uk writers

Book Ends, Episode 5: Stella Newman

Welcome to another episode of Book Ends, the podcast for writers and book lovers. I am thrilled to welcome Stella Newman as today's guest.

Pear Shaped
Pear Shaped

Stella's first novel, Pear Shaped, is a tale that will make you laugh, probably make you hungry as it’s filled with delicious descriptions of food (!), but it might also make you wince with recognition too if you’ve ever had your heart broken by someone who, in hindsight, really wasn’t worth it. Described as achingly funny, searingly honest, sharp and sweet….Pear Shaped is very much like the author herself.  And not only is the novel compulsive reading - I read it in one afternoon - but it's also a bit of a foodie's guide to London (and New York too) in disguise.  I blame this book entirely for introducing me to Compost Cookies.

You can listen to the podcast here:

 

I hope you enjoy listening to our very abridged chat!  Thank you again to Stella for having me around for tea, cookies and eventually wine…and of course my wonderful audio producer Tom for turning our three hour conversation into a far more reasonable forty odd minutes.

If you'd like to know more about Stella and her work she keeps a number of blogs - one of which features her editor's recipe for the best ever brownies.

Guests

Stella Newman

British writer

Publications mentioned

Pear Shaped by Stella Newman (Avon, Harper Collins)

Take Care of Yourself by Sophie Calle (Actes Sud)

Heartburn by Nora Ephron (Virago)

Credits

Presenter

Philippa Moore

Producer

Tom Schoon 

Book Ends, Episode 2: Lisa Jewell

Lisa Jewell

Lisa Jewell

Welcome to another episode of Book Ends, the podcast for writers and book lovers. I am delighted to welcome Sunday Times best selling author Lisa Jewell as today's guest.

The author of 10 books, Lisa has had a prolific writing career since the late 1990s when redundancy, a bet with a friend, an admiration for Nick Hornby and "a vague flicker of interest" in writing all combined to set her on the path to becoming one of the most popular authors in the UK.

On today's episode Lisa talks about her life as a established writer with a lot of inspiring and useful advice, such as:

  • What happens when you run out of ideas?
  • How do you learn to write a book without freaking out?
  • Minimising access to the Internet for maximum writing efficiency!

You can listen to the podcast here:

 

I hope you enjoy this episode and thank you again Lisa for such an inspiring conversation!

Guests

Lisa Jewell

British writer

Publications mentioned

Ralph's Party by Lisa Jewell (Penguin)

Vince and Joy by Lisa Jewell (Penguin)

After the Party by Lisa Jewell (Penguin)

Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell (Century, Random House)

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby (Penguin)

The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella (Black Swan)

The Writers and Artists Yearbook

Frida (film) directed by Julie Taymor

Credits

Presenter

Philippa Moore

Producer

Tom Schoon