'He's a Northerner, he loves books and he's very well read, so that has to be a good thing.' Not the Booker Prize-winner Michael Stewart on writing gothic fiction, meeting his wife via the Brontës and why Andy Burnham's reading habits might make him a good PM. on.soundcloud.com/tJATRECczxne...

'As working-class writers we sometimes don't have that mentality of "I can do it".' Emerging writer Victoria Ferguson joins me on Northern Voices this week to talk about writing folk horror in Northern dialect, working-class mentality and the accessibility. on.soundcloud.com/JWEfsoOnjemA...

'Getting an agent or book deal doesn't make all the writing struggles disappear.' A special episode of Northern Voices with @louisepowell.bsky.social about the submissions process that led to her debut novel Underdogs being picked up by @johnmurrays.bsky.social on.soundcloud.com/gndHwdfe4UHX...

'As a menopausal wheelchair user, being from the North is the least of my worries' The wonderful @kayinckle.bsky.social joins me on Northern Voices today to talk cli-fi, lack of representation and marginalisation in UK publishing. @srlpublishing.bsky.social on.soundcloud.com/lXZLyXDod9FG...

On Northern Voices today, 3 students from @yorkstjohn.bsky.social creative writing degree Charlie Mason, Hannah Neave and Henry Wileman talk about the anthology they've produced, Beyond the Walls published by Valley Press. on.soundcloud.com/53T2slWZ96Iz...

'One of the things connecting Northern and working-class writers is the land.' @drclaireocall.bsky.social is on Northern Voices this week talking all things Emily Brontë, including why the Wuthering Heights film made her laugh. @saraband-books.bsky.social on.soundcloud.com/f8x1InmCfAfx...

'To be told you need to adjust or reduce dialect in your writing is such an infringement on the creative impulse.' Novelist Carolyn O'Brien @carolynmanc.bsky.social is on Northern Voices today talking about dialect, historical fiction and the publishing process. on.soundcloud.com/qmaYRF2HrXmk...

'Have a discussion first so the editor is familiar with your vision and style' Shaun Wilson @smwwriting.bsky.social guests on the first in a series of special episodes opening up the publishing process: Publishing Unpacked. Today is all about editorial @conduitbooks.bsky.social shorturl.at/om0od

'If you want to be a journalist you need passion, enthusiasm and to be able to show it's what you really want.' Writer @frankmalley.bsky.social joins me on Northern Voices to talk about the incredible true story behind his latest novel, The Singing Spy. on.soundcloud.com/aOp0aW1LQsup...

'People should celebrate their accent, write about what they know and where they are.' Byker Grove writer and novelist Steve Chambers is on Northern Voices today, talking about his novel The Dark Months and more. on.soundcloud.com/Fkb6FXyw1BpE...

'We talk about class as if it's straightforward, but it's actually really complex.' Award-winning writer and proud Donny lass Colwill Brown, author of We Pretty Pieces of Flesh, is on Northern Voices today talking about writing friendships, home and dialect. on.soundcloud.com/OhSJJ27WIXMp...

'Being prolific is about putting things in place that you can always go back to.' Today on Northern Voices, I have poet, performer and proud North East lad Dan Husband joining me to talk about community, communication and commitment to writing. on.soundcloud.com/nwdwTXy4i6JD...

Sharing this because you should go see Stu, but also because it highlights the ridiculous cost of going to London.

'To be a writer, all you need to do is write.' Experimental writer, scientist and creative writing mentor @taniahershman.bsky.social is on Northern Voices today talking about blending science, creativity and genre, plus much more. on.soundcloud.com/zET3rRUVdz6Q...

Keshed on the beach Down Under ... @stuhennigan.bsky.social

'Publishers need to understand that Northern writing in no way has to be about the North.' Northern Voices is back and the first episode of 2026 features prize-winning writer @andrewokeyauthor.bsky.social discussing writing, winning and the North. on.soundcloud.com/9sgItHGJrHxP...

'I like writing about women making terrible decisions' Novelist @cdelull.bsky.social is on the final episode of Northern Voices for 2025 talking about writing bisexuality, her book Cacoethes and sassy, female-led fiction. on.soundcloud.com/GkbhsBZagkm5...

'It's getting much harder to be published the traditional way.' Author @malhavardwriter.bsky.social joins me on Northern Voices to talk about why his foray into traditional publishing made him decide to do it himself. on.soundcloud.com/LH2Wo0rK1V0I...

'Folklore is still part of everyday life in the cities as well as in the countryside.' Novelist and folklore academic @cerihoulbrook.bsky.social is on Northern Voices today talking about boggarts, writing and her new book, Folklore, from @manchesterup.bsky.social on.soundcloud.com/Zn0M7epQr9rg...

End of term marking – but with a 3.5 year old toddling in every five minutes and shouting 'knock knock are you busy!??'

'I know so many neurodivergent writers who have had rejections for "unrelatable" characters.' Novelist @alethearlyons.bsky.social joins me on Northern Voices today to talk about diversity, writing and why AI isn't actually 'intelligent'. on.soundcloud.com/gA1cXapmgwJ5...

'In the North, we don't wait for handouts or to be given permission because that rarely comes. We just get on and do it.' A special episode of Northern Voices today featuring the legendary @benjaminmyers76.bsky.social on his new novel, the North & more. @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social rb.gy/tmsjtd

As good a time as any to note that from early next year Northern Voices will be going out fortnightly rather than weekly. We've got a bit going on at home here having recently relocated to Perth (moving interstate 2/10 do not recommend) and had a bit of a job shuffle.

'Publishers need to be more approachable at a grassroots level.' Author and indie publisher Jodie Jones joins me on (the delayed) Episode 105 of Northern Voices talking about publishing, imposter syndrome and the natural storytellers of the North East. on.soundcloud.com/ByhGc1YUBp67...

'There needs to be more transparency from publishers about the financial side of things.' Today @foxandinkbooks.bsky.social author Melanie Taylor joins me to talk about her novel, Love Digitally, financial accessibility, and more. @liverpool-lit.bsky.social on.soundcloud.com/0aEtGDdVjHc4...

'I think celebrity writers are the biggest threat to authors at the moment – over and above AI.' On Northern Voices, @canelobooks.bsky.social author @seanwatkinauthor.bsky.social talks writing crime, his novel Black Water Rising and Sonic the Hedgehog fan fiction. on.soundcloud.com/osPOypoPlV3p...

'Regional diversity isn't spoken about enough and it would be lovely if publishers were braver.' @panmacmillan.bsky.social author Sarah Handyside on her novel Instructions for Heartbreak, the celebrity books plague and the need for publishers to take more risks. on.soundcloud.com/ll3TKykgtQJj...

'In hard times people turn to creativity – it's a free resource available to anybody' Writer and advocate Candi Martin is on Northern Voices this week talking about her poetry collection Burnt Ice Cream @writtenoffbooks.bsky.social and Northern imposter syndrome. on.soundcloud.com/7Za8TeFyfW7H...

'We can be old and new, broken and whole, and that is what makes a writer.' The wonderful @drmabibby.bsky.social has the honour of being my guest on the 100th episode of Northern Voices today talking about horses, history and Northern heritage. on.soundcloud.com/BoMDcRg4bXiU...

'Northern creatives need to set their sights further afield than just London.' Podcaster and horror writer Neil McRobert @talkscaredpod.bsky.social joins me to discuss publishing, the North and having Stephen King as a writing friend. @wildhuntbooks.bsky.social on.soundcloud.com/ExqvbmvBS3b0...

I have a group of ladies just like this in my novel MS and this picture is such a perfect representation of what I had in my head when I was writing them.

'Being published isn't the end of the road and it can be rough on your mental health.' Writer Dan Spencer @atlanticbooks.bsky.social joins me on Northern Voices today to discuss his novel, Cat Lover, the publishing process and feline intuition. on.soundcloud.com/W7g9VDfmHuFa...

I don't know what's happening here, but this book is phenomenal so it's bound to be good news. Very exciting.

This is the kind of news I live for. UK trip upcoming and high on the list is introducing Justin to a Greggs corned beef pasty. shorturl.at/ttdtI

'Why is it a local history when it's about the North but when it's about London it's not a local history?' Academic and writer E. Jay Gilbert @jaylikesthings.bsky.social on her book Haunted @manillapress.bsky.social, history and the linguistic ambiguity of Hagrid. on.soundcloud.com/Xwb7WxWcnURO...

I'm in @thebookseller.com today talking about how we can get more young people interested in publishing and writing careers. Featuring @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social and her wonderful, articulate and passionate students. www.thebookseller.com/comment/wide...

'You have to turn that isolation around and say these are experiences I can bring to an industry that doesn't have them.' The vibrant Daisy May Johnson @chaletfan.bsky.social on baking, books and being proactive in publishing. @pushkinchildrens.bsky.social on.soundcloud.com/ua4HeJlkoXYX...

It was one of the biggest honours of my career to be inside Downing Street and Parliament today to watch as the Hillsborough families made history My write-up from an important and emotional day 👇

The Hillsborough Law, introduced by the government today, is a long-overdue step toward justice for the families of 97 people who tragically lost their lives. The new law makes it a crime for public officials to lie about major disasters.

Working on a new novel but it's 1 week to the state band contest and my brain won't think of words and just keeps humming test pieces. Love being a brass bander, but man contests don't half creatively zap you.

'I couldn't write about autism until I was old enough to look at myself from the outside.' On Northern Voices this week, poet Ella Frances Sanderson talks about accessibility, her creative inspiration and why she loves performing her work. on.soundcloud.com/rJozfVEo0VH5...

A pinned thread about my new novel, Keshed, publishing on 12th Feb 2026 with @ortacpress.bsky.social. Pre-orders available now from all the usual bookshops/websites. See thread for some early pre-press takes from some AMAZING writers and links to other stuff. www.ortacpress.com/product-page...

'Writing became something just for me, for my own wellbeing.' Novelist and Write on the Tyne director Helen Aitchison is on Northern Voices today discussing accessibility, writing as therapy and taking matters into your own hands. on.soundcloud.com/OjqL1sjV81oR...

Honoured to have taken part in this Northern Voices podcast with 6 of my students, discussing 'Calm', Beta reading and how young people in Hull feel about stereotypes of northerners and access to writing and publishing opportunities. With @jenbowden12.bsky.social soundcloud.com/northern_voi...

'There's a real lack of guidance on where you can start out. Publishing is an industry behind closed doors.' These are the words from one of @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social English students, six of whom feature on today's episode of Northern Voices alongside Susan. 1/ on.soundcloud.com/SVXzImbzMdF5...

Sad news in the last couple of weeks that Neem Tree Press has gone under. Like other NTP and Unbound authors, I'm now looking for new representation/publication - with the sequel to 'Calm' ready to go. #unbound #boundless #neemtreepress #yadystopia #authorlife

'We shouldn't exclude creative, passionate, talented people just because they live in another part of the country.' In a special episode, @canelobooks.bsky.social Executive Publisher Louise Cullen joins me on NV to talk publishing, bias, diversity and the North. on.soundcloud.com/0SkLFU7d6v6G...

Here is to my old Kindle, having finally carked it after 14 years (14!!) of solid use.

'Millions of people living in towns and villages don't get represented because they're not in London.' @srlpublishing.bsky.social novelist @robertwelbourn.bsky.social is on Northern Voices today talking gender inequity, romance and the scourge of social media. on.soundcloud.com/d8iVGgWCEVu7...

I did not bring enough chocolate to work for this day.