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Artwork for The Writing Life
Literature
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Chronic Illness
Storytelling
LGBTQ+ Poetry
Poets Of Colour
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Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
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Harriet Martineau
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Accessibility In Publishing
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We’re a podcast for anyone who writes. Every week we talk to writers about their writing journeys and techniques, from early career debuts to self-publishers and narrative designers. We’ve featured Margaret Atwood, Jackie Kay, Sara Collins, Antti Tuomainen, Val McDermid, Sarah Perry, Elif Shafak and many more! The Writing Life is produced by the National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall in Norwic... more

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Artwork for The Writing Life

Latest Episodes

In this festive episode of The Writing Life Podcast, crime writer Nicola Upson delves into the themes and appeal of crime novels set at Christmas.

Nicola Upson’s debut, An Expert in Murder, was the first in a series of crime novels to feature Joseph... more

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, Singapore-based writer Clara Chow delves into the world of 'experimental fiction' and why she takes on projects that push against the grain.

Clara Chow works across genres of fiction, non-fiction and poet... more

In this Halloween-flavoured episode of The Writing Life Podcast, we’re resharing an illuminating discussion between writers Lisabelle Tay and Heather Parry on writing grief and the monstrous body.

Heather Parry is a Glasgow-based writer and editor, ... more

In this episode of The Writing Life, acclaimed British author and academic Sarah Moss (known for Ghost Wall and Summerwater) joins us to discuss her latest novel, Ripeness, ‘a breathtaking story of love and the search for belonging, from 1960s Italy ... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Clara Chow
Singapore-based writer known for experimental fiction and poetry.
Episode: What is ‘experimental fiction’?: Clara Chow on travelling, writing about taboo subjects, and having fun
Megan Bradbury
Writer and mentor engaging in conversations about writing.
Episode: What is ‘experimental fiction’?: Clara Chow on travelling, writing about taboo subjects, and having fun
Sarah Moss
Author of the novel 'Ripeness'
Episode: Writing flawed characters: Sarah Moss on Ripeness
Vanessa Bell
Poet, editor, and literary activist
Contours and Éditions du Quartz
Episode: A writer’s journey: Vanessa Bell on book tours, friendship, and revisiting old projects
Hayley Wells
An Essex-based illustrator with an MA in Children's Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art, known for their work on The Spectacular Suit.
Episode: Representation in children’s literature: Hayley Wells on The Spectacular Suit
Pat Barker
Booker Prize-winning author known for her Regeneration Trilogy and The Silence of the Girls
Episode: Reimagining classics: Pat Barker on the Regeneration Trilogy
Val McDermid
Acclaimed novelist and crime writer
Episode: Writing contemporary crime fiction: Val McDermid on Past Lying
Wen-yi Lee
Singaporean young adult author known for her works in fantasy and horror.
Author of 'When They Burned the Butterfly' and 'The Dark We Know'
Episode: Becoming a published author: Wen-Yi Lee on representation, writing residencies, and building a readership
Kate Worsley
Writer and mentor who engages in discussions about writing careers.
Mentor and writer supporting emerging authors.
Episode: Becoming a published author: Wen-Yi Lee on representation, writing residencies, and building a readership

Hosts

Peggy Hughes
Co-host and Chief Executive at National Centre for Writing, involved in various initiatives supporting writers and literature.
Steph McKenna
Co-host and involved in promoting literature and writing initiatives, bringing insight into the discussions regarding the writing community.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 112 ratings
  • Nope

    I’ve tried this podcast twice now. Don’t know why—think I was tricked by the change of thumbnail/image. The conversations are terribly boring, waffly. Couldn’t find anything helpful or insightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    broadcastappeal
    Australiaa year ago
  • Nourishing a writing community

    As a writer based in Edinburgh, this podcast makes me feel like part of a wider writing community. The conversations between writers on this podcast - particularly the episode feat. Joelle Taylor, Jay Bernard, Anthony Capildeo & Gail McConnell - are so enriching and motivating, they’ve become part of my writing practice. Thank you for all you do!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EDubhglas
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • What a find.

    There are so many podcasts about books and writing, offering advice on different aspects of the trade. The Writing Life tackles the practicalities of getting those words down and in order and flowing and interesting and gripping ….. I could go on.

    There are so many really good discussions with people (authors) who are actually doing it and sometimes making the mistakes that we do and explaining the pitfalls.

    Well worth a listen to if you are a writer or want to be.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Wee-Stan
    Spain3 years ago
  • Great podcast!

    It is the perfect companion for everyone interested in all aspects of the book industry. Packed with insightful tips and great guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Novel reader
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Wonderful podcast

    I only discovered this podcast two weeks ago & am really blown away by it. Every episode is a gem. The hosts are thoughtful, questions penetrating & what an incredible array of guests! From those starting out to those well-established. This is a great resource for writers (and readers!) at any stage of their journey. I’m a writer recently moved to Norfolk so am extra grateful as it’s bringing more intellectual sparkle to the place.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    clemochka
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast is celebrated for its ability to foster a sense of community among writers, providing valuable insights into the literary craft.
Some feedback indicates that certain conversations may not resonate with every individual, though many find them motivational and informative.
Listeners appreciate the diverse voices and perspectives shared in the episodes, enriching their understanding of writing and creativity.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#140
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#190
Netherlands/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#190
Denmark/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#204
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#223
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#244
Singapore/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Writing flawed characters: Sarah Moss on Ripeness
Q: What do you hope people take away from your writing?
I hope my writing reflects the subtle, long-range changes that art can incite, despite not being activism.
Writing flawed characters: Sarah Moss on Ripeness
Q: What role do flawed characters have in your work?
I wanted to represent flawed characters who reflect a wider generation's struggles and complexities.
Writing flawed characters: Sarah Moss on Ripeness
Q: How does your writing routine look?
My routine has shifted as my children have grown older, allowing me more uninterrupted time to write.
Representation in children’s literature: Hayley Wells on The Spectacular Suit
Q: Do you think you're going to continue to pursue self-expression and identity themes in your future works?
Hayley confirms an ongoing interest in these themes, noting their next book, Train of Thought, will explore a character's imagination tied to neurodivergent experiences.
Representation in children’s literature: Hayley Wells on The Spectacular Suit
Q: What do you mean by own voices, authors?
'Own voices' refers to stories that include elements of identity, such as being non-binary or trans, told by authors who have lived those experiences, allowing for authenticity in representation.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Writing Life

What is The Writing Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the multifaceted realm of writing, this podcast features conversations with a diverse range of authors and creative individuals, illuminating their unique journeys, techniques, and experiences in the literary world. Episodes cover a wide array of topics including experimental fiction, the interplay of travel and writing, the challenges of motherhood and poetry, and the importance of representation in children's literature. The insightful discussions cater to writers at all stages, from emerging voices to established authors, and provide valuable perspectives on navigating the publishing landscape.

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Writing Life. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Writing Life and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Writing Life get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Writing Life?

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How many subscribers and views does The Writing Life have?

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How many episodes of The Writing Life are there?

The Writing Life launched 14 years ago and published 200 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Writing Life?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Writing Life?

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What guests have appeared on The Writing Life?

Recent guests on The Writing Life include:

1. Clara Chow
2. Megan Bradbury
3. Sarah Moss
4. Vanessa Bell
5. Hayley Wells
6. Pat Barker
7. Val McDermid
8. Wen-yi Lee

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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