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Confessions of a Book Collector

Confessions of a Book Collector

Hosted by Goldsboro Books

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Episodes

103

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

Confessions of a Book Collector is the podcast for readers, collectors and anyone fascinated by the world of books. Hosted by Goldsboro Books Co-Founder and literary agent, David Headley, the series takes listeners behind the scenes of publishing through candid conversations with bestselling authors, exciting new voices and the industry's most influential figures. Alongside exclusive insights into book collecting and book investing, David shares the stories behind some of the most sought-after editions, the books he believes deserve a place on every shelf, and the industry secrets he's gathered from decades spent championing exceptional writers.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 15, 2026Episode 2325 min

Two New Chapters For Goldsboro Books...

This week, David has some rather exciting news to share.After months of work behind the scenes, Goldsboro Books is getting ready to begin not one, but two new chapters, each taking the business somewhere new, whilst staying true to the love of books, collecting and bringing readers together that has shaped Goldsboro since the very beginning.David reflects on how far Goldsboro has come since he and Daniel started the business in 1999, why physical bookshops and spaces for readers matter more than ever, and what it means to keep looking forward in an industry (and a world) that has changed enormously.Send Me Your Book Confessions — share your favourite books, collecting stories, questions and reactions to episodes.

August 8, 2026Episode 2231 min

What Should You Read Next? 12 Unmissable New & Upcoming Books

With thousands of new books published every year, how do you decide what’s actually worth reading?In this episode, Goldsboro Books co-founder and literary agent David Headley does the choosing for you, sharing 12 new and upcoming books that have caught his attention. From gripping crime and clever thrillers to ambitious debuts, historical fiction and unforgettable stories from some of the biggest names in publishing right now.Whether you’re looking for your next page-turner, want to discover a brilliant new voice or simply need some inspiration for your reading pile, there should be something here to tempt you.The only question is: how many will end up on your TBR pile?Send Me Your Book Confessions — share your favourite books, collecting stories, questions and reactions to episodes.

August 1, 2026Episode 211 hr 25 min

Inside Capital Crime With Andrew & Lee Child, Jeffrey Archer & Many More

In this special episode, we take you inside this year’s Capital Crime Festival with five brilliant panel discussions featuring some of the biggest names in crime and thriller writing.From 2mins 15s  The Rebels Behind The Hero: see Lee Child and Andrew Child  in conversation with Stig Abell about building and breaking the rules of crime fiction as they celebrate 31 books with Jack Reacher.From 18mins 37s  One of the family: Closed circles and amateur sleuths, the dark yet entertaining draw of terrible things happening to ordinary people with Janice Hallett and Jeremy Vine in conversation with Mark Edwards about the danger lurking beneath seemingly idyllic locations and creating high-stakes thrillers that race against time..From 27mins 55sBuilding A Legacy: David Headley interviews Jeffrey Archer in celebration of his 50 year career as an author and his timeless influence on the next generation of writers, readers and booksellers. Special edition copies of Jeffrey's latest book Adam & Eve are available now at Goldsboro Books.From 47 mins 35 Closed Communities and Secrets That Fester. From insular parishes to prized garden plots, isolated coastlines to divided city streets, Jane Casey, Liz Nugent & Ardal O’Hanlon join Brian McGilloway to uncover why Ireland’s closed communities make the perfect breeding ground for crime fiction.From 1hr 7mPossibly our funniest panel of the weekend: From Scene to Sentence: Rob Parker, Nadine Matheson and T M Payne in conversation with Lisa Howells about the versatility of the procedural crime novel.Early bird tickets for Capital Crime 2027 are selling fast and on sale now.Send Me Your Book Confessions — share your favourite books, collecting stories, questions and reactions to episodes.

July 25, 2026Episode 2052 min

Erin Kelly On Mass Hysteria & The Power of Ritual

What makes fear contagious? Why do we cling to ritual? And can we ever really trust our memories?Bestselling author and Capital Crime Festival Genre-Bending Book of the Year winner Erin Kelly joins David Headley for one of our most intriguing conversations yet.Together they discuss the power of collective belief, how rituals give us a sense of control, the books that changed Erin, and the storytelling techniques behind some of today's smartest psychological suspense novels. Aspiring writers won't want to miss Erin's candid advice on plotting twists, dissecting your favourite novels and the writing techniques she's honed over her long career.They also delve into Erin's new gothic thriller, The Night Stairs. A haunting tale of Catholic school myths, mass hysteria and the secrets we carry with us long after adolescence.Whether you're a reader, writer or simply curious about why people behave the way they do, this is an episode that will stay with you.Send Me Your Book Confessions — share your favourite books, collecting stories, questions and reactions to episodes.

July 18, 2026Episode 1930 min

Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes: Do True Villains Really Exist?

Is anyone ever truly a villain?Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes has spent nearly two decades helping other authors find their readers. This year, it's finally her turn.In this episode, David sits down with Stephanie to explore the darker side of Victorian England – a world where women could be institutionalised for almost anything and dangerous secrets had devastating consequences.Inspired by her home in a former Victorian asylum, Stephanie discusses the real history behind her debut Thornby Manor, the enduring appeal of gothic fiction, and why she believes human nature is far more complicated than heroes and villains.Plus, she shares what it was really like going from publishing professional to debut author, navigating rejection, finding an agent, and experiencing the submission process from the other side for the very first time.Send Me Your Book Confessions — share your favourite books, collecting stories, questions and reactions to episodes.

July 11, 2026Episode 1832 min

Saima Mir: Code-Switching & The Truth About Being An Author

Award-winning journalist and novelist Saima Mir joins David Headley to talk about crime, justice, identity and the experiences that shaped her bestselling Jia Khan series.Drawing on her years reporting from courtrooms and covering the aftermath of the Bradford riots, Saima reflects on what happens when communities lose faith in the institutions meant to protect them, and why she has always been interested in the forces that push people towards the choices they make.She also discusses code-switching and the pressure to be “authentic”, creating a British Pakistani female crime boss in a patriarchal world, and why Bradford became such a powerful presence in her fiction. Plus, Saima is refreshingly candid about the realities of earning a living as a novelist, publishing’s reluctance to talk about money, and why she believes storytelling matters more than ever in the age of AI.Send Me Your Book Confessions — share your favourite books, collecting stories, questions and reactions to episodes.

July 4, 2026Episode 1747 min

Live From Capital Crime: Clare Mackintosh on The Art Of Manipulating the Reader

Recorded live at Capital Crime Festival 2026, David Headley is joined on stage by one of Britain's most celebrated crime writers, Clare Mackintosh.With the release of her latest thriller, It's Not What You Think, Clare takes audiences behind the scenes, revealing how she carefully constructs twists, plants misdirection and plans every emotional beat of a reader's journey.Together they discuss why human psychology matters more than crime itself, the challenge of writing politically charged fiction, how her years as a police officer continue to shape her novels, and the pressure of following up bestselling books that readers have come to expect the impossible from.From plotting "bookish whiplash" to balancing suspense with humour, this is a fascinating conversation about the craft of storytelling with one of the genre's finest writers.2027 early bird tickets for Capital Crime Festival are on sale for a limited time at www.capitalcrime.org/ticketsAnd you can buy signed copies of Clare's latest thriller, It's Not What You Think at Goldsboro Books.Send Me Your Book Confessions — share your favourite books, collecting stories, questions and reactions to episodes.

June 27, 2026Episode 1632 min

Anthony Kavanagh: What It Really Takes to Write a Memoir

In this deeply personal conversation, 90's pop idol Anthony Kavanagh (known as Kavana) joins David Headley to go beyond the headlines of Pop Scars and explore the writing journey itself. Learning how vulnerability became his greatest strength on the page, Anthony reflects on the unexpected challenges of revisiting his past.They discuss writing through addiction and grief, why humour was essential when tackling life's darkest moments, the chapter he almost couldn't write, and how putting his story into words changed the way he viewed his younger self.Send Me Your Book Confessions — share your favourite books, collecting stories, questions and reactions to episodes.

June 13, 2026Episode 1524 min

How Intelligence Secrets and Trauma Psychology Inspired Britain's Explosive New Spy Series | Chris Merritt

In this episode, David Headley sits down with bestselling thriller writer, former British diplomat and clinical psychologist Chris Merritt to explore the remarkable experiences behind his new spy thriller, Octagon.From living through rocket attacks in Iraq and navigating the tensions of Jerusalem, to treating trauma and PTSD in the NHS, Chris reveals how real-world conflict, psychology and intelligence work have influenced his writing.They discuss nuclear terrorism, the secrets of crafting believable spies, why trauma is fundamentally about storytelling, and how Chris transformed a career spanning diplomacy and psychology into one of the year's most ambitious thriller series.Plus, Chris shares the books that inspired him, the thriller he considers close to perfect, and why readers can't seem to stop turning the pages of Octagon.Secure signed copies of Octagon from when Chris visited the bookshop to record this episode.Send Me Your Book Confessions — share your favourite books, collecting stories, questions and reactions to episodes.

June 6, 2026Episode 1435 min

Lucy Vine: From Rom-Com Queen to Cosy Crime Killer

Lucy Vine has spent years making readers laugh with bestselling rom-coms. But under the pen name Elly Vine, she's now embracing murder and a very different kind of female rage.In this episode of Confessions of a Book Collector, Lucy talks about why so many women are drawn to crime fiction, the surprising link between humour and suspense, and how The Lottery Winners Club was inspired by the idea that women aren't always allowed to express anger openly.We also explore the challenge of writing under two names at once, her obsession with twists and red herrings, the books that terrified her as a child, and the strange reality of being nine books into a writing career while still feeling convinced you'll never finish the next one.Send Me Your Book Confessions — share your favourite books, collecting stories, questions and reactions to episodes.

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