Come and join the conversation with the amazingly talented author Mary-Jane Riley! 

In this episode of The Yes She Can Project, I’m thrilled to welcome acclaimed author Mary-Jane Riley. From her early days as a BBC journalist to becoming a full time novelist, Mary-Jane shares her journey of perseverance, inspiration, and finding her creative “home” in historical fiction.

We chat about:

- Her serendipitous start in journalism, from BBC Radio Leicester to hosting her own shows- The early sparks of writing romance and crime stories while juggling family life- Meeting Ruth Rendell, who inspired her to “just write” and follow her passion

- How her contemporary novels drew on village life, family experiences, and journalistic insights

- Transitioning to historical fiction and creating her Beattie Cavendish series, exploring post-WWII Europe and the Cold War

- The importance of character-driven storytelling and how personal and family histories shaped her novels

- Balancing full-time writing with life, walks in the Suffolk countryside, and small, focused writing bursts

- Advice for aspiring writers: finding your why, creating time to write, and embracing that 99% perspiration, 1% luck

- Upcoming releases, including the next Beattie Cavendish book (The Highland Hideaway) and future projects

- Mary-Jane also shares the power of libraries, how borrowing books still supports authors, and the joy of storytelling as both escapism and inspiration. 

- Plus let's not forget an impromptu naked phone call👀 🤣

You can find Mary-Janes books in your local and independent bookshops, online via Amazon and Bookshop.org or head on over to her website here: https://www.maryjaneriley.com 

Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a lover of stories, this episode is packed with fun (lots of laughs!) insight, inspiration, and practical tips on embracing your creativity and taking bold leaps! 

Thankyou Mary-Jane, it was a JOY!