The Failing Writers Podcast

Are you incredibly sad you missed out on seeing us live at the Alton Arts Festival? Well, don't worry! Here's the next best thing - a recording of that legendary night.

And even better, we've edited out all the boring bits - like the interval and Tommy's literary quiz. (Although that is available on the full video we've posted on YouTube, if you fancy)
Video of our live podcast with Claire Fuller

We had a lovely time with multi-award-winning author Claire Fuller, discussing her newest book, Hunger and Thirst, as well as discovery writing, character detail, coming up with titles, eavesdropping, writing awards, a whole load of other writingy things.
Claire's website

Then there was our live Hypewriter feature, starring the amazing Madelyn Postman. Check out her book, Staring Into The Sun, here!

Thanks to everyone who came, to the organisers of Alton Festival, and a HUGGGGGE thanks to Gary and the team at Goldfinch Books. They were the bestest hosts anyone could wish for. Goldfinch Books
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Should you quit your job to write?
Seems like an obvious answer to an obvious question.
(No! No is the correct answer!)
But hang on.
It's the dream isn't it?
Writing full time.
Quitting the day job and having time and energy to write the great novel you've thinking about for ages.
Well let's have a closer look at some writers who've done exactly that - and it ain't worked out too badly for 'em.
People like...
Children's author, Stuart Reid.
Thriller author, Jessica Payne.
and author of Bright I Burn - Molly Aitken, shortlisted for Royal Society of Literature's Encore Award.
All very different stories. All very fascinating and inspiring.
So come and find out what you need to do to become a full-time author.

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Welcome to our cheeky little bonus episode! The poetry competition has landed.

What started off as a crazy little idea from Jon, has turned into a crazy BIG idea.

We’ve got prizes (quite a few actually - huge thanks in particular to https://writershq.co.uk/ and https://libro.fm/)

We’ve got a judge (the amazing Rowan McCabe https://rowanthepoet.com/)

All we need now… are your poems!!!

Less than 250 words - FREE to enter - up to two entries per person. Any subject, any style.

Send them to failingwriterspodcast@gmail.com

Good luck!!!
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It's been a while since we had a little poetry splurge. So to rectify that terrible neglect of our duty, Tom and I had a lovely natter with Hollie McNish. We meandered through where her love of poetry began, how it helps her assimilate ideas, writing essays, and the Olympic Breakfast at Little Chef, Chieveley Services. Oh... and we also discuss her brilliant new book, Virgin.
Buy it now... in fact, heck, buy all her books! ... right here

We also bring you our regular feature Hypewriter, where we celebrate one of our listener's glorious bits of work.
And what better to round off an episode about poetry, than a lovely, crisp little villanelle from Nichole Johnson.
Nichole's Insta: @nichole_johnson_poetry
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Writing competitions. Clearly they’re not all made the same.
Some are free, some are costly, some are actually impossible for mere mortals to enter due to their criteria.
The prizes vary too. From small cash prizes, to publishing deals.
Today, we’re asking the question… on the whole, if you’re serious about being a writer… are they actually worth it? Are they worth the money, the - let’s face it – likely disappointment, the effort and most importantly of all… the time?
And the biggest question of all - are there any quantifiable things you can do to help nudge your entry to the top of the pile?
We consider such things as:
Where’s the best place to send your piece? Maybe a competition isn’t the right destination? Maybe it’s a literary journal instead?
We get some top notch insider insight, from Bath Flash Fiction Award past winner and judge - Kathryn Aldridge-Morris to get the skinny on what works and what doesn’t. What will wow the judges, what will make them spit their tea out and what will make them slide you into their shortlist.
https://www.kamwords.com

Plus we hear from fabulous literary agent Joanna Swainson from Hardman & Swainson, for an agent’s eye-view.
https://www.hardmanswainson.com

Finally, the winner of a competition who we suspect is quite glad she entered DFB & Arvon Search for a Storyteller prize, because it won her a publishing deal with David Fickling Books – Miranda Moore.
I can personally recommend her excellent YA book, A Beautiful Terrible Thing.
Yes, devastating & emotional, but also joyful & redemptive.
https://www.mirandamooreauthor.com

And speaking of competitions… look out next week for our BRAND NEW POETRY COMPETITION!

We’re too good to you. Seriously. We are.

Lovely episode art by Katie Rand.
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