Ferdia Lennon - Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize winner 2024

The ability to appreciate even the smallest moments of joy in our busy lives can be the difference between just another day and a truly memorable one. This spirit infuses the latest book from Nigel Slater, a collection of meditative moments that touch all of our senses so we sat down with him to talk about the perfection of plain crisps, the art of packing a suitcase, and the warm hug of walking into a fragrant kitchen.

When you have a world-renowned portraitist like Joe Lycett in the building, you get easels, paints and canvas out and indulge in a bit of dual-portraiture. We sat down with the mischievous comedian to discuss the unfinished genius of Truss’s premiership, where his activism comes from and why even those of us who think we can’t paint, actually can*. *subjective NB: Given the visual nature of this interview, we would recommend watching on Spotify, YouTube or Waterstones.com

The Iranian Embassy siege of 1980 was one of those ‘where were you when it happened?’ moments, but beyond the explosive live footage of the SAS assault that ended things, what of the previous six days of tense standoff and the lives of the 26 hostages and the 6 armed men who held them? Ben Macintyre writes narrative history like no-one else and after extensive research and interviews with those who were there he sat down with us for an interview of his own. Who were these people, what exactly did they go through, and how would any of us have reacted if put in the same situation?

The sound of change jangling in our pockets may be less familiar in these days of contactless payment, but we all know how important money can feel in our lives. But might it actually have shaped human history? From the very beginnings of money as a concept, through ideas like credit, forecasting, and cryptocurrency, to its connections to literary classics and great works of art, economist David McWilliams finds the stories that will help the reader to understand the innate link between money and human innovation, and why it might be the secret to our success as a species.

After creating the irresistible anti-hero Grace in How To Kill Your Family, Bella Mackie returns with more familial dysfunction, more unlikeable characters and, yes, more murder in What A Way To Go. We sat down to discuss the lives of the super wealthy, her fascination with the appeal of true crime, and finding humour in the darkest of places.

Clare Chambers knows how to hook readers, with her previous novel, Small Pleasures, winning The British Book Awards 2022 Pageturner Book of the Year. She looks set to do it all over again with her latest, Shy Creatures, which unearths the story of a mute patient in a psychiatric hospital. We sat down to talk about factual inspiration, the influence of lockdown on even this period piece, and why human flaws provide such narrative fuel.

After introducing us to legal dogsbody Gary Thorn in The Satsuma Complex, comedian Bob Mortimer returns with its sequel, The Hotel Avocado. We sat down with a nice slice of Battenberg cake to discuss death row meals, memories of his days as a South London solicitor and the correct ratio of marzipan to cake.

Ferdia Lennon’s riotously funny debut disarms from the very first page. With a setting of Syracuse in 412 BC but a very modern Irish vernacular, readers will enjoy every minute they spend with best friends Gelon and Lampo as they seek to stage a performance of Euripides with a group of captured Athenian soldiers. We spoke with him about finding the right voice, has fascination with the classics, and why what will survive of us is art.

Chris Whitaker's previous novel, We Begin At The End, was a multi-award-winning smash with readers, who fell in love with its characters and pressed copies on friends so as to have someone to discuss it with. He’s done it again with All The Colours of the Dark, which again features characters that will get under your skin, a plot so propulsive the pages fly past, and a story that doesn’t release its grip on your heart. We spoke with Chris to find out more about creating characters, writing about a country he doesn’t live in, and the moments of trauma from his own life that find their way into his fiction.

The Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize is powered by our brilliant booksellers, whose keen eye for the most exciting new talent makes it a thrilling short list every year. In this third year, we spoke with authors from around the globe about having the support of booksellers, the release of seeing years of work finally realised and how specificity in their stories builds bridges with all readers. Enjoy!