This is the fifth of six posts in which we examine the six writers shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize, with the winner to be announced on Monday, 10 November. The Architecture of Quiet Confidence: Analysing the Craft of Ben Markovits Ben Markovits’ twelfth novel, The Rest of Our Lives, shortlisted for the 2025 BookerContinue reading “The Booker Prize Short List – Ben Markovits”
Tag Archives: Writing
The Booker Prize Short List – Katie Kitamura
This is the third of six posts in which we examine the six writers shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize, with the winner to be announced on Monday, 10 November. The Forensic Intellect: Inside the Craft and Contingency of Katie Kitamura Katie Kitamura occupies a rare and pivotal position in contemporary literature, one where theContinue reading “The Booker Prize Short List – Katie Kitamura”
Write Your Way to Well-being: The Benefits of Journaling
For most writers, the journal is a place for capturing a fleeting idea, working out a tricky plot point, or simply recording the day’s events. But what if that simple act of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) is doing far more than helping you with your craft? What if it’s a powerfulContinue reading “Write Your Way to Well-being: The Benefits of Journaling”
The Art of Storytelling: Granta’s Enduring Impact
Granta has, for over a century, been a vital home for new writing, a mirror reflecting societal shifts, and a launchpad for some of the most significant voices in contemporary literature. From its unassuming beginnings as a student publication to its current stature as an international literary powerhouse, Granta‘s journey is a compelling narrative ofContinue reading “The Art of Storytelling: Granta’s Enduring Impact”
When Fandom Turns Toxic: Understanding and Combating Cyberbullying in the Literary World
The digital age has transformed the landscape of authorship, once mainly characterised by solitary creation and the subsequent critical reception of a finished work. While the internet provides exceptional opportunities for authors to engage with readers, foster communities, and promote their work, it also presents a significant and growing threat: cyberbullying. This widespread issue, markedContinue reading “When Fandom Turns Toxic: Understanding and Combating Cyberbullying in the Literary World”
The Authentic Blur: Navigating Memoir, Autofiction, and the Quest for Truth in Personal Narrative
Introduction: The Evolving Landscape of Personal Narrative The contemporary literary landscape has undergone a profound transformation, witnessing a significant rise in the prominence of personal narrative forms. This includes the enduring appeal of traditional memoir and the emergence of autofiction as a compelling, yet often controversial, genre.1 These narrative modes collectively challenge conventional notions ofContinue reading “The Authentic Blur: Navigating Memoir, Autofiction, and the Quest for Truth in Personal Narrative”
Your World, Your Rules
The Art of World-Building The art of world-building, often thought of as something only for fantasy stories filled with dragons and magic, is an essential skill for any writer creating a fictional world. Whether you’re crafting a futuristic galaxy in science fiction, a meticulously detailed past in historical fiction, or even a subtly altered versionContinue reading “Your World, Your Rules”
The Gravity of Words: Insights from Samantha Harvey’s ‘Orbital’
As writers, we continually seek inspiration, new techniques, and fresh perspectives to push the boundaries of our craft. Every so often, a novel emerges that challenges our preconceptions about storytelling, structure, and genre. Samantha Harvey’s Orbital, the groundbreaking 2024 Booker Prize winner, is precisely such a book. Hailed as “slim, powerful, and uplifting,” and oftenContinue reading “The Gravity of Words: Insights from Samantha Harvey’s ‘Orbital’”
The Creative Hangover
Why Your Brain Feels Depleted After a Major Writing Project (And How to Recover) For months, perhaps even years, the world of your story, with its intricate plotlines, evolving characters, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect sentence, occupied a significant portion of your cognitive and emotional landscape. Then, one day, it’s finished. You typeContinue reading “The Creative Hangover”
Crafting Characters That Stick: Psychology for Writers
Creating characters that resonate with readers is key to a compelling story. Ever wondered how authors manage to make fictional individuals feel so alive? The secret often involves grounding characters in psychological depth. We’ll explore how a basic understanding of psychology can be a powerful tool for crafting memorable characters. Forget dense textbooks; we’ll focusContinue reading “Crafting Characters That Stick: Psychology for Writers”
The Original Writers Group 