Gylibrary Podcast

Anna Mazzola's acclaimed debut novel, 'The Unseeing', focuses on a real murder case in London in 1837. Sarah Gale, sentenced to death for her role in the murder of Hannah Brown, protests her innocence - so why does she refuse to say what really happened? Speaking at the Alderney Literary Festival, Anna tells us why she became fascinated with the case, why writing about real historical figures is tricky, and why she thinks we make entertainment out of murder in the first place.

Speaking at the Alderney Literary Festival, historian Anne Sebba discusses her new book, 'Les Parisiennes', about the experience of Parisian women during the Nazi Occupation, and explains why the Occupation of the Channel Islands provides an interesting contrast to that story. She then discusses her book 'That Woman' on Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. Eighty years after the Abdication Crisis, Wallis remains a deeply controversial figure - is it time to re-examine her legacy?

Adam talks to Wynter Tyson, film critic for BBC Radio Guernsey, about film adaptations of books. From Harry Potter to Lord of the Rings, One Day to The Girl on the Train - what are the challenges moving from the page to the screen?

Adam talks to literature teacher Fay Shaefer about the portrayal of women in Victorian novels. Writers like Anne Bronte broke new ground - but what kind of reaction did they receive? And do their books still have resonance today?

Adam talks to David O'Doherty, stand-up comedian and children's author. What's the secret to making kids laugh? And is there an overlap between comedy and children's writing?

Screenwriter on The Thick Of It and Veep, Will Smith's first novel, Mainlander, is set in Jersey, where he grew up. On this podcast he tells us about the learning curve transitioning from writing for TV to writing fiction, why he's so nostalgic for his Jersey childhood, and why big television dramas like The Wire and The Sopranos are the new inspiration point for novelists.

Author Jason Monaghan's new book, Glint of Light on Broken Glass, is a historical novel set on Guernsey during the First World War. On this podcast Jason talks to us about the book, and explores the many ways the conflict impacted upon the island.   He also discusses his five previous novels, how his writing career got started, and how his background in archaeology influences what he writes about.

Historian Duncan Barrett is in Guernsey this summer researching a new book on the Occupation of the Channel Islands. In this podcast he shares some of the memories he's heard from the islanders he's spoken to, and explains why the Occupation is such an important story in the bigger picture of the war.

When Paul Torday (author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) died in 2013, he left behind a half-finished manuscript called The Death of an Owl. His son Piers, already a prize-winning children's author, took on the task of completing it. In this conversation he talks about the challenges that entailed, and gives some insight into his late father's career, and the way his life changed after Salmon Fishing stormed the world.

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society has been an extraordinary success all over the world, topping bestseller lists and in some sense putting Guernsey 'on the map'. On this podcast Annie Barrows, the book's co-author, talks about how her aunt, Mary Ann Shaffer, became interested in the German Occupation, her deep sadness that Mary Ann didn't live to see publication and success, and how she feels about the response to the book, both around the world and in Guernsey. 

On the second podcast recorded at the Alderney Literary Festival, Adam talks to Simon Scarrow - author of numerous historical novels, including the bestselling Macro & Cato series. As well as sharing his love for Alderney (and why it reminds him of the Famous Five books), Simon discusses how he goes about his research, why he's so drawn to ancient Rome, why writing historical fiction is inherently problematic, and why the same is true when writing History. Because what is 'History', anyway?

In 1992 Dame Stella Rimington became Director-General of MI5 - the first female Director-General, and the first to be publicly named. Since retiring from the service she's forged a successful second career as a novelist, drawing on her MI5 experience to create the compelling Liz Carlyle series. The ninth book will be published in summer 2016. In Alderney recently for the second Alderney Literary Festival, she spoke to us about her two careers, and why they're actually more similar than you might think.

As Outreach Librarian, Cornelia James's job is to take the library service out into the community, including to Guernsey's prison. What is a prison library actually like? And what role can it play in reforming and rehabilitating prisoners?

Adam talks to Amanda Bennett, author of two books about Guernsey history.   Amanda explains how she came to write the books, and shares some of the most interesting stories she picked up along the way.

Adam talks to self-publishing sensation Rachel Abbott, author of four bestselling thrillers.   The Alderney resident shares some thoughts on her experience of self-publishing, what draws her to write what she writes, and how the job description of an author is changing.

  As well as being the Guille-Allès children's librarian, Jan Foss is also one of the judges for the CILIP Carnegie & Greenaway Medals - two of the most prestigious prizes in children's literature.   In this interview Jan tells us how the judging process works, what it's like reading dozens of novels in a short space of time, what she's looking for while she's reading, and why there's never been a better time to be a teenage book-lover.

On this episode we talk to Ann Bryant, prolific children's author and the new Patron of Reading for primary schools in Guernsey.   Ann will be in the island once a term for school visits. In this interview she tells us what her new role involves, and why reading for pleasure is so important for children.   Parents and teachers - to find out more about Ann's visits to Guernsey, contact the Schools Library Service on 714098 or sls@library.gg

On this first episode we talk to Professor Edward Chaney about his new book, Genius Friend.  It's a biography of G.B. Edwards, author of the great Guernsey novel The Book of Ebenezer Le Page. G.B. Edwards has always been something of a mysterious figure - until now. Professor Chaney knew him in the last years of his life, and brought the novel to publication after his death. In this interview he shares some thoughts on The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, and some memories of his 'genius friend'.