The Write Place (formerly The Joined Up Writing Podcast)
Joined Up Writing is now The Write Place! A new name but the same great content - hundreds of interviews with writers giving the stories behind their books and paths to publication. Packed with advice, inspiration and tips and hosted by crime writer, producer and writing coach, Wayne Kelly, The Write Place is a regular podcast for writers and book lovers. Tuesdays on the Web, iTunes, Android and Spotify.
The Write Place (formerly The Joined Up Writing Podcast)
Writing Suspense, Surviving Reviews and Finding the Right Book with Gemma Denham
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In this episode of The Write Place, I’m joined once again by author Gemma Denham to talk about her new psychological thriller, The Inheritance.
Kate and Patrick are struggling financially when an unexpected inheritance seems to offer the perfect escape: a Victorian townhouse on the north-east coast. But from the moment they arrive, things feel wrong. Objects disappear, footsteps sound in the night, and Kate begins to wonder whether someone is getting into the locked house, whether something more unsettling is at work, or whether she is losing her grip on reality.
Gemma and I chat about the idea behind the book, balancing thriller and supernatural elements without tipping fully into horror, and why The Inheritance flowed so differently from the difficult second book she originally tried to write. We also talk honestly about second book syndrome, imposter syndrome, Goodreads reviews, publishing timelines, social media, marketing as an author, and the reality of building a writing career after your debut has gone out into the world.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The creepy locked-house setup behind The Inheritance
- Writing suspense without crossing fully into supernatural horror
- Why Gemma’s original second book didn’t quite work
- The pressure that follows a debut novel
- Plotting, character journals and visual references
- Researching blessings and exorcisms with a local vicar
- How reviews can feed imposter syndrome
- The difference between writing for yourself and writing with a publisher waiting
- Gemma’s Darkest Hour and what she learned from pushing through a difficult project
You can find out more about Gemma and her books at her website, GemmaDenham.com, and follow her on Instagram, Facebook and X. The Inheritance is available now in paperback and ebook.
My book, Real Writers Never Quit, is out now: https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrkelly2u/