The Offcuts Drawer - Successful Writers Share Their Best Worst Ideas

Writing Tips, Truths & Lessons Learned, From Top Writers’ Unproduced Work.

Novelists, screenwriters, authors, playwrights, journalists, writer-performers, columnists, poets…

Every writer has a virtual bottom drawer where they keep the bits of writing they never finished, had rejected or can’t quite find a home for – the unfinished novel, the cut scene, the rejected script, sometimes even the childhood essay…

In each episode of The Offcuts Drawer actors perform these pieces and the writer talks to host Laura Shavin about the story behind them, sharing the often surprising twists and turns of their career that led them to where they are today.

More details about the writers, the offcuts and the actors performing them plus full episode transcripts at offcutsdrawer.com

Last refreshed: August 23rd, 2025 at 11:29 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Arabella Weir - Actress, Writer and Columnist

Arabella rose to fame in The Fast Show asking "Does my bum look big in this?" which she wrote as well as performed, but did you know about her musical based on the life of Tina Turner? Hear a clip of that and various radio, TV and film scripts she penned that didn't get the go ahead.... yet. Clips performed by: Rachel Atkins, Beth Chalmers, Leah Marks, Chris Pavlo, Nigel Pilkington and Keith Wickham. Warning: This episode contains strong language. Arabella is an actress, author and presenter. Sh...

Jun 25, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 4

David Quantick - Comedy Writer, Author & Journalist

Quantick, the swiss army knife of the writing world, has worked on some of the most iconic comedy creations this century, but now's your chance to hear his earlier, less successful work, plus the first ever online sitcom - about heroin addicts - that preceded his later triumphs. Clips performed by: Alex Lowe, Rachel Atkins, Beth Chalmers, Toby Longworth, Chris Pavlo and Keith Wickham. For a tracklist of the clips visit offcutsdrawer.com/david-quantick Warning: This episode contains strong langua...

Jun 18, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Jenny Colgan - Romantic Novelist & Science Fiction Writer

Renowned worldwide for romantic fiction Jenny shares her earliest novel... about rabbits, as well as an unpublished bonkbuster set in the world of nuclear physics and a Dr Who TV series for very small children. Clips performed by: Rachel Atkins, Beth Chalmers, Toby Longworth, Leah Marks, Nigel Pilkington and Keith Wickham. Jenny Colgan is the author of numerous bestselling novels, including Christmas at the Cupcake Café and The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris . Meet Me at the Cupcake Café won ...

Jun 11, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Jon Holmes - Writer, Comedian & Broadcaster

The pilot. Jon shares tales of spies with technical trouble, insulting Keanu Reeves and why he received the largest fine in UK broadcasting history after a call from a 12 year old. Definitely NSFW. Recorded in front of a live audience. Clips performed by: Rachel Atkins, Alex Lowe, Chris Pavlo and Keith Wickham. Warning: This episode contains strong language and adult content. Jon Holmes is a double BAFTA and nine-time Radio Academy award-winning British writer, comedian and broadcaster. He has p...

Jun 04, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Trailer For The Offcuts Drawer

Introduction to The Offcuts Drawer podcast. Laura Shavin interviews successful writers and gets them to share the writing offcuts they keep in their bottom drawer. For more details visit offcutsdrawer.com

May 23, 2020•1 min

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