Welcome to The Story Behind My Stories — the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real-life experiences in off‑the‑path locations.Readers of my crime fiction novels often tell me “It feels like I'm there” and “The places and spaces feel authentic.” That's because they are.Here, I usually share how I ended up in the places my novels are set, how and why I chose to use those experiences in DI Goodwin’s investigations around the world and at home in Surrey.But in this special Author Season, I’m sitting down with authors who have their own powerful stories behind their stories whether fiction or non‑fiction. We explore the real-life inspirations, lived experiences, and personal journeys that shaped their writing.Please subscribe, follow, or comment - it means the world to an indie author.In this episode, Amy Ebeid joins me to share the real-life experience as a breast cancer survivor. Her book of her personal journey through a double mastectomy, treatment, adoption and then supporting her mother through lung cancer is a powerful and inspiring read. Our conversation is real and deep drawing on painful experiences but uplifting with plenty of laughter too. It's a powerful listen and hopefully support in Breast Cancer Awareness month.Resources:Please visit www.helentaylorauthor.co.uk to learn more about Helen and her books and experiences as well as the new series of books that expand on this podcast with personal photos and diary excerpts.Get the latest from Helen Taylor at https://helentaylorauthor.comOr for all links go to https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthorTo learn more about Amy Ebeid and her experiences, initiatives and books connect with her or buy the book here:Broken Warriors on Amazon.com:

https://a.co/d/0bJyEMiO

Broken Warriors on Amazon.co.uk:

https://amzn.eu/d/03vbzBLe

Amy's website is:

www.ebeidpsychology.com

Connect on Instagram: @akepsyd

Welcome to The story behind My stories —the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real life experiences that inspired them.

Readers often tell me 'It feels like I'm there', 'The places and spaces feel authentic'. That's because they are.

Here, I will share how I ended up in the places the novels are set in, how and why those real experiences became part of DI Goodwin's investigations from far edges of the world to home in Surrey.

I will share the real-life inspirations and intimate stories that shaped each of my novels. You'll discover how everyday encounters, secretive motivation, and travelled journeys translate into tales as gripping as they are genuine.

Please subscribe, follow or comment - it means the world to an Indie Author.

In this season finale I talk about meeting Ben and how I wish I had met Ben earlier, been introduced to Rugby and played the game when I was younger.

Resources:

Please visit ⁠https://helentaylorauthor.com⁠ to to explore the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series, read the blog, and dive into The Story Behind My Stories nonfiction series.

This season explores the story behind Die Trying — a character‑driven crime mystery set in the fictitious Old Waltonians Rugby Club in Walton‑on‑Thames, Surrey.

Read or download the book here:

⁠https://mybook.to/DieTrying⁠

Get all the links in one place:

⁠https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthor⁠

The club in the book is fictional, but the real club I play at is Esher Rugby Club. Learn more about the club and Walking Rugby here:

⁠https://www.esherrugby.com/⁠

#books #crimefiction #podcast #rugby #storybehindmystories #storyinspiration #bookrecommendations

Welcome to The story behind My stories —the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real life experiences that inspired them.

Readers often tell me 'It feels like I'm there', 'The places and spaces feel authentic'. That's because they are.

Here, I will share how I ended up in the places the novels are set in, how and why those real experiences became part of DI Goodwin's investigations from far edges of the world to home in Surrey.

I will share the real-life inspirations and intimate stories that shaped each of my novels. You'll discover how everyday encounters, secretive motivation, and travelled journeys translate into tales as gripping as they are genuine.

Please subscribe, follow or comment - it means the world to an Indie Author.

In this episode ten strangers head out to Grenada in the Caribbean to introduce Walking Rugby at the Caribbean World 7s finals.

Resources:

Please visit ⁠https://helentaylorauthor.com⁠ to to explore the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series, read the blog, and dive into The Story Behind My Stories nonfiction series.

This season explores the story behind Die Trying — a character‑driven crime mystery set in the fictitious Old Waltonians Rugby Club in Walton‑on‑Thames, Surrey.

Read or download the book here:

⁠https://mybook.to/DieTrying⁠

Get all the links in one place:

⁠https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthor⁠

The club in the book is fictional, but the real club I play at is Esher Rugby Club. Learn more about the club and Walking Rugby here:

⁠https://www.esherrugby.com/⁠

#books #crimefiction #podcast #rugby #storybehindmystories #storyinspiration #bookrecommendations

Welcome to The story behind My stories —the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real life experiences that inspired them.

Readers often tell me 'It feels like I'm there', 'The places and spaces feel authentic'. That's because they are.

Here, I will share how I ended up in the places the novels are set in, how and why those real experiences became part of DI Goodwin's investigations from far edges of the world to home in Surrey.

I will share the real-life inspirations and intimate stories that shaped each of my novels. You'll discover how everyday encounters, secretive motivation, and travelled journeys translate into tales as gripping as they are genuine.

Please subscribe, follow or comment - it means the world to an Indie Author.

In this episode I talk about life behind the bar. Observing people and how the bar and match day experience is the setting for so much of Die Trying. I mention other festivals, events and the Football World Cup 2026 fan zones Esher hosted and the stark contrast of the behaviour of football fans over rugby fans.

Resources:

Please visit ⁠https://helentaylorauthor.com⁠ to to explore the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series, read the blog, and dive into The Story Behind My Stories nonfiction series.

This season explores the story behind Die Trying — a character‑driven crime mystery set in the fictitious Old Waltonians Rugby Club in Walton‑on‑Thames, Surrey.

Read or download the book here:

⁠https://mybook.to/DieTrying⁠

Get all the links in one place:

⁠https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthor⁠

The club in the book is fictional, but the real club I play at is Esher Rugby Club. Learn more about the club and Walking Rugby here:

⁠https://www.esherrugby.com/⁠

#books #crimefiction #podcast #rugby #storybehindmystories #storyinspiration #bookrecommendations

Welcome to The story behind My stories —the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real life experiences that inspired them.

Readers often tell me 'It feels like I'm there', 'The places and spaces feel authentic'. That's because they are.

Here, I will share how I ended up in the places the novels are set in, how and why those real experiences became part of DI Goodwin's investigations from far edges of the world to home in Surrey.

I will share the real-life inspirations and intimate stories that shaped each of my novels. You'll discover how everyday encounters, secretive motivation, and travelled journeys translate into tales as gripping as they are genuine.

Please subscribe, follow or comment - it means the world to an Indie Author.

In this episode it's Ben's Birthday Tour - the organisation and day of my partner Ben's 60th surprise tour.

Resources:

Please visit ⁠https://helentaylorauthor.com⁠ to to explore the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series, read the blog, and dive into The Story Behind My Stories nonfiction series.

This season explores the story behind Die Trying — a character‑driven crime mystery set in the fictitious Old Waltonians Rugby Club in Walton‑on‑Thames, Surrey.

Read or download the book here:

⁠https://mybook.to/DieTrying⁠

Get all the links in one place:

⁠https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthor⁠

The club in the book is fictional, but the real club I play at is Esher Rugby Club. Learn more about the club and Walking Rugby here:

⁠https://www.esherrugby.com/⁠

#books #crimefiction #podcast #rugby #storybehindmystories #storyinspiration #bookrecommendations

Welcome to The story behind My stories —the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real life experiences that inspired them.

Readers often tell me 'It feels like I'm there', 'The places and spaces feel authentic'. That's because they are.

Here, I will share how I ended up in the places the novels are set in, how and why those real experiences became part of DI Goodwin's investigations from far edges of the world to home in Surrey.

I will share the real-life inspirations and intimate stories that shaped each of my novels. You'll discover how everyday encounters, secretive motivation, and travelled journeys translate into tales as gripping as they are genuine. Please subscribe, follow or comment - it means the world to an Indie Author.

This week we take a look at how Walking Rugby allowed me to play with a torn ACL and my first experience of a rugby tour at Kingswood Festival in 2024.

Resources:Please visit https://helentaylorauthor.com to to explore the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series, read the blog, and dive into The Story Behind My Stories nonfiction series.This season explores the story behind Die Trying — a character‑driven crime mystery set in the fictitious Old Waltonians Rugby Club in Walton‑on‑Thames, Surrey.Read or download the book here: https://mybook.to/DieTryingGet all the links in one place:https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthorThe club in the book is fictional, but the real club I play at is Esher Rugby Club. Learn more about the club and Walking Rugby here:https://www.esherrugby.com/#books #crimefiction #podcast #rugby #storybehindmystories #storyinspiration #bookrecommendations

Welcome to The story behind My stories —the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real life experiences that inspired them.

Readers often tell me 'It feels like I'm there', 'The places and spaces feel authentic'. That's because they are.

Here, I will share how I ended up in the places the novels are set in, how and why those real experiences became part of DI Goodwin's investigations from far edges of the world to home in Surrey.

I will share the real-life inspirations and intimate stories that shaped each of my novels. You'll discover how everyday encounters, secretive motivation, and travelled journeys translate into tales as gripping as they are genuine.

Please subscribe, follow or comment - it means the world to an Indie Author.

This week we take a short dive into the suspects of Die Trying, with character excerpts read straight from the book. Meet the people at the heart of the mystery.

Resources:Please visit https://helentaylorauthor.com to to explore the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series, read the blog, and dive into The Story Behind My Stories nonfiction series.

This season explores the story behind Die Trying — a character‑driven crime mystery set in the fictitious Old Waltonians Rugby Club in Walton‑on‑Thames, Surrey.

Read or download the book here: https://mybook.to/DieTrying

Get all the links in one place:https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthor

The club in the book is fictional, but the real club I play at is Esher Rugby Club. Learn more about the club and Walking Rugby here:https://www.esherrugby.com/

Welcome to The story behind My stories —the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real life experiences that inspired them.

Readers often tell me 'It feels like I'm there', 'The places and spaces feel authentic'. That's because they are.

Here, I will share how I ended up in the places the novels are set in, how and why those real experiences became part of DI Goodwin's investigations from far edges of the world to home in Surrey.

I will share the real-life inspirations and intimate stories that shaped each of my novels. You'll discover how everyday encounters, secretive motivation, and travelled journeys translate into tales as gripping as they are genuine.

Please subscribe, follow or comment - it means the world to an Indie Author.

This episode dives into the values at the heart of the rugby world. I’m sharing that I've realised this community wasn’t just a place to play, but a place built on loyalty, belonging and tradition. You’ll hear the acknowledgements from Die Trying, and discover how those real‑life experiences shaped the emotional depth, tension and humanity in the next DI Goodwin mystery. This is the story behind why a fictitious rugby club became the perfect setting for a crime fiction novel rooted in real places, real people and real consequences.

Resources:

Please visit ⁠https://helentaylorauthor.com⁠ to to explore the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series, read the blog, and dive into The Story Behind My Stories nonfiction series.

This season explores the story behind Die Trying — a character‑driven crime mystery set in the fictitious Old Waltonians Rugby Club in Walton‑on‑Thames, Surrey.

Read or download the book here:

⁠https://mybook.to/DieTrying⁠

Get all the links in one place:

⁠https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthor⁠

The club in the book is fictional, but the real club I play at is Esher Rugby Club. Learn more about the club and Walking Rugby here:

⁠https://www.esherrugby.com/⁠

#books #crimefiction #podcast #rugby #storybehindmystories #storyinspiration #bookrecommendations