Jack Heath on novel ideas, writing practice and building a writing career

Natasha Rai interviews award-winning author Jack Heath (49 novels, published in 10 languages) about his YA thriller 'I Know What You’re Hiding'. Heath gives an elevator pitch: after a house fire kills one sister, survivor Jamie receives a blood-written note saying “I know what you’re hiding,” and teen true-crime podcaster Zoe investigates the blackmail. Heath discusses writing for ages 12–16, the book’s long development from an earlier pitch that spun into the 'Liars' series, and why Zoe returned after 'If You Tell Anyone You’re Next'. He explains lessons about series vs sequels, selling manuscripts to publishers, balancing promotion with writing, his daily process and project management, outlining, differences between adult and kids fiction, idea “odd sock drawer” blending, embracing negative feedback, and joining nonprofit writing groups. The Debut Spotlight features Lisa Moule’s debut 'The Mother of All Calamities'.

00:00 Podcast Intro
00:42 Meet Jack Heath
01:44 Elevator Pitch
03:28 Writing Dark YA
05:42 Origins of the Novel
10:04 Odd Sock Ideas
11:35 Series Lessons
14:15 Selling to Publishers
18:28 Promotion Pressures
21:43 Writing Routine
25:45 Word Count Planning
27:45 Editing and Reading Style
30:12 Editing Versus Drafting
31:44 Guest Introduction
32:15 Outlining To Sell Books
36:41 Adult Versus Kids Writing
45:44 Ideas And Book Mashups
50:33 Sustainable Career Lessons
54:04 Embracing Negative Feedback
58:47 Advice And Writing Communities
01:01:25 Wrap Up And Credits

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