winning audio book app xigxagListeners of Not Too Busy To Write can receive their second book FREE To redeem, download the xigxag app from the App Store or Google Play. Go to My xigxag/Settings, then click on Account. Under Vouchers, click on the ‘Enter code' button and add your voucher code NTBTW to your account. After your first purchase, your second title will be free!LinksWe Need Your Art - Aime McNeeThe Rules Upheld By No One - Aime McNeeRegrettably, I Am About To Cause Trouble - Amie McNeeRange - David Epstein

Alice Wilkinson is an award winning journalist and the author of How To Stay Sane in A House Share, her debut book about the joys and challenges of cohabiting. In this conversation we discuss some of the challenges of writing personal non-fiction, finding a gap in the current discourse and some of the differences she found in book writing and publishing, from her day to day life as a journalist and editor. We also talk a bit about her experience working with a book coach on the proposal - me! How To Stay Sane in A House Share is out March 6thThis series of the podcast is sponsored by award winning audio book app xigxagListeners of Not Too Busy To Write can receive their second book FREE To redeem, download the xigxag app from the App Store or Google Play. Go to My xigxag/Settings, then click on Account. Under Vouchers, click on the ‘Enter code' button and add your voucher code NTBTW to your account. After your first purchase, your second title will be free!LinksHow to Stay Sane in a House Share by Alice Wilkinson

Grace Timothy is a journalist and author of Is It My ADHD? On the podcast today Grace talks about getting a late diagnosis of ADHD and how wading through the misinformation online drove her to write a book in order to understand her own brain better. Is It My ADHD? is out 27th February This series of the podcast is sponsored by award winning audio book app xigxagListeners of Not Too Busy To Write can receive their second book FREE To redeem, download the xigxag app from the App Store or Google Play. Go to My xigxag/Settings, then click on Account. Under Vouchers, click on the ‘Enter code' button and add your voucher code NTBTW to your account. After your first purchase, your second title will be free!You can purchase Is It My ADHD? on xigxag hereLinksIs It My ADHD? by Grace TimothyLost in Motherhood by Grace TimothyEarthed by Rebecca Schiller

Tessa Hadley is an award winning author of eight novels, many short story collections and one of my personal favourite writers. In this conversation Tessa talks with me about the pleasures and irresponsibility of the short story, her first novella The Party, writing as a performance and the benefits of publishing for the first time in mid life. This series of the podcast is sponsored by award winning audio book app xigxagListeners of Not Too Busy To Write can receive their second book FREE To redeem, download the xigxag app from the App Store or Google Play. Go to My xigxag/Settings, then click on Account. Under Vouchers, click on the ‘Enter code' button and add your voucher code NTBTW to your account. After your first purchase, your second title will be free!You can purchase The Party on xigxag here.LinksThe Party - Tessa HadleyFree Love - Tessa HadleyBad Dreams - Tessa HadleyThe Best Intentions - Ingmar BergmanGoing Home - Tom LamontLong Island - Colm ToibinParades End - Ford Maddox FordWriting Literary Fiction with Tessa Hadley - Curtis Brown Creative Not Too Busy To Write on Substack

Daisy Buchanan is a bestselling author, journalist and broadcaster. Today we're talking about her latest book Read Yourself Happy and the unique power of books to make us feel better, as well as how reading makes us better writers.Read Yourself Happy is out nowThis series of the podcast is sponsored by award winning audio book app xigxagListeners of Not Too Busy To Write can receive their second book FREE To redeem, download the xigxag app from the App Store or Google Play. Go to My xigxag/Settings, then click on Account. Under Vouchers, click on the ‘Enter code' button and add your voucher code NTBTW to your account. After your first purchase, your second title will be free!You can purchase Read Yourself Happy on xigxag hereLinksYou're Booked with Daisy BuchananCreative Confidence Clinic with Daisy BuchananBrigit Jones Diary - Helen FieldingExit Interview - Kristi CoulterCan You Ever Forgive Her? - Anthony TrollopeSo Thrilled For You - Holly BourneMad Woman - Bryony GordonThis Is Not A Pity Memoir - Abi MorganThe Come Up - Jonathan AbramsThe Lost Art of Keeping Secrets - Eva RiceHappy All The Time - Laurie ColwinMiddlemarch - George ElliotAlison - Lizzy StewartA Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara The Great Believers - Rebecca MakkaiDon't Look At Me Like That - Diana AthillRachel's Holiday - Marian KeyesI Capture the Castle - Dodi...

A little taster of what's to come in series 10 featuring Tessa Hadley, Daisy Buchanan and Grace Timothy.The new series begins 5th FebruaryYou can subscribe to Not Too Busy To Write on Substackpennywincer.substack.compennywincerwrites.comPenny on Instagram @pennywincer4bf661332a54c42dda99f791c1378d9407200820

Join me for a special episode digging deep into the Women's Prize Discoveries 2025, a prize and program for unpublished women fiction writers in the UK and Ireland, with two of this years judges Dreda Say Mitchell, an award winning and bestselling crime and mystery author and Chloe Timms, journalist, author and podcast host. We are joined by the winner of the inaugural Discoveries Prize 2021, Emma van Straaten, whose debut novel This Immaculate Body will be published in February. This episode is packed full of advice and will get you itching to pull out your Work in Progress and enter the prize.LinksWomen's Prize Discoveries 2025Girl, Missing - Dreda Say MitchellThe Seawomen - Chloe TimmsThis Immaculate Body - Emma van StraatenDreda Say Mitchell - dredamitchell.comChloe Timms - chloetimms.co.ukConfessions of A Debut Novelist with Chloe TimmsEmma van Straaten on Instagram @evswritesBook Proposal Group Program - pennywincerwrites.com/bookproposalgroupNot Too Busy To Write on Substack

Lucy Gough has come to writing via her career as a stylist and art director. From working in house at magazines, to freelance art direction with John Lewis and Marks and Spencer, Lucy took a leap of faith in lockdown, when all her work disappeared, and wrote a course on Interiors Styling. That creative risk changed everything fo her. In this episode we talk about what the journey looked like and the practical and creative challenges of writing an illustrated book.LinksThe Home Style Handbook - Lucy GoughLucy Gough's Online Interior Styling Courses - course.lucygoughstylist.comLucy Gough on Instagram @style_by_lucyHome Matters - Penny WincerPenny's Book Proposal Group Program - pennywincerwrites.comNot Too Busy To Write on Substack - pennywincer.substack.com

Alice Vincent is a writer and broadcaster, and the author of Rootbound: Rewilding a life and Why Women Grow: Stories of Soil, Sisterhood and Survival, both of which were longlisted for the Wainwright Prize. In this conversation we talk about how books begin and evolve for Alice, how she structures her time between columns, book writing and her newsletter and finding home in a balcony garden.LinksWhy Women Grow - Alice VincentRootbound - Alice VincentHark - Alice Vincent (pre-order)Savour Newsletter - savour.substack.comHome Matters - Penny WincerNot Too Busy To Write on Substack - pennywincer.substack.comThe next Book Proposal Group Program begins Oct 1st. You can book your place at pennywincerwrites.comYou can find all the books from Series 9 of Not To Busy To Write at Bookshop.org

Sunday Times bestselling author Clover Stroud's latest book The Giant in the Skyline begins with a difficult decision about whether to uproot her family from their home in Oxfordshire in order to keep the family together, and leads to a pilgrimage of discovery about what it means to feel at home and belong. We talk about grief's affect on our feelings of belonging, how our experience of mothering is affected by our immediate environment and how her life has changed (and not changed) since her family's move from rural Oxfordshire to the suburbs of Washington DC. The next Non-Fiction Book Proposal Group Program begins Oct 1st. Visit pennywincerwrites.com/bookproposalgroup to grab your place. You'll also find information there for the Grant Place for writers on a low income.LinksThe Giant in the Skyline - Clover StroudThe Wild Other - Clover StroudHome Matters - Penny WincerClover Stroud on Substack - cloverstroud.substack.comNot Too Busy To Write on Substack - pennywincer.substack.comNon-Fiction Book Proposal Program - pennywincerwrites.com/bookproposalgroup

Kerri ni Dochartaigh is the award winning author of Thin Places and Cacophany of Bone. Kerri's work delves deep into home and belonging, from her childhood in Derry during the troubles, where her family were forced to leave their home, to an adulthood of wrestlessness, unable to find a feeling of home, until she returned to the Irish landscape of her early years. We talk about intergenerational trauma, what it means to our sense of safety and belonging to have a home forcibly removed, as so many are facing in the world today, and finding home in the Irish landscape, in community, in our bodies and ritual. We also talk about creativity and caregiving, and the joys of teaching and mentoring other writers. LinksThin Places - Kerri ni DochartaighCacophony of Bone - Kerri ni DochartaighIn The Garden: Essays on Nature and Growing (Daunt Books)The Garden Against Time - Olivia LaingUnearthed - Claire RatinonUprooting - Marchelle FarrellHome Matters - Penny WincerKerri on Substack kerrindochartaigh.substack.comPenny on Substack pennywincer.substack.com

The tables are turned for the first episode of series 9 - host Penny Wincer is being interviewed by author Caro Giles about her new book Home Matters. We talk about what draws Penny to write about home, digging beneath the surface of homes to find meaning behind the choices we make and how objects become portraits and tell stories about our lives and identities. We also talk about weaving memoir and non-fiction together, making choices about the personal and political aspects of the book and the challenges of writing and publishing a book that doesn't fit neatly into categories.LinksHome Matters - Penny WincerTwelve Moons - Caro GilesAll The Houses I've Ever Lived In - Kieran YatesThe Lonely City - Olivia LaingMonkey Grip - Helen GarnerPenny on Substack pennywincer.substack.comCaro on Substack carogiles.substack.com

Stacey Heale is a fashion academic and writer whose husband Greg was diagnosed with terminal cancer when their youngest daughter was just a baby. Greg died 5 years later. In her memoir Now Is Not The Time For Flowers, Stacey writes about the big conversations that arise from imminent death. In this epsiode Stacey and I talk about writing about the dead, abandoning the typical memoir structure and the very funny side of a very dark experience. Now Is Not The Time For Flowers is out March 28thLinksNow Is Not The Time For Flowers - Stacey HealeStacey Heale on Instagram @stacey_healeNot Too Busy To Write on Substack - pennywincer.substack.com

Jesse Sutanto is the best selling author of Dial A for Aunties and Vera Wang's Unsolicited Advise for Murders and the winner of the Comic Writer in Print Award 2021. Jesse and I chat about her latest book in her very funny Aunties crime series The Good, The Bad and The Auntie, about her journey from Oxford MFA in Creative Writing, to leaning into her irreverent funny side and the success it led to. We also talk about writing drafts in 5 weeks (yes 5 weeks!!), the joy of sharing her Indo-Chinese culture with the rest fo the world and her favourite funny authors.LinksThe Good, The Bad and The Aunties - Jesse SutantoDial A For Aunties - Jesse SutantoVera Wang's Unsolicited Advice for Murders - Jesse SutantoJesse Sutanto on Instagram @jesseqsutantoNot Too Busy To Write on Substack pennywincer.substack.comWrite Your Non-Fiction Book Proposal with Penny Wincer is at 7pm March 27th Book you place here - pennywincerwrites.com/workshopsPodcast listeners can use the code TOOBUSY at checkout to receive £5 off

Charlotte Wood is an award winning Australian author of 10 books including the 2016 Stella Prize winner The Natural Way of Things and the 2020 international bestseller The Weekend. Her latest novel Stone Yard Devotional is about a woman who abandons her life, her marriage, her career and retreats to a religious community in a remote area of Australia, where she grew up. Charlotte and I talk about the themes that come up in her work, how her craft has changed over the course of her career, why it's so important to her to not over explain to the reader and of course, her favourite Australian fiction writers.LinksStone Yard Devotional - Charlotte WoodThe Weekend - Charlotte WoodThe Natural Way of Things - Charlotte WoodThe Writers Room - Charlotte WoodThe Slap - Christos TsiolkasThe Golden Age - Joan LondonThe Good Parents - Joan LondonThe Conversion - Amanda LohreyCharlotte Wood's Substack - charlottewood.substack.comcharlottewoodauthor.com.auNot Too Busy To Write on Substack - pennywincer.substack.com

Tamu Thomas is a transformational coach whose debut book Women Who Work Too Much helps over-achieving, over-functioning women set boundaries, find joy and flourish. In this conversation we talk about natural (rather than toxic) productivity, radical rest and why work (not over work) can be a positive thing. This is such an important conversation for those of us who are writers and have blurred boundaries between work, rest and play.LinksWomen Who Work Too Much - Tamu ThomasTamu on Instagram @tamu.thomasTamu on TikTok @tamu_thomasBook your place on the Non-fiction Book Proposal Workshop 27th March 2024 7pm Discount code for podcast listeners - TOOBUSY pennywincerwrites.com/workshopsNot Too Busy to Write on Substack - pennywincer.substack.com

Author Bijal Shah is a trained Bibliotherapist who brings the power of reading into the therapy room. It's a technique that dates back to Ancient Greece and Bijal shares some of the tools and techniques she uses in todays episode. Certain that reading is a big part of your mental wellbeing? You will love this episode which does a deep dive into why books matter and how we can get the most out of our reading experience.LinksBibliotherapy: The healing power of reading by Bijal ShahBijal Shah's websiteNot Too Busy To Write on Substack pennywincer.substack.com

Amy Arthur is an award winning writer and science journalist whose new book Pace Yourself is a practical guide to pacing - a tool developed to the manage symptoms of chronic illnesses like ME/CFS which Amy was diagnosed with as a teenager. This is such an important (and practical) conversation, not just for those who are managing chronic illnesses but for any writer juggling writing alongside many other responsibilities, who constantly feel like they never have quite enough energy.LinksPace Yourself - Amy ArthurAmy Arthur on Instagram @a_e_arthurNot Too Busy To Write on Substack pennywincer.substack.comPenny on Instagram @pennywincer

Jessica Bull's debut novel Miss Austen Investigates sets Jane Austen up as an amateur sleuth, when a dead woman is discovered at a ball and her beloved brother is arrested and facing the noose. I had so much fun talking to Jessica about the challenges of blending fact and fiction, her passion of Jane Austen (and the books and films that have been inspired by her) and the pleasures of researching late Georgian England. Miss Austen Investigates is a delight and is out nowLinksMiss Austen Investigates - Jessica BullJessica Bull on Instagram @jessicabullnovelistJessica Bull on Twitter @NovelistJessicaNot Too Bust To Write on Substack - pennywincer.substack.comBook coaching with Penny Wincer - pennywincerwrites.com

Katherine May is the Sunday Times and New York Times best selling author of Enchantment. Today we talk about the challenges of writing a follow up to her phenomenal bestseller Wintering, the importance of writers being open about the constraints they face, especially successful authors and advocating for accessibility while promoting your work. We also do a deep dive into Substack and why Katherine loves it so much and the importance of writers getting paid for their work.linksEnchantment - Katherine MayWintering - Katherine MayThe Electricity of Every Living Thing - Katherine MayThe Clearing - Katherine's SubstackKatherine May's Accessibility and Language GuideNot Too Busy To Write on SubstackPenny Wincer's book coaching - pennywincerwrites.com

Marisa Bate is a freelance journalist, women's rights advocate and author of Wild Hope. Part memoir, part reportage and part social history, Wild Hope tells the story of expanding and contracting women's rights in America through two bus journey's across the mid west - one by Marisa's mother in the 70s and the other, by Marisa in 2021. In this episode Marisa talks about finding hope in dark times, keeping faith in action and writing your own story when it so intertwined with the stories of others.LinksWild Hope - Marisa BateWriting About Women - Marisa Bate's substackNot Too Busy To Write on SubstackNon-fiction writing coaching with Penny - pennywincerwrites.comPenny on instagram @pennywincer

Laura Bates is a Sunday Times Bestselling author, an activist and speaker. Laura founded the Everyday Sexism Project in 2012 and has gone on to write multiple best selling non-fiction books about gender equality. She has spoken in the United Nations, the Houses of Parliament, is regularly called on to provide evidence for parliamentary reports and has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her work on gender equality. Laura also writes Young Adult fiction and today we are discussing her latest novel Sisters of Sword and Shadow and why she's so passionate about writing for young people, the incredible power of storytelling and why activism needs fiction as well as non-fiction. LinksSisters of Sword and Shadow - Laura BatesFix the System, Not the Women - Laura BatesMen Who Hate Women - Laura BatesEveryday Sexism - Laura BatesThe Burning - Laura BatesGlitch Charity - Promoting Online Safety for women and girls Not Too Busy To Write on Substack Penny on Instagram @pennywincer

Award winning writer Huma Qureshi returns to the podcast to discuss her debut novel Playing Games, a story about two sisters, their very different ways of processing grief and the question over whether it's ok for a writer to take from real life. We talk about the challenges of moving from short to long form fiction, the pluses (and minuses) of having a two book deal and the pleasures of writing about a writer. Huma is also a brilliant creative writing teacher and we discuss her style as a teacher and some of her favourite book recommendations for writers. Playing Games is out Nov 9thLinksPlaying Games - Huma QureshiThings We Do Not Tell The People We Love - Huma QureshiHow We Met - Huma QureshiHuma's creative writing classes Sign Up to Dear Huma newsletterHuma Qureshi on Not Too Busy To Write in 2021Recommended BooksAmerican Wife - Curtis SittenfeldHelp Yourself - Curtis SittenfeldWriters and Lovers - Lily KingDear Life - Alice MonroeUnaccustomed Earth - Jhumpa Lahiri

What's it like to publish a book as an expert in your field? Karen Haller is a behavioural colour and design psychology expert and is the author of The Little Book of Colour. Karen and I talk about some of the highs and lows of traditional publishing, some of the particular challenges she faced, as well as the many opportunities it opened up for her when her book became a huge success and was published in 14 languages. We also dive into what colour psychology is and how the book fits into Karen's aim to help people be less afraid of using colour. LinksThe Little Book of Colour - Karen HallerKaren Haller's website and newsletterDownload a free ebook on Colour MythsKaren Haller on Instagram @karen_haller_colourPenny's Cornish Writing Retreat Feb 2024 - pennywincerwrites.com/retreatYou can sign up to Penny's Substack Not Too Busy To Write

Kate Sawyer is novelist and podcaster with a background in theatre producing and acting. Her first novel The Stranding was shortlisted for the Costa first novel award in 2021 and today we are talking about her second novel This Family. We talk about how her career in theatre has fed into her work as a novelist, genre expectations and how being a solo mother by choice made her rethink how she was going to earn a living and flex her creative muscles.Kate is the host of the wonderful podcast Novel Experience - if you are a fan of Not Too Busy To Write, then this is right up your street. Available on all your favourite podcast feeds.linksThis Family - Kate SawyerThe Stranding - Kate SawyerNovel Experience podcast with Kate SawyerFollow Kate on Instagram - @mskatesawyerFollow Penny on Instagram - @pennywincerSign up to Not Too Busy To Write on Substack

Marchelle Farrell's debut memoir Uprooting is about a year of tremendous upheaval and Marchelle's attempt to find home in a garden. In this conversation, we talk about vulnerability in the garden and on the page, identity in medicine and as a writer and how Marchelle's garden gave her a new perspective on colonialism. Uprooting is out now. LinksUprooting - Marchelle FarrellMarchelle on Instagram @afroliageMarchelle on Substack - AfroliagePenny on Instagram @pennywincerPenny's Newsletter

Summer REPLAY seriesBeth Kempton is a Japanologist, a best selling author and a writing mentor whose books have been translated into 24 languages. Her Latest book The Way of the Fearless Writer challenges the assumption that writing must be a struggle and filled with suffering. We talk about why it's important to know why we write, learning to let go in our writing, when to share our work (and when not to) and learning to trust in writing as a practice. LinksThe Way of the Fearless Writer - Beth KemptonFreedom Seeker - Beth KemptonWabi Sabi - Beth KemptonDo What You Love For Life - Writing classes with Beth KemptonThe Fearless Writer PodcastInstagram @bethkemptonYou can sign up to Penny's weekly newsletter about all things writing and finding time to write hereInstagram @pennywincer

You can sign up to the waitlist for Penny's next Non-Fiction Book Proposal Group at pennywincerwrites.comSummer REPLAY seriesEvie Wyld is an award winning author of three novels, the latest of which, The Bass Rock, won the Stella Prize 2021. We discuss writing a novel about male violence against a backdrop of #MeToo, and speaking about the subjects in the book in a year of highly publicised violence against women. We also talk about how motherhood, and the nature of writing with young children, led to some of the structural elements of The Bass Rock and how an award like the Stella Prize can create change in a writing career.LinksThe Bass Rock - Evie WyldReview Book Shop PeckhamDevotion - Hannah KentThe Interestings - Meg WolitzerYou can sign up to Penny's weekly newsletter at pennywincerwrites.comInstagram @pennywincer

To sign up to the waitlist for Penny's next Non-Fiction Book Proposal Group Program visit pennywincerwrites.comSummer REPLAY seriesAbigail Bergstrom is a literary agent and consultant, former editor, and now debut novelist. What A Shame is a darkly funny novel about grief, friendship and dabbling in the occult. Abigail talks about the challenges of having a lot of knowledge of the industry whilst writing and having to take her agent hat off in order to write, removing the constraints that made writing feel like 'work' and being conscious of the exchange that happens when we give up other things in order to write on the side of a demanding full time job. Bergstrom Studio is a 360 degree literary consultancy, offering editorial consultancy and representation. As an agent Abigail represents multiple best selling authors and has some excellent advice for those who are going out on submission.LinksBergstrom StudioWhat A Shame - Abigail BergstromWet Paint - Chloe Ashby Beautiful Country - Xian Julie WangYou can find Abigail on Instagram @abigailbergstrom and @bergstrom.studioYou can sign up to Penny's newsletter at pennywincerwrites.com instagram @pennywincer

Summer Replay SeriesChloe Ashby is an arts journalist and author based in London. Her debut novel Wet Paint is about a young woman struggling to move forward after the traumatic death of her best friend, who finds solace in a painting and a life of routine, until a sudden change of circumstances has her undressing for strangers as a life model. We talk about ways of finding your way in to a story as a writer, writing about visual art and exploring ideas of control in characters. We also talk about having an 'affair' with novel writing on the side of other paid writing work and Chloe's life as a freelance arts writer working on non-fiction art books and reviewing exhibitions. linksSecond Self - Chloe AshbyWet Paint - Chloe Ashby Look at this if you love great art - Chloe AshbyColours of Art: The story of art in 80 palletes - Chloe AshbyYou can find Chloe Ashby at chloeashby.comInstagram - @chloeashbyTwitter - @chloeashbyYou can find sign up to Penny's Newsletter at pennywincerwrites.comInstagram @pennywincer

It's Carers Week in the UK so I have recorded a bonus episode of teh podcast with two fellow writer carers. Marina Benjamin is the author of many books, the latest of which is A little Give: the unsung, unseen, undone work of women. She also cares for her elderly mother. Caro Giles is the author of Twelve Moons; A year under a share sky and is a single parent to four daughters, two of whom have complex needs. This is a slightly different format to usual, with the three of us discussing our caring roles, the challenges of writing about the topic and the time we 'steal' away from our caring responsibilities to write. This was such a wonderful and honest conversation and I'm so grateful for Marina and Caro for taking the time and being so open about the challenges. LinksA Little Give - Marina BenjaminTwelve Moons - Caro GilesTender - Penny Wincer

Daisy Buchanan is an award winning journalist, author and broadcaster who has had a varied writing career beginning in teen magazines, and now as a novelist. She's also the host of the chart topping podcast You're Booked - one of my favourite podcasts of all time.We talk about Daisy's move from journalist and non-fiction author to fiction, and how terrifying that was, the joys and challenges of writing about sex and the importance of reading for pleasure when you're a writer. Daisy is also very open about the highs and lows of her publishing career and how not everything has been smooth sailing. LinksCareering - Daisy BuchananInsatiable - Daisy BuchananLimelight - Daisy Buchanan (pre-order)You're Booked PodcastPeter Hujar's Day - Linda RosenkrantzKick The Latch - Kathryn ScanlanDaisy Buchanan on Instagram @thedaisybeePenny Wincer on Instagram @pennywincer

Are you tearing your hair out about social media? Do you want to use it to grow your profile as a writer or shout about your book but it makes you uncomfortable? Nicola Washington is a social media marketer and she is passionate about helping writers get their work out into the world. As she says in this episode, after the immense hard work of writing a book, what a huge waste if nobody hears about it!This is a hugely practical episode looking at strategy, building genuine relationships and creating community to help you spread your ideas, share your work and create meaningful change through the power of social media.LinksNicola on instagram @toomuch_socialNicola's personal account on instagram @toomuchmotheringinformationInstagram with Impact WorkshopWork with NicolaInstagram accounts mentioned@joanna_wolfarth@emilyhenrywritesPenny on Instagram @pennywincerPenny's weekly writing newsletter pennywincerwrites.comNon-fiction Retreat with Penny Wincer - easeretreats.com

Suzy Reading is a chartered psychologist, yoga teacher and coach whose work all centres around giving people the skills to nourish themselves. Her latest book is Rest to Reset: The busy persons guide to pausing with purpose. As well as talking about Suzy's journey from expert to author of 8 books, we talk about what rest actually looks like, the problem with the current conversations around burnout and moving towards the idea of rest as rebalancing, and that is going to look different for everyone. We also talk about relationship building in publishing, saying yes to opportunities and growing your authority as an expert in your field.Links:Rest To Reset - Suzy ReadingSelf-care Revolution - Suzy ReadingThis Book Will (Help) Make You Happy - Suzy ReadingYou can find Suzy on Instagram @suzyreadingYou can find Penny on Instagram @pennywincerSign up to penny's newsletter here - pennywincerwrites.com

Joanna Wolfarth is a cultural historian with a PhD in Southeast Asian art history. Her first book Milk: An intimate history of breastfeeding is a fascinating look at the social, historical and cultural contexts for this very personal of experiences, through art, philosophy, folk wisdom and interviews.Joanna talks about how needing to make sense of the experience of new motherhood, led to a furious dive into the research between feeds and in tiny snatches of time when her baby slept, how motherhood made her fearless when it came to writing and non-fiction that seeks to ask questions, rather than provide all of the answers.LinksMilk: An intimate history of breastfeedingJoanna Wolfarth on Instagram @joanna_wolfarthPenny on Instagram @pennywincerSign up for Penny's weekly writing newsletter here pennywincerwrites.com

Lucy Werner is a PR expert and founder of The Wern, an agency specialising in PR and branding for creative small businesses. Lucy is not only an expert at book PR but also a published author herself and in this episode Lucy shares what she has learned about book PR and marketing from both sides. From building your authority and your brand before you publish, to promoting a book that already exists in the world, Lucy is a goldmine of information on how best to spread the word and get people buying your books. Her infectious enthusiasm and fun approach to an area that many writers find daunting, will have you dipping your toes in the PR waters.LinksHype Yourself: A no-nonsense PR toolkit for small businesses - Lucy WernerBrand Yourself - A non-nonsense brand toolkit for small businesses - Lucy Werner and Hadrian Chatelet The Wern Agency Lucy Werner on Instagram @lucywernerprPenny on instagram @pennywincerPenny's weekly writing newsletter - pennywincerwrites.com

Catherine Newman is a writer with a varied career including two parenting memoirs and a middle grade novel. She had written for the New York Times, O Magazine, The Boston Globe and was a columnist for Real Simple Magazine. Her debut novel We All Want Impossible Things is the story of Ash, whose best friend Edi is dying of cancer. Set over a few weeks in a hospice, this book is filled with laughter and heartbreak. Catherine and I talk about the relief of laughing in the face of death, learning to embrace your natural writing voice and the how years of having to make a living from writing has had a positive impact on Catherine's daily writing habit. We All Want Impossible Things is out now.Ease Retreat - Non-fiction with Penny Wincer, Wales, April 20-23 2023We All Want Impossible Things - Catherine Newman#AmWriting Podcast Love, Nina - Nina Stibbe Catherine Newman on instagram - @catherinenewmanCatherine's website - catherinenewmanwriter.comPenny on instagram - @pennywincerPenny's newsletter

Caro Giles is a writer based in the north east of England, whose first book Twelve Moons tells the story, across a year, of raising her 4 daughters alone in a wild and isolated part of the country. It's an incredible memoir about caring, isolation, and joy found in tiny pockets of time. We talk about how the pandemic totally changed how she the structure of the book, the challenges of writing and caring and this beautiful idea of writing as a way to put yourself in the foreground, when you have been in the background for so long.LinksTwelve Moons - Caro GilesAn Evening with Caro Giles - Waterstones Newcastle 26th JanuaryAlnwick Story Festival 25th February Little Fires Everywhere - Celeste NgEmpireland - Sathnam SangheraThis Time Tomorrow - Emma StraubCaro Giles on instagram @carogileswritesPenny on instagram @pennywincerYou can sign up to Penny's weekly newsletter about writing and making time for creativity here pennywincerwrites.com

After a varied writing career including speech writing, journalism and screen writing, Janice Hallett turned to crime fiction and became a best-selling author that completely turned the genre on its head. Using transcripts, messages, emails, letters and articles, Janice's novels weave intricate, humourous and clever tales of murder and mystery. It was such a delight to take a deep dive with her into her writing process and how her varied experience as a writer informs how she approaches novels.The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels is out January 19thLinksThe Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels - Janice HallettThe Twyford Code - Janice Hallett The Appeal - Janice HallettYou can find Janice Hallett on Twitter @JaniceHallettYou can find Penny on Instagram @pennywincerYou can sign up to Penny's weekly writing newsletter here - pennywincerwrites.com

Not Too Busy To Write will be back for a new series on January 18th. Guests for series 6 include memoirists, debut novelists, non-fiction authors and much more. The series kicks off with best selling crime author Janice Hallett and oh my goodness is it a great episode about writing outside of the box. See you in two weeks for series 6!Want to write a non-fiction book proposal this year? Penny's first online workshop of the year is on January 11th at 7.30pm. Tickets are just £39Write Your Book Proposal - eventbritewww.pennywincerwrites.com/workshopsPenny on Instagram - @pennywincer

Lindsey Kelk is a Sunday Times bestselling author of over 20 novels. Her latest The Christmas Wish is a hilarious and delightful time loop story set during a family Christmas. Lindsey and I chat about subverting Hallmark movie tropes, being a full time novelist in a much maligned genre and the realities of being working class in the publishing industry.The Christmas Wish is a joy and is out now in hardback.LinksThe Christmas Wish - Lindsey KelkThe Change - Kirsten MillerHer Majesty's Royal Coven - Juno DawsonBook Lovers - Emily HenryThis Time Tomorrow - Emma StraubBook Proposal Group January 2023 - pennywincerwrites.com/bookproposalgroupPenny's weekly newsletter You can find Lindsey on instagram - @lindseykelk and on Twitter @LindseyKelkLindsey on Facebook Penny on Instagram - @pennywincer

Chibundu Onuzo is a novelist whose first book was published when she was just 21 years old. Her third and latest novel Sankofa was short listed for the Women's Prize for Fiction Futures Prize, an Amazon book of the year and a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick in 2021.We talk about the inspiration behind Sankofa, how Chibundu's writing process has changed over the past 10 years and her role as a judge of the Women's Prize Trust Discoveries 2023.LinksSankofa - Chibundu Onuzo Women's Prize Discoveries Prize 2023 The Spider King's Daughter - Chibundu OnuzoYou can sign up for Penny's newsletter here Penny on Instagram - @pennywincer

Emily Henson is an art director and stylist and the author of five books. Her latest is Create: Inspiring homes that value creativity over consumption. In this episode Emily talks about her journey from stylist and blogger to author and the close collaborative, relationship she has with her publisher. It's a really fun and informative episode for all those who would love to know exactly what goes in to producing and writing gorgeous and thoughtful illustrated books.LinksCreate - Emily HensonLife Unstyled - Emily HensonLife Unstyled BlogLife Unstyled on InstagramEmily Henson's Styling portfolioPenny Wincer's Newsletter - pennywincerwrites.comPenny of Instagram - @pennywincer

Ali and Penny are back together talking about the experience of publication. It has been three months since Ali's book The Last Days came out and it seemed like a great time to have a debrief and discuss the highs and lows, the hard work and the realities of publishing. We talk about reviews, proofs, blurbs, news events that drown out book publicity and the things outside of our control when publishing. We also take a little look ahead to our next publications.LinksStrandings - Peter RileyLipstick Traces - Greil MarcusAn Angel at My Table - Janet Frame Foster - Claire KeeganThe Hours - Michael CunninghamSign up to Penny's newsletter here - pennywincerwrites.comAli Millar on Instagram @ali_millar_writesPenny Wincer on Instagram @pennywincer

Winnie M Li is a Taiwanese-American author and activist originally from New Jersey. Her second novel Complicit is about a film lecturer in an obscure American college who once was on the cusp of a major film career. When she is approached by an investigative journalist about an alleged incident that occurred 10 years earlier, memories of youthful ambition and guilt arise. Winnie talks in this episode about how the lure of writing about film was what compelled her to write a second (very different) novel about sexual assault. About how using the framework of the protagonist telling her story to someone else from the distance of 10 years, gave her an interesting perspective to play with. We also talk about the arts grants that have allowed her to pursue her writing. LinksComplicit - Winnie M LiDark Chapter - Winnie M LiArts Council England Grants https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/ProjectGrantshttps://www.artscouncil.org.uk/dycpWinnie M Li websiteInstagram - @winniemliYou can sign up to Penny's newsletter here Penny on Instagram @pennywincer

Shakaila Forbes-Bell is a fashion psychologist and the author of Big Dress Energy: How fashion psychology can transform your wardrobe and your confidence. It's a book that is a pleasure to read, filled with insights and backed up by rigorous research. In this episode Shakaila talks dressing our different identities, the challenges of switching from academic writing to creative non-fiction, making academic research more widely available to the everyday reader and some of the difficult decisions she made around creating time to write this book, including being honest about her chronic pain condition and her role raising her sisters children. Big Dress Energy is out now.LinksBig Dress Energy - Shakaila Forbes-BellBig Dress Energy Podcast

Margaux Vialleron is a French born, London based writer. Her debut novel The Yellow Kitchen centres around the friendship of three very different women over the course of a year, with a kitchen and the food prepared within it at its heart.Margaux speaks about why she is drawn to writing about friendship and food, how she uses her sense to dive into the English language and why she has chosen to write in her second language. We also talk a bit about her day job as a translation rights literary agent.LinksThe Yellow Kitchen - Margaux VialleronThe Salmon Pink Kitchen PodcastThe Salmon Pink Kitchen NewsletterPenny's instagram @pennywincerContact Penny