In this episode of Backlisted, John and Andy welcome Nikesh Shukla: writer, editor and journalist. Nikesh is the author of three novels, the latest The One Who Wrote Destiny, was recently published by Atlantic Books and his first book for teenagers Run Riot has just been released by Hodder. He also edited the bestselling and game-changing anthology The Good Immigrant, is the editor of the literary journal, The Good Journal and co-founder with Julia Kingsford of The Good Literary Agency, founded to increase opportunities for representation for all writers under-represented in mainstream publishing. The book he’s chosen for discussion is ZZ Packer’s award-winning collection of stories, Drinking Coffee Elsewhere, first published in the US in 2003. Before that Andy warmly recommends the new novel by regular Backlisted guest Lissa Evans, Old Baggage, published by Transworld in June and John enjoys the energy and chutzpah of Jade Sharma’s debut novel Problems, just published in the UK by the excellent Dublin-based independent publisher, Tramp Press. 

Books mentioned:

ZZ Packer – Drinking Coffee Elsewhere
Nikesh Shukla – The One Who Wrote Destiny; Meatspace; Run Riot; The Good Immigrant (ed.)
Lissa Evans – Old Baggage; Crooked Heart
Jade Sharma – Problems
Chip Zdarsky & Adam Kubert - Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man Vol. 1 - Into The Twilight
Olga Tokarczuk – Flights (trans. Jennifer Croft) Winner of the International Man Booker 2018
Akhil Sharma – Family Life

Darren Coffield - Tales from the Colony: The Lost Bohemia of Bacon, Belcher and Board (Unbound Project Worth Backing)

Other links:

An extract from ZZ Packer’s forthcoming novel, The Thousands
ZZ Packer reading from ‘Brownies’ at Berkeley, 2009
ZZ Packer interview at University of Iowa
ZZ Packer discussing Trump at Shakespeare & Co, Paris

Thanks to Spoke for sponsoring this episode - Spoke cut trousers in more sizes and custom finish for a flawless fit – delivered in two working days. For £20 off your first purchase, use the code BACKLISTED20 at checkout (valid to 31 August, 2018).