Unsound Methods

Something slightly different this week, as we speak to Daniel Levin Becker. Daniel doesn't consider himself primarily a fiction writer, but as a member of the OuLiPo (Ouvroir de littérature potentielle, or 'Workshop for potential literature') he is in the company (spiritually if not temporally) of writers such as Raymond Queneau, Georges Perec and Italo Calvino.

Daniel talks to us about the attraction of writing with constraints, his journey to France and the Oulipo and gives us a flavour of how the group operates (including a membership cancellation policy that Mark Zuckerberg can only dream of).

Daniel is the author of 'Many Subtle Channels: In Praise of Potential Literature' (http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674065772). You can read more about him and his work at his website: http://dinnerlunchbreakfast.com/ or follow him on twitter @dlb

Si vous parlez français, the Oulipo site is: http://oulipo.net/

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This week we speak to Alex Pheby about having different editing and writing persona, blending fiction with historical research and whether it's rational to have any faith in an external reality.

Alex's novels include 'Grace' (Two Ravens Press), 'Playthings' and the forthcoming 'Lucia' (both Galley Beggar Press - https://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/alex-pheby)

You can follow Alex on Twitter @alexpheby

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This week we speak to Esther Kinsky, recent winner of the Leipziger Buchmesse Prize and author of River from Fitzcarraldo Editions.

We talk about the interplay between memory and writing, walking the river Lea and urban change in London and trying to apprehend the gap between sensation and the experience of language.

River is available in English: https://fitzcarraldoeditions.com/books/river

Follow Fitzcarraldo Editions on twitter: @FitzcarraldoEds

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This week we speak to Michael Stewart. Michael is the author of the novels 'King Crow' and 'Cafe Assassin' (both with Bluemoose Books - https://bluemoosebooks.com/books) and the collections 'Couples' and 'Mr Jolly' (both Valley Press - http://www.valleypressuk.com/author/51/michael_stewart)

Michael's latest novel 'Ill Will' is published this month by HarperCollins - https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9780008248154/ill-will/

You can follow Michael on Twitter @headspam

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This week we speak to Argentine author Iosi Havilio.

We speak about his upbringing in Paris and Buenos Aires, the links between music and literature and the process of creating and exploring a unique new universe with each progressive novel.

Open Door, Paradises and Petit Fleur are all published by And Other Stories, you can buy them here: http://www.andotherstories.org/book/petite-fleur/

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This week we speak to Megan Dunn, author of Tinderbox (Galley Beggar, 2017).

We cover the act of balancing fiction and non-fiction, wrestling with the estate of Ray Bradbury and writing the great mermaid novel of the Western canon.

You can find Megan's website at: https://www.megandunn.org/

Follow her on Twitter: @MeganDunn90

Tinderbox is available from Galley Beggar Press: https://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/shop-1/z7du0g4kxeypqtatvaftcnxrjqil2d

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Welcome to the first episode of Unsound Methods. In this episode we speak to Neil Griffiths, author of Betrayal in Naples, Saving Caravaggio and As A God Might Be.

We discuss the ecosystem of fiction, the present golden age of indie publishing and the Republic of Consciousness prize, which Neil founded.

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As A God Might Be is published by Dodo Ink: http://www.dodoink.com/shop/pre-order-as-a-god-might-be-neil-griffiths

Find out more about the Republic of Consciousness Prize here: http://www.republicofconsciousness.com/prize/