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Novel Ideas

Novel Ideas is Northern Ireland’s longest-running author interview series. Across twelve seasons from 2015 to 2025, hosts Debbie McGrory, Mike Gaston, Elliot Lloyd, Tony Macauley, Karen Mooney and others sit down with local writers to discuss their latest publications.

The series spans an exceptionally wide range of genres and subjects. Fiction writers explore crime, fantasy and contemporary life; poets share their collections and creative process; historians examine topics from the shipyard communities to suffragettes, colonialism to the Troubles; and memoirists reflect on personal journeys through care, conflict and cultural identity. Guests range from internationally acclaimed figures like Bernard MacLaverty and Paul Muldoon to debut authors publishing their first novels.

Notable conversations include Peggy Seeger reflecting on her musical and political heritage, Margaret Ward on republican women, Peggy Seeger’s childhood in music and politics, Marianne Elliott on housing estates, and numerous crime writers including Kelly Creighton, James Murphy and Sam Millar. The series also covers cultural history – flute bands, Belfast riots, the West Belfast Festival, and local landmarks like Balmoral Cemetery.

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Novel Ideas: Tom Hartley – Balmoral Cemetery

Tom Hartley in conversation about his new book, Balmoral Cemetery, and the story of Belfast contained between its walls.
Show added:
14/03/2019

Novel Ideas: Michelle Caines

In conversation with children’s book author Michelle Caines.
Show added:
14/02/2019

Novel Ideas: Claire McElhinney

‘Tell Them of Us’, charts the journey of Edith Harkness, a volunteer nurse on the battle fields of France during the Great War.
Show added:
10/01/2019

Novel Ideas: Rev. David Latimer

In conversation with Rev. David Latimer on his recently published book by Blackstaff Press, A Leap of Faith, How Martin McGuinness and I worked together for Peace.
Show added:
19/12/2018

Novel Ideas: Byddi Lee

Karen Mooney interviews Armagh based writer and blogger Byddie Lee about her latest book ‘March to November’.
Show added:
11/10/2018

Novel Ideas: Pheme Glass

Pheme Glass talks about her work, The Blossom or the Bole with Helen Wilson.
Show added:
11/10/2018

Novel Ideas: Capella Van Ryan

Connor McKernan talks to author, actress and model Capella Van Ryan about her debut novel ‘The Snow Boat’ and adapting it into a screenplay.
Show added:
11/09/2018

Novel Ideas with Fr Martin Magill: The story of the Poor Clares in Belfast

Fr Martin Magill, parish priest of St John’s on the Falls Road tells the story about how just five nuns from the order moved from Dublin to Belfast in 1924 to provide a “welcoming space” following the 1922 Belfast Riots.
Show added:
04/09/2018

Novel Ideas: Féile Voices at 30

Michael Pierse and Feargal Mac Ionnrachtaigh discuss their work on the book ‘Féile Voices at 30: Memoirs of West Belfast Community Festival Féile an Phobail’.
Show added:
21/08/2018

Novel Ideas: Elizabeth McGivern

Victoria Wilson is joined in the studio by local author Elizabeth McGivern to talk about her new book, Amy Cole Has Lost Her Mind.
Show added:
29/06/2018

Novel Ideas: Kevin Doyle

On this edition of Novel Ideas, Victoria Wilson is joined in the studio by Kevin Doyle to talk about his writing career so far and to find out more about his latest book, To Keep A Bird Singing.
Show added:
12/06/2018

Novel Ideas: Rosemary Jenkinson

Victoria Wilson is joined by author, Rosemary Jenkinson, in studio to discuss her new book ‘Catholic Boy’,
Show added:
12/06/2018
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