Always Take Notes

WELCOME! Since you've stopped by it's likely that, like us, you are passionate about writers and writing. Sometimes, however, passion alone is not enough. Inspiration, advice, techniques and a few hard facts come in handy too, and that's where we come in. Created by, for and about writers, Always Take Notes is a bi-monthly podcast that lifts the lid on the business and craft of putting pen to paper (or, more realistically, fingers to keyboard). WHAT WE DO In each episode we — co-hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/rachelsllloyd?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Rachel Lloyd</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/simonakam">Simon Akam</a> — talk candidly to journalists, publishers, screenwriters, novelists or agents about their work and career paths. Hear novelists describe how they develop characters; editors explain what makes a pitch exciting; and agents outline the business end of getting the best possible book deal. As writers ourselves, we tackle issues that often vex us and our contemporaries, including how to get paid on time (or, indeed, at all), diversity in the industry, and the finer workings of writer-agent-editor relationships. We've had some fascinating conversations with people. Some of Rachel's favourites include <a href="https://anchor.fm/alwaystakenotes/episodes/87-Anne-Enright--novelist-eh4gok" target="_blank">this one</a>, in which Booker prize-winning novelist Anne Enright talks about her refusal to write at a desk, and <a href="https://anchor.fm/alwaystakenotes/episodes/99-Sirin-Kale--feature-writer-eoohol" target="_blank">here</a>, where journalist Sirin Kale sheds light on how she wrangles interviews. Simon will always have a soft spot for <a href="https://anchor.fm/alwaystakenotes/episodes/20-Antony-Beevor--military-historian-efrnnt" target="_blank">this episode</a>, in which we spoke to the military historian Antony Beevor, or <a href="https://anchor.fm/alwaystakenotes/episodes/59-Christina-Lamb--chief-foreign-correspondent--the-Sunday-Times-efrnmv" target="_blank">this one</a> in which he interviewed foreign correspondent Christina Lamb. You can listen to all our episodes on <a href="https://anchor.fm/dashboard">Anchor</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/94-patrick-radden-keefe-author-and-new-yorker-staff-writer/id1224996246">iTunes</a> or on our <a href="https://www.alwaystakenotes.com/">website</a>. HERE'S THE PITCH We need your help to keep going and to keep improving Always Take Notes. We want to pay our producer more for her hours of hard work putting out and promoting each and every episode. We'd also like to get better equipment so that we can improve the listening experience for everyone. And eventually we'd like to pay ourselves.  We love what we do and we know a lot of you do too, so — if you can — please donate. It all helps. Thank you!

Free

<ul>
<li>A shout-out on the show to say thanks for keeping Always Take Notes up and running</li><li>Access to our private Facebook group, where you can chat to Simon and Rachel and suggest ideas for the show</li><li>Get added to our mailing list to be kept up to date with all our news</li>
</ul>

Noted

<ul>
<li>A shout-out on the show to say thanks for keeping Always Take Notes up and running</li><li>Access to our private Facebook group, where you can chat to Simon and Rachel and suggest ideas for the show</li>
<li>Get added to our mailing list to be kept up to date with all our news</li>
<li>See Simon's pitch that led to <a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/2254791/braveheart-couldnt-handle" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">this assignment</a> for Outside magazine</li>
</ul>

Noticed

<ul>
<li>All of the benefits from the other tiers</li>
<li>Plus, a package of our best pitches that led to pieces for The Times, GQ, Guardian Long Read, Bloomberg Businessweek and The Economist. </li>
</ul>

Noteworthy

<ul><li>Enjoy the good feeling of knowing you are keeping Always Take Notes up and running</li><li>Get added to our mailing list to be kept up to date with all our news</li><li>See Simon's pitch that led to <a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/2254791/braveheart-couldnt-handle" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">this assignment</a> in Outside magazine</li><li>Receive a package of our best pitches that led to pieces for The Times, GQ, Guardian Long Read, Bloomberg Businessweek and Economist. </li></ul>

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