In this episode I chat with Emily Troscianko about bibliotherapy and eating disorders in fiction. Heads up - this episode features discussion of eating disorders and mental health challenges. I chat with Emily about her research into the putative therapeutic benefits of reading when it comes to eating disorders, and why we should treat any assumptions about the efficacy of reading fiction to solve our problems with caution. She explains how she got into researching the subject after her own challenges with an eating disorder. If you'd like to support me, it'd be ace if you picked up a copy of my novels, THE HONOURS, & the new sequel THE ICE HOUSE. THE ICE HOUSE links: Wordery: https://wordery.com/the-ice-house-tim-clare-9781786894816#oid=1908_1 Mr B’s Emporium: https://mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-ice-house/ Forbidden Planet: https://forbiddenplanet.com/272064-the-ice-house-hardcover/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1786894815/ THE HONOURS links: Wordery: https://wordery.com/the-honours-tim-clare-9781782114765#oid=1908_1 Mr B’s Emporium: https://mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-honours/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1782114769/ Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare

This episode was recorded live at Storysmith bookshop in Bristol. I chat to special guest, BSFA-award-winning author Gareth L Powell, about his new book on creative writing, ABOUT WRITING. Then we look at three first pages from listeners' novels and give feedback. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to know: - how can I find time to write? - what does show, don't tell actually mean? - how can I hook a reader with my opening sentences? - why is point of view important? If you'd like to read some of Gareth's work, why not try EMBERS OF WAR: https://wordery.com/embers-of-war-gareth-l-powell-9781785655180#oid=1908_1 Or the sequel, FLEET OF KNIVES: https://wordery.com/fleet-of-knives-an-embers-of-war-novel-gareth-l-powell-9781785655210#oid=1908_1 Or his crime novel RAGGED ALICE: https://wordery.com/ragged-alice-gareth-l-powell-9781250220189#oid=1908_1 Pre-order his field guide for writers, ABOUT WRITING, here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/About-Writing-Gareth-L-Powell/dp/191114359X If you'd like to support me, it'd be ace if you picked up a copy of my novels, THE HONOURS, & the new sequel THE ICE HOUSE. THE ICE HOUSE links: Wordery: https://wordery.com/the-ice-house-tim-clare-9781786894816#oid=1908_1 Mr B’s Emporium: https://mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-ice-house/ Forbidden Planet: https://forbiddenplanet.com/272064-the-ice-house-hardcover/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1786894815/ THE HONOURS links: Wordery: https://wordery.com/the-honours-tim-clare-9781782114765#oid=1908_1 Mr B’s Emporium: https://mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-honours/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1782114769/

On this episode I chat with Ashley Hickson-Lovence about his debut novel, THE 392. We talk form, style & place, from growing up in Hackney to thinking about your audience. Ashley takes us through the full process of writing his novel, chats about his experiences as a football referee, and explains his number one writing rule for this book: no boring bits. You can grab a copy here: https://wordery.com/the-392-ashley-hickson-lovence-9781916052307 Here's that article about the first 3 weeks of The Ice House's life: http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/3-weeks-in-the-life-of-a-new-book/ It'd really help me an awful lot if you bought The Honours and The Ice House right now. THE ICE HOUSE links: Wordery: https://wordery.com/the-ice-house-tim-clare-9781786894816#oid=1908_1 Mr B’s Emporium: https://mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-ice-house/ Forbidden Planet: https://forbiddenplanet.com/272064-the-ice-house-hardcover/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1786894815/ THE HONOURS links: Wordery: https://wordery.com/the-honours-tim-clare-9781782114765#oid=1908_1 Mr B’s Emporium: https://mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-honours/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1782114769/

Since it's Mental Health Awareness Week I thought I'd chuck you a bonus episode which should be useful if you're mental like me or just a regular ol' enthusiastic end-user of this bizarre glob of thinking apparatus we fancifully refer to as a brain. In this unscripted, unedited episode I outline five rules for better mental health hygiene. By which I mean, simple principles to stick to when you're writing, that will help you keep sharp, keep motivated, and stick the distance. Some basic, fundamental practices and habits everyone should be applying to their writing lives, backed up with research, that will help you optimise the writing time you have available, squeeze the most out the big juicy orange o' creativity, and not end up crumpled in a heap beneath your desk, sobbing. Enjoy! And support the show by dropping me a few beans via my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare

It's the first ever LIVE recording of Death Of 1000 Cuts. Recorded at Foyles, Charring Cross, with Joe Dunthorne. Thanks to everyone who came! Here's a bunch of places you can get my new novel THE ICE HOUSE, which is out now: http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/theicehousepreorder/ Here's Joe Dunthorne's new poetry collection, O POSITIVE: https://wordery.com/o-positive-joe-dunthorne-9780571342556#oid=1908_1 Here's the episode of Distraction Pieces I recorded with Scroobius Pip: https://play.acast.com/s/distractionpieces/timclare-distractionpiecespodcastwithscroobiuspip-266

In this episode me and Nate Crowley lay some idea eggs live for your edification. Following his hugely-popular previous appearance on the show, writer Nate Crowley returns to help me practise the dark art of coming up with lots of ideas. I gab about creativity a lot but I thought it was about time to put my money where my mouth was. We attempt to create film pitches on the spot for an imagined wealthy but bizarrely-capricious producer, using a system of dice and random concepts. Along the way we discuss creativity, the three principles behind getting more and better ideas, and invent a tragic new street drug. This is a great episode to listen to if you want to know: - how can I come up with ideas for stories? - how can I make my ideas original? - how can I make my film pitch original? - what's the best way to combine ideas? Pre-order Nate Crowley's new book (the one he couldn't talk about on the podcast) NOTES FROM SMALL PLANETS: https://wordery.com/notes-from-small-planets-nate-crowley-9780008306861#oid=1908_1 And buy his zombie whaling adventure THE DEATH AND LIFE OF SCHNEIDER WRACK: https://wordery.com/the-death-and-life-of-schneider-wrack-nate-crowley-9781781085561#oid=1908_1 Please support me by buying my new novel THE ICE HOUSE. There are many ways you can get it. Mr B's Emporium are an indie bookstore who deliver worldwide: mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-ice-house/ Wordery: https://wordery.com/the-ice-house-tim-clare-9781786894816#oid=1908_1 Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-House-Tim-Clare/dp/1786894815/ Or ask at your local bricks and mortar bookshop. If you'd like to read a story about a 13 year old girl investigating a secret society in 1930s Norfolk, grab a copy of my novel, THE HONOURS: https://wordery.com/the-honours-tim-clare-9781782114765#oid=1908_1 If you'd like to sign up to my free Weekly Writing Workout, here's the sign up form: eepurl.com/gbmfcP Here's my author page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/timclarepoet/ Here's my Twitter page: twitter.com/TimClarePoet And here's my website where you can submit your first pages or just get in touch and say hello: www.timclarepoet.co.uk And if you'd like to support the podcast, here's my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare

This episode I chat with Zen Cho, author of Regency Fantasy novels SORCERER TO THE CROWN and THE TRUE QUEEN. We talk getting started in fanfic as a form of mentorship and granting yourself permission to write. We discuss developing the voice of the novel, junking stories if they're not good enough, and finding a strong protagonist you want to write about. Hey, if you'd like to buy Zen's books, here they are! SORCERER TO THE CROWN: https://wordery.com/sorcerer-to-the-crown-zen-cho-9781447299462#oid=1908_1 THE TRUE QUEEN: https://wordery.com/the-true-queen-zen-cho-9781509801077#oid=1908_1 If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more of it, and if you'd like to be the first to read my brand new novel, please help me by pre-ordering a copy of THE ICE HOUSE. It's got an old lady pulled out of retirement for one last job, a 400-year-old forensic pathologist field medic battle nun looking to bring down an empire, psychedelics, dungeon crawls, jungle adventures, a locked-room murder mystery, intrigue, romance, minotaurs, a secret testing facility, giant sentient beetles, immortal mutant aristocrats, knife fights, an angel, larceny and ancient menaces rising from the depths. You're going to dig it and it helps me so much. Here are some places you can order now: Mr B's Emporium are an indie bookstore who deliver worldwide - I'll sign all pre-ordered copies from here: mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-ice-house/ Wordery: https://wordery.com/the-ice-house-tim-clare-9781786894816#oid=1908_1 Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-House-Tim-Clare/dp/1786894815/ Or ask at your local bricks and mortar bookshop. If you'd like to read a story about a 13 year old girl investigating a secret society in 1930s Norfolk, grab a copy of my novel, THE HONOURS: https://wordery.com/the-honours-tim-clare-9781782114765#oid=1908_1 If you'd like to sign up to my free Weekly Writing Workout, here's the sign up form: eepurl.com/gbmfcP Here's my author page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/timclarepoet/ Here's my Twitter page: twitter.com/TimClarePoet And here's my website where you can submit your first pages or just get in touch and say hello: www.timclarepoet.co.uk And if you'd like to support the podcast, here's my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare

I chat about how I'm feeling 1 week before my second novel, THE ICE HOUSE, drops. I'm nervous! I chat about reviews, writing and connecting with readers. If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more of it, and if you'd like to be the first to read my brand new novel, please help me by pre-ordering a copy of THE ICE HOUSE. It's got an old lady pulled out of retirement for one last job, a 400-year-old forensic pathologist field medic battle nun looking to bring down an empire, psychedelics, dungeon crawls, jungle adventures, a locked-room murder mystery, intrigue, romance, minotaurs, a secret testing facility, giant sentient beetles, immortal mutant aristocrats, knife fights, an angel, larceny and ancient menaces rising from the depths. You're going to dig it and it helps me so much. Here are some places you can order now: Mr B's Emporium are an indie bookstore who deliver worldwide - I'll sign all pre-ordered copies from here: mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-ice-house/ Wordery: https://wordery.com/the-ice-house-tim-clare-9781786894816#oid=1908_1 Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-House-Tim-Clare/dp/1786894815/ Or ask at your local bricks and mortar bookshop. If you'd like to read a story about a 13 year old girl investigating a secret society in 1930s Norfolk, grab a copy of my novel, THE HONOURS: https://wordery.com/the-honours-tim-clare-9781782114765#oid=1908_1 If you'd like to sign up to my free Weekly Writing Workout, here's the sign up form: eepurl.com/gbmfcP Here's my author page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/timclarepoet/ Here's my Twitter page: twitter.com/TimClarePoet And here's my website where you can submit your first pages or just get in touch and say hello: www.timclarepoet.co.uk And if you'd like to support the podcast, here's my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare

This episode is a chat with bestselling author Professor Richard Wiseman. You may have read his fascinating non-fiction books :59 SECONDS, THE LUCK FACTOR, NIGHT SCHOOL, or indeed his latest, SHOOT FOR THE MOON, about the thinking that got us to the moon and how we can apply it in our own lives. We chat about how he got into writing, how his manages his schedule, how to overcome creative fear, and how to capture ideas when they occur to you. If you'd like to check out his latest, SHOOT FOR THE MOON (which I think I accidentally call 'The Apollo Mindset' in my intro - sorry, I'm poorly, my brain's in bits!), here it is: https://wordery.com/shoot-for-the-moon-richard-wiseman-9781787474437#oid=1908_1 I'd also recommend THE LUCK FACTOR: https://wordery.com/the-luck-factor-richard-wiseman-9780099443247#oid=1908_1 If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more of it, and if you'd like to be the first to read my brand new novel, please help me by pre-ordering a copy of THE ICE HOUSE. It's got an old lady pulled out of retirement for one last job, a 400-year-old forensic pathologist field medic battle nun looking to bring down an empire, psychedelics, dungeon crawls, jungle adventures, a locked-room murder mystery, intrigue, romance, minotaurs, a secret testing facility, giant sentient beetles, immortal mutant aristocrats, knife fights, an angel, larceny and ancient menaces rising from the depths. You're going to dig it and it helps me so much. Here are some places you can order now: Mr B's Emporium are an indie bookstore who deliver worldwide - I'll sign all pre-ordered copies from here: mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-ice-house/ Wordery: https://wordery.com/the-ice-house-tim-clare-9781786894816#oid=1908_1 Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-House-Tim-Clare/dp/1786894815/ Or ask at your local bricks and mortar bookshop. If you'd like to read a story about a 13 year old girl investigating a secret society in 1930s Norfolk, grab a copy of my novel, THE HONOURS: https://wordery.com/the-honours-tim-clare-9781782114765#oid=1908_1 If you'd like to sign up to my free Weekly Writing Workout, here's the sign up form: eepurl.com/gbmfcP Here's my author page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/timclarepoet/ Here's my Twitter page: twitter.com/TimClarePoet And here's my website where you can submit your first pages or just get in touch and say hello: www.timclarepoet.co.uk And if you'd like to support the podcast, here's my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare

This is an unscripted, unedited episode where I chat a bit about what's been going on in writing this week. I talk about Ian McEwan's comments about his new novel, MACHINES LIKE ME, and literary fiction authors crossing over to science fiction. I also talk about the controversy surrounding John Boyne's new YA novel, MY BROTHER'S NAME IS JESSICA, where he attempts to write about a trans character through the eyes of her younger brother, and the objections raised by trans writers and readers about his handling of it. I use both of these as a stepping off point to again return to the topic of who gets to write what. I share my thoughts on it, the tricky notion of 'authenticity', and the reasons why the whole thing matters. If you'd like to support me, the podcast and all the things I'm putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more of it, and if you'd like to be the first to read my brand new novel, please help me by pre-ordering a copy of THE ICE HOUSE. It's got an old lady pulled out of retirement for one last job, a 400-year-old forensic pathologist field medic battle nun looking to bring down an empire, psychedelics, dungeon crawls, jungle adventures, a locked-room murder mystery, intrigue, romance, minotaurs, a secret testing facility, giant sentient beetles, immortal mutant aristocrats, knife fights, an angel, larceny and ancient menaces rising from the depths. You're going to dig it and it helps me so much. Here are some places you can order now: Mr B's Emporium are an indie bookstore who deliver worldwide - I'll sign all pre-ordered copies from here: mrbsemporium.com/shop/books/the-ice-house/ Wordery: https://wordery.com/the-ice-house-tim-clare-9781786894816#oid=1908_1 Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ice-House-Tim-Clare/dp/1786894815/ Or ask at your local bricks and mortar bookshop. If you'd like to read a story about a 13 year old girl investigating a secret society in 1930s Norfolk, grab a copy of my novel, THE HONOURS: https://wordery.com/the-honours-tim-clare-9781782114765#oid=1908_1 If you'd like to sign up to my free Weekly Writing Workout, here's the sign up form: eepurl.com/gbmfcP Here's my author page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/timclarepoet/ Here's my Twitter page: twitter.com/TimClarePoet And here's my website where you can submit your first pages or just get in touch and say hello: www.timclarepoet.co.uk And if you'd like to support the podcast, here's my Ko-fi page: www.ko-fi.com/timclare