This week, I am trying something new. I’m launching a podcast. I’m no Emily Maitlis but my plan is to chat with women who inspire me, hoping they will inspire you, too.
I’m starting with my friend, the author Maria Frankland.
Maria is an author, poet and creative writing teacher from Leeds. She writes psychological thrillers and nonfiction books for writers.
Since turning forty, Maria has transformed her life, achieving her dream of becoming a full-time writer and inspiring many others along the way.
You can listen to the podcast or watch the episode below. If you’re pushed for time, there’s also a time-stamped podcast overview.
🎙️Time-stamped podcast overview
00:00 How we met and worked together and Maria’s focus and determination to make her writing happen.
02:07 Publishing her first book, a poetry anthology about being trapped in an unhappy marriage, then finding happiness.
04:03 About always wanting to write, her difficult childhood, and being surprised at how much she’s achieved.
05:42 Writing poetry and prose. Writing a memoir and her first novel. Feeling the pull of fiction.
07:19 Studying for a master’s degree in creative writing at Leeds Trinity University. Working a few jobs, being a single mum and her determination to do the degree.
10:47 Her next steps after graduating. Setting up her writing classes and courses.
13:35 Me trying to persuade Maria to run some more residential writing weekends.
14:00 Turning her courses into books about writing.
14:33 Trying to get an agent. Focusing on self publishing and becoming an independent author.
15:55 Setting up her own publishing company, Autonomy Press. And how she’s never looked back.
18:50 Self publishing her first novels. Advice for self publishing. Treating it like a business, and marketing.
21:13 Building her audience and getting readers. Getting a terrible review.
23:20 Email marketing to keep in touch with readers. Facebook advertising.
25:50 When the publishers came to her on her fiftieth birthday! ‘If you keep going, you will get noticed.’
30:44 Talking about her books and back catalogue. ‘It feels great to have written so many.’
31:40 Her writing process. What makes her prolific and what we can learn from that.
33:10 Writing in 70-minute blocks. First draft in a month. Two months to edit. Releasing four books a year.
34:30 Imposter syndrome. Advice to other writers. Developing confidence, learning and investing in yourself.
37:22 How she’s so determined.
39:29 Plotting and discovery writing. She’s a bit of both.
41:00 Reading influences. Reading a lot to become a better writer.
42:27 What’s next? A busy year with lots of books coming out.
44:22 If you’re new to Maria’s work, where should you start?
46:46 Believing in yourself.
Do have a look at Maria’s website, where you can find out more about her books.
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