Kimberly Rae: Self-published Writer
I have stories that I wrote as a ten year-old about teddy bears rescuing people from fires. My parents gave me a kids’ typewriter, and I would type out my ...
Nick Harkaway: Screenwriter turned Novelist
I wasn’t keen on screenwriting—it’s a kind of institutionalised emotional abuse. I didn’t much enjoy doing brochure copy either, although sometimes it was fun—lingerie copy was a ...
Calum Kerr: Short Story Writer & Litro Alumna
Keep going. The only way to get better is to keep writing. And if you submit a story and it gets rejected, try again. If you submit a story and ...
Emma Lowth: Assistant Editor at Simon & Schuster
When I was younger, my mum thought I wanted to be a teacher because, to her horror, I would take a Biro and write in my books, things like ‘good’ ...
Helen Sedgwick: Short Story Writer & Litro Alumna
[Guiltiest Pleasure:] Listening to Bon Jovi in the shower.
Jo Gatford: Writer & Litro Alumna
: Being terrified of a pantomime pirate and shouting at him to leave the good guys alone. An early precursor for not being able to distinguish between fiction and ...
Cherry Potts: Short Story Writer & Litro ALumna
Before I could use a pen to form words, I “wrote” in pictures; and once I could write, I did. I think I consciously knew writing was the thing when ...
Clare Wigfall: Winner of the BBC National Short Story Award 2008
[Earliest memory:] It would be something faded by the Californian sun of the early-eighties, most probably.
Louise Phillips: Short Story Writer & Litro ALumna
[When did you want to be writer?] When I found out about Roald Dahl’s hut.
Annemarie Neary: Lawyer turned Short Story Writer & Litro Alumna
[On underrated authors:] I can think of two, for different reasons. Elise Valmorbida for linguistic virtuosity and Tom Vowler for compelling storytelling.
Polarbear: A Rapper-Comedian-Poet Hybrid
When I was a kid, football and wildlife programmes were the two things I got most excited about. David Attenborough told me that polar bears have no natural predators, and ...
Adam Thorpe: Poet, Playwright and Novelist
Thinking the worst of people is too easy and leads nowhere nice or even interesting. Being generous in spirit, without too much naivety, is usually fruitful.
Jed Mercurio & Wesley Robins: Writer & Illustrator of graphic novel Ascent
I’ve been lucky to do brilliant jobs – hospital doctor, RAF officer and writing. The only bad one I’ve ever had was a summer job in a factory ...
Jeffrey Lewis: Comic Artist, Musician & Filmmaker
I do prefer the days when I could go to a comic store once or twice a month and find a new issue of Peepshow, Underwater, Eightball, or Optic Nerve: ...
Adrian Tomine: the Raymond Carver of Illustration
I love Carver, of course, but I’m not exceptionally well-read, so I actually discovered his work when his name started popping up in reviews of my comics. I felt obligated ...
Michael Ondaatje in Conversation with Geoff Dyer
“I’ve been a fan of your work for 29 years,” begins Geoff Dyer as he sits down in conversation with Michael Ondaatje. “I’ve read all your books, from Billy the ...
Kele Okereke: Short Story Writer & Singer-Guitarist of Bloc Party
One summer I worked for a catering agency as a washer up, they sent me to kitchens all up and down Essex and although it wasn’t particularly fun ...
Kusay Hussein and Sue Reid Sexton: Co-Authors of The Iron Gates of Freedom
For me, this work feels vital, fascinating and enriching. It is interesting to be close to another writer’s writing process and to forge collaborations of different kinds, ...
Naomi Wood: Author of The Godless Boys
Make up quotes from newspapers or an author you love for a boost in morale; insert your name here—”X’s writing is a tour-de-force” or “X is the most important ...
A Word with Joe Dunthorne
Rob Fred Parker talks to writer Joe Dunthorne about his latest novel, the film adaptation of his debut Submarine, and more. Fans of of the magazine and Litro Live! may also recognise ...