Meet Ella Torres, a Brazilian writer, poet, translator, and the winner of our Summer 2025 Novel Competition. In this episode, Ella speaks candidly about her dreams of authorship and the tight-knit community of aspiring writers who inspire and sustain her. Together, we dive into her winning novel extract, The Midnight Saints, uncovering the questions it raises about belonging, transformation, and the ghosts we carry.

Learn about Ella’s daily writing routine, her practical advice on succeeding in story competitions, and her thoughtful approach to contacting agents. Be inspired by her determination to break through the seemingly impenetrable walls of the literary world — armed with deadlines, support, and sheer persistence.

Get to know Ella with our New2theScene presenter and hear about the sacrifices that come with chasing a dream, as she reflects on the thrill of recognition, the vulnerability of being read, and her hope that this marks the true beginning of her writing career. These are the fears many of us share: Are we good enough? Can we make it? Ella’s honesty and openness in confronting these questions will reassure you that you’re not alone in your pursuit of publication.

And listen to the whole episode to find out whether Ella can top the leaderboard in our game ‘Title Race’ — you won’t regret spending 50 minutes indulging in your passion!

New2theScene is a platform dedicated to discovering new or not-yet-familiar talent. Follow us on Instagram (@new2thescene.official) for the latest offers, news, and upcoming podcast guests. Visit our bookstore at new2thescene.co.uk to order books mentioned in this or other podcasts — and unearth your next great read.