Join us as Maria Nightingale shares her inspiring journey from avid reader to published author, revealing how her background in storytelling, marketing, and corporate communication helped her craft and promote her debut novel, Almost There. Whether you're an aspiring writer or a seasoned author, Maria’s insights on time management, community engagement, and marketing strategy are invaluable.

In this episode:

• Maria’s early influences, including her love for poetry and classical literature
• Transitioning from corporate marketing to creative writing
• The story behind Almost There: a journey of mental health, self-discovery, and millennial romance
• Practical advice on outlining your novel to avoid writer’s block
• The role of beta readers and ARC reviews in refining her work
• Tips on balancing a busy life while writing
• Using corporate marketing experience to successfully promote a debut book
• The importance of social media consistency and message clarity
• Personal writing routines and how to stay motivated
• What success as an author means to Maria, and her goals moving forward

Join us next time for more inspiring stories from authors and creatives. Don’t forget to subscribe and share your thoughts!

Buy Almost There, Almost Me here: https://a.co/d/090cwIL1

TikTok: @maria_nightingale-writes

Instagram: @maria_nightingale-writes

In this episode:

• Peter's transition from nonfiction to crime novels, starting in his 50s
• Developing a series with a beloved protagonist, Doug Mullen, and planning its continuation or conclusion
• The importance of setting, choosing Oxford and Bude as locales, and creating atmospheric environments
• How real-life research, including police procedures and medical details, informs his writing
• The organic nature of character development and the surprises characters can bring to a story
• Literary influences: Kate Atkinson, Agatha Christie, Colin Dexter, and how they shape his craft
• The mechanics of plotting—plotting vs. pantsing—and the value of having a story destination in mind
• Balancing description and dialogue, and the joy of writing dialogue-heavy scenes
• Practical advice for aspiring writers: finish your manuscript, read widely, and write passionately
• The significance of community, feedback, and enjoying the process of publishing

• Death in the Sea Pool (available on Kindle & paperback)
• Kate Atkinson
• Agatha Christie
• Colin Dexter - Morse Series

Connect with Peter:

• Twitter
• Website

Whether you're into cozy mysteries with gritty undertones or exploring the craft of plotting, Peter Tickler’s insights will encourage and motivate your writing journey. Remember: finish that first draft, stay authentic, and enjoy every step of creating your story!

Discover the inspiring story of Shesh, a former CEO turned author who wrote an acclaimed series inspired by his wife Radhika. Learn how his structured approach, personal memories, and real-life experiences shaped his thrilling novels about an ex-CEO with a dark mission.

Main Topics

Shesh's journey from corporate leader to novelist

Inspiration and behind-the-scenes of the Corporate Assassin series

Balancing authenticity, research, and creativity in writing

Overcoming imposter syndrome and personal doubts

Strategies for building an author platform and marketing

Key Insights

Shesh's early love for storytelling was born during childhood monsoons in India, where storytelling became a communal activity

His OCD-driven discipline enabled him to write each book in approximately 30 days, with a structured daily word target

The series is inspired by his wife Radhika's challenge for him to create a novel with an original plot

His protagonist, Ishmael Dola, is a complex character shaped by traits observed in real CEOs, including rationalization

Managing imposter syndrome remains a challenge, with comparisons to literary giants like Harper Lee and Agatha Christie

The importance of building a social network before publishing to ensure successful book launches

His motivation fluctuates between vanity and legacy, aiming for 10,000 readers and personal fulfillment

Connect with Shesh: https://sheshauthor.com/

When she first stepped onto the road in 2011, she was carrying years of trauma, secrets, and a desire to make a difference. Little did she know her stories of daring adventures, raw honesty, and resilience would not only inspire others but also fuel her mission to help vulnerable children through her future charity.

In this candid conversation, Angela shares her extraordinary life—from surviving childhood abuse and navigating her brother’s struggles with homosexuality and drug addiction, to travelling to over 60 countries on a £1,200 budget.

Discover how her unbreakable spirit turned trauma into purpose, and how her travels served as a form of therapy, opening her eyes to the power of hope and resilience. Angela’s story isn’t just about exploration; it’s about rewriting your destiny, no matter where you start.

You'll discover the real reasons behind her raw storytelling, how she used her past to fuel her mission and the surprising ways she financed her life of adventure. Angela talks about the importance of authenticity, the lessons from her multicultural experiences in places like Hong Kong and Ecuador, and how her upcoming series of books aims to break cycles of abuse and poverty. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a traveller seeking purpose, or someone battling life's hardships, this episode will ignite your courage to live authentically and purposefully.

Travel isn’t just about sightseeing; it's a blueprint for resilience, healing, and hope. Angela’s journey exemplifies that even in the face of trauma, you can create a life full of impact and inspiration. Perfect for ambitious dreamers, budding authors, and anyone looking for a reminder that your past doesn’t have to define your future.

Angela Fuller is an author and international traveller who is dedicated to transforming trauma into purpose. Her upcoming book series and charity aim to empower vulnerable children and inspire others to turn life's challenges into a force for good.

If you’re ready to be inspired to rewrite your story, this episode is your wake-up call. Don't miss Angela's insights on resilience, authenticity, and making a difference. Real stories, raw honesty, and the hope that everyone’s journey is just beginning.

You can connect with Angela here:

Instagram: l.i.f.e.on_the_road

Or buy her book here: https://amzn.eu/d/00Jj88wN

Main Topics Covered:

• Steve's unconventional journey into authorship and genre exploration
• The writing process: discovery, pantsing vs plotting, and revisions
• How to craft compelling query letters and deal with rejection
• Maintaining mental health during the writing and publishing journey
• Building a writing community and overcoming introversion
• Using quirky historical facts and research to enrich storytelling
• Strategies for book promotion, including book tours, social media, and reviews
• The importance of feedback and beta reading in refining your craft
• Personal insights on character development and plotting techniques
• Balancing passion projects with market considerations in genre fiction.

Connect with Steve and buy his books here: https://www.stevegrantauthor.com/

Unlock the hidden power of merchandise to skyrocket your brand and turn fans into your biggest evangelists. Leah Keggi, author of The Merch Blueprint, reveals how even small creators like authors can harness simple, cost-effective strategies to generate word-of-mouth buzz that sells without traditional marketing hustle.

Most authors and entrepreneurs overlook how just a few well-placed products can ignite conversations and amplify visibility. Leah shares her journey from marketing executive to self-published author, uncovering how she crafted a straightforward but powerful approach to merchandise that works for book lovers, series fans, and business owners alike. Imagine creating products so compelling that strangers stop you in airports or start conversations in coffee shops... just because they connect with your work. That's the alchemy Leah's blueprint offers: turning merchandise into a conversation starter and a reputation builder, whether you're selling books, brand apparel, or niche products.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to identify the perfect merchandise for your unique audience—be it readers, fans of a series, or personal brand followers.
• Practical tips on creating products that inspire word-of-mouth promotion—think coffee mugs, backpacks, and custom gear that speak your brand’s language.
• Why the timing around current trends, TV shows, or seasonal gift guides can supercharge your visibility.
• The truth about making merchandise manageable—print-on-demand options, managing inventory, and scaling at your own pace.
• Leah's insider strategies for self-publishing merchandise and navigating options like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and beyond.

Failing to leverage merchandise effectively can mean missing out on effortless marketing and organic growth. This episode is perfect for authors, creators, small business owners, and anyone eager to amplify their work without the complex tech or intimidating marketing noise.Leah is a seasoned marketing expert turned author, known for her practical, conversational style that makes complex ideas easy—and fun—to implement. Her insights will inspire you to think differently about your brand expansion and show how simple, authentic merchandise can magnetise fans and foster community.If you’ve ever wondered how to make your work more visible and create products that promote themselves, this episode is your game-changer.

Connect with Leah: https://leahkeggi.com/

Uncover the remarkable journey of Emma Woodhouse—a Victorian history enthusiast turned bestselling author—whose rebellious spirit and relentless research landed her in academic circles, authoring not just novels but groundbreaking non-fiction about forgotten women of the era.

Emma shares how her obsession with Victorian working-class women, fuelled by childhood memories at Blist Hill and her detective-like archival work, transformed into a writing career that defies traditional publishing norms. In this episode, you'll discover:

·       How Emma’s research—spanning prison records, graveyard hunts, and newspaper archives—brings real Victorian women, like Mercy Newton and Mary Carr, vividly back to life.

·       Why embracing feedback and ruthless editing turned her rough drafts into compelling stories, and the invaluable lessons she learned along the way.

·       The highs and lows of navigating the query trenches, finding an agent, and the realities of traditional vs. indie publishing—plus why she now champions creative control and community over fame.

·       The surprising influence of academic recognition, symposiums, and her ongoing MA on expanding her scope from fiction to acclaimed non-fiction works.

·       Why Emma believes writing is a lifelong “graft,” driven by passion rather than profits, and how her local heritage inspires her prolific output of compelling historical stories rooted in her own backyard.

Perfect for aspiring authors, history buffs, and readers craving authentic female stories from Victorian Britain, this episode proves that success isn’t just about bestseller lists—it's about staying true to your passion and creating a lasting legacy.

Emma’s unfiltered insights on storytelling, research, and resilience make this a must-listen for anyone dreaming of transforming curiosity into a career.A captivating blend of personal anecdotes, meticulous research, and honest advice,

Emma’s story highlights that the greatest rewards in writing come from connection, authenticity, and a love for the craft.

Get inspired to pick up your pen—your story is waiting.

Connect with Emma on Instagram: emma_woodhouse_books

As we approach the start of the 2026 World Cup - this is a great listen for those needing their footy fix!

In this episode, Spencer shares the full story behind Belief... from the moment he first set foot inside East Stirlingshire to the surreal moments that followed.

But we go deeper than the football: Spencer opens up about what drove him to write seriously, how storytelling can immortalise the people and places that shaped us, and the real lessons from self-publishing a book in the modern era.

We cover AI tools in the writing process, finding your voice, the myth of the "right time" to write, and why starting badly is still starting. Whether you're a football fan, an aspiring author, or just someone who's ever had a mad idea they couldn't shake — this one's for you.

Key takeaways: Back yourself. Start before you're ready. Short chapters are underrated. And AI is a better editor than most people will admit.

In this engaging interview, debut author of 'Finding Wildfire' - Babs Rudlin shares her inspiring journey from avid reader to soon-to-be published novelist.

She discusses her writing process, the importance of editing, building a reader community, and her decision to pursue the indie publishing route, offering valuable tips for aspiring authors.

What you can expect:

• The writing and editing process for a debut novel
• The importance of building a reader community and newsletter strategies
• Deciding between indie and traditional publishing
• The emotional journey of writing as therapy
• Tips for aspiring authors on publishing and marketing

Sound Bites

• "I read the Narnia series at seven"
• "Writing helped me process my grief"
• "The magic system is driven by gods"

Where to find Babs!

Everything you need to know is available to you on:

www.babsrudlin.com