The Writers’ Gym Podcast

Victoria Dowd, bestselling crime writer and Vice Chair of the Crime Writers’ Association

Dr Rachel Knightley is joined at the Writers' Gym by prize and award-winning author, Victoria Dowd.  

Victoria is the award-winning author of the bestselling Smart Woman’s Mystery series and has been shortlisted for the CWA Dagger. Her novel, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Murder, won The People’s Book Prize for fiction and was In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel’s Book of the Year. Her novel Murder Most Cold won the Grand Puzzly award. Victoria was awarded the Gothic Fiction prize for her short fiction and The Syke House International Film Silken Noose Award.

Victoria is the Vice Chair of the Crime Writers’ Association and before becoming a writer was a criminal defence barrister for many years.

Her historical crime novel, Death in the Aviary, was released this year and is the first book in a new series. Her standalone novel, The New Rules of Murder, will be published by Sphere in April next year.

Learn more about Victoria Dowd here:
https://victoriadowd.com/

Instagram: @dowdvictoria

If you enjoyed listening to the Writers' Gym Podcast, head to our website at www.writersgym.com and follow us on instagram: @jointhewritersgym

What’s the most damaging advice you’ve ever received as a writer? Dr Rachel Knightley reflects on what the wrong and right ‘shoulds’ can do to our ability to make time for our writing and ourselves, and how to take control of our reactions to the messaging we receive. Rachel provides a creative confidence and writing ‘Think On The Page’ Writers’ Gym exercise to create the time and writing that works for you.

If you enjoyed listening to the Writers' Gym Podcast, head to our website at www.writersgym.com and follow us on instagram: @jointhewritersgym

Dr Rachel Knightley’s guest at the Writers’ Gym this episode is award-winning author Nathan Newman. 

Nathan is a novelist and filmmaker based in London. Their short stories have won awards, including the James Knudsen Prize for Fiction, and been published in literary journals and anthologies.

Their debut novel, How To Leave The House was released to critical acclaim, and was a New Yorker and New York Times best book of the year.

Learn more about Nathan here: https://www.nathannewmanrules.com/

Instagram: @nathanfnewman

If you enjoyed listening to the Writers' Gym Podcast, head to our website at www.writersgym.com an

Showing up for yourself and sharing your achievements can be scary, but instead of waiting for the feelings to change we can shift the focus to action that empowers.

If you enjoyed listening to the Writers' Gym Podcast, head to our websites at www.writersgym.com, www.rachelknightleycoaching.com, and follow us on instagram: @jointhewritersgym @rachelknightleycoaching

Lucy Kate Barnes, Trustee and Co-Founder of Lawyers Who Care

Dr Rachel Knightley’s guest at the Writers’ Gym is her coaching client, award-winning advocate Lucy Kate Barnes.

Lucy grew up on council estates. She went into care at 13 and fell off the "care cliff" at 16. Aged 18, she studies law at Surrey. She is now a barrister. Alongside her legal career, she set up charity Lawyers Who Care and is a vocal advocate for children's rights and social mobility for disadvantaged young people. She won Diversity Champion of the Year 2025 and was one of the Universities UK 100 Faces Campaign to celebrate the first in families to go to university. 

Learn more about Lucy here: 

Website: Lucykatebarnes.co.uk
Substack: Theadvocatewithin.substack.co.uk 
Instagram: @lucykatebarnes

If you enjoyed listening to the Writers' Gym Podcast, head to our website at www.writersgym.com and follow us on instagram: @jointhewritersgym