List Envy

Writer and podcaster Sara-Mae Tuson kicks off a double-bill of brilliant women in literature. This week, Mark and Sara-Mae discuss under-appreciated female authors.

Sara-Mae is a writer who’s turned her natural storytelling abilities into podcasting magic. Her previous work, The Sugar Baby Confessionals picked won bronze in the Best Sex and Relationship Podcast at the 2019 British Podcast Awards, and she’s now working on a series all about the life and work of her first pick.

Mark and Sara-Mae discuss the value of being talked up to in literature, the perception of romance in literature, and the industry’s apparent reliance on classifying work, and putting authors and their work in boxes.

Sign up to the weekly newsletter so you never miss a list, and for Mark and Sara-Mae’s Goodreads recommendations.

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (06:15) - Sara-Mae's pick: Georgette Heyer
  • (08:22) - Mark's pick: Victoria Wood
  • (11:00) - Elizabeth von Arnim
  • (14:52) - Mark's pick: Nicole Perlman
  • (18:56) - Sara-Mae's pick: Mary Stewart
  • (27:34) - Mark's pick: Gene Kemp
  • (34:03) - Sara-Mae's pick: Barbara Pym
  • (40:43) - Mark's pick: Abi Morgan
  • (44:20) - Sara-Mae's picks: Cynthia Voigt and Nancy Mitford
  • (51:42) - Mark's pick: Tamora Pierce
  • (59:08) - Reading glasses off
  • (01:03:26) - Building the final list
  • (01:06:04) - Fable Gazers

You can find Sara-Mae’s podcast work under the Fable Gazers banner. Her current series is Heyer Today, tracks the life and work of Georgette Heyer.

Take my domain knowledge quiz
Find out if your knowledge and experience can get you paid or put you on-stage.

Creators & Guests

Host
Mark Steadman
My mum thinks I’m an internet thought leader. I haven’t had the heart to tell her I just have a microphone and some good intentions.
Guest
Sara-Mae Tuson
Producer for a boutique podcast company, copywriter and editor, working on a novel.

What is List Envy?

What's the most-used emoji? Who's the best Bond villain? Does anyone care that an olive is technically a fruit?

Discover hidden gems from pop culture to pasta, hip-hop to history, and meet the creatives, enthusiasts, and experts who love them.

Each week, host Mark collaborates with a guest to build a top-5 list on a topic they choose. If you want to know what your next TV binge should be, or where to go on your next trip abroad, List Envy has you covered.