Writers in the Dark

In the Dark with Megan B Wells

On episode 15, I got to chat with my friend, Megan B Wells. Megan and I met through a mutual friend who invited me to their bookclub four years ago, and we’ve been pals ever since. We soon started talking about our own writing, and the moment I started this podcast, I knew I needed to have them on for a very chaotic, ADHD-fuelled chat. Hope you enjoy! Guest Megan B Wells [https://meganbwells.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] (they/them) meganbwells.com Host Malika Nekhla [http://linktr.ee/malikanekhla] Novel: Hold on to Your Heart [http://linktr.ee/malikanekhla] Instagram: malikanwrites [http://instagram.com/malikanwrites]; writersinthedarkpod [http://instagram.com/writersinthedarkpod] Books mentioned: Silvia Moreno-Garcia - The Intrigue [https://silviamoreno-garcia.com/] Rebecca Makkai - I Have Some Questions For You [https://rebeccamakkai.com/] Deb Olin Unferth - Eearth Seven [https://debolinunferth.com/] Sarah Gailey - Magic For Liars [https://sarahgailey.com/] Lara Erlich - Animal Wife [https://laraehrlich.com/] Also mentioned: Colgate writers conference [https://www.colgate.edu/community/summer-academic-arts-and-sports-programs/colgate-writers-conference] Story Studio [https://www.storystudiochicago.org/] Rebecca Makkai [https://substack.com/profile/4233586-rebecca-makkai] 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 Fíona Scarlett

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 Katie Huttlestone

On episode 13 I chat to the wonderful Katie Huttlestone, debut author of A Healthy Appetite, a story about illness, hunger and the lengths we’ll go to to survive. Katie and I talked about her own cancer story, how she combines a chronic illness with teaching and writing, some of her favourite authors, and so much more. Let me know what you think! Guest Katie Huttlestone [https://substack.com/profile/174710652-katie-huttlestone] Novel: A Healthy Appetite [https://deadinkbooks.com/products/a-healthy-appetite-katie-huttlestone?srsltid=AfmBOoqktkmXOz8JRdlHjsD9W5Go3QmV9AAYnbGJyLGaxROr-ywFM3Sg] Instagram: katiehauthor [http://instagram.com/katiehauthor] Host Malika [https://substack.com/profile/252289521-malika] Novel: Hold on to Your Heart [http://linktr.ee/malikanekhla] Instagram: malikanwrites [http://instagram.com/malikanwrites]; writersinthedarkpod [http://instagram.com/writersinthedarkpod] Also mentioned BPA Pitch Prize [https://bluepencilagency.com/bpa-pitch-prize-2025/] Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize [https://www.lucy.cam.ac.uk/fictionprize] Claire Fuller [https://clairefuller.co.uk/] Sophie Mackintosh [https://www.sophiemackintosh.co.uk/] 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 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]