The Unexpected Success of The Author Season

When I first had the idea for The Author Season of The Story Behind My Stories podcast back in June, I thought it would be a small, quiet project. Something I could do to genuinely support indie authors, fill the gaps between my own podcast seasons and share the stories behind the stories we all carry. I didn’t expect what happened next.

Recording The Stories Behind My Stories

The Story Behind My Stories podcast began because readers kept asking how I ended up writing a novel set in Thailand. I told the story so many times that I finally sat down and recorded it. The reason I went and the year I spent in Thailand and Asia was full of moments you couldn’t make up, and none of them directly related to the thriller itself. That gap between real life and fiction became the heart of the podcast.

Listeners wanted more. They wanted the diary entries, the photos, the experiences that shaped the book but never made it onto the page. That led to the new book series, The Story Behind My Stories, where I expand on the podcast and share the parts of my life that didn't feed the fiction or not in that book. The Story Behind Thai Die came out in June, and the next book, The Story Behind Connecting Trains, arrives in a month.

But the biggest surprise has been The Author Season.

I wanted to give other authors a platform to talk about the story behind their stories. I thought a handful might be interested. Instead, I now have more than thirty submissions, each one with an incredible origin story, inspiration or moment that changed the direction of their writing. The response has been overwhelming in the best way.

The Author Season has become a space where writers can share the real experiences that shaped their books. It has also become a space where readers can discover new voices and understand the human side of storytelling. I’m excited to keep recording these conversations and to bring more authors into the season over the coming months.

If you’re new to the podcast, this week is a good time to start.

Thai Die the thriller novel is free this week and the companion book, Thai Die: How a Year in Thailand Turned into a Thriller Novel is a great read for anyone who enjoys memoir, origin stories or the real life behind fiction.

Season 6 of the podcast is also underway, exploring the story behind Die Trying, which came out last week. It’s been wonderful to share the real club dynamics, traditions and tensions that shaped the book, and to hear from readers who recognise the authenticity of the setting.

The Author Season has reminded me why sharing our stories is so important and I can't wait to talk to more authors. Each of the ones so far have touched something close to me too and I can see that in so many that I am waiting to record.

Stories connect us. Real experiences shape fiction. And sometimes the best part of writing is sharing the journey with others.

Have a great week and listen in, grab the first in the fiction series or the first in the non fiction series. The Author Season will be back after Season 6 closes.

Love

Helen x