The Shakespeare critic and author on her new history of books and readers, and how it’s made her think about the contents of our shelves

The musician and writer on her debut novel, Swansong, inspired by a 17th-century ballad, her inspirations and the wisdom of Robert Macfarlane

The author of Her Body and Other Parties on the art of writing sex scenes, engaging with dead writers, and the readers who give her flak

The South Korean novelist on the death of her sister, the transformative power of writing – and how migraines helped

The Mississippi novelist on the afterlife, the smells and sounds of her childhood home and why she’s always been a pessimist

The Booker prize winner on his new novel and why it’s not always possible to separate fact from fiction

The novelist on religious communities, desolate landscapes… and getting a rave review from Stephen King

The publisher and philanthropist on turning to a Philip Larkin poem in a crisis, and the biggest decision you will ever make

The American author talks about setting her new novel in Tel Aviv – and why she brought Kafka into it

The novelist on forking out for the West Wing script books, his favourite contemporary writers and the allure of films touched by lunacy

The novelist on writing about sex, her turbulent home life and why short stories are particularly hard to craft

The author on humour in his fiction, the benefit of having a spouse as your sternest critic, and why short stories are as difficult to write as novels

The British writer on her sympathy for ordinary Brexiters, the importance of a gruesome secret, and why she’d have Dickens round for dinner

The London-based author on her racial awakening – and the books that made her an activist and writer

The Swiss thriller writer on his memory for details, why jealousy is helpful, and his love affair with America

The outspoken Palestinian lawyer and author on reaching out to the young, political change in the Middle East and his optimism about the future

The author on writing a diary that honoured her childhood, emotional honesty and staying creative in the face of today’s current affairs