An exciting new podcast has just been launched (June 2024) by two Irish writers who live, where else, but Blarney, the undisputed home of the gift of the gab!
Neither best-selling author Michelle McDonagh or award-winning short story writer and broadcaster Kate Durrant will confirm or deny kissing the Blarney Stone, but it’s safe to say that neither of them are short of a few words, whether in print or on their podcast.
The hosts of the new fortnightly podcast Natter, which is being launched in association with Bookstation, Ireland’s fastest growing bookseller., are passionate about words and stories, and felt there was a gap in the market for an honest, ‘no notions’ podcast about books, people and stories.
“Ireland is a nation of storytellers, and Natter is all about telling some of these stories. The stories we read, the stories we write. We all have our own stories, told and untold, and we all love to hear other peoples too,” says Kate.
Michelle adds, ‘We felt there was a gap in the busy podcast market for a down-to-earth, chatty style of books podcast. More people than ever are listening to podcasts, more people than ever are buying books and more people than ever are looking for escapism.’
Alan Johnston, Bookstation’s Head of Marketing says, ‘We are delighted to have partnered with the Natter podcast because it reflects our view that reading and enjoying books is for everyone. We can see that Kate and Michelle’s down to earth style and their choice of books and guests will make for great listening. That’s going to really appeal to our book loving customers.’
Hoping to appeal to an audience beyond Ireland, Kate and Michelle are thrilled to announce that their first guest is Jeanine Cummins, author of the global bestseller American Dirt.
Described as ‘The Grapes of Wrath for our times’, American Dirt sold for a seven-figure sum after a bidding war and was chosen by Oprah Winfrey as a book club pick. It was a dream come true that quickly became a nightmare for Jeanine who, devastated by the very sudden death of her beloved father, was glad he was not around for what came after, which she described as ‘the stuff that suicides are made of.’
“For a long time, I didn’t know how to write another book after the American Dirt trauma. It took me a very long time to learn how to trust myself again, to find that voice and trust it, but I’m really pleased with the book that I’ve written and I’m excited about it,” Jeanine tells Kate and Michelle on the podcast.
Now happily out the other side of that turbulent time in her life, Jeanine was delighted to talk about her new book on Natter, as were best-selling authors Andrea Mara and Edel Coffey … and you’ll have to listen to find out more!
The first episode is available to listen to now and the second, available from Wednesday next June 19, features Andrea Mara, who is currently taking Ireland and the UK by storm with her latest thriller Someone in the Attic.
You’ll find Natter wherever you get your podcasts, and you can follow Michelle and Kate on instagram @natterthepod
You can find Bookstation in 18 locations, at https://www.bookstation.ie on Instagram @bookstationireland and X on @bookstationeire