Balancing the Books

Cailean Steed
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A podcast for writers about balancing the day job ... along with everything else in life. Writer and teacher Cailean Steed chats to writers about managing their careers alongside day jobs, side gigs, childcare, caring responsibilities, disabilities, finances, and everything else in life.

Episodes

  1. Episode 10 - Jo Callaghan

    08/18/2025

    Episode 10 - Jo Callaghan

    Cailean chats to writer and senior strategist Jo Callaghan, author of the award-winning Kat and Lock crime series. They discuss writing while dealing with grief, balancing a career as an author alongside a demanding full time job, and how beds are the ideal writing spot.

    1h 4m
  2. Episode 9 - Elle Nash

    08/11/2025

    Episode 9 - Elle Nash

    Writer, editor and PhD student Elle Nash talks to Cailean about managing your time with ADHD, finding a writing community after moving countries, and dealing with 'compare and despair' as a writer.

    1h 4m
  3. Episode 8 - Chikọdịlị Emelụmadụ

    08/04/2025

    Episode 8 - Chikọdịlị Emelụmadụ

    Writer Chikọdịlị Emelụmadụ chats to Cailean about writing around motherhood, the importance of being a patron of the arts, and also challenges writers Heather Parry and Ben David to a duel.

    1h 2m
  4. Episode 7 - Alice Slater

    07/28/2025

    Episode 7 - Alice Slater

    Bestselling author and copywriter Alice Slater chats to Cailean about juggling full time work with her writing career. They discuss transitioning from shift work to a 9-5, what it's like to have a big debut, and why sometimes you just need to schedule in a little breakdown (as a treat).

    51 min
  5. Episode 6 - Caro Clarke

    07/21/2025

    Episode 6 - Caro Clarke

    In this special extra-long episode, Cailean chats to literary agent Caro Clarke of Portobello Literary. They talk about the role of agents, break down contracts and author finances, and discuss the importance of community, accessibility and diversity in every section of the publishing industry. (Featuring a brief cameo from Caro's cat.)

    1h 15m
  6. Episode 5 - Ammar Kalia

    07/14/2025

    Episode 5 - Ammar Kalia

    Cailean chats to author, poet, journalist and musician Ammar Kalia about how he balances his working life. We discuss juggling the hustling freelance life alongside making space for creativity, how he built his career as a music journalist, and how online shopping is a vital part of the creative process.

    51 min
  7. Episode 4 - Callum McSorley

    07/07/2025

    Episode 4 - Callum McSorley

    Cailean talks to Callum McSorley about balancing his writing career alongside being a stay at home dad to two young children. They chat about how Callum initially juggled a series of physically demanding jobs while in the early stages of building his career as an author, how skateboarding is beneficial to his mental health, and the serene writing environment of his local children's soft play.

    50 min
  8. Episode 3 - Ben Davies

    06/30/2025

    Episode 3 - Ben Davies

    Cailean talks to writer Ben Davies about balancing his career as a children's author with his day job as a postman. We chat about managing writing alongside shift work, finding time to write around childcare, and the benefits of rats as both pets and literary muses.

    52 min
  9. Episode 2 - Heather Parry

    06/22/2025

    Episode 2 - Heather Parry

    Cailean chats to writer and freelancer Heather Parry about managing a portfolio career, the importance of building community, and unexpected ghostwriting.

    47 min
  10. Episode 1 - Imran Mahmood

    06/15/2025

    Episode 1 - Imran Mahmood

    Imran Mahmood chats to Cailean Steed about balancing life as a writer of crime novels and television screenplays alongside his career as a barrister and being a father to two young children. We also discuss taking inspiration from the day job, racial disparities in the justice system and publishing, and what it's like to work the night shift in a potpourri factory.

    1h 9m
  • 10 Episodes

About

A podcast for writers about balancing the day job ... along with everything else in life. Writer and teacher Cailean Steed chats to writers about managing their careers alongside day jobs, side gigs, childcare, caring responsibilities, disabilities, finances, and everything else in life.

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