The Northern Gravy Podcast

Can an adaptation ever be superior to the original? Ralph and Nick wax lyrically about what their favourite book-to-film or TV show adaptations are, some that really don't work, and what they think makes a good one. There's news on submissions reopening, as well as all the usual nonsense. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

Our fiction editor Nick Jones sits down with Ralph Dartford (who also answers all the questions, hence how long this is) for a good old natter and to pick his Desert Island Dust Jackets. Expect silly jokes, hot takes, a little bit of fruity language and some laughs. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

Happy New Year! Do you have any writing-related New Year's resolutions? Let us know on our socials. In the meantime, our fiction editor Nick brings you a recording of his interview with Erin Braithwaite, discussing her Wilko Johnson prize-winning piece “Different Reasons”, recorded live at the Louder Than Words festival last year. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

As a Christmas treat, Nick presents an excerpt from the Q&A portion of our recent live event, HOW TO LAND AN AGENT, with superstar literary agent Kesia Lupo. It was a wonderful night packed with brilliant lessons, real insight, and some fantastic tips on how to stand out in the slush pile. Give it a listen, and may it bring you good luck if you're searching for representation yourself. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

In the hope of possibly conjuring a white Christmas, Nick and Ralph discuss their favourite books set amidst snow. They chat about what went on at the recent Louder Than Words festival in Manchester, our upcoming live event HOW TO LAND AN AGENT (December 12th), and that our submissions window is currently open. Plus the usual rambling, waffle, nattering and silliness. Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Nick looks back on our recent live event to launch Ralph Dartford's new poetry collection “House Anthems”, which is available now. Hear recordings from the night as Ralph reads his work, as well as friend of the gravy boat JP Seabright, who reads from her collection “White Cloud over Purple”. Both books are available now. There's a reminder also of our next live event, How To Land An Agent - With Kesia Lupo, coming up on the 12th of December. Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

In this special episode, we're showcasing our latest live event, which was an evening with the incredible poet and literary superstar Helen Ivory. Hear our very own Ralph Dartford in conversation with Helen, as well as questions from the audience. Don't forget, our next live event: Ralph Dartford and JP Seabright, reading and in conversation is coming on November 14th, so grab your tickets now. Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

This week, Nick and Ralph sit down to chat about tonight's live event with Helen Ivory (25th October), the Wilko Johnson Prize for music writing, Louder then Words festival 2024, and of course the state of Ralph's borage. Expect an in depth explanation of competitive ploughing also. What more could you want from a podcast about books and writing? Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Nick interviews our very own Ralph Dartford about his ‘desert island dust jackets' - his favourite books, his life in writing, and what he counts as his favourite reads.Ralph's new collection, House Anthems, is available this autumn from Valley Press. Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to another live event recap, in which Piu DasGupta talks us through how to craft captivating cliffhangers to keep your readers gripped and turning the page. Suspense, revelations, sausage dogs… this episode has it all, or does it? You'll just have to listen to find out! Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

Believe it or not, in between attending glamorous parties and gala events, the world-famous Gravy crew actually do a bit of writing themselves. On this episode, we talk about our own work, argue a bit about writing, and share what we're reading and enjoying at the moment. Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, fiction editor Nick reflects on the recent suspense-themed live event with bestselling crime writer Russ Thomas. Hear an exclusive extract from the evening, and remember to get your tickets for our next live events, happening soon. Also, someone parks a tractor outside Nick's window. Such is farm life. Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, the literary tripod of Nick, Ralph and Jonny discuss the finer points of pacing in writing both prose and poetry. They then get slightly sidetracked by mixtapes, discuss the merits of prologues, before building to a rousing climax in which the narrative is suitably resolved! And they all lived happily ever after. Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

Left to his own devices, our fiction editor Nick has gone a little stir-crazy, but thankfully manages to hold things together long enough to bring you a fantastic memoir writing exercise courtesy of Vicky Foster, author of It Happened Like This. Have a go at home, and be sure to get your tickets now for our next event on suspense writing with the wonderful Russ Thomas. Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

Hot off the heels of last night's Northern Gravy Live At Home event with Vicky Foster, the Northern Gravy boys are talking memoir. What's the difference between an autobiography and a memoir? What would our autobiographies/memoirs be called? Listen in to find out! Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, the three captains of the Gravy Boat get the band back together and relaunch the podcast. They talk about all sorts, from what's in the brand new Substack we've just launched, to what we remember of Kes. Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, superstar children's writer and all round amazing person Lisette Auton gives us a fabulous exercise that helps her to bash her way through writer's block. Recorded at Northern Gravy Live At Home Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

In this special episode, Fiction editor Nick is joined by Rebecca Summerling and Lauren O'Donoghue to talk about horror writing, game design, scary recommendations and more! Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

This week, Ralph Dartford is in conversation with the wonderful Amanda Huggins. Join them for a lively discussion on everything from the poems they love to what their Bruce Springsteen songs are! You can find out more about Amanda here: https://www.valleypressuk.com/author/134/amanda_hugginsReminder: Our next live event is coming up soon. Read more and book your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/northern-gravy-live-at-home-toria-garbutt-and-roy-tickets-514804513157 Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to a special episode of the Northern Gravy Podcast, where Nick the fiction editor shares a couple of highlights from the recent live event, Northern Gravy Live at Home. This episode features the incredible talents of JP Seabright and Louise Fazackerley, and does contain some strong language.You can find details of the next live event, featuring Toria Garbutt and Roy, here: https://tinyurl.com/4ue93huc Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, the three editors get together to discuss year one of Northern Gravy, celebrate the fact we've been funded for year two, and make several surprise announcements.As always, be sure to follow us on twitter @NorthGravy for updates, news, views, and all that's exciting in the world of new writing. Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to a brand new episode! On this voyage, Ralph and Jonny are joined in conversation by the wonderful Lisette Auton, a disabled writer, activist, and creative practitioner (and also NG blogger!)Read more about Lisette at lisetteauton.co.uk.  Her debut novel The Secret of Haven Point was published by Penguin. You can pre-order her new novel, The Stickleback Catchers NOW! Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

The Northern Gravy Podcast returns with a conversation between our Poetry Editor and raconteur extraordinaire Ralph Dartford, and novelist Stephen May, who kindly provided an article which accompanied the fifth edition of Northern Gravy.Look for Stephen May's acclaimed new novel Sell Us The Rope in a bookshop near you. You can find out more about Stephen's work at SDMay.com, or by following him on twister @Stephen_May1 Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

Ralph Dartford takes the wheel for an exciting interview with poet Oisín Breen, who kindly performs some of his exquisite poetry for us too.You can find Oisín's collection Flowers, All Sorts, In Blossom, Figs, Berries And Fruits Forgotten at https://hybriddreich.co.uk/oisin-breen/Featuring music by Luke Starling - find more at LukeStarlingMusic.co.uk Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

Join us as we reflect on curating the Second Edition of Northern Gravy, the lost art of making Mixtapes, Ralph Dartford's new collection of poetry Hidden Music (available now!) plus an exclusive reading and interview with Martha Lane.Featuring music by Luke Starling - find more at LukeStarlingMusic.co.uk Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome Aboard! In this episode you'll learn about how Northern Gravy came to be, the realities of doing an MA in creative writing, the rigours of applying for Arts Council funding and hear an exclusive interview and reading from poet Oz Hardwick.Featuring music by Luke Starling - find more at LukeStarlingMusic.co.uk Get full access to Northern Gravy at northerngravy.substack.com/subscribe