A sparkling and razor-sharp conversation marks the end of a remarkable year for two authors.

Queenie has been one of the breakthrough novels of the year, winning over readers with its compassionate and funny depiction of a young black woman whose life seems to be spinning out of control. Front Row asked its author, Candice Carty-Williams, to choose a cultural figure she’d like to talk to. She selected fellow novelist Bernardine Evaristo who this year became the first black woman to win the Booker Prize for Girl, Woman, Other, sharing it with Margaret Atwood. That shared win is part of their discussion as is how to be a literary Instagram influencer, how far the publishing industry is diversifying, and how listening to Beyoncé can ease the stresses of a book tour.

Image: Bernardine Evaristo (Left) and Candice Carty-Williams (Right)

Interviewed guest: Candice Carty-Williams

Producer: Dymphna Flynn