Poet John Hegley at Milton’s Cottage

The BBC radio and Edinburgh Fringe favourite, British national treasure, poet, musician and comedian, John Hegley joins We’d Like A Word hosts Paul Waters and Stevyn Colgan to perform and chat in front of an intimate live audience inside Milton’s Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where John Milton wrote his epic poem Paradise Lost, published in 1667. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

John Hegley is supported by the poet, musician and children’s TV producer/editor Clare Elstow.

Brace yourself for an eclectic mix of London and Luton literary and football memories, John Keats and John Milton, William and Henry Lawes, French language and music (Rameau), goldfish, a quick striptease, profound audience questions, and some rude and funny poetry.

Frederick Forsyth and friends at the Chiltern Kills crime and thriller festival

Thriller writing icon Frederick Forsyth talks about his legacy and his first ever appearance at a literary festival in this one-part episode. It was recorded (mostly) live at the Chiltern Kills festival in Gerrards Cross in October 2023. All ticket sales went to the Centrepoint charity combating youth homelessness. If you want to attend the next Chiltern Kills – and you should! – tickets are via www.ChilternKills.com

There’s also a one-to-one option with a literary agent looking to expand their list. That costs a ridiculously small amount extra.

The Chiltern Kills festival is organised by We’d Like A Word co-host Paul Waters and fellow author Tony Kent – who also features in this episode. Tony’s latest thriller, The Shadow Network, is out now.

We also hear from crime authors Rachel Ward, Derek Farrell, SJ Bennett, JL Blackhurst, Laura Marshall, Leye Adenle (twice), Cate Quinn, Susi Holliday & BBC and Bestsellers Pod presenters Phil Williams & Natalie Jamieson. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Plus Sue Dorman, Marguerite Fletcher, Laurie Stone and others. And with thanks to Centrepoint, Sacla UK, Cipriani Bellinis, Chorleywood and Gerrards Cross Bookshops, the Milton’s Cottage Museum in Chalfont St Giles and Vision Care for Homeless People.