Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard The Hidden Lives of Writers

S06 E08 Tom Eaton

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Tom Eaton is a popular and widely read columnist. He has a long career as a novelist and writer of non-fiction. His latest book is a laugh-out-loud cosy mystery. AN ACT OF MURDER is out now from Penguin Random House.

Tom joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about how to write humour, and how his own acerbic wit has softened over the years. Tom explains why he believes that cosy mysteries are having a moment in South Africa right now.

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Chapters
  • 00:01 Fiona and Gail discuss their current writing projects
  • 03:02 Fiona and Gail discuss their recent reading experiences
  • 07:08 Introduction to Tom Eaton
  • 10:01 Tom's writing process and schedule
  • 16:30 Tom's approach to plotting and genre
  • 30:16 Creating Arnold and planning a series
  • 34:46 Writing within and defying genre conventions
  • 42:20 Tom's experience with editing and feedback
  • 52:44 Reception of 'An Act of Murder' and Tom's media consumption
  • 55:05 Fiona and Gail reflections
27 Oct 2025 English South Africa Books · Arts

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