Welcome to The Story Behind My Stories — the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real-life experiences in off‑the‑path locations.

Readers of my crime fiction novels often tell me “It feels like I'm there” and “The places and spaces feel authentic.” That's because they are.

Here, I usually share how I ended up in the places my novels are set, how and why I chose to use those experiences in DI Goodwin’s investigations around the world and at home in Surrey.

But in this special Author Season, I’m sitting down with authors who have their own powerful stories behind their stories whether fiction or non‑fiction.

We explore the real-life inspirations, lived experiences, and personal journeys that shaped their writing.

Please subscribe, follow, or comment - it means the world to an indie author.

In this episode, Rob Harriss joins me to share the real-life experience of being a Metropolitan Police Detective and working in counter terrorism and how the PTSD and romantic life all shaped his book, Our Place.

Resources:

Please visit ⁠www.helentaylorauthor.co.uk⁠ to learn more about Helen and her books and experiences as well as the new series of books that expand on this podcast with personal photos and diary excerpts.

Get the latest from Helen Taylor at ⁠https://helentaylorauthor.com⁠

Or for all links go to ⁠https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthor⁠

To learn more about Rob Harriss, his books and connect with him:

Buy the book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GSKYGB9S⁠

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584837434441

And his latest book out 31st October 2026 is available here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HG2GHRTK

Welcome to The Story Behind My Stories — the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real-life experiences in off‑the‑path locations.Readers of my crime fiction novels often tell me “It feels like I'm there” and “The places and spaces feel authentic.” That's because they are.Here, I usually share how I ended up in the places my novels are set, how and why I chose to use those experiences in DI Goodwin’s investigations around the world and at home in Surrey.But in this special Author Season, I’m sitting down with authors who have their own powerful stories behind their stories whether fiction or non‑fiction. We explore the real-life inspirations, lived experiences, and personal journeys that shaped their writing.Please subscribe, follow, or comment - it means the world to an indie author.In this episode, Anthony Aleman joins me to share his real-life experience growing up in the Bronx. The book is raw, heart breaking and unforgettable. Our conversation is refreshing and I ask some difficult questions but Anthony is engaging and a joy to talk to. Resources:Please visit www.helentaylorauthor.co.uk to learn more about Helen and her books and experiences as well as the new series of books that expand on this podcast with personal photos and diary excerpts.Get the latest from Helen Taylor at https://helentaylorauthor.comOr for all links go to https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthorTo learn more about Anthony Aleman and his experiences and books connect with him or buy the book here:Website: https://BarlessPress.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC4F3R86

Amazon.co.uk: https://amzn.eu/d/0fvzpyW8Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barlessamemoir

Welcome to The Story Behind My Stories — the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real-life experiences in off‑the‑path locations. Readers of my crime fiction novels often tell me “It feels like I'm there” and “The places and spaces feel authentic.” That's because they are.

Here, I usually share how I ended up in the places my novels are set, how and why I chose to use those experiences in DI Goodwin’s investigations around the world and at home in Surrey.

But in this special Author Season, I’m sitting down with authors who have their own powerful stories behind their stories whether fiction or non‑fiction. We explore the real-life inspirations, lived experiences, and personal journeys that shaped their writing.

Please subscribe, follow, or comment - it means the world to an indie author.

In this episode, Gerry McGrath joins me to share the story behind The Trip. A fictional story of three friends growing up in the 1990s in Erdington, Birmingham. He is one of the characters and the real-life experiences he had with his two friends form the basis of the book. It's a great read and Gerry was fun to talk to.

Resources:

Please visit ⁠www.helentaylorauthor.co.uk⁠ to learn more about Helen and her books and experiences as well as the new series of books that expand on this podcast with personal photos and diary excerpts.

Get the latest from Helen Taylor at ⁠https://helentaylorauthor.com⁠

Or for all links go to ⁠https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthor⁠

To learn more about Gerry McGrath and The Trip buy the book here:

The Trip on Amazon.co.uk :

https://amzn.eu/d/06ZF7Ojh⁠

Connect on Tik Tok: @‌gezmcgrath

Welcome to The Story Behind My Stories — the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real-life experiences in off‑the‑path locations.Readers of my crime fiction novels often tell me “It feels like I'm there” and “The places and spaces feel authentic.” That's because they are.Here, I usually share how I ended up in the places my novels are set, how and why I chose to use those experiences in DI Goodwin’s investigations around the world and at home in Surrey.But in this special Author Season, I’m sitting down with authors who have their own powerful stories behind their stories whether fiction or non‑fiction. We explore the real-life inspirations, lived experiences, and personal journeys that shaped their writing.Please subscribe, follow, or comment - it means the world to an indie author.In this episode, Amy Ebeid joins me to share the real-life experience as a breast cancer survivor. Her book of her personal journey through a double mastectomy, treatment, adoption and then supporting her mother through lung cancer is a powerful and inspiring read. Our conversation is real and deep drawing on painful experiences but uplifting with plenty of laughter too. It's a powerful listen and hopefully support in Breast Cancer Awareness month.Resources:Please visit www.helentaylorauthor.co.uk to learn more about Helen and her books and experiences as well as the new series of books that expand on this podcast with personal photos and diary excerpts.Get the latest from Helen Taylor at https://helentaylorauthor.comOr for all links go to https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthorTo learn more about Amy Ebeid and her experiences, initiatives and books connect with her or buy the book here:Broken Warriors on Amazon.com:

https://a.co/d/0bJyEMiO

Broken Warriors on Amazon.co.uk:

https://amzn.eu/d/03vbzBLe

Amy's website is:

www.ebeidpsychology.com

Connect on Instagram: @akepsyd

Welcome to The story behind My stories —the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real life experiences that inspired them.

Readers often tell me 'It feels like I'm there', 'The places and spaces feel authentic'. That's because they are.

Here, I will share how I ended up in the places the novels are set in, how and why those real experiences became part of DI Goodwin's investigations from far edges of the world to home in Surrey.

I will share the real-life inspirations and intimate stories that shaped each of my novels. You'll discover how everyday encounters, secretive motivation, and travelled journeys translate into tales as gripping as they are genuine.

Please subscribe, follow or comment - it means the world to an Indie Author.

In this season finale I talk about meeting Ben and how I wish I had met Ben earlier, been introduced to Rugby and played the game when I was younger.

Resources:

Please visit ⁠https://helentaylorauthor.com⁠ to to explore the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series, read the blog, and dive into The Story Behind My Stories nonfiction series.

This season explores the story behind Die Trying — a character‑driven crime mystery set in the fictitious Old Waltonians Rugby Club in Walton‑on‑Thames, Surrey.

Read or download the book here:

⁠https://mybook.to/DieTrying⁠

Get all the links in one place:

⁠https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthor⁠

The club in the book is fictional, but the real club I play at is Esher Rugby Club. Learn more about the club and Walking Rugby here:

⁠https://www.esherrugby.com/⁠

#books #crimefiction #podcast #rugby #storybehindmystories #storyinspiration #bookrecommendations

Welcome to The story behind My stories —the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real life experiences that inspired them.

Readers often tell me 'It feels like I'm there', 'The places and spaces feel authentic'. That's because they are.

Here, I will share how I ended up in the places the novels are set in, how and why those real experiences became part of DI Goodwin's investigations from far edges of the world to home in Surrey.

I will share the real-life inspirations and intimate stories that shaped each of my novels. You'll discover how everyday encounters, secretive motivation, and travelled journeys translate into tales as gripping as they are genuine.

Please subscribe, follow or comment - it means the world to an Indie Author.

In this episode ten strangers head out to Grenada in the Caribbean to introduce Walking Rugby at the Caribbean World 7s finals.

Resources:

Please visit ⁠https://helentaylorauthor.com⁠ to to explore the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series, read the blog, and dive into The Story Behind My Stories nonfiction series.

This season explores the story behind Die Trying — a character‑driven crime mystery set in the fictitious Old Waltonians Rugby Club in Walton‑on‑Thames, Surrey.

Read or download the book here:

⁠https://mybook.to/DieTrying⁠

Get all the links in one place:

⁠https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthor⁠

The club in the book is fictional, but the real club I play at is Esher Rugby Club. Learn more about the club and Walking Rugby here:

⁠https://www.esherrugby.com/⁠

#books #crimefiction #podcast #rugby #storybehindmystories #storyinspiration #bookrecommendations

Welcome to The story behind My stories —the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real life experiences that inspired them.

Readers often tell me 'It feels like I'm there', 'The places and spaces feel authentic'. That's because they are.

Here, I will share how I ended up in the places the novels are set in, how and why those real experiences became part of DI Goodwin's investigations from far edges of the world to home in Surrey.

I will share the real-life inspirations and intimate stories that shaped each of my novels. You'll discover how everyday encounters, secretive motivation, and travelled journeys translate into tales as gripping as they are genuine.

Please subscribe, follow or comment - it means the world to an Indie Author.

In this episode I talk about life behind the bar. Observing people and how the bar and match day experience is the setting for so much of Die Trying. I mention other festivals, events and the Football World Cup 2026 fan zones Esher hosted and the stark contrast of the behaviour of football fans over rugby fans.

Resources:

Please visit ⁠https://helentaylorauthor.com⁠ to to explore the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series, read the blog, and dive into The Story Behind My Stories nonfiction series.

This season explores the story behind Die Trying — a character‑driven crime mystery set in the fictitious Old Waltonians Rugby Club in Walton‑on‑Thames, Surrey.

Read or download the book here:

⁠https://mybook.to/DieTrying⁠

Get all the links in one place:

⁠https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthor⁠

The club in the book is fictional, but the real club I play at is Esher Rugby Club. Learn more about the club and Walking Rugby here:

⁠https://www.esherrugby.com/⁠

#books #crimefiction #podcast #rugby #storybehindmystories #storyinspiration #bookrecommendations

Welcome to The story behind My stories —the video podcast where crime fiction meets authentic experience. I'm Helen Taylor, your guide through the tangled web of my crime fiction stories and my real life experiences that inspired them.

Readers often tell me 'It feels like I'm there', 'The places and spaces feel authentic'. That's because they are.

Here, I will share how I ended up in the places the novels are set in, how and why those real experiences became part of DI Goodwin's investigations from far edges of the world to home in Surrey.

I will share the real-life inspirations and intimate stories that shaped each of my novels. You'll discover how everyday encounters, secretive motivation, and travelled journeys translate into tales as gripping as they are genuine.

Please subscribe, follow or comment - it means the world to an Indie Author.

In this episode it's Ben's Birthday Tour - the organisation and day of my partner Ben's 60th surprise tour.

Resources:

Please visit ⁠https://helentaylorauthor.com⁠ to to explore the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series, read the blog, and dive into The Story Behind My Stories nonfiction series.

This season explores the story behind Die Trying — a character‑driven crime mystery set in the fictitious Old Waltonians Rugby Club in Walton‑on‑Thames, Surrey.

Read or download the book here:

⁠https://mybook.to/DieTrying⁠

Get all the links in one place:

⁠https://linktr.ee/helentaylorauthor⁠

The club in the book is fictional, but the real club I play at is Esher Rugby Club. Learn more about the club and Walking Rugby here:

⁠https://www.esherrugby.com/⁠

#books #crimefiction #podcast #rugby #storybehindmystories #storyinspiration #bookrecommendations