The Northern Connection

Caro Giles

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:33:58 GMT

Rachel and Emma welcome Caro Giles back to the podcast to talk about her memoir, Unschooled.

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Laura Elliott

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 07:54:49 GMT

Laura Elliott is a journalist and author based in Sheffield. Navigating life with ME has prompted Laura to deeply contemplate our need for sleep and rest, and how inconvenient these essentials are for work and the world we live in.

AWAKENED was inspired by these factors.

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Jodie Robins

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 19:35:38 GMT

Emma, Rachel and Rebecca talk to writer Jodie Robins about her novela, The Off Season which is part of the Northern Weird project.

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Harriett de Mesquita

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 07:45:18 GMT

In this episode, Rachel and Emma chat with Harriett about ASD representation in fiction, comic writing, and more.

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Angharad Hampshire

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 19:44:44 GMT

The Mare

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Josh Silver

Wed, 14 May 2025 18:04:26 GMT

Emma, Rachel and Rebecca are joined by Manchester-based novelist Josh Silver to talk about his latest novel, Traumaland.

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Rozie Kelly

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 10:12:36 GMT

Kingfisher

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Jonathan Whitelaw

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 19:09:04 GMT

The Garden Club Murders

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Natalie Chandler

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 21:31:28 GMT

The Voices

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Tom Hindle

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 21:19:09 GMT

Tom Hindle joined us to talk about his fourth novel, Death in the Arctic. We talked about his current reads, his writing inspirations, and of course, his favourite books with a northern connection.

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Iqbal Hussain

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:51:23 GMT

Northern Boy

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Kristina Thornton

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 21:19:55 GMT

Claire Morris is Completely Lost

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Louisa Reid

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 06:10:10 GMT

Handle With Care

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Danielle Jawando

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 12:17:59 GMT

Rebecca, Rachel and Emma catch up with Danielle Jawando this month to talk about about books, writing and her latest novel, If My Words Had Wings.

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Karen Powell

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 10:51:15 GMT

Fifteen Wild Decembers

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Josh Silver

Tue, 14 May 2024 17:10:12 GMT

Emma, Jules, Rachel and Rebecca are re-joined by Josh Silver to talk about his latest novel, Dead Happy (the sequel to Happy Head)

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Matt Coyne

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 08:25:49 GMT

Jules, Rachel and Emma are joined by writer Matt Coyne to talk all things writing. As well as chatting about Frank & Red, Matt talks to us about his unconventional route to becoming a writer, and how he moved from writing non-fiction to fiction. A wonderfully warm and heart-warming listen.

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Jennie Godfrey The List of Suspicious Things

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 20:33:11 GMT

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Christ on a Bike by Orla Owen

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 20:51:55 GMT

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Sophie Parkes

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 19:06:27 GMT

A graduate of the University of Manchester and the Manchester Writing School, Manchester Metropolitan University, Sophie Parkes is currently studying for a PhD in creative writing and folklore at Sheffield Hallam University, for which she won a Vice Chancellor's Scholarship. You can read more about her research here.

Her historical novel, Out of Human Sight, was shortlisted for the NorthBound Book Award at the 2021 Northern Writers' Awards and was published by Northodox Press in 2023.

In 2017, Sophie won the Arvon Award at the Northern Writers’ Awards for her collection of short stories influenced by English folk song. You can read some of her published short stories at the bottom of this page.

Sophie's interest in specialist music, particularly folk music, has seen her publish the official biography of one of her all-time musical heroes, Eliza Carthy. Wayward Daughter (Soundcheck Books) came out in 2012 and the title of the book was later used by Eliza to name both an album and her big band. Sophie continues to write about music and musicians for an array of titles, including Songlines and Rock'n'Reel.

In 2016, Sophie worked with endurance athlete, Blind Dave Heeley, to get his incredible story down onto paper. From Light to Dark is published by Pitch, with a portion of the story influencing short film, Seven Days, made by Pixel Revolution Films. It is also available as an audio book, courtesy of narrator, Adrian Chiles.

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Jenna Warren

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:24:28 GMT

The Moon and Stars

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Rachel Canwell

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 17:32:27 GMT

Magpie Moon

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Sue Reed

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 08:18:48 GMT

The Northern Connection catches up with Sue Reed to talk about her debut novel, The Rewilding of Molly McFlynn.

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Victoria Hislop

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 18:13:55 GMT

Jules, Rebecca, Rachel and Emma chat with Victoria Hislop about her latest book, The Figurine. We also talk about Greece, archaeology, Strictly Come Dancing and book recommendations

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Trevor Wood

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 12:08:00 GMT

Jules, Rebecca and Emma catch up with Trevor Wood, to talk about his latest book, You Can Run.

We also talk book recommendations, Shetland Noir, Harrogate and much more!

You can find many of the books we talk about on our Northern Connection pages on Bookshop.org

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Stacey Thomas

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 18:47:20 GMT

In this episode, Jules, Rebecca and Emma chat with Stacey Thomas about her debut novel, The Revels. We talked about York, witch trials, the Hocus Pocus hotel and books!

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Emma Flint

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 20:48:34 GMT

Jules, Emma and Rachel catch up with author Emma Flint to chat about Other Women, Little Deaths, and her writing inspiration. We also talk about books and Emma shares her favourite books with a northern connection

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Chris Carse Wilson

Wed, 17 May 2023 19:54:17 GMT

Jules, Rebecca and Emma catch up with writer Chris Carse Wilson to talk about his debut novel Fray. We chat about writing inspiration, mental health, Autism and books. Chris chose Twelve Moons by Caro Giles as his recommended book with a northern connection!

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Josh Silver

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 19:14:03 GMT

Happy Head

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Charlotte Levin

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:25:11 GMT

Jules, Rachel, Rebecca and Emma catch up with Charlotte Levin to talk about If I Let You Go.

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Caro Giles

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 09:19:33 GMT

Rachel, Rebecca and Emma chat with nature writer Caro Giles about her debut memoir Twelve Moons, published by Harper North and out now.

You can follow Caro on Twitter and Instagram - @CaroGilesWrites and CaroGilesWrites.

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Rachel Joyce

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:37:14 GMT

The Northern Connection catch up with Rachel Joyce to chat about her latest book, Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North.

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Lauren Owen

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 07:40:11 GMT

Emma and Rebecca catch up with author Lauren Owen to chat about her latest novel, Small Angels. As a writer of gothic novels, Lauren tells us about authors who have influenced her and she recommends some wonderful books.

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Milly Johnson

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 18:31:06 GMT

Author Milly Johnson joins Rebecca and Emma on this episode to celebrate the launch of her 20th novel, Together Again, published 29th September.

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C.E Riley

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 18:34:25 GMT

Welcome to episode 1 of Season 2!

In this episode, we chat to C.E Riley about her debut novel, Is This Love?, which is published by Serpent's Tail on 4th August.

Catherine Riley is also a founder and director of the Primadonna festival which runs from 29th to 31st July.

We chat to her about her book, about Primadonna, and about her northern connections.

You can follow Catherine on Twitter: @ceriley7

Catherine's book recommendation was Travis Alabantza's None of The Above.

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Simon Van der Velde

Sat, 09 Jul 2022 07:54:56 GMT

Rachel and Emma catch up with Newcastle based writer Simon Van der Velde to chat about his new novel, writing and reading. Simon's book, The Silent Brother is available now through:

https://www.northodox.co.uk/ and all major retailers. You can also get copies through Amazon.

To find out more about Simon and his writing, follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimonVdVwriter and on instagram he's at simonvdvwriter

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Historical Fiction

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 06:08:01 GMT

Emma, Jules and Rachel chat about some of their favourite historical fiction novels which include The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton, Wake by Anna Hope, The Murder of Harriet Monkton by Elizabeth Haynes, The Crimson Petal and The White by Michel Faber, Devotion by Hannah Kent and The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue.

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Jennifer Saint

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 09:10:59 GMT

In this episode Emma and Rebecca chat to Jennifer Saint about her new book Elektra and all things myths. Follow Jennifer on Twitter @jennysaint

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Laura Besley

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 18:43:12 GMT

Rachel, Rebecca and Emma catch up with short fiction writer, Laura Besley to chat about flash fiction. Laura’s piece in Ellipsis Zine: https://www.ellipsiszine.com/writing-micro-fiction-by-laura-besley/ On Twitter @laurabesley On Instagram besley_laura

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Orla Owen

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 19:14:51 GMT

Emma, Rachel and Rebecca catch up with Orla Owen, author of The Lost Thumb and PAH! To chat about books, writing and self-publishing

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#Joyce100 and Saving Lucia

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 17:10:11 GMT

Anna Vaught, author of Saving Lucia joins Emma and Rachel to chat about her books, and to tell us a bit about the centenary of the publication of Ulysses by James Joyce.

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Best of Books of 2021 (some of them!)

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 11:41:11 GMT

Emma, Jules, Rachel and Rebecca choose some of their stand out reads of 2021. Books discussed: Last One at the Party by Bethany Clift, Slug by Holly McNish, Still Life by Sarah Winman, The End of the World is a Cul-de-Sac, Another Life by Jodie Chapman, Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins-Reid, Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson, A Net for Small Fishes by Lucy Jago, Dead Relatives by Lucie McKnight Hardie, Mrs Death Misses Death by Selena Godden, and The Fell by Sarah Moss

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Christmas and Winter books

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 07:01:05 GMT

Emma, Rachel, Rebecca and Jules share the books that are perfect to curl up with at this time of year.

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#Northember part 4

Sat, 27 Nov 2021 10:15:10 GMT

In this final episode in our #Northember series, we chat about some of our own favourite books with a Northern Connection. Books/Authors mentioned: The Thin Line Between Everything and Nothing by Hannah Storm, The Mating Habits of Stags by Ray Robinson, Boy Parts by Eliza Clark, The River Within by Karen Powell everything by Joseph Knox! (Sirens, The Smiling Man, The Sleepwalker and True Crime Story) and Sarah Hall (Burntcoat & Haweswater)

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#Northember 3

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 12:51:09 GMT

Jules, Rebecca, Rachel and Emma catch up with Sarah Schofield, author of Safely Gathered In, published by Comma Press

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#Northember 2

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 18:20:45 GMT

In the second of our November episodes focusing on the North, we catch up with Matt Cook, author of life on Other Planets, where we chat about his book and discuss humour in books

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#Northember part 1

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 07:07:55 GMT

For November, we’re all about The North! In a series of mini episodes, we chat to three northern based authors, Tom Ashton, Matt Cook and Sarah Schofield, and we discuss our favourite books with a northern connection. First up, we catch up with Tom Ashton, author of The Hostiles: Storm Area 51

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Books for Autumn and Halloween

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 09:45:49 GMT

In this episode, Emma, Jules, Rachel and Rebecca chat about books with a spooky or autumnal vibe. Whitby based author Amanda Mason joins the gang to discuss her latest novel, The Hiding Place, and she also shares some great book recommendations.Books we chat about:Jules - The Spirit Engineer by A.J. West, Luckenbooth by Jenni Fagan, Magpie Lane by Lucy Atkins and The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware.Rachel - The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, Dead Relatives by Lucie McKnight Hardy, The Whistling by Rebecca Netley and The Manningtree Witches by A. K. Blakemore.Rebecca - Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield and Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver.Emma - Haverscroft by S.A Harris, Hag - Forgotten Folktales Retold and Foxfire, Wolfskins and Stories of Other Shapeshifting Women by Sharon Blackie and The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.

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Crime and Thrillers

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 17:09:08 GMT

We chat to Tom Copeland, co-founder of Northodox press, listen to a reading by Will Dean from his new book, Bad Apples, and we share some of our favourite crime reads. Rachel recommends: The Simon Serraillier series by Susan Hill, The Murder of Harriet Monkton by Elizabeth Haynes and His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet. Emma recommends: The Thursday Murder Cub, The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman, Exit by Belinda Bauer, Donna Leon's Brunetti series. Rebecca recommends: The Wicked Sister by Karen Dionne and The Aidan Waits series by Joseph Knox (Sirens, The Smiling Man and The Sleepwalker) Jules recommends: See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmitt, The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker, A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins, Tall Bones by Anna Bailey, Will Dean's Tuva Moodyson series. Tom Copeland recommends: Airedale by Dylan Byford, A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, Dracula by Brahm Stoker @northodoxpress @Tom_Northodox Off The Shelf, Ilkley Literature Festival, Durham Book Festival

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Women In Translation Bonus Episode

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 08:38:49 GMT

In this bonus episode we're sharing an interview with Karen Sullivan and Eva Bjorg Aegisdotir . Karen is a publisher and founder of Orenda books, and Eva is a rising star of Icelandic noir whose second book, Girls Who Lie, has just been published by Orenda.Eva's books are available from Orenda and special, signed, limited edition copies are available from Goldsboro books.

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Women In Translation

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 12:52:48 GMT

In episode two, we chat about Women In Translation Month and catch up with literary translatiors Charlotte Whittle and Nichola Smalley. We share some of our favourite translated reads. WIT books mentioned: Hurricane Season by Frenanda Melchor translated by Sophie Hughes Cockfight by María Fernanda Ampuero translated by Frances Riddle Tender is the Flesh by Augstina Bazterrica translated by Sarah Moses, Adele by Leila Slimani translated by Sam Taylor Love in Five Acts by Daniela Krien translated by Jamie Bulloch A place to Lay One's Head by Francois Frenkel translated by Stephanie Smee The Memory Police by Yoko Agawa translated by Stephen Snyder Eleana Knows by Claudia Piñeiro translated by Frances Riddle The Mad Women’s Ball by Victoria Mas, translated by Frank Wynne A Single Rose by Muriel Barbery, translated by Alison Anderson Notes from Childhood by Norah Lange translated by Charlotte Whittle People in The Room by Norah Lange translated by Charlotte Whittle Tentacle by Rita Indiana translated by Achy Obejas Fair Play by Tove Jansson translated by Thomas Teal The Summer Book by Tove Jansson translated by Thomas Teal The Vegetarian by Han Kang translated by Deborah Smith

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Favourite Books & Short Stories.

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 16:44:10 GMT

Say hello to the podcasters, with a short introduction about why we read. We discuss our favourite novels of all time (with a little disagreement!), interview Simon van der Velde about his short story collection, Backstories, and chat to Amy Stewart about her short story in Test Signal, a Northern Anthology of New Writers.

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The Northern Connection (Trailer)

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 15:21:02 GMT

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