Have you ever wondered what it actually takes to write a book? Not just the romantic idea of it, but the raw, day-to-day reality of moving from a blank screen to holding a finished copy in your hands?

In this episode of the Independent Authors podcast, broadcast from our studio in Derbyshire, we are joined by an extraordinary creative collective dialling in from North Wales.

We sit down with published authors Lyn Asquith, Mike Leaver, and Sid Stephenson, alongside their invaluable agent and editor, Ian Spindley.

What follows is a wonderfully candid, deeply human conversation about the unique paths that lead us to creativity, and the sheer determination required to survive the journey.

• The Spark of Inspiration

  Discover how unexpected life disruptions—from an enforced national lockdown to a lovesick motorbike trip across the Alps—can unexpectedly unlock the stories buried inside us.

• Three Compelling Tales:

  Get a firsthand look into the themes of three incredible featured books: the profound moral and wealth dilemmas in Lynn’s Time to Fly, the universally acclaimed, five-star battle for survival in Mike’s Newspaper Curtains, and the highly visual, cinematic political tension of Sid’s Nemesis.

• An Off-Grid Philosophy

  Meet Mike Leaver, a wonderfully eccentric author who rejects modern electronics entirely, typing his novels in the local library and living a peaceful, candlelit existence that costs just £12 a week.

• The Masterclass for Budding Writers

  If you have an aspiring novel tucked away in your head, this episode is gold dust. Our guests share practical advice on using mind mapping to structure chaotic plots, how to handle structural timelines, and the harsh realities of avoiding "vanity publishing" traps.

• "Get what’s in your head onto paper. Don’t concern yourself with punctuation or structure at first. Give your ideas space, sit down, and love the process." — Sid Stephenson

  Ready to dive into their worlds?

  You can support our independent guests by exploring their featured works below:

  • Lynn Asquith – Time to Fly (and look out for her upcoming sequel!)

  • Mike Leaver – Newspaper Curtains

  • Sid Stephenson – Sinkhole & Nemesis

  Links to purchase all books and explore the authors' wider collections can be found on our website here:

  https://independentauthors.uk/our-authors

  Hit play now to pull back the curtain on the independent writing world—and perhaps find the precise inspiration you need to start your own first chapter.