The Writing Life

#44 Walking Norwich and Kathleen Vereecken

It's a bumper episode this week, featuring an in-depth conversation between Sarah Bower and Belgian writer Kathleen Vereecken in which they discuss writing historical novels, the relationship between facts and storytelling and finding time to write in and around your assumed or imposed responsibilities. Kathleen was in Norwich on a residency, staying in the writer's cottage here on the Dragon Hall campus. You can find out more about residencies here: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/residencies/ Meanwhile, Steph and Simon are joined by Communications Director Alice Kent to introduce our upcoming book Walking Norwich: The Real and Imagined City. Released 21 May 2019 the book features award-winning writers sharing their experiences of the city and revealing their favourite hidden walks. Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#43 Literature at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival

The Norfolk & Norwich Festival is upon us! Simon, Steph and Peggy get over-excited about our line-up for the City of Literature weekend and the festival programme as a whole. If you're looking for tips on which events to go to (spoiler: all of them) give this a listen ASAP. Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. Book your tickets for the festival: https://nnfestival.org.uk Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#42 Developing a new project with Hannah Jane Walker

In today's ep Seren Saunders talks with Hannah Jane Walker about developing a new show, and the inspiration behind her latest project Highly Sensitive. Meanwhile, Simon and Steph are joined by Programme Assistant Vicki Maitland to find out everything about the Handover Festival and our work with young people. Hosted by Simon Jones and Steph McKenna. Find out more about the National Centre for Writing: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/ Book your Handover Festival tickets: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/whats-on/handover-literary-festival-in-a-day/ Find out about Engage: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/engage/ Find out about Young Ambassadors: https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/young-ambassadors/ More info on the Norfolk & Norwich Festival: https://nnfestival.org.uk/ Music by Bennet Maples: https://sonicfruit.co.uk/

#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/