Jodi Picoult is one of the world's most successful authors. She's written over 30 books, been translated into 34 languages, and has sold more than 40 MILLION books. Her novel, 'My Sister's Keeper', was turned into a huge film starring Cameron Diaz, and she's written as a librettist, with pieces performed across the world.

Her new novel is 'By Any Other Name', which tells the story of Emilia Bassano, who back in 1581, like most women of the day, isn't allowed a voice of her own. When she starts writing dramatic masterpieces, she decides to pay a man for the use of his name... then what happens 500 years later, when the man becomes one of the most famous who ever lived?

We discuss her thorough research which hasn't changed much in 30 years, also how she divides her time with so many projects going on and so many book tours planned. You can hear about the book she wrote as therapy during lockdown and never thought would release, and why she has a voodoo doll of her competitors.

The book is released in the UK on October 10th, get a copy with our brand new Bookshop.org Writer's Routine store! Find lots of books we've featured on the show too - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutine

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Ciar Byrne has worked as a journalist for 25 years, usually as a gardening journalist, she's written for The Independent, The Guardian, Private Eye and many more. It turns out that all that experience, didn't make it easier to get published.

Ciar wrote 6 books before she got a deal. When it eventually arrived, it came through the strange route of a random email after a Twitter Submission Window she'd entered half-heartedely. After waiting so long to get a contract, when she was finally offered one, what did she do? How did she immediately get to work to make her project the best it could be? We try and find out.

The debut is 'A Deadly Discovery', which stars Virginia Woolf and her sister, Vanessa Bell, from the Bloomsbury Set, as a pair of unlikely amateur sleuths. It's set around the historic country town of Lewes, in the south of England, where Ciar lives, and incorporates murder, historic buildings, and a touch of gardening too.

You can hear why she's had to slow down her writing to forget some journalistic practices, also the brilliant advice she's got about bad writing days, and why she likes to start early.

This week's episode is sponsored by 'Peace Lilies: A Sweet Ghostly Novella' by Margaret Rodeheaver. It's all about Birdie and Martin who return froom vacation to discover they're dead. Get a copy here - books2read.com/peacelilies

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Jack Strange's debut is 'Look Up, Handsome'. It's a festive rom-com about bookshop owner Quinn, who is trying to save his business, only when romantic novelist Noah comes to town, he might provide an unwanted distraction.

It's far from the first book he's written, having tried his hand at mysteries, crime, thrillers, but it's rom-com that's landed him a publishing deal, and we try to unpack why.

We discuss why representation across sexualities and nationalities is very important to him, also why he's considered and planned in life, but perhaps not in writing. You can hear how spirituality helps him get to work, what it was like being submerged in Christmas for most of the year when writing this novel, and how he was inspired by those Hallmark holiday movies.

You can support and sponsor the show at patreon.com/writersroutine

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Catherine Gray is an award-winning journalist who has written for The Guardian, Stylist, The Telegraph, Grazia, and many more. She's published 4 non-fiction books, which have sold over a million copies and been translated into 9 languages.

She's best known for her book, 'The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober', which takes you through the benefits of going alcohol-free, and how it can positively impact your creativity.

Her debut novel is 'Versions of a Girl'. It's a classic sliding doors story, which tells the tale of Fern, whose mother is a former ballet dancer and formidable social climber, while her father is a layabout who lives hand to mouth in Californian motels. When Fern is 14 she needs to chose who she is living with... and we follow both of those narratives. It's the ultimate nature v nurture questions - do we become who we are because of our parents, or in spite of them?

We talk about avoiding stereotypes when writing characters, also why working as a journalist has helped her write on cue, and why it's vital to be critical of your own work.

This week's episode is sponsored by Faber Academy's 'Writing a Novel' course. Submissions for their October 24 programme finish on the 15th and 16th September. Be quick, and find out more at faberacademy.com/writing-a-novel

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This week's guest is J.M. Hall, who has worked as a playwright, a primary school teacher, and is now a published novelist.

Through lockdown he wrote 'A Spoonful of Murder', as a way to deal with a traumatic family situation, that was published in 2021. He's gone on to publish, 'A Brush with Death', and his most recent book 'A Clock Stopped Dead'. They tell the story of Pat, Liz and Thelma, retired teachers who turn to sleuthing.

We talk about how, after recently retiring, Jonathan's routine has changed, also what he needed to have when designing his ideal writing space, and why he insists on writing long-hand... and is frankly bemused by people who don't.

You can hear how working as a primary school teacher helped him refine storytelling, whether writing without a view of publication affected the process, and what authors your kids should be reading.

This episode is sponsored by Faber Academy. Their flagship, 'Writing a Novel' course is taking applicants for its new course starting in october. Find out more at faberacademy.com/writing-a-novel

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This week, we're joined by Santa Montefiore. A bestselling author, published across the world, who has sold millions of copies of her 31 novels. She's known for her richly drawn characters, intricate plots, and a deep sense of place, often set in the countrysides of England, Ireland, and Argentina.

Her books, including The Deverill Chronicles series and The Beekeeper’s Daughter, have been translated into more than 25 languages, captivating audiences worldwide. Beyond her novels, Santa is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and spirituality and often explores themes of love, loss, and redemption in her work.

Her newest novel is 'Shadows in the Moonlight', which tells the story of time-shifter Pixie Tate, who needs to solve a mystery in the past, using her unique gifts.

We discuss why her writing space is determined by her dog, also why a change of publisher finally landed her success in the UK, and why she's a pretty committed panster.

You can hear hear why Santa's biggest problem is getting to her desk, also how she felt with immense European success, but not much at home, and what happens if your characters don't take you down the right path.

This episode is sponsored by Faber Academy. Their flagship, 'Writing a Novel' course is taking admissions for their new 6 month programme. Find out more at https://faberacademy.com/writing-a-novel/

If you enjoyed the episode, please do watch a new visualised version on our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@writersroutine

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Alan Rhode is a busy man. Working as a lawyer, with a full family, he's recently self-published his first novel. It's called 'The Eagle and the Cockerel', and was shortlisted for a 2024 Selfie Award.

We discuss why Alan was so keen to become a published author, and he is very open about his reasons for wanting to be a novel, and what his ambitions are in the next few years. You can hear why concentration is subjective, why nature helps his writing, and why writing in a second language can make things tricky and a bit slow.

'The Eagle and the Cockerel' is a political thriller based on a true story, of a plan to unite Germany and France after WWI, and create a new European superpower. We discuss the birth of the idea, how it grew, and what inspired him in the political thriller genre.

This episode is sponsored by Faber Academy. Their flagship, 'Writing a Novel' course, is starting in October in person or remotely, and you can find out more at faberacademy.com/writing-a-novel

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Catherine Steadman had a very successful acting career, starring in 'Downton Abbey', 'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen', 'Fearless' and many more. In her early 30s, she started to think about how her future as an actor might pan out. It's been well documented that roles for older women are depressingly stark, and often frustratingly uninspired. Giving that some thought, Catherine decide to switch things around, and trusting that her story-telling and improvisational abilities learned from acting would transfer well, started writing fiction.

Her debut was 'Something in the Water', it became a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, which launched her to success. She's a New York Times Bestseller, has sold millions of copies and been published around the world.

Her newest novel is 'Look in the Mirror', which looks at the lives of Nina and Maria, and how their lives become entangled with a huge house in the British Virgin Islands. It's a mysterious thriller which Catherine was keen to keep speculative, and not let it creep into being gritty or grimy.

Catherine talks about how acting has helped her writing, why she feels able to understand the nuances of characters well, also why novelty is key to her day, and how she keeps grounded after sudden success.

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