The Failing Writers Podcast

Latest Episodes:

S3 Ep10: Crime Writing with Mark Billingham Jul 10, 2023

Show notes

You might know Mark Billingham as the prolific and award winning crime fiction author. We know him as a really nice bloke who we had a really lovely chat with. But we didn't think that even an interview as excellent as the one we enjoyed with Mark was enough for our amazing listeners. So, we also get stuck into another WIP, this time from listener Gayle Ramage, who shares her Scottish vampire story with us! Thanks for listening!
Here's info about Mark's latest book - available in all good bookshops...
https://uk.markbillingham.com/the-last-dance/
Mark's TITANS:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16927.Dashiell_Hammett
https://www.george-pelecanos.com
https://www.jamesleeburke.com
https://www.michaelconnelly.com

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S3 Ep9: Jack Meggitt-Phillips Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

This time out we talk to middle-grade kids' author Jack Meggitt-Phillips. We chat about his big break, about badgers and sexy fizzy drinks bottles. You know, all the usual stuff. We also check out another WIP from a listener and... and... erm... well, that's about it really.
Jack's details: https://twitter.com/meggittphillips?lang=en
Some of Jack's books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beast-Bethany-Collection-Meggitt-Phillips-Revenge/dp/9124154911/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=jack+meggitt&qid=1687556188&sr=8-4
Jack's top 5 middle-grade funny books...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amphigorey-Fifteen-Books-Edward-Gorey/dp/0399504338/ref=sr_1_2?crid=26AXKS1XWG5UM&keywords=edward+gorey&qid=1687422426&s=books&sprefix=edward+gorey%2Cstripbooks%2C68&sr=1-2https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audible-Rainbow-Grey/dp/B097YT66BF/ref=sr_1_3?crid=W030LZEE1D4A&keywords=laura+ellen+anderson&qid=1687422517&s=books&sprefix=laura+ellen+anderson%2Cstripbooks%2C65&sr=1-3https://www.amazon.co.uk/Day-My-Bum-Went-Psycho/dp/0330400894https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audible-Stink/dp/B0BS1MZ9Z6/ref=sr_1_7?crid=28PDPPRQDC1DG&keywords=jenny+mclachlan&qid=1687422651&s=audible&sprefix=jenny+mc%2Caudible%2C77&sr=1-7https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Underpants-of-Chaos/dp/B09DRH1HJH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ONQJ6XVGC5E4&keywords=the+underpants+of+chaos&qid=1687422706&s=audible&sprefix=the+underpants+of+chaos%2Caudible%2C70&sr=1-1

Jack's podcast, about advertising: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-history-of-advertising-podcast/id1455036275

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S3 Ep8: A (Joanna) Frank Discussion About The World Of Publishing Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

Last week we talked to Louise Voss, who spoke to us about her first agent, Joanna Frank. So, this week we talk to Joanna Frank, who speaks to us about Louise Voss. She also chats about her journey through the publishing industry, taking in pretty much every stop along the way. PLUS get some top tips for pitching and querying, as Joanna kindly shares with us her “dos” and “don’ts” when approaching an agent. We also take a look at another work in progress too, this time from listener S.G.Sangster. (@ScarlettGraceHS) In yet another amazing instalment of… THE FAILING WRITERS PODCAAAAAAAAST!!!
Check out Joanna’s literary services at https://joannafrank.co/
And here's just a couple of the brilliant authors she's worked with... (sorry we couldn't mention them all!) Check 'em out!
https://www.carolinemontague.co.uk
https://www.simonberthon.com

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S3 Ep7: That's it, I quit... Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

Hello. Look at you reading the show notes! So... what have we got to tell you about? Erm, well, I guess the main bit is that we're talking to author Louise Voss this week. A bit back she tweeted that she was packing it all in because her enthusiasm balloon had been well and truly popped. We have a chat with her about that and other bits'n'bobs. Then in our Work In Progress feature, listener Donal Fogarty has sent in a short story, with a very, very interesting backstory. There's a few other things we talk about - but best that you just hear them on the podcast, not really worth mentioning in the show notes. So, go on, less reading more listening please. Press the play button.

Buy Louise Voss' latest book here...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kerry-Tucker-Learns-Live-heartbreaking-ebook/dp/B0B7S9H2D3

And the one Louise was especially proud of...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Old-You-Louise-Voss/dp/1912374110

Mark Edwards (Louise's erstwhile writing partner)...

https://www.markedwardsauthor.com

The rest of Donal's story...

https://donalfogarty.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/tomorrow-james-and-the-blue-cat.pdf

...and his blog

https://donalfogarty.com/

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S3 Ep6: Laura Barton Interview May 29, 2023

Show notes

Fancy going for a spin with us? ‘Cos we’re about to head off in this ole, beat up Cadillac. Laura Barton is at the wheel and she’s got the windows down and the radio up. Jon’s nodding seriously to the majestic growl of Johnny Cash and Tommy’s got his head out the window, forcing air up his nose like a blood hound. And we’re here and we’re alive and just shooting the breeze about sad songs, rock stars, lost love, writing, Betjeman, Springsteen, journalism, and turnips… for some reason. Yeah. I’m not entirely sure why, but turnips seem to… crop up, so…
Laura's new book - Sad Songs
https://www.waterstones.com/book/sad-songs/laura-barton/9781529406948
Laura's BBC "Notes on music"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/m000t4t5
Laura's sad songs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElygSMtokAw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP6a-7MP91g
Jon's sad song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhDnyPsQsB0
Tom's sad song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVfaf43W9cM
Some other things that crop up:
The amazing producers of ‘Notes’
http://www.fallingtree.co.uk/about/
Rebecca Solnit;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_Solnit
Laura’s novel, Twenty-One Locks:
https://www.waterstones.com/book/twenty-one-locks/laura-barton/9780857381217
Shape note singing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyrUhdBHOg8
Cold Mountain:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_Mountain_(film)
John Betjeman & Jim Parker’s Banana Blush Album
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lCyv7pJrrVekvs4QdgFQfNYwwEb3XS9w0
How to grow really nice turnips
https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/turnips/grow-your-own

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S3 Ep5: There was a podcast about limericks... May 22, 2023

Show notes

Hello. Welcome to our limerick special! In celebration of National Limerick Day, on the 12th of May, we’ve had a good delve into where limericks came from, what they mean to people and we’ve even had a crack at writing some ourselves too.
A huge thank you to our fantastic contributors:
Fred Hornaday - https://kingoflimericks.com
Doug Harris – limerick collector extraordinaire
Dr Matthew Potter - https://www.limerick.ie/limerick-museum
The people of www.reddit.com/r/limericks

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S3 Ep4: Ian McMillan May 15, 2023

Show notes

Eh up Chucks. Int’ episode this week, we bants wit’ Bard o’ Barnsley ‘imsen, like.
Ye know the fella: that one who does all that poetry, and is ont’ wireless: BBC’s T’Verb. Yeah. Reight Yorkshire Talker ‘e is.
Aye! That’s ‘im.
Ian McMillan.
There’s also some other little surprises for ya, which you’ll ‘ave to find out by usin’ yer lug’oles.
Ian McMillan’s ‘My Sand Life My Pebble Life'
https://www.waterstones.com/book/my-sand-life-my-pebble-life/ian-mcmillan/9781472982940

The Verb:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tnsf/episodes/downloads
Pantoums: https://www.poetrysoup.com/famous/poems/best/pantoum

Luke Wright: https://poetryarchive.org/poet/luke-wright/

David Wheatley’s poetry and other books... https://www.waterstones.com/author/david-wheatley/45754

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S3 Ep3: ChatGPT, Kasim Ali and Orcs May 01, 2023

Show notes

This time out, we talk about Andy Stanton working with AI on his next book - and discuss whether that's a bit naughty of him or not. We also take a look at some work-in-progress that listener AB Finlayson was kind enough to share with us. And sandwiched between all that quality content, is a rather lovely interview with author (and self-confessed writing addict) Kasim Ali.
Here's some links for ya...
https://www.juskasim.com/
https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/oneworld-signs-stantons-chatgpt-inspired-adult-debut
https://abfinlayson.com/
BUY ONE OF HIS BOOKS RIGHT NOW, PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/A.B.-Finlayson/e/B08SHPR11G%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

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S3 Ep2: Stuart Turton Apr 17, 2023

Show notes

Hello again! This week we're having a chat with Stuart Turton, author of "The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle" and "The Devil and the Dark Water". We also try to give some worthwhile feedback on work that one of our listeners has kindly sent in to us.

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S3 Ep1: Elaborating on collaborating Apr 10, 2023

Show notes

Just a little episode, to say "Welcome to season 3". This week join Jon and Tom to have a chat about what it was like to (try and) work together on our Poker Night project.

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