Writers' careers

All my favourite memories as a teenager - and I insist you fully judge me for this - are of sitting in my bedroom, reading. I have a huge family and, as the only black sheep introvert, my escape was hiding away with a novel. I would withdraw from all the loudness and reality of my life with a novel that made me laugh, cry and - above all else - pretend.

Jo Thomas is known for her romantic novels about food, love, and family. Her new novel, Summer at the Ice Cream Café, is out in ebook today with Transworld, followed by the paperback on 8 June. It tells the story of Beca, who decides to escape the city. When she sees a perfect house for sale in her home town, it feels like fate, but returning home isn't as easy as she thought...

Rhys Bowen is the author of the long-running Molly Murphy series, set in turn-of-the-century New York City, as well as stand-alones and another historical series. Rhys was kind enough to answer a few questions over email about historical fiction, crafting memorable heroines, and her latest Molly Murphy story, All That Is Hidden.

My parents didn't understand my job. At least, not in its entirety. If asked, they might tell people that their daughter was a writer. They were both avid readers who read my first book and many of my stories; once, when I visited them, I found a newspaper article I'd written stuck to their refrigerator door.  Read more