The Conversation with Nadine Matheson

Thorajax Studios
  • 4.7 (3)
  • 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. David Goodman: Solitary Agents, Award Season Survival & The Second Book Wobble

    11h ago

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

    2d ago

    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.

    1h 14m
  3. Foluso Agbaje: On Loss, Lagos & Living Your Best Life

    May 25

    Foluso Agbaje: On Loss, Lagos & Living Your Best Life

    This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson is joined by the talented author Foluso Agbaje, whose new novel The Talk of the Party invites readers into the glamorous yet tumultuous world of high society Lagos. What does it take to leave a corporate career and survive the chaos of the publishing world. Foluso Agbaje reflects on her journey from childhood storytelling to becoming a published author, discussing the challenges of writing diverse voices and the importance of representation in literature. With insights into her creative process and the emotional rollercoaster of writing, this episode is a rich exploration of resilience, creativity, and the power of narrative. Get ready for a conversation filled with laughter, wisdom, and the undeniable magic of storytelling. Buy The Talk of the Party Follow Foluso Agbaje 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.

    1h 6m
  4. Adventures in Publishing-land: Nobel AI Scandal, Silicon Serpents & The Children's Literacy Crisis

    May 25 ·  Bonus

    Adventures in Publishing-land: Nobel AI Scandal, Silicon Serpents & The Children's Literacy Crisis

    Watch as a full video episode on YouTube This week, we're expanding on our discussion from the last episode about the depressing HarperCollins report on children's reading habits. Author and teacher Cailean Steed joins us to break down the underlying data and explain exactly how hyper-fixating on rigid literacy metrics is actively destroying the sheer joy of reading for kids. Plus, we talk about - of course - AI, as we talk about the Commonwealth Short Story Prize winner scandal, and discuss Nobel Laureate Olga Tokarczuk response to the talk of AI involvement in her work. And we find time to talk about the Guardian's "Best books of all time" list - and make Tariq talk about football again. 00:00 Intro 01:08 Literacy vs Joy: Let Kids Enjoy Reading: Cailean Steed Interview 22:15 Snake Oil Award - Prize-winning Pile On 37:50 Tokarczuk Prize - An Ignoble Use of AI? 44:02 Stranger Than Fiction - Nadine's Idea Factory 52.26 The Final Chapter - Who are books lists for? Links: Literacy focus ‘actively undermining’ reading for pleasure, HarperCollins finds ‘Obvious markers of AI’: doubts raised over winner of short story prize Read The Serpent in the Grove and decide for yourself Olga Tokarczuk has responded to the controversy over her reputed use of AI The Guardian 100 Best Books of All Time 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! 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.

    1h 2m
  5. Coffee Break with Lucy Clarke: Morocco, TV Adaptations and Writing The Surf House

    May 20

    Coffee Break with Lucy Clarke: Morocco, TV Adaptations and Writing The Surf House

    In this episode of 'The Conversation Coffee Break', I sit down with the brilliant bestselling thriller author Lucy Clarke to talk about her brand new book The Surf House, a gripping, sun-soaked thriller set on the stunning shores of Morocco. Lucy shares the fascinating story of how she went from advertising executive to internationally published author , what it was like to be invited into the writers' room for the TV adaptations of her books, and how she wrote an 80,000-word first draft in just 17 days. We also get into the emotional rollercoaster of receiving editor's notes , the importance of finding your writing tribe and why success in publishing is never as straightforward as it looks from the outside. Lucy Clarke's Recommendation: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaughey Buy The Surf House Follow Lucy Clarke 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.

    33 min
  6. Reload: Marcia Hutchinson: From One to Watch to Prize-Winning Novelist - The Mercy Step's Journey to the Top

    May 20

    Reload: Marcia Hutchinson: From One to Watch to Prize-Winning Novelist - The Mercy Step's Journey to the Top

    We're re-releasing this conversation with Marcia Hutchinson, and what a moment to do it. Since we first spoke, Marcia has won the Discover Prize at the British Book Awards 2026 and landed a shortlist spot for the Women's Prize for Fiction all for her debut novel, The Mercy Step. Oh, and The Observer called her one of the debut novelists to watch in 2025. Not bad, Marcia. Not bad at all. In this conversation, we go back to where it all began, Marcia's journey from a challenging childhood in Bradford to becoming one of the most exciting new voices in British fiction. We talk about what success really means when you've spent your life running away from things rather than running towards them, and how she's learning to slow down and actually celebrate the extraordinary thing she's achieved. The Mercy Step follows Mercy a precocious, imaginative young girl born into a chaotic household in Bradford in December 1962. Her mother is devoted to the Church, her father's temper rules the house, and Mercy finds her comfort in books, her imagination, and her beloved toy Dolly. It's a story about quiet rebellion, survival, and the fierce desire to be seen and heard. This is a conversation about resilience, creativity, and what happens when you finally let yourself believe you're allowed to win. Buy The Mercy Step Follow Marcia Hutchinson 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.

    1 hr
  7. Lynne McEwan (Eva Macrae): I Notice More Than I Hear

    May 18

    Lynne McEwan (Eva Macrae): I Notice More Than I Hear

    This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson is joined by the insightful former Lynne McEwan, who also writes as Eva McCrae for a conversation that covers two remarkable careers, the craft of storytelling, and why the truth about crime always begins somewhere ordinary. In this episode, they discuss Lynn's journey from a successful career as a newspaper photographer to writing compelling crime fiction, including her latest book, A Death in Glasgow. A Death in Glasgow follows Sergeant Mae MacKay as she investigates the mysterious death of a young woman, initially ruled a suicide. As Mae digs deeper, she uncovers layers of complexity surrounding the case, revealing the impact of her own past on her determination to seek the truth. Lynne shares her experiences of writing about working-class women in crime fiction, the challenges of portraying Glasgow authentically, and the importance of empathy in storytelling. Listeners will find inspiration in Lynne's reflections on overcoming personal challenges, including her hearing loss, and how it has shaped her unique perspective as a writer. This episode is a rich exploration of resilience, the power of narrative, and the intricate connections between life and art. Buy A Death in Glasgow | Pre-Order 'A Death In Glasgow' Paperback Follow Lynne McEwan 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.

    1h 13m
  8. Will Carver: The Barcode, the Comeback & Bad Influence

    May 11

    Will Carver: The Barcode, the Comeback & Bad Influence

    This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson welcomes the uniquely talented Will Carver, an author known for his darkly original fiction. In this episode, they dive deep into Will's latest novel, Bad Influence, a gripping tale that explores the murky waters of social media and its impact on youth culture. Bad Influence follows two young friends from different social backgrounds who stumble upon the bizarre phenomenon of 'frogging', living undetected in someone else's home. Their adventure takes a dark turn when they target a fitness influencer, leading to unexpected consequences as their lives intertwine with the reality TV world. Will shares his thoughts on the challenges of writing about contemporary issues, the delicate balance of humor and horror, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. Along the way they discuss why social media is both essential and exhausting for authors, the "forced gratitude" culture in publishing, what it's like to be on panels at book festivals while out of pocket, and the woman who stood in a signing queue at Harrogate just to tell Will she hated his last book, which he took as a win.I This episode is a thought-provoking exploration of creativity, resilience, and the power of storytelling in a world dominated by digital distractions. Buy Bad Influence Follow Will Carver 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.

    1h 19m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

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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