Publisher: Francesca Beauman, Persephone Books

The Spiracle Podcast: I, Eric Ngalle

Based in Cardigan, Wales, Parthian Books is an independent publisher. Founded in 1993 by Rich Davies and Gillian Griffiths it is editorially-led, publishing a range of contemporary fiction, poetry, non fiction and drama. Parthian's motto is "A Carnival of Voices in Independent Publishing".

Parthian has published this month's edition I Eric Ngalle by Eric Ngalle.

Rich Davies from Parthian Books

The publisher of James Clammer's Insignificance is Galley Beggar, based in Norwich and run by Sam Jordison and Eloise Millar. Here they give Spiracle Curator Leigh Wilson fascinating insights to running their small, independent press.

Sam Jordison and Eloise Millar, 10 Years of Galley Beggar (part one)

Eloise Millar and Sam Jordison founded Galley Beggar 10 years ago. Here they describe some of the nitty gritty details of what it took for them to get going and stay on track. Not surprisingly, it's a tale of desire, grit and passion.

Galley Beggar, The Early Days (part two)

Jamie Bulloch is a historian and has worked as a professional translator from German since 2001. His works include books by Paulus Hochgatterer and Alissa Walser. He is the translator of Spiracle edition for June,You Would Have Missed Me.

We spoke to Jamie about the process and challenges of translating literature.

On Translation: Jamie Bulloch

Meike Ziervogel, founder of Peirene Press, remembers Birgit Vanderbeke with Leigh WIlson for the Spiracle Podcast.

Meike has recently moved from Peirene to co-found Alsama: education centres, sports hubs and social enterprises in refugee camps in Lebanon.
(Peirene Press today is run by Stella Sabin and James Tookey)

Meike Ziervogel talks to Leigh Wilson

We spoke with Adam Freudenheim, Publisher and Managing Director of Pushkin Press, about the ups and downs of running an independent press and how he found Benjamin Labatut’s When We Cease to Understand the World, now available as an audiobook on Spiracle.

Adam Freudenheim, Pushkin Press

Our curator speaks to the celebrated author of When We Cease to Understand the World in a discussion which spans the book’s restless genre hybridity, the tensions between truth and fiction, myth and science,  and the electrifying endeavour of attempting to write beyond the bounds of human rationality.

Writing Toward the Unknowable: Leigh Wilson in conversation with Benjamín Labatut

With Playthings as the August edition, Alex Pheby's gripping, fictional take on the 19th-century German judge Daniel Paul Schreber's experience of psychosis, we talk to Susie Orbach. With Orbach, we open out from the Schreber case to ask about the value of psychotherapy... the importance of 'the session', whether it's writing or talking, how it works and whether it can help an individual join the wider the community.

Before Sigmund Freud's formal psychoanalysis began, Schreber (1842-1911) set about writing out his experience of mental illness in "Memoirs of My Nervous Illness" which would become an important source account for Freud and others.

Susie Orbach is a psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, writer and social critic.

The Session: Susie Orbach on psychotherapy

In the beginning was the word, not the number. Founder of Fitzcarraldo Editions, Jacques Testard, reflects on the efforts of this family-owned literary publisher: to remain focused on the writing rather than the commerce, while making the business work. He talked to Spiracle's Kate Bland.

Jacques Testard, Fitzcarraldo Editions

For Murmurations, Spiracle's Leigh Wilson talks to the author of Eve Out of Her Ruins, a guest edition for September. Ananda shines a light on how her background in anthropology feeds into her work, into a book with such insight into the way that oppression and poverty work alongside the legacies of colonialism.

In Conversation with Ananda Devi

The Birthday Party has been described as 'a thriller in slow motion', with short moments stretched over many pages. Lydia Leonard, reader of The Birthday Party, interviews Daniel Levin Becker, translator from French of the text by Laurent Mauvignier. Daniel and Lydia share what it is to translate an original text in their respective ways, of finding a voice, narratively and aurally. Daniel is a member of the oulipo movement.

Listen to The Birthday Party on Spiracle
https://www.spiracleaudiobooks.com/audiobooks/the-birthday-party

Translating a 'thriller in slow motion'

Kate Bland speaks to Diane Whitty, the translator of Banzeiro Òkòtó: The Amazon as the Centre of the World from the Portugese by Eliane Brum. Banzeiro Òkòtó is itself a transformative journey – the pull, whirlwind, eddy in the water – with an elusive meaning. Diane channels Eliane, bringing her passion and the lyricism of her writing to an English speaking readership.

Translator Diane Whitty: 'a word is an experience'

Angelo Paragoso, reader of Venom by Saneh Sangsuk (translated by Mui Poopoksakul), reflects on growing up bilingual, and the simlarities and differences between Thai and Philippine pronunciation.

From the studio: Angelo Paragoso

We spoke to Olja Knežević, author of Catherine the Great and the Small, about being the first woman writer to be translated into English, the influence of war on Balkan literature and culture, and the characters in the novel. Catherine the Great and the Small is translated brilliantly into English by Paula Gordon & Ellen Elias-Bursac, and Heather Craney's reading brings Catherine's world to life – but here Olja speaks in her own words about knowing and loving her roots.

Listen to Catherine the Great and the Small on Spiracle now.
https://www.spiracleaudiobooks.com/audiobooks/catherine-the-great-and-the-small

Olja Knežević, the first female writer rising our of macho Montenegro

Anthony is the managing director of Naxos Audiobooks. Celebrating their 30 year anniversary, he discusses the growth of the audiobook market, from cassettes to MP3s and streaming services, and what the future of audiobooks may look like in another 30 years.

Anthony Anderson on the audiobook market

Will Dady of Renard Press talks to Spiracle's Antonia Stassi.

The conversation begins with Will's background and his start in publishing, what inspired the name 'Renard Press' and opens up to a conversation on the wider independent publishing scene and his reason for creating the Indie Press Network.

Will Dady on Why He Started the Indie Press Network

Inside the Audiobooks Business episode 3

Gareth Price-Lewis, Founder Director of Chatterbox Audio discusses the process of audiobook production with Spiracle's Kate Bland. He also discusses costs and the prospect of AI.

Gareth Price-Lewis on Audiobook Production

Publisher and events curator, Tasja Dorkofikis talks to Spiracle's Antonia Stassi. Tasja reveals her reasons for setting up a new independent publishing house, Linden Editions, started with Nermin Mollaoğlu, and Geraldine D’Amico, which focuses on literary works of fiction, narrative nonfiction, reportage, and essays, primarily in translation, from Europe, the Francophonie, and the Mediterranean region.

Tasja Dorkofikis on the new Linden Editions

Inside the Audiobook Business Epsiode 4

Katherine Fenton is professional American Voice Actor and Audiobook Producer based in the UK. She has been working in the industry for over 20 years and has narrated for Air Italy, The Guardian, Betty Crocker, CNBC, and multiple award winning audiobooks.

Katherine Fenton on Narrating and Producing Audiobooks

Antonia Stassi speaks with Antonia Lloyd-Jones, translator of Polish to English on her approach to translation across diverse genres, from gothic horror to children's literature. LLoyd Jones shares her experience working closely with authors, particularly Olga Tokarczuk, and the significance of understanding the writer’s vision to deliver faithful translations. 

They also delve into Antonia Lloyd Jones' recent project, Warsaw Tales, an anthology of Polish short stories and non-fiction, and her process for curating voices that resonate.

Antonia LLoyd Jones on translating Polish

Discover the story of Libreria Bookshop in London through an insightful interview with operations manager, Lloyd and bookseller, Erika. Listen to their approach curating unique collections, hosting creative events, and fostering a vibrant cultural community in the heart of London.

Lloyd and Erika on Libreria Bookshop

Henry Layte, founder of The Book Hive in Norwich speaks to Antonia Stassi on his background and start in bookselling to opening a successful indie bookshop that's just celebrated its 15th Anniversary.

Henry Layte from The Book Hive

Inside the Audiobook Business Epsiode 5

"Audiobooks are for everyone; we're long past the point of people seeing it as [just] an accessibility format"

Dominic Gribben is the Co-Director of the Hachette UK audio publishing team, responsible for audio publishing across a number of Hachette's imprints, including Hodder & Stoughton, Headline, John Murray Press, Quercus, Hachette Ireland and Dialogue Books.

Dominic Gribben, Inside Hachette's Audiobook Department

Discover the story behind Night Owl Books in East Linton as owner Rebecca Wall shares how she transformed her mum’s antique shop into a thriving independent bookstore. In this interview, we explore the rise of indie bookshops, community-driven events, and the success of Audiobook in Card.

Interview with Rebecca from Night Owl

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Spiracle Audiobooks is a curated platform for the UK's best literary audiobooks, with a focus on small and independent publishers. The sound of great writing. Each month, new podcast episodes delve into the world of our audiobooks.

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