Best Writing West Midlands Podcasts (2024)

1
Wolverhampton Takeover Episode 6: "Train Cancellation" by Maeve Deegan 9:32

1y ago9:32

9:32

"Train Cancellation" by Maeve Deegan, read by Emma Boniwell. Everything changes. For everyone. Birmingham Lit Fest Presents presents six separate stories, all set late on the same night at Wolverhampton train station. Written by Wolverhampton's Spark Young Writers, the tales are funny, serious, scary -- and every character is in for a surprise duri…

1
Wolverhampton Takeover Episode 5: "Eight Minutes" by Doroti Polgar 7:34

1+ y ago7:34

7:34

"Eight Minutes" by Doroti Polgar, read by Lisa M Billingham. You can put the world right in eight minutes, but the world never listens to you. Birmingham Lit Fest Presents presents six separate stories, all set late on the same night at Wolverhampton train station. Written by Wolverhampton's Spark Young Writers, the tales are funny, serious, scary …

1
Wolverhampton Takeover Episode 4: "Apologies for Any Inconvenience" by William Gallagher 10:26

1+ y ago10:26

10:26

"Apologies for Any Inconvenience" written and read by William Gallagher. Anger can keep out the cold, but not forever. Birmingham Lit Fest Presents presents six separate stories, all set late on the same night at Wolverhampton train station. Written by Wolverhampton's Spark Young Writers, the tales are funny, serious, scary -- and every character i…

1
Wolverhampton Takeover Episode 3: "The 23:48 to Birmingham New Street" by Lisa M. Billingham 9:29

1+ y ago9:29

9:29

"The 23: 48 to Birmingham New Street" written and read by Lisa M. Billingham. We can hide from ourselves, but not from handsome strangers. Birmingham Lit Fest Presents presents six separate stories, all set late on the same night at Wolverhampton train station. Written by Wolverhampton's Spark Young Writers, the tales are funny, serious, scary -- a…

1
Wolverhampton Takeover Episode 2: "Departures" by Erin Oakley 9:16

1+ y ago9:16

9:16

"Departures" by Erin Oakley, read by William Gallagher. Not everyone's intended destination is at the other end of this train ride. Birmingham Lit Fest Presents presents six separate stories, all set late on the same night at Wolverhampton train station. Written by Wolverhampton's Spark Young Writers, the tales are funny, serious, scary -- and ever…

1
Wolverhampton Takeover Episode 1: "23:48" by Maeve Deegan 10:12

1+ y ago10:12

10:12

"23:48" by Maeve Deegan, read by Emma Boniwell. An eight-minute train delay is increasingly tense for one young woman -- but what has happened to her tonight? Birmingham Lit Fest Presents presents six separate stories, all set late on the same night at Wolverhampton train station. Written by Wolverhampton's Spark Young Writers, the tales are funny,…

1
My Pen is the Wing of a Bird: New Fiction from Afghan Women 59:41

1+ y ago59:41

59:41

This week, we’re joined by Lucy Hannah from UNTOLD Stories, and Afghan poet Parwana Fayyaz, who talked to festival team member Olivia Chapman. Lucy and Parwana worked on My Pen is the Wing of a Bird, a new collection of short stories written by Afghan women before and after the brutal resurgence of the Taliban in August 2021. You can download our p…

1
Writing from a Warzone 1:00:52

1+ y ago1:00:52

1:00:52

This week’s episode is our specially-curated Writing from a Warzone event. The Birmingham Literature Festival team brought together novelist Priscilla Morris, whose family fled Sarajevo during the 1992 siege, with poet Parwana Fayyaz, who is an Afghan refugee. The event also included an interview with Ukrainian novelist Lyubko Deresh, who is still …

1
The UK Justice System: Wendy Joseph KC and Dr Shahed Yousef 59:58

1+ y ago59:58

59:58

This week’s episode features two people with unique insights into the UK Justice System: Wendy Joseph KC sat on cases in the Old Bailey for decades. In that time, she also mentored young people and tried to demystify the way justice is served in this country. Dr Shahed Yousaf is a prison doctor, who has worked for most of his career in Birmingham p…

1
Hashi Mohamed: The Housing Crisis 55:28

1+ y ago55:28

55:28

This week’s episode is housing lawyer Hashi Mohamed speaking to Guest Curator Otegha Uwagba. Hashi’s family arrived in the UK as refugees from Somalia in the 1990s, and his book A Home of One’s Own is the story of his family, as well as that of every family in the UK trying to carve out their own space in a broken housing system. You can download o…

1
Michael Rosen 1:03:10

1+ y ago1:03:10

1:03:10

This week’s guest is one of few who – universally – get referred to as a “National Treasure”. Michael Rosen has written over 70 books, including many of the most-read and most-loved children’s books of the modern day. He’s also a poet and memoirist, and joined us to talk about his book Many Different Kinds of Love, written as a result of his time o…

1
National Writers’ Conference 2022 - Sharing Experiences: From Writers, For Writers 1:58:44

2y ago1:58:44

1:58:44

On 9 July 2022, Writing West Midlands hosted its annual National Writers’ Conference in Birmingham, the first time back to a full programme of events since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Through panel events, networking sessions, informal and formal meetings, over 150 emerging writers came together to learn from established writers, producers,…

1
2021: A year in review 1:12:42

2+ y ago1:12:42

1:12:42

2021: A year in review Welcome to the last instalment of 2021’s commissioned series of writing. Each month, across the year, we have asked writers and poets to reflect on each month as it has passed. As we say goodbye to 2021, and embrace the start of a new year, we have brought together all those pieces to offer you an insightful, searing and beau…

1
December: Thomas Glave 24:21

2+ y ago24:21

24:21

Writer and Professor Thomas Glave wrote our very first commissioned piece in January 2021, describing a quiet, reflective post-Christmas Brindley Place in the midst of lockdown. In December's offering, he reflects beautifully on that experience in a piece that moves fluidly through dancing and writing and the way that stories move us. Take a look a…

1
Season 2: Sathnam Sanghera in Conversation with Sara Wajid 36:08

2+ y ago36:08

36:08

April 2021’s online event featured author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera discussing his latest book Empireland. In conversation with Sara Wajid, the co-CEO of the Birmingham Museum’s Trust, he discussed the ways in which legacies of empire permeate everything from the NHS to our national museums and how the events of the past year have demonstrate…

1
Season 2: Lisa Blower and Emma Purshouse 41:05

3y ago41:05

41:05

May 2021’s online live event brought together two writers whose books are rooted in the Midlands, Emma Purshouse and Lisa Blower. In conversation with author Kit de Waal, they discuss their latest novels Dogged and Pondweed, making space for more working-class writers and characters in contemporary fiction and capturing a variety of Midlands dialec…

1
November: Annabel Brightling 4:15

3y ago4:15

4:15

Solihull based scriptwriter Annabel Brightling has written November's piece for the festival blog. In it, she reflects on the excitement of the premiere of drama SeaView at the Belgrade Theatre, a show she wrote the first episode of, and the need for large production companies to expand their cultural horizons into the regions across the UK. Take a…

1
Season 2: Caleb Azumah Nelson in conversation with Casey Bailey 33:18

3y ago33:18

33:18

In June 2021, we hosted an online live event with author Caleb Azumah Nelson about his debut novel Open Water. In conversation with Birmingham Poet Laureate Casey Bailey, they talk about Caleb’s beautiful love story about two young artists who met at a pub and the novel’s broader discussion of race, art, masculinity and vulnerability. You can downl…

1
Season 2: Elizabeth Day in conversation with Sathnam Sanghera 39:21

3y ago39:21

39:21

This week, bestselling novelist and acclaimed podcast host Elizabeth Day, talks to Sathnam Sanghera about her new novel Magpie. Join them as they talk about writing thrillers, and a novel that tells a gripping and unsettling story about power, motherhood and envy. You can download our podcast episodes from all the places you would normally get your…

1
Season 2: This Is The Canon 36:06

3y ago36:06

36:06

This is the Canon, written by Joan Anim-Addo, Deirdre Osborne and Kadija Sesay, is a book that aims to decolonise what we think of as the literary canon, which is all too often dominated by white authors. In this week’s episode the authors talk to writer Thomas Glave about disrupting the accepted norm, highlighting different cultures and stories an…

1
October: Brendan Hawthorne 5:15

3y ago5:15

5:15

This month's piece is written by singer songwriter and Wednesbury Poet Laureate Brendan Hawthorne, reflecting on the changing seasons and the cosiness of autumn as the leaves and weather change around us. Take a look at the rest of this year's digital programme on our website: https://www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org/. For more information on W…

1
Season 2: Jackie Morris in conversation with John Mitchinson 34:35

3y ago34:35

34:35

This week’s episode brings together Birmingham born writer and artist Jackie Morris with her long-time friend, and the co-founder of the publisher Unbound, John Mitchinson. They talk about Jackie’s two new books, East of the Sun, West of the Moon and The Wild Swans, using feminist fairy tales to give voice to the voiceless, the beauty of snow and h…

1
Season 2: Torrey Peters in Conversation with Shantel Edwards 49:06

3y ago49:06

49:06

In this week’s episode Festival Director Shantel Edwards talks to debut novelist Torrey Peters about her Women’s Prize longlisted novel Detransition, Baby. Described as ‘a uniquely trans take on love, motherhood and those exes who you just can’t quit’, Detransition, Baby follows three characters as they navigate creating a new version of family for…

1
Season 2: Sarfraz Manzoor in Conversation with Will Buckingham 35:31

3y ago35:31

35:31

In this week’s episode, writer Will Buckingham talks to journalist, screenwriter and broadcaster Sarfraz Manzoor about his latest book, They: What Muslims and Non-Muslims Get Wrong About Each Other. Join them as they talk about the deep divisions in British culture and the way that stories can connect us and promise a much more hopeful future. You …

1
Season 2: On This Day She featuring Jo Bell, Tania Hershman and Ailsa Holland 34:06

3y ago34:06

34:06

Join us for a dinner party with 6 amazing women across history – plus our wonderful dinner party hosts Jo Bell, Tania Hershman and Ailsa Holland, authors of On This Day She: Putting Women Back Into History, One Day at a Time. Find out which historical figure was fond of geese at a dinner party, as we add six important figures back into a story of t…

1
Season 2: Hanif Abdurraqib in Conversation with Casey Bailey 35:26

3y ago35:26

35:26

In this week’s episode we welcome American essayist, cultural critic and poet Hanif Abdurraqib, who talks to our very own Birmingham Poet Laureate Casey Bailey about his latest book, A Little Devil in America. Hanif’s book offers a beautiful insight into the history of black performance and culture in America, including cultural icons such as Josep…

1
September, Rupinder Kaur 5:59

3y ago5:59

5:59

September, Rupinder Kaur This month's piece is written by poet Rupinder Kaur and reflects on a September filled with family, poetry and inspiration from female writers. She talks about the joy of leading a ghazal poetry writing workshop and the sadness of hearing about the murder of South London Schoolteacher Sabina Nessa, who was killed on her way…

1
Season 2: Kate Mosse in Conversation With Alison Jean Lester 44:33

3y ago44:33

44:33

Welcome to the second series of the Birmingham Lit Fest Presents…podcast. We are really excited to be back for a second season and to be able to continue to connect readers and writers in the Midlands, and far beyond. This week’s episode features bestselling novelist Kate Mosse, author of eight novels and newly published non-fiction book, An Extra …

1
August, Elizabeth Lee 4:27

3y ago4:27

4:27

Episode 8: August, Elizabeth Lee This month's piece is written by author Elizabeth Lee, whose debut novel Cunning Women was published earlier this year. Her piece considers the juxtaposition of the hope and promise of a new school year and restrictions lifting with the terrifying news of wildfires, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and rapidly esc…

1
July, George Bastow 6:35

3y ago6:35

6:35

Episode 7: July, George Bastow This month's piece is written by freelance writer George Bastow and considers both the highs (the unity of sport, echoed by the unity at the start of the pandemic) and lows of July (the racism following the Euros Final and the lack of protection for our disabled and vulnerable communities after so-called 'Freedom Day'…

1
June, Roy Mcfarlane 5:05

3y ago5:05

5:05

Episode 6: June, Roy Mcfarlane In this episode, poet Roy Mcfarlane reflects on the month of June as both a time of rest and reflection, thinking about the summer solstice and sunny days alongside the ongoing issue of racism in football and the Windrush scandal as we marked Windrush Day on the 22nd June. The piece is read by Shantel Edwards. Take a …

1
May, Maisie Chan 4:17

3+ y ago4:17

4:17

Episode 5: May, Maisie Chan Next month debut author Maisie Chan’s first novel, Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths, is published. In this month’s piece she writes about feeling adrift from friends and family in the Midlands, the difficulties of writing your second novel and the lack of representation of British Chinese protagonists in children’s fiction.…

1
April, Sue Brown 6:52

3+ y ago6:52

6:52

The Birmingham Literature Festival podcast connects writers with readers. Join us for exciting and inspiring conversations about writing, poetry, big ideas and social issues with writers from the Midlands and beyond. New episodes monthly from April 2021. Episode 4: April, Sue Brown In April 2021, US police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of …

1
January, Thomas Glave 7:33

3+ y ago7:33

7:33

The Birmingham Literature Festival podcast connects writers with readers. Join us for exciting and inspiring conversations about writing, poetry, big ideas and social issues with writers from the Midlands and beyond. New episodes monthly from April 2021. Episode 1: January, Thomas Glave This month’s piece is written by Thomas Glave, a Birmingham ba…

1
February, Abda Khan 4:53

3+ y ago4:53

4:53

The Birmingham Literature Festival podcast connects writers with readers. Join us for exciting and inspiring conversations about writing, poetry, big ideas and social issues with writers from the Midlands and beyond. New episodes monthly from April 2021. Episode 2: February, Abda Khan A year after the last full month of ‘normality’ for us all in Fe…

1
March, Michael Amherst 5:41

3+ y ago5:41

5:41

The Birmingham Literature Festival podcast connects writers with readers. Join us for exciting and inspiring conversations about writing, poetry, big ideas and social issues with writers from the Midlands and beyond. New episodes monthly from April 2021. Episode 3: March, Michael Amherst This month, author Michael Amherst writes movingly about the …

1
Elisa Shua Dusapin and Aneesa Abbas Higgins in Conversation with Dr Sandra van Lente 24:42

3+ y ago24:42

24:42

In this podcast, we’re joined by novelist Elisa Shua Dusapin, whose debut novel Winter in Sokcho was translated and published in the UK this year. In conversation with Dr Sandra van Lente and joined by her translator Aneesa Abbas Higgins, they discuss shared identities, isolation and the relationship between writing and translation. The Birmingham …

1
Mandy Ross and Abda Khan in Conversation with Roz Goddard 38:37

3+ y ago38:37

38:37

Today’s episode brings together 3 Midlands women, authors Mandy Ross, Abda Khan and Roz Goddard, in conversation about the importance of literature in creating connections and fostering empathy. As members of interfaith organisation Nisa Nashim, Mandy and Abda run a monthly book club that brings together Muslim and Jewish women. In conversation wit…

1
Elle McNicoll in conversation with Dr Melanie Ramdarshan Bold 32:36

4y ago32:36

32:36

In today’s podcast, we welcome debut author Elle McNicoll in conversation with Dr Melanie Ramdarshan Bold about her first novel A Kind of Spark. Join Elle and Melanie as they discuss the importance of representing neurodiversity in children’s fiction, inclusive publishing and recognising buried histories. The Birmingham Lit Fest Presents... podcast…

1
Cold War Steve in Conversation with Kit de Waal 31:46

4y ago31:46

31:46

This week’s guest is Birmingham’s own artist and political commentator Cold War Steve. In this week’s episode, Steve talks to writer Kit de Waal about the ways his work tells the story of Birmingham and the Midlands, the power of art call out fascism and art as therapy. The Birmingham Lit Fest Presents... podcast brings writers and readers together…

1
Sarah Moss and Megan Hunter in Conversation with Olivia Chapman 35:17

4y ago35:17

35:17

In this week’s episode, authors Sarah Moss and Megan Hunter join Writing West Midlands’ own Olivia Chapman to discuss their latest novels Summerwater and The Harpy. In this podcast, they discuss writing about relationships, creating unnerving fiction and the expectation placed on writers to make sense of the time we are living in. The Birmingham Li…

1
Lynn Enright and Natalie Fiennes in Conversation with Shantel Edwards 36:55

4y ago36:55

36:55

This week’s episode brings together journalists Natalie Fiennes and Lynn Enright to discuss their books, Behind Closed Doors: Sex Education Transformed and Vagina: A Re-education. In conversation with Birmingham Literature Festival director Shantel Edwards, they talk about the politicisation of women’s bodies and sexual desire, the importance of se…

1
Sam Baker in Conversation with Kate Spicer 41:47

4y ago41:47

41:47

In today’s episode, journalist and author Sam Baker talks to fellow writer Kate Spicer about her latest book The Shift. Join Sam and Kate as they discuss the cultural silence around menopause, the invisibility of women past child-bearing age and the freedom, power and confidence of life after menopause. The Birmingham Lit Fest Presents... podcast b…

1
Kit de Waal in Conversation with Paul McVeigh 38:24

4y ago38:24

38:24

In this week’s episode author Kit de Waal talks to fellow writer and novelist Paul McVeigh about Supporting Cast, her first short story collection that focuses on the lives and loves of ordinary people including some familiar characters from her earlier novels. They talk about writing character driven fiction, amplifying the voices of working class…

1
Louise O’Neill in Conversation with Amy Webb and Tanita Patel 40:17

4y ago40:17

40:17

Today’s episode is brought to you by the READ ON project, a scheme supported by the European Union’s Creative Europe fund. The READ ON project gets young people reading, writing, and interviewing authors, both in their own country and across Europe. In this week’s podcast, two of our young presenters, Amy Webb and Tanita Patel, interviewed bestsell…

1
Candice Brathwaite in conversation with Dorothy Koomson 47:10

4y ago47:10

47:10

In this week’s episode we welcome Candice Brathwaite, author of the bestselling book, I Am Not Your Baby Mother. In conversation with fellow bestselling author Dorothy Koomson, they discuss the urgent need to redefine motherhood, the silencing of black women’s pain and the experience of publishing a book in the midst of a global pandemic and the re…

1
Gaylene Gould interviews Paul Mendez 53:46

4y ago53:46

53:46

In this week’s episode, artist and cultural critic Gaylene Gould interviews debut author Paul Mendez about his novel Rainbow Milk. Join Paul and Gaylene for a fascinating discussion about the rich history of black British writing, representing the Black Country accent on the page and the intersections of identity, alongside a wonderful reading from…

1
Romalyn Ante and Rupinder Kaur in Conversation with Liz Berry 42:56

4y ago42:56

42:56

This week's episode brings Liz Berry, Romalyn Ante and Rupinder Kaur together, three powerhouse poets from the Midlands. Featuring a series of wonderful readings of the poems from their collections Rooh and Antiemetic for Homesickness, Rupinder and Romalyn join Liz for a discussion of their work, the importance of poetry during a pandemic and the p…

1
Stuart Maconie and Pete Paphides in Conversation with Jo Bell 53:41

4y ago53:41

53:41

This week’s episode brings together 2 of the UK’s most established broadcasters and journalists, Stuart Maconie and Pete Paphides to discuss their latest books, The Nanny State Made Me and Broken Greek. In conversation with writer and poet Jo Bell, they discuss the personal and cultural importance of music, their deep connection to the Midlands and…

1
Trailer - Author Kit de Waal introduces Birmingham Lit Fest presents…. 1:33

4y ago1:33

1:33

Author and guest curator Kit de Waal introduces Birmingham Litfest presents... The very first Birmingham Literature Festival podcast. The Birmingham Literature Festival podcast brings writers and readers together to discuss some of 2020’s best books. Each Thursday across the next few months we’ll be releasing new episodes of the podcast, including …

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