The Writing Community Chat Show
by Christopher Aggett
The Writing Community Chat Show: Your Backstage Pass to the Literary World.Ranked the #3 writing podcast in the UK, The Writing Community Chat Show is your ultimate resource for navigating the craft and business of writing. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist or an established pro, we deliver actionable industry guidance, publishing secrets, and creative inspiration.400 plus interviews with indie powerhouses, NYT Best-sellers, and celebrities.
Episodes
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"Like a University Lecture on Creative Writing" – A Masterclass with Maria L. Secoy.
One viewer described this episode as “a university lecture on creative writing.” This week, we unearth the systems behind a sustainable, profitable indie author career.Our guest is romantic suspense author and book coach Maria L. Secoy. As a former English teacher with a Master’s in Secondary...
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The Dark Side of Mind Reading: A Deep Dive with D.I. Jolly.
The Burden of Mental Noise: Social Anxiety & Psychic Thrills with D.I. JollyWhat if you couldn’t turn off the thoughts of everyone around you? In this episode of The Writing Community Chat Show, we sit down with Berlin-based indie author D.I. Jolly to dive into his latest psychological thriller,...
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Smugglers, Spirits, and Starred Reviews: A Masterclass with Linda Wilgus.
The Secret Sauce to a 'Big Five' Deal with Linda Wilgus. The WCCS: Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) An overnight success 21 years in the making. We were joined by the brilliant Linda Wilgus, author of the enchanting debut novel, The Sea Child. From writing during two-hour nap times to...
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Katherine Bradley: Writing The Institute, AI Fears, & The “No Tea” Rule.
Katherine Bradley: Writing The Institute, AI Fears, & The “No Tea” Rule. The WCCS: Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) Are we right to be worried about technology, or are we just worried about being worried? This week on The Writing Community Chat Show, we sat down with the brilliant...
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The Taboo Show: Breaking Barriers and Spicing Up Your Writing with Dr. Trina Read.
Welcome back to another episode of The Writing Community Chat Show, recently ranked number 3 in the top 10 writing podcasts in the UK for 2025. In this special “eve of Valentine’s Day” edition, hosts Chris and the team dive into the messy, complicated, and wonderful world of intimacy with the...
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Unpopular Opinions & Hard Truths: Why Your Book Might Be Getting Rejected.
If you tuned into our latest live stream, you know we didn’t hold back. Usually, we’re joined by New York Times best-sellers or indie superstars, but this week, it was just us, Chris and Chris, getting real with the community. We dove into the “unpopular opinions” that every writer thinks but few...
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Finding Hope at the End of the World: A Masterclass in Truth with Paul E Hardisty.
How do you write a future that feels real? We sit down with environmental scientist and war correspondent Paul E Hardisty to discuss the conclusion of his “The Forcing” trilogy and why literacy is our last defense against a new feudalism.The Road to Writing: From 5-Year-Old Typist to Front-Line...
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Beyond the Page: Building a BookTok Empire with William Lee.
In the landscape of modern publishing, the “isolated author” is a dying breed. To succeed as an indie today, you don’t just need a gripping story; you need a community. This past Friday, the Writing Community Chat Show (recently ranked #3 in the UK!) sat down with a man who has mastered this...
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Punch Up Your Fiction: Master the Art of Comedy with Dave Cohen.
The Writing Community Chat Show is back for 2026, and we are kicking off Season 17 with a masterclass in humor. Whether you’re writing a laugh-out-loud sitcom or looking to inject a bit of levity into a dark thriller, this guest is the person who quite literally “wrote the book” on the subject.We...
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From Elephants to Espionage: Vaseem Khan on Q, Rejections, and Finding the Joy in Writing.
The journey to becoming a published author is rarely a straight line, but few paths have been as globally adventurous, or involved a greater number of pachyderms and famous spies, as that of Vaseem Khan.From his decade living in India to his new role continuing the legacy of James Bond’s very own...
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Lizzy Barber on the 500-Word-a-Day Grind, Publishing Doubt, and The Myth of the 5 AM Writer.
We were thrilled to welcome back acclaimed psychological thriller author and Richard & Judy Bestseller, Lizzy Barber, to the show. Lizzy is the author of several gripping novels, including Be Mine, and has a knack for cutting right through the polished facade of the author life to reveal the…
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The Honest Editor: Bestselling Author Phoebe Morgan Reveals the Truth About Publishing and the Perfect Hook.
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Phoebe Morgan, the rare publishing powerhouse who has seen success on both sides of the desk. As an Executive Fiction Publisher at Simon & Schuster and a Sunday Times bestselling author of psychological thrillers like The Trip and The Doll House…
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Banker to Bestseller: How Pip Landers-Letts Won the £20,000 Kindle Storyteller Award and Traded the City for the Writing Life.
The Writing Community Chat Show is proud to bring you insights from the writers dominating the charts. We recently sat down with Pip Landers-Letts, the winner of the prestigious 2025 Kindle Storyteller Award, to discuss her incredible journey from a 15-year career in retail banking to winning one...
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The Bold Move: Why a Bestselling Author Swapped 'Sweet' Fiction for Gritty Irish Gothic.
The challenge every successful debut author faces is the pressure to repeat themselves. When we recently sat down with acclaimed Irish author Chloe Michelle Howarth (Author of the Nero-shortlisted Sunburn), we learned why she made the bold choice to defy expectations and pivot her career...
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From Therapy Couch to Thriller: Nikki Allen on Writing The Hideaway, ADHD, and Finding Your Literary Voice.
The latest episode of The Writing Community Chat Show was an absolute masterclass in grit, psychology, and the art of crafting a killer thriller. We had the immense pleasure of sitting down with Nikki Allen, the brilliant mind behind the Apple Books Thriller of the Month, The Hideaway.Nikki isn’t...
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Quick community update!
Authors, fund the ultimate creative hub with other likeminded authors, feedback and guidance from your hosts, digital products, and more. Join our StanStore here: https://stan.store/TheWCCS Become a supporter of this podcast:...
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From 107 Rejections to Bestselling Rom-Coms: A Chat with Sharon M. Peterson on Perseverance, Laughter, and Life with ADHD.
We had the pleasure of hosting USA Today Bestselling Author Sharon M. Peterson. If you’re a fan of witty romantic comedies, an aspiring writer looking for a shot of inspiration, or anyone navigating the creative process with ADHD, this is an interview you absolutely don’t want to miss.Sharon’s...
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C. J. Leede on 'AMERICAN RAPTURE', Writing Horror & New Book 'HEADLIGHTS.'
Welcome to The Writing Community Chat Show! In this captivating live stream podcast interview, we welcome critically acclaimed Horror Author C. J. Leede, author of the hit novels Mayfly and American Rapture.C. J. Leede dives deep into the creation of her groundbreaking horror novel, ‘American...
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Navy SEAL to Big Ten Linebacker: Tom Hruby & James Pomerantz | Inside The Breacher's Playbook.
This week, the writing community chat show hosted former Navy Seal, MMA fighter, and American football player, Tom Hruby & seasoned author James Promerantz.The authors of the explosive thriller, The Breacher’s Playbook: A Deklan Novak Novel.If you are looking for an inspiring story of...
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Peaky Blinders Romantasy: Alexis L. Menard on HOUSE OF BANE AND BLOOD, Spicy Romance & The Road to Publishing.
Join us for an electrifying interview with Alexis L. Menard, author of the hit Romantasy novel, House of Bane and Blood!Alexis dives deep into how she blended the dark grit of Peaky Blinders with a unique magic system to create her “Rivals to Lovers” story, where a woman enters a marriage of...
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WATCH NOW: From Community Member to Hollywood Buzz! S.P. O'Farrell Returns to WCCS to Discuss Production Deals, YA Duology & Award-Winning S
It has been three years since our friend and long-time community member, S.P. O’Farrell, last sat down with us at The Writing Community Chat Show. As one of the original supporters of the podcast, which is now proudly ranked as a top UK writing podcast, we always love checking in with familiar...
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From Self-Doubt to Sunday Times Bestseller: B.P. Walter on His Writing Journey, The Dinner Guest, and His Secret to Success.
In the world of writing, the path to becoming a published author is often shrouded in mystery. For many, it's a journey filled with rejection, self-doubt, and the tireless pursuit of a story. But what happens when that journey not only leads to publication, but to a place on the prestigious…
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Sir Tony Robinson: From Baldrick to Bestselling Adult Fiction.
Sir Tony Robinson: From Baldrick to Bestselling Adult Fiction. The Writing Community Chat Show | Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK It’s never too late to start a new creative endeavour. On this landmark episode of the WCCS, we are joined by a true British icon and national treasure: Sir Tony...
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Adele Parks MBE: 25 Novels in 25 Years & Our Beautiful Mess.
This week on The Writing Community Chat Show, we were honoured to welcome back one of the UK’s most beloved authors — Adele Parks MBE. With over five million copies sold, novels translated into 31 languages, and a career spanning a quarter of a century, Adele is a true literary powerhouse.Her...
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Love, Power & Vampires: Kat Kingsley on The Serpent’s Bride.
This week on The Writing Community Chat Show, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting Katherine “Kat” Kingsley— on one of the most exciting days of her career: the launch of her brand-new novel, The Serpent’s Bride.Dark, romantic, and deliciously dangerous, this novel takes readers deep into a...
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Every Day I’m Brave | Mental Health, Resilience & Writing for Transformation with Renne Zukin.
This week on The Writing Community Chat Show, we sat down with someone whose life’s work is all about courage, compassion, and transformation. Renee Zukin is an author, educator, coach, and mental health advocate with more than 20 years of experience helping others do the inner work that sparks...
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Ciara Blume Interview | Bestselling Cozy Fantasy Author on Midlife Creativity, Indie Publishing & Natural Magic.
When life feels overwhelming, we often reach for stories that make the world feel lighter, warmer, and a little more magical. That’s exactly what bestselling author Ciara Blume offers her readers and why she’s become one of the most talked-about voices in cozy fantasy today.Her Natural Magic…
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Why a Top Publicist Wrote Her Own Bestseller: A Conversation with Georgina Moore.
Georgina Moore is an author and seasoned book publicist with a long-standing career in the publishing industry. She worked behind the scenes managing publicity for major authors such as Patrick Gale, Penny Vincenzi, and Maggie O'Farrell before writing her own debut novel, The Garnett Girls. This...
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From Blogger to Published Author: Laura Gaddis's Inspiring Journey.
Laura Gaddis's journey to becoming a published author is a testament to perseverance and passion. While she always loved writing, she initially pursued a more "practical" career, earning a master's in clinical psychology and working in the field for 14 years. It was after a period of burnout that...
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A Deep Dive with J.L. Witterick: On Courage, Rebellion, and the Power of Storytelling.
We recently had the pleasure of hosting international bestselling author J.L. Witterick on The Writing Community Chat Show, a show recently ranked among the top 10 writing podcasts in the UK. In a wide-ranging and insightful conversation, Jennifer, a master of emotional depth and compelling...
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🎙️ From Comedy Central to Courtroom Noir: Art Bell on Reinvention, Writing & What She’s Hiding.
Art Bell helped create Comedy Central, ran Court TV, and is now the author of What She’s Hiding, a gripping noir thriller that fans of Harlan Coben and Laura Dave will devour.In this episode, Art takes us behind the curtain of his career and creative journey:* How he helped launch one of the most...
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Louise Candlish on Secrets, Suspense & Surviving Two Decades in Crime Fiction.
Last night, we were joined LIVE by none other than Louise Candlish – the Sunday Times and internationally bestselling author behind Our House, Our Holiday, The Only Suspect, and her latest thriller A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder.Louise’s books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies, won…
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Culture, Crime, and Craft: A Conversation with Attica Locke.
We’ve got a treat for you in this episode from the Harrogate Crime Writers Festival.Chris Hooley sat down with the award-winning author and screenwriter, Attica Locke — and what followed was a masterclass in storytelling, culture, and creative boldness.From discussing the nuances of American...
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A Conversation with Elly Griffiths at The Harrogate Crime Writers Festival.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of sitting down with Elly Griffiths, let me tell you: it’s like opening the first page of a gripping mystery and realising, with a smile, that you’re in very good hands.This year at The Harrogate Crime Writers Festival, I had the joy of chatting with the legendary...
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How Peter Gibbons Went from 9–5 to Viking Bestseller.
What happens when a full-time financial services professional, father of three, and history lover decides to chase a dream? You get Peter Gibbons, indie author, Viking saga master, and winner of one of the biggest indie publishing prizes out there.Peter Gibbons didn’t start out with a book deal…
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25 Books. 25 Years. One Crime Legend.
What does it take to stay at the top of your game for 25 years in one of fiction’s most competitive genres?Apparently, if you’re Mark Billingham, it takes talent, wit, resilience… and a little bit of stand-up comedy experience.This weekend at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writers Festival, we...
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🌀 TIME, LOVE, AND REVOLUTION: Our Conversation with Catherine Mayer.
What happens when a tech magnate demonstrates a time machine at a Las Vegas convention… and it actually works?That’s the thrilling (and terrifyingly plausible) premise of Catherine Mayer’s new novel, TIME/LIFE. But this book isn’t just about time travel—it’s about love, grief, and how technology...
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🎬 From Film to Fiction: Alex R. Johnson on Noir, New York, and Brooklyn Motto.
Two weeks ago, our paid subscribers got exclusive early access to one of our most compelling interviews yet.Today, it’s your turn.We’re proud to release our full conversation with Alex R. Johnson—a filmmaker whose debut novel is making serious waves. If you love gritty stories, complex…
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80 Books, 1 Movie Deal, and a Journey Through Time — A Conversation with Sarah M. Eden.
She’s sold over a million books, written 80 titles, and quietly built one of the most impressive careers in modern historical romance. We were joined by the incredible Sarah M.Eden, and what a joy it was.To mark the release of her latest time-slip romance, The Tides of Time, Sarah opened up about...
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Ask us anything!
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewccs.substack.com/subscribe Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support. Connect With The Community 🏆...
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Mental Health, Trauma, and Dating for Dudes, with Sara Banyan.
We’ve had some powerful conversations on this show… but this one? This one might top them all.Sara Banyan, Hollywood coach, mental health advocate, and author of Dating for Dudes, joined us for an unforgettable episode that had our live audience buzzing.Seriously. The chat was lighting up with...
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From Homeland Security to Hurricane Thrillers. Chad Boudreaux Joins The Writing Community Chat Show.
The full interview with Chad Boudreaux is now available to the public!If you’re a fan of gripping legal thrillers, government secrets, and high-stakes storytelling, you’re going to want to dive into this one.We had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Chad Boudreaux, a man whose real-life...
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JD Barker Returns | Haunted Houses, Shaking Beds At The Stanley Hotel & Advice from Stephen King, James Patterson & Dean Koontz.
Our latest episode of The Writing Community Chat Show was the kind that makes you glance over your shoulder before switching off the hallway light. International bestseller J.D. Barker, fresh off the May 13 release of his ghost-thriller Something I Keep Upstairs (already #1 in Amazon’s Ghost...
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JD Kirk Talks New Thriller, David Tennant Narration & Writing Tips for Authors.
JD Kirk is Back – and He's Shaking Things Up!Two weeks ago, our paid subscribers got early access to a very special episode. Now, it’s time to share it with everyone. And trust us, you’re going to love this one.We welcomed back JD Kirk, the multi-million copy bestselling author of the beloved DCI...
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Men’s Mental Health: The Battle We Don’t Talk About | Raw, Real & Life-Saving.
There are moments in life, and in podcasting, when something shifts.This was one of those moments.In our latest episode, Tough Guys Are an Endangered Species, we opened a door that many still keep firmly shut:What happens when men feel broken, lost, and alone, and why don’t we talk about it?This...
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Book mail!
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewccs.substack.com/subscribe Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support. Connect With The Community 🏆...
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Award-winning filmmaker and author JOSH MENDOZA joins The Writing Community Chat Show!
We’ve interviewed hundreds of writers on The Writing Community Chat Show, but this one stands out, because our latest guest brings not only writing chops but serious filmmaking cred to the table.In this brand-new public episode, we sat down with Josh Mendoza, the award-winning filmmaker of What...
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A Journey Through Wanderlust, Our Conversation with L. Costevelos.
We had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with debut author L. Costevelos. Known for her imaginative blend of psychological thrillers, romance, and fantasy, L has captured readers’ hearts and minds with her first novel Wanderlust, a haunting, twisting story that challenges the very nature of...
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Now Free to Watch & Listen: Dr. Poppy Gibson on Teaching, Wellbeing, and Understanding Young Minds.
Dr. Gibson is a leading voice in education and mental health, and our chat covered so many essential topics that every teacher, parent, and learner will find something to take away from it.🎙️ What we talked about:* The everyday reality of teaching in primary schools.* How understanding child...
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Live with 📚The WCCS
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewccs.substack.com/subscribe Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support. Connect With The Community 🏆...
About this show
The Writing Community Chat Show: Your Backstage Pass to the Literary World.Ranked the #3 writing podcast in the UK, The Writing Community Chat Show is your ultimate resource for navigating the craft and business of writing. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist or an established pro, we deliver actionable industry guidance, publishing secrets, and creative inspiration.400 plus interviews with indie powerhouses, NYT Best-sellers, and celebrities.
Hosted by
Christopher Aggett