Keywords Sarah Moss, Ripeness, identity, memory, immigration, belonging, family, writing, creativity, genetics, love, women’s lives, parents, ballet Summary In this episode of Shop Talk with Writers, host Elena Lapin converses with bestselling author Sarah Moss about her new novel, Ripeness. The discussion delves into themes of identity, memory, and the immigrant experience, as well as the dual perspectives of the protagonist, Edith, who navigates her life as both a teenager in 1960s Italy and a...
Aug 12, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In the latest episode of Shop Talk with Writers, host Elena Lapin engages in an illuminating conversation with the acclaimed novelist and memoirist André Aciman. Known for his deeply moving narratives and exploration of themes such as belonging, memory, and love, Aciman shares insights into his latest novella, Room on the Sea. (published by Faber). The episode opens with Aciman discussing his journey as a writer, from his early experiences in Egypt to his current life in New York City. He reflec...
Jul 29, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Caroline O’Donoghue is one of the most talented and original writers on the British literary scene. In 2018, I interviewed her for a different podcast, about her excellent debut novel Promising Young Women . I loved that novel’s deep seriousness, along with its provocative humour and cinematic pacing. She was a debut author unafraid to be both open and fragile. Since then, she has written two bestselling adult novels (SCENES OF A GRAPHIC NATURE and THE RACHEL INCIDENT), and the very popular YA f...
Jun 30, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 10
We recorded this podcast with Megan Hunter at Pritchard & Ure, an unusual bookshop/cafe/gallery in Camden, above a garden centre. It’s a place that feels both buzzy and peaceful, and not unlike this author, full of surprises. Before we sat down to talk, Megan enjoyed the books on display, floating among them like a radiant book fairy. She pointed to many of the titles as volumes she loved or knew or had at home (or all of the above). I showed her a few carefully wrapped antiquarian volumes (...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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Apr 29, 2025•48 min
Elena Lappin interviews Booker-winning Irish novelist at home in Dublin about his life's work, and his most recent crime novels. THE DROWNED is published by Faber. Includes a reading from THE DROWNED by John Callanan. Read more on elenalappin.substack.com Enjoy and comment! Thank you. Get full access to PEN & PENCIL at elenalappin.substack.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 30, 2025•57 min
Elena Lappin interviews Cheryl Oliver about her sister, Diane Oliver (1943-1966), author of NEIGHBORS AND OTHER STORIES; and Ann Goldstein, about her translation of Italian novelist Alba de Cespedes (1911-1997), author of THERE'S NO TURNING BACK from 1938. Literary rediscoveries of important writing from other eras, acutely relevant today. Get full access to PEN & PENCIL at elenalappin.substack.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 01, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Get full access to PEN & PENCIL at elenalappin.substack.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Elena Lappin interviews Tessa Hadley Tessa Hadley's novella The Party is published by Jonathan Cape. The Party Get full access to PEN & PENCIL at elenalappin.substack.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 13, 2024•43 min
Buy Happy Death Club by Naomi Westerman 2-Part Halloween Special with playwright and writer Naomi Westerman Interview by Elena Lappin Get full access to PEN & PENCIL at elenalappin.substack.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 32 min
POLAR VORTEX is a funny, moving, deeply personal and original graphic novel by cartoonist and writer Denise Dorrance. She talks to Elena Lappin about how she found a way to create art out of dealing with her mother’s dementia - during an ice storm. POLAR VORTEX is published by New River (UK) and The Experiment Publishing (US). Get full access to PEN & PENCIL at elenalappin.substack.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Oct 11, 2024•37 min
THE ROAD TO THE COUNTRY is Chigozie Obioma’s third novel, set in the time of Nigerian Civil War. In this podcast, we talk about how writing about a traumatic past can help us understand, and perhaps change, the present. Elena Lappin’s Substack on Chigozie Obioma: elenalappin.substack.com Credits: Host: Elena Lappin Guest: Chigozie Obioma Creative Team: Katherine Stroud, Publicity and Media (prcollective.co.uk) Max Anstruther, Audio Producer (startsmallstudios.com) Get full access to PEN & PE...
Oct 09, 2024•28 min
