Today I'm talking to Silvia Saunders about her award-winning novel Homesick, what kept her going after 10 years of querying and tips for writing funny scenes @harpercollins.bsky.social 🎧 bit.ly/45kQ9eS
Chloe Timms
@clotimms.bsky.social
Writer at Inside Soap Magazine | Author of THE SEAWOMEN (HodderBooks) she/her ♿ | Agent: Nelle_Andrew | Podcast: Confessions of a Debut Novelist
The Traitors at The Proms was so much fun! Incredible orchestra and performers - plus all the special guests were a real treat!
It took me 23 days, and an appeal, but on principle I was not giving up and missing out. Finally received my whopping £2.95 Delay Repay compensation 🎉
Today I'm talking to Krystelle Bamford about her unique greek chorus novel Idle Grounds, creating dread for her child protagonists and the reader and why Krystelle recommends her experience with an early career agent @HutchHeinemann 🎧 bit.ly/COADNkrystelle
Today I’m talking to Mel Pennant about her crime novel A Murder for Miss Hortense, how Mel was inspired by her grandmother and what it’s like to write a novel when you’re used to writing plays @johnmurrays.bsky.social 🎧 bit.ly/COADNmelp
Today I'm talking to Barnaby Martin about his exciting dystopian novel The Quiet, his tips for writing a changed society and how his writing career began with video essays on YouTube @panmacmillan.bsky.social 🎧 bit.ly/COADNbarnaby
From COVID 'Who not to save?' to the welfare cuts to #AssistedDyingBill, the UK is telling us disabled people loud and clear: we are a burden, a drain, a blight, we're unwelcome, unnecessary, better off dead.
Today I’m talking to Lisa Smith about her historical novel Jamaica Road. We discuss how the idea came from a writing exercise and voices that wouldn't leave her alone, using real newspaper extracts to make the political backdrop come alive 🎧 bit.ly/COADNlisas
My local village is hosting an open gardens today. It's perfect for nosey people like me because you get to snoop around posh people's gardens legitimately.
Had a lovely time at the @womensprize.bsky.social ceremony last night! It's been a dream come true to be involved with the trust. Huge congrats to Rachel Clarke and Yael van der Wouden as well as all the nominees!
Today I'm talking to Seán Hewitt about his literary novel Open, Heaven, using 1st person perspective to explore what love feels like and why you should frame a query letter as you giving agents an amazing opportunity 🎧 bit.ly/COADNseanh
Started watching What It Feels Like for a Girl on iPlayer - one of the best things I've watched in ages.
Loved chatting to Chloe about Ordinary Saints, creative process, debut life, and writing community. Have a listen!
Chloe Timms@clotimms.bsky.social · last yr.Today I'm talking to @niamhsquared.bsky.social about her contemporary novel Ordinary Saints, why she deleted her first 20k words and how entering a competition to give herself a deadline changed her life @manillapress.bsky.social 🎧 bit.ly/COADNniamh
Today I'm talking to @niamhsquared.bsky.social about her contemporary novel Ordinary Saints, why she deleted her first 20k words and how entering a competition to give herself a deadline changed her life @manillapress.bsky.social 🎧 bit.ly/COADNniamh
Today I’m talking to Claire Gleeson about her novel Show Me Where It Hurts, writing empathetically about familicide and grief, and how to fit writing around a busy life @sceptrebooks.bsky.social 🎧 bit.ly/COADNclaireg
Interestingly I did two podcast interviews back to back where one author said she writes in the scrappy 20 minute chunks wherever she finds them and the other author said they have to block out 1-2hr writing sessions. Which is closest to your method?
Bought some bougie smoked chilli peanut butter when I was away and believe me when I say it is LIFE CHANGING.
Congratulations to these outrageously talented women! It was a real joy to read your words and a pleasure to be part of the wonderful judging experience!
Women's Prize@womensprize.bsky.social · last yr.Drumroll please… the 2025 #Discoveries shortlist is here! Each of the six talented writers have worked hard on their novel-in-progress, dazzling the judges with their originality, characterisation and storytelling. Learn more about them here: womensprize.com/announcing-t...
Today I'm talking to Niloufar Lamakan about her romance novel Aged to Perfection, changing the narrative about women in their 60s and working with a digital first publisher which doesn't require an agent 🎧 bit.ly/COADNniloufar
Your Pope name is: Last thing you ate + number of letters in your first name — Kneel before Pope Marmite-Toast V!
Paul@rudemrlang.com · last yr.Your Pope name is: Last thing you ate + number of letters in your first name — Kneel before Pope Ricecake IV!
Confessions of a Debut Novelist is back! And a brilliant episode with @katekemp.bsky.social about The Grapevine, the challenge of writing from a 12-year-old's POV and how she used social media to take the plunge in taking her writing seriously 🎧 bit.ly/COADNkatek
Good news! Confessions of a Debut Novelist is back tomorrow with a brand new episode. A tense, atmospheric novel set in 1970s suburban Australia about the hidden lives of women. Can you guess who my guest is?
I cannot resist a Harris Dickinson movie but Babygirl was one of the least erotic things I've ever witnessed. In fact I could not stop thinking of the infamous Celebrity Big Brother moment with George Galloway.
I was BLOWN AWAY by the talent on display in the entries for the #Discoveries Prize and honoured to be among the judges. These women are ones to watch - congratulations to all of you!
Women's Prize@womensprize.bsky.social · last yr.📣 Announcement! We’re excited to share the 16 outstanding writers who have been longlisted for #Discoveries 2025 🌟 Each of these talented voices brings something unique to the page: bit.ly/4jVTpTz #womensprize, @cbcreative.bsky.social, Curtis Brown Books and Audible
Instead of the usual episode of Confessions of a Debut Novelist today, a little notice to say I'll be taking a very short break to recover from pneumonia. Big thank you to @jenniegauthor.bsky.social for recording the announcement for me!
This time last week I had to call an ambulance because I couldn't breathe. Glad to be a week on, convalescing in front of Sense and Sensibility instead.
Not fallen this ill this quickly since I ended up hospitalised with pneumonia. Really need that not to happen so I can have a semi-average birthday at the weekend. Please?
