Jen Bowden

A greyscale photo of Tania leaning against a brick wall. Only her head and shoulders are visible and she has cropped dark hair. She is wearing a dark top and slightly lighter cardigan, and she is smiling at the camera.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

'To be a writer, all you need to do is write.'

Experimental writer, scientist and creative writing mentor @taniahershman.bsky.social is on Northern Voices today talking about blending science, creativity and genre, plus much more.

on.soundcloud.com/zET3rRUVdz6Q...

🙌

Keshed on the beach Down Under ... @stuhennigan.bsky.social

Mine's on the way so I'll send you Keshed in Aus when it arrives ;) will take it for a surf with the girls.

A photo of Andrew from the shoulders up against a plain white wall background. He is side-on to the camera so that his body faces to the left but his face is looking directly at us. He has short, dark hair and glasses and he is smiling. He is wearing a bright green and black striped t-shirt.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

'Publishers need to understand that Northern writing in no way has to be about the North.'

Northern Voices is back and the first episode of 2026 features prize-winning writer @andrewokeyauthor.bsky.social discussing writing, winning and the North.

on.soundcloud.com/9sgItHGJrHxP...

Haha love it

C*nting Crows (wasn't sure it would let me post with the 'u' in it haha)

Can confirm Blackwells are great for international postage. Cheaper than some books I've had posted from Aus suppliers even!

Oh class, just got yours and Ben M's from Blackwells and it was really reasonable! Nice one, Stu. Thanks for the tip. Look forward to reading when it arrives. 🙃

That is very fair, the cost of sending things abroad is pretty crazy. I will find a way!

Very keen to get a copy when it comes out. Do Ortac post internationally? If not I can get a copy sent to mam's and she can post it out maybe?

A black and white photo of Chloe sitting on a chair. She is leaning forward with one hand resting on crossed legs and the other supporting her chin. She is wearing several rings, a light long sleeved top and dark trousers. She has glasses and mid-length straight hair. She is looking at the camera and smiling slightly.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

'I like writing about women making terrible decisions'

Novelist @cdelull.bsky.social is on the final episode of Northern Voices for 2025 talking about writing bisexuality, her book Cacoethes and sassy, female-led fiction.

on.soundcloud.com/GkbhsBZagkm5...

A black and white photo of Malcolm from the neck up. He has short hair and is looking just left of the camera and smiling slightly. He is wearing a dark polo shirt and jacket. Behind him is an out of focus bookshelf.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

'It's getting much harder to be published the traditional way.'

Author @malhavardwriter.bsky.social joins me on Northern Voices to talk about why his foray into traditional publishing made him decide to do it himself.

on.soundcloud.com/LH2Wo0rK1V0I...

A photo of Ceri in front of a blurred brown background. She is sitting on the floor with her hands behind her knees. She is looking at the camera and smiling. She is wearing a blue dress with brown flowers and has short black hair with a full fringe. She has green eyes and is wearing pale pink lipstick.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

'Folklore is still part of everyday life in the cities as well as in the countryside.'

Novelist and folklore academic @cerihoulbrook.bsky.social is on Northern Voices today talking about boggarts, writing and her new book, Folklore, from @manchesterup.bsky.social

on.soundcloud.com/Zn0M7epQr9rg...

Ah it's aunty-nephew juggling in this case, but yes still fun. Especially in the middle of giving a class. I had some very amused students.

End of term marking – but with a 3.5 year old toddling in every five minutes and shouting 'knock knock are you busy!??'

A photo of Thea in front of a glass bookshelf filled with old gold and leather-bound books. She is side on from the camera and photographed from the shoulders up. She is smiling at the camera and has swirly eye makeup, bronze lipstick, blonde straight hair and brown eyes. She is wearing gold necklaces and a black vest top.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

'I know so many neurodivergent writers who have had rejections for "unrelatable" characters.'

Novelist @alethearlyons.bsky.social joins me on Northern Voices today to talk about diversity, writing and why AI isn't actually 'intelligent'.

on.soundcloud.com/gA1cXapmgwJ5...

Would also be remiss of me not to tag @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social and @newwritingnorth.bsky.social

A photo of Benjamin from the chest up standing in front of an old wooden door. He is wearing a bright blue coat, green shirt and black turtleneck. He has a sandy grey beard and brown eyes and is looking at the camera with a serious face. He is also wearing a camel-coloured hat with a wide brim.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

'In the North, we don't wait for handouts or to be given permission because that rarely comes. We just get on and do it.'

A special episode of Northern Voices today featuring the legendary @benjaminmyers76.bsky.social on his new novel, the North & more. @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social

rb.gy/tmsjtd

Should it not be corduroy given it's a publishing thing? 😅

As good a time as any to note that from early next year Northern Voices will be going out fortnightly rather than weekly. We've got a bit going on at home here having recently relocated to Perth (moving interstate 2/10 do not recommend) and had a bit of a job shuffle.

A selfie of Jodie showing her from the shoulders up. She is wearing a dark blue and white floral patterned blouse. Her blonde hair is shoulder length and she is wearing pink lipstick. She has blue eyes and is smiling at the camera. Behind her is a beige wall.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

'Publishers need to be more approachable at a grassroots level.'

Author and indie publisher Jodie Jones joins me on (the delayed) Episode 105 of Northern Voices talking about publishing, imposter syndrome and the natural storytellers of the North East.

on.soundcloud.com/ByhGc1YUBp67...

A selfie of Melanie, who is wearing a red, orange, brown and white paisley top. She has long, tousled red hair and blue eyes. She is looking at the camera and smiling. Behind her is a green woodland backdrop.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

'There needs to be more transparency from publishers about the financial side of things.'

Today @foxandinkbooks.bsky.social author Melanie Taylor joins me to talk about her novel, Love Digitally, financial accessibility, and more.

@liverpool-lit.bsky.social

on.soundcloud.com/0aEtGDdVjHc4...

A head and shoulders shot of Sean standing side on to the camera, looking directly at the lens. He has blue eyes and a silver nose ring. His shirt is pale blue linen and he also has a light brown beard and hair. He is smiling slightly.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

'I think celebrity writers are the biggest threat to authors at the moment – over and above AI.'

On Northern Voices, @canelobooks.bsky.social author @seanwatkinauthor.bsky.social talks writing crime, his novel Black Water Rising and Sonic the Hedgehog fan fiction.

on.soundcloud.com/osPOypoPlV3p...

We watched the whole series with Mam and Dad when we were home last week. Loved it. Beautiful and gentle. When I get five minutes to read something I want to read I'm getting the book.

Sarah is sitting sideways on a chair looking more glam than any of us can ever really hope to be. She is wearing a blue, purple and pink patterned long-sleeved dress. The chair is gold metal. She has a blonde fringe and her hair is tied up. She has blue eyes and is smiling slightly at the camera. The wall behind her is earthy brown and orange.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

'Regional diversity isn't spoken about enough and it would be lovely if publishers were braver.'

@panmacmillan.bsky.social author Sarah Handyside on her novel Instructions for Heartbreak, the celebrity books plague and the need for publishers to take more risks.

on.soundcloud.com/ll3TKykgtQJj...

Candi sits on a blue couch with a multicoloured crochet throw on it. There is a picture on the white wall behind her that is muted green and grey colours. She is visible from the shoulders up and has a brown side fringe and green-brown eyes. She is wearing a black jumper with a red pattern on one shoulder and is smiling slightly at the camera.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

'In hard times people turn to creativity – it's a free resource available to anybody'

Writer and advocate Candi Martin is on Northern Voices this week talking about her poetry collection Burnt Ice Cream @writtenoffbooks.bsky.social and Northern imposter syndrome.

on.soundcloud.com/7Za8TeFyfW7H...

Miriam stands next to a white horse with a white mane that is nuzzling her hand. Behind her is a metal gate and a green field in the background. Miriam is wearing a white trilby with a grey trim, a black suit and lilac shirt. She has fair hair and is smiling at the camera.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image. There is a graphic of four balloons in the bottom left corner – red, orange, blue and green – and a big cartoon pink and yellow '100' in the top right.

'We can be old and new, broken and whole, and that is what makes a writer.'

The wonderful @drmabibby.bsky.social has the honour of being my guest on the 100th episode of Northern Voices today talking about horses, history and Northern heritage.

on.soundcloud.com/BoMDcRg4bXiU...

Thanks for a great episode :)

A greyscale photo of Neil from the shoulders up looking directly into the camera. His expression is serious and he is wearing headphones with wires. He has a beard and his hair is tied back.

The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.

'Northern creatives need to set their sights further afield than just London.'

Podcaster and horror writer Neil McRobert @talkscaredpod.bsky.social joins me to discuss publishing, the North and having Stephen King as a writing friend. @wildhuntbooks.bsky.social

on.soundcloud.com/ExqvbmvBS3b0...