The writer Curtis Sittenfeld is shortlisted for her story Do-Over. She shares her thoughts on “revenge writing”, the much-hyped short story revival, and discusses the reasons why this year’s shortlist is dominated by American writers
The American writer Molly McCloskey is shortlisted for her story, Life on Earth. She talks about the politics inherent in all works of fiction, drawing on her own biography when writing and why comedy is important, too
Stella Duffy OBE is an author, playright and short-story writer. Her novels The Room of Lost Things and State of Happiness were long-listed for the Orange Prize. Her novel, The Hidden Room, will be published by Virago in July.
The former psychoanalyst talks to Sophie Haydock about starting her career at 50, the privilege of writing, and staying close to her unconscious
He speaks to Sophie Haydock about how politics and technology can ruin fiction, and the worst advice a writer can be given…
He talks to Sophie Haydock about the inspiration for the story’s academic format, how he blurred the lines of history, and the surprise of finding out that a story that had been sitting in a drawer had been shortlisted for a £30,000 award
He talks to Sophie Haydock about curiosity, the current political climate and his unusual childhood desire to be a “garbage collector”
She discusses the digital sphere that inspired her story and her own social media anxiety with Sophie Haydock
He speaks to Sophie Haydock about the music of writing, drawing inspiration from his theatre background and the patience required to turn one’s memories into the basis for stories
“Would it be confusing, or enlightening, to never be able to leave the past behind?” Interview by Sophie Haydock