The Writing Community Chat Show

Christopher Aggett
  • 5.0 (8)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Writing Community Chat Show (WCCS) Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025)"Together as one, we get it done!" Welcome to The Writing Community Chat Show, the live-streaming podcast dedicated to the heart and soul of the literary world. Whether you are a traditionally published powerhouse, an indie trailblazer, or an aspiring author still working on your first "crap" draft, this show is your home. What We Do: We bring you the stories behind the stories. With over 380 interviews and counting, we go beyond the book jacket to explore the creative persistence, daily habits, and industry secrets of the world's most fascinating creators. From New York Times best-sellers and celebrities to the most promising indie authors, we bridge the gap between the stars and the community. What You’ll DiscoverMasterclass Insights: Actionable advice on plotting, character development, and world-building.The Business of Books: Unfiltered discussions on agents, "Big Five" deals, and self-publishing success.Creative Persistence: Real talk about overcoming rejections, balancing life, and finding the time to write.Community Connection: We are a live, interactive platform where your questions lead the conversation.Beyond the Podcast: The WCCS is more than just audio. We are the architects of a thriving hub for writers globally. Hosted by Chris Aggett and Chris Hooley, we pride ourselves on being a supportive, high-energy space for anyone who believes in the power of the written word. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

  1. Secrets of the Dark & Gothic: NYT Bestseller Essie Fox on Retelling Wuthering Heights.

    2D AGO

    Secrets of the Dark & Gothic: NYT Bestseller Essie Fox on Retelling Wuthering Heights.

    Welcome to another Friday night episode of The Writing Community Chat Show! In our growing archive of over 400 interviews, we've had the pleasure of sitting down with everyone from brilliant indie authors to household names—and today's guest is nothing short of spectacular. Join us as we welcome New York Times best-selling author Essie Fox for a deep dive into the shadowy, mesmerising world of Gothic historical fiction. Essie shares her incredible journey from a 20-year career as a home-based illustrator to taking a leap of faith on a three-month creative writing course that changed her life. We unpack her brilliant passion project, Katherine—an audacious and emotional retelling of Wuthering Heights from the perspective of a ghost—and discuss how to find the spaces between the pages of classic literature. We also delve into the wild history of Lord Byron, the literary origins of the vampire, and how to balance meticulous historical research with deeply human character arcs. Plus, we've got an exciting update on our upcoming 12-week novel-writing challenge where the community is teaming up to write 800 words a day. Whether you are a dedicated historical fiction writer or just love a twisting, atmospheric tale, this episode is packed with inspiration.Thank you for tuning in and helping make us one of the top writing podcasts in the UK! Grab a drink, settle in, and let's get into it. In this episode, we explore:The Path to Publication: Essie's transition from an illustrator to a bestselling author and the perseverance required to break into the industry.Finding the Story: The serendipity of historical research and uncovering a novel idea right under your own floorboards.Reimagining a Classic: Unpacking the complex, humanizing layers of Wuthering Heights and why Essie had to write her own version.Vampires & Lord Byron: How John Polidori's The Vampyre and the infamous "Summer of Darkness" inspired Essie's historical thriller.Gothic Recommendations: Essie's top three Gothic novel recommendations for every writer and reader.Links & Resources:Follow Essie Fox on Instagram: @essiefox_authorListen to Essie's podcast on Substack: Talking the GothicPick up a copy of Katherine and Essie's other novels at your local indie bookshop, or here.Join our community Discord and Substack to participate in the upcoming 12-Week Novel Writing Challenge! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support. Connect With The Community 🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.MeTogether as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

    1h 4m
  2. How TV Drama Structure Makes Your Novel Impossible to Put Down. An interview with Charlotte Robinson.

    3D AGO

    How TV Drama Structure Makes Your Novel Impossible to Put Down. An interview with Charlotte Robinson.

    In this episode of The Writing Community Chat Show, Chris sits down with UK-based television producer, script editor, and debut author, Charlotte Robinson!Charlotte brings an incredible wealth of storytelling knowledge from the screen to the page. After working her way up from an on-set runner (mastering the art of making the perfect cup of tea), she became a driving creative force behind major TV hits like Sky’s Fortitude, Amazon Prime’s adaptation of The Power, and Steven Knight’s A Thousand Blows for Disney+. Now, she’s translating that high-stakes, binge-worthy pacing into her highly anticipated debut sci-fi thriller, MARS ONE( publishing May 23rd with Transworld). If you have ever struggled with pacing, character depth, or bloated first drafts, this episode is an absolute masterclass. Grab a pint or a perfectly brewed tea, and get ready to take notes! In this episode, we dive into:The "Ruthless TV Editor" Mindset: How Charlotte applied TV production rules to cut a staggering 80,000 words from her first draft.The Margaret Atwood Timeline: A brilliant character-building exercise to give your protagonists deep psychological context.Writers' Room Secrets: How to use the "Post-It Note" method and Scrivener to weave together multiple POVs without losing the emotional thread.The Billionaire Space Race: A fascinating debate into the real-world inspirations behind Mars One and the geopolitical dangers of handing space exploration over to private companies.The Geek Vault: How a professional script editor would fix the controversial ending of Game of Thrones, and the fictional characters Charlotte would take on a one-way trip to Mars!About Charlotte Robinson: Charlotte is a writer, TV producer, and die-hard sci-fi & fantasy fan living in Essex. Her debut novel, MARS ONE, is a fast-paced thriller about a reality TV-funded colonization mission to Mars where a saboteur strikes in the dark vacuum of space.Pre-order MARS ONE: https://amzn.to/4e1G9NMShow Notes & Resources:🚀 Join the 100-Day Writing Challenge! We kick off on May 1st. Join the community, get your templates, and hop into our Discord by heading to our Substack: https://thewccs.substack.com/p/write-your-novel-with-us-in-just?r=20fopa💻 Get 20% off Scrivener! Use the code COMMUNITY at checkout to get an exclusive discount on the ultimate writing software. https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview?fpr=welcome&fp_sid=mSupport The WCCS: Together as one, we get it done! If you loved this episode, please subscribe, leave us a 5-star review, and share it with a fellow writer.Website: thewritingcommunitychatshow.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support. Connect With The Community 🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.MeTogether as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

    1h 5m
  3. Mastering Romance & TikTok: Fiona Lucas on Character Arcs, Plot Twists, and Going Viral.

    APR 8

    Mastering Romance & TikTok: Fiona Lucas on Character Arcs, Plot Twists, and Going Viral.

    Welcome back to another fantastic episode of The Writing Community Chat Show! With over 400 interviews under our belts - chatting with everyone from indie debutants to NYT bestsellers - we are incredibly proud to continue bringing you the very best insights into the publishing world. It’s been an amazing journey recently reaching number 3 in the top 10 writing podcasts in the UK, and we couldn’t do it without this brilliant community. This week, we are thrilled to welcome the award-winning author of contemporary women’s fiction and romance, Fiona Lucas (also known for her decades of enchanting readers as Fiona Harper). Fiona has written over 30 books, hit the number one spot on the Kindle bestseller list, and cracked the code for authors on TikTok, accumulating over a million likes! Whether you are plotting your first romance or trying to figure out how to market your latest release on social media, Fiona’s journey from a mother of two seeking a creative outlet to a seasoned industry veteran is packed with actionable advice. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support. Connect With The Community 🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.MeTogether as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

    1h 3m
  4. Masterclass Writing Tips from Antonio Michael Downing. The Writing Community Chat Show.

    APR 1

    Masterclass Writing Tips from Antonio Michael Downing. The Writing Community Chat Show.

    How do you turn the rhythm of a song into the heartbeat of a novel? In this episode of The Writing Community Chat Show, we sit down with the multi-talented Antonio Michael Downing—a writer, musician, and "creative force" whose work spans critically acclaimed memoirs like Saga Boy and his stunning new debut novel, Black Cherokee. Antonio shares a perspective on the craft that is as soulful as it is practical. We dive deep into his "sensory hypnosis" ritual—why he writes every first draft longhand with a "sacred" fountain pen—and explore his "gardening mindset" for productivity, which might just change the way you look at your daily word counts forever. In this episode, we discuss:The Economy of Words: What novelists can learn from hip-hop legends and the tight structure of a three-minute song.Ritualising the Flow State: How to use physical objects to "hypnotise" your brain into writing mode.Writing What You Don't Know: The meticulous research and radical empathy required to write across culture, gender, and history.Reverse-Engineering Emotion: How to study the books that move you to figure out exactly how the "magic" works.The 1990s & The "Trail of Tears": Why Antonio chose a pre-cellphone era to explore the history that "never stays in the past."Whether you’re an indie author struggling with your first draft or a seasoned pro looking for a fresh spark of inspiration, this conversation is a masterclass in staying curious and finding your own unique "fingerprint" on the page."Your job is to be available... to create the conditions so that tomatoes can grow. Then the tomatoes will naturally grow." — Antonio Michael Downing. Connect with Antonio:Website: antoniomichaeldowning.comInstagram: @antoniomichaeldowningJoin the WCCS Community: Don't forget to like, subscribe, and check out our upcoming community project, "The 100," where we’ll be writing 80,000 words together starting this May! Visit https://substack.com/@thewccs for more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support. Connect With The Community 🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.MeTogether as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

    1h 5m
  5. "Like a University Lecture on Creative Writing" – A Masterclass with Maria L. Secoy.

    MAR 21

    "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 English, Maria spent over a decade in the classroom before transitioning into a full-time indie career. Her teaching background shines through as she breaks down the science of writing and the business of being an author. In this episode, we discuss:The 15-Hour Productivity Rule: How to write four high-quality books a year without burning out.The "Legacy Quest": Transitioning from writing for your soul to building a commercial catalog.Crafting Fierce Heroines: Using the "Vulnerability Gap" to create strong, relatable characters.The 80/20 Research Method: How to build authentic tech and security worlds without "data dumping."The Masterclass Highlights Productivity & Deep Work: Maria emphasizes that full-time writing doesn’t require a 40-hour week. By utilizing "Power Hours"—60 to 90 minutes of disconnected deep work—and batching administrative tasks, you can protect your creative energy.  The Science of Character: We dive into Maria’s Taylor Industries and On-Trail Love Adventures series. She explains why competence is key for romantic suspense heroines and how to find the one thing your strongest character is afraid of. Treating Writing as a Business: Passion is the spark, but systems pay the bills. Maria advocates for a "Truly Successful Author" mindset where rest is treated as a vital productivity metric. The Research Balance: Learn how Maria handles deep research into tech and security. The goal is to use research to build your own confidence so the dialogue feels authentic to the reader, even if 80% of the facts never leave your notes. Join the Community: If you enjoyed this "University Lecture" on the craft, consider subscribing for more deep dives into the indie author world. Visit our home base: 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 🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.MeTogether as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

    1h 2m
  6. The Dark Side of Mind Reading: A Deep Dive with D.I. Jolly.

    MAR 19

    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, Blurred Lines.More than just a "superpower" story, Blurred Lines serves as a visceral metaphor for social anxiety. We discuss how the protagonist, Miles, navigates a world of overwhelming mental chatter and the moment a psychic cry for help forces him out of his self-imposed isolation.Inside the Episode: The Power of Practice: How writing over 300 short stories for the Berlin Poetry Club sharpened Jolly's craft.Genre-Bending & Metaphor: Using lycanthropy to explore bipolar disorder in the Mostly Human series.The Research Process: Consulting with therapists to accurately portray the mechanics of anxiety and human thought.Killing Your Darlings: The reality of cutting 15,000 words to save a story.The Indie Hustle: Insights into the “Buy My Effing Book” marketing strategy and the impact of living in seven different countries on world-building.Whether you're an aspiring novelist looking for consistency tips or a fan of dark, psychological fiction, this conversation is packed with raw honesty and wit.Connect with D.I. Jolly: Buy Blurred Lines: https://amzn.eu/d/05ZGvoUoSupport the Show: We are celebrating our 6th Birthday! Help us make it a big one by visiting: https://thewccs.substack.com/p/six-years-400-episodes-and-166-days?r=20fopa Follow The Writing Community Chat Show: Ranked in the top writing podcasts in the UK, we bring you interviews with NYT best-sellers, celebrities, and the best indie voices in the business.Watch the video version on YouTube: The Writing Community Chat Show - YouTube Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support. Connect With The Community 🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.MeTogether as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

    58 min
  7. Smugglers, Spirits, and Starred Reviews: A Masterclass with Linda Wilgus.

    MAR 3

    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 securing a "Big Five" publishing deal and a coveted starred review from Publishers Weekly, Linda’s journey is a masterclass in persistence. The Story of The Sea Child is set against the rugged cliffs of 1800s Cornwall during the Napoleonic Wars. The Sea Child follows Isabel—a widow found as a child, dripping wet and alone. Is she the daughter of a seboka (sea spirit)? When a wounded smuggling captain is carried into her cottage, a timeless tale of folklore, adventure, and romance begins. 💡 Masterclass Tips: The Linda Wilgus MethodThe 75% Rule for Plotting: Plan 75% for structure, but leave the final 25% open so your characters can surprise you.The “Crap First Draft” Philosophy: You can edit a bad page, but you can’t edit a blank one. Stick to your daily word count!Don't Self-Reject: Linda landed a superstar agent by being brave enough to hit "send" on a "long shot" query.The “Tiffany Effect”: How to balance 18th-century authenticity with modern readability in historical fiction.Magic Needs Rules: In Magical Realism, magic must have firm limits—it can't be a "get out of jail free" card for your plotFollow Linda: Instagram @LindaJWilgus | LindaWilgus.comWatch the Interview: https://youtube.com/live/sBan9N46S0QSupport the Community: Join our Substack for more "stories behind the stories. WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | SubstackThe WCCS: Together as one, we get it done! What was your favorite tip from Linda? Let us know in the comments! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support. Connect With The Community 🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.MeTogether as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

    1h 7m
  8. Katherine Bradley: Writing The Institute, AI Fears, & The “No Tea” Rule.

    FEB 25

    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 Katherine Bradley, author of the critically acclaimed The Sisterhood and her haunting new release, The Institute. Described as The Sanctuary meets Shutter Island, Katherine’s work explores the dark limits of human connection and the terrifying power of collective impulses. Inside the Episode:Balancing the Hustle: How Katherine manages life as a full-time Head of Year responsible for 300 students while writing high-concept psychological thrillers.The "Flock Phenomena": The chilling inspiration behind The Institute—what happens when humans lose individual agency to a collective, tech-driven trance?Black Mirror Realities: Why Katherine is frequently terrified by the very AI and technology she writes about.The "No Tea" Rule: A masterclass in pacing. Why an agent told her, "No one wants to read about people drinking tea," and how to ensure every page moves the story forward.💡 Masterclass Tips for Authors:Bet on Yourself: Why Katherine turned down a major promotion to protect her writing discipline.The Road to Writing: The "Filter Coffee and Tenacity" method for writing before the 9-to-5 grind.Finding the Right Agent: Katherine discusses her partnership with Stephanie Glencross at David Higham Associates and how to avoid "mean" agents.What’s the Story? The Institute: Set on a remote island off the coast of Scotland, The Institute follows Billy, a survivor of a "flocking event," sent to a mysterious spa-like facility for brain injuries. But is the Arbor Institute a place of healing, or a gilded cage? Connect & SupportThe WCCS is a registered CIC (non-profit) dedicated to supporting authors, readers, and creatives.📺 Watch the Interview: https://youtube.com/live/tXVjpaYKiG8📚 Get the Book: https://amzn.to/4bN1Xdh✍️ Join the Community: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack☕ Support our Mission: PayPal.MeFollow Katherine Bradley: Find her on Twitter/X and Instagram @KateBradley. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support. Connect With The Community 🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.MeTogether as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.

    1h 8m
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The Writing Community Chat Show (WCCS) Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025)"Together as one, we get it done!" Welcome to The Writing Community Chat Show, the live-streaming podcast dedicated to the heart and soul of the literary world. Whether you are a traditionally published powerhouse, an indie trailblazer, or an aspiring author still working on your first "crap" draft, this show is your home. What We Do: We bring you the stories behind the stories. With over 380 interviews and counting, we go beyond the book jacket to explore the creative persistence, daily habits, and industry secrets of the world's most fascinating creators. From New York Times best-sellers and celebrities to the most promising indie authors, we bridge the gap between the stars and the community. What You’ll DiscoverMasterclass Insights: Actionable advice on plotting, character development, and world-building.The Business of Books: Unfiltered discussions on agents, "Big Five" deals, and self-publishing success.Creative Persistence: Real talk about overcoming rejections, balancing life, and finding the time to write.Community Connection: We are a live, interactive platform where your questions lead the conversation.Beyond the Podcast: The WCCS is more than just audio. We are the architects of a thriving hub for writers globally. Hosted by Chris Aggett and Chris Hooley, we pride ourselves on being a supportive, high-energy space for anyone who believes in the power of the written word. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

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