The Midlife Mentors Charles Cumming: What It Really Takes to Become A Best Selling Spy Novelist
Calling all budding espionage writers…
In this solo episode, James sits down with one of the most respected names in modern spy writing, Charles Cumming, author of the critically acclaimed Box 88 series - novels celebrated for their psychological depth, moral tension and razor-sharp realism.
But this isn’t just a conversation about spy stories. It’s about beginnings.
How does a spy novelist actually get started? What sparks the first book? How do you land an agent, secure a publishing deal and sustain momentum in a fiercely competitive creative world? And why does it often take years - often decades - for stories to make it to the screen?
James also explores Charles’ extraordinary real-life brush with the intelligence services, including being approached by MI6 - and how that encounter reshaped his understanding of secrecy, power and responsibility.
This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the craft of espionage writing — and a masterclass in longevity, discipline and producing work that stands the test of time.
If you’ve ever wanted to write… or simply love the shadowy world of spies and secrets… this one’s for you.
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