Kate Feld and Abi Hynes talk to Rob Cutforth about Sex, Feminism, Performing your work on stage and making money as a writer.

Kate Feld and Abi Hynes

Is the Manchester literature scene too cliquey? Is it too white and manny? Is blogging dead? Fat Roland (Bad Language) and Nija Dalal-Small (The Real Story, In the Dark radio) talk to Rob Cutforth.

Fat Roland and Nija Dalal-Small

In this podcast, Rob talks to the nicest (and certainly most well turned out) couple in the Manchester Literature scene, David Gaffney and Sarah-Clare Conlon. They discuss Les Malheureux, Clare’s literature night Verbose, David’s latest projects (including a trio of novels… exciting!) and using music and graphic art in your on stage reading. They also get into what makes a good short story, what it’s like having your partner critique your work, and… oh yeah, coffee tables.

David Gaffney and Clare Conlon

In this cheery Christmas episode, Rob talks to Publisher/editor/writer/MA tutor/fine hat wearer, Nicholas Royle, about short stories, getting published, Doppelgangers, Bad sex and (weirdly) The Smiths. 

Special appearance by shit Parkour artists.

The Kevin Bacon of the NW writing scene with Nicholas Royle

In this episode, Rob talks to Jim Hinks, digital editor of Comma Press and Macguffin Overlord. Jim talks about thriving as an independent northern publisher in an industry dominated by Londonite monoliths.

Fighting the power with Jim Hinks from Comma Press

In this episode, Rob talks to David Hartley and Ben Judge, two seasoned literature performers about the good and bad about performing your work live. Speak Easy, Not the booker and coffee machines. Ben was (sadly) not available for the photo sesh so we did the best we could.

The perils of live performance with David Hartley and Ben Judge

In this podcast, Rob talks to Tania Hershman and Jo Bell about their latest collections, the benefits of mentoring, how to make a buck in this racket, children (or lack thereof) and everyone's favourite: Ovid.

Music by Michael Brailey

The Unseen with Jo Bell and Tania Hershman

In this episode, Rob talks to writer and serial polymath, SJ Bradley about Leeds, her work, The Northern Short Story Festival, Remembering Oluwale, The NORTH, and randomly, the HS2.

'tis sweary.

The North with SJ Bradley

In this episode, Rob talks to the winner of the last ever Guardian First Book Award, Andrew McMillan, on "modern male anxieties" as the Guardian puts it, working out in gyms, trying to write like Jon McGregor, Creative Writing MAs (again), Horror as a gateway drug (again), and what it's like growing up Gay in Barnsley. 

NOTE: This was recorded before the terrible homophobic nightclub shooting in Orlando, which is why we don't talk about it in the interview and why I don't mention it in the intro. 

Working it out with Andrew McMillan

In this episode, Rob talks to Amy McCauley and Robert Harper about Lit mags, Oedipus, poetry and using a PhD to make the fat stacks (not really). They also talk about (ahem) Europe and the fear of not being in it. 

Warning: This one is properly sweary.

The page is a stage with Amy McCauley and Robert Harper

In this episode, Rob talks to Jenn Ashworth about her brand new novel, Fell. They talk about Jenn's writing process (or lack thereof), the anxiety of releasing a new, creative work into the world, Mormonism, Stephen King, swearing and goddamned Ovid (again). Fell comes to a bookshop near you on the 14th of July. It's awesome, BUY IT.

Fell with Jenn Ashworth

In this mini-episode, Rob talks to Kate Feld about the Manchester Literature Festival. In addition to MLFing it out, they talk about Good Immigrants, they try to figure out what "working class" means and of course, chat about the end of the world. Rob has a bit of a sweary whinge (what else is new?) about the Olympics.

The Manchester Literature Festival

In this episode, Rob takes to the Wildnerness festival to chat with Emma Jane Unsworth about physics, frostbite and murderous cats. Emma also talks about the movie being made from her novel, Animals, and Rob begs to be in it. Emma also reads from her brand new and yet unnamed novel.

Writing worried with Emma Jane Unsworth

In this episode, Rob talks to novelist, essayist, editor and activist, Nikesh Shukla about good immigrants, uncomfortable writing, diversity panels, mentoring yoofs, african barbershops and motherfucking microgressions (Nikesh's words). The interview took place backstage at Gorilla on the night of his show for the Manchester Literature Festival. (Special appearance by festival director Sarah-Jane Roberts)

Words matter with Nikesh Shukla

In part 1 of TEOAT's two part Christmas special, Rob talks to Garth Greenwell about Pride, resisting mainstreaming, becoming visible and, of course, writing the "gay book of our times" What Belongs to You. Garth also talks about the purpose of art and literature and Rob tries to keep up. The conversation took place the day after Garth's talk with Andrew McMillan as part of the Manchester Literature Festival.

Being one thing and its opposite at the same time with Garth Greenwell

In this episode, Rob speaks to novelist Conrad Williams about Horror, the impending apocalypse, the distinction (or lack thereof) between genre and literary fiction, the Yorkshire Ripper, Conrad's latest novel "Hell is Empty" and, of course, Hull. Trigger warning: Rob does the worst Trump impression known to man.

First on the pile of corpses with Conrad Williams

In part one of TEOAT's RAPID FIRE INDIE PUBLISHER EXTRAVAGANZA, Rob speaks to indie publisher Nathan Connolly from Dead Ink about Liverpool, Working class stories (again), Squeezing dough from the Arts Council, Crowdfunding, publishing nine novels in a year, getting picked off the slushpile and life as a book fetishist.

The Indies part 1 of 3: Nathan Connolly from Dead Ink Books

In this episode, Rob speaks to novelist, poet, novella writer, short story writer, mentor Sarah Butler about millenials, making a living as a writer, advances, tuition fees, navigating cities and the strangeness of having your book big upped by the Daily Mail. Loads of chat about her novels Before the Fire and Ten things I've Learnt about Love. This episode is for the writers, man.

Irons in the fire with Sarah Butler

In this Halloween episode, Rob chats to writers Jenn Ashworth and Richard V Hirst about their latest collaboration, the spooky "The Night Visitors". They also talk about horror, ghost stories, bus stations and Jenn talks about how her battles with Post partum psychosis. Rob and Kate Feld also chat about books, self-publishing, Stephen King and (randomly) argue about Magic Realism.

Modern Horrors with Jenn Ashworth and Richard V Hirst

In this episode, Rob chats to novelist and Orange Prize winner, Joanna Kavenna about the individual experience of reality, Baudelaire, George Osborne, the British Class system and her latest work, The Field Guide to Reality. Rob and Kate Feld also argue about all things literary (and otherwise). Kate tells us what the UNESCO City of Literature designation means for Manchester and Rob forces the Times Literary Supplement Twenty Questions on her. Apologies in advance to The New Statesman.

Questioning Reality with Joanna Kavenna

In this Christmas episode, Rob chats to Jon McGregor about Male oppression, obsession with the number thirteen, the art of the letter and how he constructed his multi-layered, much lauded and Booker longlisted novel, Reservoir 13. Rob and Kate and discuss the hottest thing in literature at the moment, Cat Person. If you are a big fan of Christmas crackers, geese, or the patriarchy, you will not like it.

Special appearances by noisy security guard, mobile phone and (as you do) soil pipe. Enjoy!

Moving relentlessly from one thing to the next with Jon McGregor

In this episode, Rob chats to Megan Hunter about the end of the world, fragments in literature, Communist theatre, motherhood, not finishing Nineteen Eighty-Four and her amazing debut novel The End We Start From. Rob and Kate talk sexy fiction, the writing process, George Saunders, angry eyebrows and loads of poetry guff.

Preoccupied with disaster with Megan Hunter

In this episode, Rob chats to Monique Roffey about ditching editors, loveless marriages, unevolved sexual behaviour, parties turning into orgies, and her sexy book The Tryst. Rob and Kate talk rather boring stuff by comparison: Writing communities, Prose poetry and the Winter Olympics. It's a bonkers one, this.

Being Actively Consciously Sexually Actively Conscious with Monique Roffey

In this episode, Rob chats to Rosie Garland about family secrets, Morning Pages, Vampire Queens, Time-travelling Suffragettes, Rock and roll stardom and her latest novel The Night Brother. Rob and Kate talk Gopher museums, Rainbow unicorns, Curmudgeonly bitches and, oh yeah, writing stuff.

Special appearances by: Very Loud Music Man and Reversing Lorry

Half Overheard Secrets with Rosie Garland

In this episode, Rob chats to Danny Denton about Non-spaces, reviews, experimental fiction, Irish writers and his incredible debut novel The Earlie King and the Kid in Yellow. Rob and Kate talk personal attacks in reviews, London-centric publishing, Masterclasses v Workshops, working class writers, being broke and vaping.

Living in a Dystopia with Danny Denton

In this episode, Rob chats to the very successful self-published novelist Caimh McDonnell about (surprise surprise) self-publishing, stand-up comedy, agent merry-go-rounds, MAs in Creative Writing (yes, again) and his very funny quadrilogy of comic Crime novels. Rob and Kate talk Writers' Mental Health (or lack thereof), Good literary agencies, death studies, the corporate elite and (just for a change) working class writers.

Too funny and Too Irish with Caimh McDonnell

In this episode, Rob chats to Joanna Walsh about mixing narrative forms, autofiction, the perils of using material from your own life in your work, hardback fetishes, Kafka's letters, the beauty of the online relationship, and, oddly, Airbnb. Rob and Kate talk about the joy of quitting, going native, Janeane Garofalo, sex shops and douchbag commercials. Yes, you read that right.

Mixing it up with Joanna Walsh

In this episode, Rob chats to Kevin Duffy from Bluemoose Books about the trials of independent publishing, the effects of Brexit on writers, the problem with agents, getting your authors pinched, assemby line blancmange books pumped out by big publishing and Hebden Bridge. Rob and Kate talk about Not the Not the Booker prize, Jacob Rees-Mogg, William Shatner singing O Canada, Feminism and Jeremy Clarkson. Rob forgets to edit out the bit where he wishes Boris Johnson dead (I don't really).

The Blancmange antidote with Kevin Duffy from Bluemoose Books

In this episode, Rob chats to Joanne Harris about Norse myths, Child ballads, video games, graphic novels and the perils and joy of having your book optioned by Hollywood. Joanne also talks about the "illusion" of literary fiction. "Plot is the engine that drives the car" (we like her). Rob and Kate have a silly conversation about Canadian sketch comedy, Ramsbottom, gothic tales and AFC Wimbledon. Rob sings a stupid song.

Literary fiction is an illusion with Joanne Harris

In this episode, Rob chats to Booker longlisted novelist and short story writer, Sophie Mackintosh about Joy Division, distrust of technology, the Booker prize (obvs) and being a bit goth. Rob and Kate come to you live from the infamous Salford pod. They chat about the US election, the art of grumbling, the Wu Tang Clan, quantum physics (I know!)and the crazy government PREVENT policy keeping us from reading revolutionary literature.

Unknown Pleasures with Sophie Mackintosh

In this episode, Rob chats to novelist and short story writer, Clare Fisher about writing things that won't sell, PhDs in failure, Lydia Davis, and being a southern softie living in Leeds (Leeds Leeds). Rob and Kate again come to you live from the infamous Salford pod in the even more infamous Media City. They chat about experimental fiction, Irish writers (again!), famous writers working shit jobs, that awful Rose Tremain interview in the TLS and writing the impossible.

Letting the light in with Clare Fisher

In this episode, Rob chats to celebrated polymath writer, Sean O'Brien about short stories, cold spots in houses, postwar bomb sites as playgrounds, ghost stories and Hull. Rob and Kate come to you from the infamous pod yet again after a long break to talk Piers Morgan (gross, we hate him), British winters, park running, bad habits in writing, poetrypoetrypoetry, getting old and sports massages.

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