Main Characters
44 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingThree publishing professionals (and main characters) talking about books, entertainment and their favourite main character moments. Katie Packer: @katierpacker Rochelle Dowden-Lord: @rochdowdenlord Soraya Bouazzaoui: @halalltakeaway Main Characters: @maincharacters_
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Episodes
The Diary of a Publishing CEO
November 01, 2022 06:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBIn this final episode of the season, the girls somehow manage to convince David Shelley, CEO of Hachette UK (look him up, he's a big time businessman) to come on the podcast and they all end up having the time of their lives. They try and get him to buy Rochelle's book for £5 mill on the spot, ask him his fave Frank Ocean songs (not over email this time) and Katie tries not to get fired along the way. With interesting insights into the publishing industry and hot reveals of mistakes all four...
Girlbossing too Close to the Literary Sun
October 25, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 49.9 MBIn our penultimate episode of this season, the girls walk a mile in the Louboutins of Mireille Harper (publishing superstar and editorial director) and Annie Lord (thee author and Vogue column girlie). They express their excitement for the new Little Mermaid by sharing their own rendition of ‘Part of Your World’, discuss girlbossing too close to the publishing sun and different kinds of friendship with Mireille and gush over Annie’s debut book Notes on Heartbreak. Rochelle struggles to be co...
ElGeeBeeTeaQueue+
October 17, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 50.8 MBIn this episode the girls talk to two incredible guests - Cal Kenny, who is an editor at Sphere, and Lillian Fishman who joins them all the way from the Big Apple to talk about her incredible debut novel Acts of Service, described by the Guardian as 'a sex masterpiece.' They talk to Cal about their publishing career, trans rights, Beyonce and more, including a cringe-inducing story that starts a very sorry thread of conversation. They also talk to Lillian about her novel that centers a bise...
Sometimes We Do Books
October 11, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 50.5 MBIn this episode the girls are joined by Aimée Felone, Co-Founder and MD of Knights Of, and award-winning publisher of representative children's and YA books. Aimée is an industry innovator and groundbreaker so tune in for her journey into publishing and why she decided to risk it all to set up Knights Of with a colleague early on in her career. Following their inspiring chat with Aimée, they indulge themselves in book chat and recommendations because sometimes they even read! They also tal...
Call My Agent
October 04, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBThis week the ladies talk all things agenting with the incredible Megan Staunton from Bergstrom Studio. They talk all aspects of the role, from finding new talent to submitting to publishers - so if you've wanted to know more about that aspect of the industry, this is the episode for you! They also have a fantastic author guest, the writer of Love, Wine & Other Highs, Lauren Rae. They reminisce about growing up, the music and media that shaped them, and talk about her incredible memoir. Th...
Literary Darlings
September 27, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 43 MBIn this episode the girls have TWO incredible guests for your listening pleasure: Josh Smith, publicist extraordinaire and Rochelle's one time twitter nemesis, and Okechukwu Nzelu, the talented author of HERE AGAIN NOW and NNENNA MALONEY. They talk about proof politics on the timeline, the characters you find at a book launch and the intricacies of male relationships in the beautiful book HERE AGAIN NOW. Enjoy!
Track (What) Changes (In Publishing)
September 19, 2022 21:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBIn this episode, the girls sit down with the absolutely incredible Hannah Knowles, Editorial Director at Faber. They talk about her recent article 'Inconvenient Truths' published in The Bookseller, what publishing is doing wrong, and what they can do better and about supporting colleagues with mental heath issues. They try to be extremely vague about times people have been less than accommodating in the industry so they don't get sued. They speak of the problems of a one-size-fits all mold,...
TikTok Make it Stop
September 05, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 46.4 MBIn this episode, Rochelle pretends to understand TikTok, just like the board of every publishing house. We have three (3!) incredible guests: the TikTok queen Emma Quick, who explains what on earth is going on there, and the authors of The Little Book of Ick, Kitty Winks and Anna Burtt. Also Katie will not keep her shoes on, causing a rift in historic race relations. The girls talk about icks they have with romantic partners and each other, how to sell 1 billion (ish) copies using the lates...
Righting Rongs
June 14, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 45.6 MBIn this episode the girls do the unthinkable... talk about publishing. It was so hard for them, so give them a hug if you see them around. (Plot twist, they're drunk). The guests today are two bottles of prosecco. Soraya talks about how a no once isn't a no always when it comes to commissions, Katie falls in love with the newly discovered soundboard, and Rochelle fights the urge to edit out every mention of her novel. If you're writing, looking for an agent, or just curious as to how the ...
What is a Book?
June 05, 2022 23:00 - 1 hour - 43.3 MBIn this episode there is absolutely zero book content, because sometimes Katie, Soraya and Rochelle don't read, they just enjoy their time off. It's just ink and paper at the end of the day and sometimes your literary guardians need a break. In honour of the Platty Joobs the theme of the week is celebrations! The girls discuss all their favourite party scenes from films and TV and digress a hell of a lot along the way. Rochelle tells her story of telling a baby to shut up with her eyes so ...
When I Met You in the Summer: A Katie & Soraya Special
May 31, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 42.3 MBIn this episode, our fave rake and alias-pending friend Rochelle has run off with David Gray into the sunset and so Soraya and Katie take the reigns for this special. Minus 95% of the intelligence, they bring you bilingual vibes, fanta limon and lays by the pool in Spain and some of their top book recommendations when you're lying on a beach with a mojito in hand. Katie tells the story of the lengths she went to to avoid a spider, Soraya describes how she got jumped by a group of homeless ...
The British Book Awards, featuring Wine
May 24, 2022 23:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBThe girls attend the British Book Awards. Of approximately 10 billion words spoken by presenters and winning authors, the girls hear about 6 of them, so did their best. They were buzzed before they hit record, so take everything said with a carafe of salt. Soraya says something naughty during a very emotional and politically charged speech, Katie does a snake impression probably from a TikTok when Viper win best imprint and Rochelle fancies everyone. A couple of friends stop by the booth an...
Anthony Doerr, Friend of Ours (featuring Anthony Doerr, obviously)
May 23, 2022 00:00 - 56 minutes - 26.6 MBAnthony Doerr comes on the podcast somehow. Pulitzer award winner, Idahoan legend, friend of the Main Characters. The girls even call him Tony, because they are best friends now. The gang share books that changed them, and Anthony talks about his incredible and expansive book Cloud Cuckoo Land. The girls also talk about the British Book Awards (which is literally today, eek), and potential drinking games at the prestigious award show. Also, Kasper in the Glitter is by Philip Ridley, not ...
London Romance and Dark Academia with Caleb Azumah Nelson and Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
May 17, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 68.4 MBIn this episode the girls are joined by the author of Open Water, Caleb Azumah Nelson, to talk about love songs, ghosting and the potential of a London summer. They also talk dark academia and secondary school antics with Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, author of the New York Times Bestseller Ace of Spades. Rochelle is personally attacked by first hand accounts of committed relationships, the girls force Caleb to sing a song they don't know and Rochelle and Katie almost part ways due to differing vi...
Growing Up in Your Ends with Melissa Cummings-Quarry, Natalie A. Carter and Tice Cin
May 09, 2022 20:00 - 1 hour - 64.4 MBIf the girls didn't say it enough times, they're now partners of the British Book Awards and therefore want to sincerely apologise for saying the food at said awards will be dry. They're sure it will be properly seasoned. This is the first of three bumper author episodes. The girls talk about schoolgirl crushes, playground fight clubs and the brilliant book Grown with the authors Melissa Cummings-Quarry and Natalie A. Carter, and the complicated and multifaceted fact of home with the autho...
He's Just Not That Into You
September 20, 2021 15:00 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBThis is a mixed bag, the best kind! In this episode, miraculously, the Main Characters actually give you some publishing content with special guest Kasim Ali, author of Good Intentions. They talk about writing, editing and having your debut published, as well as spill probably more tea than they were intending. Soraya loses several nails, which unfortunately means Rochelle brings up fingering, Kasim tells a story that makes the girls want to quit the podcast, Katie does a Neo by dodging all ...
Burning the Books
September 13, 2021 02:00 - 1 hour - 42.1 MBBecause apparently the girls are all dying to get cancelled and sacked! In this episode Katie, Soraya and Rochelle channel Jeanette Winterson and set some pages aflame, letting you know how we really feel about certain books and films. Jam-packed into this episode is a lot of love for Madeline Miller, a note on how white people with rhythm could be considered a superpower and plenty of bleeping out names that we really shouldn't be outing on a public platform.
Hustler
September 06, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 47.9 MBNow a Diva is a female version of a Hustler! We're back and better than ever. Your favourite, peng and funny host's are so thankful for how patient you've been whilst they spend the summer recharging, and all that. We've got some top tier content and guest episodes to come for you, but in the meanwhile Katie, Rochelle and Soraya give you their favourite stories about hustlers, as well as times they've hustled to get what they want (and deserve) too. Rochelle tells the heartbreaking story of ...
An Author Special - Problematic Protagonists with Susie Yang
August 02, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBIn this episode of the Main Characters Podcast the girls are joined by the New York Times bestselling author of White Ivy , Susie Yang, and discuss all their problematic faves. From Miranda Priestley to Fleabag to Gone Girl to Circe, the girls discuss why flawed main characters will always stay being the best, and tell their own stories of when they were the problematic ones in their own lives. Many things are (over)shared including waking up anus to the wind, straddling someone on a dance f...
COVID Chaos
July 26, 2021 03:00 - 56 minutes - 39 MBIt's the week after 'Freedom Day', and Rochelle has been knocked out with COVID. So, because the three hosts love you, Katie and Soraya decided the show must go on, and deliver a special episode. Special being it's chaotic, stupid and a mess because Rochelle isn't there to reign them in. This is a little treat for those who kept asking us to talk about Love Island more, and you also get a bunch of fun content such as Soraya expressing her shock that Taylor Lautner is actually white, Katie re...
COVID Chaos
July 26, 2021 03:00 - 56 minutes - 39 MBIt's the week after 'Freedom Day', and Rochelle has been knocked out with COVID. So, because the three hosts love you, Katie and Soraya decided the show must go on, and deliver a special episode. Special being it's chaotic, stupid and a mess because Rochelle isn't there to reign them in. This is a little treat for those who kept asking us to talk about Love Island more, and you also get a bunch of fun content such as Soraya expressing her shock that Taylor Lautner is actually white, Katie re...
It's Not Coming Home
July 20, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 46.6 MBAnd so it was, all that god save the queen patriotism really came to nothing but a hangover and a realisation that England truly is Babylon. In this episode, the girls reminisce on that fateful evening, and discuss all the TV shows and films (not books because we really like being employed) that started off amazingly, and ended up a bit shit. The main characters also tell their stories of not coming home; Rochelle describes accidentally falling into a shop that had been left open at 3am, Kat...
Are You Not EmbaRAZed?
July 13, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBIn this episode, the girls pretend like they haven't been chaotically releasing episodes whenever they fancy (we did say chaos in our description, sorry), they also talk about how they would lay down and die if the world was ending and discuss Love Island. The theme of the week is are you not embaRAZed and the girls reveal their guilty pleasure book that may or may not be about a very rich man into bondage and named after a tone... Katie explains how she destroyed her musical theatre career ...
French Exit
July 05, 2021 03:00 - 59 minutes - 40.7 MBThis week the girls discuss the return of the greatest show to grace UK television, so please stand for the national anthem; the Love Island theme song. They also finally admit which books and shows they never finished, even if it exiles them from twitter, and parties they've exited early. Rochelle tells us of how she ran away from a hot guy mid kiss, Katie shares the importance of her own bed at the end of a night out, and Soraya expresses how much of a basic bitch she is with her FOMO. Don...
Doing Time
June 21, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 50.9 MBThis episode you find out just how hard your favourite hosts truly are. Katie, Rochelle and Soraya share with you some of their favourite True Crime books and shows, as well as the best type of thrillers that get you right in the feels. The hottest hosts in publishing explore what makes a good thriller and crime story, the fact that serial killers like Dexter are actually hot, and times they may have been a bit naughty with the law. Rochelle reveals her life of crime from skipping train barr...
An Author Special - L-O-V-E with Bolu Babalola
June 15, 2021 23:00 - 1 hour - 49.3 MBIn this episode the girls are joined by the romcommoisseur and author of the Sunday Times bestselling Love in Colour, Bolu Babalola. It would be rude not to talk about love when the world's leading expert in the area joins the podcast, so the girls talk about their favourite romcoms (Twilight unfortunately included), their ideal fictional romances (men and reversing the car, amirite?) and probably a bit too much talk about fellatio (we're always sorry). Bolu role-plays interviewing Soraya ab...
The Sober Episode
June 07, 2021 14:00 - 1 hour - 50.4 MBIn this episode the girls are sober. Soraya tells a story about a not-like-other-girls orange prom dress, Katie says 'who said I can't wear my converse with my dress' because that's just her, and Katie tells Rochelle that she has a flat-chested personality. There's twerking (audio only), a lot of singing and of course, the most spot on French accents in the UK.
You Won, Jane
May 31, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 53.6 MBYou won, Jane. Enjoy the money, I hope it makes you happy. This week your favourite book baddies discuss the high's and low's of awards seasons; including the recently broadcasted Nibbies, Booker, Academy Awards and Grammy's. They give you their 'what a sad little life, Jane' moments of their own with Rochelle's haunting memories of working as a bartender, Katie beating her arch nemesis at a dance competition, and Soraya 'making it' to the theatrical stage (in Ilford).
Heartbreak Hotel
May 24, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 51.5 MBIn this episode the girls talk about heartbreaks and periods and A Little Life. You can’t say we don’t bring you variety! Soraya changes the way we should pronounce ‘pastor’ forever, Rochelle reads a poem and gets everyone in their feels and Katie almost throws up when the conversation turn to blood clots. If you love the Main Character energy of travelling on a train while it’s raining and listening to heartbreak anthems like you’re in a music video, this episode is the one for you.
Starz In Their Eyes
May 17, 2021 03:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBIn this episode of Main Characters madness the girls dish the dirt on all the celebs they’ve met, and you guessed it, say if they find them hot unprovoked! Katie manages to do a hark the herald angels sing/Body by Russ and Tion Wayne remix, they discuss *that* traumatic Oloni thread, Soraya tells the most disgusting story to ever exist and Rochelle describes how she almost lipsed a Mighty Boosh cast member. Oh, and they also talk about some books.
An Author Special - Summer of Love with Francesca Reece
May 10, 2021 03:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBIt's only an author episode!! It's also the most explicit one yet, so you know, peaks and troughs. This episode the girls are talking about hot hot summer romances, inspired by Voyeur, the new novel by Francesca Reece. In this bilingual episode they talk about that scene in Call Me By Your Name, no not that one, the arguably more traumatic one in the book (if you know, you know, and they're planning to set up a support group), spoil Bonjour Tristesse for Rochelle, who only speaks one lang...
An Author Special - Summer of Love with Francesca Reece
May 10, 2021 03:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBIt's only an author episode!! It's also the most explicit one yet, so you know, peaks and troughs. This episode the girls are talking about hot hot summer romances, inspired by Voyeur, the new novel by Francesca Reece. In this bilingual episode they talk about that scene in Call Me By Your Name, no not that one, the arguably more traumatic one in the book (if you know, you know, and they're planning to set up a support group), spoil Bonjour Tristesse for Rochelle, who only speaks one lang...
Think I Wanna Marry You
May 03, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 43.5 MBProposals! Bridesmaids! Wedding dresses and parties! All a complete joy if you're okay with having your bank account drained. This week your favourite hosts discuss weddings, the iconic movie Bridesmaids and their favourite stories involving weddings. As always, Rochelle has an incredible story of an Italian wedding she attended with some ultra hot VIP guests, Katie shares the joy of turning up to a surprise wedding and Soraya recounts the prep day from hell in the sweltering heat of Morocco...
Going Out Out
April 26, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 51.5 MBIn this week’s episode the girls get a little bit over-excited about the world opening up again, and they clearly aren’t the only ones as the ‘you up’ texts make their return to the scene. There’s a lot of singing (playlist incoming), plenty of messy behaviour (always drink responsibly) and lots of reminiscing of days when clubs existed (pre-covid). Rochelle explains why Lord of the Flies is a great adventure story, Soraya tells numerous stories that are likely to get her in trouble with her...
Daddy
April 19, 2021 02:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBThe girls would like to say sorry up top for this one. In this episode the girls talk about dads and daddies, fictional and real... Again, so sorry. Katie sneaks in some illegal Twilight chat, and talks about her father, the coolest geezer of all time. Rochelle talks about the time she lipsed in front of her literal dad, almost becoming a teenage step-mum, and Soraya tells the story of some hot firemen who saved her life. They talk about how hot the Mandalorian is for about five minutes t...
Let Me Be Your Fantasy
April 12, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 41.6 MBThe Main Characters revisit their favourite fantasy books, movies and tv shows. With Katie reaffirming her desire to be a vampire, and live with Edward Cullen forever, Soraya reminding the world of how entertaining The Mummy (1999) is in both fantasy and comedy, and Rochelle revealing that C.S Lewis' name is Clive. Katie shares how she once drew fang marks on her neck, and Soraya reveals that she was once a popular anonymous fanfic writer.
Catch Flights Not Feelings
April 05, 2021 03:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBIn this podcast the girls talk about their travel stories, and their favourite film, TV and books about jet-setting. They talk Love Island, The English Patient, The Holiday, The Sun is Also a Star and more! Also, Katie poses 65 hypotheticals that have nothing to do with the theme of the podcast, Rochelle tells a story about being ridiculously irresponsible and Soraya reminds us all how fast the Twilight couple have sex... The dubious French accents return (France baby, I am so sorry).
Publishing Secrets
March 29, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 42.7 MBIt turns out that Lady Whistledown didn't come for the book trade, thank the heavens. The girls talk about anonymous twitter account that had the entire UK publishing industry on tenterhooks for three hilarious hours, and tell their own secrets. They also talk about their favourite secrets in Film, TV and books, including Before Sunset, Pretty Little Liars and One of Us is Lying.
I'm the Weekend
March 15, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 53.2 MBThis episode is... a lot. The girls talk about adultery, whether you should come to someone as a woman, and their favourite mistresses in literature, from Luster to The Mistress, and film and TV - including Bridget Jones, Behind Her Eyes and Scandal. There's agreement that if your man cheats on you with Emily Ratajkowski it's finished for you, Soraya tells a story about a Bad Boss, Rochelle tells the longest story ever which descends into a (bad) French accent and Katie is an award-winner ...
Take Me to Church
March 08, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 45 MBIn this episode the girls discuss their favourite spiritual moments in their lives and in media. Soraya points out the lack of realistic Muslim protagonists in mainstream media, Katie reveals a time she was meek for a Jesus freak, and Rochelle says 'daddy god' one too many times. They also sing (awfully, truly) When You Believe, and the Hot Priest from Fleabag takes up a hot chunk of the podcast. Enjoy!
Take Me to Church
March 08, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 45 MBIn this episode the girls discuss their favourite spiritual moments in their lives and in media. Soraya points out the lack of realistic Muslim protagonists in mainstream media, Katie reveals a time she was meek for a Jesus freak, and Rochelle says 'daddy god' one too many times. They also sing (awfully, truly) When You Believe, and the Hot Priest from Fleabag takes up a hot chunk of the podcast. Enjoy!
Leader of the Ops
March 01, 2021 02:00 - 1 hour - 45.9 MB“Back to this Prime Minister that had a lot to say about Turkey the other day in the press; David Cameron, what's good?” To Katie and Rochelle's delight, Soraya tells the best story of all time. The girls also talk about their greatest foes IRL and in pop culture, Anthony THEE Bridgerton and there is a dramatic reading of Katie's childhood diary, because why the hell not?
Exposed
February 25, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 49.5 MBIn this special episode the girls answer your questions to the best of their ability (Rochelle is sick and they're living through a panhandle, so give them grace x). They talk about what they wish they knew before joining the industry, their favourite important books (they would like to apologise to Donkey Oatly) and whether publishing people are making out with each other atop stacks of proofs.