In this episode of The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by Dan Howarth, returning for his third appearance on the show.

We talk about Lionhearts, a brutal, timely novel that sits somewhere between social realism and psychological horror. Dan discusses the real-world event that sparked the story, why he chose to write from inside the head of an angry, dispossessed protagonist, and the risks of tackling themes like online radicalisation, nationalism and moral compromise in fiction.

We also dig into Dan’s writing discipline, why he writes every weekday without fail, the value of routine over motivation, and how indie publishing has given him the freedom to follow darker, stranger ideas without compromise.

This is a frank, thoughtful conversation about responsibility in storytelling, creative discomfort, and what it really means to keep going as a writer.

Topics Covered

• The real incident that inspired Lionhearts
• Writing every day vs waiting for inspiration
• Why Dan values freedom over validation in publishing
• Indie publishing, creative control and long-term thinking
• Knowing when a book is finished and when it is not

Dan Howarth is a fiction writer from the North of England, known for dark, unsettling stories that sit at the edges of horror, crime and social realism.

He is the author of several novels and novellas, including Lionhearts, Last Night of Freedom, and Territory, as well as numerous short stories published in magazines and anthologies. His work often explores anger, masculinity, isolation and the quieter horrors of everyday life.

Dan has been shortlisted for multiple writing awards, including the Northern Writers’ Awards, and his fiction has been published by both independent presses and as self-published work. He is also the editor of the Dark Missives anthology series.

Alongside fiction, Dan writes candidly about the realities of the writing life on his Substack, Hard-Earned Writing Lessons, where he shares practical, no-nonsense reflections on discipline, doubt and persistence.

Books Mentioned

• Lionhearts
• Last Night of Freedom
• Territory

Find Dan Online

• Substack: Hard-Earned Lessons in Writing
• Instagram / X / Bluesky: @danhowarth20

About the Podcast

The Write Place Podcast features honest, long-form conversations with writers about craft, persistence and the realities of building a writing life.

If you’re working on a book and want practical help getting it finished, published or back on track, you can find details of my writing courses, mentoring and self-publishing services at:
👉 wkwproductions.co.uk

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In this episode of The Write Place Podcast I chat with bestselling author Lulu Taylor about her new novel A Legacy of Secrets, her long career in commercial fiction and why she loves writing sweeping, gothic-tinged family sagas. We dig into the craft behind dual timelines, the challenges of discovery writing and how her background as a fiction editor shaped the way she approaches story structure and character.

Lulu also talks candidly about creative setbacks, including a difficult fallout with a friend early in her career and a period during COVID when she was unable to write at all. She explains how she rebuilt her confidence, found new emotional truth in her work and learned to trust her process again.

We cover early writing memories, the influence of classic gothic novels, the pitfalls of overthinking your first draft and why finishing the story is still the most important thing a writer can do.

Lulu Taylor is a bestselling author known for her sweeping, gothic-tinged family sagas filled with secrets, relationships and atmospheric big houses. Over a writing career spanning twenty years, she has published multiple novels and developed a strong following for her dual-timeline stories set across past and present. Lulu previously worked as a fiction editor and book doctor, experience that continues to influence her approach to character, structure and storytelling. She lives in Dorset, where she has recently completed her latest novel and is preparing for the release of A Legacy of Secrets on 4 December 2025.

Find out more about Lulu on Instagram at @misslulutaylor.

For self-publishing support, visit wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing.

This week I’m joined by bestselling fantasy author and BookTok favourite, Rebecca Thorne, to talk about her newly republished novel This Gilded Abyss. We get into the origins of the book, how she built its eerie underwater world, and why she wanted to step away from cosy fantasy and write something darker and more intense. Rebecca also speaks honestly about her path from eight years of traditional rejection to rapid indie success, and what it has been like navigating both sides of the industry.

We dig into her fast drafting process, her love of editing, and how she manages the pressure of a growing readership while staying focused on the work. As always, you will hear The Book That Saved Your Life and Their Darkest Hour, with Rebecca sharing the very real turning points that shaped her writing career.

In the Episode

• How This Gilded Abyss began life as an indie release
• BioShock, art deco cities and world building with history as a guide
• The appeal of writing darker stories after cosy fantasy
• Her eight year struggle in trad publishing
• The sudden rise of Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea and documenting the indie process
• Why she still feels the pull of indie freedom
• Writing routines, drafting speed and learning to switch between projects
• The Book That Saved Your Life: Legends and Lattes
• Their Darkest Hour: reassessing her publishing path
• What’s next, including her cosy sci-fi, Moss'd in Space

About Rebecca Thorne

Rebecca Thorne is an American fantasy author known for her character-driven novels and strong online presence. Her books include Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea, A Pirate’s Life for Tea and her latest release, This Gilded Abyss, now out from Tor. She lives in Colorado and shares regular updates on Instagram and TikTok.

Find Rebecca Online

rebeccathorne.net
Instagram: @rebeccathornewrites