Episode 4

Big love stories and being published in a foreign country first with Emma Steele

Emma Steele was born and raised on the west coast of Scotland before studying law at The University of Aberdeen. Working as a solicitor in Edinburgh, she continued to dabble in her childhood passions of art and creative writing for several years. Emma now writes big love stories with a twist, and with a particular focus on phenomena. The stunning city of Edinburgh is generally her setting of choice, but she likes to weave in elements of the wider world too. The Echos of Us is her first novel.

Our interview begins at  30.00

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It's a bit of a different intro this week as Caitlin shares the details of her bookish Anne of Green Gables-inspired trip to Canada, including the books she's read in preparation. While Michelle chats about 2.22: A Ghost Story and meeting one of her favourite actors.

In this interview, we chat about:

  • Shared death experiences and how the phenomena inspired the story of Robbie and Jenn
  • Robbie's flawed character and why we enjoy seeing this in male main characters
  • The process of writing a book with so many shifts in timelines and perspective
  • Emma's incredibly unique publishing experience – being published as a debut author in German before the UK

Books and other things mentioned:

  • Anne of Green Gables (1980s adaptation)
  • Into the Uncanny by Danny Robbins
  • Prima Facie by Suzie Miller (novel and script - we talk about the book here)
  • Shake & Stir productions in Australia
  • Big (film)
  • Good Material by Dolly Alderton

Follow @emmasteeleauthor on Instagram

The Echoes of Us is available in the UK now. Thank you so much to the publishers for sending us copies in preparation for the interview.

Connect with us on Instagram: @betterwordspod

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About your hosts

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Caitlin Toohey

Hi, I'm Caitlin! I've been on bookstagram since 2016, a podcaster since 2017, and worked in publishing since 2019. So books and reading are my entire life. When I'm not reading, I like listening to Taylor Swift, watching sitcoms, and generally being a theatre kid.
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Michelle Gately

Hi, I'm Michelle! I'm an Aussie living in the UK, working as a bookseller. I'm obsessed with storytelling in all its forms – I spend as much time watching TV or listening to podcasts as I do reading. Other hobbies include bouldering, hiking and generally obsessing about my pug Percy.