David Goodman: Writing is Like Being a Spy, But Without the Cool Gadgets!

Dive into the fascinating world of espionage and writing with David Goodman, author of "A Reluctant Spy". Our conversation reveals David"s enlightening journey from aspiring writer to published author, shedding light on the intricacies of crafting a compelling spy thriller in today"s publishing landscape. David shares candid stories about navigating the complexities of rejection and persistent self-doubt, all while maintaining a passion for storytelling.  The episode is rich with practical insights for emerging authors, emphasising the importance of resilience and genuine creativity in the writing profession. Discover the allure of spy fiction and the endless learning opportunities within the publishing world by tuning in to this insightful discussion. Join us to be inspired, motivated, and equipped with actionable tips to help you on your writing journey. Don’t forget to subscribe, share and leave a review to support the podcast and engage in this vibrant literary community. A Reluctant Spy Jamie Tulloch is a successful exec at a top tech company, a long way from the tough upbringing that drove him to rise so far and so quickly. But he has a secret...since the age of 23, he"s had a helping hand from the Legend Programme, a secret intelligence effort to prepare impenetrable backstories for undercover agents. Real people, living real lives, willing to hand over their identities for a few weeks in return for a helping hand with plum jobs, influence and access. When his tap on the shoulder finally comes, it"s swiftly followed by the thud of a body. Arriving at a French airport ready to hand over his identity, Jamie finds his primary contact dead, the agent who"s supposed to step into his life AWOL and his options for escape non-existent. Pitched into a deadly mission on hostile territory, Jamie must contend with a rogue Russian general, arms dealers, elite hackers, CIA tac-ops and the discovery of a brewing plan for war. Dangerously out of his depth, he must convince his sceptical mission handler he can do the job of a trained field agent while using his own life story as convincing cover. Can Jamie play himself well enough to avoid being killed Send us a text Support the show "Enjoying "The Conversation"? Support the podcast by buying me a cup of coffee ☕️! Every contribution helps keep the show going. https://ko-fi.com/nadinematheson Don"t forget to subscribe, download and review. You can purchase books by the authors featured in our conversations through my affiliate shop on Bookshop.org. By using this link, you’ll be supporting independent bookstores, and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Follow Me: www.nadinematheson.com BlueSky: @nadinematheson.com Substack: @nadinematheson Instagram: @queennads Threads: @nadinematheson Facebook: nadinemathesonbooks TikTok: @writer_nadinematheson