Coming soon – The Dale Hurst Writing Show: Season 5

It’s that time of year again! Our podcast, The Dale Hurst Writing Show returns for a fifth series.

There’s no getting rid of The Dale Hurst Writing Show. I know last year, I was in a bit of a slump with the podcast, and was certain about bringing it to an end this year. But there were developments. Positive developments. The main one: our affiliation with The Bournemouth Journal, a new literary journal created and produced by the MA Creative Writing and Publishing course at Bournemouth University. The very Master’s course I studied during lockdown.

Keeping in close contact with the course after graduation has been so rewarding and valuable (hopefully mutually so); I encourage more students and alumni to stay in touch with your universities after you finish! You never know what opportunities may come along. There’s more I can say on this subject, but we’ll get back on track: The Dale Hurst Writing Show Season 5.

What’s new? What’s improved?

The show’s format will be the same as you know and love. I spent the last few months meeting and interviewing a whole new batch of writers to bring another 10 episodes. One or two bonus interviews may also be included. As always, these writers work in various disciplines and media: literary and genre fiction… film… even, most excitingly this year, video games!

I always try to shake things up from season to season. This year, I’ve added a new question at the end of my regular Q+A segment. The Desert Island Story question; that is, finding out my guests’ desert island book, film, play or TV episode. Some have come out with classics, others have surprised me immensely. It’s always interesting to hear what people come out with, so I intend to keep the question for future series.

It’s also worth mentioning that this season, we mark the 50th episode of the podcast. For this episode, I reunited with some old friends to put something a bit different together. I won’t spoil the surprise by revealing too much. But even if you aren’t a regular listener, this one would be worth engaging with.

Who features in Season 5?

Tune in this season to hear from more writers from all across the globe. On The Dale Hurst Writing Show, we’re never confined to just my home in the UK. In fact, like the last season, we kick off with a chat from the U.S. As we mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War, the season premiere tackles World War II stories, with author and retired Navy Chief, Matt Hardman.

As with previous series, I interview writers at all stages of their careers, from the traditionally published such as Iqbal Hussain, to fantasy writer Fin Cattanach, who publishes prolifically on Instagram. I also had the pleasure of chatting to multiple-award-winning writer and director Max James Walker, whose film The Façade tackles the duality of social media stars and influencers.

Topics for this season include the dos and don’ts of character development, how magic and politics mix within fantasy fiction, and the essentials of interactive storytelling. Naturally, it doesn’t stop there. But you’ll have to follow on Spotify to ensure you don’t miss an episode!

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