The Literary Project

Last October, Gemma Noon, interviewer extraordinaire, started a blog called The Literary Project. She has interviewed writers, publishers, writing tutors, and even a literary scout. I didn't know literary scouts existed until I read Gemma's interview with Louise Allen-Jones (which proves that literary scouts do not, as someone suggested recently, get little reading badges and swear to do their duty).

After only a few months, Gemma's blog already provides a fascinating insight into various aspects of the publishing industry. The writers she has interviewed come from a range of genres and, so far, include Bernard Cornwell, Della Galton, Steven Hall, Philippa Gregory, Cally Taylor, Andrew Cowan, Michael Marshall Smith and Sally Quilford, among others. The playwright John Godber is next up; I'm looking forward to reading that interview. Also, if there is anyone you would like Gemma to interview, you can email her to ask - of course, there are no guarantees, but she seems to have a knack for persuading people to say 'yes'.

Given the range, scope, and quality of Gemma's interviews, I'm surprised she hasn't generated a wider following. I've learned a lot from reading her blog, so I thought I'd pimp it here. (And before you ask, Gemma isn't a personal friend; we've never corresponded beyond each others' comments boxes; and I haven't been bribed to write this post.) (Although, if Gemma is reading this, I do accept retrospective bribes, especially in chocolate.)

I know many of you are writers, and those that aren't, are readers. I strongly recommend that you head over to The Literary Project, browse through the archives, and bookmark the blog for future reference.