Storyshaped

• Getting Storyshaped With Kel Menton

  This Storyshaped chat is a feast for the soul. We were delighted to get a chance to sit down with Kel Menton, debut author, and talk to them all about their brilliant first novel, A Fix of Light, and the stories that have shaped not only the book, but Kel themself. We went on a fantastic trip from local ghost-lore to titans of the fantasy genre all the way to the Prose Edda and Poetic Edda - because, of course you'd end up there! Come on and join us for a fantastic meander through a marvellously Storyshaped life.Find Kel on their newsletter, MarginaliaBooks mentioned in this week's episode include Kel's own:A Fix of LightAnd the stories which have shaped them include:The Sleeping Giant, by Marie-Louise FitzpatrickCailín an Bhúrna/Colleen of the Barley, a local ghost storyThe Raven Boys, by Maggie StiefvaterShiver, by Maggie StiefvaterThe Demon's Lexicon, by Sarah Rees BrennanThe Inkheart trilogy, by Cornelia FunkeReckless, by Cornelia FunkeWintersmith, by Terry PratchettShadow and Bone, by Leigh BardugoSix of Crows, by Leigh BardugoThe work of John GreenThe Ruby Redfort books, by Lauren ChildBeowulf, the Old English epic (HWAET!)Judith and Holofernes, the Old English poemThe Poetic EddaThe Prose Edda, compiled by Snorri SturlusonSummer Sons, by Lee MandeloAll For the Game, by Nora SakavicDon't Let the Forest In, by CG DrewsThe Three Body Problem, by Cixin LiuThe work of NK JemisinThe work of Ursula le GuinThe work of RF KuangSentimental Garbage podcast - The Phantom of the Opera with Rebecca KuangOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie. You might also like to check out www.kennys.ie for free shipping within the Republic of Ireland!In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Getting Storyshaped with Dr Darren Chetty and Prof Karen Sands-O'Connor

  We were privileged today to speak to the authors of the brilliant essay anthology, Beyond the Secret Garden, which is a vital critique of the current state of children's literature and its inclusivity problem. Dr Chetty and Prof Sands-O'Connor have written for many years over at Books for Keeps around these vital issues, and today they bring us through the importance of decolonising the children's literature canon - while also giving us an insight into their own Storyshaped lives, and what stories led them to the work they do today.You can purchase your copy of Beyond the Secret Garden hereStories mentioned in this week's episode include:The Good Immigrant, ed. Nikesh ShuklaSesame StreetRoy of the Rovers football comicThe work of JD Salinger and Jack KerouacDr Dolittle, by Hugh LoftingThe Wizard of Oz (movie version)Mythologies, by Roland BarthesElmer, by David McKeeTusk Tusk, by David McKeeThe Grapes of Wrath, by John SteinbeckJane Eyre, by Charlotte BronteWuthering Heights, by Emily BronteThe work of Charles DickensLittle Women, by Louisa May AlcottSight and Sound magazineThe Buddha of Suburbia, by Hanif KureishiThe Chronicles of Narnia, by CS LewisOliver Twist, by Charles DickensRobinson Crusoe, by Daniel DefoeSing, Unburied, Sing, by Jesmyn WardFreud in Oz, by Kenneth KiddJames, by Percival EverettOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie. You might also like to check out www.kennys.ie for free shipping within the Republic of Ireland!In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Getting Storyshaped with Kieran Larwood

  We don't have *much* in common with the Terminator around here, it must be said, but one of the things we do share is this: we come back. So, here we are! This is a special LIVE episode, recorded in May 2025 at the brilliant International Literature Festival Dublin in front of an audience of Kieran Larwood fans (and, perhaps, one or two who were there to see us), and we had the most fun. We chatted fantasy, Tolkien, the powers of maps as ways into story, 90s music, and loads more.Our very special thanks to the team at International Literature Festival Dublin for facilitating this dream come true for us - it has long been our ambition to record a live episode, and we were delighted to get the chance to do just that as part of this fantastic festival, which happens in Dublin in May every year. We hope the recording gives you a flavour of how much we enjoyed talking to Kieran and getting an insight into his very special Storyshaped life.PLEASE NOTE: The audio didn't pick up the audience, so during question time, the questions we are responding to are as follows:What children's book that you read as an adult do you wish you'd read as a child?Will we find out more about the Ancients?Books mentioned in this week's episode include:The work of Enid BlytonThe work of JRR TolkienA Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula le GuinThe Moomins, by Tove JanssonThe Hounds of the Morrigan, by Pat O'SheaThe World Between the Rain, by Susan CahillFighting Fantasy book series, created by Steve Jackson and Ian LivingstoneStone of Farewell, by Tad WilliamsThe work of Robin HobbMort, by Terry PratchettThe work of Terry Pratchett, especially the Tiffany Aching seriesGood Omens, by Terry Pratchett and Neil GaimanLords and Ladies, by Terry PratchettWatership Down, by Richard AdamsNeuromancer, by William GibsonEscape Room: Game Zero, by Christopher EdgeI Am Wolf, by Alastair ChisholmThe Bone Ships, by RJ BarkerOctober, October, by Katya BalenThe Storm and the Sea Hawk, by Kiran Millwood HargraveI Am Raven, by Alastair ChisholmA Fix of Light, by Kel MentonOn Midnight Beach, by Marie Louise FitzpatrickThe work of Jamie Littler, esp. FrostheartThe music of Pearl Jam and Nirvana and Soundgarden Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• SPECIAL MINI-SODE: Irish KidLit For Palestine

  In this special mini-sode of Storyshaped, I (Sinéad) sat down with Ruth Ennis (writer, book-expert, book reviewer, general Queen of Irish children's and YA literature and legend in her own lifetime) to discuss something close to both our hearts: the situation in Palestine.Nobody will be unaware of the reality; the situation in Palestine, and in particular in Gaza, has been described as 'genocide' by bodies such as Médecins sans Frontieres, the United Nations, and Amnesty International. Innocent civilians have been mercilessly killed, day and night, for almost the past two years, and the onslaught has had a particularly horrific impact on Palestinian children.As authors for children and young people, Ruth and I couldn't stand by and do nothing. So, we set up the Irish KidLit for Palestine Fundraiser, which runs between August 4th and 17th, 2025. Our chosen charity is Medical Aid for Palestinians, who can be found HEREAnd the link to the Irish KidLit for Palestine Fundraiser, where you can help us to raise money AND get yourself some snazzy kidlit-related goodies, is HERE Our sincere thanks to the 30+ authors, illustrators, artists and creatives who made this Fundraiser possible by donating their work and their time. Míle buíochas! Stay tuned for more Storyshaped in the autumn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• SEASON FINALE: Getting Storyshaped With Patrice Lawrence

  So, if we sound a bit giddy on this week's episode, that's because we were! Head-whirlingly, we got to speak to Patrice Actual Lawrence, who is one of the most accomplished authors around. Patrice has written for all age groups, from picturebooks right up to YA (with equal aplomb), and her journey to creating this masterful body of work is an interesting one. Come with us as she takes us through her Storyshaped life.Books mentioned in this week's episode include Patrice's own:OrangeboyIndigo DonutEight Pieces of SilvaNeedleRose, InterruptedIs That Your Mama? illustrated by Diane EwenElemental DetectivesPeople Like StarsAnd the stories which shaped her include:Pig-Heart Boy, by Malorie BlackmanMalory Towers, by Enid Blyton (and Patrice's own New Class At Malory Towers)Rainbow Magic, by 'Daisy Meadows'The work of John AgardThe work of Grace NicolsThe work of Julia DonaldsonThe work of Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Stephen KingThe work of Jenny Downham, especially Before I DieThe story of Jonathan Strong, an enslaved man in 18thC LondonThe Rivers of London (series), by Ben AaronovitchLove in the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel Garcia MarquezDr Dolittle, by Hugh LoftingThe Railway Children, by E NesbitLittle Women, by Louisa May AlcottThe Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson BurnettThe Diddakoi, by Rumer GoddenOur Beautiful Darkness, by Onjaki, ill. Antonio Jorge Goncalves, trans. Lyn Miller-LachmanA Guest in the House, by Emily Carroll100 Tales from the Tokyo Ghost Cafe, by Julian Sedgwick and Chie KutsuwadaBefore the Coffee Gets Cold, by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - the book Sinéad was trying to recall!Tsunami Girl, by Julian Sedgwick and Chie KutsuwadaThe Pigman, by Paul ZindelRumblefish, by SE HintonThe Body, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, Misery, Pet Sematary, all by Stephen KingOur podcast bookshop in Ireland is Halfway Up the Stairs: www.halfwayupthestairs.ie. You might also like to check out www.kennys.ie for free shipping within the Republic of Ireland!In the UK, check out our storefront on: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Storyshaped. Disclaimer: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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