Hohoho and merry Christmas! Join Julia as she welcomes three fantastic guests into the studio: Uju Asika - author of Raising Boys Who Do Better (listen to Julia's interview with Uju from season 4 here). Jules Swain - Book Blogger of the Year 2023 - Follow Jules on Twitter here. Suzy K Quinn - author of the Bad Mother series. Follow Suzy on Instagra…

In a departure from literature, quizmaster Meredith Hepner quizzes us on our knowledge of John Hughes and Richard Curtis's Christmas films. Julia got 8/13. This episode is swear-free so you can enjoy it with the family. How did you do? If you want to share your score, join my new Book Club on Facebook, which welcomes fans of all genres. Support Jul…

Today, Julia chats with Susie Ridell about the art of audio book narration. Susie is a performer, voice over artist and co-Artistic Director of the theatre company, Idiot Child. She trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Susie plays Tracy Horrobin in BBC Radio 4's The Archers and is actually taking a break today from recording to sp…

Today, I'm joined by Alivia Fleur, all the way from a farm in Australia. In this brilliant quiz, Alivia asks the vital questions: is it a RAKE or a RADISH? Alivia is a historical romance author who moved from writing short stories to novels when her characters kept showing up with copious amounts of emotional baggage, demanding it be explored. Her …

Carrie Elks is the author of thirty contemporary romance books (and counting). Since 2014, she has been both traditionally and self-published, and her stories have been translated into over ten different languages. She lives in Essex with her husband, two children and a pug called Plato, and when she isn’t reading, writing, or loafing about, she en…

This episode is sponsored by Bookfunnel. Carrie Elks is the author of thirty contemporary romance books (and counting). Since 2014, she has been both traditionally and self-published, and her stories have been translated into over ten different languages. She lives in Essex with her husband, two children and a pug called Plato, and when she isn’t r…

Something wicked this way comes in this quiz with quizmaster Anne Hughes (a.k.a. Julia's mother-in-law). This is a good one and you'll be screaming the answer to number 6, too, as Julia tries desperately to remember who wrote...well, you'll have to listen to the quiz to find out. How did you do? If you want to share your score, join my new Book Clu…

Following on from our episode about writing historical figures as characters, Katie Ginger quizzes us on Historical Figures in Fiction. You can check out Katie's website here. Follow her on Instagram here. How did you do? If you want to share your score, join my new Book Club on Facebook, which welcomes fans of all genres. Support Julia by buying h…

Today I speak with Emma Royal aka Katie Ginger aka Annabel French about writing royalty in fiction. She has always loved historical fiction and has a Masters degree in history. You can check out her website here. Follow her on Instagram here. Keep in touch Order Shooters here. Order Chasing the Light, Julia's sequel to Shooters, here. I love our li…

Shoulder pads at the ready! You heard the episode about Bonkbusters, now take the quiz! Join Julia as Dr Amy Burge and Dr Jodi McAlister test her knowledge of the eponymous bonkbuster. This is a quiz you do not want to miss. Dr Amy Burge is Associate Professor of Popular Fiction at the University of Birmingham. Her work centres on popular genres, i…

To celebrate the release of Jilly Cooper's new book, Tackle, on November 9, I'm speaking with Dr Amy Burge and Dr Jodi McAlister about their research into the BONKBUSTER. Warning: we talk graphically about THAT goldfish scene in LACE. Dr Amy Burge is Associate Professor of Popular Fiction at the University of Birmingham. Her work centres on popular…

Today’s quiz master is Vicki Childs, a British expat now living in Florida. Vicki is the author of 'Rachel's Butterflies', as well as the 'At Home in Davis Crest' Holiday romance series. The theme of her quiz is Female Friendship. Visit Vicki's website. Vicki on Instagram Vicki on Facebook If you want to share your score, join my new Book Club on F…

Writing advice from best-selling writer, Victoria Hislop, author of 10 novels, including The Island about a leprosy colony in Greece. The novel became an international best-seller, translated into 40 languages and turned into a 26 part Greek TV series. Her most recent book, The Figurine, is also set in Greece and is a page-turner full of history, r…

Today’s other lit chick is Victoria Hislop, author of 10 novels, including The Island about a leprosy colony in Greece. The novel became an international best-seller, translated into 40 languages and turned into a 26 part Greek TV series. Her most recent book, The Figurine, is also set in Greece and is a page-turner full of history, romance and fam…

Something wicked this way comes in this week's witchy quiz, courtesy of author Emma Jackson, author of WITCH YOU WEREN'T HERE, a romcom full of misbehaving magic, brother's best friend angst, and only one bed shenanigans, is available now, just in time for Halloween. It will not be hard to beat Julia's score this week! If you want to share your sco…

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. Today we are discussing world building in fiction with Emma Jackson, author of the Best Selling A MISTLETOE MIRACLE. Emma is also a host on the SFFRomCast, a podcast dedicated to celebrating fantasy and sci-fi romance. Her latest book, WITCH YOU WEREN'T HERE, a witchy romcom full of misbehaving magic, brother's …

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. It's Friday and we've got an extra special quiz for you about Love Stories. Our quizmaster today is Beth O'Leary, writer of five best-selling romcoms, including The Wake Up Call. Let us know how you did! The best way to do that is to join my new Book Club on Facebook, which welcomes fans of all genres. More abou…

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. Excellent writing advice with writer Beth O'Leary, Sunday Times Bestselling author of The Wake Up Call. If you want to keep the book chat going, join my new Book Club on Facebook, which welcomes fans of all genres. Empowered Author Marketing Show Check out the Empowered Author Book Marketing & Publicity Show, ta…

Beth O'Leary is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose novels have been translated into more than thirty languages. Her debut, The Flatshare, sold over a million copies and changed her life completely. Her second novel, The Switch, has been optioned for film by Amblin Partners, Steven Spielberg's production company. The Road Trip, Beth's third nov…

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. In today's quiz, author and best-selling ghostwriter Tom Bromley tests our knowledge of ghostwritten books. I managed to dredge my memory for some of those answers! A thoroughly enjoyable quiz and I got 6/10. Let us know how you did! The best way to do that is to join my new Book Club on Facebook, which welcomes…

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. Today, I’m excited to be chatting with Tom Bromley, who has basically done every job in publishing and is now the Head of Learning for Reedsy. Tom’s been working in publishing for 25 years, starting off as a bookseller in Waterstones. Then he went to work at Little Brown as a copywriter. From there he went on to…

Think you're ready to write a spy thriller? Then you'd better take this quiz by David Bickford, the ex-legal director of MI5/MI6. Can you beat Julia's final score? (Yes, probably). Keep in touch Order Chasing the Light, Julia's sequel to Shooters, here. I love our listeners, and I want to hear from you. Please leave a review on one of my podcast pl…

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. A follow-up chat with author David Bickford, former Under Secretary of State and Legal Director to the British Intelligence Agencies, MI5 & MI6. His spy thriller book, Katya, is available now (audio as well) and his second book, The Informer, will be out on December 1. David's social media Instagram Empowered Au…

An enlightening chat with David Bickford, a British author and former Under Secretary of State and Legal Director to the British Intelligence Agencies, MI5 & MI6. David spent his working life diving into the cold murky seas of terrorism, espionage and organised crime. At the forefront of the battle against international terrorism he was among the f…

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. Anita Chapman is a self-published author. Her first book, The Venice Secret, came out in March 2023, and in its first six months reached number one in four Amazon UK Kindle charts, including Historical Fiction, and made it into the top one hundred in the overall Amazon UK Kindle chart. It’s also had 2.5 million …

This episode is sponsored by REEDSY. Kate Sawyer, author of The Stranding and This Family, shares her top writing advice for authors. Find Kate on Instagram: @MsKateSawyer Kate Sawyer website More about our sponsors Reedsy is a publishing eco-system for writers at any stage in their publishing journey. We provide a wealth of free educational resour…

Today my second Lit Chick is Kate Sawyer, author of The Stranding and This Family. She is also the host of the podcast Novel Experience, where she talks to authors across forms and genres. In her life before writing, Kate worked as an actor—also as an event and theatre producer, yoga teacher, shop-keeper, and as a waitress. Kate trained in acting a…

How well do you know your royalty in literature? If you're anything like Julia, not very well! But this is a fantastic quiz, written by Marguerite Kaye and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. As usual, let us know what you scored on social media. Keep in touch Order Chasing the Light, Julia's sequel to Shooters, here. I love our listeners, and I want …

This episode is sponsored by REEDSY. In this episode, Julia speaks with the writing duo, Sarah Ferguson (a.k.a. the Duchess of York) and her creative partner, Marguerite Kaye, about the process of "collabo-writing". Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, a bestselling author, philanthropist and public speaker. The Duchess has published over 70 books incl…

Our week of Jo Lyons is almost finished (boo), but she’s here to test our knowledge of her favourite subject: RomComs! Let us know you did on socials. Find Jo Lyons on: Twitter: @J0Lyons Instagram: @hinnywhowrites Amazon: Books by this author Website: www.jolyonsauthor.com Keep in touch Order Chasing the Light, Julia's sequel to Shooters, here. I l…

This episode is sponsored by REEDSY. We're back again with self-pub author Jo Lyons, whose first book Benidorm, Actually was shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print prize in 2021. Jo gives us perhaps the most practical, actionable advice we've had so far. Have a listen and make sure you have a pen and notebook at the ready. You can sign up to her…

This episode is sponsored by BookFunnel. Jo Lyons is a huge wine and cheese enthusiast as well as the author of three bestselling romantic comedies including ‘Benidorm, actually’ which was shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Awards 2021. Jo spent years working in Turkey as a holiday rep, in the Alpes working at a ski resort and in the south o…

It's the final face off! Who will reign victorious in the end of season quiz - Ed or Julia? All the questions are on the main episodes of this series, so regular listeners, the challenge is also on... but even if you haven't heard all the eps, fear not, for the magic of multiple choice is (mostly) here to give us all (and especially Ed) a helping h…

Alex Hay is back for some writing advice! The author of one of the year's most exciting debuts - Edwardian mansion heist The Housekeepers - returns to let us know, among other things, how he researches his history; what comes first, the characters or the research; what the Curtis Brown Creative writing course he attended was like; and what it's lik…

Alex Hay grew up in Cambridge and Cardiff and has been writing for as long as he can remember. He studied History at York University and wrote his dissertation on female power in royal courts, combing the archives for every scrap of drama and skulduggery he could find. He has worked in magazine publishing and the charity sector and is a graduate of…

Melissa Addey challenges the chicks with her Startling Quiz! What does that mean? Simply that the questions are based on literary things that are startling. Just go with it. It's a good quiz and there are lots of great book recommendations woven through it, too. Melissa Addey Bio Melissa Addey writes historical fiction set in Ancient Rome, medieval…

Join us in a chat with Melissa Addey, who aside from writing historical fiction, also campaigns with The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), who focus on ethics and excellence in self-publishing. ALLi recently commissioned a survey into the income of self-published authors and the results are very interesting. Melissa takes Julia and Ed through…

Hold onto your prams, this one is a doozy! We are joined again by psychological thriller author, Katherine Faulkner, to quiz us on all things Mum Noir--a subject she knows very well. This is also a great quiz for book recommendations, so make sure to check out our blog post for the whole list. Katherine Faulkner is a novelist and journalist. After …

Katherine Faulkner is back! After talking us through her book choices on Monday (and her thrilling journalist background), now she is ready to impart some valuable writing advice, discuss how she explores women's friendships in her books, whether the label "mum noir" really applies to her books and the power of putting location front and centre... …

This episode is sponsored by IngramSpark, the online self-publishing company that allows you to print, globally distribute, and manage your print and ebooks Vote for Two Lit Chicks You can vote for us in the Listeners' Choice Award category of the British Podcasting Awards here. It only takes a second, and we would really appreciate it, thank you! …

After our wonderful chat with Uju Asika in Wednesday's Book Bite, she is back to challenge the chicks with her Boys in Books Quiz. Let us know how you did on our socials! Uju Asika is a popular blogger, writer and speaker with a background in journalism and TV screenwriting. She is the author of Bringing Up Race: How To Raise a Kind Child in a Prej…

Uju Asika is a popular blogger, writer and speaker with a background in journalism and TV screenwriting. She is the author of Bringing Up Race: How To Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World and the picture book A World for Me and You. Her new book Raising Boys Who Do Better: A Hopeful Guide for a New Generation was published by DK this month. Bor…

A quiz for all you romantic comedy lovers out there! In the final episode of our week of Kelk, Lindsey challenges the chicks with her romcom quiz. Who will win: Julia or Ed? Can you beat the high score? As ever, let us know how you did on social media. Keep in touch We love our listeners, and we want to hear from you. Please leave a review on one o…

More Kelk than you can shake a stick at! She's back, and she's got writing advice for everyone, including her thoughts on sex scenes, spice scales, and minotaur milking. And we discuss the important question: is rimming noisy? Pre-order Lindsey's new Book Love Me Do here Listen to the wrestling podcast Lindsey co-hosts Tights and Fights here Keep i…

This episode is sponsored by IngramSpark, the online self-publishing company that allows you to print, globally distribute, and manage your print and ebooks Lindsey Kelk is the author of books including I Heart New York, On a Night Like This, On a Christmas Wish, and One in A Million. Her next book, Love Me Do, is out in July and is available to pr…

For this week's quiz, we are joined again by Lucy Hooft. If you haven't listened to our Book Bite interview with her about how she turned her extensive and exotic travels into a fictional spy series, then do so now...Okay, done? Now Lucy is testing us on our knowledge of places in fiction. Can you name the place, title and author based on an excerp…

Today we discuss the importance of place in fiction with somebody who's used her travels as the inspiration for her spy novels. Make sure you listen to the end and hear all about her amazing kelp farm. About Lucy Hooft Lucy is the author of the Sarah Black spy series. Originally from the UK, she has spent most of the last 20 years living and workin…

The Trilogy of Swan pods concludes with a Richard Swan sci-fi quiz. You've heard the bestselling fantasy and sci-fi author talk about the books that changed him; you've heard him give his writing advice and dish his publishing secrets. Now take on the test of a lifetime, or at least of your Friday, and see if you can answer the mercurial nerd's mos…

Back by popular demand, and also because we've already recorded this, today's Book Bites features the return of Sunday Times-bestselling SFF author Richard Swan. You heard about his own book and book influences on the main pod, now hear about his tips for writing, or more accurately, his tips for not following tips for writing. He also delves into …

This episode is sponsored by IngramSpark, the online self-publishing company that allows you to print, globally distribute, and manage your print and ebooks Richard Swan is a Sunday Times-bestselling fantasy and science fiction author. Prior to 2018 he published a number of space opera novels including the trilogy The Art of War. 2022 saw his tradi…