Exclusive Live Interview with Cathy Hayward: A Journey Through Writing, Mystery, and Community.

The WCCS. Season 15, Episode 03. Friday the 29th at 8pm UK time.

Exclusive Live Interview with Cathy Hayward: A Journey Through Writing, Mystery, and Community.

We’re thrilled to announce that this Friday, The Writing Community Chat Show will feature an exclusive live interview with acclaimed author Cathy Hayward, streamed live for our Substack subscribers. In this three-part conversation, we’ll delve into Cathy’s fascinating journey as a writer, explore her gripping new release, The Girl in the Midnight Maze, and connect with our audience through a Q&A session.

Cathy’s career is a testament to reinvention and resilience. Beginning as a journalist for niche trade magazines, she brought stories to life on topics ranging from accounting to port logistics. But it was the birth of her third child and a life-changing decision to leave London for Brighton that marked the first major shift in her path. As a freelance PR and founder of Magenta Associates, Cathy thrived, but her creativity truly blossomed when she embarked on a two-year creative writing course in 2016.

In her own words, this course transformed “random thoughts and scribbles” into what would eventually become her debut novel, The Girl in the Maze. Spurred on by the 2020 lockdown, Cathy finished the novel, submitted it to the Agora Books Lost the Plot Work in Progress prize—and won. Now, with a reissued version titled The Girl in the Midnight Maze and multiple new works underway, Cathy has fully embraced a life immersed in books and storytelling.

The Interview: What to Expect

1. Part 1 - The Road to Writing
   Cathy shares her path from journalist to PR agency owner, and ultimately, to author. Hear how personal loss, a creative writing course, and a global pandemic sparked her evolution into a novelist.

2. Part 2 - What’s the Story?
   We’ll dive into Cathy’s latest book, The Girl in the Midnight Maze. This deeply moving tale explores three generations of women entangled in family trauma and the struggle to connect across time and tragedy. We’ll uncover Cathy’s inspirations and the challenges she faced in bringing Emma Bowen’s story to life.

3. Part 3 - Community Questions
   As always, we’ll bring our community into the conversation. Alongside our staple questions, we’ll ask Cathy your burning queries submitted during the live show.

This exclusive interview will be available for Substack members only, with access to the live video below the paywall. Two weeks later, the interview will be released on our YouTube channel and podcast platforms, so stay tuned for updates!

A Glimpse Into The Girl in the Midnight Maze

Here’s a preview of Cathy’s newest release:

Emma Bowen has never had a close relationship with her mother. After her mother’s death, a series of letters reveals secrets spanning generations—secrets that may explain the emotional distance between them. Emma’s journey to uncover her family’s past is as haunting as it is enlightening. Traversing time and tragedy, The Girl in the Midnight Maze is a story of motherhood, legacy, and the search for understanding.

This Friday promises to be a heartfelt and inspiring event, filled with insights from an author whose career is a masterclass in perseverance and creativity.

Not a Subscriber Yet?

Join now to unlock access to this exclusive live interview and many more perks. Already a member? Scroll down to watch the video below and experience Cathy’s story firsthand.

Don’t miss this chance to engage with Cathy Hayward, discover the craft behind her work, and gain inspiration for your own creative journey.

⬇️ Watch the Live Interview Below ⬇️