Join Pete Billingham and Laura Stroud in the 100th episode of Begin, the Derbyshire Writing School podcast, as they celebrate their podcasting journey. This special episode revisits memorable moments from Season Four, highlights personal writing projects, and delves into the evolution of their writing experiences. Reflect on the art of storytelling, the lessons learned from podcasting, and the joys of writing. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting, this centennial episode offers inspiration and a shared love for the craft. Tune in for a heartwarming reflection on the journey so far and the exciting path ahead in the world of writing and storytelling.

Join Pete Billingham and Laura Stroud in Episode 99 of Begin, the Derbyshire Writing School podcast, as they delve into the profound question: Why do we write? Explore the personal motivations and deep-seated passions behind the art of writing, from documenting life's journey to finding authentic self-expression. Discover insights from Anais Nin, Pablo Picasso, and their own rich experiences in this thought-provoking episode. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting, this conversation will inspire and reignite your love for the craft.

Struggling to finish your novel? Join hosts Laura and Pete in this enlightening episode as they explore common reasons writers stall and how to overcome them. Discover the essential tool of finishing, and gain practical insights from Derbyshire Writing School's program, 'Finish Your Book.' From time management to conquering fear, this episode offers actionable tips to help you reach 'THE END.' Listen now to transform your writing journey!

Join us in this special episode of the podcast as we celebrate Lauren's incredible 3-year journey with our team. As our in-house staff blogger, Lauren has been instrumental in creating the insightful and helpful blog posts that many of our readers have come to rely on. In this conversation, we'll dive into her creative process, explore her favourite moments, and discover what fuels her passion for writing. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to our podcast you won't want to miss this behind-the-scenes look at one of the key voices of Derbyshire Writing School.

Join Laura and Pete who is a eulogy writer and celebrant. In this episode he unveils his new book—I Want to Say a Few Words: How to Craft a Heartfelt Eulogy for a Loved One’s Funeral. Learn how to eloquently sum up a lifetime of memories and put your complex feelings into words at the funeral of someone you love. Listen as he shares insights and advice from his years as a professional eulogy writer and hear examples of the memorable tributes he’s crafted. You’ll gain confidence to speak genuinely when words can’t capture the significance of loss and love.

Join Pete and Laura in Episode 95 of Begin as Laura unveils her new book—Everyday Storytellers Write Non-Fiction: A Step-By-Step Guide to Noticing Your Life and Turning It Into Stories. Learn how to shape your real-life experiences into compelling narratives. This episode provides aspiring memoir writers and bloggers with the confidence and skills to share their life stories. We'd love to hear from you at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com. Tune in and start telling us your story today!

Delve into Episode 94—'From Truth to Tribute' where Pete & Laura from Derbyshire Writing School share the latest in the writing world. Learn about the art of memoir ghostwriting, crafting heartfelt eulogies, self-publishing updates, and much more. They also reflect on captivating reads such as 'A Little Life', 'Lessons in Chemistry', and 'The Lost Pianos of Siberia'. Engage with us by sending your writing-related questions to info@derbyshirewritingschool.com.

Venture into the mind of Lucy Rennie, a bestselling author and business mentor, in Episode 93 of Begin - the Derbyshire Writing School Podcast. Learn how clarity and communication can revolutionise your writing. Get ready for an inspiring discussion that promises to unlock your potential as a writer. We talk Star Wars too!

Dive into the vibrant world of literature with Pete and Laura as they explore the Derby Book Festival. Join them in conversation with Sian Hoyle, the festival's director, who shares her journey from marketing in London to spearheading a cherished literary event in Derby. Tune in for an engaging insider’s look into the festival's impact on the community, and a celebration of the joy that reading brings. Don't miss this exciting episode that unearths the soul of Derby's literary scene!

In this interesting episode, Pete and Laura reflect on imposter syndrome, a struggle many writers face. Is it real? They examine its impact on creativity and discuss strategies to navigate these challenges. Join them as they share inspiring stories, expert advice, and practical tips to help you rise above self-doubt, embrace your writing journey, and unleash your true potential as a writer.

In this enchanting episode, explore the fusion of creative writing and copywriting with our guest, Chrissie Rowell, a marketing expert and lecturer. From journalism to founding her own agency, Black Hare, she teaches branding, advertising, and copywriting at the University of Derby. Learn how to unlock the magic of copywriting and elevate your creative writing skills with insights from her unique approach to blending these writing styles.

In this captivating episode, Pete and Laura venture into the hidden corners of the crime fiction world as they chat with our enigmatic guest Zoë Sharp. A crime thriller series author, she crafts gripping stories inspired by her hands-on experience with the skills of her protagonist, a female close protection bodyguard. Join us as we delve into her unorthodox research methods and the creative process behind her thrilling tales of suspense, danger, and mystery.

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room to chat with Derbyshire Author S. R. Durham about writing in several genres. S. R. Durham is an indie author from the High Peak in Derbyshire. He self-published his first full-length novel, Prey, in 2021, and his second, Surrogate, in 2022. He writes across several genres, from thriller and psychological suspense to horror and speculative crime.

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room to chat with another guest in our hot seat! Emma-Claire Wilson is an author of emotional commercial women’s fiction. Her debut novel, This Child of Mine, although not autobiographical, was based on personal experiences and resulted in a highly emotional piece of fiction that secured her representation with Kate Nash Literary Agency. We chat about writing tribes, and bringing themes of emotive and emotional topics to our work.

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room for an episode of The Writer’s Toolbox—Self-Publishing With Style. What can you find in this episode? Pete and Laura chat about self-publishing, and the five key reasons self-publishing is a good idea.

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room to chat with another guest in our hot seat! She's been here before! It's our intern Charlotte Howes! We worked with the University of Derby to offer another paid internship at the beginning of this year. This is part of the Universities DRIVEN project, working with businesses in Derbyshire to provide practical, paid internships to graduates.

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room to catch up after a winter hibernation squirrelled away working on writing projects. You can tell Pete hasn’t done a podcast for a time. He gets so enthusiastic about everything in this episode! So much so, he skips section one! They talk Robert Macfarlane and Joanna Penn too.

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room to chat with Kerry Fox about Authors Assemble at Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust. On Friday 17th March, between 10 am and 5 pm, in the splendour of the Crescent’s Assembly Rooms for ‘Authors Assemble’. A literary event, showcasing the work of Authors local to the High Peak or who have supported the work of the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust. Authors will showcase their work, giving talks about their writing and taking part in public book signings.

Welcome to the Christmas Writing Prompts podcast episode from Derbyshire Writing School. Where we inspire your festive creativity with a series of holiday-themed writing ideas. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just looking to try something new this holiday season, we have a prompt to spark your imagination and get your words flowing.

In this episode, Pete and Laura head over to The Writers’ Room to chat about the question - how do you find your voice as a writer? What is the writer’s ‘voice?’ Voice in writing refers to the unique perspective, tone, and style of a piece of writing. The personality of the writing can help to make a piece of writing more interesting and engaging for the reader.