The Conversation with Nadine Matheson

Thorajax Studios
  • 5.0 (16)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated weekly

What really happens behind the book? What does it take to write the story you’ve been carrying for years and then survive the publishing process that follows? The Conversation with Nadine Matheson is the podcast where authors tell the truth. Over 200 episodes, crime and thriller writer Nadine Matheson, author of the Inspector Anjelica Henley series, published by HQ (HarperCollins), has sat down with authors from around the world for conversations that go far beyond the usual author interview. Each episode moves through two parts: a deep, free-flowing conversation about the guest’s writing life, creative process, and journey through publishing and then a dedicated focus on their latest book. Expect honesty, humour, and the kind of candid insight you won’t find in a five-minute press junket. Past guests have included New York Times bestselling authors Linwood Barclay, S.A. Cosby, and Ruth Ware, Booker Prize-longlisted Tayari Jones, Jennie Godfrey, and many more acclaimed writers across crime, thriller, literary fiction, and nonfiction. Whether you’re a reader who wants to understand the world behind the books you love, or a writer looking for guidance, community, and inspiration, this is the podcast for you. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation. 📩 Want to be a guest? Email theconversation@nadinematheson.com Finalist -Independent Podcast Awards 2024 *music: the coffee jam ©stereo_jam Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Juliano Zaffino: Family, Ghosts and the Writers Journey

    1 day ago

    Juliano Zaffino: Family, Ghosts and the Writers Journey

    In this episode of The Conversation, I sit down with novelist, poet, and Shakespeare scholar Juliano Zaffino for a candid conversation about creativity, perseverance, publishing, and the stories that stay with us. Juliano’s debut novel, The Steps, is a haunting and deeply human family ghost story that follows a man who falls in love with a grieving widow and becomes entwined in the lives of his five children while sensing that something isn’t quite right beneath the surface. Published by Tramp Press, the novel blends the everyday with the uncanny in a way that lingers long after the final page. But this conversation goes far beyond the book itself. We discuss Juliano’s early years writing stories in cupboards, launching and running a curated book subscription service, self-publishing his first poetry collection, completing a PhD in Shakespeare during the pandemic, and the difficult period in 2023 when he came close to walking away from writing altogether. Along the way, we explore the realities of creative life: internal rejection versus external rejection, the pressure of tying your identity to your work, the importance of reading widely, and how unexpected moments can reignite a creative career. Follow Juliano Zaffino Buy The Steps Pre- Order 'The Shadow Carver' Pb Buy me a cup of coffee ☕️ | Buy books by my guests Follow Me Bluesky | Substack | Instagram | Facebook | Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 9min
  2. John Sutherland: It's People Stupid. Leadership, Trauma and the Gift of Writing

    3 days ago

    John Sutherland: It's People Stupid. Leadership, Trauma and the Gift of Writing

    What does it take to survive 25 years on the front line of British policing and come out the other side as a Sunday Times bestselling author? In this episode of The Conversation, Nadine Matheson sits down with John Sutherland, former Metropolitan Police Commander, hostage negotiator, mental health advocate, and author of the acclaimed crime fiction trilogy featuring detectives Alex Lewis and Pip Williams. John opens up about the nervous breakdown that ended his policing career and became the catalyst for his writing, the staggering frequency of trauma that police officers face compared to the general public, and why "it's people, stupid" is the most important lesson leadership ever taught him.They also get into the making of his latest novel The Castle , a life-or-death chase thriller set in the Scottish Highlands  Join Nadine and John as they explore the intersection of crime, storytelling, and the human experience, reminding us that we are all more than the worst thing we've done. Follow John Sutherland Buy The Castle Pre- Order 'The Shadow Carver' Pb Buy me a cup of coffee ☕️ | Buy books by my guests Follow Me Bluesky | Substack | Instagram | Facebook | Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 15min
  3. Black Women Are Rewriting Crime Fiction |Nadine Matheson ft. Remi Kone, Mel Pennant & Scarlett Brade

    18 Jun

    Black Women Are Rewriting Crime Fiction |Nadine Matheson ft. Remi Kone, Mel Pennant & Scarlett Brade

    Nadine is joined by three brilliant Black British crime writers for a special live edition of The Conversation. Together they explore the dark, thrilling, and deeply human world of crime fiction and what it means to be writing it right now. Guests: Remi Kone: TV producer (Killing Eve, Spooks) and author of the DI Leah Hutch series. Her second book, Just Kill, is out now.Mel Pennant: Solicitor and author of the Miss Hortense Mysteries. Her second book, Miss Hortense and the Last Rites, is out 2nd July.Scarlett Brade: Author of The Hive and the upcoming destination thriller The Carnival, set in Jamaica. Out 16th July.In this episode: Why crime fiction? All four writers on what drew them to the genre and why it's ultimately hopefulHow characters take on a life of their own (and refuse to do what you planned)Writing Black women front and centre not as victims or side characters, but as leadsCaribbean culture, patois, and Nine Nights: writing authentically without explanationThe subgenres of crime: procedural, cozy, psychological, destination thriller and whether we're seeing a new waveThe darkest things they've Googled for research (white paint, organ scales, and throat-cutting trajectories)What their writing and publishing journeys have taught them about themselves Books mentioned: Just Kill - Remi Kone (out now)Miss Hortense and the Last Rites - Mel Pennant (2nd July)The Carnival - Scarlett Brade (16th July)The Jigsaw Man, The Binding Room - Nadine Matheson Pre- Order 'The Shadow Carver' Pb Buy me a cup of coffee ☕️ | Buy books by my guests Follow Me Bluesky | Substack | Instagram | Facebook | Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 11min
  4. Elle McNicoll: Honest, Unbothered and No Rules.

    15 Jun

    Elle McNicoll: Honest, Unbothered and No Rules.

    Watch The Conversation Live: Crime Writers Special Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 7pm: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram Live This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson is joined by the talented Elle McNicoll, bestselling author of the new novel Unapologetic Love Story. Elle shares the inspiration behind her book, which explores the life of a neurodivergent podcaster and her relationship with a surly journalist, all wrapped in a contemporary romance that defies expectations. In this engaging episode, Elle discusses the challenges of being an autistic author in a public industry, the importance of protecting one’s energy, and the ever-present specter of imposter syndrome. Nadine and Elle dive deep into the realities of writing, the pressure of public perception, and the joy of storytelling without the burden of educational expectations. Listeners will gain insight into the importance of community among writers, the nuances of navigating the publishing world, and the balance between creativity and the demands of the industry. This conversation is a heartfelt reminder of the power of love, friendship, and the stories we tell. Buy Unapologetic Love Story Follow Elle McNicoll Pre- Order 'The Shadow Carver' Pb Buy me a cup of coffee ☕️ | Buy books by my guests Follow Me Bluesky | Substack | Instagram | Facebook | Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 1min
  5. Adventures in Publishing-land: Are Libraries Killing Incomes? (Plus: AI Hits a Wall & The Guardian’s Readers’ Top 100)

    15 Jun ·  Bonus

    Adventures in Publishing-land: Are Libraries Killing Incomes? (Plus: AI Hits a Wall & The Guardian’s Readers’ Top 100)

    Watch as a full video episode on YouTube This week, we discuss why the publishing industry is pointing fingers at libraries for declining author incomes, but we wonder about the reasons they aren't talking about. Plus, have you heard of Elias Thorne? We talk about AI's repetition problem and why that may be good news for authors. And we revisit the thorny issue of book lists - after we criticised the Guardian's first 'Best 100 books', is their Readers' list any better? 00:00 Intro 01:14 Declining Author Income - Libraries to Blame? 14:13 Thorne in the Machine - AI Running Out of Ideas? 23:38 Guardian Top 100 - Readers vs Critics 30:40 Stranger Than Fiction - Nadine's Idea Factory 38.23 The Final Chapter - Horrifyingly Good Links: Authors Guild Looks at Why Author Incomes are in Decline Chatbots Keep Telling Stories about Lighthouse Keeper 'Elias Thorne'. We Might Know Why Wikipedia may have built the best AI writing detection guide The Guardian Readers top 100 novels of all time Pokémon Go data trained AI that could assist military drones in war zones Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Find all our shows here! Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Instagram Pre- Order 'The Shadow Carver' Pb Buy me a cup of coffee ☕️ | Buy books by my guests Follow Me Bluesky | Substack | Instagram | Facebook | Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  6. Deepa Anappara: The Stories Nobody Tells, Missing People and the Future of Publishing

    8 Jun

    Deepa Anappara: The Stories Nobody Tells, Missing People and the Future of Publishing

    This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson welcomes the insightful Deepa Anappara, journalist, creative writing lecturer and author of the award-winning debut novel Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line. Deepa joins Nadine to discuss her latest book, The Last of Earth, a historical novel set in 1869 that explores the complexities of imperialism through the eyes of its characters. In this captivating episode, Deepa shares her experiences navigating the literary world as a writer of color, the challenges of portraying historical figures authentically, and the impact of societal expectations on storytelling. The conversation delves into the nuances of race, representation, and the importance of diverse voices in literature, all while highlighting the personal motivations that drive Deepa's writing. Listeners will gain insight into the realities of writing during a pandemic, the role of AI in the publishing industry, and the significance of mentorship for emerging writers. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of resilience, creativity, and the power of storytelling. Buy The Last of Earth Follow Deepa Anappara Pre- Order 'The Shadow Carver' Pb Buy me a cup of coffee ☕️ | Buy books by my guests Follow Me Bluesky | Substack | Instagram | Facebook | Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 14min
  7. David Goodman: Solitary Agents, Award Season Survival & The Second Book Wobble

    3 Jun

    David Goodman: Solitary Agents, Award Season Survival & The Second Book Wobble

    Award-winning author David Goodman returns to The Conversation for a Coffee Break to talk about his second spy thriller, Solitary Agents, the follow-up to his debut A Reluctant Spy. David won the McDermid New Blood Award and the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize and in this conversation, he gets honest about how lucky he was to have finished his second book before that happened. We get into the premise of Solitary Agents (what if you thought something was an exercise, but it wasn't?), the joy of finally giving fan-favourite Sally Lime her own point of view, and the two walls David hit during the drafting process and how he got through them. We also talk about the unexpected side of publishing life, the difference between being a writer and being an author, why both of us are glad we came to this in our forties, and why writing what you love will always beat chasing trends. David Goodman's Book recommendation: Rat Race by Callum McSorley Buy Solitary Agents Follow David Goodman Pre- Order 'The Shadow Carver' Pb Buy me a cup of coffee ☕️ | Buy books by my guests Follow Me Bluesky | Substack | Instagram | Facebook | Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  8. Felix Mosse: Quitting acting, surviving submission, and writing his debut epic fantasy The Mistral

    1 Jun

    Felix Mosse: Quitting acting, surviving submission, and writing his debut epic fantasy The Mistral

    What does it take to walk away from a West End career, start over as a novelist and then have every major publisher turn you down before landing a three-book deal? In this episode of The Conversation, Nadine Matheson sits down with Felix Mosse, former West End actor (Les Misérables, The Book of Mormon), TV and film script editor, and now debut author of the epic fantasy The Mistral. Felix is refreshingly candid about the whole journey, the moment COVID forced him to rethink acting, what it actually feels like to sit on submission for the better part of a year, and how a decade spent shaping other people’s scripts made him a sharper and more resilient writer. He and Nadine also dig into the world of The Mistral itself: a dying divine wind, a deliberately diverse cast, and the choice to leave most of his characters’ appearances open to the reader’s imagination. It’s a warm, honest conversation about reinvention, persistence, and making peace with your inner nerd. Follow Felix Mosse Buy The Mistral Listen To: Nerd Culture: Lore & Craft Podcast Pre- Order 'The Shadow Carver' Pb Buy me a cup of coffee ☕️ | Buy books by my guests Follow Me Bluesky | Substack | Instagram | Facebook | Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 14min
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About

What really happens behind the book? What does it take to write the story you’ve been carrying for years and then survive the publishing process that follows? The Conversation with Nadine Matheson is the podcast where authors tell the truth. Over 200 episodes, crime and thriller writer Nadine Matheson, author of the Inspector Anjelica Henley series, published by HQ (HarperCollins), has sat down with authors from around the world for conversations that go far beyond the usual author interview. Each episode moves through two parts: a deep, free-flowing conversation about the guest’s writing life, creative process, and journey through publishing and then a dedicated focus on their latest book. Expect honesty, humour, and the kind of candid insight you won’t find in a five-minute press junket. Past guests have included New York Times bestselling authors Linwood Barclay, S.A. Cosby, and Ruth Ware, Booker Prize-longlisted Tayari Jones, Jennie Godfrey, and many more acclaimed writers across crime, thriller, literary fiction, and nonfiction. Whether you’re a reader who wants to understand the world behind the books you love, or a writer looking for guidance, community, and inspiration, this is the podcast for you. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation. 📩 Want to be a guest? Email theconversation@nadinematheson.com Finalist -Independent Podcast Awards 2024 *music: the coffee jam ©stereo_jam Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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