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The Writing Life

by National Centre for Writing

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Latest episodes

Writing across locations: Dieter Rogiers on research, writing formulas, and international settings

October 19, 2026 · 55 min

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, Belgian author Dieter Rogiers explores how place shapes his writing, discussing both the locations where he writes and the international settings of his novels. Dieter Rogiers is a Belgian…
The magic of storytelling: Isabel Allende on crafting stories

October 5, 2026 · 47 min

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, bestselling novelist Isabel Allende shares insights into her creative process and craft, as outlined in her latest book Storytelling – a profound exploration of the art and magic of…
Unearthing stories: Archaeology, liminality & the body with Ruthy Mason

September 21, 2026 · 48 min

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, debut novelist Ruthy Mason shares how she explores the creative possibilities of liminality and transformation in Death Do Us – a haunting story that peels back the veil from the institution of…
From mentorship to literary translation: Polly Barton & Charlotte Goff on translating Nao-Cola Yamazaki’s works

September 7, 2026 · 40 min

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, Polly Barton andCharlotte Goff discuss their paths into literary translation and their experience translating Nao-Cola Yamazaki’s novels from Japanese into English. Polly Barton is a writer…
The spirit of place: Laurence Mitchell on Flint Country

August 24, 2026 · 46 min

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, Norfolk-based writer Laurence Mitchell reveals how he brought the spirit of landscape and place onto the page in his award-winning book, Flint Country: A Stone Journey. Laurence Mitchell is…

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Back to basics: Sarah L. Kaufman on Verb Your Enthusiasm

August 10, 2026 · 60 min

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, award-winning writer Sarah L. Kaufman discusses mastering the art of the verb and transforming your writing with language, grammar, and style. Sarah L. Kaufman is a Pulitzer Prize-winning…
The world of self-publishing: Pip Landers-Letts on Pyg

July 27, 2026 · 52 min

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, award-winning writer Pip Landers-Letts discusses her experience self-publishing her action-packed novel Pyg – a queer retelling of George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion. Pip Landers-Letts is…
Writing relationships: Jem Calder on I Want You to Be Happy

July 13, 2026 · 42 min

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, debut novelist Jem Calder shares insights into developing the complex central relationship in his novel, I Want You to Be Happy – a sharp-eyed tale of two people searching for meaning and…
Finding balance in writing: Sithuraj Ponraj on working across languages, jobs, and genres

June 29, 2026 · 46 min

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, Singapore-based writer Sithuraj Ponraj shares how he balances his dual life as an international cyber-policy specialist and a multilingual writer. Sithuraj Ponraj’s work includes novels…
From draft to debut: Anna Goldreich on The Leveret

June 15, 2026 · 38 min

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, Norwich-based writer Anna Goldreich reflects on the personal and creative journey behind her debut novel, The Leveret – a bruisingly tender and lyrically haunting hymn to queer love and the…
Madness and Magic: Hannah Murray on her memoir The Make Believe

June 1, 2026 · 57 min

On this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, Hannah Murray shares the experience of writing her debut book, a memoir called The Make Believe: A memoir of magic and madness. Hannah worked as an actor for over a decade, starring in E4’s…
Experimenting with narrative form: Ashley Hickson-Lovence on About to Fall Apart

May 18, 2026 · 51 min

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, Norwich-based writer Ashley Hickson-Lovence discusses experimenting with narrative, form, and structure in his latest novel, About to Fall Apart – a thrilling kaleidoscope of thoughts, failures…

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About the show

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 Norwich.