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Meet the author: 5 minutes with Sam Leith

This year's Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival is packed with exciting events, and one of the events we are most looking forward to is Sam Leith, the literary editor of the Spectator, talking about his new book The Haunted Wood - A History of Childhood Reading at 1.30pm on Saturday 12th October 2024 at the Unitarian Meeting House, Bury St Edmunds.




We took 5 minutes to get to know a little more about Sam, in advance of his appearance at the festival.


Early Inspirations

From a young age, Sam found himself immersed in the world of words. His literary heroes spanned a wide range, from the adventurous tales of Nancy Drew and Hal and Roger Hunt to the profound works of Sylvia Plath and William Empson. His dad's influence also played a significant role in shaping his literary taste.


The Spark of Writing

Sam's passion for writing sparked as soon as he learned to read. For him, the two have always been interconnected. "I've loved writing as long as I've been able to read. The two are completely twined for me," he shares. This intrinsic connection has driven him to explore and write about a myriad of literary worlds.


The Haunted Wood: A Journey Through Children's Literature

At the festival, Sam will be delving into his own book, The Haunted Wood, which explores children's writing from the oral tradition to just after the millennium. This exploration includes discussions about numerous writers, including the brilliance of Kipling, T H White, Philippa Pearce, E Nesbit, Maurice Sendak, and Julia Donaldson. Sam is particularly keen to challenge the notion of canceling Kipling and to bring attention to some semi-forgotten literary gems.


Anticipation and Excitement

When asked what he's most looking forward to at the festival, Sam expressed his enthusiasm about discussing writers he loves with an audience that shares his passion. "I'm just always thrilled to be able to talk about writers I love to readers who are going to be interested," he says.


Sam Leith's Reading List

Sam's "to be read" pile is as eclectic as his literary taste. He juggles reading for work and pleasure, currently diving into new translations of Kafka's stories for his podcast. For personal enjoyment, he's eyeing Elif Shafak's There Are Rivers In The Sky, Paul Murray's The Bee Sting, and Stephen King's You Like It Darker.


Fun Facts

In a candid revelation, Sam shared some lesser-known facts about himself. Did you know that former Prime Minister Boris Johnson once told him to "F*** off and die" in writing? Or that he has a vestigial third nipple? These quirky tidbits probably won’t come up in his event at Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival...but who knows where the conversation might lead?!


Join the Conversation

Don't miss the chance to hear Sam Leith and other remarkable authors at the Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival. It's an event that promises to be both enlightening and entertaining.


Book your tickets now at www.burylitfest.co.uk


We look forward to seeing you there!

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