The Writing Life

"Books are the closest thing to magic." Chief Exec of the National Centre for Writing Chris Gribble is back on the podcast for episode #50, celebrating not only a year of the podcast but also the first full year of the Centre re-opening after the refurbishment of Dragon Hall in 2018. Inside this very podcast you will find out which two books changed Chris' life, his favourite books of the last year and who would win in a fight: Jane Austen or George Eliot. Also: the 10-year journey to bring the NCW to life, why we're based in Norwich, what the literature world can do to reduce its carbon footprint and why Dragon Hall is a bit like Marsten House in Salem's Lot (but not really). Find out more about the work we do on our website: http://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk

Author of The Essex Serpent and Melmoth, Sarah Perry, delivered this year's Harriet Martineau Lecture at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival. Sarah explores the notion of the 'Essex girl', invoking unexpected moments from history and popular culture. This year's lecture was made possible thanks to the support of The Martineau Society. Hosted by Steph McKenna and Simon Jones from the National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall in Norwich. Find out more at http://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk Music by Bennet Maples: http://sonicfruit.co.uk

Today we've got an interview with Bulgarian writer Ivanka Mogilska, who stayed with us back in 2018. In the interview she discusses the writing of a new short story, 'The Miracle of St Peter Mancroft', which we're excited to also include in this very episode courtesy of a special reading from Peggy Hughes. We also talk about the monthly Dragon Hall Salons, our big writerly social get-togethers. If you haven't been along to one yet make sure you put July 16 in your diary! Find out more about what we do at nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk Music by Bennet Maples: http://sonicfruit.co.uk

Today we've got an interview with the lovely Carl Gorham about his 2017 book The Owl at the Window: A Memoir of Loss and Hope. In it Carl writes about the loss of his wife and his attempts to rebuild his life with their six year old daughter. You have probably encountered Carl's work on TV, such as with the animated series Stressed Eric and the CITV adaptation of Meg and Mog. On the other end of the interview today is Hannah Garrard, our Learning & Participation Programme Manager. It's a really wonderful interview about Carl's approach to bereavement, and how the book emerged out of his own need to write through his grief. Meanwhile, Steph and Simon take a look back at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, the Nottwich UNESCO conference, the Walking Norwich book and the next big festival event: the Noirwich Crime Writing Festival. Find out more about what we do at http://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk Music by Bennet Maples: http://sonicfruit.co.uk