Author Q&A with Clare Leslie Hall – The Bonus Chapter
In the latest edition of our Bonus Chapter podcast, we sit down for a warm, open chat with Clare Leslie Hall. It came as no surprise to learn that Clare has been a massive bookworm since her childhood. A passion for writing and a passion for reading usually go hand in hand, as we find out every time we speak with authors.
During a cosy conversation with our host, Neha, Clare explains how her early career paved the way for her fiction. She spent two decades working as a newspaper reporter, largely driven by the belief that you could not simply step straight out of university and write novels. Clare's journey to publication is fascinating – and perhaps even a little gruelling. Beginning in her early thirties, it involved a string of agents who failed to deliver on their promises.
One of the most striking parts of the interview centres on how a simple shift in how Clare's work was described changed her commercial fortunes. Previous agents framed her as a traditional crime and thriller writer. However, a new agent recognised that the label did not truly fit – a realisation that changed everything. Clare’s novel, Broken Country, has now been sold in an incredible 27 countries worldwide.
We always appreciate it when authors share the real demands of writing, and Clare is remarkably open about the parts of the process she finds difficult, as well as the importance of a supportive inner circle. We even dive into the eternal debate: to pant or to plot? Clare offers a brilliant, detailed look into the method that works for her.
As with every episode of the Bonus Chapter, if you are already a fan of Clare Leslie Hall, you will love this conversation. If you have never picked up one of her books, this is the perfect place to start.
Listen or watch via the links below, and do not forget to subscribe. We have an extraordinary lineup of authors coming to the Bonus Chapter over the next few weeks and months.
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