Author Interviews | Page 1

Priya Basil | 'Thinking of myself as European has been a way to hold all my different identities together'

In her latest work, Be My Guest, Priya Basil explores the meaning of hospitality and its unifying potential. Read more

Catherine Chung | 'Mathematics at its highest levels reminds me more of poetry than anything else'

In her first novel to be published in the UK, Catherine Chung tells the story of a gifted mathematician whose studies take her deep into... Read more

Frances Hardinge | 'My books are strange in quite different ways from each other'

Frances Hardinge’s eccentric backlist takes another unusual turn with a tale of the legacy of warring sea gods. Read more

Jung Chang | 'I think China is probably at a critical moment'

The modern fairytale of the Soong sisters is well known across China. Bestselling author Jung Chang looks set to bring the sisters’ stories to a... Read more

Jojo Moyes | 'I have to write this, this is mine'

The novel following Jojo Moyes’ hit trilogy Me Before You saw the author living deep in rural Kentucky to research a group of women librarians... Read more

Jenny Downham | 'Female anger is often seen differently from male anger'

Jenny Downham’s new novel tackles the effect a controlling step-father has on a teenage girl. Read more

Ann Patchett | 'Can you remember things the way they actually happened?'

Ann Patchett’s new novel is a moving story of siblings who lose everything—except each other. Read more

Christopher Eccleston | 'I’m as proud of my enemies as I am of my friends'

Actor Christopher Eccleston discusses the book that originated with an interview to promote awareness of Alzheimer’s. Read more

Hilary McKay | 'You can’t have random magic floating in when it’s convenient'

After career-altering acclaim for her previous novel, Hilary McKay turns from a land of war to one of magic. Read more

Lara Maiklem | 'We’ll be the plastic age: the throwaway society'

The Thames riverbed proves to be inspirational for former publishing professional Lara Maiklem in a book that’s part memoir, part ode to a love of... Read more

Louise Doughty | 'I thought of Apple Tree Yard as a serious and feminist indictment of the criminal justice system'

The esteemed Louise Doughty reached a swathe of new readers with her TV-adapted Apple Tree Yard—and her latest book cements her reputation.... Read more

Téa Obreht | 'I knew that as an immigrant from the Balkans, I wasn’t going to tell a Native American story'

Téa Obreht’s follow-up to her acclaimed début reframes narratives about the American West. Read more

Malorie Blackman | 'Teenagers are more aware that they have a voice'

Malorie Blackman returns to the realm of Noughts & Crosses with her fifth book in the series, Crossfire, which was inspired by the tumultuous nature... Read more

Steve Cavanagh | 'It’s scary going to writing full-time, but it’s also brilliant'

Steve Cavanagh’s career as a thriller writer looked to have stalled, despite critical acclaim—until Thirteen proved to be very lucky indeed... ... Read more

David Almond | 'The North is a culturally rich place to be, it’s just how it is'

Award-winning writer David Almond reflects on how his broad backlist has been influenced by his surroundings. Read more