Welcome to Season 2 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop!

We're wrapping up Season 2 with the awe-inspiring Derek Owusu!

Derek is one of Denise’s favourite writers, so it was a great honour to have him on for the last episode to chat about his latest novel: Borderline Fiction. Derek is an award-winning writer, poet and podcaster whose work explores identity, masculinity, and the nuances of Black British Life. His debut novel That Reminds Me won the Desmond Elliott Prize, and his follow-up, Losing the Plot, blends prose and poetry in a moving portrait of mother-son relationship. Beyond his books, Derek's openness has made him a vital, reassuring voice in conversations about mental health and the lived experience of BPD. 

Join us in this episode as we delve into the inner realms of Marcus' life with BPD, flitting between Marcus at 19 and 25 as he navigates love, addiction, performance, and the shifting constancy of the self.

Bookseller Review: "Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. When talking with Derek, he said he hopes people notice how the book itself, from its very title, "is a symptom of BPD." There's a fracturing of the self throughout: we move quickly between Marcus at 19 and at 25, and the shifts in how he speaks, behaves, and carries himself is so intriguing. What drew me in most is how much this book is poetry in unstoppable motion. And then there's the written MLE in 19-year-old Marcus' voice! So clever, so familiar, so true to that age and environment! This is a book I'll cherish for a long time. Derek crafts his words with such precision and care that they feel unbreakable; each one feels placed with intention. It's firmly on my list of books I hope everyone reads at least once (or x200 times!!)"

If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft.

Derek's work can be purchased with us here:

That Reminds Me https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/that-reminds-me-winner-of-the-desmond-elliott-prize-2020-by-derek-owusu/

Losing the Plot https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/losing-the-plot-by-derek-owusu/

Borderline Fiction https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/borderline-fiction-by-derek-owusu/

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

Welcome to Season 2 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop!

This week's visitor to the cafe is the lyrical and deeply contemplative Miranda Cowley Heller. Miranda is the bestselling author of The Paper Palace, a Reese's Book Club pick and long-listed for the Women's Prize for Fiction. Her debut poetry collection, What The Deep Water Knows, traces the arc of womanhood; it is a mediation on self-discovery, love and its losses; the complexity of family, and nature's quiet role in shaping memory and resilience. Join us as this episode as we delve into the inner realm of girlhood and womanhood illustrated through poetry; the nature of love, family, nature, and 'soul hunger'.

Bookseller review: “This poetry collection chronicles a woman's life in six parts. It is a collection I know I will hold dear for a long time, as it made me fall back in love with poetry. What The Deep Water Knows is beautiful, deeply vulnerable and terribly gut-wrenching at times. With wonderful, intimate reflections on love--familial, self, romantic-- I hope everyone gives it a read and comes away as in awe of Miranda's weaving of words as I was!"

If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft.

Miranda's work can be purchased with us here:

The Paper Palace https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/the-paper-palace-by-miranda-cowley-heller-2/

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

Welcome to Season 2 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop!

This week's visitor to the cafe is the thoughtful and cheerful William Rayfet Hunter. Will was previously a junior doctor in the NHS when they won the Merky Books New Writers' Prize back in 2022 for their novel Sunstruck. Their non-fiction has appeared in VICE, Dazed, and the Evening Standard. They've been named one of The Observer's best new novelists, and The Sunday Times called Sunstruck this summer's hottest read --- and honestly, they're right!! Join us as we delve into Sunstruck, a blistering novel that will have you sending ten million voice notes to your friends screaming over the characters! This episode we discuss all things desire, identity, race, sexuality, friendship and power.

Bookseller review: “Aaaaaahhhhh!!! What is there to do apart from scream myself hoarse over how much I LOVE this book!!! Reading this felt like watching a movie! Will’s prose is so exquisitely poetic and vivid, with a hint of melancholy! It’s beautiful and so immersive! Will explores desire, identity, love, power and belonging so so well!! Read thissss!!"

If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft.

Will's work can be purchased with us here:

Sunstruck https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/sunstruck-by-william-rayfet-hunter/

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

Welcome to Season 2 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop!

This week's visitor to the cafe is the brilliant and funny and warm Morgan Dick. Morgan, a writer from Calgary, Canada, whose short fiction has earned her a Pushcart Prize nomination, joins us upon the release of her debut novel, Favourite Daughter. Join us as we discuss all things addiction, grief, complicated families, and the chaotic ways we try to hold it all together.

Bookseller review: “Morgan Dick is an incisive and darkly funny voice in fiction, unafraid to wade into the rather murky waters of family, grief, and the contradictions of being human. In Favourite Daughter, we delve into a raw and fearless portrait of how addiction and grief can warp even our best intentions, pulling the darker truths to the surface. Morgan poses an urgent, tender question: is it possible to become a better person - for others, but most importantly yourself? (Yes!) It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and your heart will swell with love--even as you cringe at some of the things these characters do."

If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft.

Morgan's work can be purchased with us here:

Favourite Daughter https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/favourite-daughter-by-morgan-dick/

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

Welcome to Season 2 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop!

This week's visitor to the cafe is the insanely gifted and warm Seán Hewitt. Seán, an acclaimed writer and poet known for his distinctive voice that blends vulnerability with intellectual depth, is the author of notable works such as 300,000 Kisses: Tales of Queer Love from the Ancient World, All Down Darkness Wide, Rapture's Road and Tongues of Fire.

Seán joins us upon the release of his debut fiction novel, Open, Heaven. Join us as we discuss all things love, yearning, self-discovery, and so much more. Seán was such a wonderfully engaging guest, and is certainly welcome back to our cafe anytime!

Bookseller review: “Open Heaven is a lyrical exploration of identity, love and emotional longing. It tenderly explores the complexities of yearning – not only the emotional toll it can take, but also the self discovery that can arise from longing for someone or something. All that to say it is perfect for the Real Yearners out there."

If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft.

Séan's work can be purchased with us here:

Open, Heaven https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/open-heaven-by-sean-hewitt/

300,000 Kisses: Tales of Queer Love from the Ancient World https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/300000-kisses-tales-of-queer-love-from-the-ancient-world-by-luke-edward-hall/

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

Welcome to The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop!

This week's visitor to the cafe is the brilliant and perceptive Lola Jaye. Lola, a psychotherapist and author of several highly praised novels, including The Attic Child which was longlisted for the Jhalak Prize in 2023, joins us for the release of her latest historical fiction novel, The Manual for Good Wives. Lola was such a lovely and inspirational guest!

Bookseller review: “Lola’s The Manual for Good Wives is a love letter to perseverance. It is a dual narrative that follows two women, Temi and Landri centuries apart, but with equally engaging and empowering stories. You’ll find yourself immersed and swept up into the lives of these characters, and also relating to their trepidations. A story that inspires and strengthens! It will stick with me for a very long time."

If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft.

Lola's work can be purchased with us here:

The Manual for Good Wives https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/the-manual-for-good-wives-by-lola-jaye/

The Attic Child https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/the-attic-child-by-lola-jaye/

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

Welcome to The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop!

This week's visitor to the cafe is the absolutely lovely and warm Natasha Brown! We were absolutely delighted to have her with us for an evening event wherein we discussed her newest novel: Universality! An absolutely immersive read that will have you pondering just how much power language wields!

Bookseller review: "The novel begins with a journalistic piece in which we are told the story of someone who has been bludgeoned with a gold bar. However, as we delve deeper into the story, our perspective continually shifts as we get pulled in multiple directions, each character having their own version of "truth". Observant writing, encapsulating modern day Britain and hitting on race, class, politics, and wealth. Sleek, clever, and darkly funny.

If you like the sound of this, a live event, then more information can be found on our website, featuring all of our immensely exciting events coming up. Signing up to our mailing list is a great way to ensure you never miss out on the great writers coming through our doors: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/join-our-mailing-list/

If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft.

Natasha's work can be purchased with us here:

Universality https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/universality-by-natasha-brown/

Assembly https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/assembly-by-natasha-brown-2/

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

Welcome to Season 2 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop!

This week's visitor to the cafe is the insanely talented and insightful, Garrett Carr. Garrett joins us upon the release of his debut fiction novel, The Boy from the Sea. Join us as we discuss all things love/loss, resentment, fishing, and so much more. Garrett was such a lovely guest and is certainly welcome back to our cafe anytime!

If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft.

Garrett's work can be purchased with us here:

The Boy from the Sea https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/the-boy-from-the-sea-by-garrett-carr/

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

Welcome to The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop!

This week's visitor to the cafe is the wonderful and brilliantly insightful, Oisín McKenna. This episode also marks the end of Series 1 of The Writers' Cafe Podcast, so a sincere and deeply felt thank you for listening to this truly brilliant, wise, and witty bunch of authors as they have joined us from across the globe to talk to us! It has been a pleasure.

Oisín joins us to speak all things, Evenings & Weekends, his debut novel set across one sweltering summer in London. An outstanding debut that takes place over the course of a sweltering weekend in London. Perfectly representing precarious social conditions, the buzz of possibility, sweaty parties, endless desire, and the dreams of a diverse population of city dwellers – McKenna has crafted a novel that you will not want to put down. Follow Ed, Maggie, Phil, and Rosaleen as they navigate their dramas, longings, and heartbreaks (all in different ways, mind!), and you will not regret it. Bonus points for the campy marine biologist who looks like Princess Diana, here punned upon as the Princess of Whales. Truly excellent.

If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this new podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft.

Oisín's work can be purchased here:

https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/evenings-and-weekends-by-oisin-mckenna/

https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/

Again, from me, Harry, thank you. See you soon.

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

Welcome to The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop!

This week's visitor to the cafe is the wonderful and brilliantly insightful, Jason Okundaye. Jason joins us to speak all things, Revolutionary Acts, his debut history of queer Black life in and around South London, expertly combining the social, the political, and the sexual with precision and warmth. It truly is a brilliant book. Join us as we discuss all things queer politics, Black history, Ariana Grande, Housing, and the process of oral historical work.

If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this new podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft.

Jason's work can purchased with us here:

https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/revolutionary-acts-love-brotherhood-in-black-gay-britain-by-jason-okundaye/

https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/

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