This week Ali and Penny are joined by debut author, Ilona Bannister, whose novel, When I Ran Away, is released in the UK on 4th March by Two Roads books and on 30th March in the US with Doubleday Books.

When I Ran Away is a startling novel, funny and hard hitting, it tells the story of GiGi, an American mother of two living in London who just can't manage to do it all.

In this fascinating and wide reaching episode, Ilona talks about how, after having children, she felt it was hugely important to write honestly about the effects of motherhood, trauma and grief, and in doing so breaking the narrative that we can have it all.

Ilona tells Ali and Penny about her journey to publishing, how she set her own deadlines, treated the novel writing process like work before it was paid work, as well as what steps she took to maximise her changes of success.

Books discussed

When I Ran Away - Ilona Bannister

Wow, No Thank You - Samantha Irby

Mrs Death Misses Death - Salena Godden

Luster - Raven Leilani

H(A)PPY - Nicola Barker

Insatiable - Daisy Buchannon

You can find Ilona Bannister on Instagram @ilona.bannister

You can find Ali Millar of instagram @ali_millar_writes

And Penny Wincer on instagram @pennywincer