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Culture / Podcast

Meet the Writers

Want to know more about the authors behind your favourite books? Tune in to discover the methods of – and inspiration behind – some of the world’s most exciting writers. Every Sunday, Georgina Godwin hosts an in-depth discussion with the person behind the prose.

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Jenny Jackson:

The vice-president and executive editor at the publishing house Knopf has worked with renowned authors such as Emily St John Mandel and Kevin Kwan. Now her debut novel, ‘Pineapple Street’, a warm and witty examination of American high society, is a New York Times bestseller. She tells Georgina Godwin about publishing buzzwords, the role of an editor and the time she was fired from a deli job for reading behind the counter. 

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39328 May 2023
27 min

Jenny Jackson: 

The vice-president and executive editor at the publishing house Knopf has worked with renowned authors such as Emily St John Mandel and Kevin Kwan. Now her debut novel, ‘Pineapple Street’, a warm and witty examination of American high society, is a New York Times bestseller. She tells Georgina Godwin about publishing buzzwords, the role of an editor and the time she was fired from a deli job for reading behind the counter. 

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★25 May 2023
24 min

Monocle Reads: ‘Fans‘: 

Georgina Godwin speaks to journalist and former science writer Michael Bond about his latest book, ‘Fans: A Journey into the Psychology of Belonging’. It takes a fascinating look at the history of fandom and how we let ourselves be inspired by our heroes.

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39221 May 2023
29 min

Ian Dunt: 

The British journalist and political commentator on his early role at ‘Erotic Review’, how media is funded and why the British political system is broken. Ian’s latest book, ‘How Westminster Works …And Why It Doesn’t’, features a searing look at UK politics as well as a set of solutions.

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★18 May 2023
24 min

Monocle Reads: ‘All the Houses I’ve Ever Lived In’: 

Kieran Yates is a London-based journalist, editor and broadcaster who has written for publications including ‘The Guardian’ and Vice, covering culture, technology and politics. She speaks to Georgina Godwin about her new book, ‘All the Houses I’ve Ever Lived In’. It is an engaging coming-of-age story that shines a light on the UK’s housing crisis.

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39114 May 2023
30 min

Louisa Treger: 

The violinist-turned-historical novelist sits down with Georgina Godwin. Her newest book, ‘Madwoman’, is a historical reimagination of American journalist Nellie Bly, whose extraordinary undercover work helped to uncover the horrors of one of New York’s most notorious asylums.

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★11 May 2023
24 min

Monocle Reads: ‘Parallel Hells’: 

Leon Craig is a Berlin-based, British-born writer whose work has been published in ‘The Times Literary Supplement’, ‘The White Review’ and more. She speaks to Georgina Godwin about her debut short-story collection, ‘Parallel Hells’ – an anthology drawing on gothic horror and folklore that explores love, power and identity.

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3907 May 2023
29 min

Nguyen Phan Que Mai: 

The acclaimed Vietnamese author joins Georgina Godwin to discuss growing up in post-war Vietnam, where the country is today and her latest novel, ‘Dust Child’, about four individuals linked forever by decisions made during conflict.

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★4 May 2023
24 min

Monocle Reads: The Imagination Muscle: 

Albert Read is the managing director of Condé Nast Britain where he oversees titles such as British Vogue, GQ, Tatler, Vanity Fair, Wired and Condé Nast Travellers. He speaks to Georgina Godwin about his new book ‘The Imagination Muscle’ which examines the history of ideas and the ways to tap into your own imagination in your day to day life.

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38930 Apr 2023
30 min

Abi Morgan: 

Emmy- and Bafta-winning playwright and screenwriter Abi Morgan is best known for films such as ‘The Iron Lady’ and ‘Suffragette’. She speaks to Georgina Godwin about her first book, ‘This Is Not a Pity Memoir’, which tells the story of how what began as an ordinary weekday changed her and her family’s lives forever.

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★27 Apr 2023
25 min

Monocle Reads: ‘Neptune’s Projects’: 

Poet Rishi Dastidar joins Georgina Godwin to discuss his latest collection, ‘Neptune’s Projects’, a comedic reshaping of mythology that looks at the climate crisis from the point of view of the god Neptune.

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38823 Apr 2023
26 min

Monica Macias: 

Born in Equatorial Guinea, Monica Macias grew up in Pyongyang, North Korea, under the guardianship of the communist country’s then-leader Kim Il Sung. Kim was a close friend of her father, who later became the dictator president of a newly independent Equatorial Guinea. ‘Black Girl from Pyongyang’ is Monica’s remarkable memoir about identity, versions of the truth and finding meaning in the places that we call home. 

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★20 Apr 2023
23 min

Monocle Reads: ‘Agents of Influence’: 

Mark Hollingsworth is an investigative journalist, historian, and author of 10 books, including ‘Londongrad: From Russia With Cash: The Inside Story of the Oligarchs’. He speaks to Georgina Godwin about his new book, ‘Agents of Influence’, a journalistic window into Russia’s political warfare and its long history of espionage and disinformation.

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38716 Apr 2023
29 min

Lydia Sandgren: 

The Swedish psychologist and author spent 10 years writing her debut novel, which won the prestigious August Prize in 2020 and sold more than 100,000 copies. She joins Georgina Godwin to mark the publication in English of ‘Collected Works’, an epic family drama about a man dealing with the tragic aftermath of his wife’s disappearance a decade ago.

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★13 Apr 2023
24 min

Monocle Reads: ‘Surrounded by Narcissists’: 

Swedish behavioural expert, lecturer and bestselling author Thomas Erikson speaks to Georgina Godwin about his latest book, ‘Surrounded by Narcissists: Or, How to Stop Other People’s Egos Ruining Your Life’. The book is an insightful, thought-provoking guide to pursuing a more fulfilling life.

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3869 Apr 2023
30 min

Adam Gopnik: 

Adam Gopnik is best known for his savvy pieces published in ‘The New Yorker’ but the essayist is a true multi-hyphenate. An author, lyricist and lecturer, you might say Gopnik has mastered the art of literature. His latest book, ‘The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery’, questions the fundamentals of learning and mastering an outlandish skill. 

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