Paper Places

Freelance editor Bryony Leah joins Kerry to discuss self-publishing, the differences between line, copy and story edits, as well as the common foibles she corrects in her authors' work. Kerry finds yet another reason to...

In this episode, Managing Editor of MacStories, John Voorhees joins Kerry to discuss the best ways to get started in technology journalism and how a daily online publication operates.

Kerry's friend and colleague, Chloé Finn, joins her to chat about what they read in 2025 and what they're planning to read in 2026. Chloé discusses authors who create rich interior worlds and Kerry bench presses a...

Marcia Hutchinson joins Kerry to talk about her work running Primary Colours, for which she was awarded an MBE for services to cultural diversity, along with finding the writing flows that work for her, and her debut...

Midge Gillies, author of 'Atlantic Furies: The Women Who Risked Everything to be the First to Fly', joins Kerry to discuss her impressive career as a non-fiction author, including celebrating your subjects and bringing...

Kerry is joined by Silvia Saunders, who won the Comedy Women in Print prize for her debut novel, Homesick. They discuss writing days, finding your voice and the importance of perseverance.

In this episode, Kerry sits down with Keith Houston to talk about the practicalities of writing alongside another job, finding your process and how deadlines are catalysts for getting your project completed.

Kerry is joined by Jo Morey to discuss rediscovering writing after a corporate career, her experience in the Faber Academy and how competitions helped her get published.

Kerry is joined by Celia Silvani, author of 'Baby Teeth'. They discuss toasties, the unusual way Celia wrote her novel and how dangerous online forums informed the characters in her book.

In this episode, David Sparks joins Kerry to discuss his writing process for MacSparky Field Guides, the importance of reading and why it's essential to have analogue parts of your to-do system.

Kate Kemp joins Kerry to talk about the process of writing 'The Grapevine', moving from a career in psychotherapy to fiction writing and keeping a balanced view when you're on the publishing rollercoaster.

In this episode, Kerry is joined by Laurie Bolger, the acclaimed English poet, stand-up and presenter. They discuss 'setting up shop', organisations to support working poets and the making of Laurie's new collection.

Antony Johnston joins Kerry to talk about writing productivity, building a career as a multi-facted writer and how his graphic novel became a Hollywood movie starring Charlize Theron.

In this episode, Kerry is joined by Shahed Ezaydi, full-time writer at Stylist Magazine and author of 'The Othered Woman: How White Feminism Harms Muslim Women'. They discuss freelance vs in-house journalism and...

In this episode, Kerry Downes joins Kerry (the regular one) to discuss how one writing course, taken after delving into fiction writing during lockdown, lead to her career as a author.