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 i

The Conversation with Nadine Matheson is a society podcast hosted by Nadine Matheson, with 258 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Nadine Matheson hosts The Conversation with Nadine Matheson, a society show with 258 episodes published.

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  The Conversation with Nadine Matheson

  Summer Rewind | Lily King -The Myth of Overnight Success

  Aug 24, 20261h 7mS4

    Summer Rewind:  While we count down to Season 5 (launching 8 September 2026), we're revisiting some of the best conversations and fan favourites from Season 4. "I think you just have to keep at it. You cannot give up. You just cannot give up." Lily King In this episode, Nadine sits down with Lily King , best known for  Writers and Lovers,  to talk about her latest novel,  Heart the Lover , and the long road that shaped her writing life. Lily opens up about her early career, including the pressure of finishing her first book while watching peers find success faster. She talks candidly about self-doubt, what "overnight success" really looks like, and why writing for yourself first, before an audience, is what protects a writer's authenticity. She also walks through her process book by book, including a difficult stretch while writing  Heart the Lover  that forced her to confront her own struggles in order to finish the story. And she looks back on a high school teacher who first spotted her talent and encouraged her toward creative writing, a moment she credits with setting her on this path. In this episode: Lily's early career and the pressure of watching peers succeed first The myth of "overnight success" and what actually sustains a writing career Writing for yourself vs. writing for an audience The specific challenges of writing  Heart the Lover The teacher who first recognised her talent Advice for aspiring and seasoned writers alike Follow Lily King Buy 'Heart the Lover' Season 5 of The Conversation with Nadine Matheson launches 8 September 2026. Buy the Book: The Shadow Carver Buy me a  cup of coffee  ☕️ | Buy books by my guests Follow Me Bluesky  |  Substack  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  The Conversation with Nadine Matheson

  Summer Rewind | Kasim Ali on Ambition, the weight of family expectation and Who Will Remain

  Aug 17, 20261h 12m

  ☀️This is a Summer Rewind. One of our favourite conversations, back in your feed while we get ready for Season 5. In this episode of  The Conversation with Nadine Matheson , we're joined by the insightful  Kasim Ali , author of the thought-provoking novel  Who Will Remain . Together we delve into the complexities of identity, family, and the struggles young men face in today's society. Kasim shares his journey as a writer, discussing the challenges of portraying the realities of his community authentically while navigating the expectations placed on him as a South Asian author. We explore the themes of his novel, which follows Ahmed, a young man grappling with loss, societal pressures, and the quest for self-identity amidst chaos. As he turns to a life of crime in search of respect and control, the narrative raises poignant questions about choices, consequences, and the quest for belonging. Along the way, Kasim also reflects on his career in publishing as both author and editor, including some sharp, funny observations on the meeting-heavy culture of post-COVID work life, and what it's taught him about respecting people's time and communicating with clarity. It's a candid look at balancing creative ambition with the practical (and sometimes absurd) realities of working in a predominantly white industry. Listeners will gain valuable insight into the creative process, the importance of representation in literature, and the personal experiences that shape a writer's voice. This episode is a compelling exploration of how our backgrounds influence our narratives and the power of storytelling to challenge societal norms. Follow Kasim Ali   Buy  Who Will Remain   Buy the Book: The Shadow Carver Buy me a  cup of coffee  ☕️ | Buy books by my guests Follow Me Bluesky  |  Substack  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  The Conversation with Nadine Matheson

  Adventures in Publishing-land: Publishing's AI Panic: Cancelled Deals, AI Detectors (Plus a $44k Marketing Mistake)

  Aug 17, 20261h 4m

  Watch as a full video episode on YouTube We're back after a short break, but it appears nothing has changed in publishing as we are still talking about our (least) favourite subject: AI! We go through some listener mail and comments on the subject before diving into Jerry Falade's collapsed $2.4m book deal, wonder if AI detectors are reliable, and have a talk about different methods of book marketing, wondering what works and what doesn't. 00:00 Intro 02:11 From the Slush Pile - Listener Comments 17:25 AI Hid the Body - $2.4m Book Deal Collapses 24:07 Claude & Pangram - Watermark My Words 39:54 Marketing Your Book - Book Tok or Book Flop? 51:12 Stranger Than Fiction - Nadine's Idea Factory 55:57 The Final Chapter - Entertainment Catch-up Links: $2m crime novel deal collapses amid questions over AI use Agents react to major book deal that collapsed over suspected AI use Claude's new scarlet letter watermark is invisible—for now I tested a popular AI slop detector. It felt empowering. I spent $44,000 launching my book. Three of those dollars worked. Adventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Find all our shows here! Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Instagram —-------------- Buy the Book: The Shadow Carver Buy me a  cup of coffee  ☕️ | Buy books by my guests Follow Me Bluesky  |  Substack  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  The Conversation with Nadine Matheson

  Summer Rewind: Adele Parks |The Book That Started With a Message on an Answering Machine

  Aug 4, 20261h 10mS4

  We're taking a summer break here at  The Conversation , so we're bringing back one of your favourite episodes, my conversation with Sunday Times bestselling author Adele Parks. In this episode, Adele and I talk about her journey through the literary world and the release of her 25th novel,  Our Beautiful Mess . She shares her experience of storytelling from a young age, the challenges she's faced in her career, and how her writing has evolved from romantic comedies to psychological thrillers. We talk about the importance of connection, both in her personal life and through her characters, and what it takes to hold onto your own voice in a competitive industry. Adele reflects on the lessons she's learned from grief, her journey as a writer, and how she balances the demands of a writing career with everyday life. It's a heartfeIt exploration of resilience, creativity, and the power of storytelling — and since we first recorded this conversation, Adele has a brand new book out:  Eyes on You . Go grab a copy. Follow Adele Parks Buy  Eyes on You Pre- Order 'The Shadow Carver' Pb Buy me a  cup of coffee  ☕️ | Buy books by my guests Follow Me Bluesky  |  Substack  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #246

  Steve Cavanagh |Corruption, Craft, and Why One Of Us Is Guilty

  Jul 29, 20261h 24mS4

  Bestselling thriller author Steve Cavanagh joins Nadine Matheson for a wide-ranging conversation about the reality of a writing career, from selling just 778 copies of his second novel to becoming a multi-million-copy bestseller with the Eddie Flynn series. They talk about the hard truth behind literary "overnight success," how Steve's career as a criminal and civil lawyer in Northern Ireland shaped his storytelling instincts, why he refuses to use AI in his writing process, and the craft of depicting violence without gratuitousness. The conversation also covers the making of his twelfth novel,  One of Us Is Guilty , a story of power, corruption, and a couple who are both lying to everyone, including each other. Steve also talks about growing up during the Troubles in Belfast and London, favourite fictional villains, and writing rituals. About Steve Cavanagh Steve Cavanagh is a bestselling author and former criminal and civil lawyer from Northern Ireland. His Eddie Flynn series has sold millions of copies worldwide.  One of Us Is Guilty  is his twelfth novel. Follow Steve Cavanagh Buy  One of Us Is Guilty Pre- Order 'The Shadow Carver' Pb Buy me a  cup of coffee  ☕️ | Buy books by my guests Follow Me Bluesky  |  Substack  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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