While libraries are closing down all across the UK, in some boroughs of the capital, London, they're not only still very much open for business, but flourishing. In Wandsworth for instance they have no fewer than 11 libraries - including one it Putney that, opened in 1899, has a unique history, as well as a rather newer manager, Katy Homden who has quite a story of her own.
MEET THE AUTHOR: Alka Joshi
21/05/2026 | 36 mins.
Amongst the line-up of international literati who came to the Franschhoek Literary Festival this year was Indian born, American writer Alka Joshi. Such is her success, her Jaipur Trilogy and latest novel, Six Days in Bombay have been translated into over 30 languages. She is also one of the Forbes list of '50 over 50' of women making a global impact. Listen here to her writing journey, and so much more...
WOMEN ON THE SHELF: Edom Belete & The Addis Literary Festival
18/05/2026 | 26 mins.
Showcasing, as always, writers from across the country and elsewhere in the world, this year the Franschhoek Literary Festival also held the promise of Africa with a delegate from Ethiopia. Listen here to curator Edom Belete, as she talks about the inaugural Addis Literary Festival.
MEET THE AUTHOR: Shameez Patel
09/05/2026 | 32 mins.
South African civil-engineer turned author, Shameez Patel makes Rom-Com writing seem effortless. Published inthe USA (by Forever, an imprint of Hachette) her pigeon pair, Playing Flirty and Next Level Love are fun, fresh, witty and irresistible. But IRL (In Real Life... just so you know) getting it done is way more difficult story. She spoke to Nancy Richards at the Woman Zone Book Club and shared some tough truths.
MEET THE AUTHOR: Samantha Keller
21/04/2026 | 28 mins.
On the back of The Light Remains (Modjaji) by Samantha Keller, it says ‘against the backdrop of complicated, beautiful South Africa in the 1960s, an epic family saga unfolds’. And it does. But here the author talks to Nancy Richards about the even more complicated, but long and fascinating, process of writing a story based on one’s own family. That and so much more.
Welcome to WOMAN ZONE – connecting women through their stories.
Woman Zone is a Cape Town based organisation designed to bring together women of all different backgrounds and cultures, to get to know and understand one another by sharing stories. We have several podcast series WOMAN ZONE STORIES; FINDING HERSELF: shared journeys; the new MEET THE AUTHOR: women writers and their work and special collection ARTSCAPE@50 - CONVERSATIONS. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Feedback on [email protected]. Happy Listening!
Ireland