Kate Mildenhall on publishing and resilience, tips for interviewing other writers and what it means to be a good industry citizen

Madeleine interviews acclaimed and bestselling author Kate Mildenhall. Kate gives an honest account of her journey to publication, detailing the rejections and the success along the way.

Kate's latest novel, THE HIDING PLACE (November 2025, S&S), described as 'White Lotus meets The Slap, is a razor-sharp literary thriller about what happens when good people make bad decisions. Kate discusses themes like land ownership, the environment, and the evolving dynamics of long-term friendships. Kate offers valuable tips for writers navigating publicity, handling interviews, and maintaining the momentum in their writing careers. This engaging and generous chat is a must-listen for aspiring authors and literary enthusiasts.

00:00 Welcome to the Book Deal Podcast
00:56 Introducing Kate Mildenhall
04:04 Kate's Journey to Becoming an Author
13:37 The Rollercoaster of Publishing
19:26 Navigating Rejection and Finding Success
29:27 Tips for Authors on Publicity and Interviews
34:45 Setting Boundaries in Publicity
37:18 Discussing 'The Hiding Place'
40:02 From Hummingbird to The Hiding Place
41:06 Camping Memories and Inspirations
49:40 The Challenges of Writing Multi-POV
57:29 Themes of Land Ownership and Environmentalism
01:03:50 Future Writing Plans and Dreams
01:07:31 Final Tips for Writers

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