SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS

Elena Lappin explores the remarkable life and work of Margaret Busby, in conversation with the pioneering publisher, editor, and author, through her personal stories, insights on publishing, and reflections on music and culture. A celebration of the publication of Margaret Busby's new book PART OF THE STORY: WRITINGS FROM HALF A CENURY (Hamish Hamilton).
The episode is dedicated to Margaret Busby"s favourite music charity, TOMORROW's WARRIORS.

keywords

Margaret Busby, publishing, black writers, literature, music, autobiography, Daughters of Africa, Tomorrow's Warriors, black culture, literary history

key topics

Margaret Busby's early life and education in Ghana and England
Founding of Alison and Busby publishing house
Publishing influential black writers and anthologies
Reflections on her personal writings and memoir
Her passion for music and support for Tomorrow's Warriors

guest name

Margaret Busby

key frameworks

Chronological organization of writings
Passing knowledge and passing it on

action items

Explore Margaret Busby's writings and anthologies
Support Tomorrow's Warriors and similar initiatives
Reflect on the importance of passing on cultural knowledge

Titles

Margaret Busby: A Life in Publishing and Music
From Ghana to the World: The Margaret Busby Story

sound bites

"Not a day passes without my mother being in my thoughts."
"Putting together this book was like my life’s work."
"Music is serious; I believe it’s as serious as your life."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Margaret Busby's Background
01:20 Her Publishing Career and Notable Authors
02:20 Her Passion for Music and Tomorrow's Warriors
03:10 Reading from 'Part of the Story' - Personal Reflections
23:41 Assembling the Book: Challenges and Process
26:49 Reflections on Publishing and Personal Life
44:28 Key Writings and Influences in Her Career
52:36 Titles and Themes of the Book Sections
01:07:51 Why Margaret Writes and Publishes
01:11:49 Legacy, Inspiration, and Closing Remarks

resources

Tomorrow's Warriors - https://www.tomorrowswarriors.org/
Daughters of Africa (Book) - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Daughters+of+Africa
Margaret Busby on Twitter - https://twitter.com/MargaretBusby

guest links

Twitter - https://twitter.com/MargaretBusby
Official Website - https://www.hamishhamilton.co.uk/authors/margaret-busby
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out more about each episode, and to engage with our conversations with authors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this in-depth interview with host Elena Lappin, novelist and non-fiction writer Francis Spufford discusses his latest novel NONESUCH, set during the London Blitz, blending historical detail with supernatural elements. He explores London's layered history, character development, and the interplay of fact and fiction, offering insights into his creative process and thematic interests.

Keywords

Francis Spufford, Nonesuch, London Blitz, historical fiction, literary fiction, supernatural, city as character, novel writing, creative process, WWII London, fantasy in fiction, fascism, the occult, angels, bombing, war, family, love, early technology

Key topics

Blitz era London and its supernatural reinterpretation
London as a character in fiction
Historical layers of London and their influence on storytelling

Guest name

Francis Spufford, Novelist
NONESUCH is published by Faber

sound bites

"Play is very serious for a maker."
"London is a character in this novel."
"The Blitz is London's epic moment."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and author background
01:08 Setting the scene: London during the Blitz
04:37 London's layered history and fictional streets
09:40 The supernatural elements and historical occultism
14:34 The role of London as a character in the novel
19:30 Character development: Iris and her world
23:12 Themes of darkness, evil, and supernatural forces
27:21 Historical influences and literary inspirations
36:47 Transition from nonfiction to fiction writing
41:24 Playfulness and imagination in Spufford's writing
44:34 The challenge of channeling C.S. Lewis
50:24 Belief, faith, and the supernatural in storytelling
53:46 Why Francis Spufford writes: storytelling as understanding

resources

None Such by Francis Spufford - https://www.faber.co.uk/9780571366074-none-such.html
Francis Spufford's Official Website - https://francisspufford.com
London Blitz History - https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/blitz_01.shtml

guest links

Twitter - https://twitter.com/FrancisBufford
Website - https://francisspufford.com
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out more about each episode, and to engage with our conversations with authors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summary

In this episode of Shop Talk with Writers, Guardian foreign correspondent Julian Borger tells host Elena Lappin about his book I SEEK A KIND PERSON: MY FATHER, SEVEN CHILDREN AND THE ADVERTS THAT HELPED THEM ESCAPE THE HOLOCAUST. He discusses his family's past and the stories of other children who were also refugees, highlighting the importance of understanding and remembering these narratives. The discussion also touches on the complexities of belonging and the legacy of trauma passed down through generations.

The episode also features the charity SHELTERBOX, an organisation which provides help worldwide to communities in crisis via their book club, the ShelterBox Book Club.

Keywords

Julian Borger, I Seek a Kind Person, Holocaust, children, survivors, refugee stories, family history, trauma, identity, belonging, memoir, investigative journalism

Takeaways

Julian Borger's book is a personal exploration of his father's refugee experience.
The emotional impact of discovering a family advert seeking a foster parent.
The silence surrounding trauma in refugee families is a common experience.
Borger's investigative journalism approach helped uncover hidden family histories.
The importance of kindness in the context of refugee experiences.
Understanding the dual identity of being a refugee and assimilating into a new culture.
The book connects the stories of multiple refugee children from the same era.
Borger reflects on the pressures his father faced as a refugee.
The significance of remembering and honoring those lost in the Holocaust.
The journey of writing the book transformed Borger's understanding of his family.

Titles

Unveiling Family Secrets: Julian Borger's Journey
The Hidden Stories of Refugees: A Conversation with Julian Borger

Sound bites

"The past is never dead, it's not even past."
"I was running away from something."
"I came to see the boy hidden inside the man."

Chapters

00:00 The Journey Begins: Discovering Family History
07:01 Unpacking the Book: Themes and Inspirations
13:49 The Silence of the Past: Understanding Trauma
22:04 Connecting Stories: The Lives of Refugee Children
30:14 The Impact of Secrecy: A Father's Legacy
36:52 Reflections on Identity: Belonging and Displacement
44:05 Transformative Discoveries: Understanding Family Dynamics
50:56 Cultural Connections: The Influence of History on Art

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out more about each episode, and to engage with our conversations with authors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summary

In this episode of Shop Talk with Writers, host Elena Lapin engages in a deep conversation with novelist Moira Buffini about her works, particularly her novels 'Songlight' and 'Torchfire.' Buffini reflects on the themes of trust and division in her fictional town of North Haven, drawing parallels to her own experiences growing up in a divided society influenced by the historical context of Northern Ireland. She discusses the importance of exploring complex relationships, particularly between mothers and daughters, and how these dynamics are often underrepresented in literature. Buffini also addresses the challenges of categorizing her work within the YA genre, emphasizing the emotional truths and societal issues her characters navigate, including the implications of misogyny and the expectations placed on young women in a dystopian setting.

Keywords

Moira Buffini, Songlight, Torchfire, dystopian fiction, YA literature, mother-daughter relationships, societal issues, writing process, speculative fiction, emotional truth, political fantasy, historical parallels

Takeaways

There's nothing in these books that hasn't happened somewhere in the world.
Mothers are extraordinary figures with both light and darkness in their relationships.
Speculative fiction allows us to explore societal issues in a different light.
The emotional truth in writing is what makes a story beautiful.
Young women need to navigate difficult realities, and literature can help arm them.

Titles

Exploring Dystopia: Moira Buffini on 'Songlight' and 'Torchfire'
The Emotional Truth in Dystopian Fiction with Moira Buffini

Sound bites

"I drew on my great love of history."
"Why is the exploration of difficult relationships not acceptable?"
"Speculative fiction is a great way of distilling out the confusion."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Moira Buffini and Her Works
02:09 Themes of Trust and Division in North Haven
04:24 Mother-Daughter Relationships in Literature
07:03 Navigating YA Genre and Emotional Truth
10:50 Exploring Misogyny and Societal Expectations
18:14 The Role of History in Buffini's Writing
24:11 Speculative Fiction as a Reflection of Now
30:06 The Freedom and Challenges of Writing Across Mediums
34:08 Why Moira Buffini Writes

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out more about each episode, and to engage with our conversations with authors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keywords

dystopian fiction, telepathy, Songlight, Torch Trilogy, character development, creative writing, Moira Buffini, storytelling, female empowerment, world-building

Summary

In this wide-ranging conversation, acclaimed novelist, playwright and screenwriter Moira Buffini discusses her dystopian trilogy, the Torch Trilogy, which explores themes of telepathy, connection, and the struggles of young women against oppressive regimes. The dialogue delves into Buffini's creative process, her transition from playwriting to novel writing, and the intricate character development that brings her world to life. The discussion also highlights the moral complexities of her characters, particularly the antagonists, and the overarching themes of communication and empowerment in her storytelling.

Takeaways

The world of Songlight is set thousands of years in the future.
Buffini's writing is influenced by her background in playwriting.
The trilogy explores themes of telepathy and connection.
Character development is central to the storytelling process.
Buffini aims to write stories that resonate with her heart.
The intimacy of novel writing differs from playwriting.
Buffini's characters are often named for their traits or roles.
The antagonist, Zara Swan, is a complex character shaped by trauma.
The trilogy emphasizes the power of young women standing together.
Buffini believes in the importance of intuitive communication.

Titles

Exploring the Dystopian World of Songlight
The Creative Journey of Moira Buffini

Sound bites

"This is my heart song."
"Song is a central human thing."
"I keep going back to writing."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Dystopian World of Songlight
07:58 The Creative Process Behind the Torch Trilogy
15:30 The Transition from Playwriting to Novel Writing
21:05 Character Development and Perspectives
30:54 Themes of Connection and Communication
39:24 Complex Antagonists and Moral Ambiguity

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out more about each episode, and to engage with our conversations with authors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.