S6, Ep7 Joanne Harris on writing rituals, hypnotic triggers and childhood influences

A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas became an instant classic when he recorded it on vinyl in 1952. Snow falls gently, anticipation fills the air, and Thomas' lyrical account of his childhood Christmases in a small Welsh town comes to life with humour and wit. Seventy years on and with the support of Literature Wales, Hay Festival has commissioned Wales’ National Poet Hanan Issa to offer her own contemporary response to the famous work. Enjoy... Full-length Festival events can be watched over at hayfestival.org/hayplayer. Contact us at [email protected] or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok @hayfestival #ImagineTheWorld

Broadcaster and historian Janina Ramirez talks to Kavita Puri about reappraising women’s roles in medieval history with her new book Femina. She then joins Poppy Evans for a chat about life outside of work, including an elaborate burial plan to confuse future archaeologists. Watch the full event Full-length Festival events can be watched over at hayfestival.org/hayplayer. Contact us at [email protected] or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok @hayfestival #ImagineTheWorld

Children’s author and activist Onjali Q Raúf talks about the inspirations behind her bestselling books and her work with refugees as well as reminiscing about childhood with Poppy Evans. Full-length Festival events can be watched over at hayfestival.org/hayplayer. Contact us at [email protected] or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok @hayfestival #ImagineTheWorld

Physicist Jim Al-Khalili discusses his guide to leading a more rational life The Joy of Science with Glyn Morgan, before chatting to Poppy Evans about teaching, technology and his everyday life. Watch the full event Full-length Festival events can be watched over at hayfestival.org/hayplayer. Contact us at [email protected] or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok @hayfestival #ImagineTheWorld

Rebecca Mead’s reflection of leaving America to return to her native land, Home/Land raises poignant questions about place. She discusses these with lawyer Philippe Sands, before joining Poppy Evans backstage to talk about culture, swimming and shadowing Margaret Atwood after the 2016 election. Watch the full event Full-length Festival events can be watched over at hayfestival.org/hayplayer. Contact us at [email protected] or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok @hayfestival #ImagineTheWorld

Damon Galgut’s 2021 Booker Prize-winning novel charts a country in transition and a family in crisis. He discusses The Promise with author Elizabeth Day, as well as talking to Poppy Evans about everyday observations and rituals. Watch the full event Full-length Festival events can be watched over at hayfestival.org/hayplayer. Contact us at [email protected] or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok @hayfestival #ImagineTheWorld

Writer Liz Hyder discusses her new book The Gifts and how fiction illuminates the world with Sophie Haydock and Rebecca F John, before catching up with Poppy Evans about her time working at Hay Festival, and where she finds inspiration for her books. Watch the full event Full-length Festival events can be watched over at hayfestival.org/hayplayer. Contact us at [email protected] or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok @hayfestival #ImagineTheWorld

Comedian and writer David Baddiel joins Simon Schama to talk about his book for people on the right side of history, Jews Don’t Count, before speaking to Poppy Evans about the cassette tape that led him to comedy, writing practices and saying yes to new opportunities. Watch the full event Full-length Festival events can be watched over at hayfestival.org/hayplayer. Contact us at [email protected] or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok @hayfestival #ImagineTheWorld

Labour MP Jess Phillips tells Hugh Muir the inside story of Westminster with her book Everything You Really Need to Know About Politics: My Life as an MP. Afterwards Phillips speaks to Poppy Evans about childhood and life outside of parliament. Watch the full event Full-length Festival events can be watched over at hayfestival.org/hayplayer. Contact us at [email protected] or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok @hayfestival #ImagineTheWorld

Writer Joanne Harris talks to Sophie Raworth about her latest novel A Narrow Door before joining Poppy Evans off-stage to talk about her many eclectic interests outside of work; including writing amulets, staying in hotels and lucid dreaming. Watch the full event Full-length Festival events can be watched over at hayfestival.org/hayplayer. Contact us at [email protected] or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or TikTok @hayfestival #ImagineTheWorld