The Literary Sofa
Guest Authors
Guest Author – Sofka Zinovieff on Writing a Taboo Relationship
[NOTE: This post discusses the portrayal of child sexual abuse in fiction.] When I was organising Sofa visits from authors featured in this year’s Summer Reads selection, I thought what an exceptional line-up it was going to be and it’s great that it’s met with so much interest and enthusiasm – thank you to everyone … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Clare Atkins on Darwin, Australia
It’s always exciting when a guest post hits my inbox. The writers are here because I love their work, and the pieces invariably give a telling and enticing flavour of the writing and the book. How they choose to go about that is entirely their call; although the Writers on Location posts often do inspire … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Kerry Hadley-Pryce on the Black Country
A record number of Summer Reads authors are joining me on the Sofa this year and most are welcome additions to the popular Writers on Location series. This is especially true of today’s guest Kerry Hadley-Pryce, whose second novel Gamble is set in the Black Country, a part of the UK I have not encountered … Continue reading
Guest Author – Emily Critchley on Writing a crossover novel
After a wonderful reception for last week’s piece on the Veneto by Elise Valmorbida, I’m delighted to welcome Emily Critchley, the second author from my Summer Reads 2018 line-up, to discuss a subject of particular interest to me and I’m sure to many of you. Over the years I have enjoyed and featured many novels … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Elise Valmorbida on the Veneto, Italy
Of the many selections I’ve put together, I don’t think any have received such an enthusiastic response as my Summer Reads 2018 – many thanks for your interest, appreciation and especially for sharing it. At a time when the role and motivation of book bloggers is (yet again) under discussion, the joy of spreading the … Continue reading
Guest Author – Louise Walters on Writing in a young person’s voice
This week is a first and a third! I’m really delighted to welcome Louise Walters as the first author ever to appear on the Literary Sofa three times (links to her previous posts are included below). Louise has been a loyal supporter of the blog since it started over six years ago, we have got … Continue reading
Guest Author – Michael Dean on Fictionalising the Life of a Famous Artist
As readers most of us have fictional themes or settings we especially enjoy. The art world is undoubtedly one of mine, just as visiting exhibitions and galleries is one of my favourite pastimes, both here in London and on my travels. Often I find the stories behind the works and the lives of the artists … Continue reading
A Week in Marseille
I’ve recently returned from a glorious week in Marseille staying with my lifelong friend G, the younger daughter of my French godmother (my own French story is here, and it’s a long one…) This isn’t a full-on travel post as it wasn’t a holiday as such, although you could be forgiven for thinking so – … Continue reading
Guest Author – Ruth Figgest on writing about mothers and daughters
This week I am delighted to be hosting a debut novelist with an exceptional track record: Ruth Figgest, who was born in Oxford and grew up in the USA, has been short-listed an incredible six times for the Bridport Prize – she was awarded 2nd place in 2012 and was Highly Commended in 2017. Her debut … Continue reading
Writers on Location – Alicia Drake on Paris as a longterm ex-pat
Hosting today’s guest author and featuring her debut novel, another of my Spring Sofa Spotlight titles, feels like a special occasion and not only because until now I’m the only one who’s written about Paris here. That was destined to change the moment Alicia Drake stood up to read from I love you too much … Continue reading
My Novel – Now out in paperback
