Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard The Hidden Lives of Writers

S06 E03 Bonnie Espie

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Bonnie Espie is the author of this year's sleeper hit novel MAKING A KILLING, as well as several short stories.

Bonnie joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about making her publishing dreams come true, and the role that writing workshops and support groups have played in her success.

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Chapters
  • 00:00 Gail and Fiona discuss their writing weeks
  • 01:58 Fiona shares her revision challenges
  • 03:42 Gail and Fiona discuss their recent media consumption
  • 08:02 Introduction of guest author Bonnie Espie
  • 09:47 Bonnie discusses her writing process
  • 12:19 Bonnie's background and career transition
  • 15:16 Bonnie's writing journey and unpublished works
  • 17:01 Bonnie's experience with writing courses and groups
  • 20:47 Moving from Johannesburg to a small village
  • 23:38 The village's reaction to Bonnie's book
  • 26:15 Genre and development of "Making a Killing"
  • 28:33 The evolution of the book's ending
  • 31:05 Marketing decisions and cover design
  • 33:13 Bonnie's approach to editing and feedback
  • 35:19 Writing characters from different cultural backgrounds
  • 37:06 Writing a series
  • 38:58 Bonnie's short fiction
  • 41:11 The source of Bonnie's dark themes
  • 42:23 The success of "Making a Killing"
  • 44:31 The writing community's support
  • 46:50 Character development in a village setting
  • 48:16 Where Bonnie gets her ideas
  • 50:15 The character of Winifred and autobiographical elements
  • 51:37 Bonnie's recent reading
  • 53:28 Conclusion and farewell
22 Sep 2025 English South Africa Books · Arts

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