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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We can’t stop podcasting… The Dale Hurst Writing Show returns with Season 4 later this month.

2024 has already been a busy year for The Dale Hurst Writing Show. We took the podcast to Bournemouth Writing Festival earlier in the year to produce a series of special mini-episodes, and now, we’re bringing it back for a full season. Season 4, to be precise. This post offers an idea, for newcomers and repeat visitors alike, of what to expect. Or you can visit Spotify and listen to the trailer.

I’ve not listened to The Dale Hurst Writing Show before. What can I expect?

As it’s Season 4, the podcast has a well-ironed format, with episodes comprising both discussion about a different topic each edition and interview with the special guests. The guests themselves vary, but the vast majority are writers of some kind, all at differing stages of their careers. The Dale Hurst Writing Show commits itself to exploring the writing and storytelling craft across all mediums, so the podcast isn’t limited to writers of prose. Poets, screenwriters, playwrights, filmmakers and more have featured in episodes since the show’s inception in 2021.

Episodes in the upcoming fourth season explore a wide breadth of subjects, in our usual style ranging from the basics to the nitty-gritty. Some of the topics include writing adventure stories, mapping fantasy realms, how we can put a fresh spin on science fiction, and self-publishing poetry.

In addition to the guests’ insights into their respective topics, the writers also tell listeners about the characters, scenes and dialogue they love to write. We also learn who their inspirations and influences are as writers, and what traps aspiring creatives should avoid.

Which guests feature in Season 4?

Like previous guests, we’ve enjoyed meeting and chatting with a plethora of creatives across the craft. And not only in our home of the UK. Season 4 will feature the likes of adventure novelist L.S. Goozdich, and poets Karishma Natu and Ben Whittall, as well as authors Lee Dawson, D.C. Eastman and Oscar Mendoza. We also enjoyed chatting with Asad Moghal, the writer behind the Amazon Prime series Patterns, and screenwriter-director Andrea M Catinella.

Where do we listen?

Season 4 of The Dale Hurst Writing Show launches on Thursday 15 August 2024, and new episodes will follow every two weeks, ending with a Christmas special mid-December. You can listen on Spotify and Amazon Music, as well as catch up with all our previous episodes.

Want to find out more about the podcast? There’s more info on our website. Or maybe you have an idea for a guest or topic for an episode? Get in touch with us via Facebook and Instagram.