The Conversation with Nadine Matheson

Based On A True Story - Sarah Vaughan

We discuss the latest news from the publishing industry

In this episode, Nadine Matheson sits down with bestselling Irish author Patricia Scanlan, one of the pioneers of modern Irish commercial fiction, to talk about her brand new book, City Girls Forever.📚 In this conversation:How Patricia's debut novel City Girl (1990) was darker than she ever realisedRevisiting Devlin, Maggie, and Caroline — 30+ years later and in their "powerful age"The heavy themes hiding beneath the frothy covers: domestic violence, sexual assault, anorexia, and the strength of female friendshipWhat it's like to write characters who surprise even their own authorPatricia's writing process from typing at the kitchen table to writing in bed with two dressing gowns on! 😂Her next project: fictionalised Irish goddesses 🔥The writing advice that changed everything: "Write with fire in your veins. Edit with ice." ✍️💬 Patricia and Nadine also bond over the unexpected plot twists that blindside you mid-draft, the universal power of storytelling, and why a good book can unite a 90-year-old and a 12-year-old.🎬 Film recommendation from Patricia: Death at a Funeral (the British version!) a must-watch!👇 Have you read City Girls Forever or the original City Girl trilogy? Let us know in the comments!Support the podcast - Buy me a cup of coffee ☕️.Buy books by my guests  Bookshop.orgFollow MeBluesky | Substack | Instagram | Facebook | Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From 22 Rejections to Oprah's Book Club

This week on The Conversation, I'm thrilled to welcome the multi-talented Andi Osho, author, comedian, and actress, as we dive into her latest novel, Most Wanted. Join us as we explore Andi's journey from post-production in television to becoming a celebrated writer, comedian, and actress, and the unique challenges she faced while navigating this transition.In our conversation, Andi shares her insights on the importance of storytelling, her journey to the comedy stage, and the inspiration behind her latest work, which tackles the struggles of a millennial couple trying to secure their place in an increasingly difficult landscape. We discuss the themes of desperation and ambition that drive the characters to embark on a crime wave as a misguided solution to their problems, all while keeping the narrative humorous and engaging.Andi also opens up about her writing process, the research that informed her characters, and the importance of addressing social issues through fiction. We touch on her experiences in therapy and the significance of self-care for creatives, as well as the need for representation in discussions about perimenopause, a topic she passionately advocates for.Follow Andi OshoBuy Most WantedSupport the podcast - Buy me a cup of coffee ☕️.Buy books by my guests  Bookshop.orgFollow MeBluesky | Substack | Instagram | Facebook | Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.