Not Too Busy To Write

Summer REPLAY seriesBeth Kempton is a Japanologist, a best selling author and a writing mentor whose books have been translated into 24 languages. Her Latest book The Way of the Fearless Writer challenges the assumption that writing must be a struggle and filled with suffering. We talk about why it's important to know why we write, learning to let go in our writing, when to share our work (and when not to) and learning to trust in writing as a practice. LinksThe Way of the Fearless Writer - Beth KemptonFreedom Seeker - Beth KemptonWabi Sabi - Beth KemptonDo What You Love For Life - Writing classes with Beth KemptonThe Fearless Writer PodcastInstagram @bethkemptonYou can sign up to Penny's weekly newsletter about all things writing and finding time to write hereInstagram @pennywincer

You can sign up to the waitlist for Penny's next Non-Fiction Book Proposal Group at pennywincerwrites.comSummer REPLAY seriesEvie Wyld is an award winning author of three novels, the latest of which, The Bass Rock, won the Stella Prize 2021. We discuss writing a novel about male violence against a backdrop of #MeToo, and speaking about the subjects in the book in a year of highly publicised violence against women. We also talk about how motherhood, and the nature of writing with young children, led to some of the structural elements of The Bass Rock and how an award like the Stella Prize can create change in a writing career.LinksThe Bass Rock - Evie WyldReview Book Shop PeckhamDevotion - Hannah KentThe Interestings - Meg WolitzerYou can sign up to Penny's weekly newsletter at pennywincerwrites.comInstagram @pennywincer

To sign up to the waitlist for Penny's next Non-Fiction Book Proposal Group Program visit pennywincerwrites.comSummer REPLAY seriesAbigail Bergstrom is a literary agent and consultant, former editor, and now debut novelist. What A Shame is a darkly funny novel about grief, friendship and dabbling in the occult. Abigail talks about the challenges of having a lot of knowledge of the industry whilst writing and having to take her agent hat off in order to write, removing the constraints that made writing feel like 'work' and being conscious of the exchange that happens when we give up other things in order to write on the side of a demanding full time job. Bergstrom Studio is a 360 degree literary consultancy, offering editorial consultancy and representation. As an agent Abigail represents multiple best selling authors and has some excellent advice for those who are going out on submission.LinksBergstrom StudioWhat A Shame - Abigail BergstromWet Paint - Chloe Ashby Beautiful Country - Xian Julie WangYou can find Abigail on Instagram @abigailbergstrom and @bergstrom.studioYou can sign up to Penny's newsletter at pennywincerwrites.com instagram @pennywincer

Summer Replay SeriesChloe Ashby is an arts journalist and author based in London. Her debut novel Wet Paint is about a young woman struggling to move forward after the traumatic death of her best friend, who finds solace in a painting and a life of routine, until a sudden change of circumstances has her undressing for strangers as a life model. We talk about ways of finding your way in to a story as a writer, writing about visual art and exploring ideas of control in characters. We also talk about having an 'affair' with novel writing on the side of other paid writing work and Chloe's life as a freelance arts writer working on non-fiction art books and reviewing exhibitions. linksSecond Self - Chloe AshbyWet Paint - Chloe Ashby Look at this if you love great art - Chloe AshbyColours of Art: The story of art in 80 palletes - Chloe AshbyYou can find Chloe Ashby at chloeashby.comInstagram - @chloeashbyTwitter - @chloeashbyYou can find sign up to Penny's Newsletter at pennywincerwrites.comInstagram @pennywincer

It's Carers Week in the UK so I have recorded a bonus episode of teh podcast with two fellow writer carers. Marina Benjamin is the author of many books, the latest of which is A little Give: the unsung, unseen, undone work of women. She also cares for her elderly mother. Caro Giles is the author of Twelve Moons; A year under a share sky and is a single parent to four daughters, two of whom have complex needs. This is a slightly different format to usual, with the three of us discussing our caring roles, the challenges of writing about the topic and the time we 'steal' away from our caring responsibilities to write. This was such a wonderful and honest conversation and I'm so grateful for Marina and Caro for taking the time and being so open about the challenges. LinksA Little Give - Marina BenjaminTwelve Moons - Caro GilesTender - Penny Wincer

Daisy Buchanan is an award winning journalist, author and broadcaster who has had a varied writing career beginning in teen magazines, and now as a novelist. She's also the host of the chart topping podcast You're Booked - one of my favourite podcasts of all time.We talk about Daisy's move from journalist and non-fiction author to fiction, and how terrifying that was, the joys and challenges of writing about sex and the importance of reading for pleasure when you're a writer. Daisy is also very open about the highs and lows of her publishing career and how not everything has been smooth sailing. LinksCareering - Daisy BuchananInsatiable - Daisy BuchananLimelight - Daisy Buchanan (pre-order)You're Booked PodcastPeter Hujar's Day - Linda RosenkrantzKick The Latch - Kathryn ScanlanDaisy Buchanan on Instagram @thedaisybeePenny Wincer on Instagram @pennywincer

Are you tearing your hair out about social media? Do you want to use it to grow your profile as a writer or shout about your book but it makes you uncomfortable? Nicola Washington is a social media marketer and she is passionate about helping writers get their work out into the world. As she says in this episode, after the immense hard work of writing a book, what a huge waste if nobody hears about it!This is a hugely practical episode looking at strategy, building genuine relationships and creating community to help you spread your ideas, share your work and create meaningful change through the power of social media.LinksNicola on instagram @toomuch_socialNicola's personal account on instagram @toomuchmotheringinformationInstagram with Impact WorkshopWork with NicolaInstagram accounts mentioned@joanna_wolfarth@emilyhenrywritesPenny on Instagram @pennywincerPenny's weekly writing newsletter pennywincerwrites.comNon-fiction Retreat with Penny Wincer - easeretreats.com

Suzy Reading is a chartered psychologist, yoga teacher and coach whose work all centres around giving people the skills to nourish themselves. Her latest book is Rest to Reset: The busy persons guide to pausing with purpose. As well as talking about Suzy's journey from expert to author of 8 books, we talk about what rest actually looks like, the problem with the current conversations around burnout and moving towards the idea of rest as rebalancing, and that is going to look different for everyone. We also talk about relationship building in publishing, saying yes to opportunities and growing your authority as an expert in your field.Links:Rest To Reset - Suzy ReadingSelf-care Revolution - Suzy ReadingThis Book Will (Help) Make You Happy - Suzy ReadingYou can find Suzy on Instagram @suzyreadingYou can find Penny on Instagram @pennywincerSign up to penny's newsletter here - pennywincerwrites.com

Joanna Wolfarth is a cultural historian with a PhD in Southeast Asian art history. Her first book Milk: An intimate history of breastfeeding is a fascinating look at the social, historical and cultural contexts for this very personal of experiences, through art, philosophy, folk wisdom and interviews.Joanna talks about how needing to make sense of the experience of new motherhood, led to a furious dive into the research between feeds and in tiny snatches of time when her baby slept, how motherhood made her fearless when it came to writing and non-fiction that seeks to ask questions, rather than provide all of the answers.LinksMilk: An intimate history of breastfeedingJoanna Wolfarth on Instagram @joanna_wolfarthPenny on Instagram @pennywincerSign up for Penny's weekly writing newsletter here pennywincerwrites.com

Lucy Werner is a PR expert and founder of The Wern, an agency specialising in PR and branding for creative small businesses. Lucy is not only an expert at book PR but also a published author herself and in this episode Lucy shares what she has learned about book PR and marketing from both sides. From building your authority and your brand before you publish, to promoting a book that already exists in the world, Lucy is a goldmine of information on how best to spread the word and get people buying your books. Her infectious enthusiasm and fun approach to an area that many writers find daunting, will have you dipping your toes in the PR waters.LinksHype Yourself: A no-nonsense PR toolkit for small businesses - Lucy WernerBrand Yourself - A non-nonsense brand toolkit for small businesses - Lucy Werner and Hadrian Chatelet The Wern Agency Lucy Werner on Instagram @lucywernerprPenny on instagram @pennywincerPenny's weekly writing newsletter - pennywincerwrites.com