The Author Archive Podcast

Linda Grant - Still Here

Linda Grant grew up in Liverpool when it was a thriving port. 

Her parents were friends of Brian Epstein's parents. Brian went on to manage The Beatles, and teenage Linda was entranced by the band who went on to conquer the world.

Talking about the mechanics of writing her book Linda reveals how she felt composing her very first sex scene.

Barrie ’Baz’ Rice - We Were Blackwater

This is the story of one man's war in Iraq told in his own words.

Barrie was not in the army, he was a private security contractor. What did that mean? Was he in an outfit like the Wagner group?

Towards the end of our conversation Barrie shared his thoughts on the long term outlook for humanity. He is not an optimist.

Ann Patchett - talking about her novel Bel Canto

Ann Patchett has a new novel - Tom Lake -  just published with enthusiastic revues.

Bel Canto, describes as Ann's hostage novel won the Orange Prize.

The plot mixes the sublime power of music with political trouble and possible violence.

This novel was a finalist for the National Book Critics Award and it won the PEN/Faulkner Award

Ann lives in Nashville a place known for country music rather then opera, so does she like opera?

 

 

 

Sally Vickers - Miss Garnet’s Angel

Salley Vickers is a charismatic author.  Not all authors are good at  talking .... Salley definitely is.

Miss Garnet's Angel was her very first published novel. It was an instant success and is still available in print formats and as an audiobook read by the late Anna Massey.

The story happens in Venice.

Superb holiday read.

Sir Nicholas Coleridge - Streetsmart

When I recorded this interview with the then editor of Conde Nast publications in Britains he was was plain mister. The knighthood was awarded in 2002 for services to museums, publishing and the creative industries.

Over a glittering career Sir Nicholas has received four Lifetime Achievement Awards from his peers in publishing.

He has been chairman of the V & A and the trading board of the Prince's Trust.

And he written a dozen books.

Seems odd that he found time to talk to me in a suite at the Langham Hotel!

 

 

Ed McBain - Money Money Money

Ed McBain was a hugely successful novelist and screenwriter.

He started life as Salvatore Lombino, found success as Evan Hunter and then reinvented himself as Ed McBain author of the many 87th Precinct novels.

In this conversation he mentions his link to the very first rock'n roll film and how he came to work with Alfred Hitchcock .... plus his tip for leading a happy life.

Stel Pavlou - Decipher and the film 51st State

This is a remarkable conversation with a young man who went from serving in Threshers wine shop in Rochester to having a script excepted by Hollywood.

The film was The 51st State starring Samuel L Jackson and Robert Carlyle.

Around the same time Stel wrote a novel, Decipher with a plot to delight all those fascinated by Atlantis and associated myths. When Stel was writing conspiracy theories weren't such a big thing but this book will be sure get them zinging.

 

 

 

 

Ron Mael - Sparks

This is an interview that I had with Ron Mael before the release of the first Sparks record. Hardly anybody knew who he was - and that included me.

There was a campaign under way by Island Records to get their new signing known - Ron came to me, Russell had his photograph taken for Melody Maker. 

It was long ago. I had been listening to the album in my car on an 8 track cartridge. Real old school analogue.

Ron Mael was very patient !

 

 

Wendy Perriam - writing short stories

Wendy Perriam writes about what she knows - sex and religion.

She used to be very religious. She attended a catholic school from which she was expelled for heresy.

Her writing often seems to be part of her rebellion against the religion that told her she was in satan's power.

Her writing often includes fairly explicit sex ...... but she is also very entertaining, on the page and in real life.

Has she ever had therapy?  

Listen and she will tell you.

 

 

Erin Pizzey : Author and instigator of the first women’s refuge in London

After making her name as the instigator of the first women's refuge in West London Erin became a successful author.

The refuge opened in 1971. A career as a non fiction and fiction author followed. An author can live anywhere and she left London to live in the Cayman Islands. I met her for this interview on her birthday soon after she had moved continents again.

Reading about the refuge I was interested to read that Joanna Lumley was a supporter and she asked The Who to play at a fundraiser .... they did!

There was a new book 'Morningstar' which Erin was very keen to tell me all about.

One of the interesting dimensions in Erins thinking is how her view of men changed.