Life (and writing) after The Flatshare with Beth O'Leary

Beth O'Leary is one of the biggest names in contemporary fiction at the moment. Her debut novel, The Flatshare, has sold over half a million copies and her second novel, The Switch has been optioned for film by Steven Spielberg’s production company. Today we’re thrilled to be discussing her brand new novel, The Road Trip.

Our interview starts at 21 minutes. 

Michelle recommends

It's a Sin

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Caitlin recommends

Zero Chill

A fun and enjoyable teen dramedy to sit back and enjoy.

In this interview, we chat about: 

• The concept for Beth’s new romantic comedy The Road Trip and how the story has been brewing for years
• How Beth wrote The Road Trip’s dual timeline and alternating perspectives
• The music that helped inspire The Road Trip and how Beth used the playlist to notch up tension in the novel
• How Beth gets to ‘know’ her characters and whether she would ever re-visit characters from previous novels
• The path to publication and how Beth has dealt with the success of The Flatshare
• The transition from writing as a hobby to being a published author
• How it feels to have your book optioned for a movie with an iconic production company
• Preparing for motherhood and how it may change her writing routines

Books and other things mentioned

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (film)
• Brooklyn (film)

Follow Beth on Instagram @betholearyauthor

Follow us on Instagram @betterwordspod

Madam will be available in the UK and Australia tomorrow (April 29)!

Michelle and Caitlin received PR copies of The Road Trip from Quercus UK and Hachette Australia.