After many years of writing, journalist and Sunday Times Ireland political editor Jennifer Bray finally landed her dream book deal and “The Lies Between Us” was worth every moment of the wait.

In this episode, Jen joins Kate and Michelle for an honest conversation about the long road to publication. She reflects on the early manuscripts that didn't make the cut, the emotional chaos of being on submission and why she believes persistence is the single most important quality a writer can have.

She also digs into the concept of the "thoughtful rejection", how detailed feedback from agents, though hard to hear, can completely redirect a writer's journey for the better.

A must-listen for anyone who has ever wondered whether to keep going. Spoiler: keep going.

Key takeaways for writers:

• Every unpublished manuscript teaches you something, don't dismiss the ones that don't make it.
• Treat detailed rejection feedback as a signpost, not a dead end.
• Research agents carefully and show you understand what they're looking for.
• Strong, believable characters are the foundation of great fiction.
• Persistence is one of the only things that separates published writers from unpublished ones.

Natter is proudly brought to you in association with Bookstation Ireland & IrishCentral.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bestselling Irish author Edel Coffey joins Kate and Michelle to discuss her latest thriller, In Glass Houses.

Edel explores how growing up in South County Dublin, walking past peacocks and palatial homes whilst living in a estate, shaped her fascination with class divides and privilege. She discusses the sliding doors moments that change lives forever, how generational wealth creates different moral outcomes and the topic of how we all think we're good people until doing the right thing actually costs us something.

For writers, Edel shares her brilliant practical approach: she wrote much of her debut novel in 15 to 20 minute bursts whilst waiting at the school gates, treating her story like a sourdough starter that needed feeding daily. She's honest about the nature of publishing success and having to continually raise the bar but reveals she's finally feeling more confident in her craft.

Plus, Edel discusses what home truly means when you live far from your roots, her recent militant stance on smartphones and teases a secret project in a completely different genre that's been obsessing her for five years.

Natter is proudly brought to you in association with Bookstation Ireland & IrishCentral.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Season 5 of Natter, this week we are joined by bestselling author Sam Blake as she unveils the inspiration behind her latest book, Your Every Move.

Discover how real-world research shapes her strong, complex characters and how social media influences modern crime narratives.

Listeners will gain insights into balancing creativity with research, crafting memorable characters, and protecting your work from AI copyright theft. Perfect for writers and readers alike, this episode is a masterclass in storytelling and resilience, urging you to manifest your goals and keep stories alive.

Key Takeaways:

1. Manifestation requires action to achieve results.
2. Knowing your story's end can enhance creative flow.
3. Authentic settings deepen reader immersion.
4. Unrelated ideas spark innovative storytelling.
5. Persistent effort is crucial for success

Natter is proudly brought to you in association with Bookstation Ireland & IrishCentral.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.