One viral video can catapult your manuscript from desk drawer to bestseller list - skipping agents, auctions, and all the polite rejections in between.

In this episode of The Tortured Writers Podcast, authors bare their souls on the agony of starting over, the sneaky “time thieves” that derail us, and how to nail those elusive character voices while surviving the sting of rejection.

Joining me is Adam Beswick, who reveals exactly how he exploded on TikTok and Instagram, built a fanbase, ditched his day job with five-figure monthly royalties, and why he’ll never look back at traditional publishing.

Plus, Bookaholic Bex is obsessed with a jaw-dropping domestic thriller debut that’ll keep you guessing until the final page.

What You’ll Learn

- Self-Publishing Superpowers: How TikTok virality turned Adam's thrillers into overnight hits, offering speed and control that traditional paths often stifle.

- Character Fire: Secrets to crafting arcs that hook readers fast - ditching bland tropes for voices that linger and plots that pulse.

- Rejection Resilience: Mindset shifts for surviving (and thriving beyond) the slush pile, with tips on when to pivot to direct-to-fan freedom.

Adam’s rise is a cheeky nudge that in writing, the boldest paths often lead to the biggest breakthroughs.

The Tortured Writers Podcast is sponsored by Cheshire Novel Prize, an international writing competition for debut writers where every entry gets feedback. Go to cheshirenovelprize.com for more details or follow on Instagram @cheshirenovelprize.

The Tortured Writers Podcast is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Picture the cursor blinking like a judgmental metronome while you scroll for the perfect air-fryer accessory you’ll never use…

In this episode, I dive into confessions from authors including Will Dean and Alison Stockham on their writing torments, answers listener questions on building confidence and structuring chapters, and chat with award-winning poet, novelist, and coach Sophie Hannah about the psychology of procrastination. Plus, book blogger Bookaholic Bex recommends a quirky family drama debut.

Together, explore the highs and lows of the creative grind, from gloomy winter slumps to rediscovering library magic, all while sharing practical tools for getting unstuck.

What You’ll Learn

- Confidence Builders: How reframing your inner critic and focusing on the reader’s experience can turn self-doubt into steady progress.

- Procrastination Pitfalls: The dopamine-driven reasons we delay, and Sophie’s strategies for breaking cycles by making writing feel like a reward.

- Chapter Mastery: Tips for crafting compelling openings and endings that hook readers and propel the story forward without rigid formulas.

Sophie’s wisdom is a comforting reminder that every writer’s distractions and doubts are universal but with insight and tweaks, they don’t have to derail the dream.

The Tortured Writers Podcast is sponsored by Cheshire Novel Prize, an international writing competition for debut writers where every entry gets feedback. Go to cheshirenovelprize.com for more details or follow on Instagram @cheshirenovelprize.

The Tortured Writers Podcast is produced by Urban Podcasts.

What if the key to great writing isn’t avoiding the pain, but leaning into the procrastination and silence that fuels it?

In this debut episode of The Tortured Writers Podcast, I kick off with confessions from fellow authors on their writing woes, answers listener questions on immediate scenes versus narrative summary and handling flashbacks, plus crime novelist Will Dean joins me to talk about his Tuva Moodyson series, his forest-dwelling routine, and why he writes in total silence. Plus, award-winning blogger Bookaholic Bex shares her top recommendations.

What You’ll Learn

- Craft Essentials: The difference between showing immediate scenes and telling narrative summaries, plus tips for seamless flashbacks without derailing your story. This episode is immediate scene and narrative summary, plus tips on stage directions to enhance your story without overdoing it.

- Silence and Structure: How writing without distractions connects you deeper to emotions, and why outlining every chapter keeps the momentum going.

- Reader-First Mindset: Prioritising the story over publication dreams, embracing revisions, and letting go of ego for authentic, gripping prose.

This episode is a heartfelt nudge that every writer’s torture - from endless tea breaks to social media scrolls is part of the path to crafting books that resonate.

The Tortured Writers Podcast is sponsored by Cheshire Novel Prize, an international writing competition for debut writers where every entry gets feedback. Go to cheshirenovelprize.com for more details or follow on Instagram @cheshirenovelprize.

The Tortured Writers Podcast is produced by Urban Podcasts.