Stevyn Colgan - Podcast Details

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The Arts Show Episode #249: Catching up with Jason White and Stevyn Colgan!In this week's show, we catch up with previous guests Jason White and Stevyn Colgan to see what's new since we last spoke!With fiction by Dane Cobain and an album review from Twangling Jack Ford, plus new music from Rob., Faiblesse Parfaite, Twangling Jack Ford and Broken Colours, as well as an oldie from the Rockola Mourning Band.

2025-07-0956 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 30. Stand Up Comedy (part 1) with Ian Stone & Phoebe Haywood30. How to write & perform stand up comedy (part 1): Comedians Ian Stone & Phoebe Haywood talk to We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, about Ian's new book To Be Someone about his love affair with The Jam & surviving the 1970s. We also talk about comic timing, how to write a joke, taboo topics, physical comedy, making it personal, Mods, racists, Nazis, Sham 69, skinheads, being Jewish, never reading a book until your 20s, having ADHD, making money from comedy, the difference between writing for performance & writing to be read, Worcestershire ales, the comedy circuit in and beyond...

2025-02-0117 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 29. Stand Up Comedy (part 2) with Ian Stone & Phoebe Haywood29. How to write & perform stand up comedy (part 2): Comedians Ian Stone & Phoebe Haywood talk to We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, about Ian's new book To Be Someone about his love affair with The Jam & surviving the 1970s. We also talk about comic timing, how to write a joke, taboo topics, physical comedy, making it personal, Mods, racists, Nazis, Sham 69, skinheads, being Jewish, never reading a book until your 20s, having ADHD, making money from comedy, the difference between writing for performance & writing to be read, Worcestershire ales, the comedy circuit in and beyond...

2025-02-0126 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 27. Peter James & Tina Payne at Chiltern Kills crime fest 202427. Peter James & Tina Payne at the Chiltern Kills crime writing festival 2024: We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear from Peter James, the bestselling author of the Roy Grace detective series, and also from new crime fiction sensation Tina Payne aka TM Payne. And lots more from the 2024 Chiltern Kills festival in Gerrards Cross, just 20 minutes from London Marylebone. The next Chiltern Kills will be on Saturday 4th October 2025, with all ticket sales in aid of the Centrepoint charity combatting youth homelessness. Please join us. Peter James talks about his latest instalment, One Of Us...

2024-12-0242 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 26. History & lies (part 1) with Subhadra Das, author of Uncivilised: Ten Lies That Made The West26. History & lies (part 1): We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan chat & laugh with Subhadra Das, writer, historian, broadcaster, comedian & curator, about her book, Uncivilised: Ten Lies That Made The West. Subhadra looks at the relationship between science & society. She specialises in the history & philosophy of science, particularly the history of scientific racism & eugenics, & what those histories mean for our lives today. For nine years, she was Curator of the Science Collections at University College London where she was also Researcher in Critical Eugenics at the Sarah Parker Remond Centre for the Study of Racism & Racialisation...

2024-08-3119 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 25. History & lies (part 2) with Subhadra Das, author of Uncivilised: Ten Lies That Made The West25. History & lies (part 2): We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan chat & laugh with Subhadra Das, writer, historian, broadcaster, comedian & curator, about her book, Uncivilised: Ten Lies That Made The West. Subhadra looks at the relationship between science & society. She specialises in the history & philosophy of science, particularly the history of scientific racism & eugenics, & what those histories mean for our lives today. For nine years, she was Curator of the Science Collections at University College London where she was also Researcher in Critical Eugenics at the Sarah Parker Remond Centre for the Study of Racism & Racialisation...

2024-08-3122 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 24. History & lies (part 3) with Subhadra Das, author of Uncivilised: Ten Lies That Made The West24. History & lies (part 3): We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan chat & laugh with Subhadra Das, writer, historian, broadcaster, comedian & curator, about her book, Uncivilised: Ten Lies That Made The West. Subhadra looks at the relationship between science & society. She specialises in the history & philosophy of science, particularly the history of scientific racism & eugenics, & what those histories mean for our lives today. For nine years, she was Curator of the Science Collections at University College London where she was also Researcher in Critical Eugenics at the Sarah Parker Remond Centre for the Study of Racism & Racialisation...

2024-08-3123 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 23. IGF Archer-Amish Award for Literature23. Announcing the new IGF Archer-Amish Award for Literature: We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear from bestselling authors and prize judges Jeffrey Archer & Amish Tripathi about the new IGF (India Global Forum) Archer-Amish Award for Literature. The prize is $25,000 & it's not just for Indians - but listen carefully to hear the rules & entry criteria! This prize is for books excelling in storytelling rather than writing. Want to know what that means? Listen to Jeffrey & Amish explain. This episode also welcomes new listeners on the Jiosaavn podcast platform & congratulates India on winning the T20 Cricket...

2024-07-0241 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 22. Jaipur Literature Festival London 202422. We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Jonathan Kennedy interview stars of Indian & Irish literature and film making at the 2024 Jaipur Literature Festival at the British Library in London. (It's possible that Paul repeatedly referred to it as the Jaipur Literary Festival, but let's not quibble.) We hear from the man who is at every Indian gathering worth attending, JLF organiser Sanjoy Roy; Nazia Erum author of Mothering A Muslim; Dr Sunny Singh and Yasser Usman on the captivating appeal of Bollywood & Hindi films; diplomat Vikas Swarup, author of Q & A - which became the movie Slumdog Millionaire...

2024-06-1259 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 21. Khushwant Singh Lit Fest: Indian, Pakistani & Bangladeshi authors21. Khushwant Singh Lit Fest: Indian, Pakistani & Bangladeshi authors - In this special We'd Like A Word India episode at the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival, co-hosts Paul Waters & Jonathan Kennedy (standing in for Stevyn Colgan) hear ideas from top authors of fiction, non-fiction, memoir & poetry & other experts. WARNING - one of our interviewees (Farrukh Dhondy) gets a bit sweary. WHO IS JONATHAN KENNEDY? WHY IS HE HERE? AND WHERE IS STEVYN COLGAN? Jonathan was Director of Arts in India for 5 years for the British Council. He's been everywhere in India and knows everyone there involved in culture. He...

2024-06-051h 13 $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 20. John Hegley at Milton's Cottage, poetry & music20. John Hegley at Milton's Cottage: The BBC radio & Edinburgh Fringe favourite, British national treasure, poet, musician & comedian, John Hegley joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan to perform & chat in front of an intimate live audience inside Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton wrote his epic poem Paradise Lost, published in 1667. John Hegley is supported by the poet, musician and children's TV producer/editor Clare Elstow. Brace yourself for an eclectic mix of London & Luton literary & football memories, John Keats & John Milton, William & Henry Lawes, French language & music (Rameau...

2024-05-2557 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 19. Book cover design with Mark Ecob (Part 1)19. Mark Ecob on book cover design (part 1): The award-winning book cover designer, Mark Ecob, aka Mecob, tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he does it. We also talk about in this 3 part episode: Ben Okri & Tiger Work, Alexander McCall Smith, Piers Torday, sustainable publishing & the Society of Authors, Roald Dahl, Amazon thumbnails, Will Dean & his book Dark Pines & the great cover by Mark Swan / Kid Ethic, Paul Kingsnorth & the challenge of having a good book cover name, genre fiction tropes, Blackwatertown by Paul Waters, Books by Stevyn Colgan, Ben Tallon's podcast - The Cr...

2024-04-0714 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 18. Book cover design with Mark Ecob (Part 2)18. Mark Ecob on book cover design (part 2): The award-winning book cover designer, Mark Ecob, aka Mecob, tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he does it. We also talk about in this 3 part episode: Ben Okri & Tiger Work, Alexander McCall Smith, Piers Torday, sustainable publishing & the Society of Authors, Roald Dahl, Amazon thumbnails, Will Dean & his book Dark Pines & the great cover by Mark Swan / Kid Ethic, Paul Kingsnorth & the challenge of having a good book cover name, genre fiction tropes, Blackwatertown by Paul Waters, Books by Stevyn Colgan, Ben Tallon's podcast - The Cr...

2024-04-0716 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 17. Book cover design with Mark Ecob (Part 3)17. Mark Ecob on book cover design (part 3): The award-winning book cover designer, Mark Ecob, aka Mecob, tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he does it. We also talk about in this 3 part episode: Ben Okri & Tiger Work, Alexander McCall Smith, Piers Torday, sustainable publishing & the Society of Authors, Roald Dahl, Amazon thumbnails, Will Dean & his book Dark Pines & the great cover by Mark Swan / Kid Ethic, Paul Kingsnorth & the challenge of having a good book cover name, genre fiction tropes, Blackwatertown by Paul Waters, Books by Stevyn Colgan, Ben Tallon's podcast - The Cr...

2024-04-0711 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 16. Chiltern Kills crime writing festival with Frederick Forsyth16. Chiltern Kills crime writing festival with Frederick Forsyth & many more top authors: Thriller writing icon Frederick Forsyth tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about his legacy & his first ever appearance at a literary festival in this one-part episode. It was recorded (mostly) live at the Chiltern Kills festival in Gerrards Cross in October 2023. All ticket sales went to the Centrepoint charity combating youth homelessness. The Chiltern Kills festival is organised by Paul Waters & fellow author Tony Kent - who also features in this episode. & whose next thriller, The Shadow Network, is out in...

2023-12-291h 02

We Can Be Weirdos #30 The Curious Policeman: Stevyn Colgan and the Stone Tapes Mystery"Why are there no ghost T-Rexs?"Stevyn Colgan has been a chef, a comics publisher, a monster maker and, for three decades, a police officer in London, during which time he met three prime ministers, two US presidents and a Pope. For over a decade he was one of the ‘elves’ that research and write the multi award-winning BBC TV series QI and was part of the writing team that won the Rose D’Or for BBC Radio 4’s The Museum of Curiosity. Steve is also a prolific true crime writer, with books including A Murder to Die For...

2023-12-011h 24 $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 15. Jeffrey Archer on storytelling (Part 1)Jeffrey Archer on storytelling (part 1): The globally bestselling (more than 300m books sold) storyteller Jeffrey Archer tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he does it. Jeffrey takes research to extremes - he been to prison, been an MP and is now in the House of Lords. He reads from his latest rip roaring thriller is Traitors Gate - all about how to steal the Crown Jewels and get away with it. Jeffrey also breaks down his classic 100 short story, Unique, in a writing masterclass. Jeffrey also announces the winner of the We'd Like A...

2023-10-0417 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 14. Jeffrey Archer on storytelling (Part 2)Jeffrey Archer on storytelling (part 2): The globally bestselling (more than 300m books sold) storyteller Jeffrey Archer tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he does it. Jeffrey takes research to extremes - he been to prison, been an MP and is now in the House of Lords. He reads from his latest rip roaring thriller is Traitors Gate - all about how to steal the Crown Jewels and get away with it. Jeffrey also breaks down his classic 100 short story, Unique, in a writing masterclass. Jeffrey also announces the winner of the We'd Like A...

2023-10-0425 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 13. Jeffrey Archer on storytelling (Part 3)Jeffrey Archer on storytelling (part 3): The globally bestselling (more than 300m books sold) storyteller Jeffrey Archer tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how he does it. Jeffrey takes research to extremes - he been to prison, been an MP and is now in the House of Lords. He reads from his latest rip roaring thriller is Traitors Gate - all about how to steal the Crown Jewels and get away with it. Jeffrey also breaks down his classic 100 short story, Unique, in a writing masterclass. Jeffrey also announces the winner of the We'd Like A...

2023-10-0413 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 12. Win a Google Pixel Fold (part 1) + Ajay Chowdhury on AI & writingWin a Google Pixel Fold phone + Ajay Chowdhury on AI & writing books (part 1): Crime author & tech entrepreneur Ajay Chowdhury tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about how he uses artificial intelligence tools to help him write his excellent Detective Kamil Rahman series. Plus answer a question in this 3-part podcast for a chance to win a brand new Google Pixel Fold mobile phone. We've heard they cost £1,700 - so it's a good prize! Hear the question, email your answer to wedlikeaword@gmail.com Also in this 3-part episode: is it ethical or useful to use AI...

2023-08-1518 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 11. Win a Google Pixel Fold (part 2) + Ajay Chowdhury on AI & writingWin a Google Pixel Fold phone + Ajay Chowdhury on AI & writing books (part 2): Crime author & tech entrepreneur Ajay Chowdhury tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about how he uses artificial intelligence tools to help him write his excellent Detective Kamil Rahman series. Plus answer a question in this 3-part podcast for a chance to win a brand new Google Pixel Fold mobile phone. We've heard they cost £1,700 - so it's a good prize! Hear the question, email your answer to wedlikeaword@gmail.com Also in this 3-part episode: is it ethical or useful t...

2023-08-1520 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 10. Win a Google Pixel Fold (part 3) + Ajay Chowdhury on AI & writingWin a Google Pixel Fold phone + Ajay Chowdhury on AI & writing books (part 3): Crime author & tech entrepreneur Ajay Chowdhury tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about how he uses artificial intelligence tools to help him write his excellent Detective Kamil Rahman series. Plus answer a question in this 3-part podcast for a chance to win a brand new Google Pixel Fold mobile phone. We've heard they cost £1,700 - so it's a good prize! Hear the question, email your answer to wedlikeaword@gmail.com Also in this 3-part episode: is it ethical or useful t...

2023-08-1524 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 9. Amish (part 1) on writing Indian history as bestselling fictionAmish (part 1) on writing Indian history as fiction: Diplomat, TV star & author Amish tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing new versions of classic Indian epics like the Ramayana. He shares how he creates bestselling series that sell millions of copies faster than any others in India. But how does he keep it exciting when most people know how these classic stories end? And what about those readers who feel they already "own" these stories & jealously police any deviations or fresh takes? How do these new tellings of old stories fit in with today's...

2023-06-1021 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 8. Amish (part 2) on writing Indian history as bestselling fictionAmish (part 2) on writing Indian history as fiction: Diplomat, TV star & author Amish tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing new versions of classic Indian epics like the Ramayana. He shares how he creates bestselling series that sell millions of copies faster than any others in India. But how does he keep it exciting when most people know how these classic stories end? And what about those readers who feel they already "own" these stories & jealously police any deviations or fresh takes? How do these new tellings of old stories fit in with today's...

2023-06-1016 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 7. Amish (part 3) on writing Indian history as bestselling fictionAmish (part 3) on writing Indian history as fiction: Diplomat, TV star & author Amish tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing new versions of classic Indian epics like the Ramayana. He shares how he creates bestselling series that sell millions of copies faster than any others in India. But how does he keep it exciting when most people know how these classic stories end? And what about those readers who feel they already "own" these stories & jealously police any deviations or fresh takes? How do these new tellings of old stories fit in with today's...

2023-06-1016 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 6. Romance (part 1): Movie star Michael Douglas, Georgina Moore & Becky HunterRomance (part 1): Movie star Michael Douglas, authors Georgina Moore & Becky Hunter tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing romance, authors supporting other authors, & reading to counter depression. Hollywood star & double-Oscar-winning Michael Douglas has had a string of hit films including Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, Romancing the Stone, Behind the Candelabra, & Falling Down – plus producing One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. His latest is the Marvel superhero movie, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. He gives us his book recommendations. Georgina Moore & Becky Hunter have worked together in book publi...

2023-02-2426 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 5. Romance (part 2): Movie star Michael Douglas, Georgina Moore & Becky HunterRomance (part 2): Movie star Michael Douglas, authors Georgina Moore & Becky Hunter tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing romance, authors supporting other authors, & reading to counter depression. Hollywood star & double-Oscar-winning Michael Douglas has had a string of hit films including Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, Romancing the Stone, Behind the Candelabra, & Falling Down – plus producing One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. His latest is the Marvel superhero movie, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. He gives us his book recommendations. Georgina Moore & Becky Hunter have worked together in book publi...

2023-02-2417 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 4. Romance (part 3): Movie star Michael Douglas, Georgina Moore & Becky HunterRomance (part 3): Movie star Michael Douglas, authors Georgina Moore & Becky Hunter tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about writing romance, authors supporting other authors, & reading to counter depression. Hollywood star & double-Oscar-winning Michael Douglas has had a string of hit films including Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, Romancing the Stone, Behind the Candelabra, & Falling Down – plus producing One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. His latest is the Marvel superhero movie, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. He gives us his book recommendations. Georgina Moore & Becky Hunter have worked together in book publi...

2023-02-2416 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 3. Climate Change Fiction (part 1): Peter May & Paul Hardisty (Season 3)Climate Change Fiction (part 1): Peter May & Paul Hardisty tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about bringing our climate emergency into mainstream popular fiction. Peter May's new crime thriller A Winter Grave (published by riverrun), & is set in Scotland in 2051. Paul Hardisty's adventure thriller The Forcing (published by Orenda Books), & is set in a future when younger voters turn on the older generation they blame for destroying our world. Do we need the authors of popular genre fiction to include climate emergency themes in their fiction? Lots of us ignore the science of climate c...

2023-01-2320 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 2. Climate Change Fiction (part 2): Peter May & Paul Hardisty (Season 3)Climate Change Fiction (part 2): Peter May & Paul Hardisty tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about bringing our climate emergency into mainstream popular fiction. Peter May's new crime thriller A Winter Grave (published by riverrun), & is set in Scotland in 2051. Paul Hardisty's adventure thriller The Forcing (published by Orenda Books), & is set in a future when younger voters turn on the older generation they blame for destroying our world. Do we need the authors of popular genre fiction to include climate emergency themes in their fiction? Lots of us ignore the science of climate c...

2023-01-2319 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 1. Climate Change Fiction (part 3): Peter May & Paul Hardisty (Season 3)Climate Change Fiction (part 3): Peter May & Paul Hardisty tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about bringing our climate emergency into mainstream popular fiction. Peter May's new crime thriller A Winter Grave (published by riverrun), & is set in Scotland in 2051. Paul Hardisty's adventure thriller The Forcing (published by Orenda Books), & is set in a future when younger voters turn on the older generation they blame for destroying our world. Do we need the authors of popular genre fiction to include climate emergency themes in their fiction? Lots of us ignore the science of climate c...

2023-01-2329 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 63. Writing dynasties (part 1): Felix Francis, Andrew Child/Grant, Rajmohan GandhiWriting dynasties (part 1): Felix Francis, Andrew Child/Grant & Rajmohan Gandhi tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about taking on a big book brand or carrying on a family writing tradition. It's different from continuation novels, they say, like when Anthony Horowitz took on Ian Fleming's James Bond character (see episode 4, series 1 of We'd Like A Word with Anthony Horowitz https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rtTQmLv7Ivb ). These are books, stories and characters with whom they have grown up. But do they try to be exactly like their predecessor or collaborator? Distinctively different? How open are...

2022-12-1323 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 62. Writing dynasties (part 2): Felix Francis, Andrew Child/Grant, Rajmohan GandhiWriting dynasties (part 2): Felix Francis, Andrew Child/Grant & Rajmohan Gandhi tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about taking on a big book brand or carrying on a family writing tradition. It's different from continuation novels, they say, like when Anthony Horowitz took on Ian Fleming's James Bond character (see episode 4, series 1 of We'd Like A Word with Anthony Horowitz https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rtTQmLv7Ivb ). These are books, stories and characters with whom they have grown up. But do they try to be exactly like their predecessor or collaborator? Distinctively different? How open are...

2022-12-1319 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 61. Writing dynasties (part 3): Felix Francis, Andrew Child/Grant, Rajmohan GandhiWriting dynasties (part 3): Felix Francis, Andrew Child/Grant & Rajmohan Gandhi tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about taking on a big book brand or carrying on a family writing tradition. It's different from continuation novels, they say, like when Anthony Horowitz took on Ian Fleming's James Bond character (see episode 4, series 1 of We'd Like A Word with Anthony Horowitz https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rtTQmLv7Ivb ). These are books, stories and characters with whom they have grown up. But do they try to be exactly like their predecessor or collaborator? Distinctively different? How open are...

2022-12-1324 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 60. Writing dynasties (part 4): Felix Francis, Andrew Child/Grant, Rajmohan GandhiWriting dynasties (part 4): Felix Francis, Andrew Child/Grant & Rajmohan Gandhi tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about taking on a big book brand or carrying on a family writing tradition. It's different from continuation novels, they say, like when Anthony Horowitz took on Ian Fleming's James Bond character (see episode 4, series 1 of We'd Like A Word with Anthony Horowitz https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rtTQmLv7Ivb ). These are books, stories and characters with whom they have grown up. But do they try to be exactly like their predecessor or collaborator? Distinctively different? How open are...

2022-12-1326 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 59. Writing history & India (part 1): Shashi Tharoor & William DalrympleWriting history & India (part 1): Shashi Tharoor & William Dalrymple tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about how they write history, how they got started, why history is important, how history is used as a weapon in today's culture wars, & who has the right to write a country's history. Shashi tells us about his least favourite historian. And William dodges some extreme criticism of the bullet-from-a-gun variety & has a happy reunion with a lost manuscript. We also investigate the rumours that the character of Indiana Jones was based on William. Shashi Tharoor is former Under-Secretary...

2022-09-2328 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 58. Writing history & India (part 2): Shashi Tharoor & William DalrympleWriting history & India (part 2): Shashi Tharoor & William Dalrymple tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about how they write history, how they got started, why history is important, how history is used as a weapon in today's culture wars, & who has the right to write a country's history. Shashi tells us about his least favourite historian. And William dodges some extreme criticism of the bullet-from-a-gun variety & has a happy reunion with a lost manuscript. We also investigate the rumours that the character of Indiana Jones was based on William. Shashi Tharoor is former Under-Secretary...

2022-09-2343 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 57. Writing history & India (part 3): Shashi Tharoor & William DalrympleWriting history & India (part 3): Shashi Tharoor & William Dalrymple tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about how they write history, how they got started, why history is important, how history is used as a weapon in today's culture wars, & who has the right to write a country's history. Shashi tells us about his least favourite historian. And William dodges some extreme criticism of the bullet-from-a-gun variety & has a happy reunion with a lost manuscript. We also investigate the rumours that the character of Indiana Jones was based on William. Shashi Tharoor is former Under-Secretary...

2022-09-2328 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 56. Diversity & short story anthologies (part 1): Vaseem Khan & Ivy NgeowDiversity & short story anthologies (part 1): Authors Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how they edited their recently published short story anthologies. Vaseem is co-editor (With Maxim Jakubowski) of The Perfect Crime: 22 Crime Stories from Diverse Cultures Around the World, published by Harper Collins. Ivy is editor of Asian Anthology: New Writing Volume 1, published by Leopard Print. We talk about getting diverse voices published, about cultural appropriation & avoiding "rule by the mob", how they choose who to include, what to do if you want to get your own story into an anthology...

2022-07-1216 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 55. Diversity & short story anthologies (part 2): Vaseem Khan & Ivy NgeowDiversity & short story anthologies (part 2): Authors Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how they edited their recently published short story anthologies. Vaseem is co-editor (With Maxim Jakubowski) of The Perfect Crime: 22 Crime Stories from Diverse Cultures Around the World, published by Harper Collins. Ivy is editor of Asian Anthology: New Writing Volume 1, published by Leopard Print. We talk about getting diverse voices published, about cultural appropriation & avoiding "rule by the mob", how they choose who to include, what to do if you want to get your own story into an anthology...

2022-07-1221 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 54. Diversity & short story anthologies (part 3): Vaseem Khan & Ivy NgeowDiversity & short story anthologies (part 3): Authors Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow tell We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how they edited their recently published short story anthologies. Vaseem is co-editor (With Maxim Jakubowski) of The Perfect Crime: 22 Crime Stories from Diverse Cultures Around the World, published by Harper Collins. Ivy is editor of Asian Anthology: New Writing Volume 1, published by Leopard Print. We talk about getting diverse voices published, about cultural appropriation & avoiding "rule by the mob", how they choose who to include, what to do if you want to get your own story into an anthology...

2022-07-1232 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 53. Independent Bookshop Week with Conn Iggulden, Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow53. Independent Bookshop Week with Conn Iggulden, Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow: In this one-part minisode of the We'd Like A Word books & authors podcast, hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear from writers Conn Iggulden, Vaseem Khan & Ivy Ngeow about their favourite indie bookshops, and visit Sheryl Surville, owner of the Chorleywood and Gerrards Cross bookshops in Buckinghamshire. The Newham Bookshop in London, No Alibis in Belfast, the Marlow Bookshop & Silverfish Books in Kuala Lumpur also get a mention. We hear what makes a successful indie bookshop, how they put up with authors, how self-published authors can get stocked on their she...

2022-06-2128 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 52. Will Carver (part 1) & the nature of evil - at Milton's Cottage Museum52. Cult author Will Carver (part 1) joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan to discuss the nature of evil, in front of a live audience inside the historic & beautiful Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton dictated the epic poem, Paradise Lost. This event was for a select audience as part of the Chalfont St Giles & Jordans Literary Festival. Being there in person was great - and there was wine - but now you can eavesdrop on a very personal & existential session with searching questions from the audience. (And some "other" questions from Paul & Steve.) W...

2022-06-0617 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 51. Will Carver (part 2) & the nature of evil - at Milton's Cottage Museum51. Cult author Will Carver (part 2) joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan to discuss the nature of evil, in front of a live audience inside the historic & beautiful Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton dictated the epic poem, Paradise Lost. This event was for a select audience as part of the Chalfont St Giles & Jordans Literary Festival. Being there in person was great - and there was wine - but now you can eavesdrop on a very personal & existential session with searching questions from the audience. (And some "other" questions from Paul & Steve.) W...

2022-06-0615 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 50. Will Carver (part 3) & the nature of evil at Milton's Cottage Museum50. Cult author Will Carver (part 3) joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan to discuss the nature of evil, in front of a live audience inside the historic & beautiful Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton dictated the epic poem, Paradise Lost. This event was for a select audience as part of the Chalfont St Giles & Jordans Literary Festival. Being there in person was great - and there was wine - but now you can eavesdrop on a very personal & existential session with searching questions from the audience. (And some "other" questions from Paul & Steve.) W...

2022-06-0623 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 49. Rachael Blok in Milton's Cottage (part 1): How Paradise Lost inspired her book The Fall49. Rachael Blok (part 1) joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, & a live audience inside the historic & beautiful Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton wrote (or dictated) the epic poem, Paradise Lost. We're inside this little living museum because Rachael's new book, The Fall, is inspired by Paradise Lost. It begins - small spoiler alert - with someone plummeting from a great height - from the top of St Alban's Cathedral. So we talk about Satan, heaven & hell, the very rough deal for women in Paradise Lost & Milton's influence more generally. But we also...

2022-04-2721 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 48. Rachael Blok in Milton's Cottage (part 2): How Paradise Lost inspired her book The Fall48. Rachael Blok (part 2) joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, & a live audience inside the historic & beautiful Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton wrote (or dictated) the epic poem, Paradise Lost. We're inside this little living museum because Rachael's new book, The Fall, is inspired by Paradise Lost. It begins - small spoiler alert - with someone plummeting from a great height - from the top of St Alban's Cathedral. So we talk about Satan, heaven & hell, the very rough deal for women in Paradise Lost & Milton's influence more generally. But we also...

2022-04-2718 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 47. Rachael Blok in Milton's Cottage (part 3): How Paradise Lost inspired her book The Fall47. Rachael Blok (part 3) joins We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, & a live audience inside the historic & beautiful Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton wrote (or dictated) the epic poem, Paradise Lost. We're inside this little living museum because Rachael's new book, The Fall, is inspired by Paradise Lost. It begins - small spoiler alert - with someone plummeting from a great height - from the top of St Alban's Cathedral. So we talk about Satan, heaven & hell, the very rough deal for women in Paradise Lost & Milton's influence more generally. But we also...

2022-04-2731 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 46. Writers in Pakistan & India (part 1): Awais Khan, Amitav Ghosh & Vikram Chandra46. Writers in Pakistan & India (part 1): Awais Khan, Amitav Ghosh & Vikram Chandra join presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan on the We'd Like A Word books & authors podcast, with insights into how they write, advice for new authors & books they love. Awais Khan, from Lahore in Pakistan, is the author of two novels - In The Company of Strangers (published by Simon & Schuster India, & soon to be published in the UK by Hera) & No Honour (published by Orenda Books - we had the publisher Karen Sullivan on a previous hilarious and revealing episode of We'd Like A Word). In The Company...

2022-03-2221 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 45. Writers in Pakistan & India (part 2): Awais Khan, Amitav Ghosh & Vikram Chandra45. Writers in Pakistan & India (part 2): Awais Khan, Amitav Ghosh & Vikram Chandra join presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan on the We'd Like A Word books & authors podcast, with insights into how they write, advice for new authors & books they love. Awais Khan, from Lahore in Pakistan, is the author of two novels - In The Company of Strangers (published by Simon & Schuster India, & soon to be published in the UK by Hera) & No Honour (published by Orenda Books - we had the publisher Karen Sullivan on a previous hilarious and revealing episode of We'd Like A Word). In The Company...

2022-03-2222 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 44. Writers in Pakistan & India (part 3): Awais Khan, Amitav Ghosh & Vikram Chandra44. Writers in Pakistan & India (part 3): Awais Khan, Amitav Ghosh & Vikram Chandra join presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan on the We'd Like A Word books & authors podcast, with insights into how they write, advice for new authors & books they love. Awais Khan, from Lahore in Pakistan, is the author of two novels - In The Company of Strangers (published by Simon & Schuster India, & soon to be published in the UK by Hera) & No Honour (published by Orenda Books - we had the publisher Karen Sullivan on a previous hilarious and revealing episode of We'd Like A Word). In The Company...

2022-03-2223 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 43. The mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie (part 1) with Nina de Gramont, author of The Christie Affair43. The mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie (part 1): Nina de Gramont, author of The Christie Affair, tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan what might have happened when the famous murder mystery writer disappeared for 11 days in 1926. Nina talks about the original real life disappearance, the various theories and her own version - which works in a very cunning murder mystery (spoiler alert - poison is involved in classic Christie style) and Ireland's notorious mother and baby homes. We also hear about how Nina succeeded in writing The Christie Affair, because she changed her approach to writing...

2022-02-1623 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 42. The mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie (part 2) with Nina de Gramont, author of The Christie Affair42. The mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie (part 2): Nina de Gramont, author of The Christie Affair, tells We'd Like A Word hosts Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan what might have happened when the famous murder mystery writer disappeared for 11 days in 1926. Nina talks about the original real life disappearance, the various theories and her own version - which works in a very cunning murder mystery (spoiler alert - poison is involved in classic Christie style) and Ireland's notorious mother and baby homes. We also hear about how Nina succeeded in writing The Christie Affair, because she changed her approach to writing...

2022-02-1630 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 41. Death In Paradise (part 1) with creator Robert Thorogood, author of The Marlow Murder Club41. Death In Paradise (part 1) with Robert Thorogood, author of The Marlow Murder Club: In this episode of We'd Like A Word, recorded in front of a live audience at Wycombe Arts Centre in support of Wycombe Food Hub (& the Arts Centre), presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear from Robert Thorogood about how he created the long-running very popular BBC and international TV series, Death In Paradise, and about his new cosy crime novel, The Marlow Murder Club. In a refreshing change, Paul and Steve's efforts at pinning Robert down are greatly enhanced by unscripted questions from the audience...

2021-12-1034 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 40. Death In Paradise (part 2) with creator Robert Thorogood, author of The Marlow Murder Club40. Death In Paradise (part 2) with Robert Thorogood, author of The Marlow Murder Club: In this episode of We'd Like A Word, recorded in front of a live audience at Wycombe Arts Centre in support of Wycombe Food Hub (& the Arts Centre), presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear from Robert Thorogood about how he created the long-running very popular BBC and international TV series, Death In Paradise, and about his new cosy crime novel, The Marlow Murder Club. In a refreshing change, Paul and Steve's efforts at pinning Robert down are greatly enhanced by unscripted questions from the audience...

2021-12-1047 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 39. Weird book promotion (part 1) with Tina Baker, Fiona Sherlock, Lulu Allison & Emma Grae39. Weird book promotion (part 1) with Tina Baker, Fiona Sherlock, Lulu Allison & Emma Grae: In this episode of We'd Like A Word, presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear about innovative, odd & risky ways authors promote their books. Tina Baker is the author of Call Me Mummy and Nasty Little Cuts. She's also a former TV & radio showbiz reporter. She used to clean the aisles of the supermarket that now sells her books. Her promotional ruses encompass street theatre, book spanking, wedding dresses, climbing on cars, burpees & (notwithstanding that previous part) constant sparkling glamour. She also moos, quite a bit.

2021-11-0325 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 38. Weird book promotion (part 2) with Tina Baker, Lulu Allison, Fiona Sherlock & Emma Grae38. Weird book promotion (part 2) with Tina Baker, Emma Grae, Fiona Sherlock & Lulu Allison: In this episode of We'd Like A Word, presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear about innovative, odd & risky ways authors promote their books. Tina Baker is the author of Call Me Mummy and Nasty Little Cuts. She's also a former TV & radio showbiz reporter. She used to clean the aisles of the supermarket that now sells her books. Her promotional ruses encompass street theatre, book spanking, wedding dresses, climbing on cars, burpees & (notwithstanding that previous part) constant sparkling glamour. She also moos, quite a bit.

2021-11-0327 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 37. Weird book promotion (part 3) with Tina Baker, Emma Grae, Fiona Sherlock & Lulu Allison37. Weird book promotion (part 3) with Tina Baker, Emma Grae, Fiona Sherlock & Lulu Allison: In this episode of We'd Like A Word, presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan hear about innovative, odd & risky ways authors promote their books. Tina Baker is the author of Call Me Mummy and Nasty Little Cuts. She's also a former TV & radio showbiz reporter. She used to clean the aisles of the supermarket that now sells her books. Her promotional ruses encompass street theatre, book spanking, wedding dresses, climbing on cars, burpees & (notwithstanding that previous part) constant sparkling glamour. She also moos, quite a...

2021-11-0332 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 36. Writing Partnerships (part 1): Ambrose Parry, Chris Brookmyre, Dr Marisa Haetzman, Dan Brotzel & Martin JenkinsWriting Partnerships (part 1): Ambrose Parry is the author of the Scottish historical crime thriller, A Corruption of Blood, published by Canongate. Ambrose Parry is also the pseudonym of the (married) writing partnership of consultant anaesthetist Dr Marisa Haetzman and her husband, the internationally bestselling and multi-award winning author Chris Brookmyre. Marisa and Chris tell authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan, the presenters of the We'd Like A Word books and authors podcast, how they create and maintain this series set in Victorian Edinburgh, (now on book 3); about the challenges and benefits of writing collaboration; and whether being married helps...

2021-09-0120 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 35. Writing Partnerships (part 2): Ambrose Parry, Chris Brookmyre, Dr Marisa Haetzman, Dan Brotzel & Martin JenkinsWriting Partnerships (part 2): Ambrose Parry is the author of the Scottish historical crime thriller, A Corruption of Blood, published by Canongate. Ambrose Parry is also the pseudonym of the (married) writing partnership of consultant anaesthetist Dr Marisa Haetzman and her husband, the internationally bestselling and multi-award winning author Chris Brookmyre. Marisa and Chris tell authors Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan, the presenters of the We'd Like A Word books and authors podcast, how they create and maintain this series set in Victorian Edinburgh, (now on book 3); about the challenges and benefits of writing collaboration; and whether being married helps...

2021-09-0120 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 34. Writing Partnerships (part 3): Dan Brotzel, Martin Jenkins, Ambrose Parry, Chris Brookmyre & Dr Marisa HaetzmanWriting Partnerships (part 3): On this episode of the books and authors podcast, We'd Like A Word, presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan hear from Dan Brotzel and Martin Jenkins, two of the three authors (along with Alex Woolf) of the new comic novel, Work in Progress (previously known as Kitten on a Fatberg), published by Unbound. Dan and Martin are in the same writers' group and got together to write this book. In their new book, Work In Progress, members of a fictional writers' group get together to write a collaborative novel. So we hear how the fictional authors...

2021-09-0124 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 33. Men Writing Women (part 1): RJ McBrien & Shelley WeinerMen Writing Women (part 1): RJ McBrien, author of Reckless + author & Faber Writing Academy tutor Shelley Weiner, tell We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how male authors can write convincing female characters - and vice versa. RJ McBrien is a very successful TV screenplay writer (Spoowks, The Bill, Soldier Soldier, Atlantis, Merlin, Red Caps, etc), who has also had some crushing and hilarious exploits in movie writing too. Reckless, published by Welbeck Publishing, is this author's first novel. It gets into the mind of an apparently happily married woman who is missing just one thing...

2021-07-2821 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 32. Men Writing Women (part 2): RJ McBrien & Shelley WeinerMen Writing Women (part 2): RJ McBrien, author of Reckless + author & Faber Writing Academy tutor Shelley Weiner, tell We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how male authors can write convincing female characters - and vice versa. RJ McBrien is a very successful TV screenplay writer (Spooks, The Bill, Soldier Soldier, Atlantis, Merlin, Red Caps, etc), who has also had some crushing and hilarious exploits in movie writing too. Reckless, published by Welbeck Publishing, is this author's first novel. It gets into the mind of an apparently happily married woman who is missing just one thing...

2021-07-2821 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 31. Men Writing Women (part 3): RJ McBrien & Shelley WeinerMen Writing Women (part 3): RJ McBrien, author of Reckless + author & Faber Writing Academy tutor Shelley Weiner, tell We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan how male authors can write convincing female characters - and vice versa. RJ McBrien is a very successful TV screenplay writer (Spooks, The Bill, Soldier Soldier, Atlantis, Merlin, Red Caps, etc), who has also had some crushing and hilarious exploits in movie writing too. Reckless, published by Welbeck Publishing, is this author's first novel. It gets into the mind of an apparently happily married woman who is missing just one thing...

2021-07-2825 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 30. Fictionalising recent history (part 1): Alan Parks & Eamon SomersFictionalising recent history (part 1): Scottish crime fiction author Alan Parks & Irish writer Eamon Somers tell We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about how they set their stories in the recent past and get it right. Alan Parks is the author of The April Dead, published by Canongate, set in 1970s Glasgow, featuring detective Harry McCoy. According to Peter May (who we've also had on We'd Like A Word), Alan's "1970s Glasgow is hewn from flesh and drawn in blood." The Times said "Detective Harry McCoy is so noir that he makes most other Scottish cops seem...

2021-07-0718 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 29. Fictionalising recent history (part 2): Alan Parks & Eamon SomersFictionalising recent history (part 2): Scottish crime fiction author Alan Parks & Irish writer Eamon Somers tell We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about how they set their stories in the recent past and get it right. Alan Parks is the author of The April Dead, published by Canongate, set in 1970s Glasgow, featuring detective Harry McCoy. According to Peter May (who we've also had on We'd Like A Word), Alan's "1970s Glasgow is hewn from flesh and drawn in blood." The Times said "Detective Harry McCoy is so noir that he makes most other Scottish cops seem...

2021-07-0719 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 28. Fictionalising recent history (part 3): Alan Parks & Eamon SomersFictionalising recent history (part 3): Scottish crime fiction author Alan Parks & Irish writer Eamon Somers tell We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about how they set their stories in the recent past and get it right. Alan Parks is the author of The April Dead, published by Canongate, set in 1970s Glasgow, featuring detective Harry McCoy. According to Peter May (who we've also had on We'd Like A Word), Alan's "1970s Glasgow is hewn from flesh and drawn in blood." The Times said "Detective Harry McCoy is so noir that he makes most other Scottish cops seem...

2021-07-0719 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 27. Becoming a children's author (part 1): Julia Donaldson & Ted ChaplinBecoming a children's author and illustrator (part 1): The legendary children's author Julia Donaldson & new children's author and illustrator Ted Chaplin talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about how to create really good stories for young readers. Julia is the former Children's Laureate and the author of A Squash And A Squeeze, The Gruffalo, The Smartest Giant in Town, Stickman and more than a hundred books read by and to children, again and again and again. Many of them illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Now Julia is curating an online course to pass on her...

2021-06-2328 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 26. Becoming a children's author (part 2): Julia Donaldson & Ted ChaplinBecoming a children's author and illustrator (part 2): The legendary children's author Julia Donaldson & new children's author and illustrator Ted Chaplin talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about how to create really good stories for young readers. Julia is the former Children's Laureate and the author of A Squash And A Squeeze, The Gruffalo, The Smartest Giant in Town, Stickman and more than a hundred books read by and to children, again and again and again. Many of them illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Now Julia is curating an online course to pass on her...

2021-06-2321 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 25. Becoming a children's author (part 3): Julia Donaldson & Ted ChaplinBecoming a children's author and illustrator (part 3): The legendary children's author Julia Donaldson & new children's author and illustrator Ted Chaplin talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about how to create really good stories for young readers. Julia is the former Children's Laureate and the author of A Squash And A Squeeze, The Gruffalo, The Smartest Giant in Town, Stickman and more than a hundred books read by and to children, again and again and again. Many of them illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Now Julia is curating an online course to pass on her...

2021-06-2326 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 24. Writing Memoirs (part 1) Farah Bashir & Auriel RoeWriting Memoirs (part 1): Farah Bashir & Auriel Roe talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about what makes a good memoir. Farah Bashir's new book, Rumours of Spring, is about her girlhood growing up in Kashmir during an insurgency and severe security crackdown. Her family home was repeatedly searched by the army, a relative shot dead, a schoolfriend attacked with acid and her family life, education and local traditions radically disrupted. Farah writes about how the conflict and living in fear had particular impacts on women and girls - altering their posture, menstruation, visibility and core...

2021-05-2621 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 23. Writing Memoirs (part 2) Farah Bashir & Auriel RoeWriting Memoirs (part 2): Farah Bashir & Auriel Roe talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about what makes a good memoir. Farah Bashir's new book, Rumours of Spring, is about her girlhood growing up in Kashmir during an insurgency and severe security crackdown. Her family home was repeatedly searched by the army, a relative shot dead, a schoolfriend attacked with acid and her family life, education and local traditions radically disrupted. Farah writes about how the conflict and living in fear had particular impacts on women and girls - altering their posture, menstruation, visibility and core...

2021-05-2617 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 22. Writing Memoirs (part 3) Farah Bashir & Auriel RoeWriting Memoirs (part 3): Farah Bashir & Auriel Roe talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan about what makes a good memoir. Farah Bashir's new book, Rumours of Spring, is about her girlhood growing up in Kashmir during an insurgency and severe security crackdown. Her family home was repeatedly searched by the army, a relative shot dead, a schoolfriend attacked with acid and her family life, education and local traditions radically disrupted. Farah writes about how the conflict and living in fear had particular impacts on women and girls - altering their posture, menstruation, visibility and core...

2021-05-2620 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 21. Writers Weekend festival (part 1) with Reshma Ruia, John Baker, Adrienne Dines & Sara GangaiWriters Weekend festival (part 1): Novelist & poet Reshma Ruia, literary agent John Baker of Bell Lomax Moreton, writing mentor Adrienne Dines & festival organiser Sara Gangai all talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about the UK's prime gathering for unrepresented authors to find an agent. This year the festival is online because of Covid. But the author-agent meet-ups are happening as much as ever. And there'll be all sorts of other attractions - celebrity author talks, workshops, writers' circles, plot development, how to improve your writing & discussions. The main Writers Weekend is 24-27 June, 2021 - with...

2021-04-1421 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 20. Writers Weekend festival (part 2) with Reshma Ruia, John Baker, Adrienne Dines & Sara GangaiWriters Weekend festival (part 2): Novelist & poet Reshma Ruia, literary agent John Baker of Bell Lomax Moreton, writing mentor Adrienne Dines & festival organiser Sara Gangai all talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about the UK's prime gathering for unrepresented authors to find an agent. This year the festival is online because of Covid. But the author-agent meet-ups are happening as much as ever. And there'll be all sorts of other attractions - celebrity author talks, workshops, writers' circles, plot development, how to improve your writing & discussions. The main Writers Weekend is 24-27 June, 2021 - with...

2021-04-1422 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 19. Writers Weekend festival (part 3) with Reshma Ruia, John Baker, Adrienne Dines & Sara GangaiWriters Weekend festival (part 3): Novelist & poet Reshma Ruia, literary agent John Baker of Bell Lomax Moreton, writing mentor Adrienne Dines & festival organiser Sara Gangai all talk to We'd Like A Word presenters Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan about the UK's prime gathering for unrepresented authors to find an agent. This year the festival is online because of Covid. But the author-agent meet-ups are happening as much as ever. And there'll be all sorts of other attractions - celebrity author talks, workshops, writers' circles, plot development, how to improve your writing & discussions. The main Writers Weekend is 24-27 June, 2021 - with...

2021-04-1416 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 18. Literary agents (part 1) Piers Blofeld & James WillsLiterary agents (part 1): Piers Blofeld of Sheil Land & James Wills, managing director of Watson Little discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to get an agent for fiction or non-fiction, how to keep an agent, & mistakes to avoid. They also dish up some behind the scenes gossip. Piers has been the agent for Nadine Dorries, Cath Quinn, Jamie Thomson & Pizza Express. No, really. The Pizza Express Cookbook. He's also Stevyn Colgan's agent. James is agent for Christopher Fowler, Martin Edwards, Alex Pavesi, footballer Jamie Carragher & the great Alan Moore - crime fiction...

2021-03-3021 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 17. Literary agents (part 2) Piers Blofeld & James WillsLiterary agents (part 2): Piers Blofeld of Sheil Land & James Wills, managing director of Watson Little discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to get an agent for fiction or non-fiction, how to keep an agent, & mistakes to avoid. They also dish up some behind the scenes gossip. Piers has been the agent for Nadine Dorries, Cath Quinn, Jamie Thomson & Pizza Express. No, really. The Pizza Express Cookbook. He's also Stevyn Colgan's agent. James is agent for Christopher Fowler, Martin Edwards, Alex Pavesi, footballer Jamie Carragher & the great Alan Moore - crime fiction...

2021-03-3020 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 16. Literary agents (part 3) Piers Blofeld & James WillsLiterary agents (part 3): Piers Blofeld of Sheil Land & James Wills, managing director of Watson Little discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to get an agent for fiction or non-fiction, how to keep an agent, & mistakes to avoid. They also dish up some behind the scenes gossip. Piers has been the agent for Nadine Dorries, Cath Quinn, Jamie Thomson & Pizza Express. No, really. The Pizza Express Cookbook. He's also Stevyn Colgan's agent. James is agent for Christopher Fowler, Martin Edwards, Alex Pavesi, footballer Jamie Carragher & the great Alan Moore - crime fiction...

2021-03-3015 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 15. YA young adult books (part 1) with Sarwat Chadda & Shiulie GhoshYA young adult books (part 1) with Sarwat Chadda & Shiulie Ghosh: Sarwat & Shiulie discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to write & market YA (young adult) and mid-lit books. Sarwat is the author of City of the Plague God published by Rick Riordan Presents. He's also the author of The Templar Chronicles (trilogy) (coming out - again - soon with a new part 3), The Ash Mistry series, The Dragon's Eye, Mission Atomic, The Devil's Kiss, The City of Death, and Dark Goddess. He also writes the animated The Legend of Hanuman series for Disney Hotstars...

2021-03-1721 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 14. YA young adult books (part 2) with Sarwat Chadda & Shiulie GhoshYA young adult books (part 2) with Sarwat Chadda & Shiulie Ghosh: Sarwat & Shiulie discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to write & market YA (young adult) and mid-lit books. Sarwat is the author of City of the Plague God published by Rick Riordan Presents. He's also the author of The Templar Chronicles (trilogy) (coming out - again - soon with a new part 3), The Ash Mistry series, The Dragon's Eye, Mission Atomic, The Devil's Kiss, The City of Death, and Dark Goddess. He also writes the animated The Legend of Hanuman series for Disney Hotstars...

2021-03-1720 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 13. YA young adult books (part 3) with Sarwat Chadda & Shiulie GhoshYA young adult books (part 3) with Sarwat Chadda & Shiulie Ghosh: Sarwat & Shiulie discuss with We'd Like A Word presenters, Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan, how to write & market YA (young adult) and mid-lit books. Sarwat is the author of City of the Plague God published by Rick Riordan Presents. He's also the author of The Templar Chronicles (trilogy) (coming out - again - soon with a new part 3), The Ash Mistry series, The Dragon's Eye, Mission Atomic, The Devil's Kiss, The City of Death, and Dark Goddess. He also writes the animated The Legend of Hanuman series for Disney Hotstars...

2021-03-1724 min $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 2. Audiobooks (Part 2) with Patrick Moy, Caroline Lennon & Natalie ChisholmAudiobooks (Part 2) with Patrick Moy, Caroline Lennon & Natalie Chisholm: Caroline (who played Siobhan Hathaway in The Archers on BBC Radio 4), Patrick and Natalie, all audiobook narrators and actors (and in Natalie's case a producer too), reveal to We’d Like A Word presenters Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan the secrets of audiobook narration and how they make your writing sound good. Part 2 is all Patrick. Patrick Moy (aka Patrick Doddy) has narrated about 50 unabridged audiobooks, including Blackwatertown by Paul Waters (hurrah!), and books by Hilary Mantel, Catherine Doyle, Fintan O'Toole, Paul Murray, JP Donleavy, Helen Cullen, Eoin Colfer, Ian Coba...

2021-01-1928 min

One Last Thought - Your Regular Dose of Inspiration Ep4: One Step Ahead: Notes from the Problem Solving Unit by Stevyn ColganThis is one of my favourite business-related books, packed full of alternative methods to solving crimes from his ten years in the Problem SOlving Unit. As the publisher writes: Can lollipops reduce anti-social behaviour? Or wizards halt street gambling? Do fake bus stops protect pensioners? Will organising a dog show stop young people killing each other? Stevyn Colgan believes that the answer to all of those questions is 'Yes'. Buy the book at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1783525843/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_MXnAFb4AZFXNZ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters...

2020-09-2401 min

The Arts Show Episode #21: Stevyn ColganWe're joined by author, artist, former policeman and Q.I. elf Stevyn Colgan, with music by My Mate Dave, Morrell Music UK, Persephone In The Underworld, Nick Byrne and Esther Hayes!

2020-08-1157 min

A Paul Kerensa Podcast Comedians With Books #3: Stevyn Colgan + James DowdeswellOne final Comedians With Books podcast... plus news of Paul's new Christmas podcast with Grace Dent, on Audible, which is out now!At the 3rd Comedians With Books live show, we welcomed ex-QI elf Stevyn Colgan and wine connoisseur/comedian James Dowdeswell. Hear their chat on publishing, pubs, whodunnits, Rick Wakeman, doggy day care, and much more.Their books:...STEVYN COLGAN: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Stevyn-Colgan/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A266239%2Cp_27%3AStevyn%20ColganJAMES DOWDESWELL: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pub-Manifesto-Comedian-stands-pubs/dp/1852493550/ ...Plus amp...

2019-11-2848 min

Download New Full Audiobooks in Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Police & Detective The Diabolical Club by Stevyn ColganPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/629959to listen full audiobooks. Title: The Diabolical Club Author: Stevyn Colgan Narrator: Rula Lenska Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 8 hours 47 minutes Release date: September 1, 2019 Genres: Police & Detective Publisher's Summary: Strange things are going on in Black Dog Wood, near the village of Nasely. There are rumours that it's become a popular dogging spot, and there have been alleged sightings of a werewolf-like monster. And then someone discovers a blindfolded skeleton, bizarrely buried standing up…When the secretary of a prestigious girl's boarding school is found murdered, all of the evidence points to the local MP. Hi...

2019-09-018h 47

The Ideas Lab Podcast Stevyn Colgan - Qi script writer, Met Police officer and award winning AuthorStevyn Colgan started his career as a police officer in London in the Met police problem solving unit. And now he's a comedy writer and has written for BBC programmess like Qi and The Museum of Curiosity. He's written several books including most recently a comedy Whodunnit called A Murder to Die For. In this interview you'll hear How the Met Police problem solving unit solved a late night public order problem using lollipops How Stevyn transition from being a Bobby on the beat to being a successful comedy script writer What it's like working with...

2019-05-0741 min

Sam Rhodes Presents: Segmentertainment!Season 3 Episode 20: QI Writer and Author Stevyn Colgan Schools a Wrongun!This week, Sam is joined by TV writer, podcaster, Author and QI elf Stevyn Colgan, and they discuss working on one of the most highly regarded TV shows in England, Losing your sight or ability to smell, Stevyn talks to Tommy Wrongun about his personal washing habits, We discuss the advances of the future and remember the foods of our youths. Find Sam online at www.facebook.com/SamRhodesCE Patronize him at patreon.com/SamRhodesCE Buy Steve's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Die-Stevyn-Colgan-ebook/dp/B072NZ1VR1/ref=la_B0...

2019-04-151h 24 $We\'d Like A Word$

We'd Like A Word 1. Words from writers, readers, books, poets, songs, films - We'd Like A Word from Paul Waters & Stevyn Colgan.This is a brief introduction to the We'd Like A Word podcast and radio show from Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan. We talk with writers, readers, celebrities, talkers, poets about books, songs, lyrics, speeches, scripts, fiction and non-fiction. We go out once a fortnight on Wednesday evening on radio and on Thursday morning on podcast. Our website is www.wedlikeaword.com - which is where you'll find information about Paul and Steve and our guests - and details of the radio stations that carry We'd Like A Word. We're also on Twitter @wedlikeaword and Facebook @wedlikeaword and our email is...

2019-03-3001 min

Call To Action Using lollipops to deal with noisy clubbers and more stories from the Met Police 'Problem Solving Unit' with Stevyn ColganWe’ve caught award-winning author, artist, public speaker and former QI head elf Stevyn Colgan for our latest podcast. Stevyn’ career started with 30 years in the Met Police Service, where he quickly landed up in the intriguingly named, ‘The Problem Solving Unit'; using lollipops to deal with noisy, rowdy night-clubbers was but one ingenious (and highly effective) idea he introduced. An expert problem solver, he’s given TED talks on this subject, amongst other top gigs, including the Edinburgh Festival, Latitude and Ogilvy’s behavioural science centrepiece Nudgestock. ///// Stevyn Colgan: Stevyn’s...

2019-03-081h 26

Download New Full Audiobooks in Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Police & Detective A Murder to Die For by Stevyn ColganPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/629957to listen full audiobooks. Title: A Murder to Die For Author: Stevyn Colgan Narrator: Rula Lenska Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 9 hours 39 minutes Release date: June 1, 2018 Genres: Police & Detective Publisher's Summary: When hordes of people descend on the picturesque village of Nasely for the annual celebration of its most famous resident, murder mystery writer Agnes Crabbe, events take a dark turn as the festival opens with a shocking death. Each year the residents are outnumbered by crowds dressed as Crabbe's lady detective Millicent Cutter. The weekend is never a mild-mannered affair as fan club rivalries...

2018-06-019h 39

O Behave Episode 12 - Prevention and Persuasion (with Stevyn Colgan)Ogilvy Change behavioural strategists Daniel Bennett and Mike Hughes interview Stevyn Colgan about how he came to use behavioural insights in his career as a policeman to make neighbourhoods of London safer places to live.Stevyn's books available on Amazon include:Why Did the Policeman Cross the Road?: How to solve problems before they arise A Murder to Die ForFollow Stevyn on Twitter @stevyncolganFollow us @ogilvychangeLike us on www.facebook.com/OgilvyChange/Sponsor SoundLounge soundlounge.co.uk/

2018-03-191h 05

Worst Foot Forward Ep 61: Stevyn Colgan - World's Worst PolicemanHullo hullo hullo...what have we got here then? Why officer, it's an episode all about the worst coppers of all time. We invited on QI elf, novelist, lateral thinker and ex-policeman with over 30 years service Stevyn Colgan to join us in settling the subject. As you'd expect, there's plenty of disreputable plods and dastardly inside jobs including brothels, speed cameras, three-card tricks, cross-dressing, lollipops and a very enthusiastic revolutionary. Have a listen and we're sure you'll agree it's a fair cop. Follow us on Twitter: @worstfoot @bazmcstay @benvandervelde @stevyncolgan @podnose Worst Foot Forward is part of...

2018-03-121h 08

Edinburgh Skeptics Presents...SciFest 2017: Stevyn Colgan Interview(Sorry for the slightly dodgy audio... - Ed) Time reasons scuppered our chances of having a nice chat with our old friend, QI Elf, and ex-copper Stevyn Colgan. So, to go along with his Science Festival 2017 talk we're dusting off the archives and bringing you a EdSkeptics classic - our interview with Stevyn from QED 2016. Stevyn Colgan is an author, artist, public speaker and oddly-spelled Cornishman. He has, among other things, been a chef, a brewer, a comics publisher and – for three decades - a police officer in London, during which time he was set on...

2017-04-2713 min

The Odditorium Crime Free Future with Stevyn ColganQI elf, author and ex-policeman, Stevyn Colgan argues the case for a crime-free future, using only a wheelie bin and a football pitch for props. Meanwhile in the studio, Dave Mounfield is trying to steal all the biscuits.

2016-06-3033 min

The Z List Dead List S03E6 Mad Jack ChurchillIn the last in this series, Qi Elf Stevyn Colgan celebrates the strangest soldiers of the second world war. How to stop a tank without a gun, plus the most original way to kill a Nazi and a bit of physical geography revision. We will be back in May 2015. Featuring Allison Digby Tatham-Warterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digby_Tatham-Warter Jack Churchill http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Churchill With thanks to Stevyn Colgan @stevyncolgan. Stevyn Colgan works for both BBC Qi (as an elf) and The Museum Of Curiousity on BBC Radio 4. He used to be a Police officer and h...

2015-03-1628 min

The Croydon Arts Show on Croydon Radio The Croydon Arts Show - Janet SmithThe Croydon Arts Show - with Author, Artist and QI Elf Stevyn Colgan, Tim Hodgson Artistic Director The Old Joint Stock Theatre Company and Robert Andre Talking Movies. I'm away this week but the show is pre recorded and I will try to be live in the Shoutbox from Paris (WiFi permitting!) Interviews covering the arts local and further a field. Stevyn Colgan is a British writer, artist and public speaker. Colgan's first book Joined-Up Thinking was published in 2008. He has written two further books, Henhwedhlow and Constable Colgan's Connectoscope. He's one of the 'elves' that provides questions for the...

2013-09-221h 59

A Bit Of A Chat With Ken Plume - FRED Entertainment Stevyn ColganKen Plume has a chat with author/artist Stevyn Colgan about the Met, Stableneck, nipples, fetal evolution, molotovs, Blue Peter, Carr tax, and sodden Baloos.

2012-06-223h 19