The Joined Up Writing Podcast

Crime writer Steven Dunne joins me for a special live edition of The Write Place, recorded in front of an audience at Leicester Central Library. Steven is best known for his dark DI Damen Brook crime thrillers, beginning with The Reaper, which he originally self-published before it was picked up by HarperCollins. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about his journey from indie author to traditional publishing and back again, how the industry has changed, and why he now enjoys writing to his own timetable. We also dig into the creation of DI Damen Brook and the Reaper trilogy, Steven’s meticulous approach to plotting and rewriting, why editing means being prepared to cut even the lines you love, and the small pieces of research that can make crime fiction feel authentic. Steven also talks about Blood Summer, which introduced former FBI agent Michael Trent and allowed him to swap the dark streets of Derby for the South of France, Singapore and Barcelona, as well as the follow-up he is currently working on. And, of course, we discover the Book That Saved Steven’s Life, Thomas Harris’s The Silence of the Lambs, the novel that helped turn him towards crime fiction in the first place. Find Steven Dunne online: Website: Steven Dunne's website X/Twitter: @ReaperSteven Goodreads: Steven Dunne on Goodreads REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT If you’re struggling to keep going with your own writing, my book Real Writers Never Quit: What Hundreds of Authors Reveal About Not Giving Up combines lessons from my own writing journey with advice and inspiration from hundreds of authors who have appeared on the podcast. Buy Real Writers Never Quit: https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit Find out more about me, my books and The Write Place at waynekellywrites.com.

Bestselling science-fiction author Peter F. Hamilton joins me to talk about his latest novel, Exodus: The Helium Sea, the epic conclusion to the Archimedes Engine duology set within the universe of the forthcoming EXODUS video game. Peter explains how his unusual collaboration with Archetype Entertainment allowed him to help build the universe before writing his own story within it, and why seeing artists turn his written descriptions into fully realised worlds became part of the creative process itself. We also get into the nuts and bolts of writing huge speculative worlds: how Peter starts with an idea, builds the technology, economics and politics around it, and only then decides which characters should tell the story. He explains why he can spend six months making notes before beginning a major series, why continuity matters so much, and why he refuses to start a novel without knowing how it ends. Peter looks back at beginning his career with short stories and a manual typewriter, the lessons learned from early editors, and the painful writing mistake that permanently changed the way he plans his books. We also discuss how science fiction has evolved during his career, the challenge of future-proofing fictional technology and why, even after more than three decades as a published novelist, writing itself can still be a slog. Plus, Peter faces Their Darkest Hour, reveals the Book That Saved His Life, and shares the simple piece of writing advice he still believes matters most: Keep writing. Find Peter F. Hamilton Peter’s author page and books: Pan Macmillan Peter on Facebook: @PeterFHamilton Exodus: The Helium Sea: Pan Macmillan / Tor Check out my latest book - Real Writers Never Quit: what hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up

Crime writer Angela C Nurse returns to The Write Place to talk about a major change in her writing career, signing with Vinci Books after several years building her readership as an independent author. Angela is the author of the Rowan McFarlane Detective Mysteries and the DI Ravenscroft & Professor Laing crime series. In this episode, we talk about why Angela decided the time was right to hand over some of the business and marketing side of publishing, what it feels like to give up a little control after years of doing everything herself, and why she still remains a passionate advocate for indie publishing. We also get into the realities of selling books, Amazon advertising, covers and genre expectations, book fairs and the challenge indie authors face getting their books into physical bookshops. Angela also tells me about the Mysterious Murders Short Story Competition, which she co-founded with Jeroen van Rotterdam in memory of writer Anja Boersma. This year writers are challenged to create a locked-room murder mystery of up to 3,000 words, with £3,000 going to the winner. Entries close on 30 September 2026. We also chat about new ideas arriving at inconvenient moments, writing more than one book at a time, what Angela would tell her younger self and what comes next for both of her crime series. About Angela C Nurse Angela C Nurse is a Scottish crime writer and creative writing coach, and the author of the Rowan McFarlane Detective Mysteries and the DI Ravenscroft & Professor Laing series. After building her career independently, Angela signed with Vinci Books in 2026 for her existing backlist and future books in her first two series. Find Angela and her books Website and newsletter: https://www.angelacnurse.com/ Angela's books on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0957J7JL5 Mysterious Murders Short Story Competition: https://www.mysteriousmurders.com/

Scottish crime writer Heather J Fitt joins Wayne Kelly to discuss reclaiming the rights to her three published novels and taking control of their future as an independent author. Heather has recently released new independent editions of Open Your Eyes, The Flight and The Boat Trip. We explore what happens when an author’s books become part of a publisher’s backlist, the practical process of getting those rights returned, and the benefits and challenges of republishing your own work. The conversation focuses particularly on Open Your Eyes, Heather’s dark psychological thriller about an ambitious Edinburgh journalist investigating a series of attacks against women. Heather explains how reading Laura Bates’s Men Who Hate Women introduced her to the online world of incels and the manosphere, and why she chose to explore those disturbing issues through fiction. Heather also discusses: • Researching dark subjects without damaging your mental health • Creating balance and complexity when writing an antagonist • The persistent stigma surrounding independent publishing • Why more traditionally published writers are reclaiming their backlists • Searching for an agent after already publishing three novels • Blending crime fiction with elements of horror • Her evolving approach to plotting and discovery writing • Finding time to write around freelance work and everyday life • Overcoming self-consciousness and giving yourself permission to begin Heather also reveals why Men Who Hate Women is her Book That Saved Your Life and shares her advice for writers who are still waiting to take themselves seriously. Heather J Fitt is a Scottish crime writer and the author of Open Your Eyes, The Flight and The Boat Trip. She is also an experienced editor and proofreader who has worked within independent publishing. Find Heather and her books: Website: https://www.heatherjfitt.com Books: https://www.heatherjfitt.com/heatherjfitt-books Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherjfitt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherFittAuthor Support independent bookshops: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/heatherjfittauthor Find out more about The Write Place Podcast and Wayne’s writing, publishing and mentoring work: https://waynekellywrites.com

In this episode of The Write Place, I’m joined once again by author Gemma Denham to talk about her new psychological thriller, The Inheritance. Kate and Patrick are struggling financially when an unexpected inheritance seems to offer the perfect escape: a Victorian townhouse on the north-east coast. But from the moment they arrive, things feel wrong. Objects disappear, footsteps sound in the night, and Kate begins to wonder whether someone is getting into the locked house, whether something more unsettling is at work, or whether she is losing her grip on reality. Gemma and I chat about the idea behind the book, balancing thriller and supernatural elements without tipping fully into horror, and why The Inheritance flowed so differently from the difficult second book she originally tried to write. We also talk honestly about second book syndrome, imposter syndrome, Goodreads reviews, publishing timelines, social media, marketing as an author, and the reality of building a writing career after your debut has gone out into the world. In this episode, we discuss: The creepy locked-house setup behind The Inheritance Writing suspense without crossing fully into supernatural horror Why Gemma’s original second book didn’t quite work The pressure that follows a debut novel Plotting, character journals and visual references Researching blessings and exorcisms with a local vicar How reviews can feed imposter syndrome The difference between writing for yourself and writing with a publisher waiting Gemma’s Darkest Hour and what she learned from pushing through a difficult project You can find out more about Gemma and her books at her website, GemmaDenham.com, and follow her on Instagram, Facebook and X. The Inheritance is available now in paperback and ebook. My book, Real Writers Never Quit, is out now: https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrkelly2u/