ArtsBooksSociety & Culture

The Writers' Cafe

Sevenoaks Bookshop

From award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop presents The Writers' Cafe: a brand-new podcast featuring the best writers and most interesting voices in fascinating conversation

Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the discussions about life, literature, and everything in-between that take place every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this new podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft.

Sevenoaks Bookshop is an award-winning, independent, black-owned bookshop run by a team of enthusiastic booksellers.

All books and writers featured, and many more beside that, can be purchased in-shop or online with us at: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/

To keep up to date with the bookshop—our wide and exciting events calendar, staff recommendations, and more—sign up to our mailing list here: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/join-our-mailing-list/

Credits:

Produced by Harry Edmundson

Cover Artwork - Imogen Mott (an original based off our real-life cafe interior!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Play

Open in

23 episodes
Avg 59 min
English

Episodes 23

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S3 · E8
Tuesday · 1 hr 13 min
Stephanie Yeboah - Doing it For the Plot
Welcome to Season 3 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week, we’re joined by the brilliant, hilarious and empowering Stephanie Yeboah to chat about her second (fictional) novel, Doing It for the Plot — a laugh-out-loud romcom about Cassie, who’s sworn off men with podcasts, men with more followers than her, and men who are ‘in between jobs,’ only to sign up to an app for hiring escorts… as a laugh – only to find herself falling for the man on the other side of the arrangement. Stephanie is a multi-award-winning content creator, and one of the UK’s most influential body-positivity voices! Join us as we get into the realities of London’s abysmal dating scene, being plus-size in a world that doesn’t always make space for you, parentified eldest daughters, friendship, catfish tales, dating icks, green flags and so much more. Expect plenty of laughs, honest conversations and a few dating horror stories along the way! If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Steph's work can be purchased with us here: Doing It For The Plot: Chaotic Energy: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/chaotic-energy-by-stephanie-yeboah/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E7
Tuesday · 1 hr 1 min
Alex Bell - The White Octopus Hotel
Welcome to Season 3 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week, we’re joined by the wonderfully imaginative Alex Bell to chat about her latest novel, The White Octopus Hotel — a gripping and atmospheric story that blends mystery, adventure and the wonderfully strange. Alex is the bestselling author of The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club and The Train to Impossible Places, and in this episode we dive into the world of The White Octopus Hotel, exploring its intriguing characters, mysterious setting and the ideas that inspired Alex to create such a wonderfully unusual story. Join us as we discuss creating fantastical worlds, the strange and wonderful possibilities of magical realism, navigating grief, the enduring fascination of octopuses, and what happens when you throw a little time travel into the mix. If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Alex's work can be purchased with us here: White Octopus Hotel: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/the-white-octopus-hotel-by-alexandra-bell/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E5
July 12 · 54 min
Shannon Sanders - The Great Wherever
Welcome to Season 3 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the wondeful Shannon Sanders! Shannon is an award-winning American author and an attorney, whose debut novel, The Great Wherever, follows a woman who inherits her late father's share of a haunted Tennessee farm. It is a multigenerational family saga narrated in part by the family's own ghosts. Shannon is also the author of the linked story collection Company, which won the 2024 LA Times Book Prizes' Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction and was shortlisted for the William Saroyan International Prize. Join us as we discuss all things family legacy, gentrification, storytelling, and the ghosts--literal and otherwise--that never quite let go. Denise's Bookseller review: “Wow! I was completely invested in every character from start to finish! This is a wonderful, wry family saga about Aubrey Lamb, a directionless 30-something-year-old who's just lost her father and her relationship in the same breath - and then inherits his stake in a Tennessee farm tangled up in old secrets. The twist is that the story is narrated in part by the family's ancestors, who linger on the land watching, gossiping, and correcting the record. Sanders grounds the novel with genuinely complex, funny and flawed characters, and it makes readers think about just how true it is that storytelling is a form of immortality. Moving between generations and time periods, it's ultimately a book about grief, inheritance, and how we come to understand ourselves through family we didn't choose. I laughed, I cried, and devoured this book in a single sitting!!" If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Shannon's work can be purchased with us here: The Great Wherever: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/the-great-wherever-by-shannon-sanders/ Company: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/company-by-shannon-sanders/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E6
July 11 · 1 hr 20 min
Robin Givhan - Make It Ours: Crashing the Gates of Culture with Virgil Abloh
Welcome to Season 3 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the incredibly insightful Robin Givhan! Robin is Pulitzer Prize winning fashion and culture critic, best known for her work at The Washington Post. Her new book, Make It Ours: Crashing the Gates of Culture with Virgil Abloh, is the first major biography of the late designer - tracing his rise from Rockford, Illinois to becoming the first Black artistic director at Louis Vuitton, and situating his story within a broader reckoning over race, taste, and exclusivity in the fashion industry. Join us as we discuss who gets to define culture; the role of social media in shaping fashion; sneaker culture; legacy; and the designers who paved the way before Virgil! Denise's Bookseller Review: "This is an incredibly insightful read, mapping out the tremendous waves Virgil Abloh--the first Black designer to serve as artistic director at Louis Vuitton--made in the fashion industry, while also giving kudos to those who came before him. I loved how much Robin's writing shines with the admiration so many felt for Abloh. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this; it makes discourse around the fashion industry feel really accessible, while still offering plenty to think about. I was particularly interested in the section exploring the impact of sneaker culture amongst men, and the misogyny that exists even within sneakerland--a subculture that has often felt far less accessible to women. A fascinating and thoughtful read!" If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Robin's work can be purchased with us here: Make It Ours: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/make-it-ours-crashing-the-gates-of-culture-with-virgil-abloh-by-robin-givhan/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E4
May 17 · 49 min
Jessica George - Love by the Book (Live Event Special)
Welcome to Season 3 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the hilarious and loving Jessica George! We were absolutely overjoyed and excited to have Jess with us for an evening event wherein we discussed her novel: Love by the Book! Bookseller Review: "I don’t believe in reserving romance for romantic relationships.” Jessica George’s books always seem to find me when I need them most! An endearing ode to the intimacy of true, female friendship; an ode to growing up, apart, and together again; an ode to all of life’s bumps and curves; to feminism, to women’s rights to stand firm in decisions pertaining to our bodies. Love by the Book is an endearing, chaotic novel with many twists. It’s as heart-warming as it is heart-breaking, and explores the ways our friends help us discover our own previously unexplored depths. George delves into the complexities of female friendships — from stumbling on shaky legs when attempting to form friendships in adulthood, to friendship breakups and makeups. I loved everything about this book, I couldn’t put it down once I started! The characters are so real to me, they burst with life, humour and beauty! I was rooting for them every step of the way!" - Denise. If you like the sound of this live event, then more information can be found on our website, featuring all of our immensely exciting events coming up: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/events/ Signing up to our mailing list is a great way to ensure you never miss out on the great writers coming through our doors: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/join-our-mailing-list/ If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Jessica's work can be purchased with us here: Love by the Book: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/love-by-the-book-by-jessica-george/ Maame: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/my-name-is-maame-by-jessica-george/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E3
May 7 · 52 min
Virginia Evans - The Correspondent (Live Event Special)
Welcome to Season 3 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the wonderfully wise Virginia Evans! We were absolutely thrilled to have Virginia with us for an evening event wherein we discussed her Women's Prize shortlisted novel: The Correspondent! Bookseller Review: "I loved this book SO much! I genuinely did cry! Unbelievable that it's a debut. A portrait of a woman, and a life, so cleverly, sensitively, beautifully done. Give this book to friends! Enjoy it for yourself! A wonderful book." - Fleur. If you like the sound of this live event, then more information can be found on our website, featuring all of our immensely exciting events coming up: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/events/ Signing up to our mailing list is a great way to ensure you never miss out on the great writers coming through our doors: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/join-our-mailing-list/ If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Virginia's work can be purchased with us here: The Correspondent: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/the-correspondent-by-virginia-evans/ Women's Prize Shortlist 2026 Bundle - 15% Off Total Price: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/womens-prize-shortlist-2026-bundle-15-off-total-price/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E2
May 7 · 1 hr 4 min
Tina Andrews - Queen Charlotte Sophia: A Royal Affair (Live Event Special)
Welcome to Season 3 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the delightful Tina Andrews! We were absolutely overjoyed to have Tina with us for a lunchtime event wherein she discussed her latest novel: Queen Charlotte Sophia: A Royal Affair! If you like the sound of this live event, then more information can be found on our website, featuring all of our immensely exciting events coming up: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/events/ Signing up to our mailing list is a great way to ensure you never miss out on the great writers coming through our doors: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/join-our-mailing-list/ If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Tina's work can be purchased with us here: Queen Charlotte Sophia: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/queen-charlotte-sophia-a-royal-affair-by-tina-andrews/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 · E1
April 25 · 41 min
Andrew Miller - The Land in Winter (Live Event Special)
Welcome to Season 3 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the astounding Andrew Miller! We were absolutely delighted to have Andrew with us for an evening event wherein we discussed his Booker Prize shortlisted novel: The Land in Winter! Bookseller Review: "An engrossing, atmospheric tale set in the bleak, snowy winter of 1963. Two young couples, from very different backgrounds, have arrived in a Somerset village both hoping to settle into new lives there. In mesmerising prose and convincing sense of place, we are drawn into their back stories and that of their wives as the personal drama unfolds." - Valerie. If you like the sound of this live event, then more information can be found on our website, featuring all of our immensely exciting events coming up: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/events/ Signing up to our mailing list is a great way to ensure you never miss out on the great writers coming through our doors: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/join-our-mailing-list/ If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Andrew's work can be purchased with us here: The Land in Winter: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/the-land-in-winter-winner-of-the-walter-scott-prize-for-historical-fiction-by-andrew-miller/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E8
Nov 25, 2025 · 58 min
Derek Owusu - Borderline Fiction
Welcome to Season 2 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! We're wrapping up Season 2 with the awe-inspiring Derek Owusu! Derek is one of Denise’s favourite writers, so it was a great honour to have him on for the last episode to chat about his latest novel: Borderline Fiction. Derek is an award-winning writer, poet and podcaster whose work explores identity, masculinity, and the nuances of Black British Life. His debut novel That Reminds Me won the Desmond Elliott Prize, and his follow-up, Losing the Plot, blends prose and poetry in a moving portrait of mother-son relationship. Beyond his books, Derek's openness has made him a vital, reassuring voice in conversations about mental health and the lived experience of BPD. Join us in this episode as we delve into the inner realms of Marcus' life with BPD, flitting between Marcus at 19 and 25 as he navigates love, addiction, performance, and the shifting constancy of the self. Bookseller Review: "Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. When talking with Derek, he said he hopes people notice how the book itself, from its very title, "is a symptom of BPD." There's a fracturing of the self throughout: we move quickly between Marcus at 19 and at 25, and the shifts in how he speaks, behaves, and carries himself is so intriguing. What drew me in most is how much this book is poetry in unstoppable motion. And then there's the written MLE in 19-year-old Marcus' voice! So clever, so familiar, so true to that age and environment! This is a book I'll cherish for a long time. Derek crafts his words with such precision and care that they feel unbreakable; each one feels placed with intention. It's firmly on my list of books I hope everyone reads at least once (or x200 times!!)" If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Derek's work can be purchased with us here: That Reminds Me https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/that-reminds-me-winner-of-the-desmond-elliott-prize-2020-by-derek-owusu/ Losing the Plot https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/losing-the-plot-by-derek-owusu/ Borderline Fiction https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/borderline-fiction-by-derek-owusu/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E7
Jun 16, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Miranda Cowley Heller - What The Deep Water Knows
Welcome to Season 2 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the lyrical and deeply contemplative Miranda Cowley Heller. Miranda is the bestselling author of The Paper Palace, a Reese's Book Club pick and long-listed for the Women's Prize for Fiction. Her debut poetry collection, What The Deep Water Knows, traces the arc of womanhood; it is a mediation on self-discovery, love and its losses; the complexity of family, and nature's quiet role in shaping memory and resilience. Join us as this episode as we delve into the inner realm of girlhood and womanhood illustrated through poetry; the nature of love, family, nature, and 'soul hunger'. Bookseller review: “This poetry collection chronicles a woman's life in six parts. It is a collection I know I will hold dear for a long time, as it made me fall back in love with poetry. What The Deep Water Knows is beautiful, deeply vulnerable and terribly gut-wrenching at times. With wonderful, intimate reflections on love--familial, self, romantic-- I hope everyone gives it a read and comes away as in awe of Miranda's weaving of words as I was!" If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Miranda's work can be purchased with us here: The Paper Palace https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/the-paper-palace-by-miranda-cowley-heller-2/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E6
Jun 9, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
William Rayfet Hunter - Sunstruck
Welcome to Season 2 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the thoughtful and cheerful William Rayfet Hunter. Will was previously a junior doctor in the NHS when they won the Merky Books New Writers' Prize back in 2022 for their novel Sunstruck. Their non-fiction has appeared in VICE, Dazed, and the Evening Standard. They've been named one of The Observer's best new novelists, and The Sunday Times called Sunstruck this summer's hottest read --- and honestly, they're right!! Join us as we delve into Sunstruck, a blistering novel that will have you sending ten million voice notes to your friends screaming over the characters! This episode we discuss all things desire, identity, race, sexuality, friendship and power. Bookseller review: “Aaaaaahhhhh!!! What is there to do apart from scream myself hoarse over how much I LOVE this book!!! Reading this felt like watching a movie! Will’s prose is so exquisitely poetic and vivid, with a hint of melancholy! It’s beautiful and so immersive! Will explores desire, identity, love, power and belonging so so well!! Read thissss!!" If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Will's work can be purchased with us here: Sunstruck https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/sunstruck-by-william-rayfet-hunter/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E5
May 10, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Morgan Dick - Favourite Daughter
Welcome to Season 2 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the brilliant and funny and warm Morgan Dick. Morgan, a writer from Calgary, Canada, whose short fiction has earned her a Pushcart Prize nomination, joins us upon the release of her debut novel, Favourite Daughter. Join us as we discuss all things addiction, grief, complicated families, and the chaotic ways we try to hold it all together. Bookseller review: “Morgan Dick is an incisive and darkly funny voice in fiction, unafraid to wade into the rather murky waters of family, grief, and the contradictions of being human. In Favourite Daughter, we delve into a raw and fearless portrait of how addiction and grief can warp even our best intentions, pulling the darker truths to the surface. Morgan poses an urgent, tender question: is it possible to become a better person - for others, but most importantly yourself? (Yes!) It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and your heart will swell with love--even as you cringe at some of the things these characters do." If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Morgan's work can be purchased with us here: Favourite Daughter https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/favourite-daughter-by-morgan-dick/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E4
Apr 28, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Seán Hewitt - Open, Heaven
Welcome to Season 2 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the insanely gifted and warm Seán Hewitt. Seán, an acclaimed writer and poet known for his distinctive voice that blends vulnerability with intellectual depth, is the author of notable works such as 300,000 Kisses: Tales of Queer Love from the Ancient World, All Down Darkness Wide, Rapture's Road and Tongues of Fire. Seán joins us upon the release of his debut fiction novel, Open, Heaven. Join us as we discuss all things love, yearning, self-discovery, and so much more. Seán was such a wonderfully engaging guest, and is certainly welcome back to our cafe anytime! Bookseller review: “Open Heaven is a lyrical exploration of identity, love and emotional longing. It tenderly explores the complexities of yearning – not only the emotional toll it can take, but also the self discovery that can arise from longing for someone or something. All that to say it is perfect for the Real Yearners out there." If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Séan's work can be purchased with us here: Open, Heaven https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/open-heaven-by-sean-hewitt/ 300,000 Kisses: Tales of Queer Love from the Ancient World https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/300000-kisses-tales-of-queer-love-from-the-ancient-world-by-luke-edward-hall/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E3
Apr 14, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Lola Jaye - The Manual for Good Wives
Welcome to The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the brilliant and perceptive Lola Jaye. Lola, a psychotherapist and author of several highly praised novels, including The Attic Child which was longlisted for the Jhalak Prize in 2023, joins us for the release of her latest historical fiction novel, The Manual for Good Wives. Lola was such a lovely and inspirational guest! Bookseller review: “Lola’s The Manual for Good Wives is a love letter to perseverance. It is a dual narrative that follows two women, Temi and Landri centuries apart, but with equally engaging and empowering stories. You’ll find yourself immersed and swept up into the lives of these characters, and also relating to their trepidations. A story that inspires and strengthens! It will stick with me for a very long time." If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Lola's work can be purchased with us here: The Manual for Good Wives https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/the-manual-for-good-wives-by-lola-jaye/ The Attic Child https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/the-attic-child-by-lola-jaye/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E2
Mar 24, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Natasha Brown - Universality (Live Event Special)
Welcome to The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the absolutely lovely and warm Natasha Brown! We were absolutely delighted to have her with us for an evening event wherein we discussed her newest novel: Universality! An absolutely immersive read that will have you pondering just how much power language wields! Bookseller review: "The novel begins with a journalistic piece in which we are told the story of someone who has been bludgeoned with a gold bar. However, as we delve deeper into the story, our perspective continually shifts as we get pulled in multiple directions, each character having their own version of "truth". Observant writing, encapsulating modern day Britain and hitting on race, class, politics, and wealth. Sleek, clever, and darkly funny. If you like the sound of this, a live event, then more information can be found on our website, featuring all of our immensely exciting events coming up. Signing up to our mailing list is a great way to ensure you never miss out on the great writers coming through our doors: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/join-our-mailing-list/ If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Natasha's work can be purchased with us here: Universality https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/universality-by-natasha-brown/ Assembly https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/assembly-by-natasha-brown-2/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 · E1
Feb 7, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Garrett Carr - The Boy from the Sea
Welcome to Season 2 of The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the insanely talented and insightful, Garrett Carr. Garrett joins us upon the release of his debut fiction novel, The Boy from the Sea. Join us as we discuss all things love/loss, resentment, fishing, and so much more. Garrett was such a lovely guest and is certainly welcome back to our cafe anytime! If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Garrett's work can be purchased with us here: The Boy from the Sea https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/the-boy-from-the-sea-by-garrett-carr/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E7
Nov 14, 2024 · 57 min
Oisín McKenna - Evenings & Weekends
Welcome to The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the wonderful and brilliantly insightful, Oisín McKenna. This episode also marks the end of Series 1 of The Writers' Cafe Podcast, so a sincere and deeply felt thank you for listening to this truly brilliant, wise, and witty bunch of authors as they have joined us from across the globe to talk to us! It has been a pleasure. Oisín joins us to speak all things, Evenings & Weekends, his debut novel set across one sweltering summer in London. An outstanding debut that takes place over the course of a sweltering weekend in London. Perfectly representing precarious social conditions, the buzz of possibility, sweaty parties, endless desire, and the dreams of a diverse population of city dwellers – McKenna has crafted a novel that you will not want to put down. Follow Ed, Maggie, Phil, and Rosaleen as they navigate their dramas, longings, and heartbreaks (all in different ways, mind!), and you will not regret it. Bonus points for the campy marine biologist who looks like Princess Diana, here punned upon as the Princess of Whales. Truly excellent. If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this new podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Oisín's work can be purchased here: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/evenings-and-weekends-by-oisin-mckenna/ https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/ Again, from me, Harry, thank you. See you soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E6
Oct 30, 2024 · 55 min
Jason Okundaye - Revolutionary Acts
Welcome to The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the wonderful and brilliantly insightful, Jason Okundaye. Jason joins us to speak all things, Revolutionary Acts, his debut history of queer Black life in and around South London, expertly combining the social, the political, and the sexual with precision and warmth. It truly is a brilliant book. Join us as we discuss all things queer politics, Black history, Ariana Grande, Housing, and the process of oral historical work. If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this new podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Jason's work can purchased with us here: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/revolutionary-acts-love-brotherhood-in-black-gay-britain-by-jason-okundaye/ https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E5
Oct 9, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
Percival Everett - James (Live Event Special)
Welcome to The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is, without hyperbole, one of the greatest current writers of American letters, Percival Everett. Percival joined us a few months ago to celebrate the release of James, his retelling of Huckleberry Finn, which has just been shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2024. We knew what a hugely exciting opportunity this was so recorded the event to bring to you, via this podcast. Percival's acclaim feels endless and deserved. His novel Erasure was recently adapted into an Academy Award winning film, American Fiction, starring Jeffery Wright. His novel The Trees was shortlisted for the Booker in 2022, as well! Aside from this, Percival is a Distinguished Professor in Literature in Southern California. We still cannot believe we had the honour of hosting Percival, and the joy of celebrating James, and now in bringing it to you, we hope to have captured some of the real magic of our live events. If you like the sound of this, a live event, then more information can be found on our website, featuring all of our immensely exciting events coming up. Signing up to our mailing list is a great way to ensure you never miss out on the great writers coming through our doors: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/join-our-mailing-list/ If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this new podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Percival's work can purchased with us here: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/?s=percival+everett&post_type=product Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E4
Aug 22, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
Noreen Masud - A Flat Place
Welcome to The Writers' Cafe! Brought to you from the award-winning indie, Sevenoaks Bookshop! This week's visitor to the cafe is the wonderful and brilliantly insightful, Noreen Masud. Noreen joins us to speak all things, A Flat Place, her debut memoir exploring complex trauma and flat landscapes. A book so lauded and acclaimed, from the shortlist of the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction, to the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year 2024, and the Jhalak Prize! Join us as we discuss all things landscapes, trauma, politics and place, racialised perspectives, cats, cocktails, and protests in and through literature. If you are new to The Writer's Cafe pod: Inspired by our own in-shop cafe of the same name and the conversations about books, life, literature, and so much more every single day - as well as the literary salons of old where gossip thrived - this new podcast seeks to highlight and celebrate the best writers and voices every episode with a warm, detailed conversation about their work and craft. Noreen's work can purchased with us here: https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/shop/a-flat-place-by-noreen-masud-2/ https://sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes