Episode Details

From The Sisterhood to The Institute, Katherine Bradley joins the WCCS to discuss the dark limits of human connection, “flock phenomena,” and how she balances life as a Head of Year with writing high-concept thrillers.By The Writing Community Chat ShowHow do you find the time to write a psychological thriller when you’re also a full-time English teacher and Head of Year responsible for 300 students?This week on the Writing Community Chat Show—recently ranked the #3 writing podcast in the UK—we sat down with the brilliant Katherine Bradley. Known for her critically acclaimed novel The Sisterhood, Katherine is back with a haunting new release, The Institute, described as The Sanctuary meets Shutter Island.In this episode, we dive deep into the Road to Writing, the reality of taking brutal feedback, and why Katherine is frequently terrified by the very technology she writes about.Watch the Full Interview.You can watch the full live stream below or listen to the podcast episode directly on this page.The Road to Writing: Filter Coffee and Tenacity.Katherine’s journey wasn’t an overnight success. She shared how she used to get to a cafe at 7:30 AM every morning before her office job, armed with two cups of filter coffee and a determination to make her dream a reality.Key Takeaways for Authors:* Bet on Yourself: Katherine turned down a major promotion because she knew the extra responsibility would kill her writing discipline.* The “No Tea” Rule: She recalled a pivotal piece of feedback from an agent: “No one wants to read about people drinking tea.” Every page must move the story forward.* Finding the Right Agent: Katherine emphasizes the importance of a partnership. She is now with Stephanie Glencross at David Higham Associates, but she’s had her share of “mean” agents in the past. Her advice? Don’t be desperate; find someone who actually likes your genre.What’s the Story? The Institute.Katherine’s latest book, The Institute, is set on a remote island off the west coast of Scotland.The story follows Billy, a young woman who wakes up after a flocking event where her friends died in a zombie-like trance. She is sent to the mysterious Arbor Institute, a spa-like facility for brain injuries that feels more like a gilded cage.Katherine was inspired by flock phenomena; the way starlings move as one—and the terrifying idea of what happens when human beings lose their individual agency to a collective, tech-driven impulse.Black Mirror and the Fear of “What If?”The conversation took a dark turn into the world of AI and technology. Katherine admitted that while she writes about these high-concept near-dystopias, she is frequently terrified by the real world.“I really like writing about things that worry people... are we right to be worried, or are we just worried about being worried?”From 1984-esque government control to the murky ethics of the pharmaceutical industry, Katherine uses her fiction to work through the anxieties of the modern age.Support the Author.* Pick up The Institute: [Available here]* Follow Katherine Bradley: Find her on Twitter/X at @KateBradley and on Instagram.Join the Community.If you enjoyed this interview, make sure to subscribe to our Substack for more articles, industry tips, and behind-the-scenes content from our 380+ interviews with the world’s best authors.The WCCS: Together as one, we get it done!Enjoying the show? Subscribe to our Substack for more interviews with NYT best-sellers, celebrities, and indie authors. PLUS, LOTS OF WRITING ARTICLE FULL OF ADVICE!Together as one, we get it done!

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