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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Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and, if you enjoy the show, a short rating or review really helps other writers find it.

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

Join The Momentum Circle writing community - applications close on Sept 30th!

CLINK THE LINK FOR MORE INFO

Hi, I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world.

In this episode I’m joined by Alan Green, debut author of Sound Advice, a fascinating book that digs into the hidden life lessons of 1980s pop music. Alan shares how redundancy after nearly three decades at a law firm sparked a complete life reset and gave him the time to explore his idea. We talk about the joys of music as a catalyst for change, the conservatism of traditional publishing, and the creative routines that transformed his Mondays from something to dread into his favourite day of the week.

Alan also opens up about keeping himself out of the book so readers could focus on their own lives, the tricky business of copyright and song lyrics, and how rejection letters ultimately helped him find the perfect publishing home at Salt.

As always, we cover our regular segments including The Book That Saved Your Life, where Alan highlights Carl Sagan’s Cosmos, Merlin Sheldrake’s Entangled Life, and his admiration for Bill Bryson’s writing.

Whether you’re a music lover, a writer, or someone in need of a little sound advice of your own, this is a really inspiring conversation. You can find Alan's book here.

Episode Highlights

• Using 80s pop as a prism for universal themes like love, work, ageing and worry
• Why Alan deliberately left himself out of the book
• How originality can be a tough pitch in publishing
• The power of small daily habits in building a creative life
• Alan’s book choices in The Book That Saved Your Life

Wayne Kelly offers self-publishing packages and mentoring for writers at wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing.

Want to find out more about my critique group and writing community - Momentum Circle? Check it out here - wkwproductions.co.uk/mentoring

This week I’m joined by Tom Cox, author of fifteen books spanning fiction, memoir, and journalism. Tom’s work blends the folkloric and the surreal with an eye for human nature and the landscapes that inspire him. His latest novel, Everything Will Swallow You, is out now and continues his exploration of storytelling that defies easy categorisation.

In our conversation, Tom reflects on his unconventional path from fanzine writer and music journalist to acclaimed novelist. We talk about:

• - The joy and pain of creating Everything Will Swallow You, a novel born from a strange idea on a walk in Dorset.
• - How quitting journalism freed him to find his authentic voice in fiction.
• - The struggles of mid-list authors and his perspective on the shifting publishing landscape.
• - The importance of momentum, self-belief, and being brutally honest in the editing process.
• - Why he believes reading widely is non-negotiable for any writer.

It’s a wide-ranging and inspiring chat that’s sure to give you plenty of motivation to keep going in your own writing journey.

About Tom Cox

Tom Cox is the author of fifteen books including Help the Witch, Villager, 1983 and now Everything Will Swallow You. His work often combines folklore, surrealism, and humour, and he has built a loyal readership through his essays, novels, and online writing. He lives in Devon and continues to draw inspiration from the natural landscapes around him. Find out more at tom-cox.com.

I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world.

Wayne Kelly offers self-publishing packages and mentoring for writers at wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing.

Hi, I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world.

This week I’m joined by Stefan Mohamed, author of The House on Utopia Way. Stefan has published award-winning YA and speculative fiction, but in this conversation we dive into his surreal, cyberpunk-noir detective novel, and the winding road that took him from traditional publishing into the world of self-publishing. We also cover the frustrations of the current publishing landscape, the challenges of marketing your own work, and why writing communities are so important for keeping creative momentum alive.

As always, there’s plenty here to inspire and encourage you in your own writing journey.

About Stefan Mohamed

Stefan Mohamed is an award-winning writer originally from mid-Wales and now based in Bristol. His debut novel, Bitter Sixteen, won the Sony Reader Award – a short-lived but prestigious category of the Dylan Thomas Prize – and went on to launch a trilogy with Salt Publishing. Alongside his fiction, Stefan works as a freelance writer, editor, and events organiser.

His latest book, The House on Utopia is out right now.

You can find out more about Stefan and his work at https://www.stefmo.co.uk/

Episode Highlights

• The inspiration behind The House on Utopia Way and how online disinformation and fractured realities sparked the story.

• Why noir and sci-fi tropes work so well together.

• Stefan’s journey from writing on an Amstrad word processor as a child to publishing award-winning novels.

• The frustrations of traditional publishing and what led him to choose the indie route for his latest book.

• What he’s learned about editing, self-promotion, and finding support as an author.

• Why writers need to lift each other up in a landscape where publishers are stretched thin.

Find Out More

You can order The House on Utopia Way directly from Stefan’s website or grab the ebook on Amazon and Kobo. Keep an eye out for the special edition from Scarlet Ferret, which will include exclusive bonus content.

Follow Stefan on Instagram and Bluesky @stefmowords.

Links and Extras

Wayne’s Self-Publishing Packages – If you’re inspired by Stefan’s indie journey and want help bringing your own book to life, check out my publishing services at: wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing

Niloufar Lamakan on Persistence, Late Starts, and Age-Positive Fiction

My guest this week is debut novelist Niloufar Lamakan, whose rom-com Aged to Perfection celebrates older protagonists and smashes stereotypes about women over 60. We talk about Niloufar’s unexpected path into writing via a creative writing course, the determination it took to push through 42 rejections before landing a publishing deal, and why comedy needs emotional depth to really connect. She also shares candid insights into book promotion, event mishaps, and how every small audience can be valuable training for bigger stages.

Niloufar opens up about the steepest parts of her writing learning curve, why she enjoys editing as much as first drafting, and her belief that it’s never too late to start writing – as long as you’re prepared for the possibility of failure and the joy of surprising yourself along the way.

Find Aged to Perfection in all the usual places, including Kindle Unlimited.

Learn more at niloufarlamakan.com and sign up for her newsletter.

Self-Publishing Support

If you're working on a book of your own and want help navigating the publishing process, check out my Complete Self-Publishing Package at wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing. From ISBN registration to formatting and upload support, I’ll help you get your book out into the world – professionally and stress-free.

Thanks for listening to The Write Place Podcast.
Happy writing – and I’ll see you next time!

Hi, I’m Wayne Kelly, a writer, podcast host and coach. I love to help writers develop their skills and get their books and stories out into the world.

This week, I’m chatting to author Alex Starritt, whose latest novel Drayton and Mackenzie is an ambitious, thought-provoking exploration of friendship, purpose, and modern life. We talk about the challenges of writing a big, literary novel spanning over a decade of social and political upheaval, the role of work in fiction, and how Alex’s background in journalism and public service has influenced his writing. We also dig into how his process has evolved, the importance of trusting your gut, and the delicate balance between planning and discovery.

In this candid and inspiring chat, we discuss:

• Why Drayton and Mackenzie took five years to write – and why Alex wouldn’t do it the same way again
• The powerful role work plays in our lives – and why it’s so often ignored in fiction
• His early experiences in tabloid journalism and the strange mix of cynicism and idealism in tech
• How growing up in rural Scotland (without a telly!) shaped his love of books
• The long road to publication, including three unpublished novels and a brush with Penguin
• Learning to recognise when a project isn’t working – and how to listen to your instincts

Book That Saved Your Life 📚

Alex chose War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, which he first encountered as a teenager but truly appreciated in his twenties. He describes it as “the greatest novel ever written” and admires how it seamlessly weaves intimate character insight with sweeping historical perspective.

Alex also shared a vulnerable moment from his writing journey — the period after he’d written three unpublished novels, felt creatively stuck, and finally had to admit, “I just need to get a job.” Broke and feeling left behind by his peers, he ended up taking a sub-editing role at the Mail on Sunday. It was a turning point that pulled him out of a creative rut and gave him a new perspective on storytelling, audience, and life beyond the literary bubble.

About Alex Starritt

Alex Starritt is a London-based author and former journalist. His writing explores contemporary life, relationships, and the wider social forces that shape us. His latest novel, Drayton and Mackenzie, follows two men from university to midlife as they search for meaning and direction against a backdrop of economic upheaval and cultural change. A former tabloid sub-editor and co-founder of a global public sector tech organisation, Alex draws from a diverse and fascinating career to bring depth and authenticity to his work.

Find out more

You can follow Alex on Twitter/X @AlexStarritt. He’s yet to launch an official author site — for now, he remains a bit of a literary mystery.

Self-Publishing Support

If you're working on a book of your own and want help navigating the publishing process, check out my Complete Self-Publishing Package at wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing. From ISBN registration to formatting and upload support, I’ll help you get your book out into the world – professionally and stress-free.

Thanks for listening to The Write Place Podcast.
Happy writing – and I’ll see you next time!