Conversations on Craft

Exploring the journey of Erica Li: From family stories to winning the Ascent Novel Prize, and navigating the complex process of writing and publishing a novel.Are you an aspiring writer looking for inspiration tips, practical advice on craft, or insight into the publishing world? Erica Li, a celebrated author and winner of the inaugural Ascent Novel Prize, shares her rich writing journey, from researching her family history to completing her debut novel, A Thousand Rivers of Time. Discover her writing routine, how she handles feedback, and her tips for fellow writers striving to refine their craft and navigate the industry.Main Topics Covered:Erica’s inspiration and research process for A Thousand Rivers of TimeThe role of family history and memory in her storytellingChallenges and strategies in completing and revising her novelHer experience with writing courses, workshops, and networkingPractical tips for writers: reading, writing, and seeking feedbackInsights into the publishing industry and considerations for debut authorsErica’s future plans for her writing and advice for aspiring writersTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Erica Li and her debut novel00:38 - Overview of A Thousand Rivers of Time and its themes01:28 - The research behind Erica’s family history and its influence02:51 - Themes of loss, memory, and dementia in her story04:24 - Erica’s previous writing projects and the evolution of her novel05:44 - The writing timeline and journey of her first draft08:15 - Changes between her early draft and award-winning manuscript09:05 - Erica’s daily writing schedule and routines10:37 - Which parts of writing Erika enjoys the most11:20 - Her poetic beginnings and development of her writer’s voice12:44 - Favourite authors and books that influence her writing style13:51 - The moment Erica discovered she won the Ascent Novel Prize14:37 - Motivations behind entering writing competitions15:36 - The impact of writing accolades and courses like Faber Academy17:03 - Balancing her legal career and writing ambitions18:01 - Writing alongside her Faber course and adapting her projects19:23 - The role of beta readers and feedback in shaping her work21:21 - Experiences with the HarperCollins Author Academy22:26 - Top tips for aspiring writers: read more, write more, join groups23:50 - Challenges and resources in navigating the publishing industry24:23 - Erica’s favourite character and multi-generational storytelling25:09 - Organizing complex narratives with planning and organic growth26:36 - Future plans for A Thousand Rivers of Time and the rewriting process28:20 - Surprising insights about publishing logistics and book length considerations29:33 - Reflections on reader attention spans and the evolution of book consumption31:15 - Erica’s advice for writers: persistence, consistency, and self-belief31:45 - Closing thoughts and encouragement for aspiring authorsVisit: ascentnovelprize.comAdditional notes:Erica emphasizes the importance of consistent writing, embracing criticism, and the value of networking and ongoing education. Her story is a testament to perseverance and passion for storytelling—valuable lessons for any writer at any stage.

Venetia Constantine, author of The Last Starborn Seer, joins us to discuss her spic world-building and her exciting journey to publication. We take a deep dive into the joy of commissioning character art and Venetia advises us all to claim our space as writers. Chapter include:00:00 Introduction to Venetia Constantine02:58 The Evolution of The Last Starborn Seer05:42 Writing Process and Drafting08:21 World Building in Fantasy12:50 Character Development and Art16:20 Crafting Satisfying Endings in a Trilogy18:20 Journey to Publication and Finding an Agent21:27 Choosing the Right Literary Agent25:03 Navigating the Submission Process28:35 Improving Craft Through Community30:23 Reflections on Early Writing Journey31:59 Challenges of Writing Under Contract35:46 Connecting with Readers38:01 Advice for Aspiring Writers39:55 Future Aspirations as a WriterTo find out more about Venetia and to publish her debut novel visit: Home - Venetia ConstantineFor information on Ascent Novel Prize, follow here: (1) Instagram Or visit: Ascent Novel Prize | international writing competition

In this episode of Conversations on Craft, Hayley King sits down with Aje Roberts, Senior Commissioning Editor at Tor Bramble and judge for the Ascent Novel Prize, for a deep dive into the messy and magical world of publishing. Aje shares what she looks for in submissions, how she builds long‑term author careers, and why intersectional, diverse voices matter more than ever. Learn how to craft a unique hook and discover what happens at an acquisition meeting. We talk tropes (including the infamous “only one bed”), dream acquisitions, book‑to‑screen adaptations, and the reality of working across authors, agents, and editorial teams. R.J. also lifts the curtain on how she scouts new talent, nurtures relationships, and champions writers beyond the debut.Whether you’re querying or a published author, this episode is full of insight, encouragement, and industry clarity. What we cover•             What a Senior Commissioning Editor actually does•             How submissions stand out in a crowded market•             The role of agents and how the author–agent–editor trio works•             Why fantasy has such a long tail in publishing•             How editors support authors beyond the debut•             Practical steps for championing diverse voices•             Tropes we love (and pretend to hate) 00:00 Introduction to R.J. Robert and Her Role06:36 Building Relationships with Authors and Agents09:52 Promoting Diverse Voices in Publishing12:16 The Balance of Acquiring New Authors14:35 Advice for Aspiring Writers16:23 The Editing Process Explained19:43 Insights into the Acquisitions Meeting21:51 The Joy of Editing and Book Design24:56 The Importance of Structural Edits26:09 Advice for Aspiring Writers28:06 Writing from Authenticity30:05 Finding Authors in the Digital Age31:01 The Instinct for Storytelling32:32 Crafting Irresistible Hooks34:52 Believing in Yourself as a Writer37:07 Navigating the Publishing Landscape38:31 Trends in the Publishing Industry40:22 The Balance of Romance and Fantasy42:13 The Future of Publishing44:01 Final Thoughts and EncouragementTo learn more about Ascent Novel Prize visit Ascent Novel Prize | international writing competitionOr follow us on social media: Ascent Novel Prize (@ascent_novel_prize) • Instagram photos and videos

Ashleigh Nugent, author of Locks, is hailed as a 'Virginia Woolf from the ends'. He joins 'Conversations on Craft' for a discussion on identity, purpose and shares his own personal journey to publication.Discover how Ashleigh Nugent overcame personal and societal barriers to become a published author, delving into his creative process and the power of purpose in writing. This episode offers insights into Dr Nugent's stream-of-consciousness style and how he captures life as it's experienced. After leaving school believing education wasn't for him, he went through his own hero's journey and emerged with a PhD in Literature and was awarded Liverpool City Region's Artist of the Year.It was a trip to Jamaica in 1993 to find identity and escape the racism that found Ashleigh in a Jamaican detention centre. There, Ashleigh discovered, he was seen as the ‘white boy’. These are the events that inspired his debut novel LOCKS. It took Ashleigh nearly 30 years to get from a prison cell in Jamaica to a publishing deal with Picador.Resources & Links:Locks by Ashleigh Nugent - Pan MacmillanAshleigh Nugent - Author of 'LOCKS' - Out NowWriting on the Wall - Supporting Writing in Liverpool City RegionAscent Novel Prize | international writing competitionConnect with Ashleigh Nugent:Instagram (1) InstagramFacebook (20+) FacebookAdditional resources:Free PDF for Aspiring Writers: subscribe at Ashleigh Nugent - Author of 'LOCKS' - Out NowNote: The book's journey from self-published to mainstream is a testament to perseverance, authenticity, and embracing one’s voice.Timestamps: 00:00 - Nugent's creative background 02:03 - Writing habits: pen and laptop, capturing ideas on the go 04:45 - The significance of early morning writing sessions 05:19 - The autobiographical foundation of 'Locke's' and the long writing process 06:30 - Overcoming barriers: education, racism, and self-doubt 08:20 - Learning the craft through trial and error over 8 years 09:27 - Navigating altered states of consciousness in prose 12:20 - Aeon's quest for identity and its reflection of societal constructs 14:58 - Race, societal roles, and spiritual metaphors 16:50 - The scientific view of identity and the universe 19:34 - How societal boundaries are blurring and the fear of change 20:58 - The trauma and resilience behind the novel's themes 24:37 - Time perception in extreme experiences and spiritual dimension 29:12 - Evolutionary biology, love, and empathy as fundamental human traits 30:16 - The spectrum of potentialities within all of us 32:04 - The performative aspect of storytelling and writing rhythm 35:00 - Journey from self-publishing to agency representation 36:00 - The importance of perseverance and authenticity 42:36 - Editing and refining: balancing space and intensity 44:58 - Structuring flashbacks and nonlinear storytelling 50:42 - Literary influences: Virginia Woolf and stream of consciousness 52:43 - Advice for writers facing industry barriers: persistence and luck 56:25 - How to find Ashleigh Nugent online and purchase his book

Join us as we dive into T.M. Payne's crime writing secrets. Tina worked in the criminal justice system for eighteen years, fourteen as a police case investigator within the Domestic Violence Unit. Tina now lives on the Wirral with her partner Suzie and spends her days (and nights!) plotting and writing crime novels. Her Detective Sheridan Holler series includes: Long Time Dead; This Ends Now; Play with Fire and Count the Dead. Book 5 will be published in July 2026. At the end of this podcast, Ascent Novel Prize Founder, Hayley King announces an exciting opportunity for all crime and thriller writers, sponsored by Tina and partner, Suzie. Visit Ascent Novel Prize in the new year for more. Chapters:00:00 Introduction to T.M. Payne and Her Journey08:00 Tina's Writing Journey and Early Challenges17:38 Finding an Agent and Building Confidence24:03 The Complexity of Writing a Series24:48 Tina's Journey: From Hardships to Blessings26:08 Writing Process: Overcoming Blocks and Drafting Strategies28:21 The Publishing Timeline: From Draft to Final Edit34:59 Pacing and Structure: Crafting Engaging Narratives42:56 Tying Up Loose Ends: The Art of Satisfying Endings44:52 Advice to Aspiring Writers: Confidence and Persistence46:07 Future Plans: Continuing the Journey with New Books48:21 Supporting New Writers: Paying It ForwardTo find out more about Tina and her Detective Sheridan series, follow her at: (1) InstagramAll of Tina's books are available at independent bookshop Messrs Fletcher and Frost, 51 Mount Pleasant Road, New Brighton. Or you can order them here: Long Time Dead by T. M. Payne | WaterstonesFollow, like and share 'Conversations on Craft', available on Youtube, Spotify and Apple podcasts. For more information on Ascent Novel Prize visit: Ascent Novel Prize | international writing competitionOr follow us on instagram:(1) Instagram

Episode 3: Research and the writing process, with historical fiction writer, Stacey Thomas.Come join us as we dive deep into Stacey's process as a historical fiction writer. Stacey shares her journey to publication and offers many tips for writers, such as the power of the feedback, how to work with your editor and how to be kind with yourself during the messy process of writing.Chapters include:00:00 Introduction to the Craft of Writing02:19 The Genesis of a Book Idea04:12 Researching and Writing Process07:02 Navigating Feedback and Critique10:09 The Evolution of the First Draft12:06 Finding an Agent and Building Relationships15:52 The Editing Process: A Writer's Journey21:15 Navigating the Publishing Landscape22:44 Competitions and Feedback: A Path to Improvement25:38 Crafting Your Story: Tips for Aspiring Writers27:37 Evolving as a Writer: Lessons Learned29:43 Breaking Barriers: Advice for New WritersLearn more about Stacey and buy her book here: The Revels - HQ StoriesFor more, please subscribe, like and share with your writer friends. To learn more visit www.AscentNovelPrize.com or follow us on instagram: Instagram

We dive deep into Pim's writing process, learn about the difficulties of navigating the publishing world and are given some heartfelt advice on the validation every human seeks. Whether you're writing your first draft or publishing your tenth novel, this podcast is for you.Pre-order Pim's new book, 'I Dreamed of You' here: I Dreamed of You by Pim Wangtechawat | WaterstonesFollow Pim on Instagram: InstagramFor more on Ascent Novel Prize and how to enter visit: www.ascentnovelprize.comOr follow us at: Instagram

In this episode of Conversations on Craft, literary agent Liza DeBlock shares her insights on the writing and publishing process. From the importance of editing and crafting a compelling synopsis to the realities of breaking into the industry, Liza provides valuable advice for aspiring authors. She discusses common mistakes writers make, the dynamics of the agent-author relationship, and the challenges of building a long-term writing career. Liza also highlights current trends in publishing and what she looks for in submissions, emphasizing the need for diversity and originality in storytelling. To learn more about the literary agency where Liza works and to see how to submit to her, please visit: https://www.greenstoneliterary.com/ Liza DeBlock can be found online at: https://www.instagram.com/lizathelitagent/ To hear Liza's interview on Page One visit: https://youtu.be/ND4QwL2alfM Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Liza DeBlock and Her Journey 02:15 Editing Manuscripts: The Process and Importance 05:57 Knowing When a Manuscript is Ready 08:06 Common Mistakes Writers Make 09:15 Crafting a Great Synopsis 13:29 Breaking into the Publishing Industry 17:29 The Reality of the Publishing Process 19:34 The Agent-Author Relationship 21:47 What Happens if a Book Doesn't Sell? 23:44 Long-Term Careers in Writing 26:20 Understanding Lead Titles vs. Mid-List Writers 27:55 Diversity in Representation 29:28 Current Trends in Publishing 32:35 Advice for Struggling Writers 33:39 Liza's Wishlist for New Manuscripts 34:53 The Joy of Being an Agent 36:13 2.mp4To support the show, subscribe, like and send to writer friends.You can find Ascent Novel Prize at: www.ascentnovelprize.com Until next time. Keep writing!