I hate to break it to you, but if you're someone who wants to be a writer, then you've been lied to!In this bitesized podcast episode of @Proseandpastries I talk about the top 3 lies you've been told about writing. Taken from my conversations with published authors, I discuss everything from writing routines and how often you should write, to holding your own identity and self belief, through rejection. I also talk for the first time about my own writing journey and the successes, failures and curveballs I've been thrown so far in my writing career and my unwavering hope.As I say in this video, if there's one thing I want you to take away from this its to stop using the term 'aspiring writer.' Let me know what you think about this in the comments. Do you agree with any of these points and what would you like to talk about next time?Don't forget to like and subscribe and check out our other episodes.Jen

In this episode Jen is excited to talk to her next guest author at her romantasy and fantasy retreat day, Romantic fantasy writer Kerry Williams. Starting out writing romantic fantasy novels during lockdown Kerry is most well known for her Darkness Duet series. In the episode, Kerry maps her career from indie to agented writer, talks about moving into the Romantasy genre and whether romance needs a happy ending, as well as what it was like to finally achieve the dream of getting a top literary agent...in a week! Settle in for our second episode of the Prose and Pastries Podcast for conversations about writing, publishing and creativity.You can buy Kerry's novels here:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFVLPTBT?tag=htpubs-21To find out more about Secret Writing Retreats events for writers and the next Romantasy and Fantasy day retreat at Warwick Castle with Kerry and Jen go to secretwritingretreats.co.ukThanks to Matt Dibbens at Soundcloud for the use of his music track Uncanny and additional music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/studiokolomna/elegy-of-the-heartstringsLicense code: XUHFRQVV4OMI35UT

In this episode Jen talks to award-winning writer Liam Brown.

With a writing career spanning over a decade, Liam has lots of advice to give up and coming writers about keeping a writing routine, what its like to be considered both an "award-winning" writer and a "romantic novelist" after the commercial success of his novel Evergreens, as well as discussing his upcoming novel Fan Fiction and why it may be considered controversial, particularly by his previous employer!

Settle in for the first ever episode of the Prose and Pastries Podcast for conversations about writing, publishing and creativity.

You can buy Liam's novel Evergreens here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/evergreens-what-if-you-could-stay-young-forever-what-if-you-never-had-to-grow-old-liam-brown/7415124?ean=9781915643834&next=t

Fan Fiction is due to be released by Orion Books in 2027

To find out more about Secret Writing Retreats day retreats and events for writers go to secretwritingretreats.co.uk

Thanks to Matt Dibbens at https://soundcloud.com/dibs-2 for the use of his music track Uncanny.

Prose and Pastries is a guest-led podcast about writing, publishing, and the long road to getting your work into the world.

In this trailer, I share my personal goal: to secure a literary agent and a traditional publishing deal and why I’ve created this podcast to learn from people who’ve already been there.

Each episode features honest, thoughtful conversations with published authors, literary agents, editors, and publishing professionals about what the publishing journey really looks like, from querying and rejection to book deals, confidence, and creative resilience.

Prose and Pastries is for writers who want clarity, courage, and companionship as they build a sustainable creative life.

Created by Jen from Secret Writing Retreats. New episodes coming soon.