In the Dark with Samantha Dooey-Miles

In the Dark with Mhairi McFarlane

They say you should never meet your heroes? Well, they are wrong. I had the best time chatting to romcom queen Mhairi McFarlane. I’m not a big romance reader, but I will buy whatever she writes, no questions asked. We talk about her deep love of writing, the complex themes she explores in her writing and her excellent meme game on Instagram [http://instagram.com/mhairimcf]. And if that wasn’t enough: Mhairi announces that two of her books are being adapted for the screen! Listen to the episode to find out which ones! I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. xx PS: this episodes contains spoilers for some of Mhairi's older novels, and a spoiler for my own novel (Hold on to Your Heart) Guest Mhairi McFarlane [https://www.mhairimcfarlane.com/] Instagram: @mhairimcf [http://instagram.com/mhairimcf] Novels [https://www.mhairimcfarlane.com/books/] - You had me at hello - It's not me, it's you - Who's that girl - After hello - Don't you forget about me - If I never met you - Last Night - Mad about you - Between us - You belong with me - Cover Story - Hopeless Romantics (out Feb 2027) Host Malika Nekhla [http://malikanwrites.substack.com] Instagram: @malikanwrites [http://instagram.com/malikanwrites]; @writersinthedarkpod [http://instagram.com/writersinthedarkpod] Novel: Hold on to Your Heart [http://linktr.ee/malikanekhla] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit malikanwrites.substack.com [https://malikanwrites.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 11: In the Dark with Rebecca Taylor McKay

Guest Rebecca Taylor McKay Novel: The Honeymoon Suite Insta: @rebeccataylormckay [http://instagram.com/rebeccataylormckay] www.rebeccataylormckay.com [http://www.rebeccataylormckay.com] Host Malika Nekhla Novel: Hold on to Your Heart Insta: @malikanwrites [http://instagram.com/malikanwrites]; @writersinthedarkpod [http://instagram.com/writersinthedarkpod] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit malikanwrites.substack.com [https://malikanwrites.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

E10: In the Dark with Bobby Palmer

This episode containts spoilers of David Nicholls' One Day. Bobby Palmer is the author of Isaac & The Egg, Small Hours and the upcoming Main Characters. He's represented by Millie Hoskins at United Agents, and published by Headline Books. Guest Bobby Palmer Insta: @thebobpalmer www.bobbypalmer.co.uk [https://www.bobbypalmer.co.uk] Novels: Isaac & The Egg Small Hours Main Characters Host Malika Nekhla [http://linktr.ee/malikanekhla] Insta: @malikanwrites; @writersinthedarkpod malikanwrites.substack.com [https://malikanwrites.substack.com] Novel - Hold on to Your Heart [http://linktr.ee/malikanekhla] Also mentioned: David Nicholls Kazuo Ishiguro Yann Martel Sally Rooney This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit malikanwrites.substack.com [https://malikanwrites.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

In the Dark with Zoë Rankin

Zoë Rankin is the New York Times bestselling author of The Vanishing Place. She is represented by Stephanie Glencross [https://davidhigham.co.uk/agents-dh/stephanie-glencross/] at David Higham Associates, and published by Berkley. Guest Zoë Rankin [https://davidhigham.co.uk/books-dh/the-vanishing-place/] Insta: instagram.com/zoerankinwrites [https://instagram.com/zoerankinwrites] Novel: The Vanishing Place Host Malika Nekhla [https://www.patreon.com/c/linktr.ee/malikanekhla] malikanwrites.substack.com [https://malikanwrites.substack.com] Insta: @malikanwrites; @writersinthedarkpod Novel: Hold on to Your Heart [https://www.patreon.com/c/linktr.ee/malikanekhla] Also mentioned David Nicholls Charlotte McConaghy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit malikanwrites.substack.com [https://malikanwrites.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

In the Dark with Hayley Dunlop

Hayley Dunlop is the author of It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, and I'm Dreaming of a New York Christmas, publishing August 2026. Hayley is represented by Laura Williams at Greene & Heaton, and published by Hera Books. Guest Hayley Dunlop www.hayleyjdunlop.com [http://www.hayleyjdunlop.com] substack.com/hayleyjdunlop [http://substack.com/hayleyjdunlop] Interview with Malika [ https://substack.com/@hayleyjdunlop/p-186614101] Insta: @hayleyjdunlop Fake Snow [https://open.spotify.com/track/4BsvJwjqO9W9KQeSykuPKW?si=d0923424e50a4343] video Fake Snow [https://youtu.be/CL9Z-yguVg4?si=r2h8pnpS_uQaX2-u] Novels * It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas * I'm Dreaming of a New York Christmas Host Malika Nekhla [linktr.ee/malikanekhla] malikanwrites.substack.com [http://malikanwrites.substack.com] Insta: @malikanwrites; @writersinthedarkpod Novel: Hold on to Your Heart [linktr.ee/malikanekhla] Also mentioned The New Yorker [https://www.newyorker.com/] Gilmore Girls [https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/gilmore-girls/about-gilmore-girls] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit malikanwrites.substack.com [https://malikanwrites.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]