A few months ago, I bumped into a post while scrolling on Twitter now X about a new podcast called The Hidden Lives of Writers with Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel. This got my attention because a couple of weeks ago, I read a book authored by Angela Makholwa, and she would be their first guest.
After the first episode, I knew I’d be a frequent listener. And so every Monday, while at the gym, I’d put on my pods and get ready to be schooled. Each episode felt like I had attended a masterclass in creative writing. I kid you not. It was fun, well-articulated and definitely inspiring. Fiona and Gail are great hosts, and chose the right kind of guests to get us (trainee writers) fuelled up.
The Hidden Lives of Writers with Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel
The podcast aired every week on a Monday with two hosts and two successful writers. These two working writers host other successful writers and chat about their general experiences and the processes of writing books, their inspirations and why they can write good stories. The episodes are short probably shy away from 90 minutes.
It’s on a season break at the moment. They’ll be back according to their Twitter page, @hiddenwriterpod on September 18 this year…obvie!
The Hosts
Fiona Snyckers is an award winning South African author. You’d know her from the her young adult contemporary series featuring Trinity Luhabe. I’m currently reading her book, Lacuna which won the South African Literary Award for best novel and the NIHSS Humanities Award for best novel in 2020.
Gail Schimmel the best selling author with six or seven books under her name. And one her books that I really enjoyed, “Whatever Happened to the Cowley Twin?” kept me company during the Winter months.
What I Liked and Appreciated…
I couldn’t possibly review all of the 11 episodes. As mentioned before, these interviews felt like a master class in creative writing. Each guest author starting from the Angela Makholwa to their last Jonny Steinberg left me with some wisdom and inspiration.
Asking the authors what are they writing looking like that week, how many words do their actually write in a day? What’s the worst thing they hate or love about writing etc. And getting deeper understanding and details about the author writing process and intentions of their particular work. That’s why I loved this podcast.
Also appreciated the book recommendations. I would have missed out on English novelist, Dorothy Koomson. #HiddenWriterPodMadeMeBuy one of her books, All My Lies Are True.
What I Didn’t Like?
That we can’t do a call in. !!Laugh out loud!!! It’s not radio Ange. I suppose we can give feedback and interact with the hosts and the guests on social media.
My Verdict…
I hope the podcast will include authors who have self-published. It’d be great to hear that journey that always sounds scary. In fact publishing always sounds scary.
I give the podcast 5 out of 5
PS: @Fiona we are waiting for your new installation, chop! chop!
The podcast
I’m looking forward to listening to it again.
Have you listened to the podcast yet? Let me know what you thought about it. Share your own literary podcast or channels with me and I’ll pass it on to others.
Oh and I have a review page on various books I’ve read, read here.
Chat soon.
Angy
xx