In My Good Books

In this special episode of In My Good Books, Susie shines a spotlight on the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, a writing competition that has become genuinely life-changing for many unpublished authors. She’s joined by literary agent Hellie Ogden, alongside prize winners Catherine Chanter and Megan Davis, to demystify the entry process and talk honestly about what the prize can offer writers at the very start of their careers.This episode is packed with encouragement, writing tips, and real-world insight for anyone considering entering a writing competition, especially those who are unpublished, questioning their talent, or wondering if they’re good enough to put their work forward!Enter the prize here: https://www.lucy.cam.ac.uk/form/fiction-prize-2026Find out more about the guests:Hellie: https://www.wmebookdepartment.com/team/hellie-ogden/Catherine: https://catherinechanter.co.uk/Megan: https://megandavis.co.uk/Books recommended in this episode:The Names by Florence Knapp: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-names-the-best-debut-novel-in-years-sunday-times-florence-knapp/b5f6ebab8d4846df?ean=9781399624022&next=tThe Wedding People by Alison Espach: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-wedding-people-the-hilarious-and-moving-million-copy-bestseller-alison-espach/879f21fa6a0d5e2d?ean=9781399622752&next=tCreation Lake by Rachel Kushner: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/creation-lake-from-the-booker-prize-shortlisted-author-rachel-kushner/7619007?ean=9781529933383&next=t

In this episode of In My Good Books, Susie talks with author G.D. Wright about his turbulent year, his creative resilience, and the release of his latest novel, Into the Fire. Gary opens up about navigating serious health challenges while continuing to write, and how the support of the author and book blogging community helped carry him through.We explore the moral dilemmas that drive his storytelling, his instinctive writing process, and how he builds layered, morally complex characters. Gary also discusses his exciting shift into screenwriting, sharing behind-the-scenes insight from the production of his upcoming shark film Breathe Deep, filmed on location in Malta.From his writing journey to his next book Against the Tide, Gary offers thoughtful reflections, practical advice, and brilliant book recommendations that he's loved.Follow Gary here: https://www.instagram.com/gdwrightwrites/Buy Into The Fire: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/into-the-fire-g-d-wright/7713420?ean=9780008702434&next=tBooks recommended in this episode: Carnival of Lies by D.V. Bishop: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/carnival-of-lies-d-v-bishop/7709825?ean=9781035041947&next=tTo Love A Liar by L.V. Matthews: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/to-love-a-liar-l-v-matthews/d140d0ebdd093935?ean=9781405974707&next=tWitch Trial by Harriet Tyce: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/witch-trial-don-t-miss-the-extraordinary-brand-new-thriller-from-the-sunday-times-million-copy-bestselling-author-available-to-pre-order-now-harrie/d50dd98898dbdd03?ean=9781035411917&next=t

In this episode of In My Good Books, Susie is joined by author Emma Steele to talk about her deeply moving novel The Love of Our Lives, a story that blends emotional authenticity with a quietly powerful speculative twist. Emma talks about the inspiration behind Maggie, a woman navigating life a year after a heart transplant, and the intense emotional struggle that still shadows her recovery.From the craft of building a powerful narrative hook, to the importance of keeping the stakes emotionally high, Emma offers a brilliant insight into her writing process and the themes that draw her back to the page. Follow Emma here: https://www.instagram.com/emmasteeleauthor/Buy The Love of Our Lives: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-love-of-our-lives-emma-steele/7873714?ean=9781802798210&next=tBooks recommended in this episode: Heart The Lover by Lily King: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/heart-the-lover-lily-king/fb9dce87ee8c8055?ean=9781837265497&next=tAfter You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/after-you-d-gone-from-the-author-of-hamnet-one-of-the-most-unforgettable-love-stories-you-ll-ever-read-maggie-o-farrell/8fe743c7580b2cf3?ean=9781035430062&next=tAll The Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/all-the-colours-of-the-dark-chris-whitaker/7509807?ean=9781398707672&next=t

In this episode, Susie sits down with author Natasha Siegel to dive into her dark, atmospheric, and deeply thought-provoking gothic fantasy novel, As Many Souls As Stars. They explore the book’s genre-blending heart - part historical fiction, part sapphic gothic, part Faustian re-imagining, and how Natasha uses three time periods to interrogate the portrayal of women across history.Natasha chats about her writing process, drafting and redrafting her way into the emotional core of the story, and the long and winding path to publication. She discusses the importance of feminist storytelling in fantasy, the challenges of representing complex characters like Sybil and Miriam, and why she intentionally leans into themes of isolation, desire, and power.They also touch on the realities of being an author today. Why Natasha avoids spaces like Goodreads and how she protects her creativity. And of course, there are brilliant book recommendations for anyone who loves intelligent, character-driven fantasy.You can find Natasha here: https://www.instagram.com/natashacsiegel/You can buy As Many Souls As Stars here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/as-many-souls-as-stars-natasha-siegel/7846081?ean=9781526684622&next=tBooks recommended in this episode:Hungerstone by Kat Dunn: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/hungerstone-kat-dunn/71f4d3adb2ad40d0?ean=9781786583949&next=tGlorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/glorious-exploits-ferdia-lennon/7450925?ean=9780241998007&next=t

In this episode of In My Good Books, Susie sits down with crime fiction author J.M. Simpson to talk about her new novel The Ophelia Murders, the first instalment in her Whistler’s Peak series set deep in the Scottish Highlands. Jo shares the inspirations behind her setting, how she approaches character development, and why her writing process is driven by instinct rather than rigid planning.We also dive into her journey into self-publishing, including the freedom it gives her as a storyteller and the crucial role of collaboration with editors, beta readers, and cover designers. Jo opens up about the literary themes that matter most to her, the importance of community in crime fiction, and how risky professions spark her imagination.Whether you're a crime fiction fan or an aspiring author, this episode is packed with insight, craft talk, and brilliant book recommendations.Follow Jo: https://www.instagram.com/jmsimpsonauthor/Buy The Ophelia Murders: https://amzn.eu/d/3jjAqnIBooks recommended in this episode: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/big-magic-how-to-live-a-creative-life-and-let-go-of-your-fear-elizabeth-gilbert/3429788?ean=9781408866757&next=tNorthern Lights by Nora Roberts: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/northern-lights-nora-roberts/4192737?ean=9780749929695&next=t13 Deadly Intentions: