Sue Harper interviewed about Blood and Coal

It was a huge pleasure interviewing writer Sue Harper for the launch of her book Blood and Coal. Without claiming any influence on Sue’s extraordinary writing, I’m proud that she has drawn energy and encouragement from my Write Your Novel workshops and our ongoing Southsea Scribblers Salon mentoring group.

Here she is being interviewed by Bob Bruce of Victory Radio.

Sue Harper visits Victory to talk about her new book, feminist gothic writing, a talking vagina, and a 30 foot penis! It’s all happening here in this episode of the Portsmouth Authors Collective! Book synopsis: This book is the story of a Nottingham mining family from 1900 to the present day. Set in Bulwell, Sherwood and Cotgrave, the story is narrated by the last surviving member of the family, and brings local and social history alive. Members of the family are given their own voice. Grandfather Chum, who smuggled opium in Canton, great-uncle Ernest, who was the first sailor to be killed by a German submarine and Grandfather Bill, who charmed the ladies. Once they have been given their voice, they each turn on the narrator and accuse her of misinterpreting them: “what did you ever know about hard work, poverty and grief?” The contrast between the modern period and the past is strongly drawn. The book contains a number of imaginary conversations, which never took place. There are communications between family members of different generations eg. between two young men killed before their time and between an alienated father and son. Finally, the author asks how ideas of morality and trauma are passed down the generations, and places herself in relation to the men and women of her tribe. How did she get from there to here? Is happiness and fulfillment passed down through the genes?

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