Why poetry is the ultimate training ground for all writers with Cathi Rae

Crime, class, and craft with Simon Mason

This week on The Write Club, Mary and Beth chat with Simon Mason, a writer whose career has spanned every corner of the book world - from Managing Director at David Fickling Books to Fellow of Creative Writing at Oxford Brookes University. We explore his latest Ryan and Ray Wilkins thriller, The Dangerous Stranger, and discover how a ‘trailer park boy’ and a privately educated detective became one of crime fiction’s most effective, friction-filled duos. Simon shares how the personal conflict between his protagonists mirrors the stark social contrasts of Oxford itself. In this episode, we discuss: * The Wilkins friction: Why Ray and Ryan shouldn’t work on paper, and why that makes them so compelling on the page. * Messy play vs. composition: Simon’s unique take on the creative process and how to balance raw imagination with structured storytelling. * The rhythm of crime: How a lifelong obsession with the poetry of Dylan Thomas influences the dialogue and linguistic energy of Simon’s prose. * Fixing boring drafts: Simon shares his go-to tricks for injecting life back into a scene when the energy starts to lag. * The publisher’s perspective: Whether a career working with other authors in major publishing houses actually improves your own writing. Get a copy of Simon Mason’s latest mystery, The Dangerous Stranger, [https://amzn.to/4wbe0dB] now. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe [https://writersonline.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The agent, the spy, and the master of lies

“Blunt wasn’t the least of the Cambridge spies - he was the most dangerous of them all.” This week on The Write Club, Mary and Beth go behind the curtain of the ‘Great Game’ with literary agent and author Piers Blofeld. Piers is a staple of the publishing industry and a beloved columnist for Writing Magazine, but his latest venture has taken him into the dark, dusty archives of MI5. His debut book, Master of Lies, shatters the official narrative of Anthony Blunt, revealing a triple-cross reality where intelligence reached the desks of Hitler, Stalin, and Churchill simultaneously. In this episode, we discuss: * How to write rigorous non-fiction that reads like a high-stakes thriller. * The specific files that proved the official history of the Cambridge Spies was a fabrication. * Piers switches hats to tell us exactly what agents are looking for in the 2026 market. * How to approach an agent, what defines a perfect author-client relationship, and the common mistakes to avoid in your query letter. Give the episode a listen, and check out Piers’ new non-fiction book here. [https://amzn.to/48pmkMH] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe [https://writersonline.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Why poetry is the ultimate training ground for all writers with Cathi Rae

Can writing a poem make you a better novelist? According to Cathi Rae, the answer is a resounding yes. In this episode, Cathi joins Beth and Mary to discuss her Writing Magazine series, ‘An Introduction to Writing Poetry.’ We chat about the ‘old question’ of whether to rhyme, the benefits of spoken word events, and how to find your specific starting point when the page is blank. In this episode, we explore: * The accessibility gap: How to change the narrative around ‘difficult’ poetry. * The prose connection: How poetry helps you master rhythm and tension in any form. * The power of voice: Cathi’s work as a sustainable stylist and campaigner for the visibility of older women. * Publishing & performance: Practical tips for getting your books out there and finding an audience. Get yourself a copy of Writing Elegies For Dead Men I Didn’t Meet [https://fave.co/4tLAM9S] by Cathi Eae This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe [https://writersonline.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Finding the shape of your story with Alice Jolly

In this episode of The Write Club, Beth and Mary sit down with award-winning author Alice Jolly to discuss her latest novel, The Matchbox Girl. Set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Vienna, the story explores the complex legacy of Dr. Asperger through the eyes of a neurodivergent ghost narrator. Alice takes us behind the scenes of her extensive research process, explains why she chose such a unique narrative voice, and shares her philosophy on why writers should never shy away from the ‘grey areas’ of history. We also chat about her prolific career across plays, memoirs, and short stories, discussing how to choose the right ‘shape’ for your next big idea. Buy Alice Jolly’s latest novel, [https://amzn.to/4qYaj7u]The Matchbox Girl, [https://amzn.to/4qYaj7u] here. [https://amzn.to/4qYaj7u] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe [https://writersonline.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

From Ghostwriting to the Richard & Judy Book Club with Ruth Kelly

How do you transition from writing someone else’s life story to becoming a bestselling thriller author? In this episode of The Write Club, Beth and Mary are joined by the brilliant Ruth Kelly, author of the gripping new psychological thriller, The Afterparty [https://amzn.to/45RH7XO]. [https://amzn.to/45RH7XO] A Richard & Judy Book Club favourite, Ruth shares the secrets behind her ‘just one more chapter’ pacing and how her background as an award-winning journalist and ghostwriter shaped her approach to fiction. We dive into the dark themes of power and secrets, the essential mindset for successful ghostwriting, and Ruth’s top advice for turning a strong idea into a finished manuscript. If you want to know how to balance factual realism with heart-pounding drama, this episode is for you. Buy [https://amzn.to/45RH7XO]The Afterparty: [https://amzn.to/45RH7XO] The Most Heart-Pounding Thriller For Winter 2025 From The Bestselling, Richard & Judy Book Club Pick Author [https://amzn.to/45RH7XO] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersonline.substack.com/subscribe [https://writersonline.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]