The Honest Authors’ Podcast

Writing through lockdown (yawn, of course), Gilly and Holly's plans for 2021 and answering listener questions.

Three writers join the Honest Authors to talk mental health and creativity, coping strategies and more.

The Honest Authors talk to prolific authors who publish more than one novel per year.

Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon talk to debut authors published during the 2020 lockdown.

The Honest Authors talk audiobooks and audio writing opportunities with star actor Tuppence Middleton and audio expert Paul Stark from Orion Publishing. PLUS sneak peek excerpts of The Hit List audiobook.

In the season four finale, we interview Fiona Barton (author of The Widow, The Child and The Suspect) and talk about our big publication news.

We take questions from listeners including how you know which idea is a 'runner' and whether having an author newsletter is worth it.

The Honest Authors hear from bestseller Mark Edwards, whose real life journey to publication features more twists than any thriller.

The Honest Authors are still locked down... and still writing. They talk about their writing processes and how they're staying on track during such strange times.

Sunday Times bestseller CL Taylor joins Gilly and Holly for a candid chat about writing life, changing genres, writing processes and more.

The honest authors discuss creative panic, anxiety and things they do that are part of being a writer but aren't writing.

Horrific shower scenes, changing agents, canine chaos, the best of times, the worst of times AND SO ON. Happy 2020!

The Honest Authors answer your questions on series versus standalone, the differences between publishers, how to write a synopsis and more!

Everything bad you wanted to know about being an author but were too afraid to ask...

The Honest Authors are back! Paula Daly tells Gilly and Holly all about having her books turned into TV and how she approaches writing bestsellers with loads of reassuring advice.

The Honest Authors interview Shari Lapena and talk self doubt, shelving books, and how to have a steady stream of new ideas.

Gilly and Holly's first live appearance as the Honest Authors, talking publication, hooks, setbacks and successes.

We're joined by Gilly's dad, Tony McAllister, who talks about how he helps Gilly (and Holly!) with her books plus we discuss listeners' pitches.

Are creatives more prone to anxiety and stress? Does extensive phone use get in the way of writing and thinking? How can authors cope better with the weirdness of being in the public eye? The Honest Authors discuss this and more with Psychotherapist and author Hilda Burke.

Phoebe Morgan, editorial director AND author, tells the Honest Authors why manuscripts get chosen, how publishers spot trends, what she's working on right now and her own publishing journey.

The Honest Authors are back from the Easter break! Talking about Gilly's latest publication, the latest weird worries and, for some reason, floatation tanks again.

The Honest Authors grill expert bestselling author Mark Billingham on how he's managed to write a book a year for nearly 20 years, how he keeps coming up with fresh ideas and what he'd tell his younger self.

What do we mean by foreign rights? What actually happens at book fairs? How much money can authors make from translated copies of their books? The Honest Authors grill foreign rights expert Therese Coen about all this and more.

The Honest Authors get the chance to grill phenomenal Trapeze Books publishing director Sam Eades about the acquisitions process, what happens behind the scenes and what editors really look for in a book.

The honest authors answer Q&As on writing processes and chat to Alison Barrow about publicity including the most effective way to promote a book.

The Honest Authors are back! Talking full-time writing, routines, redrafts, weird messages, switching off and, er, spinning, Cardi B and Wall-E.

In the season three finale episode, the authors talk honestly about life changes, career changes, representation changes and why it's so very hard to talk about money. Featuring an interview with the brilliant Caroline Hulse.

Helen Cullen, author of The Lost Letters of Willam Woolf, talks to the Honest Authors about her publication journey, giving up the London rat race to decamp to rural Ireland and her writing process. Plus there's the usual bad reviews and lots of laughing.

We interview Claire Allan and talk social media, word counts, and writing two books a year.

We talk to debut novelist Lia Louis during an anxiety special!

We discuss how to have an idea, when you're reviewed poorly by people you know and how to develop a hook for your book.

We interview Joy Rhodes and discuss pre-publication nerves!

In our most honest episode yet we discuss crises of confidence, abandoning projects and the etiquette of book blurbs. PLUS a really interesting interview with brilliant bestseller Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle and The Collector.

A little sidenote: the sound quality in the beginning was a little iffy so please bear with us!

We interview bestselling author Tracy Buchanan, speak about press reviews for debuts and outlining.

We discuss publishing news, cover reveals, light bulb moments and (to a surprisingly extensive degree) Neighbours.

Gilly and Holly are back, with a new jingle and a lot of opinions. The honest authors discuss publishing news, violence against women, "twists you won't see coming" and... erm... floatation tanks.

The final episode of season 1. We take questions, discuss how it feels to have second books out, reviews and writing through the chaos.

The Honest Authors talk to author Imran Mahmood about his incredible debut You Don't Know Me, meeting about a billion famous DJs, dialling down the swearing and balancing barrister life with writing.

We review our year in writing, answer questions, and moan.

We talk to forest-dwelling thriller writer Will Dean about his brilliant debut, Dark Pines, and how he writes a first draft in four weeks! FOUR WEEKS!

We interview Sarah Pinborough about marketing, social media, and author longevity

The Honest Authors talk the power of taking breaks, recommendations for brilliant plots, exploding ketchup and the usual anxieties...

James Swallow, New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of Nomad and Exile, joins Gilly and Holly. We talk about the route to getting published, the enjoyment of writing tie-in books about existing characters, proving naysayers wrong about 'airport books' and writing tips.

We talk finances, 'fame' and - weirdly - air disasters. We also discuss a difficult court case that Gillian visited for research, some listeners may find details upsetting.

We talk events, being part time and being verified.

Holly Seddon and Gillian McAllister discuss moving from first drafts to second drafts, selling foreign rights and the agent/author relationship.

Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon talk social media and being an author.

We discuss launches, sales, and generally being completely anxious.

Special guest G.J. Minett, author of The Hidden Legacy and Lie In Wait, joins the Honest Authors to discuss his route to publication, how to fit writing alongside other work, controversial themes and plans for the future.

Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon talk submitting to agents, writing processes and the embarrassing truth about reading their own book reviews.

Deborah O'Connor, author of the brilliant thriller My Husband's Son, joins the Honest Authors to talk about setbacks, the bumpy road to publication and professional crushes.

Gillian McAllister, author of Everything But The Truth, and Holly Seddon, author of Try Not To Breathe and Don't Close Your Eyes, discuss grappling with second novels, writing under contract and what happens when you say "yes" to a book deal.

Gillian McAllister, author of Everything But The Truth, and Holly Seddon, author of Try Not To Breathe and Don't Close Your Eyes, discuss the honest truth about being a debut author and having a book launched into the world.