For this episode of The Writing Life, our Programme Assistant Ellie Reeves speaks to novelist James Kinsley to discuss his novella Playtime’s Over, and his journey from self-publishing to traditional publishing. He also gives you some writer insights, and speaks about the challenges of drawing personal experiences into fiction.

Playtime’s Over was published by Propolis in 2021 and is a love letter to his native Norwich. James Kinsley’s new book, Greyskin, will be published by Deixis Press on 27 April. Greyskin is a stylish collection of interconnected fantasy stories, inspired by the cinematic mythology of the Old West. On its first day of pre-order, the book topped the Amazon chart for Western Science Fiction.

In this episode, James discusses genre, mental health, and the ability of writing to move beyond your original intentions.

James Kinsley is a writer based in Thorpe Hamlet, Norfolk. His first novella, Playtime’s Over, was published by Propolis in 2021. His second book, Greyskin, a collection of interwoven short stories, will be released in April 2023 by Deixis Press. He also self-publishes sci-fi and fantasy under the name Ray Adams. Outside of writing, he has interests in books, classical music, film and the environment.