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PODCAST

The Truth about Fiction

Derek Thompson and Lynn Michell

Tune in for insights, reflections and diversions about novel and short story writing, being published, and the creative process. Join Derek Thompson (British novelist and storyteller) in conversation with Lynn Michell (author of fiction and non-fiction and proprietor of Linen Press), as they chat about what it means to write and to be a writer, and the state of the publishing industry. With occasional reference to biscuits. Lynn: https://www.linen-press.com/authors/lynn-michell/ Derek:

arts books

All Episodes

00:27:12

Episode 26 - Stoicism for Writers

The Truth about Fiction ·

2025/09/24

This time, Derek is joined by Matt Shewbridge to talk about the Stoic approach to writing and to living (through the four virtues of Wisdom, Courage, Temperance and Justice). Matt shares his personal journey to Stoicism and we consider character and writers, and the value of emotional and rational responses to life. We also discuss consumerism, feelings, and whether ET was a good film. Matt's website is: http://www.shewbridgecoaching.com/

en

00:09:48

Episode 25 - It's a numbers game

The Truth about Fiction ·

2025/07/21

In this mini episode, Derek reviews the success (or not) of his recent endeavours, shares some vital statistics about authors and publishing, reveals the probability of a regional arts council grant for literature, and quotes an AI answer about the environmental impact of AI (you could call it Meta meta!).

en

00:26:14

Episode 24 - Let's get personal

The Truth about Fiction ·

2025/06/03

Derek and Lynn are back in conversation together. This time we talk about Lynn's decision to stop writing for a while, consider whether authors choose a genre because of their own wiring, stretch Derek's 'bus' metaphor to breaking point and find a common element to all his books, and revisit the challenges of writing from personal experience. This episode contains reference to abuse.

en

00:28:17

Episode 23 - Rewriting the Future

The Truth about Fiction ·

2025/05/24

Trigger warning. This recording involves discussion about mental health and suicide.In this episode Derek chats with Charlotte Crocker, a prolific author (under the pen name D. E. White) who made a radical decision that transformed her health and set her on a completely different career path. We talk about the challenges for authors in the digital age, mental health and creativity, the realities of writing books for a living, and the importance of talking and listening to find a way through it

en

00:38:56

Episode 22 - The Power of Story

The Truth about Fiction ·

2025/04/15

This time Derek chats with Jess Lovibond - a Family Therapist and therapeutic author. Jess is also the founder of The Story Step, a voluntary initiative where men record themselves reading stories for children. We talk about the power of stories in accessing and unlocking emotions, why The Story Step project began, and creativity in children and adults.https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0CHFQ5BVR/allbookshttps://www.youtube.com/@jlts-storystep

en

00:27:34

Episode 21 - Crime & Punishment

The Truth about Fiction ·

2025/03/19

Derek chats with debut crime novelist Don Spillane about his book 'Hustling the Mob', Don's time as a Metropolitan Police detective, East End criminals, and the justice system - past and present.

en

00:09:21

Episode 20 - Everyone's a critic

The Truth about Fiction ·

2025/01/20

A little levity this time as Derek gives voice to some of his least favourable reviews, with some added commentary. You can't please all of the people all of the time - and neither did he.

en

00:39:50

Episode 19 - AI, the thin end of the wedge?

The Truth about Fiction ·

2024/11/17

This time, Derek is joined by writer and photographer Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu to discuss whether AI is an existential threat to the creative industries. None of our chatter constitutes expert advice.Here's some additional reading: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/nov/16/ai-isnt-about-unleashing-our-imaginations-its-about-outsourcing-them-the-real-purpose-is-profit

en

00:05:03

Episode 18 - Classy

The Truth about Fiction ·

2024/07/28

How big a deal is social class when it comes to writing and being published? In this five-minute episode Derek shares his blog post 'Not Quite Our Sort', which started life as an article and ended up as a boomerang. Five magazines and counting, not including the one that is - in theory - making up its mind. * * It isn't, unless they make decisions...really...slowly.

en

00:47:56

Episode 17 - the other F word: Failure

The Truth about Fiction ·

2024/06/13

This time we explore what failure means to (two) writers, how to cope with it, and whether the problem is expectation. Along the way: Derek gets sexist about escalators, Lynn talks rejection from a publisher's perspective, and we throw in the odd swearword to try and be edgy. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/truth-about-fiction/message

en

00:44:17

Episode 16 - Two faces of Janus

The Truth about Fiction ·

2023/12/31

It's the end of 2023. Lynn and Derek are looking back and looking forward. This time we talk about how well the average book does in its lifetime, the joys of book promotion, what else writers do with their skills, the house that's haunted by a story, sheep, the importance of community, adapting your own work, and divergent views on the latest series of Shetland.Linen Press: https://www.linen-press.com/shop/ Derek's books:

en

00:39:29

Episode 15 - Reunited

The Truth about Fiction ·

2023/10/07

Lynn and Derek talk about Lynn's new novel - the water all around us, motivation, the challenges of upping sticks to embrace life on an island, the witchcraft of marketing, and the author persona. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/truth-about-fiction/message

en

00:15:14

Episode 14 - Fair's Fair

The Truth about Fiction ·

2023/09/01

This episode we look at changes in Lightning Source and Kindle that affect authors, and consider the big question: should we expect fairness in the world of writing and publishing? Or, to put it another way, when it comes to writing, did McFly get it wrong? Another conundrum is whether the greatest enemy of creativity is expectation? Huge thanks to Charles Topham (he appears in an earlier episode) who not only transformed the poor sound quality of the original recording but also encouraged me to put

en

00:42:51

Episode 13 - All you need is love

The Truth about Fiction ·

2023/05/19

This time Derek chats with Emma Bennet, an author of contemporary romance and a children's book. We chat about what makes for a good romance, writing for children and self-publishing, the importance of understanding - and meeting - audience expectations, reader reviews, writer events, and why no book should smell of egg. You can find out more about Emma and her work here: https://linktr.ee/emmabennetromance The Snotty Princess can be purchased here: https://amzn.to/452ZbMF --- Send in a voice

en

00:10:53

Episode 12 - Meandering

The Truth about Fiction ·

2023/04/28

Derek tries to make a meal (well, snack) out of four bullet-points. Contains references to false narratives, imposter syndrome, and the occasional use of the word sh*t. It will make sense when you get there. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/truth-about-fiction/message

en

00:38:15

Episode 11 - Self-actualisation

The Truth about Fiction ·

2022/10/16

Derek chats with Sue Louineau, a literary fiction and magical realism author, about the joys of self publishing, which social media platform works best for her, and why writers cannot afford to hold back when it comes to telling the stories that matter. Grab yourself a brew and come and join us. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/truth-about-fiction/message

en

00:49:07

Episode 10 - Conversations with an occasional reader

The Truth about Fiction ·

2022/06/08

In this episode Derek talks with Dave Brown aka The Bullshit Detective, who hosts his own 'A Dose of Dave' podcast' and who was instrumental in getting Lynn and Derek started here. Expect occasional adult language and a chat that takes in: books, brassicas, football, dancing (or not...), music, feedback, an intentional use of the word 'thus', comedy recommendations, an unfortgettable band that Derek can't remember* and whatever else comes to mind. Enjoy. * It was Edgar Winter Group (Thanks,

en

00:28:57

Episode 9 - Second album syndrome

The Truth about Fiction ·

2022/03/16

You've written your novel and it's been published - now what? And how do you cope with relative success? Lynn and Derek ponder these questions and fess up about the novel that took soooo long to finish, the tension between art and commerce, and what happens when the muse ghosts you. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/truth-about-fiction/message

en

00:33:09

Episode 8 - Creativity

The Truth about Fiction ·

2022/02/09

This time, Lynn steps aside to get on with writing and editing and publishing, so Derek chats with Charles Topham about creativity. We touch upon string theory, crafts, the craft, why Charles stopped reading fiction, and some unusual ideas about where characters might come from. Expect conversation, contradiction, and occasional adult language. Plus a few laughs (hopefully). --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/truth-about-fiction/message

en

00:29:18

Episode 7 - That was the year that was

The Truth about Fiction ·

2021/12/21

Lynn waxes lyrical and Derek waxes cynical, and somehow they meet in the middle. This time they chat about writing during a pandemic and also manage to take in looking for the mojo, snooker, competition and swimming. See if you can count how many times Derek literally says literally. Contains three swearwords. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/truth-about-fiction/message

en

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