London Writers' Salon

Charlie Hoehn, a three-time New York Times bestselling editor and founder of Author Alliance, discusses the secrets behind successful nonfiction marketing. He shares his experiences launching books for Tim Ferriss and Ramit Sethi. Hoehn emphasizes the significance of play for creativity and combating burnout, advocating for audience engagement to validate book concepts. He also explores critical strategies for structuring nonfiction, the benefits of self-publishing, and the financial realities of traditional deals, offering valuable insights for aspiring authors.

Sunday Times Bestseller Beth Morrey (Saving Missey, Lucky Day) on her journey as a writer and TV producer and writing humorous upmarket books while exploring darker themes. We talk about her latest book Lucky Day and what it means to stop saying ‘yes’ and start living for yourself.*ABOUT BETH MORREYPreviously Creative Director at RDF Television, Beth Morrey now writes full time. Her debut novel, Saving Missy, was a Sunday Times bestseller and longlisted for the Authors' Club First Novel Award. Beth lives in London with her husband, two sons and two poodles.*RESOURCES & LINKS📄 Interview Transcript (unedited) Saving MissyBeth’s WebsiteBeth’s latest book, Lucky Day: US/ UKFollow Beth on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook* For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Nora Neus, an Emmy-nominated journalist with experience at CNN and The Washington Post, shares her journey from major news organizations to freelance independence. She discusses the ethics of storytelling, especially during crises, and how personal strengths can shape narratives. Nora explores the art of adapting stories for various formats, including graphic novels, and highlights the importance of authenticity. She also provides insights into balancing multiple creative projects and navigating the changing landscape of independent journalism.

SHOW SUMMARYSpoken word artist and writer Oisín McKenna on Oscar Wilde as inspiration, finding his footing in the spoken word world, turning his hand to writing a book, how he wrote his book in fragments and later added structure, and why you should be kind to yourself and how to trust that your writing will improve and get to where it needs to be.*ABOUT OISÍN MCKENNAOisín McKenna was born in Dublin and lives in London. He was awarded the Next Generation Bursary from the Arts Council of Ireland to write Evenings and Weekends and it was developed with further funding from Arts Council England. Evenings and Weekends has been awarded a 2022 London Writers Award and in 2017, Oisín was named in the Irish Times as one of the best-spoken word artists in the country. He has written and performed four theatre shows, including ADMIN, an award-winning production at Dublin Fringe 2019, and has written for outlets including the Irish Times on issues such as gentrification and the alienation of Dublin’s youth.*RESOURCES & LINKS📄 Interview Transcript (unedited)​​Oisín McKennaOisín on InstagramEvenings and WeekendsWRITER / PERFORMER / SALESMAN (2013)ADMIN (2019)PETTYCASH Spoken Word Collective Arts Council England Ursula K. Le Guin’s Conversations on WritingLondon Writers Awards*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Niamh Mulvey, a talented short story and literary novelist from Kilkenny, shares her journey from Hachette editor to published author. She reveals the transformative moments that define a writer's creativity, emphasizing character development's role over strict story structure. Niamh discusses the challenges of navigating the publishing industry, including maintaining authenticity amidst external pressures. She also reflects on the emotional significance of literary milestones and the delicate balance between authenticity and social media in building an author platform.

David Heinemeier Hansson, a serial entrepreneur and co-author of bestselling books like Rework, discusses his unique approach to writing and publishing. He emphasizes viewing books as products, sharing insights from his journey to sell millions. Hansson advocates for focused writing sessions over long hours and critiques modern content generation that prioritizes profit over authenticity. He also explores the balance between ambition and calm in business, promoting a healthier work-life dynamic and minimalist management for enhanced productivity.

Young Adult Bestselling author Krystal Sutherland on the reality of hitting the New York Times Bestseller list, how she constructs compelling hooks and endings for each chapter, moving across genres, and her advice for getting your book done and creating a page-turner. *ABOUT KRYSTAL SUTHERLANDKrystal Sutherland is the New York Times and indie bestselling author of House of Hollow, A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares and Our Chemical Hearts, which was adapted into a film by Amazon Studios. Her books have been published in more than twenty countries and nominated for the Carnegie Medal and YA Book Prize, among others. Originally from Australia, she has lived on four continents and currently calls London home.*RESOURCES & LINKS📄 Interview Transcript (unedited)The InvocationsThe Bestseller CodeFollow Krystal:WebsiteInstagram: @km_sutherland*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Rupal Patel, an ex-CIA agent and author of 'From CIA to CEO,' shares her unique journey from intelligence analysis to creative writing. She discusses applying CIA tools to enhance personal creativity and productivity, emphasizing self-awareness for optimal work energy. Rupal dives into her transformation from a battlefield analyst to an aspiring author, stressing the importance of diverse voices in literature. Additionally, she introduces the HLLH quadrant for task prioritization and challenges the conventional notion of happiness by advocating for embracing 'aliveness.'

The poet and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama tells us about his journey into poetry, how he knows a poem is complete and how poets might practice noticing. He also reads from his collection and deconstructs his poetry. We also discuss what it means to make a living as a poet.*ABOUT PÁDRAIG Ó TUAMA​Pádraig Ó Tuama is a theologian, writer, and conflict transformation practitioner. His books include In the Shelter: Finding a Home in the World; Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community; Sorry For Your Troubles; Borders & Belonging and Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World. He hosts the On Being Studios podcast Poetry Unbound with Krista Tippett’s studio.*RESOURCES & LINKS📄 Interview Transcript (unedited)On Being Studios podcast Poetry UnboundPoetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your WorldIn the Shelter: Finding a Home in the WorldDaily Prayer with the Corrymeela CommunitySorry For Your TroublesBorders & BelongingReadings from the Book of ExileConcerning the Prayer I Cannot Make by Jane Mead Having Confessed by Patrick KavanaghPádraig’s Substack, Poetry Unbound *For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

TV writer Michael Jamin (‘Just Shoot Me!’ and ‘King of the Hill.’) on his experience as a writer and showrunner, growing his platform and how he created, promoted and self-published his book A Paper Orchestra,*ABOUT MICHAEL JAMINMichael Jamin has been writing for television since 1996.  His many credits include Just Shoot Me, King of the Hill, Beavis & Butthead, Wilfred, Out of Practice, Rules of Engagement, Lopez and Tacoma FD.  He’s also served as Executive Producer/Showrunner on Glenn Martin DDS, Maron, and Rhett & Link’s Buddy System. Michael currently lives in Los Angeles, where he continues to work in TV and is the author of the essay collection A Paper Orchestra.*RESOURCES & LINKS📄 Interview Transcript (unedited)A Paper OrchestraShows: King of the Hill; Maron10 Tips on Writing from Joyce Carol OatesMichael’s free weekly screenwriting webinarMichael on social media: TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, FacebookMichael’s podcastHindenburg Narrator for AudiobooksRyan Holiday’s Perennial Seller For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!