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It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a woman at the start of a midlife crisis needs a creative project. So writer, journalist and broadcaster Harriet Minter is writing a book….. A “chick-lit” novel (don’t worry, we’ll be discussing that term). A genre that is both critiqued and loved in equal parts. Join Harriet for the writing journey, as she navigates story arcs, character traits and plots. In every episode you’ll hear from authors who have been there and done it and friends who ca ...
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All hail the queen, Marian Keyes. Brace yourself it’s going full fan-girl in this week's episode as Harriet is joined by Author (and fellow Marian fan) Kate Leaver. Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes is one of Harriet’s all-time favourite books, it’s adored by many and could be considered the benchmark of women's commercial fiction, this year is the …
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This week the tables are turned, and Harriet gets her fair share of questioning! Joining Harriet this week is prolific author Dorothy Koomson. Dorothy has written an incredible 17 books and as you’ll hear - she does NOT write books she isn’t wholly passionate about. Dorothy gives Harriet some serious home truths about the writing and publishing pro…
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“You take something good and make it really dark.” A fellow Harriet is joining Harriet on this week’s A Truth Universally Acknowledged! Harriet Tyce writes crime fiction novels. She wrote her first book “Blood Orange”, which was a big hit, as a result of her MA in crime writing. In this episode, you’ll hear how Harriet’s best-laid plans for her wri…
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From blog to book, how “Yinka” came into being. Lizzie Demilola Blackburn is a first-time author with her debut novel “Yinka Where is Your Husband?” out on 31st of March. Lizzie first created her main character on her blog and tells Harriet about the benefits of entering writing competitions. Harriet and Lizzie discuss the reality of getting rid of…
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“It’s fucking rude not to give the reader a happy ending” In this episode of A Truth Universally Acknowledged Harriet talks to Author Sarra Manning. The pair discuss the need for a good romance novel in the world today and why people aren’t as damning towards men, who are at the end of the day, also just writing romance. After years of writing for …
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“Comedy is the glue that holds the pain together” Joining Harriet in this episode is Ayisha Malik, described as “one of the most exciting authors writing today”. Harriet and Ayisha discuss how they have both felt the need to write a wonderfully “literary” novel and why this pressure exists over being celebrated simply for writing a good old rom-com…
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"Loss is the price we pay for love." Helen Paris is a theatre maker and author, her latest book Lost Property is "a portrait of loss in all its forms" for which she took on work experience at Baker Street's lost property building learning about the items which line the walls and stories they hold, from the mundane to the absurd as Helen says; "in t…
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Why do we write? That’s one of the many questions host Harriet Minter is exploring in the second series of A Truth Universally Acknowledged. In this first episode, Harriet is joined by Writer and Broadcaster Christina Patterson, Christina’s latest book “Outside The Sky Is Blue” is a life-affirming family memoir. The pair discuss how the creative pr…
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“I had to decimate the idea in my head that happiness is dependent on being in a relationship.” Harriet is ending on the topic that started the podcast in a very satisfying full-circle moment (it’s like she’s been thinking about plot or something?!) Why is women’s fiction so overlooked? She is joined by an author who recently wrote an article on th…
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How can you be creative when life gets in the way; emotions are high and you’re just not in the right headspace? Amanda Prowse wrote her first book at 43 after recovering from cancer. In this episode, Harriet and Amanda examine how “the right time” never really exists and how women are often led to believe they’ve missed the boat on being creative …
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“How can I best give my characters hell? By knowing every single detail about them - including their inside leg measurement” First time author Nikki May’s book Wahala is out in January. It’s set to be the most talked-about book of 2022. It’s even being adapted into a screenplay. Harriet and Nikki discuss how useful it can be to get to know your cha…
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“I constantly exist in two worlds; this and in the one in my head with my characters.” In her 21 years of writing Adele Parks has published 21 books. Her 22nd is out next year - and she’s currently working on book 23! So what’s her secret to this mammoth back catalogue? In this episode of A Truth Universally Acknowledged, Adele shares the secrets o…
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“I am my dream reader - and I’m doing this for me.” How often have you read a chick-lit novel and thought “I bet this lead character is just like the author in real life!” But - does this happen more often to female authors? Radhika Sanghani thinks so. Radhika joins Harriet on this episode of A Truth Universally Acknowledged. Radhika wrote her firs…
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Sex scenes are omnipresent in chick-lit. If it hasn’t happened yet, it most probably will at some point - OR at least one character is thinking about it! So - how do you even begin to write one? Harriet’s first guest on A Truth Universally Acknowledged is Daisy Buchanan. Daisy has written several non-fiction books, but her most recent release “Insa…
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Author, Journalist and Broadcaster Harriet Minter is writing a book….. A chick-lit novel, (arguably) the best and most critiqued genre. First-time fiction writer Harriet will take you along for her writing journey. Every week you’ll hear from authors who have been there and done it, as they share their processes and tips with Harriet and help her w…
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