The best Penguin Podcast episodes for aspiring writers

Bonnie Garmus has won the hearts of countless readers with Lessons in Chemistry, her bestselling debut novel about no-nonsense scientist Elizabeth Zott, her precocious daughter Mad, and canine companion Six-Thirty. Speaking in conversation with Isy Suttie, she shares her thoughts on the "hard transition" from drafting to publication, building solidarity with fellow writers, and why her job as a copywriter honed her storytelling skills.

This expansive conversation between Julian Barnes and Nihal Arthanayake covers some heavy political topics, including the European Union and the perils of patriotism – but also a great deal of wisdom about what it means to be a writer. Discussing his latest novel, Elizabeth Finch, the Booker Prize-winning author talks about taking inspiration from his friendship with Anita Brookner, developing curiosity late in life, and why his manuscripts are "like a fingerprint".

Bernardine Evaristo's eighth book, the experimental and "radical" novel Girl, Woman, Other, was met with huge critical success and plaudits, including the 2019 Booker Prize. In this highly informative episode, she discusses how she brings a poet's sensibility to writing a novel, finding inspiration in 1980s Black British feminist counter-culture, and writing characters beyond your own demographic identity.

The Girl on the Train became a runaway bestseller when it first hit shelves, going on to inspire a star-studded film and become a mainstay in the psychological thriller genre. But for Paula Hawkins, huge commercial success did not always translate to critical acclaim, or indeed boost her confidence as a writer. In this episode, she unpacks this tension and shares details on how she develops three-dimensional characters, as well as her path from financial journalist, to a romance author, to her breakthrough as a thriller writer.

Is there a rom-com character more iconic – or relatable – than Bridget Jones? Get inside the mind of her creator Helen Fielding in this podcast episode, as she shares the personal experiences that inspired Bridget Jones's unmistakeable narrative voice, how travel brochures form part of her writing process, and what it was like capturing the angst of a generation with her thirty-something singleton heroine.

Booker Prize-winning author Marlon James delves deep into the inspiration and process that led to Black Leopard, Red Wolf, the first instalment of the Dark Star Trilogy which he has dubbed an "African Game of Thrones". "I researched this book a good two years before I wrote a word", he tells host Nihal Arthanayake, as he talks about "redesigning" his approach to English to write his characters and dialogue, immersing himself in the worlds he creates, and surprising himself with his own plot lines.

Bestselling historical fiction author Conn Iggulden made history of his own in 2007, when he topped both the UK fiction and non-fiction charts with Wolf of the Plains and The Dangerous Book for Boys, respectively. In this episode, he opens up about his creative process, including how he uses history to shape characters, the lengths he will go to to write accurate battle scenes, and how being an outsider as a child helped make him an observant writer.

Malorie Blackman, the author who changed the face of YA literature with her remarkable Noughts and Crosses series, needs little introduction. In this podcast episode, she discusses dealing with rejection, discovering authors of colour late in her reading journey, the romantic gesture that helped her become a professional writer, and the ins and outs of her creative process.

Few authors have made their mark on children's literature quite like Jacqueline Wilson, the former Children's Laureate who has captivated young readers for decades with her memorable characters and storylines that didn't shy away from difficult topics. Speaking in conversation with Katy Brand, the Tracy Beaker author shares her thoughts on how swimming helps with writer's block, whether the smartphone has changed childhood, and the value of hiring sensitivity editors.