logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2023
25m 16s

Where did all the rockstar authors go?

THE TIMES
About this episode

When a list of young British novelists to watch was released in 1983, many of them went on to become household names, thanks to both their talent and their sex appeal. A new list comes out every ten years, but has never recreated the same success as the original – so has it become harder for novelists to break through? And has the literary world lost some of its glamour? 

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. 

Guest: Robbie Millen, Literary Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana. 

Clips: BBC Wales, ITV News, BBC News, Blue Monday/New Order/Factory Records, Granta Magazine, Booker Prize, CBS/Late Night with David Letterman.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
The forgotten postmaster ‘hounded to death’ by investigators
<p>Of the thirteen sub-postmasters thought to have taken their own lives because of the Post Office scandal, only two have been named publicly. Michael Mann was one of them. Our reporter has spoken to his family, former partner and ex-colleagues to tell his story for the first ti ... Show More
33m 17s
Yesterday
A new peace plan, and a critical moment for Zelensky
<p>The prospect of peace in Ukraine may be edging closer, after the leak of a controversial 28-point plan to end the war prompted Ukrainian and Western officials to meet for ‘productive’ talks in Geneva. Is this the beginning of the end? And how does the latest proposal ensure th ... Show More
30m 48s
Nov 24
Porn, strangulation and the law
<p>A recent survey revealed that more than half of 16 to 34-year-olds have taken part in strangulation during sex, despite the risks of a loss of consciousness and stroke. Many feel a rise in choking in pornography is to blame, a practice the UK government is set to ban. Baroness ... Show More
31m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2023
News Review of the Year
Amol and Nick review the year in news, featuring the biggest moments and their favourite interviews from the Today programme in 2023. They’re joined by some familiar voices including Chris Mason, Martha Kearney and friend of the pod, statistician Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter. Wit ... Show More
51m 22s
Sep 2023
Did Hollywood Writers Get Their Happy Ending?
<p>After 148 days on strike, writers of movies and television are returning to work on Wednesday</p><p> with an agreement in hand that amounts to a major win for organized labor in Hollywood.</p><p>John Koblin, a media reporter for The Times, explains why the studios acquiesced t ... Show More
25m 50s
Dec 2023
2023 Newscast Unwrapped!
It’s nearly the end of 2023, so time to take a stroll down memory lane and look at what happened in politics over the past year. Adam Fleming is joined by all the Newscast hosts: Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. You can join our Newscast online community here: h ... Show More
34m 54s
Sep 2021
The Waves: Where Have All The Teen Magazines Gone?
On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate staff writers Rebecca Onion and Heather Schwedel dive into girls’ and women’s magazines. Many outlets like Sassy and CosmoGirl have been shuttered or moved to online-only editions. With the recent resurrection of teen magazine icon Atoos ... Show More
36m 57s
Mar 2024
Hollywood’s still not back
Covid and last year’s strikes delivered a one-two punch that the entertainment industry still hasn’t recovered from. Entertainment journalists Mark Harris and Diane Haithman explain why this is bad news for the people who make movies and the people who watch them. This episode wa ... Show More
26m 19s
May 2023
How Streaming Hurt Hollywood Writers
<p>This week, thousands of writers went on strike against Hollywood studios over what they say is an existential threat to their livelihoods.</p><p>John Koblin, a media reporter for The New York Times, explains how streaming turned the most prolific era in American entertainment ... Show More
27m 51s
Apr 2023
Hollywood writers are ready to strike
TV and film writers just voted to authorize a strike, which could leave studios without fresh scripts as soon as May 1. Bloomberg business reporter Lucas Shaw explains. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered ... Show More
26m 6s
Jul 2023
The Writers’ Revolt Against A.I. Companies
<p>To refine their popular technology, new artificial intelligence platforms like Chat-GPT are gobbling up the work of authors, poets, comedians and actors — without their consent.</p><p>Sheera Frenkel, a technology correspondent for The Times, explains why a rebellion is brewing ... Show More
29m 3s
Jan 2024
Is democracy dying?
Why are younger voters around the world turning their back on democracy in favour of strongman leaders who are prepared to defy parliaments?In a year when more than two billion people in 50 countries will go to the polls – the biggest global election year in history – Amol and Ni ... Show More
47m 54s