SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS

Exploring Identity and Conflict in Eli Zuzovsky's Searing Debut Novel MAZELTOV
Host Elena Lappin speaks with writer and director Eli Zuzovsky about his novel Mazeltov, a queer coming of age story set in Israel against the backdrop of war and collective trauma. The conversation focuses on how conflict, family, religion, and language shape identity, and why Zuzovsky chose to tell a a personal story through an ensemble of voices.In this episode, Zuzovsky shares how the novel grew from his dislike of the lone-voice coming of age tradition into a more expansive, multi-perspective story. He also reads a passage from the book and discusses brokenness, diaspora, and queerness in a culture of masculinity.
MAZELTOV is published by Footnote Press, an imprint of Bonnier Books.
https://elizuzovsky.com
https://footnotepress.com/books/mazeltov/
Key topics
Eli Zuzovsky introduces Mazeltov as a debut novel set at a bar mitzvah party in Tel Aviv, against the onset of war
The book’s structure is built around multiple perspectives, including the grandmother Mémé, the protagonist Adam, and the Palestinian poet Khalil.
Zuzovsky reads from the chapter “The Shiksa,” narrated by Mémé, which captures the book’s mix of humour, fear of war, and emotional vulnerability.
The novel as an ensemble portrait rather than a single-boy narrative, with each character helping form Adam’s story.
Why the coming of age genre felt too narrow to Zuzovsky, and how he wanted a more communal, expansive model of selfhood.
War as background and texture, not just plot, with Zuzovsky describing it as unavoidable in Israeli and Palestinian life.
Adam’s relationship to diaspora and exile, including the tension between romanticising leaving and the ethical cost of staying.
Queerness and masculinity in Israel, and how Adam’s discomfort with national expectations mirrors Zuzovsky’s own experience.
Language as identity and escape, especially the differences between Hebrew, English, Arabic, and French.
Religion and Kabbalah as inherited cultural material, even for a secular writer, especially through ideas like brokenness and tzimtzum.

Quotes:
“Selfhood is not a one person show. It’s always an ensemble show.”
“What I can do as an artist is to try to interrogate what they do to the human psyche.”
“Brokenness is all around us, so we might as well start seeing the light and the beauty in it.”
SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.
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Hunger & Thirst: An Exploration of Art, Memory, and the Paranormal

Host Elena Lappin in conversation with novelist CLAIRE FULLER about her latest novel Hunger & Thirst, weaving themes of art, memory, and the supernatural, in a 1980s setting. Claire Fuller shares insights into her creative process, her fascination with horror, and how her background as a sculptor influences her writing.
Key topics:

Claire Fuller’s transition from artist to novelist at age 40
The significance of physical books and the joy of making something tangible
How her novel explores the link between art and perception, especially through sculpture
The symbolism of the lithopedian—a calcified fetus—and its relevance to themes of trauma and the body
The importance of self-contained readings and moments that can stand alone from the main narrative
The influence of horror films like Rosemary’s Baby, The Shining, and The Stepford Wives on her storytelling
How visual detail shapes her prose and enhances storytelling
The role of domestic spaces and traces of the past in shaping identity and memory
Her approach to writing horror and the necessity of foreshadowing and buildup
Themes of interconnectedness, ghosts, and historical echoes in her characters’ lives
Her inspiration from place, notably Winchester and her childhood home—a bungalow
The emotional significance of personal memorabilia and the act of holding onto objects
Her advocacy for other writers through social media and her Substack newsletter
The enduring joy of creating physical books and the unique experience of writing in physical form
Timestamps:00:00 - The magic of making and sharing books across the world
00:34 - Claire Fuller introduces Hunger and Thirst and reads a fragment of her novel
01:34 - The significance of a standalone scene and its thematic relevance
06:23 - Why Hunger and Thirst encapsulates the novel’s themes and character development
08:08 - The symbolism of medical conditions like the lithopedian in her narrative
09:11 - The narrative layer of contemplating mortality and the question of being "ever gone"
10:15 - Visual storytelling and the influence of her artistic background
11:48 - Observing the world through a detailed, almost forensic lens
12:49 - The "Hamlet" space of ambiguity in her storytelling and horror influences
13:27 - The horror films Rosemary’s Baby, The Shining, and The Stepford Wives and their thematic significance
15:09 - The appeal of domestic horror and slow-building tension in her work
16:38 - Character profiles: Ursula’s background and psychological makeup
17:46 - The relationship between memorabilia, memory, and storytelling
19:27 - The balance between inspiration and clutter in an artist’s physical environment
20:07 - The ethical and emotional considerations of reading private family letters
21:29 - How old photographs and ephemera inspire her writing and prompts
22:22 - The ghosts of strangers and the idea of collective memory—reflections from W. G. Sebald
23:47 - The role of horror in her storytelling and why it’s essential to her artistic expression
26:40 - How characters’ obsession with horror films serves as a reflection of their fears and anxieties
28:35 - The setting of the former crime scene house and the traces of the past in our environments
29:21 - Personal memories of living in a house full of history and its influence on her writing

https://clairefuller.co.uk

32:54 - Comparing her experience as a sculptor and novelist: the physicality of creation
34:22 - The flow state in sculpture versus writing—overcoming self-imposed barriers
36:26 - The surprising journey to becoming a published author and her early art-based roots
37:16 - The inspiration behind her depiction of Winchester and her use of place in storytelling
38:39 - The mysterious Vince character and the significance of early connections among characters
40:42 - Themes of lineage, traces, and the past’s influence on present identity
44:50 - Why Claire Fuller writes: a desire to create and make tangible objects in storytelling
SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.
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Summary
In this episode, acclaimed novelist and short story writer Lucy Caldwell speaks to host Elena Lappin about her new short story collection DEVOTIONS, exploring themes of love, death, spirituality, and the power of storytelling. She shares insights into her writing process, influences, and the deep connection between music, memory, and narrative.

keywords

Lucy Caldwell, Devotions, short stories, Irish literature, storytelling, writing process, themes of love and death, spirituality, music in stories

key topics

Themes of love, death, and spirituality in 'Devotions'
The influence of Irish culture and history on Caldwell's work
The role of music and memory in storytelling
The evolution of Caldwell's writing from plays to fiction
The importance of collaboration and editing in her process
The interconnectedness of stories and the concept of life and death

guest name

Lucy Caldwell

Titles

The Power of Stories: Lucy Caldwell on 'Devotions'
Exploring Love and Death in Lucy Caldwell's Short Stories

sound bites

"Stories are a technology of time travel, of immortality."
"Every story is a magnetizing force that makes useless parts of us rise."
"Music is a window onto the soul, connecting us across time."

Chapters

00:00 The Magnetizing Force of Storytelling
08:02 Exploring the Depths of Devotions
15:55 The Evolution of a Writer
23:46 Stripping Characters Bare
27:55 Musicality in Storytelling
28:56 Exploring Narrative Depth and Perspective
31:03 The Influence of James Joyce on Modern Storytelling
34:45 Themes of Parenthood and Continuation in Stories
37:54 The Immortality of Stories and Their Impact
42:21 The Nature of Time and Storytelling
46:43 The Evolution of Irish Literature and Personal Narratives
52:24 The Purpose of Writing and Personal Revelations

resources

Lucy Caldwell - Official Website - https://lucycaldwell.com/
Devotions by Lucy Caldwell - https://www.faber.co.uk/9780571366074-devotions/
James Joyce's 'The Dead' - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/38480

guest links

Website - https://lucycaldwell.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/lucycaldwell
Instagram - @peopleearthskystars

SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.
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.

Discover how acclaimed novelist Lily King uses emotional journeys and present tense to craft authentic, compelling stories. In this episode, Lily King discusses her writing process, the emotional core of her novels, and her reflections on love, life, and how her experiences shape her storytelling.
Main Topics:

How Lily King channels emotion into her novels, using her personal hospital experiences as inspiration
The significance of writing in present tense to capture immediacy and raw feelings
The relationship between life events and her fictional worlds, especially in Heart the Lover and Writers and Lovers
The depiction of love as a multifaceted and ongoing journey beyond traditional notions
Lily’s unique writing process, using spiral notebooks, timelines, and revisions
The impact of technology, especially the absence of phones in earlier stories, on character interactions and storytelling
Timestamps: 00:00 - Lily King shares her approach to capturing emotion in her stories 00:27 - The purpose of creating emotional vessels within her novels 0:43 - Introduction to Lily King and her acclaimed works 1:40 - Reading from Heart the Lover and the novel’s emotional backdrop 2:09 - The scene of a writer’s professional and personal intrusion 2:38 - Lily’s portrayal of her character’s emotional breakdown during a lecture 3:07 - The relationship with Ray Hart and the power of unexpected praise 4:32 - The significance of past trauma, vulnerability, and crying in her writing 5:27 - Front-stage versus backstage emotional management in her novels 6:28 - Reflection on her visit to London and the hotel’s history 8:15 - The honor of being shortlisted for the Women’s Prize 9:16 - The intertwining of writing and life in Heart the Lover 10:16 - Balancing life’s challenges with the act of writing 11:47 - How characters’ emotional reactions reveal deeper themes and gender differences 12:24 - The emotional processing styles of male versus female writers 14:46 - The recurring theme of recovery and internalization in her protagonists 15:42 - The stylistic choice of present tense and its emotional impact 17:19 - The role of emotion in the initial inspiration for her novels 19:04 - Surprising character connections and their influence on her storytelling 20:18 - Reading Writers and Lovers after Heart the Lover – insights into narrative freedom 22:20 - The emotional toll of her writing process, especially in the final scene 23:55 - Creating realistic characters and complex love relationships 26:02 - Broader definitions of love and its continuance through different relationships 27:43 - Her relationship with readers and the importance of honesty 29:49 - Lily’s writing routine, notebook notes, and revision process 31:07 - Visual aids like sketches and timelines helping her craft stories 32:38 - Transition from handwritten notes to typed drafts, intensive editing process 34:23 - How technological shifts from the 1980s to today affect storytelling and communication 35:50 - Why Lily King writes: to explore and express her feelings 36:32 - Closing thoughts and where to find more from Lily KingResources & Links:

Heart the Lover (check for latest edition)
Writers and Lovers (check for latest edition)
Women’s Prize for Fiction
Lily King - Official Website

Connect with Lily King:

Twitter
Instagram
SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out more about each episode, and to engage with our conversations with authors
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SHOW NOTES
Host Elena Lappin in conversation with novelist Eden Mckenzie-Goddard about his debut novel SMALLIE - a powerful love story and a multigenerational tale of family, loss, and identity. The novel intertwines personal heritage with the political realities faced by Caribbean immigrants in Britain. In this episode, Eden McKenzie-Goddard shares insights into his writing process, the significance of the novel’s title, and the emotional depths of his characters’ journeys.
Copyright: Elena Lappin
Original theme music score copyright: Tom Pooley

Navigating multi-generational stories that reflect the complexities of immigration and identity
How language, music, and personal experiences shape McKenzie-Goddard's storytelling
The role of empathy and emotional truth in portraying characters' inner worlds
The significance of the Windrush scandal in shaping the novel’s political and social themes
Writing in multiple first-person voices to deepen character development
The creative process and how music influences the author's writing rhythm
Challenges of balancing political themes with human stories
Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to Eden Mackenzie Goddard and Smalley
01:33 - Eden reads from his novel, exploring themes of discomfort and language
05:54 - Discussing the book’s connection with the Windrush scandal and its multi-generational scope
08:48 - Film rights and themes of love and anger in the story
11:40 - Personal stories of long-distance love and migration
13:19 - The novel’s portrayal of unspoken responsibilities and internal conflicts
14:17 - Exploring multiple narrative voices and character depth in Smalley
17:35 - The importance of empathy in storytelling and understanding family pain
20:12 - The immigrant experience and feeling of abandonment within families
22:10 - Character complexity, especially Lucinda, and her struggles with language and identity
24:46 - The theme of rebellion and the search for freedom through Lucinda’s journey
26:08 - The impact of language and how it shapes self-perception and authenticity
33:00 - The theme of aloneness and isolation within immigrant narratives
36:05 - Addressing political issues through human stories, focusing on the Windrush scandal
42:16 - The evolution of the story and Mc-Kenzie-Goddard's creative process over years
44:14 - The creative milestone of writing the final scene and the story’s life force
46:00 - Vision of SMALLIE adapted to film, highlighting visual storytelling

Resources & Links
SMALLIE by Eden Mackenzie Goddard (search for latest links)
Nancy Wilson - Guess Who I Saw Today
Connect with Eden Mackenzie GoddardTwitter
Instagram
Official Website
Additional NotesThe significance of language and identity in multicultural and immigrant experiences is central to Eden’s storytelling. His personal insights and musical influences enrich the narrative depth of SMALLIE.
The episode emphasizes storytelling as a vehicle for empathy, highlighting individual human stories amidst political upheavals.

SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.
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.