In Episode 7 Penny is absent due to self-isolation, so Ali takes the helm. She introduces their slightly ambitious plan to read the Women's Prize longlist before the announcement of a winner in July.

Ali talks to Tetyana Denford about the first in her new trilogy of books, Conversation with Grief. Conversation with Grief was born after the death of Tetyana's grandmother, when Tetyana was forced to sit with her grief in the vacuum of a pandemic. They talk about how grief changes shape, how it constantly surprises us and how sometimes, the only thing we can do is invite it in. They also talk about how motherhood is a form of grief and how the opposite of grief is love.

All of Tetyana's books are self published. In the second half of the episode she shares insights into the process, and talks about the challenges and rewards of wearing so many hats simultaneously. She also talks about how self publishing isn't a less than option, but one that requires just as much work and dedication as a more traditional publishing route.

Conversation with Grief is available to preorder.

Motherland by Tetyana Denford

Tetyana's youtube series is here.

Books mentioned in the episode are:

Patricia Lockwood: No One is Talking About This

Glennon Doyle: Untamed

Sarah Moss: Ghost Wall

A Little Life: Hanya Yanagihara.

All Books mentioned on the podcast are now all in one spot on our very own Bookshop.org list

https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/not-too-busy-to-write-recommends