Best VERVE Books Podcasts (2025)

1
Author special: Curtis Garner on queerness, masculinity and writing ISAAC 57:34

6M ago57:34

57:34

In this one-off special, Curtis Garner discusses the writing process behind his debut novel, ISAAC, with VERVE's Editorial Director, Jenna Gordon. Set in London across a single, life-altering summer, ISAAC explores masculinity and queerness in the digital age and offers a fresh take on desire and intimacy, adolescent obsession and dangerous first l…

1
Laurie Petrou in conversation with Gabby Humphreys @humphreads 48:44

1+ y ago48:44

48:44

We're wrapping up 2023 by sharing a recording of a live online event featuring Laurie Petrou, author of the novels STARGAZER and SISTER OF MINE, and online book advocate Gabby Humphreys (@humphreads on Instagram). The pair discuss Laurie's novels and writing process, and the impact of social media on a book's success. We'll be taking a break from p…

1
Author Special: Robyn Gigl and Kia Abdullah 53:18

1+ y ago53:18

53:18

Robyn Gigl and Kia Abdullah discuss their new novels - By Way of Sorrow and Those People Next Door - in a live online event hosted by Rob Gillett from Queerly Books.By VERVE Books

1
Writing Mysteries and Thrillers with Jane Jesmond 32:45

1+ y ago32:45

32:45

Editorial Director Jenna Gordon chats to critically acclaimed crime fiction author Jane Jesmond about her latest novel, A QUIET CONTAGION - a dual-timeline mystery-thriller about an accident at a pharmaceutical lab and a dangerous secret that's buried for decades.By VERVE Books

1
Author Special: Sarah Rose Etter & Sophie Mackintosh (LIVE) 54:37

1+ y ago54:37

54:37

A special recording of our recent live online event featuring Sarah Rose Etter, author of Ripe, and Sophie Mackintosh, author of Cursed Bread. An illuminating and hilarious discussion about their novels, 'sad girl fiction' and their writing processes.By VERVE Books

1
Magic, carnival and the climate crisis with Stephanie Feldman 33:55

1+ y ago33:55

33:55

Editorial Director Jenna Gordon talks to Stephanie Feldman about her new, multi-layered cli-fi novel, Saturnalia. VERVE Books are publishing Saturnalia on 26th October 2023. Order your copy now. You can find Stephanie Feldman on Instagram at @stephanie.feldman and on X at @sbfeldman, and at stephaniefeldman.com. Sign up to our newsletter to stay up…

1
Cults, changelings and the rise of horror 43:02

1+ y ago43:02

43:02

Join Sarah and Jenna as they chat about the rise of cult horror and their obsession with things that go bump in the night...By VERVE Books

1
Feminism and Horror with Anne Heltzel 52:26

1+ y ago52:26

52:26

Editorial Director Jenna Gordon talks to US-based author and Editorial Director Anne Heltzel about her new novel Just Like Mother, available to buy now wherever you get your books. Anne and Jenna discuss the rise of feminist horror as well as contemporary narratives surrounding motherhood and single women, and Anne offers some fantastic horror reco…

1
Book Blogging: Behind the Scenes 54:21

1+ y ago54:21

54:21

VERVE's Campaigns Director Sarah Stewart-Smith is joined by Pupak (@aliencatsbookempire) and Jess (@jessreadthat) to discuss the stories behind their hugely popular 'book blogs', as well as the reality of the ever-growing book community on social media. Stay up to date with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X at @VERVE_Books. Sign up to our new…

1
Corporate culture, depression and existential dread in our late-capitalist hellscape with Sarah Rose Etter 54:34

2y ago54:34

54:34

Editorial Director Jenna chats to acclaimed author Sarah Rose Etter about her brand-new novel Ripe, 'a work of astonishing horror' (Big Issue) that's one of the hottest books of the summer. Ripe is available to purchase now, from our website or wherever you get your books. To stay up to date with all things VERVE, sign up to our newsletter.…

1
Disappearing People and DNA Detective Work with Nicola Monaghan 39:36

2y ago39:36

39:36

This month, editor Jenna Gordon interviews Betty Trask award winner Nicola Monaghan about her latest novel, Wish You Were Here - a gritty British crime thriller about a historical missing persons case, a present-day death and a DNA-based investigation.By VERVE Books

1
Sad Girl Lit for Sad Girl Summer 50:37

2y ago50:37

50:37

Join editor Jenna and publishing assistant Demi for some 'sad girl lit' recommendations you'll want to add straight to your summer reading list.By VERVE Books

1
Sapphic Fiction, Compulsory Heterosexuality and Queer Joy with Chloe Michelle Howarth 37:42

2y ago37:42

37:42

In this episode, Jenna interviews debut author Chloe Michelle Howarth about her brand-new, Irish-set sapphic coming-of-age novel, SUNBURN (publishing 22nd June 2023).By VERVE Books

1
Queer books to add to your TBR this Pride 26:55

2y ago26:55

26:55

It's Pride month! Whilst reading queer throughout the year is a no-brainer, listen to this minisode for some books which we strongly recommend you get stuck into now.By VERVE Books

1
Book icks and ticks 26:34

2y ago26:34

26:34

What are the biggest icks and ticks for book lovers? Listen to Demi and Sarah discuss theirs in this episode of VERVE Voices.By VERVE Books

1
Co-authoring, corporate culture and toxic masculinity with Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman 31:36

2y ago31:36

31:36

Listen to Jenna Gordon in conversation with Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman, co-authors of The Very Nice Box, about the process of co-authoring, corporate culture, and exploring toxic masculinity in their latest novel.By VERVE Books

1
Publishing insights & London Book Fair 16:56

2y ago16:56

16:56

In this episode, get to know Production Controller Ellie Lavender and the workings behind the 'best kept secret' in publishing.By VERVE Books

1
The age of intensity - writing complicated female relationships with Laurie Petrou 42:15

2y ago42:15

42:15

Listen to Jenna Gordon in conversation with Laurie Petrou , author of Stargazer and Sister of Mine, talk about complicated female relationships, small town vibes, and the influences on Laurie's writing in our latest episode of VERVE VoicesBy VERVE Books

1
TBRs, TBWs & TBLs 26:52

2y ago26:52

26:52

VERVE Voices is the brand-new in-house podcast from indie fiction publisher VERVE Books. In this episode, get to know Editor Jenna Gordon and Sales & Marketing Executive Sarah Stewart-Smith as they share the VERVE team's vision for the podcast and our books and chat about what they're currently reading, watching and loving. References: Cut Adrift b…

1
Writing transgender representation in crime fiction with Robyn Gigl 34:24

2y ago34:24

34:24

VERVE Voices is the brand-new in-house podcast from indie fiction publisher VERVE Books. In this episode, editor Jenna Gordon interviews attorney, speaker and activist Robyn Gigl on her debut novel, BY WAY OF SORROW, published by VERVE Books in the UK on 16th March 2023. BY WAY OF SORROW is the first book in Gigl's 'ground-breaking' (New York Times…