Show Notes
PART 1… it’s double-bill time! It suddenly occurred to us that we didn’t know much about independent publishers. And that doesn’t sit well with us - Not knowing stuff about the world of writing. So we reached out to our lovely online writer friends, and found a few people happy to talk about their experience of being published by a small press. And what we found out was very eye opening! About the pros and cons… How different publishers work with their writers… How widely they publish… What to expect from the relationship and why you might want to consider approaching a small press yourself!
Massive thanks to Scrivener for sponsoring the podcast. Don’t forget you can get 20% off this glorious writing software at https://www.literatureandlatte.com by using our sneaky, little secret code: failing
Here are the details of the excellent people we waffled with:
We talked to Chris W McGuinness: https://chriswmcguinness.wordpress.com https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hellbound-Bastards-Chris-W-McGuinness/dp/B0F2HY8DRM https://alienbuddhapress.wordpress.com https://cloakedpress.com/
Then we had a natter with flash maven Kathryn Aldridge-Morris: https://www.kamwords.com/about-me https://www.dahliapublishing.co.uk/product/cold-toast
Followed by YA writer Luke Palmer: https://lukepalmerwriting.com https://fireflypress.co.uk
And last but undoubtedly not least: Genevieve Marenghi-Daly https://genevievemarenghi.com Keep an eye out for her debut released on October 10th 2025… https://www.burtonmayersbooks.com
And don’t forget… next week we continue our investigation into indie publication – when we chat with Kevin Duffy of BlueMoose Books.
Then…. go digging into the darker side of publishing… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from The Failing Writers Podcast
Competitions, as previously discussed on this pod, are an amazing way of giving you an opportunity to both really think about your novel and your pitch... but also potentially to bag yourself a chance to get in front of some big, powerful, important, cape-wearing Mavel-comic-like-superheros of the industry. Today we focus on The Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize. An award that's launched the career of many a successful writer. So let's have a chat with some of those people... those caped crusaders on the inside. Because.... don't know about you.... but Tommy and I feel like the more you know... the more you get a sense of what you need to do to get on in this biz! Here's the link: https://www.lucy.cam.ac.uk/fictionprize So get the first few chapters of your manuscript licked into shape... perfect your blurb... and your synopsis... and get ON IT! Listen to these people! They want to read your stuff! And you've got good stuff!
Our £500 flash fiction competition sponsored by the lovely folk at SCRIVENER is in full swing and requires your urgent involvement! If you fancy having a go at a 300 word, birthday-themed story, listen to episode 15 of this series, for the lowdown. Then go to https://www.failingwriterspodcast.com and click on the competition banner for all the finer details. Deadline is Monday 19th of October, midday GMT! Also, the first 150 entries will get a free audiobook from the ethical audiobook company: Libro.fm For 20% off Scrivener, go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com and use the code failing
First things first. Our Big Flash Fiction Competition is Awaaaaaay! And a special big ole THANK YOU to Scrivener for sponsoring it! If you fancy 20% off their wonderful and frankly invaluable writing app, git yourself to https://www.literatureandlatte.com Pop in the code ‘failing’ and Bob’s yer nuncle!
Ya know what they say. When one door closes another door opens. And following the joyful culmination of our poetry competition comes.... OUR MASSIVE ANNUAL £500 FLASH FICTION COMPETITION - Sponsored by Scrivener! Scrivener? Yes, of course. The wonderful writing software Scrivener. Which you should quickly go and buy a copy of, before you do anything else, in order to make the writing of things easier, more intuitive and less brain-hurty. It's an invaluable writing tool trusted by top writers for 20 odd years! (And also us two… but, you know… don't let that put you off - it's not Scrivener's fault, is it?!) Well OK then. Sure, why not? We'll let you use our special secret code and get 20% off... Just go to: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/ and use the code: failing No problem. Now, where were we? Ah yes! Our big, annual, £500 flash fiction competition… Which we're renaming The AMAZING writers flash fiction competition, in honour of our frankly magnificent listeners. YOU. Yes! I'm talking about YOU! If you're up for getting involved, which of course you are, just go to https://www.failingwriterspodcast.com/flashentry And don't forget to listen to this episode for all the details including the special phrase you must include in your story!
It's time for us to reveal the winners in our rather spontanious poetry competition.