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Writer's Routine

Writer's Routine

By: Dan Simpson
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How do the best writers get to work?


In every episode, we'll chat to an author about their writing day. Where do they work? What time do they start? How do they plan their time and maximise their creativity, in order to plot and publish a bestseller?


Some are frantic night-owls, others roll out of bed into their desks, and a few lock themselves away in the woods - but none have a regular 9 to 5, and we'll find out how they've managed it.

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Dan Simpson
Art Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • Joseph Eckert, author of 'The Traveller' - Sci-fi writer discusses great hooks, 15 years of planning, and editorial push-back
    Jun 25 2026

    This week, we're chatting to Joseph Eckert whose debut novel has been 15 years in the making, and almost took him to Hollywood.


    It's an incredible hook, about Scott Treder who finds himself thrown forwards in time by a day. Then by 2 days. Then 4, 8 16, months, and years. You can hear how it all came from a childhood fascination with exponents and a pocket-money pact.


    Joseph lives on the USA's west coast, but works east coast hours - we discuss how that affects his writing day. Also hear about his dream den, how his novel began directly on the big screen, and his very thorough first reader.


    We discuss how time-travel novels often ask more questions of the author, than providing solutions, how he planned the future of humanity, and his scope for editorial push-back.


    Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine


    Support the show -

    patreon.com/writersroutine

    ko-fi.com/writersroutine


    @writerspod

    writersroutine.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    50 mins
  • Foluso Agbaje, author of 'The Talk of the Party' - Thriller writer discusses writing in Dubai, worldwide influences, and her pursuit of perfection
    Jun 18 2026

    This week, we chat to Foluso Agbaje. Her debut, 'The Parlour Wife', was published to widespread acclaim in 2024.


    She's following it up with 'The Talk of the Party'. It tells the story of a 60th Birthday Party, the envy of Lagos. However, the dream of Bukola Obanile's perfection comes at a price, and this one glorious night could shatter and detroy a family buily on deception.


    We talk about why she gets fussier in her pursuit of perfection in each book, also why she uses Canva to write her novel, and why she went back to school to learn to write. You can hear about the energy of Dubai influencing her storytelling, how she's trying to unpick Nigerian culture, and why she's always across how everything looks.


    Get a copy at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine


    This week's episode is sponsored by Philippa Hall's 'Quick Book Reviews' Podcast.


    Support the show -

    patreon.com/writersroutine

    ko-fi.com/writersroutine


    @writerspod

    writersroutine.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • Sara Sheridan, author of 'The Jewel Keepers' - Book of the Year winner discusses treasure hunt thrillers, long lunches, and the role of a writer
    Jun 11 2026

    Sara Sheridan's 2022 novel, 'The Botanists', was the Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year, and was a pick for 'The Queen's Reading Room'. Her debut, 'Truth or Rare', won the Scottish Library Award. 'On Starlit Seas', was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Prize, and she's been shortlisted for the Saltire Prize and the CWA Dagger in the Library Award. Sara's published 20 novels, spanning crime, thrillers, TV tie-ins, ghostwriting and historical fiction.


    Her new novel is 'The Jewel Keepers'. It tells the story of 25 year old Amarinta McKenzie-Moore, who in 1837 is summoned to her great-aunt's deathbed, and learns the family secret... that she is a Jewel Keeper to the Scottish Crown. She's thrust into a high-stakes treasure hunt that could change the lives of every woman alive.


    We discuss comparisons to 'The Da Vinci Code', how public-speaking helps her writing, and how she gets into the mind of real people who lived so long ago. You can hear how she's realised exactly what he role as a writer is, what she needs to start, and about long-lunches that lead to exciting ideas.


    Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine


    Read the newsletter - writersroutine.substack.com


    Support the show -

    patreon.com/writersroutine

    ko-fi.com/writersroutine


    @writerspod

    writersroutine.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
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look forward to a new writers interview every week

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