Ever wrestled with the decision to switch lanes mid-career, or felt the tug of a creative calling that defies expectations? Chioma Okereke is a poet and author who transitioned from the structured world of law to the fluid realm of literature. We take you through the peaks and valleys of releasing a novel, and the realities of authorship in our digital age—yes, including that tricky dance of social media for writers. Chioma and I talk about the resilience needed to navigate the unpredictable tides of the publishing world, her new novel, Water Baby, which is a coming-of-age story set in the real settlement of Makoko in Lagos. Nigeria and her charity Makoko Pearls.

Water Baby
She's the Pearl of Makoko and the world is her oyster.

In Makoko, the floating slum off mainland Lagos, Nigeria, nineteen-year-old Baby yearns for an existence where she can escape the future her father has planned for her.

With opportunities scarce, Baby jumps at the chance to join a newly launched drone-mapping project, aimed at broadening the visibility of her community.

Then a video of her at work goes viral and Baby finds herself with options she could never have imagined - including the possibility of leaving her birthplace to represent Makoko on the world stage.

But will life beyond the lagoon be everything she's dreamed of? Or has everything she wants been in front of her all along?

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In today's conversation, Sunday Times and New York Times Bestselling author S J Watson and I navigate the uncertain waters of a writer's psyche, we swim through the currents of success and the hold it has on our sense of self. It's a raw look at the myths of writing and publishing, and the significance of authenticity in a world that often prioritizes market appeal over original voice.

S J Watson's debut novel, Before I go to Sleep was a global phenomon that has sold over 6,000,000 copies and was adapted into a major film staring Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong. Our conversation includes how S.J. Watson navigated the rollercoaster of success with a practical guide to navigating the ever-changing landscape of the publishing industry and the balance between creativity and commercialism. We also ponder the advice we might offer to our younger selves, embracing the joys and challenges that define the creative spirit

Before I Go To Sleep
Memories define us.

So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep?

Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love - all forgotten overnight.

And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story.

Welcome to Christine's life.

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For Sunday Times Bestselling author, Erin Kelly, every book launch feels like stepping into the spotlight for the first time, each page a new opportunity to captivate an audience or fall flat. This episode is an expedition through the complexities of authorship, examining the delicate equilibrium between the creative spirit and the unforgiving marketplace. Together, Erin Kelly and I uncover the ambitious path of securing book deals, confront the stark realities of writers' earnings, and celebrate the tradition of mentorship that binds the community of storytellers. Erin Kelly's debut, The Poison Tree was an instant Sunday Times Bestseller, became a major ITV drama and was a Richard & Judy Summer Read in 2013. Her tenth novel, The House of Mirrors, the sequel to 'The Poison Tree' is available now.

The House of Mirrors
One of them has killed before.
One of them will kill again.

In the sweltering summer of 1997, straight-laced, straight-A student Karen met Biba - a bohemian and impossibly glamorous aspiring actress. A few months later, two people were dead and another had been sent to prison.

Having stood by Rex as he served his sentence, Karen is now married to him with a daughter, Alice, who runs a vintage clothing company in London. They're a normal family, as long as they don't talk about the past, never mention the name Biba, and ignore Alice's flashes of dark, dangerous fury.

Karen has kept what really happened that summer of '97 hidden deep inside her. Alice is keeping secrets of her own. But when anonymous notes begin to arrive at Alice's shop, it seems the past is about to catch up with them all ...

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Patreon - Support The Show
patreon.com/theconversationwithnadinemathesonpodcast

Thank you for joining me. Don't forget to subscribe, download and review.

Pre-Order The Kill List (Inspector Henley - Book 3)

Follow Me:
www.nadinematheson.com

Threads: @nadinematheson
Facebook: nadinemathesonbooks
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BlueSky: @nadinematheson.bsky.social