Writers' stories

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...

On October 4, 2022, legendary author Peter Robinson, creator of the long-running Inspector Banks series, passed away after a brief illness. Beginning with Gallows View in 1987, Robinson delivered a novel in the series, or short story collection, almost every year until his death. He also managed to find the time to write three stand-alones.  Read more

When I admit Ken Follett to the Zoom, he is not in front of his computer but at the other end of his office, his back to me. And it is a long way across as-at least from my depth of field-his office is sizeable. But cosy: late Victorian edging to Arts and Crafts furnishings, wallpaper of warming yellow and red, soft lighting.  Read more

"Is this Morley Callaghan?"

"Yes."

"The author?"

"Yes."

"I just want to say I enjoy your work, sir."

There was a pause and he cleared his throat.

"Thank you, I feel ennobled."