SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS

Stephanie Sy Quia talks to host Elena Lappin about her debut novel, A Private Man, and the personal history that shaped it. The conversation moves between family memory, Catholicism, generational trauma, dementia, and the challenge of writing fiction that feels emotionally precise without becoming extractive.We discuss how she turned a real family lineage into art, why she wrote from the public edges of family history rather than interrogating relatives directly, and how teaching Shakespeare fed back into her novel writing. She also reflects on care work, the aging of the baby boomer generation, and why she writes about the hard-to-categorize parts of life.

• A Private Man as a novel shaped by family history, Catholicism, and forbidden love
• Writing about relatives without being extractive or forcing personal testimony
• The emotional and ethical tension of claiming a family story as your own
• The Notre Dame fire as an influence on a key scene in the novel
• How generational trauma and family memory can belong to more than one person
• The contrast between poetry and prose, and how she keeps every sentence purposeful
• Margaret and David as characters shaped by community, institution, and sexual restraint
• Vatican II, Catholic reform, and the disappointment of unrealized hope
• Writing historically specific male sexuality through institutional life, boarding school, and war
• Dementia, care, and the intimacy of witnessing the end of a life
• How teaching Antony and Cleopatra informed her sense of romantic and emotional dynamics
• Why she is drawn to slippery, hard-to-label identities and experiences

(00:00) Family history, generational trauma, and why not to be extractive

(01:15) Introduction to Stephanie Sy Quia and A Private Man

(02:24) Notre Dame fire inspiration and a scene between grandson and grandmother

(06:39) Cathedral restoration, sacred materials, and the idea of stone “singing”

(08:05) Reading from the novel ends and the interview begins

(09:07) Her family background: priest grandfather, theologian grandmother, and exile

(11:27) Writing from public family history instead of interrogating relatives

(13:52) Poetry versus prose and making every word earn its place

(15:21) Margaret and David: community, desire, and different relationships to Catholicism

(18:05) Hope, cynicism, and the failure of Vatican II to deliver change

(20:16) Writing a male character through institutional British masculinity

(22:42) Sex, war, and the high stakes of intimacy in an earlier era

(23:39) Writing her grandmother through memory, truth, and preemptive grief

(25:41) Teaching Antony and Cleopatra and bringing its energy into the novel

(27:05) Food, passion, and why the novel makes the reader feel hungry

(28:25) Aging, caregiving, and the demographic burden on younger generations

(30:54) Why she writes: slippery identities, care, and frankness about decline

Copy

“I was very keen not to be too extractive about how I gathered family information.”

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“Family history both does and does not belong to you.”

Copy

“I wanted to write about the process of caring for someone at the end of their life.”

SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.

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Quote: “The only thing he knows what to do with a bad feeling is to turn it into anger.”

• Djamel White reads from All Them Dogs, introducing Tony Ward and the gritty, immediate voice that drives the novel.
• White reacts to the Booker Prize longlisting, describing the experience as exciting, overwhelming, and stomach turning.
• He talks about growing up without books in the house, and how school first introduced him to reading and stories.
• The novel’s structure comes from Tony’s voice, with White explaining how the extended monologue creates an “all gas, no brakes” momentum.
• White describes writing while managing a tattoo shop and finishing college, balancing a full degree with work after COVID.
• Tony Ward returns to Dublin after five years away, trying to re-enter a criminal world that has moved on without him.
• The discussion explores the collapse of moral codes in modern Dublin crime, and how capitalism, money, and survival have replaced older gangland loyalties.
• White reflects on the housing crisis and young adult frustration in Ireland, noting how Tony’s instability mirrors a wider generational experience.
• Motherhood and fatherhood are central themes, especially the different maternal figures in the book and the damaging absence of fathers.
• White explains Tony’s anger, vulnerability, and arrested development, showing how fear, shame, and desire for belonging drive him forward.
• Image, taste, and identity matter throughout the novel, from clothes and watches to music and aesthetic self-awareness.
• White discusses literary influences, including Enda O’Brien, Joyce Carol Oates, and Carson McCullers.

Timestamps

00:00 - Is “Pray I’ll Be a Failure” a real song?

02:27 - Reading from All Them Dogs and the voice of Tony Ward

05:55 - Booker Prize longlisting and the emotional fallout

06:25 - Discovering books as the first reader in his family

08:18 - Writing a novel that feels like watching a movie

09:46 - Working in a tattoo shop while writing

11:00 - Tony Ward returns to a gangland that has moved on

14:28 - Dublin crime, old moral codes, and their collapse

16:24 - The housing crisis and a generation with little to show

16:51 - Tony’s narrow choices and emotional vulnerability

18:34 - Why Tony is in arrested development

19:30 - Anger as Tony’s engine and survival tool

21:05 - The mothers in the novel and what they reveal

22:43 - Fathers, absence, and family damage

24:27 - Grooming, mentorship, and boys drawn into crime

25:56 - Clothes, watches, and Tony’s aesthetic instincts

27:54 - Tony’s taste, identity, and the image-obsessed world

29:16 - Chekhov’s gun and why the book uses a policeman instead

31:16 - Books on the shelf: Enda O’Brien, Joyce Carol Oates, Carson McCullers

32:41 - Why Carson McCullers matters to White

SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.

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Host Elena Lappin speaks with writer and director Eli Zuzovsky about his novel Mazeltov, a queer coming of age story set in Israel against the backdrop of war and collective trauma. The conversation focuses on how conflict, family, religion, and language shape identity, and why Zuzovsky chose to tell a a personal story through an ensemble of voices.In this episode, Zuzovsky shares how the novel grew from his dislike of the lone-voice coming of age tradition into a more expansive, multi-perspective story. He also reads a passage from the book and discusses brokenness, diaspora, and queerness in a culture of masculinity.

MAZELTOV is published by Footnote Press, an imprint of Bonnier Books.

https://elizuzovsky.com

https://footnotepress.com/books/mazeltov/

Key topics

• Eli Zuzovsky introduces Mazeltov as a debut novel set at a bar mitzvah party in Tel Aviv, against the onset of war
• The book’s structure is built around multiple perspectives, including the grandmother Mémé, the protagonist Adam, and the Palestinian poet Khalil.
• Zuzovsky reads from the chapter “The Shiksa,” narrated by Mémé, which captures the book’s mix of humour, fear of war, and emotional vulnerability.
• The novel as an ensemble portrait rather than a single-boy narrative, with each character helping form Adam’s story.
• Why the coming of age genre felt too narrow to Zuzovsky, and how he wanted a more communal, expansive model of selfhood.
• War as background and texture, not just plot, with Zuzovsky describing it as unavoidable in Israeli and Palestinian life.
• Adam’s relationship to diaspora and exile, including the tension between romanticising leaving and the ethical cost of staying.
• Queerness and masculinity in Israel, and how Adam’s discomfort with national expectations mirrors Zuzovsky’s own experience.
• Language as identity and escape, especially the differences between Hebrew, English, Arabic, and French.
• Religion and Kabbalah as inherited cultural material, even for a secular writer, especially through ideas like brokenness and tzimtzum.

Quotes:

“Selfhood is not a one person show. It’s always an ensemble show.”

“What I can do as an artist is to try to interrogate what they do to the human psyche.”

“Brokenness is all around us, so we might as well start seeing the light and the beauty in it.”

SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.

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Host Elena Lappin in conversation with novelist CLAIRE FULLER about her latest novel Hunger & Thirst, weaving themes of art, memory, and the supernatural, in a 1980s setting. Claire Fuller shares insights into her creative process, her fascination with horror, and how her background as a sculptor influences her writing.

Key topics:

• Claire Fuller’s transition from artist to novelist at age 40
• The significance of physical books and the joy of making something tangible
• How her novel explores the link between art and perception, especially through sculpture
• The symbolism of the lithopedian—a calcified fetus—and its relevance to themes of trauma and the body
• The importance of self-contained readings and moments that can stand alone from the main narrative
• The influence of horror films like Rosemary’s Baby, The Shining, and The Stepford Wives on her storytelling
• How visual detail shapes her prose and enhances storytelling
• The role of domestic spaces and traces of the past in shaping identity and memory
• Her approach to writing horror and the necessity of foreshadowing and buildup
• Themes of interconnectedness, ghosts, and historical echoes in her characters’ lives
• Her inspiration from place, notably Winchester and her childhood home—a bungalow
• The emotional significance of personal memorabilia and the act of holding onto objects
• Her advocacy for other writers through social media and her Substack newsletter
• The enduring joy of creating physical books and the unique experience of writing in physical form

Timestamps:00:00 - The magic of making and sharing books across the world

00:34 - Claire Fuller introduces Hunger and Thirst and reads a fragment of her novel

01:34 - The significance of a standalone scene and its thematic relevance

06:23 - Why Hunger and Thirst encapsulates the novel’s themes and character development

08:08 - The symbolism of medical conditions like the lithopedian in her narrative

09:11 - The narrative layer of contemplating mortality and the question of being "ever gone"

10:15 - Visual storytelling and the influence of her artistic background

11:48 - Observing the world through a detailed, almost forensic lens

12:49 - The "Hamlet" space of ambiguity in her storytelling and horror influences

13:27 - The horror films Rosemary’s Baby, The Shining, and The Stepford Wives and their thematic significance

15:09 - The appeal of domestic horror and slow-building tension in her work

16:38 - Character profiles: Ursula’s background and psychological makeup

17:46 - The relationship between memorabilia, memory, and storytelling

19:27 - The balance between inspiration and clutter in an artist’s physical environment

20:07 - The ethical and emotional considerations of reading private family letters

21:29 - How old photographs and ephemera inspire her writing and prompts

22:22 - The ghosts of strangers and the idea of collective memory—reflections from W. G. Sebald

23:47 - The role of horror in her storytelling and why it’s essential to her artistic expression

26:40 - How characters’ obsession with horror films serves as a reflection of their fears and anxieties

28:35 - The setting of the former crime scene house and the traces of the past in our environments

29:21 - Personal memories of living in a house full of history and its influence on her writing

https://clairefuller.co.uk

32:54 - Comparing her experience as a sculptor and novelist: the physicality of creation

34:22 - The flow state in sculpture versus writing—overcoming self-imposed barriers

36:26 - The surprising journey to becoming a published author and her early art-based roots

37:16 - The inspiration behind her depiction of Winchester and her use of place in storytelling

38:39 - The mysterious Vince character and the significance of early connections among characters

40:42 - Themes of lineage, traces, and the past’s influence on present identity

44:50 - Why Claire Fuller writes: a desire to create and make tangible objects in storytelling

SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.

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Summary

In this episode, acclaimed novelist and short story writer Lucy Caldwell speaks to host Elena Lappin about her new short story collection DEVOTIONS, exploring themes of love, death, spirituality, and the power of storytelling. She shares insights into her writing process, influences, and the deep connection between music, memory, and narrative.

keywords

Lucy Caldwell, Devotions, short stories, Irish literature, storytelling, writing process, themes of love and death, spirituality, music in stories

 key topics

Themes of love, death, and spirituality in 'Devotions'

The influence of Irish culture and history on Caldwell's work

The role of music and memory in storytelling

The evolution of Caldwell's writing from plays to fiction

The importance of collaboration and editing in her process

The interconnectedness of stories and the concept of life and death

 guest name

Lucy Caldwell

Titles

The Power of Stories: Lucy Caldwell on 'Devotions'

Exploring Love and Death in Lucy Caldwell's Short Stories

 sound bites

"Stories are a technology of time travel, of immortality."

"Every story is a magnetizing force that makes useless parts of us rise."

"Music is a window onto the soul, connecting us across time."

Chapters

00:00 The Magnetizing Force of Storytelling

08:02 Exploring the Depths of Devotions

15:55 The Evolution of a Writer

23:46 Stripping Characters Bare

27:55 Musicality in Storytelling

28:56 Exploring Narrative Depth and Perspective

31:03 The Influence of James Joyce on Modern Storytelling

34:45 Themes of Parenthood and Continuation in Stories

37:54 The Immortality of Stories and Their Impact

42:21 The Nature of Time and Storytelling

46:43 The Evolution of Irish Literature and Personal Narratives

52:24 The Purpose of Writing and Personal Revelations

 resources

Lucy Caldwell - Official Website - https://lucycaldwell.com/

Devotions by Lucy Caldwell - https://www.faber.co.uk/9780571366074-devotions/

James Joyce's 'The Dead' - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/38480

 guest links

Website - https://lucycaldwell.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/lucycaldwell

Instagram - @peopleearthskystars

SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.

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Discover how acclaimed novelist Lily King uses emotional journeys and present tense to craft authentic, compelling stories. In this episode, Lily King discusses her writing process, the emotional core of her novels, and her reflections on love, life, and how her experiences shape her storytelling.

Main Topics:

• How Lily King channels emotion into her novels, using her personal hospital experiences as inspiration
• The significance of writing in present tense to capture immediacy and raw feelings
• The relationship between life events and her fictional worlds, especially in Heart the Lover and Writers and Lovers
• The depiction of love as a multifaceted and ongoing journey beyond traditional notions
• Lily’s unique writing process, using spiral notebooks, timelines, and revisions
• The impact of technology, especially the absence of phones in earlier stories, on character interactions and storytelling

Timestamps: 00:00 - Lily King shares her approach to capturing emotion in her stories 00:27 - The purpose of creating emotional vessels within her novels 0:43 - Introduction to Lily King and her acclaimed works 1:40 - Reading from Heart the Lover and the novel’s emotional backdrop 2:09 - The scene of a writer’s professional and personal intrusion 2:38 - Lily’s portrayal of her character’s emotional breakdown during a lecture 3:07 - The relationship with Ray Hart and the power of unexpected praise 4:32 - The significance of past trauma, vulnerability, and crying in her writing 5:27 - Front-stage versus backstage emotional management in her novels 6:28 - Reflection on her visit to London and the hotel’s history 8:15 - The honor of being shortlisted for the Women’s Prize 9:16 - The intertwining of writing and life in Heart the Lover 10:16 - Balancing life’s challenges with the act of writing 11:47 - How characters’ emotional reactions reveal deeper themes and gender differences 12:24 - The emotional processing styles of male versus female writers 14:46 - The recurring theme of recovery and internalization in her protagonists 15:42 - The stylistic choice of present tense and its emotional impact 17:19 - The role of emotion in the initial inspiration for her novels 19:04 - Surprising character connections and their influence on her storytelling 20:18 - Reading Writers and Lovers after Heart the Lover – insights into narrative freedom 22:20 - The emotional toll of her writing process, especially in the final scene 23:55 - Creating realistic characters and complex love relationships 26:02 - Broader definitions of love and its continuance through different relationships 27:43 - Her relationship with readers and the importance of honesty 29:49 - Lily’s writing routine, notebook notes, and revision process 31:07 - Visual aids like sketches and timelines helping her craft stories 32:38 - Transition from handwritten notes to typed drafts, intensive editing process 34:23 - How technological shifts from the 1980s to today affect storytelling and communication 35:50 - Why Lily King writes: to explore and express her feelings 36:32 - Closing thoughts and where to find more from Lily KingResources & Links:

• Heart the Lover (check for latest edition)
• Writers and Lovers (check for latest edition)
• Women’s Prize for Fiction
• Lily King - Official Website

Connect with Lily King:

• Twitter
• Instagram

SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.

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SHOW NOTES

Host Elena Lappin in conversation with novelist Eden Mckenzie-Goddard about his debut novel SMALLIE - a powerful love story and a multigenerational tale of family, loss, and identity. The novel intertwines personal heritage with the political realities faced by Caribbean immigrants in Britain. In this episode, Eden McKenzie-Goddard shares insights into his writing process, the significance of the novel’s title, and the emotional depths of his characters’ journeys.

Copyright: Elena Lappin

Original theme music score copyright: Tom Pooley

• Navigating multi-generational stories that reflect the complexities of immigration and identity
• How language, music, and personal experiences shape McKenzie-Goddard's storytelling
• The role of empathy and emotional truth in portraying characters' inner worlds
• The significance of the Windrush scandal in shaping the novel’s political and social themes
• Writing in multiple first-person voices to deepen character development
• The creative process and how music influences the author's writing rhythm
• Challenges of balancing political themes with human stories
• Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to Eden Mackenzie Goddard and Smalley
• 01:33 - Eden reads from his novel, exploring themes of discomfort and language
• 05:54 - Discussing the book’s connection with the Windrush scandal and its multi-generational scope
• 08:48 - Film rights and themes of love and anger in the story
• 11:40 - Personal stories of long-distance love and migration
• 13:19 - The novel’s portrayal of unspoken responsibilities and internal conflicts
• 14:17 - Exploring multiple narrative voices and character depth in Smalley
• 17:35 - The importance of empathy in storytelling and understanding family pain
• 20:12 - The immigrant experience and feeling of abandonment within families
• 22:10 - Character complexity, especially Lucinda, and her struggles with language and identity
• 24:46 - The theme of rebellion and the search for freedom through Lucinda’s journey
• 26:08 - The impact of language and how it shapes self-perception and authenticity
• 33:00 - The theme of aloneness and isolation within immigrant narratives
• 36:05 - Addressing political issues through human stories, focusing on the Windrush scandal
• 42:16 - The evolution of the story and Mc-Kenzie-Goddard's creative process over years
• 44:14 - The creative milestone of writing the final scene and the story’s life force
• 46:00 - Vision of SMALLIE adapted to film, highlighting visual storytelling

• Resources & Links
• SMALLIE by Eden Mackenzie Goddard (search for latest links)
• Nancy Wilson - Guess Who I Saw Today
• Connect with Eden Mackenzie GoddardTwitter
• Instagram
• Official Website
• Additional NotesThe significance of language and identity in multicultural and immigrant experiences is central to Eden’s storytelling. His personal insights and musical influences enrich the narrative depth of SMALLIE.
• The episode emphasizes storytelling as a vehicle for empathy, highlighting individual human stories amidst political upheavals.

SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.

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Summary:

Award-winning American actress Sharon Gless (Cagney&Lacey co-star) in conversation with host Elena Lappin about her powerful memoir APPARENTLY THERE WERE COMPLAINTS (Simon&Schuster)..

Key topics:

• Sharon Gless’s childhood experiences and the impact of her parents’ divorce
• How acting served as a form of self-preservation and identity
• The motivation behind her memoir and its themes of honesty and humour
• Differences between acting roles and writing about her own life
• The significance of her role in pioneering TV roles for women in the 70s and 80s
• Insights into her process of developing characters and backstories
• The importance of active listening, both in acting and life
• Personal reflections on feeling like an outsider and the power of self-acceptance
• Behind-the-scenes stories from "Cagney and Lacey," including collaboration on scripts
• Her experiences living and working in London and her love for the city
• The dynamic relationship with her co-star Tyne Daly and their off-screen bond
• The influence of her grandmother and family on her life and career
• Her thoughts on the evolution of television storytelling and female representation
• Her outlook on the future and embracing new roles and identities

Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro and Sharon Gless’s childhood struggles 00:44 - The role of acting as emotional self-defense 02:12 - Reading from her autobiography "Apparently There Were Complaints" 02:38 - Making wishes during storms and unexpected life changes 03:07 - How a CBS meeting led to her memoir 04:07 - Challenges of writing and self-reflection 05:06 - Feelings of not belonging and the comfort of acting 05:35 - Her loyalty to acting as her lifelong love 06:34 - Her approach to character development and authenticity 07:02 - Memorable performances and moments of belonging 07:31 - Universal Studios memories and her career beginnings 09:58 - Influences from her childhood and important figures like Monique James 10:18 - The power of her chapter reading and audience reactions 10:59 - Comparing past TV storytelling with today’s content 11:30 - The honesty and rawness of classic TV stories 12:47 - The material and brilliance behind "Cagney and Lacey" 13:25 - Contributing to scripts and character development 14:17 - Playing Cagney’s struggle with alcoholism and her real-life journey 15:26 - Differences between acting and writing her personal experiences 17:29 - Childhood family dynamics and influential figures 19:14 - The emotional muscles she developed to survive early trauma 20:17 - The significance of feeling dead inside and acting as a safety mechanism 21:19 - Celebrating her portrayal of diverse characters across roles 22:34 - Her acting technique of backstory development 23:21 - Using imagination and research to embody characters 24:11 - Her stage work in London and productions in the West End 25:01 - Her love for London and its cultural resonance 26:11 - Fascinating women in her memoir, like her grandmother and Monique James 27:33 - Lessons learned from her mentor about listening and authentic expression 29:23 - The importance of connection and understanding others in storytelling 30:03 - Her brother Michael’s inspiring story and personal struggles 31:09 - Imagining a film about her family and life stories 31:30 - The on-screen and off-screen relationship with Tyne Daly 32:44 - Her love for her career and early studio life 33:39 - The unique idea of quotes on her book’s back cover 35:37 - Final gratitude and appreciation for her candid storytellingResources & Links:

• Apparently There Were Complaints by Sharon Gless
• Sharon Gless - IMDb
• Universal Studios Official Site
• Audible - Apparently There Were Complaints
• stagram
• Official Website

SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.

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Elena Lappin explores the remarkable life and work of Margaret Busby, in conversation with the pioneering publisher, editor, and author, through her personal stories, insights on publishing, and reflections on music and culture. A celebration of the publication of Margaret Busby's new book PART OF THE STORY: WRITINGS FROM HALF A CENURY (Hamish Hamilton).

The episode is dedicated to Margaret Busby"s favourite music charity, TOMORROW's WARRIORS.

 keywords

Margaret Busby, publishing, black writers, literature, music, autobiography, Daughters of Africa, Tomorrow's Warriors, black culture, literary history

 key topics

Margaret Busby's early life and education in Ghana and England

Founding of Alison and Busby publishing house

Publishing influential black writers and anthologies

Reflections on her personal writings and memoir

Her passion for music and support for Tomorrow's Warriors

 guest name

Margaret Busby

 key frameworks

Chronological organization of writings

Passing knowledge and passing it on

 action items

Explore Margaret Busby's writings and anthologies

Support Tomorrow's Warriors and similar initiatives

Reflect on the importance of passing on cultural knowledge

Titles

Margaret Busby: A Life in Publishing and Music

From Ghana to the World: The Margaret Busby Story

 sound bites

"Not a day passes without my mother being in my thoughts."

"Putting together this book was like my life’s work."

"Music is serious; I believe it’s as serious as your life."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Margaret Busby's Background

01:20 Her Publishing Career and Notable Authors

02:20 Her Passion for Music and Tomorrow's Warriors

03:10 Reading from 'Part of the Story' - Personal Reflections

23:41 Assembling the Book: Challenges and Process

26:49 Reflections on Publishing and Personal Life

44:28 Key Writings and Influences in Her Career

52:36 Titles and Themes of the Book Sections

01:07:51 Why Margaret Writes and Publishes

01:11:49 Legacy, Inspiration, and Closing Remarks

 resources

Tomorrow's Warriors - https://www.tomorrowswarriors.org/

Daughters of Africa (Book) - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Daughters+of+Africa

Margaret Busby on Twitter - https://twitter.com/MargaretBusby

 guest links

Twitter - https://twitter.com/MargaretBusby

Official Website - https://www.hamishhamilton.co.uk/authors/margaret-busby

SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.

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In this in-depth interview with host Elena Lappin, novelist and non-fiction writer Francis Spufford discusses his latest novel NONESUCH, set during the London Blitz, blending historical detail with supernatural elements. He explores London's layered history, character development, and the interplay of fact and fiction, offering insights into his creative process and thematic interests.

Keywords

Francis Spufford, Nonesuch, London Blitz, historical fiction, literary fiction, supernatural, city as character, novel writing, creative process, WWII London, fantasy in fiction, fascism, the occult, angels, bombing, war, family, love, early technology

Key topics

Blitz era London and its supernatural reinterpretation

London as a character in fiction

Historical layers of London and their influence on storytelling

Guest name

Francis Spufford, Novelist

NONESUCH is published by Faber

 sound bites

"Play is very serious for a maker."

"London is a character in this novel."

"The Blitz is London's epic moment."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and author background

01:08 Setting the scene: London during the Blitz

04:37 London's layered history and fictional streets

09:40 The supernatural elements and historical occultism

14:34 The role of London as a character in the novel

19:30 Character development: Iris and her world

23:12 Themes of darkness, evil, and supernatural forces

27:21 Historical influences and literary inspirations

36:47 Transition from nonfiction to fiction writing

41:24 Playfulness and imagination in Spufford's writing

44:34 The challenge of channeling C.S. Lewis

50:24 Belief, faith, and the supernatural in storytelling

53:46 Why Francis Spufford writes: storytelling as understanding

 resources

None Such by Francis Spufford - https://www.faber.co.uk/9780571366074-none-such.html

Francis Spufford's Official Website - https://francisspufford.com

London Blitz History - https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/blitz_01.shtml

 guest links

Twitter - https://twitter.com/FrancisBufford

Website - https://francisspufford.com

SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out more about each episode, and to engage with our conversations with authors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.