London Writers' Salon

Seth Godin, one of the most influential writers and thinkers, discusses finding courage in creating and sharing creative work, prioritizing process over outcome, dealing with resistance and negative emotions, building communities of practice, the impact of AI on writing, and finding purpose in one's work.

Victoria Hislop, international bestselling author known for her historical fiction like 'The Island,' shares her journey from journalism to novel writing. She discusses how travel and history inspire her storytelling, along with the meticulous research behind her work. Hislop emphasizes creating a sense of place and character depth, and explains her approach of starting with a synopsis. She also reveals insights on writing routines, the emotional challenges of historical topics, and the balance of critique and praise in shaping her craft.

Crime mystery author Gwyn Bennett about how she built a successful indie publishing business sold thousands of her own books, and why she accepted a publishing book deal with Indie Publisher Storm. We touch on why it's important to produce a professional indie published book, Gwyn's approach to writing sales copy for her books, hitting the Amazon bestselling list and how she’s approached building an audience for her books. *ABOUT GWYN BENNETT Gwyn Bennett is the best-selling author of the Dr Harrison Lane Mysteries. Her new series is out with Storm.*RESOURCES & LINKSGwyn's first self-published book IslandsMark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula courseAlliance of Independent AuthorsStorm publishingGwyn's Self-Publishing ResourcesGwyn's Dr. Harrison Lane crime series (Amazon US, Amazon UK, Worldwide)Gwyn's newsletter and free novella: Sign upGwyn on LinkedIn*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Award-winning poet Maggie Smith discusses her process of crafting viral poems, writing a memoir, and becoming a better poet. Topics include narrative device, Substack, and the balance between commercial and creative work. The episode explores navigating personal boundaries, the importance of prioritizing poems, and embracing change and experimentation in writing.

Jean Kwok (New York Times bestselling author) on the process of creating compelling characters and structuring a psychological family drama thriller. Plus we talk about narrative tension, handling criticism and dealing with pressure and failure as a writer.*ABOUT JEAN KWOK Jean Kwok is the award-winning, New York Times and international bestselling author of Searching for Sylvie Lee, Girl in Translation and Mambo in Chinatown. Searching for Sylvie Lee was selected for the Today Show Book Club and featured in The New York Times, Time, Newsweek, CNN, The New York Post, The Washington Post, and more. *RESOURCES & LINKSThe Leftover Woman by Jean KwockSearching for Sylvie Lee by Jean KwockWhat Remains by Wendy Walker The Blind Assasin by Margaret Atwood Writers’ Hour*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Nonfiction writer and financial advisor Peter Komolafe, on pulling himself out of homelessness, struggles with debt through to becoming a financial expert. We explore how we might rewrite our relationship with money, his 5 "BASIC" principles of financial security, how visualisation helped him achieve his goals, and his experience writing The Money Basics.Peter also shares his advice on how he utilized platforms like YouTube, and his podcast to build his brand.*ABOUT PETER KOMOLAFE Peter Komolafe founded Conversation of Money (a YouTube Channel and weekly Podcast) in 2020 to have conversations he wished someone had with him when he was in his twenties.  Peter has been featured on Lorraine, Steph’s Packed Lunch, BBC World Service, The Times, The Express, ITV and has appeared as the Financial Expert on Secret Spenders: Beat the Price Rises on Channel 4. He's also the author of The Money Basics.*RESOURCES & LINKSPeter's podcast The Conversation of MoneyPeter's new book The Money BasicsPeter's YouTube channelThe Richest Man in BabylonCompound Internet calculatorBook a discovery call with PeterConnect with Peter on Instagram*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Natalie Doherty, Children’s Publishing Director at HarperCollins, discusses what she looks for in books, the case against market trends, categories of children’s books, and what makes a magical children’s book.

Ellie Middleton, Autistic and ADHD creator, talks about writing while neurodivergent, building an audience, and going viral. They discuss content creation, writing nonfiction, managing time and projects with ADHD, and raising awareness and accommodations in the workplace. They also touch on the concept of masking and the journey to unmasking neurodivergent traits.

Prize-winning essayist Benjamin Hutchinson talks about how reading and engaging with literature can help us live more fully. He shares lessons on living well from literary greats and tips for becoming better readers. They also discuss the German poet Rilke and the importance of rhythm and momentum in writing.

Professor Herminia Ibarra on her hugely influential books Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader, and Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career.  In this conversation with Herminia, we discuss reinventing your career, how to gain confidence as a writer, why thinking first and then acting doesn’t always work, navigating periods of flux, advice for leaders and the art of writing big-idea nonfiction.*ABOUT HERMINIA IBARRAHerminia Ibarra is the Charles Handy Professor of Organizational Behavior at London Business School. She is also the author of two best-selling books, Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader and Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career.*RESOURCES & LINKSAct Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader by Herminia Ibarra Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career by Herminia Ibarra “The Authenticity Paradox” by Herminia Ibarra “What’s Your Story” by Herminia Ibarra Herminia’s TED Talk on authenticity How to Become a Recognized Expert with Dorie Clark *For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com *FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!