137 episodes

A podcast for readers who want to know the stories behind the pages 📖 Join Caitlin and Michelle, two book nerds who bring you in-depth conversations about writing and publishing from those on the inside. Grab a cuppa and get ready to chat books.

Better Words Michelle Gately & Caitlin Toohey

    • Arts
    • 4.8 • 19 Ratings

A podcast for readers who want to know the stories behind the pages 📖 Join Caitlin and Michelle, two book nerds who bring you in-depth conversations about writing and publishing from those on the inside. Grab a cuppa and get ready to chat books.

    Teenage pregnancy and abortion in Northern Ireland with Kelly McCaughrain

    Teenage pregnancy and abortion in Northern Ireland with Kelly McCaughrain

    Kelly McCaughrain is a YA writer from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Her first book, Flying Tips for Flightless Birds won the Children's Books Ireland Book of the Year Award and NI Book Award. She was the Queens University Belfast Children's Writing Fellow 2019-2021. Her new YA, Little Bang, is about teen pregnancy and was published by Walker Books in January 2024. When she's not writing she's mentoring teen writers with Fighting Words NI or travelling in her ancient VW campervan, Gerda.
    Our interview begins at  27.00
    We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!
    Caitlin recommends: Cherry Beach by Laura McPhee-Browne
    Childhood best friends Hetty and Ness leave Melbourne to live abroad in Canada. This is a beautiful exploration of friendship and love, found through a library 'blind date with a book'. It felt like it took a while to read, but I really wanted to savour this writing.
    Michelle recommends: Everyone On This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
    This is a sequel, but you don't have to have read Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone to enjoy this witty and clever murder mystery. In this fiction disguised as a memoir, several mystery writers on a literary festival train journey must utilise their 'expertise' to investigate when one of their own is killed.
    A copy was provided by the publisher for review.
    In this interview, we chat about:
    The inequality of pregnancy and motherhood and how Kelly tackled this in a novel for teen readersWhy a dual perspective was the best way to tell this storyHow to represent the nuance of the abortion debate and teen pregnancy through Mel and SidThe importance of exploring friendship dynamics alongside the pregnancy storylineHow growing up in Northern Ireland during The Troubles impacted Kelly's writingThe importance of humour in dealing with tough situationsHow a story competition helped Kelly score an agentThe difference between writing her debut novel and this second novelWhy it's so inspiring to teach creative writing to teens
    Books and other things mentioned:
    I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamaraBrooklyn by Colm TóibínRebecca Kuang (author)The Afterparty (TV series)Shameless (podcast)Olive by Emma GannonDerry Girls (TV series)Sinéad Morrissey (poet)
    Follow @kmccaughrain on Instagram
    Little Bang is available now. Thank you to Walker Books for sending copies of the books in preparation for the interview.
    Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

    • 1 hr 20 min
    The Re-Read: Libby Page

    The Re-Read: Libby Page

    Welcome to The Re-Read: bonus episodes where we chat with previous Better Words guests and catch up on what's happened since they joined us on the pod.

    Libby Page became a Sunday Times bestselling author with her debut The Lido and has since become a staple of the 'up-lit' genre with her following novels The 24-Hour Cafe, The Island Home, and The Vintage Shop. Before becoming an author, Libby worked in journalism and marketing. She is a keen outdoor swimmer and lives in Somerset with her husband and young son. Today, we're discussing her upcoming novel, The Lifeline, which sees the return of a beloved character from The Lido.
    You can follow Libby @libbypagewrite on Instagram and read more of her writing over on Substack – where you can also follow us for lots of extra book recommendations.
    In this interview, we chat about:
    Why returning to the world of The Lido was never inevitable How becoming a mum influenced The Lifeline and why Libby wanted to explore the (still somewhat taboo) topic of post-partum mental healthKeeping the love for something when it becomes your careerWhat Libby's learned about the publishing process since her debut novel
    The Lifeline is published on April 25 in Australia and the UK. Thanks to Orion for providing copies of the book in preparation for the interview.
    Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

    • 41 min
    Welcome to Better Words Podcast

    Welcome to Better Words Podcast

    Welcome to Better Words. Hosted by book-loving besties Caitlin and Michelle. We share interviews with authors talking about their books, writing and publishing journey.
    We've got a Substack publication as well! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!

    • 1 min
    Our 2023 favourites

    Our 2023 favourites

    Welcome to our favourite episode: the yearly wrap! We're sharing our reading stats, 2024 goals and the books, TV, film and audio we loved in 2023.
    Make sure you're also following us on Substack. On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to – and we try to keep these separate from regular episode recommendations. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!
    Thank you for joining us in 2023 and supporting our wonderful authors. We love hearing your thoughts on the episodes and what books you've been inspired to pick up – even if it's an older episode. You can also connect with us on Instagram @betterwordspod
    We're keeping recommendations brief. If we've featured or discussed the book before, we'll link to the episode.
    Any PR/review copies marked with *
    We kick off with a wrap-up of our reading stats for the year: how many books and pages, the moods and re-reads.
    Our awards category of favourite books kicks off at 21:00
    2023 debut book Caitlin: One Day We’re All Going To Die by Elise Esther Hearst* (our interview)
    Michelle: In Memoriam by Alice Winn
    Non-fictionCaitlin: The House that Joy Built by Holly Ringland*
    Michelle: Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
    By someone who has never been a podcast guestCaitlin: After the Forest by Kell Woods*
    Michelle: The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donohue
    Australian fictionCaitlin: Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton*
    Michelle: Duck a l’Orange for Breakfast by Karina May* (our interview)
    RomanceCaitlin: Bound to Happen by Jonathon Shannon* (our interview)
    Michelle: Wild Things by Laura Kay
    Honourable mention: The Wake Up Call by Beth O'Leary
    General fictionCaitlin: One Love by Matt Cain* (our interview)
    Michelle: Playing Games by Huma Qureshi* (our interview)
    Young adultCaitlin: Two Can Play That Game by Leanne Yong* (our interview)
    Michelle: Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain*
    Honourable mention: Happy Head by Josh Silver (our interview)
    Most surprisingCaitlin: West Side Honey by Claire Christian* (our interview)
    Michelle: Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
    Fave CoverCaitlin: Yellowface by Rebecca Kuang*
    Michelle: Homecoming by Kate Morton – Australian cover
    Recommendations for each otherCaitlin: We Could Be Something by Will Kostakis
    Michelle: Factory Girls by Michelle...

    • 1 hr 43 min
    Fancying your friend, writing with heart, and publishing prejudice with Matt Cain

    Fancying your friend, writing with heart, and publishing prejudice with Matt Cain

    Matt Cain is an author, broadcaster and former journalist. He was Channel 4’s first Culture Editor, Editor in Chief of Attitude magazine and currently a presenter for Virgin Radio Pride UK. He grew up in Bolton in England’s north and now lives in London. Today, we’re discussing his upcoming novel, One Love. 
    Our interview begins at  28.00
    We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!
    Caitlin recommends: You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne*
    Holly Bourne's latest YA novel takes the pressures of social media and society and notches it up in an intense dystopian exploration of feminism.
    Thank you to Usborne Books for sending copies for review.
    Michelle recommends: Weyward by Emilia Hart
    A gripping and emotional story of three generations of women told through alternating timelines.
    We don't often share interviews ahead of publication, but if you're in the UK and would like to pre-order a signed copy, you can do so through Gay's the Word or Gay Pride Shop.
    In this interview, we chat about:
    Why One Love is a slight departure from Matt's previous two novels Exploring class, straight-passing privilege and intersectionality through main characters Danny and GuyEncouraging and allowing people to change their mindsBody image in the queer communityCrowdfunding Matt's novel The Madonna of Bolton and overcoming prejudice in publishingLayton Williams, who recorded the audiobook for Albert Entwhistle, and Nikita on Strictly Come Dancing 2023 and breaking barriers for future generations
    Books and other things mentioned:
    Only Ever Yours by Louise O'NeillThe Burning by Laura BatesThe Curious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice HallettThe Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett (listen to our interview)The Flat Share by Beth O'LearyPromising Young Woman (film)Rubaiyat of Omar KhayyamThe Somerton ManThe mystery of The Somerton Man finally solved after 70 yearsI'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamaraThe Longest Shadow (TV series)Happy Head by Josh Silver (listen to our interview)One Day by David NichollsWild Things by Laura Kay (and check out our episodes here and here)Upper...

    • 1 hr 29 min
    Telling uncomfortable stories about complicated people and with Huma Qureshi

    Telling uncomfortable stories about complicated people and with Huma Qureshi

    Huma Qureshi is an award-winning author and journalist. Her memoir How We Met: A Memoir of Love and Other Misadventures was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Indie Readers Award. Her short story collection, Things We Do Not Tell the People We Love was longlisted for several awards. She has also worked and written for The Guardian and The Observer, among other publications. Today we’re discussing her debut novel, Playing Games. 
    Our interview begins at  24.00
    We've got a Substack publication now! On the last day of the month, we share recommendations for two things we reckon you should read/watch/listen to. The beauty of Substack is you can revisit all our old editions and comment on our episode updates to share your thoughts. Come say hi!
    Caitlin recommends: Directed by James Burrows: Five Decades of Stories from the Legendary Director of Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and More
    A fascinating look behind the scenes of some of the most iconic TV sitcoms including Cheers, Frasier and Friends.
    Michelle recommends: Brooklyn by Colm Tobain
    An emotional journey as a young Irish woman chooses between two lives in the 1950s. One of Michelle's all-time favourites – what did she think of it six years on from first reading it?
    *Note: Michelle says it was published in 2019, but she meant 2009.
    In this interview, we chat about:
    Our obsession as readers with knowing whether a novel is inspired by real-lifeWhere is the line between stealing a story and being inspired by it?Huma's focus on creating a nuanced portrayal of sisters and their complicated relationshipHow to represent the creative process on the pageThe beauty of short stories and how it started Huma's journey to publicationHuma's creative writing courses and how it enhances her craft
    Books and other things mentioned:
    Long Island by Colm TobainCat Person (short story)Bad Art Friend (short story)Holly Bourne on Emma Gannon's Ctrl Alt DeleteYellowface by Rebecca F KuangBetween Us by Mhairi McFarlaneAlice Munro (author)
    Follow Huma @humaqureshiwriter
    Playing Games is available now. Thank you to Sceptre for providing us with copies of the book in preparation for the interview.
    Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

    • 1 hr 28 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
19 Ratings

19 Ratings

Misscackle ,

Excellent podcast

Such a fabulous podcast. So glad I stumbled upon it.

Jojomac44pins ,

Don’t listen to the start

I listened because I love Sara Tasker and other people interviewed .
There is soooo much rubbish talk at the start that I almost gave up .
Why do podcasters do this ?
If your podcast is about writing I don’t mind pre-chat but it needs to be on brand .

✌Good game ✌ ,

Well done!

Entertaining and informative. I can’t wait to listen to all of these.

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