The Writing Life

#41 Life of a Bookseller: Joe Hedinger

Joe Hedinger is one of the nominees for Individual Bookseller of the Year at the British Book Awards. He also happens to be found in The Book Hive, a unique indie bookshop found here in Norwich. We sent the one and only Peggy Hughes to find out how Joe ended up selling books and what bookshops need to do to thrive in the 21st century. Also! Don't miss our 2018 indie bookshop tour, which includes a foray into The Book Hive: https://youtu.be/vowqqrHbfyo Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. Information on The Writer's Roadmap: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/the-writers-roadmap-with-jen-campbell-michael-donkor-and-ben-johncock/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#40 Elif Shafak, Patience Agbabi, Charlotte Higgins & Evie Wyld

For our 40th episode we return to the International Literature Showcase with a special conversation between Elif Shafak, Patience Agbabi, Charlotte Higgins and Evie Wyld - all writers who have been selected by Elif for her showcase of women writers working in the UK today. This event was recorded at the Free Word Centre on 25 March 2019. The International Literature Showcase is a partnership project between the National Centre for Writing and British Council. Hosted by Simon Jones and new regular voice Steph McKenna! More about the ILS: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ils/ Granta: https://granta.com/ Norfolk & Norwich Festival: https://nnfestival.org.uk/ Granta event at NNF: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/the-path-to-publication-40-years-of-granta-magazine/ Creative Writing Online courses: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/online-courses/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#39 Charlotte Higgins In Conversation

Today we're chatting with Charlotte Higgins, who is one of our selected authors for the International Literature Showcase. The showcase curator Elif Shafak describes Charlotte as “an author with magic in her pen. From ancient subjects she conjures living text: vast conversations about who we are today and why the stories we tell really matter.” The International Literature Showcase is a partnership project between the National Centre for Writing and British Council. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. -- You can find out more about Charlotte and the other showcased writers on the website at nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ils/ More on the Pomodoro Technique: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique Charlotte's ILS profile: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/elif-shafaks-10-women-writers/charlotte-higgins-3/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#38 Celebrating Granta At 40 with Ros Porter

This month we're celebrating the 40th anniversary of Granta Magazine and on the podcast today we've got our programme director Peggy Hughes chatting with Ros Porter, Deputy Editor of the magazine. They discuss the history and origins of the magazine and how literary magazines fit into the modern literature ecology. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Book your ticket for the Granta event at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/the-path-to-publication-40-years-of-granta-magazine/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#37 Elif Shafak talks to Bernardine Evaristo, Lucy Caldwell & Sara Maitland

Elif Shafak hosted a conversation with three of her selected writers for the International Literature Showcase at London Book Fair earlier this month. Bernardine Evaristo, Lucy Caldwell and Sara Maitland contribute to a wide ranging discussion involving identity, trends, social media, impostor syndrome and the state of the publishing industry. The first International Literature Showcase of 2019 is a collaboration between the National Centre for Writing and British Council. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ To read more about the International Literature Showcase and Elif's selection, visit https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ils/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#36 What it's like to be shortlisted for an award with Caroline Goldsworthy

We talk with Caroline Goldsworthy, independent author of Tangent, about being shortlisted for The Selfies award. We also talk about London Book Fair and what it has to offer for self-published writers. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#35 Elif Shafak's 10 Exciting Women Writers in the UK

Elif Shafak reveals her selection of 10 exciting women writers in the UK, for the first International Literature Showcase of 2019, a collaboration between the National Centre for Writing and British Council. Elif is in conversation with Bidisha, the journalist and broadcaster, discussing topics as wide-ranging as the #MeToo movement, identity politics, the importance of libraries and why inequality is still not talked about nearly enough. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ To read more about the International Literature Showcase and Elif's selection, visit https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ils/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#34 How to find inspiration in tragedy with Sharlene Teo

This week we have a conversation with Sharlene Teo, debut author of Ponti. It's described as "an exquisite story of friendship and memory spanning decades, at once an astounding portrayal of the gaping loneliness of teenagehood, and a vivid exploration of how tragedy can make monsters of us." Sharlene was in town for UEA Live and spoke to Florence Reynolds about the origins of the book and her sources of inspiration. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#33 How to write video games with 80 Days' Jon Ingold

Jon Ingold, co-founder of Inkle Studios, joins us on the podcast today. The studio has produced award-winning adventures for mobile and PC, including the Sorcery series and 80 Days, and they're only weeks away from releasing their latest project, Heaven's Vault. Jon somehow found the time to talk to us about his career, the founding of Inkle and the creation of their games, as well as diving into the nuts and bolts of what it means to write interactive, branching fiction and dialogue. There's incredible insight here from one of the most experienced writers in gaming, and if you're interested in games writing this is a must-listen. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Links: Inkle Studios: https://www.inklestudios.com/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#32 How to write collaboratively with Nicci French

This week we have an interview with the entity that is Nicci French, comprised of wife-and-husband team Nicci Gerrard and Sean French. They discuss their Frieda Klein books and how they write collaboratively. Asking the questions is Chris Rushby, the much-loved and recently retired bookseller from the classic department store Jarrolds, here in Norwich. This interview is from the Noirwich Crime Writing Festival in 2018 and provides a superb insight into how two very different writing techniques combine to form singular novels. Noirwich will of course be back this year, so make sure you get the dates of 12- 15 September into your diary. Hosted by Simon Jones, writer and Digital Marketing Manager at the National Centre for Writing. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Links: Noirwich: https://noirwich.co.uk/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/