I shared a fascinating hour with Tom Cox where we chatted about why he does what he does, why he does it as he does, and everything to do with his writing process.
If you aren’t familiar with Tom: he lives in Devon, UK, and is the author of many books including, most recently, 1983 and Villager. He writes about landscape, psychedelic music, folklore, old shopping malls, sheep and other weird magical things outside mainstream culture.
I love Tom’s writing; equally, I love his dedication to finding a way that suits him, his way of living, his way of writing and - as is very apparent - his audience.
While there are familiar roads you can follow, Tom is an example to all that armed with little more than a sharp pencil and determination new paths are possible.
Distinctive, human and full of life, Tom’s writing is one of the great reasons to be on this platform. Check Tom’s Substack out here.
In this intimate conversation, Tom Cox shares his creative journey from starting as a music journalist to becoming an unconventional, successful author with a unique voice. Beginning with a love for reading in his early years, Cox's career spans writing fanzines, landing a job at NME, writing columns for The Guardian, and eventually authoring 15 books. He discusses his unorthodox path, the importance of editing, and his transition to Substack. The conversation also touches on Cox's writing inspirations, his distinct style, and his deeply personal approach to storytelling.
00:00 Meeting Tom Cox: A Serendipitous Encounter
01:31 Tom Cox's Unique Writing Journey
03:31 Early Influences and the Path to Writing
05:25 From Fanzines to Professional Writing
06:56 Breaking into the Music Press
10:05 Transition to The Guardian
12:16 Struggles and Successes in Publishing
17:35 The Turning Point: Embracing Independence
24:00 Crowdfunding Success with Unbound
27:24 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Writing
28:39 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Publishing
30:22 The Art of Editing and Rewriting
35:04 The Impact of a Good Editor
38:24 Writing Style and Inspirations
48:27 The Writing Process and Routine
54:17 The Joy of Substack and Community
55:54 Favourite Authors and Literary Influences
01:00:00 Final Thoughts
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