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- 🇬🇧GB · Arts#1565K to 30K
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2.5K to 15K🎙 ~2x weekly·236 episodes·Last published 4d ago - Monthly Reach
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5K to 30K🇬🇧100% - Active Followers
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2K to 12K
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On the show
From 14 epsHosts
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Recent episodes
Siri Hustvedt talks about her marriage to the novelist Paul Auster - and writing about him after his death in “Ghost Stories”
Jun 23, 2026
58m 59s
John Lanchester on his novelistic portrayal of London on the brink of a financial crisis in "Capital" and intergenerational strife in his new book "Look What You Made Me Do"
Jun 9, 2026
1h 06m 52s
Kathryn Stockett on the success (and controversy) of "The Help" and taking 17 years to publish a follow-up novel, "The Calamity Club"
May 26, 2026
1h 01m 33s
Michael Morpurgo on how his novel about a horse in the First World War gained a spectacular second life on stage and screen
May 12, 2026
1h 18m 01s
Lauren Groff on book bans, artificial intelligence and what novels set in the past reveal about the present
Apr 28, 2026
1h 08m 23s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/23/26 |  Siri Hustvedt talks about her marriage to the novelist Paul Auster - and writing about him after his death in “Ghost Stories” | Rachel and Simon speak with the novelist and essayist Siri Hustvedt. Born in Minnesota in 1955 to a Norwegian mother and American father, Siri grew up bilingual. On a family trip one summer, she read voraciously and decided she wanted to become a writer. In 1981 Siri published her first poem in the Paris Review and a small collection emerged two years later. In 1992 she published her debut novel, “The Blindfold”, which was translated into 17 languages. Six more novels followed - “The Enchantment of Lily Dahl”, “What I Loved”, “The Sorrows of an American”, “The Summer Without Men”, “The Blazing World” (longlisted for the Man Booker Prize) and “Memories of the Future” - as well as several collections of essays. Alongside her writing, Siri has studied psychoanalysis, neurology and psychiatry and in 2015 she was appointed a lecturer in psychiatry at Weill Cornell medical school. We spoke to Siri about making her way in poetry and publishing, her interest in the sciences and her latest book, “Ghost Stories”, a memoir about her marriage to the late novelist Paul Auster. In addition to the standard audio format, the podcast is now available in video. You can check us out on YouTube under Always Take Notes. We’ve also made (yet) another update for those who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon. We’ve added a further 70 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New Yorker, Bloomberg Businessweek, and the Guardian Long Read. The whole compendium now runs to a magisterial 230 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we’re now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (one is left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a call with Simon and Rachel. A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via Amazon or Waterstones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices | 58m 59s | ||||||
| 6/9/26 |  John Lanchester on his novelistic portrayal of London on the brink of a financial crisis in "Capital" and intergenerational strife in his new book "Look What You Made Me Do"✨ | novelistic portrayal of Londonfinancial crisis+4 | John Lanchester | London Review of BooksCapital+4 | — | John LanchesterCapital+7 | Scrivener | 1h 06m 52s | |
| 5/26/26 |  Kathryn Stockett on the success (and controversy) of "The Help" and taking 17 years to publish a follow-up novel, "The Calamity Club"✨ | novel writingliterary success+4 | Kathryn Stockett | The HelpThe Calamity Club | Jackson, MississippiNew York+1 | Kathryn StockettThe Help+7 | — | 1h 01m 33s | |
| 5/12/26 |  Michael Morpurgo on how his novel about a horse in the First World War gained a spectacular second life on stage and screen✨ | children's literatureadaptations+3 | Michael Morpurgo | National TheatreFarms for City Children+4 | DevonGloucestershire+1 | Michael MorpurgoWar Horse+6 | — | 1h 18m 01s | |
| 4/28/26 |  Lauren Groff on book bans, artificial intelligence and what novels set in the past reveal about the present✨ | book bansartificial intelligence+4 | Lauren Groff | The LynxNew Yorker+10 | — | Lauren Groffbook bans+5 | Scrivener | 1h 08m 23s | |
| 4/14/26 |  Jason Burke on his career as a foreign correspondent and unravelling 1970s terror networks in his new book✨ | foreign correspondenceterrorism+3 | Jason Burke | The Revolutionists - The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970sThe New Threat from Islamic Militancy+17 | the Middle EastSouth Asia+3 | GuardianThe Revolutionists+2 | — | 1h 07m 59s | |
| 3/31/26 |  Katy Hessel on making museums accessible, writing "The Story of Art without Men" and the value of an art-history degree✨ | art historyfemale artists+3 | Katy Hessel | The Story of Art without MenHow To Live An Artful Life+14 | LondonBristol | The Story of Art without MenThe Great Women Artists Podcast+1 | — | 1h 11m 59s | |
| 3/17/26 |  Doug Naylor on creating iconic 80s and 90s TV, a hit novelty song and books for children✨ | comedytelevision+2 | Doug Naylor | Red DwarfSin Bin Island+11 | ManchesterBristol | Red DwarfSpitting Image+2 | — | 1h 06m 08s | |
| 3/3/26 |  Mary Beard on "The Odyssey", "Gladiator 2" and why popular culture is always in dialogue with the ancient world✨ | The OdysseyGladiator 2+3 | Mary Beard | Talking ClassicsCambridge University+19 | Bristol | LatinGreek+2 | — | 1h 12m 13s | |
| 2/17/26 |  Jacques Testard on setting up Fitzcarraldo Editions, publishing fiction in translation and those blue-and-white covers✨ | publishingfiction+2 | Jacques Testard | Fitzcarraldo EditionsFitzcarraldo+11 | LondonBristol | Fitzcarraldo EditionsNobel Prizes+2 | — | 1h 04m 24s | |
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| 2/3/26 |  Nicole Vanderbilt on how Bookshop.org is taking on Amazon through recommendations, not algorithms✨ | Bookshop.orgindependent bookshops+3 | Nicole Vanderbilt | BookloopBookshop.org+8 | UK | e-booksaudiobooks+3 | ScrivenerPOD25 | 59m 12s | |
| 1/20/26 |  Frank Close on the nuclear age, physics' forgotten figures and writing for a general audience✨ | nuclear agephysics+2 | Frank Close | the University of Oxfordthe Royal Society+12 | — | theoretical physicsnuclear weapons+2 | ScrivenerPOD25 | 59m 51s | |
| 1/6/26 |  #229: Moira Buffini, playwright, screenwriter and novelist✨ | playwritingscreenwriting+4 | Moira Buffini | SonglightThe Torch Trilogy+17 | — | GabrielDinner+7 | — | 1h 01m 55s | |
| 12/23/25 |  #228: Salman Rushdie, novelist✨ | novelwriting+3 | Salman Rushdie | YouTubePatreon+15 | US | Midnight’s ChildrenBooker Prize+3 | — | 1h 11m 04s | |
| 12/9/25 |  #227: Michelle Paver, novelist✨ | novel writingbiochemistry+3 | Michelle Paver | Without CharityA Place in the Hills+9 | NyasalandMalawi+1 | Wimbledon BookFestWolf Brother+3 | — | 1h 01m 29s | |
| 11/25/25 |  #226: Anthony Horowitz, novelist | In this episode Simon and Rachel speak to the prolific novelist Anthony Horowitz. Anthony is the author of the teen spy Alex Rider series, which has sold more than 19 million copies worldwide. The books have been adapted into a film and a show on Amazon Prime Video. Anthony has also written two continuation novels for Sherlock Holmes, "The House of Silk" and "Moriarty"; three for James Bond, "Trigger Mortis", "Forever and a Day" and "With a Mind to Kill"; and mystery novels featuring book editor Susan Ryeland and Detective Daniel Hawthorne. Anthony has also written extensively for television, where he created the ITV series "Foyle's War", "Collision" and "Injustice" and the BBC series "Crime Traveller" and "New Blood". We spoke to Anthony about moving from advertising to children's books and TV and then on to adult novels, his breakthrough with Alex Rider, and his latest book, "Marble Hall Murders". In addition to the standard audio format, the podcast is now available in video. You can check us out on YouTube under Always Take Notes. We’ve made another update for those who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon. We’ve added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we’re now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (seven are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel. A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via Amazon or Waterstones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices | 1h 04m 32s | ||||||
| 11/11/25 |  #225: Susan Choi, novelist | In this episode Rachel and Simon speak to the American novelist Susan Choi. Born in Indiana to a Korean father and Jewish mother, Susan is the author of six novels: "The Foreign Student" (1998), "American Woman" (2003), "A Person of Interest" (2008), "My Education" (2013), "Trust Exercise" (2019) and "Flashlight" (2025). In 2004 "American Woman" was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and in 2019 "Trust Exercise" won the National Book Award for Fiction. (It was also a bestseller in America and picked by Barack Obama as one of his books of the year.) "Flashlight" was shortlisted for this year's Booker Prize. We spoke to Susan about working as a fact-checker at the New Yorker, the role of literary prizes and about turning "Flashlight" from a short story into a novel. In addition to the standard audio format, the podcast is now available in video. You can check us out on YouTube under Always Take Notes. We’ve made another update for those who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon. We’ve added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we’re now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (seven are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel. A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via Amazon or Waterstones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices | 58m 55s | ||||||
| 10/28/25 |  #224: Dean Koontz, novelist | In this episode Simon and Rachel speak to the novelist Dean Koontz. The author of over 120 books, Dean is published in 38 countries and has sold 500m copies to date. His suspense thrillers blend science fiction, horror, crime and comedy. Fourteen of Dean's novels - including "One Door Away From Heaven", "The Bad Place" and "77 Shadow Street" - have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. His titles have also been major bestsellers in countries as diverse as Japan and Sweden. Many of his books, including "Whispers," "Demon Seed" and "Odd Thomas", have been made into films too. We spoke to Dean about the role of books as an escape during a difficult childhood, the challenges of navigating agents and editors, especially early in his career, and his latest novel, "Going Home in the Dark". Alongside listening to us in audio as usual, the podcast is now available on video. You can check us out, and get a glimpse of Dean's adorable golden retriever, on YouTube under Always Take Notes. We’ve made another update for those who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon. We’ve added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we’re now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (seven are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel. A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via Amazon or Waterstones. This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices | 1h 11m 05s | ||||||
| 10/14/25 |  #223: Sarah Perry, novelist | Rachel and Simon speak to the novelist Sarah Perry. Sarah is the internationally bestselling author of four novels - "After Me Comes the Flood" (2014), "The Essex Serpent" (2016), "Melmoth" (2018) and "Enlightenment" (2024) - as well as two works of non-fiction, "Essex Girls" (2020) and "Death of an Ordinary Man" (2025). Waterstone's and the British Book Awards both named "The Essex Serpent" Book of the Year and in 2022 Apple TV+ adapted the novel into a mini-series starring Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston. Sarah's work has been nominated for major literary prizes including the Women's Prize for Fiction, the Dylan Thomas Prize, the Folio Prize and the Costa Novel Award. We spoke to Sarah about growing up in a Strict Baptist household, her breakout success with "The Essex Serpent", and her latest novel, "Enlightenment". We’ve made another update for those who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon. We’ve added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we’re now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (seven are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel. A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via Amazon or Waterstones. You can find us online at alwaystakenotes.com, on Twitter @takenotesalways and on Instagram @alwaystakenotes. Always Take Notes is presented by Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd, and produced by Artemis Irvine. Our music is by Jessica Dannheisser and our logo was designed by James Edgar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices | 1h 06m 51s | ||||||
| 9/30/25 |  #222: James Alistair Henry, screenwriter and novelist | Rachel and Simon speak with the screenwriter and novelist James Alistair Henry. James first started writing while working as a bookseller. He joined the writing team for Channel 4’s "Smack the Pony" and went on to write the BAFTA-award winning "Green Wing", ITV comedy "Delivery Man" and sitcom "Campus" as well as episodes for the children’s television shows "Bob The Builder" and "Hey Duggee". His Radio 4 sketch show, "Wosson Cornwall", was selected as BBC Radio Comedy of the Week and his newest sitcom, "Piglets", has been commissioned for a second series. James's recent debut novel, "Pagans", set in an alternate 21st-century Britain where Christianity, the Norman Conquest and the Industrial Revolution never happened, has been optioned for TV by production company Media Res. We spoke to James about comedy writing, his children's TV work, and his new novel. We’ve made another update for those who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon. We’ve added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we’re now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (seven are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel. A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via Amazon or Waterstones. You can find us online at alwaystakenotes.com, on Twitter @takenotesalways and on Instagram @alwaystakenotes. Always Take Notes is presented by Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd, and produced by Artemis Irvine. Our music is by Jessica Dannheisser and our logo was designed by James Edgar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices | 1h 02m 22s | ||||||
| 9/16/25 |  #221: Eimear McBride, novelist | Rachel and Simon speak with the novelist Eimear McBride. Born in Liverpool to Irish parents, Eimear studied acting before pursuing writing. Her debut novel, "A Girl is a Half-formed Thing", was published in 2013 after almost a decade of rejections; it went on to win the Women’s Prize for Fiction, the Goldsmiths Prize, the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year, the Desmond Elliott Prize and the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize. Eimear published her second novel, "The Lesser Bohemians", in 2016, followed by "Strange Hotel" in 2020 and "The City Changes Its Face" in 2025. She also brought out a work of non-fiction, "Something Out of Place: Women & Disgust", in 2021. We spoke to Eimear about her early interest in acting, experimenting with style and "The City Changes Its Face". We’ve made another update for those who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon. We’ve added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we’re now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (seven are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel. A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via Amazon or Waterstones. You can find us online at alwaystakenotes.com, on Twitter @takenotesalways and on Instagram @alwaystakenotes. Always Take Notes is presented by Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd, and produced by Artemis Irvine. Our music is by Jessica Dannheisser and our logo was designed by James Edgar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices | 1h 03m 13s | ||||||
| 9/2/25 |  #220: Anthony Cheetham, publisher | Simon and Rachel speak with the veteran British publisher Anthony Cheetham. Anthony began his career in 1966 at the New English Library, where his first acquisition was the paperback rights to "Dune", Frank Herbert’s science fiction epic. In 1969, Anthony moved to Sphere Books, where he created the Abacus imprint. He went on to establish many of the UK’s most prominent publishing companies including Century (now part of Penguin Random House), Orion and Quercus (today owned by Hachette) and Head of Zeus (which now belongs to Bloomsbury). We spoke to Anthony about entering the world of publishing in the 1960s, publishing authors ranging from Kingsley Amis to Ben Okri and Donald Trump, and his recent memoir, "A Life in 50 Books". We’ve made another update for those who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon. We’ve added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we’re now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (seven are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel. A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via Amazon or Waterstones. You can find us online at alwaystakenotes.com, on Twitter @takenotesalways and on Instagram @alwaystakenotes. Always Take Notes is presented by Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd, and produced by Artemis Irvine. Our music is by Jessica Dannheisser and our logo was designed by James Edgar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices | 44m 38s | ||||||
| 8/19/25 |  #219: Jacqueline Wilson, novelist | In this episode, recorded in conjunction with Hay Festival, Rachel and Simon speak with the novelist Jacqueline Wilson. Born in 1945, Jacqueline wrote her first (unpublished) novel, "Meet the Maggots", when she was nine and has since gone on to write more than 100 books; her novels have been translated into 34 languages and have sold more than 40m copies in Britain alone. Jacqueline started her career as a journalist for DC Thomson in Dundee—the bestselling teen magazine Jackie was reportedly named after her—and she published her first story for children, "Ricky's Birthday", in 1973. She is the author of several bestselling children's titles, including "The Story of Tracy Beaker", "Double Act", "Vicky Angel", and several popular series, such as "Girls", "Hetty Feather" and "Sleepovers". Jacqueline has won many literary prizes and was the British Children’s Laureate from 2005-07. In the 2025 New Year Honours List she was awarded the Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire. We spoke to Jacqueline about starting out in magazines while in her teens, breaking out in children's books in 1991 with "Tracy Beaker" and writing for adults, most recently in "Think Again". We’ve made another update for those who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon. We’ve added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we’re now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (seven are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel. A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via Amazon or Waterstones. You can find us online at alwaystakenotes.com, on Twitter @takenotesalways and on Instagram @alwaystakenotes. Always Take Notes is presented by Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd, and produced by Artemis Irvine. Our music is by Jessica Dannheisser and our logo was designed by James Edgar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices | 1h 08m 08s | ||||||
| 8/5/25 |  #218: Jesse Armstrong, screenwriter | In this episode, recorded live at the London Library, Simon and Rachel speak with the screenwriter Jesse Armstrong. Born in Shropshire and educated at Manchester University, Jesse co-created the Channel 4 comedy series "Peep Show" (2003–2015) and "Fresh Meat" (2011–2016), was a writer on "The Thick of It" (2005-2012) and "Four Lions" (2010) and is the creator of the HBO series "Succession" (2018–2023). He has received many nominations and awards, including a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for co-writing the film "In the Loop" (2009), and four wins for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. In 2016 Jonathan Cape also published his novel set against the background of the Bosnian War, "Love, Sex and Other Foreign Policy Goals". We spoke to Jesse about his early career as a screenwriter, creating a global hit with "Succession", and his latest film, "Mountainhead". We’ve made another update for those who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon. We’ve added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we’re now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (seven are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel. A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via Amazon or Waterstones. You can find us online at alwaystakenotes.com, on Twitter @takenotesalways and on Instagram @alwaystakenotes. Always Take Notes is presented by Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd, and produced by Artemis Irvine. Our music is by Jessica Dannheisser and our logo was designed by James Edgar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices | 59m 41s | ||||||
| 7/22/25 |  #217: Hallie Rubenhold, historian | Rachel and Simon speak to the historian Hallie Rubenhold. Born in Los Angeles, Hallie moved to Britain as a graduate student; after completing an MA and an MPhil, she worked for a time as a curator for the National Portrait Gallery and as a commercial art dealer. In 2005 she published her first book, "The Covent Garden Ladies", about "Harris's List", a directory of London's prostitutes. Hallie followed it up in 2008 with "Lady Worsley's Whim", about the 18th century’s most notorious adultery trial. Both books have been adapted into television dramas. Hallie then turned to fiction - publishing "Mistress of My Fate" and "The French Lesson" - before returning to non-fiction with "The Five: The Women Killed by Jack the Ripper" in 2019. The book went on to win the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction and became a Sunday Times bestseller. We spoke to Hallie about moving from the world of museums to the world of writing; researching and publishing "The Five"; and her latest book, "Story of a Murder". We’ve made another update for those who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon. We’ve added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we’re now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (eight are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel. A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via Amazon or Waterstones. You can find us online at alwaystakenotes.com, on Twitter @takenotesalways and on Instagram @alwaystakenotes. Always Take Notes is presented by Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd, and produced by Artemis Irvine. Our music is by Jessica Dannheisser and our logo was designed by James Edgar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices | 1h 03m 28s | ||||||
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