Épisodes

  • S06 E06 Zibu Sithole

    S06 E06 Zibu Sithole
    Oct 13 2025
    Zibu Sithole is the popular and multi-award-nominated author of the ZOLA trilogy of novels. The final novel in the trilogy LOVE, ZOLA is published by Pan Macmillan and is in bookstores right now.

    Zibu joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about why she feels it is her duty to write aspirational fiction for young black women, and why she dislikes the stereotype that women characters must suffer in order for literature to be good.

    For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter:
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    Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform

    Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here:
    Email: hiddenlivesofwriters@gmail.com
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    1 h et 3 min
  • S06 E05 Tony Park

    S06 E05 Tony Park
    Oct 6 2025
    Tony Park is the bestselling author of multiple series and standalone novels set in southern Africa. DIE BY THE SWORD is out right now, published by Pan Macmillan.

    Tony joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about the origin of his special relationship with the southern African bush. He discusses his interest in conservation, and gives great tips on how to keep track of a large cast of recurring characters across a sprawling fictional universe.

    For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter:
    https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup

    Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform

    Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here:

    Email: hiddenlivesofwriters@gmail.com
    Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod
    Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod
    YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers
    Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters
    Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here
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    1 h et 21 min
  • S06 E04 Onke Mazibuko

    S06 E04 Onke Mazibuko
    Sep 29 2025
    Onke Mazibuko is the award-winning author of the coming-of-age novel THE SECOND VERSE and the whistleblower thriller CANARY, both published by Penguin Random House.

    Onke joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about growing up in the early days of liberation in South Africa, and the influence of rap music in forming his creative self.

    For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter:
    https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup

    Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform

    Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here:

    Email: hiddenlivesofwriters@gmail.com
    Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod
    Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod
    YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers
    Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters
    Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here
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    1 h et 13 min
  • S06 E03 Bonnie Espie

    S06 E03 Bonnie Espie
    Sep 22 2025
    Bonnie Espie is the author of this year's sleeper hit novel MAKING A KILLING, as well as several short stories.

    Bonnie joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about making her publishing dreams come true, and the role that writing workshops and support groups have played in her success.

    For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter:
    https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup

    Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform

    Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here:
    Email: hiddenlivesofwriters@gmail.com
    Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod
    Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod
    YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers
    Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters
    Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here
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    57 min
  • S06 E02 Marina Auer

    S06 E02 Marina Auer
    Sep 15 2025
    Marina Auer is the author of the thrilling and highly successful series of medical suspense novels, including DOUBLE EDGED, SINGLE MINDED, and most recently THREE ECHOES, which is now available from Kwela.

    Marina joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about drawing on real-life experiences for inspiration, and how to make writing a priority in the midst of a demanding professional and personal schedule.

    For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter:
    https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup

    Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform

    Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here:

    Email: hiddenlivesofwriters@gmail.com
    Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod
    Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod
    YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers
    Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters
    Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here
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    1 h et 9 min
  • S06 E01 Alistair Mackay

    S06 E01 Alistair Mackay
    Sep 8 2025
    Alistair Mackay is the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of the dystopian novel IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY and the literary novel THE CHILD. His most recent release is a collection of short stories entitled THE LUCKY ONES.

    Alistair joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about what it means to write queer fiction and what it was like to live and write in New York City.

    For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter:
    https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup

    Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform

    Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here:
    Email: hiddenlivesofwriters@gmail.com
    Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod
    Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod
    YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers
    Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters
    Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here
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    1 h et 8 min
  • S05 E10 John Boyne

    S05 E10 John Boyne
    May 26 2025
    John Boyne is the internationally bestselling author of THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS as well as 18 books for adults. This includes the ELEMENTS quartet, the final novella of which - FIRE - has recently been released.

    John joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about how he will never stop being grateful for having such a huge, breakout novel so early in his career, and why he likes to end each day knowing he has made some progress on his current book.

    For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Ask your writing-related questions! Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here:
    Email: hiddenlivesofwriters@gmail.com
    Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod
    Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod
    YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers
    Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters
    Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here
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    1 h et 1 min
  • S05 E09 Takalani M

    S05 E09 Takalani M
    May 19 2025
    Takalani M is the author of the bestselling The Royal Mistress series, the After Dawn series, and the standalone novel A BURNING DESIRE. She has created a publishing and distribution powerhouse that dominates the romance sphere.

    Takalani joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about how she got her start in 2017 with a Facebook page and no followers. She tells us about writing 2,500 words a night alongside her full-time job in finance and three children. Takalani breaks down the exact process for producing a book, from editing, layout, and cover design, to sales, distribution, and marketing.

    For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Ask us your writing-related questions. Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you! Please join the conversation here:

    Email: hiddenlivesofwriters@gmail.com
    Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod
    Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod
    YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers
    Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters
    Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here
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    1 h et 16 min