Paper Places

Surprise, it's me. I thought I'd share what I've learned in my 17 years as a newspaper columnist for both local and national titles, including my advice for getting started and getting your next commission. This episode of Paper Places is sponsored by: BookBaby: Self-publish and print your book. Links and Show Notes: Submit Feedback Freelance Writing JobsMy favourite source for freelance writing gigs. Read my feature for Stylist Read my feature for The Times

Rebecca Perry is back to discuss her heady, phenomenal debut novel, 'May We Feed the King'. Mere hours after recording this 'longlisted' for the Booker Prize episode, she was shortlisted! This episode of Paper Places is sponsored by: Making Light: Craft a daily ritual to focus on what matters most. Get $10 off your first order with the code 'PAPER26' BookBaby: Self-publish and print your book. Guest Starring: Rebecca Perry Links and Show Notes: Support Paper Places with a Relay Membership Subscribe to KL Provenzano on Substack Submit Feedback 🎗 Relay for St. JudeEach September, Relay rallies support for the life-saving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. By joining us, you can make more cures possible. Read my feature in The Times 'Doompainting' by A.K. Blakemore Buy 'May We Feed the King' by Rebecca Perry Follow Rebecca Perry on Instagram

Chris Bailey joins Kerry to discuss how he forged a writing career in the year after business school. They talk about Chris' productivity experiments and how a lower dopamine altitude can help writing focus. This episode of Paper Places is sponsored by: Making Light: Craft a daily ritual to focus on what matters most. Get $10 off your first order with the code 'PAPER26' BookBaby: Self-publish and print your book. Guest Starring: Chris Bailey Links and Show Notes: Support Paper Places with a Relay Membership Subscribe to KL Provenzano on Substack Submit Feedback Get Signed by Lucinda Halpern (Chris' agent) Chris Bailey's website Buy Chris' books Buy Intentional, the new release from Chris Bailey How to Get Your Brain to Focus | Chris Bailey | TEDxManchester Chris' experiments ("Watch him suffer") Take the Values Test Listen to Intentional AI

In the episode, Kerry is joined (once again!) by Freya Bromley, author of 'The Tidal Year' and 'A Real Piece of Work'. They discuss her migration from memoir to fiction, plus how to approach the creative projects in your life. This episode of Paper Places is sponsored by: BookBaby: Self-publish and print your book. Mercury Weather: Forecasts, beautifully done. Download now for free. Guest Starring: Freya Bromley Links and Show Notes: Support Paper Places with a Relay Membership Subscribe to KL Provenzano on Substack Submit Feedback 'The Happy Couple' by Naoise Dolan 'Exciting Times' by Naoise Dolan Order Freya's debut novel, 'A Real Piece of Work' Follow Freya on Instagram Listen to Freya's podcast, 'Character Study'

In this episode, Kerry is joined by David Sodergren, the Scottish horror author of the smash hits ‘The Haar’, ‘Maggie’s Grave’, ‘Rotten Tommy’ and many more. They discuss what makes horror scary, subverting genre and how to get started in self-publishing. This episode of Paper Places is sponsored by: BookBaby: Self-publish and print your book. St Louis Pen Show: Join us June 25-28. Tickets on sale now! Mercury Weather: Forecasts, beautifully done. Download now for free. Guest Starring: David Sodergren Links and Show Notes: Support Paper Places with a Relay Membership Subscribe to KL Provenzano on Substack Submit Feedback Men writing women badly Buy David Sodergren’s books If you want the splashy new release — 'The Suffering' If you scare easily — 'The Haar' and 'Summer of the Monsters' If you've seen it all and want something new — 'Rotten Tommy' If you want a lesser known book — 'Psychic Teenage Bloodbath 2' Obsession (Movie)The only movie that's scared David recently! Follow David Sodergren on Instagram Join David Sodergren's Patreon

Fiction author Molly Aitken joins Kerry to discuss her writing process, her role as a Creative Writing lecturer and her recent experience having her short story, 'This is How it Happens', published in The New Yorker. This episode of Paper Places is sponsored by: Johnny.Decimal: A system to organise your life. Get 25% off. St Louis Pen Show: Join us June 25-28. Tickets on sale now! BookBaby: Self-publish and print your book. Guest Starring: Molly Aitken Links and Show Notes: Support Paper Places with a Relay Membership Submit Feedback Read 'This is How it Happens', Molly's story on The New Yorker Molly Aitken Reads 'This is How it Happens' Buy 'Bright I Burn' by Molly Aitken Buy 'The Island Child' by Molly Aitken Follow Molly on Instagram

Freelance editor Bryony Leah joins Kerry to discuss self-publishing, the differences between line, copy and story edits, as well as the common foibles she corrects in her authors' work. Kerry finds yet another reason to get out her giant dictionary. This episode of Paper Places is sponsored by: Johnny.Decimal: A system to organise your life. Get 25% off. Vitally: Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting. BookBaby: Self-publish and print your book. Guest Starring: Bryony Leah Links and Show Notes: Support Paper Places with a Relay Membership Submit Feedback Learn more about Bryony Leah's copyediting services Follow Bryony on Instagram One Look Thesaurus The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading

In this episode, Managing Editor of MacStories, John Voorhees joins Kerry to discuss the best ways to get started in technology journalism and how a daily online publication operates. This episode of Paper Places is sponsored by: BookBaby: Self-publish and print your book. Johnny.Decimal: A system to organise your life. Get 25% off. Guest Starring: John Voorhees Links and Show Notes: Support Paper Places with a Relay Membership Submit Feedback MacStories | Apple news, app reviews, and stories Join Club MacStories Read John's MacStories articles Shortcuts Archive | MacStories MacStories | Automation Academy Follow John on Bluesky Follow John on Mastadon

Kerry's friend and colleague, Chloé Finn, joins her to chat about what they read in 2025 and what they're planning to read in 2026. Chloé discusses authors who create rich interior worlds and Kerry bench presses a gigantic Collins Dictionary. Guest Starring: Chloé Finn Links and Show Notes: Support Paper Places with a Relay Membership Submit Feedback Follow Chloé on Instagram A Secret History by Donna Tart A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas Fahrenheit 182 by Mark Hoppus This Much is True by Miriam Margolyes In Praise of Walking by Shane O'Mara Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd Heartburn by Nora Ephron Intermezzo by Sally Rooney Tart by Slutty Cheff English Dictionary Complete and Unabridged | Collins Dictionaries Normal People by Sally Rooney East of Eden by John Steinbeck The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy A Real Piece of Work by Freya Bromley Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë The Rest is Entertainment Podcast | Goalhanger "Wuthering Heights" Trailer (2026) The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell A Long Game by Elizabeth McCracken Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams You Don't Need a Smartphone by August Lamm HMD Barbie™ Phone There's Someone in Reception: Adventures in Local Journalism How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend: A Neuroscientist's Guide to a Healthier, Happier Life by Dr. Rachel Barr Mind Games by Annie Vernon It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Marcia Hutchinson joins Kerry to talk about her work running Primary Colours, for which she was awarded an MBE for services to cultural diversity, along with finding the writing flows that work for her, and her debut novel, 'The Mercy Step'. Guest Starring: Marcia Hutchinson Links and Show Notes: Support Paper Places with a Relay Membership Subscribe to KL Provenzano on Substack Submit Feedback The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman Advent by Gunnar Gunnarsson Marcia Hutchinson | WikipediaMarcia's impressive career! Buy Marcia's book | 'The Mercy Step' by Marcia Hutchinson Marcia's Linktree