Liv speaks with author and classicist Natalie Haynes about all things Medusa and Natalie's new novel about the tragic Gorgon, Stone Blind. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters, I'm not as deferential as I would be were I referencing the real thing. Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Debut author Cecile Pin, whose novel WANDERING SOULS is out this week. WANDERING SOULS is a luminous, boldly imagined debut novel about three Vietnamese siblings who seek refuge in the UK in the late seventies and the way that experience echoes through generations. Cecile and Kate Sawyer, author of THE STRANDING & THIS FAMILY have a lovely chat about how her philosophy degrees feed into her writing, interviewing Ocean Vong as her first journalism gig, how the background of her book was pieced together using her own family history, transcripts from downing street meetings and videos on youtube and the benefits of being in a writing group. I hope you enjoy listening in on this chat as much as I did recording it and find all the chat about writing process interesting and helpful. All the books that are mentioned are listed below and you can check them out or purchase them in the episode specific Bookshop.org shop.Guest:  Cecile Pin   Twitter:  @CecilekvPin. IG: @cecilekvpinBooks: Wandering Souls by Cecile PinHost: Kate Sawyer Twitter: @katesawyer IG: @mskatesawyer Books: The Stranding by Kate Sawyer , This Family (coming May 2023. Available to pre-order now!)Cecile’s book recommendations:Books for fan’s of Cecile’s work: Human Acts by Han Kang, The Red Parts by Maggie Nelson, Atonement by Ian McEwanA book Cecile has always loved: Silence of the Girls by Pat BarkerA book that’s been published recently or is coming soon: Ghost Girl, Banana by Wiz WhartonOther books discussed in this episode: On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vong, Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong, Girl Woman Other by Bernadine Evaristo, Greek Lessons by Han KangAll books recommended and discussed in this episode are available to be purchased from the Novel Experience Bookshop.Org Shop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Sheena Patel and her debut novel 'I'm A Fan' a read that she proudly exclaims might make you feel a bit sick. This captivating story centres a nameless protagonist as she battles her way through a complex relationship with a drastic power imbalance. Sheena is an exciting new voice in literature that I am absolutely fascinated by!

Author NoViolet Bulawayo's new novel Glory is quite openly based on Orwell's Animal Farm and the 2017 coup in Zimbabwe that ousted then president Robert Mugabe. Horses rule the country, dogs are the military, cows, goats, sheep, and pigs are the everyday people. The government that has been in control of the country Jidada for 40 years has fallen to rebellion. But, as these things go, it quickly turns sour. Bulawayo told NPR's Scott Simon that "it is simply an issue of the leadership kind of forgetting [...] why the people they – that fought to serve – made the sacrifice that they did."

This week's guest is Sophie Mackintosh, author of books including the Booker Prize-longlisted The Water Cure, and new novel Cursed Bread. Sophie talks to me about the optimum balance of social life and writing life; how playlists help her get into the worlds of her novels; and how she powers her work with 'little treats'. Browse Sophie's books in the In Writing bookshop to support this podcast and independent booksellers: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/in-writing This season of In Writing is sponsored by Curtis Brown Creative. Use code INWRITING20 for £20 off one of their four, five, six, or ten-week online writing courses. Visit https://www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk to find out more. Sign up for the In Writing newsletter and join my writers' community on Substack: https://inwriting.substack.com/ 

Canadian writer Camilla Grudova joins us to discuss her forthcoming novel 'Children of Paradise', based on her experience of working in a cinema, and two films which she's been thinking about recently; '400 Blows' by Francois Truffaut, and 'Liquorice Pizza' by Paul Thomas Anderson. Also featuring the disappeared charms of her hometown Toronto, The Sopranos, and the possible end of moral obviousness in art and literature.

The historical fiction author on bringing to life the “beauty and brutality” of Renaissance Italy.

Today's guest is Louise Kennedy, author of Trespasses. Set in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, a shattering novel about a young woman caught between allegiance to community and a dangerous passion. Louise joined me to talk about how her own life informed the novel. Also covered: Coming to writing later in life, and short stories vs. novel writing. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Louise's Links:   Instagram   Ad Links: PubSite Ganso

In this KEEN ON episode, Andrew talks to POD author Laline Paul about how to tell "Humanimal" stories that will get us to recognize our collective guilt in the destruction of nature. London-born and of Indian heritage, Laline Paull studied English at Oxford, screenwriting in Los Angeles, and theater in her home city. Her most recent novel is The Bees, which was a resounding critical and commercial success in the United States and Britain. She lives in the English countryside with her family. Her latest novel is POD (2023) Name as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Parini Shroff’s debut novel, The Bandit Queens. Topics include dark humor, the realness of the women in the book, and the genius of Parini Shroff.This week’s drink: Spicy Mango Moscow Mule via Fresh FlavorfulINGREDIENTS:3 oz ginger beer1.5 oz vodka (jalapeno or habanero infused, optional)1 oz mango puree.5 oz lime juice (½ lime)1 ¼ inch jalapeno roundINSTRUCTIONS:Make mango puree. Peel mango and add flesh to a blender or food processor, reserving a few spears for garnish. Add the juice of ½ a lime and enough water to process the fruit and turn it into a pourable puree. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 3 days.In a large shaker add 1 jalapeño round (de-seeded if desired). Press down with the back of a wooden spoon or a muddler to crush, releasing the oils.Add mango puree, vodka and lime juice. Fill shaker with ice and shake to combine.Strain mixture over ice in a copper mug or tall glass. There's no need to strain over ice if omitting the jalapeño, simply pour it all in a mug instead.Top with Ginger Beer and garnish with a chili-dipped mango spear.Follow us on Instagram @literatureandlibationspod.Visit our website: literatureandlibationspod.com to submit feedback, questions, or your own takes on what we are reading. You can also see what we are reading for future episodes! You can email us at literatureandlibationspod@gmail.com.Please leave us a review and/or rating! It really helps others find our podcast…and it makes us happy!Purchase books via bookshop.org or check them out from your local public library. Join us next time as we discuss Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston