Ncw Online

Writer Vahni Capildeo stayed with us in a virtual residency back in February and is joined in this week's episode by Jeremy Noel-Tod, editor, critic and Senior Lecturer in Literature at the University of East Anglia. Together they discuss Vahni's work, the inspiration found in places like Norwich and Edinburgh, the influence of Julian of Norwich and much more besides - all while enjoying an imaginary afternoon tea at the Maid's Head Hotel. We recommend reading Lighthouse and Anchorage by Vahni before listening to this episode: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/lighthouse-and-anchorage-journal-entries/  Vahni stayed with us as part of the month-long Imagining the City event, which you can find out about here: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/imagining-the-city/ Hosted by Steph McKenna and Simon Jones Read Keeping A Writerly State of Mind: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/keeping-a-writerly-state-of-mind-two-reflections/ Read Five Everyday Writing Tips for any Writer: ht

Winner of the BBC Short Story Award in 2019, Jo Lloyd has now published her collection The Earth, Thy Great Exchequer, Ready Lies, and joins Chris Gribble on the pod to discuss her work, the challenges of going from one award-winning story to an entire collection, how the American short fiction market differs from the UK and why she prefers editing to writing. Meanwhile, NCW programme director Peggy Hughes explores our hugely exciting City of Literature line-up for the 2021 Norfolk & Norwich Festival, most of which can be enjoyed online and entirely for free! Main interview begins at 15:00. Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. Book your (free!) City of Literature events: http://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/cityoflit-21/ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/3G39dRW  Music by Bennet Maples.

Writer and illustrator Neill Cameron is on the pod to talk about his debut novel Freddy Vs School, the long-running comic series MEGA ROBO BROS and contributing to fab weekly children's comic The Phoenix. Neill discusses how he got into comics and writing for younger readers, how he works complex themes into accessible stories, making the comics form easy for new readers and why fart jokes and punchy robots are every bit as important as the serious stuff. Meanwhile, Simon pretends that he gets The Phoenix for his son to read. ALSO on the pod today is Flo Reynolds, making a return to intro the latest Book Club book in the form of Abir Mukherjee's A Rising Man. Find out more here: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/the-ncw-book-club/  Hosted by Steph McKenna and Simon Jones. Join our Discord and say hello! https://discord.gg/3G39dRW  Check out the amazing NNF City of Literature programme: http://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/cityoflit-21/  Find out more about what we do at https://nationalcentreforw

What is The Last Good Man about? When Duncan Peck arrives at a remote village in Dartmoor, he immediately notices the wall towering over it and displaying messages written by the inhabitants. Simon read it as a metaphor for social media and online discourse, Thomas references anonymous, public writing in China, and the book remains resolutely ambiguous.  Thomas joins us on the pod to discuss the balance of information needed to keep a book ambiguous, with the discussion taking in everything from Gamergate, Twitter, the concept of 'lore', the differences between stage and page, the curious magic inherent to the act of reading and his use of third person present tense to create an unsettling atmosphere. Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/3G39dRW Find out more about what we do: http://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/  Music by Bennet Maples. Photo by Jonathan Rin.

BAFTA Award-winning writer and games designer Greg Kasavin joins the pod to talk about his work at Supergiant Games, focusing on the critically acclaimed smash hit HADES. The game won five BAFTA awards last week and we spoke to Greg about how he got into writing for games, his background in journalism and how Supergiant strive to merge narrative and gameplay mechanics. Essential listening for anyone interested in interactive fiction, games and narrative design. Hosted by Steph McKenna and Simon Jones. Find out more at https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/  Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/3G39dRW  Music by Bennet Maples.

Tom Cox is on the pod talking about his TWO new books out this year, Notebook (out now!) and Villager (out later!). Tom talks to Steph about the inspiration behind his books, including having his backpack stolen and finding himself stranded in Bristol, the importance of place in his writing (and life) and why he turned to Unbound to publish his most recent work. It's a funny, informative and honest look back at an unusual career. As Tom says, "I'm a bit hard to sum up." Hosted by Steph McKenna and Simon Jones, who also introduce the judges for the 2021 UEA New Forms Award and Laura Kinsella Fellowship (you'll never guess), plus the brand new Writer's Toolkit Online courses for poets and fiction writers. Here's some useful links: UEA New Forms Award: http://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/uea-award/  Laura Kinsella Fellowship: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/laura-kinsella-fellowship/  All of our Writer's Toolkit Online courses (including the free ones!): https://courses.nationalcentreforwriting.o

Writer and actor Anni Domingo is on the pod to talk about her debut novel Breaking the Maafa Chain, the remarkable true story of Sara Forbes Bonetta. Anni discusses adapting historical research into a fictionalised retelling, how Covid-19 has disrupted her acting work and how being on our Escalator talent development scheme in 2019 helped develop her writing. Meanwhile, Simon and Steph talk about our exciting online writing courses and get distracted by the presence of a millionaire shortbread from nearby cafe Smokey Barn. If you're ever in the vicinity of Dragon Hall in Norwich, do pay them a visit! Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. Useful links: Creative Writing Online courses: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/creative-writing-online/ Donate to Escalator: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/escalator-donations-2020/ Join our free Discord community: https://discord.gg/3G39dRW Music by Bennet Maples.

Author and journalist Sonia Faleiro joins us to discuss The Good Girls: An Ordinary Killing, her new narrative non-fiction book which examines the killing of two teenage girls in India in 2014. Sonia talks to Steph about her route into journalism and how she researches complex topics and then translates them into engaging narratives. It's a conversation packed full of practical advice for non-fiction writers and is also a fascinating discussion of the core themes of The Good Girls. Content warning: Please do note that this podcast includes discussion of sexual violence throughout which listeners may find distressing. Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. Some useful links Join our free Discord community: https://discord.gg/3G39dRW  Dragon Hall Debates events: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/dragon-hall-debates/  Our mentoring programme: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/mentoring/  Podcast episode featuring mentor Katri Scala: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/how-mentori

Writer and broadcaster Horatio Clare is on the pod this week to talk to Peggy about his latest book, Heavy Light: A Journey Through Madness, Mania and Healing. It is the story of Horatio's own breakdown: a journey through mania, psychosis and treatment in a psychiatric hospital, and onwards to release, recovery and healing. On the podcast he discusses the writing of the book and how he approached translating his real experiences into book form. Content note: This podcast discusses mental health and attitudes towards treatments. If you are affected by anything discussed on the podcast or want to know more we recommend seeking professional advice. These websites include good resources: Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/ Rethink: https://www.rethink.org/ And for lots of international links: https://checkpointorg.com/global/  Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. Peggy Hughes asking the questions. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/3G39dRW Book for our Editor Insights event: https://nationalcent

Translator William Gregory joins us on the pod to discuss translating for the stage, how he started his professional career and the challenges of working on translated material in the UK. William was a (virtual) translator in residence at BCLT from October 2020 to January 2021, and ran the theatre translation workshop during 2020’s BCLT Summer School. On the other side of the conversation is special guest interviewer Sue Healy, Literary Manager at the Finborough Theatre in London. It's a wide-ranging conversation full of practical tips for early career translators and fascinating insights for anyone who enjoys a diverse mix of entertainment. Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna, who tease upcoming episodes, talk about their current reads and reminisce about people bringing cakes into the office. Find out more: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ BCLT: http://www.bclt.org.uk/  Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/3G39dRW  Music by Bennet Maples. Thumbnail photo by Felix Mooneeram on Uns

We talk to author Stephen Michael Shearer and director John Hay about To Olivia, the film adaptation of Stephen's book An Unquiet Life. Focusing on the lives of Patricia Neal and Roald Dahl, the film stars Hugh Bonneville and Keeley Hawes and is available on Sky Cinema and Now TV from 19 February 2021. Stephen and John talk about the process of adapting the book and how the collaborative nature of filmmaking influences and changes the source material. Peggy Hughes is asking the questions.Meanwhile Steph and Simon take another look at the new Early Career Writer's Resource Pack, 'Dialogue' and, inevitably, complain about the weather.Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/3G39dRWFind out more about what we do: http://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/Check out the free Dialogue pack: http://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/pack-6-dialogue/Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna.Produced and edited by Simon Jones.Music by Bennet Maples.To Olivia, a Sky Original film, available on Sky Cinema and Now TV from 19th Febru

Author Chris Beckett joins us this week to explore styles of dialogue in literature and how Chris uses it in his novel Two Tribes. Covering topics as wide-ranging as conversation-as-animal-grooming to Brexit, Chris shares his tips and insight into how humans interact and different ways of capturing that on the page. Asking the questions is Sam Ruddock of Gatehouse Press and Story Machines Productions.This episode is part of our Early Career Writer's Resource Pack focusing on dialogue in prose fiction, scriptwriting and comics. Find more from Hannah Berry, Femi Kayode, Carys Davies and Taylor Beidler at https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/pack-6-dialogue/ Made possible by support from Arts Council England.Hosted by Steph McKenna and Simon Jones.Find out more about what we do: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/More on our Early Career Awards: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/early-career-awards/Music by Bennet Maples.

Debut author Jon Ransom shares his tips for avoiding writer's block, the importance of deadlines, why he avoids using word counts to judge progress, securing an agent during Covid-19 lockdown and how the Escalator talent development programme helped him complete his first novel The Whale Tattoo, which is due to be published by Muswell Press in 2022. If you'd like to support new voices you can donate to this year's Escalator here: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/escalator-donations-2020/ MEANWHILE! Simon and Steph are joined by Flo Reynolds to introduce the new Book Club book. Listen to find out what we're reading and then join in the chatter on Discord at https://discord.gg/3G39dRWAlso under discussion are the daily writing prompts we're publishing through February, courtesy of our amazing UNESCO writers in residence. Find out more and get involved here: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/imagining-the-city/Hosted by Steph McKenna and Simon Jones.Music by Bennet Maples.

We're very pleased to finally have Kate Worsley guest on the pod, author of She Rises, discussing her route to publication, her time on our Escalator talent development scheme, how she has benefited from mentoring and the impact of Covid-19 on her work.Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna.Donate to the 2021 Escalator scheme: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/escalator-donations-2020/ Join our Discord community chat: https://discord.gg/3G39dRWMore about what we do: http://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Music by Bennet Maples.

"The world of the imagination is being diminished by the day, with theatres dark, cinemas closed, and actors and musicians encouraged to retrain in more ‘viable’ professions, so books are more vital than ever, bringing us together safely at a time when we have never felt more isolated." The wonderful Nicola Upson returns to the podcast to talk about her early career, finding her confidence and how the Escalator talent development scheme helped to demystify the publishing industry.We're currently fundraising for Escalator so that we can help as many new writers as possible. To find out more and donate head over here: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/escalator-donations-2020/Find out more about our Start Writing Crime Fiction course and join the waiting list: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/introduction-to-crime-fiction/ Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna.Music by Bennet Maples.

Escalator needs your help! Our talent development scheme has helped 10 writers every year since 2004 but austerity and funding challenges means we can only fund 6 places in 2021. If you'd like to donate to help us help more writers, visit https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/escalator-donations-2020/ On the podcast is previous Escalator participant Owen Nicholls, whose debut novel was published in 2019. Owen talks about shifting from screenwriting to novels, how he completed his first book and how Escalator helped him on the road to creating Love, Unscripted. Simon also talks to Owen about surreptitiously enjoying the film Garden State.Meanwhile, Steph and Simon are joined by the inimitable Vicki Maitland to talk about Chrysalis, a fantastic mini-festival created by the Lit from the Inside group of young arts professionals. Find out more: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/chrysalis/ More on what we do: http://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe!Music by Bennet

Happy New Year! We begin 2021 with a conversation with Desmond Elliott Prize shortlisted Abi Daré, whose debut The Girl With The Louding Voice caught everyone's attention last year. Abi talks about her approach to world building and how she used the narrative voice in the book to explore its setting. Asking the questions is novelist Sarah Bower.Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna, who start the episode by celebrating that it's not 2020 anymore.If you like this episode don't forget to subscribe!Get more free resources on world building: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/5-world-building/ Find out about our Early Career Awards, including the Desmond Elliott Prize: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/early-career-awards/ Check out our online courses: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/creative-writing-online/ More on what we do: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Made possible with support from Arts Council England.Music by Bennet Maples.

We're joined on the pod by Dutch writer Thomas Heerma van Voss, who is talking about his new chapbook, Thank You For Being With Us. We're also very pleased to have editor, writer and lecturer Andrew McDonnell asking the questions. They discuss the translation of Thomas' work, how lockdown has affected his writing in 2020 and how he crafted his short stories.Thomas' residency was made possible by support from the Dutch Foundation for Literature and New Dutch Writing.Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna.Find out more at https://nationalcentrefowriting.org.ukMore info on our residency programmes: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/residencies/ Music by Bennet Maples.

We talk to producer Tamsin Flower about Black Writers on Democracy, a project conceived following the Black Lives Matters protests in 2020. Funded rapidly via crowdfunding, a commissioning call was sent out to find writers from around the world to address the theme. The five written pieces have now been published and on the podcast today we talk to Olu Alakija, Nike Igbaroola, Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto and Tamsin about how it was put together.Read and watch the pieces on the StreamLyric website: https://streamlyric.co.uk/digital/Our previous episode talking to Tamsin in 2018: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/the-importance-of-arts-funding/Hosted by Simon Jones.Find out more about we do: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/Join our free Discord community: https://discord.gg/3G39dRW Music by Bennet Maples & library sources.

Award-winning poet Will Harris, creator of RENDANG (Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection and a Guardian best poetry book of 2020), is our guest this week. Will discusses how he perceives his writing career and explores form and feeling with Flo Reynolds. Meanwhile Simon and Steph talk about our fundraising campaign for the Escalator talent development scheme, our lovely 'All Shall Be Well' prints to cheer everyone up in this tail end of 2020 and whether it's OK to have your Christmas tree up already.Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna.Find out more at https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/Donate to the Escalator campaign: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/escalator-donations-2020/Get your 'All Shall Be Well' print: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/article/buy-a-julian-of-norwich-screen-print/Music by Bennet Maples.