Elizabeth Lowry interview: “Here was a puzzle. How did it all go so wrong?”
27th April, 2023
Elizabeth Lowry tells us why she was inspired to investigate the puzzle of Thomas Hardy’s first marriage, and how she feels about being shortlisted for a historical fiction prize. Being shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize is the most tremendous honour: I’m simply elated. I’m terrifically proud to be an historical novelist. Though I didn’t… Read More »
Adrian Duncan interview: “I began thinking and writing about two people involved in triangulating a piece of bog in the Irish Midlands”
20th April, 2023
Shortlisted author Adrian Duncan talks to us about the origins of his novel The Geometer Lobachevsky, and how the unique situations and characters in it stem from his own background and passions. I am delighted to be shortlisted for this wonderful prize. It is quite an honour. I don’t usually think of myself as… Read More »
Lucy Caldwell interview: “although the Belfast Blitz is an under-told chapter in the fiction of my city, it still exists within living memory”
13th April, 2023
With These Days shortlisted for the 2023 Walter Scott Prize, Lucy Caldwell talks to us about research, inspiration, and how her 8-year-old son and writing in lockdown made her realise history was being made in the present I have loved historical fiction since I first read Hilary Mantel’s A Place of Greater Safety as a… Read More »
YWSP winners announced!
6th April, 2023
The two category winners for the Young Walter Scott Prize have been announced, alongside eight runners-up and highly commended young writers. The winner of the 11-15 years category is Ellie Karlin for her story Mrs Fujita’s Living Room, while Rosie Brooker, author of Forever England, won in the 16-19 years category. Both stories examine the effects of war,… Read More »
Seven-strong shortlist announced for 2023 Walter Scott Prize
4th April, 2023
The judges of the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction have announced a shortlist of seven books for the 2023 prize. The shortlist is: THESE DAYS Lucy Caldwell (Faber) THE GEOMETER LOBACHEVSKY Adrian Duncan (Tuskar Rock Press) ACT OF OBLIVION Robert Harris (Hutchinson Heinemann) THE CHOSEN Elizabeth Lowry (Riverrun) THE SUN WALKS DOWN Fiona McFarlane… Read More »