The Conversation with Nadine Matheson
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.
Episodes
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...
Welcome to Conversation Coffee Break! In this episode, Nadine Matheson sits down with crime writer Martyn Waites, writing under the pseudonym C.B. Everett, to chat about his brilliant new book, The Final Chapter.
The Final Chapter is a bold, genre-defying meta-thriller, two complete novels in one. It follows C.B. Everett (yes, Martyn's own pseudonym!) as he's asked to edit a mysteriously reappearing manuscript by a writer who v...
This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson is joined by the talented Lulu Taylor, a Sunday Times bestselling author known for her captivating novels. With 15 books to her name, including six that have hit the bestseller list, Lulu's latest work, A Legacy of Secrets, explores the intricate dynamics of family relationships and the weight of inherited secrets.
In this engaging conversation, Lulu discusses her journey from publi...
Watch as a full video episode on YouTube
On today's episode of Adventures in Publishing-land, we congratulate Tariq on not one but two new Longlistings, and struggle to understand a story about new research that suggests a heavy focus on literacy skills in schools is actively undermining the motivation to read for fun.
Plus, the TikTok books charts have launched! What effect will they have on the industry? And as copies of Sh...
This week on The Conversation Coffee Break, Nadine Matheson chats with the multifaceted author Gavin Bell, whose highly anticipated novel 138 Main Street is set to release on May 7, 2026. Gavin, who also writes under the pseudonyms Mason Cross and Alex Knight, shares the intriguing story behind his latest work and the unique challenges of writing under multiple identities.
In this episode, Gavin discusses the inspiration behind ...
This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson sits down with the inspiring Aisha Hassan, author of the poignant debut novel When the Fireflies Dance. In this engaging discussion, Aisha reveals her unique journey from a career in banking to becoming a storyteller, sharing her insights on the writing process and the importance of perseverance.
Aisha opens up about the challenges of writing her first book, the moments of self-dou...
This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson welcomes the talented P.J. Vernon, author of the gripping novel Bath Haus. In this candid conversation, P.J. Vernon opens up about his journey to sobriety, the challenges of writing dark fiction, and the transformative power of storytelling.
P.J. Vernon shares his personal experiences with rejection and the evolution of his definition of success as a writer. He reflects on the importanc...
This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson dives deep with author Stig Abell to discuss his gripping new novel, A Twist in the River. In this episode, Stig shares his journey from journalism to fiction writing, revealing how his experiences have shaped his storytelling and the themes he explores in his work.
Stig tells the story of how he accidentally became a crime novelist, writing for pure pleasure during COVID lockdown, emai...
Watch as a full video episode on YouTube
This week, we’re diving into the unmasking of one of the world’s most successful authors. Freida McFadden, the bestselling author behind The Housemaid, has officially revealed her true identity as Dr. Sara Cohen. We wonder 'why now', talk about imposter syndrome, and discuss why authors use pseudonyms.
Plus, we of course chat about some AI-related stories: we go over some of your comme...
In this Coffee Break episode, Nadine Matheson sits down with debut novelist Tara Menon to talk about her stunning new book Under Water, a story about friendship, grief, and the devastating power of natural disasters.
Tara shares her experiences growing up in Singapore and the impact of two significant natural disasters, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Sandy, on her writing process and the themes of her book.
As Tara d...
This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson welcomes debut author Mario Ambrosi to discuss his new children's novel, Scarlett Buckling and the Case of the Missing Pictures, Mario shares his journey from a career in communications to becoming a storyteller, revealing how his experiences in the world of social care inspired him to write a book that delicately addresses themes of dementia through a detective lens.
In this engagi...
This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson sits down with Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Vaughan, the woman behind Anatomy of a Scandal, Reputation, Little Disasters, and her brand new novel, Based on a True Story. In this episode, Sarah shares her experiences navigating the literary world, including the challenges she faced transitioning from journalism to fiction writing. We discuss her latest novel, Based on a True St...
Watch as a full video episode on YouTube
This week, we lead with the scandal that has the industry in a frenzy, with Hachette pulling the release of Mia Ballard’s horror novel Shy Girl after viral claims that the prose was generated by AI. We discuss the YouTube video with over a million views that started the fire, the author’s defense involving an "acquaintance," and what this means for the future of "human" storytelling.
S...
In this episode, Nadine Matheson sits down with bestselling Irish author Patricia Scanlan, one of the pioneers of modern Irish commercial fiction, to talk about her brand new book, City Girls Forever.
📚 In this conversation:
- How Patricia's debut novel City Girl (1990) was darker than she ever realised
- Revisiting Devlin, Maggie, and Caroline — 30+ years later and in their "powerful age"
- The heavy themes hiding beneath the frothy co...
This week on The Conversation, I'm thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented Tayari Jones, author of the New York Times Bestselling novel, Kin. Join us as we delve into Tayari's journey as a writer, discussing her evolution from a young storyteller to a celebrated author whose works resonate deeply with readers.
In our engaging conversation, Tayari shares her experiences navigating the complexities of the publishing industry, ...
This week on The Conversation, I'm thrilled to welcome the multi-talented Andi Osho, author, comedian, and actress, as we dive into her latest novel, Most Wanted. Join us as we explore Andi's journey from post-production in television to becoming a celebrated writer, comedian, and actress, and the unique challenges she faced while navigating this transition.
In our conversation, Andi shares her insights on the importance of stor...
Watch as a full video on YouTube
This episode of Adventures in Publishing-land dives deep into the battle for the "human soul" of the industry, featuring a frontline interview on the newest weapons in the author’s arsenal. We sit down with Anna Ganley and Sam Blake from the Society of Authors to discuss their new "Human Authored" scheme which launched at the London Book Fair. We explore the strategy behind the new logo and the m...
Joining me for a coffee break is the always insightful Neil Lancaster, author of the thrilling new novel, The Dark Heart. Join us as we dive into Neil's journey as a writer, discussing the evolution of his popular DS Max Craigie series and the unique challenges that come with writing about contemporary issues.
In our conversation, Neil shares his experiences navigating the publishing industry, the importance of character develop...
I'm thrilled to welcome the talented Will Shindler, author of the chilling new novel, The Bone Queen. Join us as we explore Will's fascinating journey from script editing for The Bill to becoming a novelist, as well as his transition from writing police procedurals to delving into the world of horror.
In our conversation, Will shares insights into the writing process, the importance of failure, and how his experiences as a newsr...
This week on The Conversation, I'm delighted to welcome the talented Claire McGowan, author of the gripping new novel, The Other Couple. Join us as we delve into Claire's journey as a writer, reflecting on her evolution from a young storyteller in rural Ireland to a successful author with 28 published works.
In our conversation, Claire shares her experiences of the writing process, the challenges of navigating the publishing ind...
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