The Writers' Cafe

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/