The Polari Prize Podcast

The Polari Prize Podcast: Diriye Osman

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Polari Prize-winning author Diriye Osman speaks to Paul Burston about his books Fairytales for Lost Children and The Butterfly Jungle, as well as his introduction to the London scene in the nineties and being 'the architect of your own enchantment.'

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The Polari Prize Podcast: Kate Davies

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Sophia Blackwell speaks to Polari Prize-winning author Kate Davies about her debut novel, In at the Deep End, and her new novel Nuclear Family. With discussion of donor conception, the liberating side of working in publishing and Kate’s summer read recommendations.

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The Polari Prize Podcast: Paul McVeigh

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Hosted by Sophia Blackwell and Paul Burston. In this episode Paul Burston speaks to novelist and short story writer and Polari Prize winner Paul McVeigh about writing for radio, indulging in Jilly Cooper and whether there should be a Gay Uncles’ Day.

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The Polari Prize Podcast: Prize Ceremony and Nicola Dinan

Wed, 21 May 2025 07:00:00 GMT

With audio recorded at the Prize Night ceremony at the British Library, featuring current and past winners and special guests, plus judges, and an interview between Paul Burston and prizewinning author Nicola Dinan.

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The Polari Prize Podcast: Julia Armfield and Jon Ransom

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 12:01:59 GMT

The Polari Prize Podcast returns after a three-year hiatus, as part of a landmark new partnership with easyJet holidays announced in June 2024, with a new episode featuring 2023 winners Julia Armfield and Jon Ransom.

Polari Prize founder Paul Burston and host Sophia Blackwell explore winning books and nominated authors from over the years, inviting authors for interviews about their writing process and craft.

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Polari in Scotland - Shane Strachan, Fiona Mozley and Iain Morrison

Sat, 30 Oct 2021 09:41:58 GMT

Recorded at the Scottish Poetry Library

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Polari in Brighton - Cerys Evans, David Fennell, Allie Rogers, John McCullough, Robert Hamberger

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 18:53:41 GMT

Recorded at The Ironworks in Brighton, talented LGBTQ+ authors Cerys Evans, Allie Rogers, David Fennell, John McCullough and Robert Hamberger join Paul Burston at the literary salon. Hosted by Paul Burston, co-hosted and produced by Sophia Blackwell.

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Polari at G-A-Y Manchester - Emma Goswell, Val Qaeda, Joelle Taylor and Okechukwu Nzelu

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 17:11:25 GMT

The LGBTQ+ literary salon comes to Manchester with readings from special guests Emma Goswell (Coming Out Stories), Val Qaeda, Joelle Taylor and Okechukwu Nzelu. Hosted by Paul Burston, co-hosted and produced by Sophia Blackwell.

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2021 Polari Prize Shortlist Show - Paul Mendez, Golnoosh Nour and Kevin Maxwell

Sat, 16 Oct 2021 13:39:50 GMT

We discover who is on the Polari Prize 2021 shortlists for Best Book and Best Debut at a special event in Heaven club presented by Paul Burston, Kate Davies and Keith Jarrett with guests Paul Mendez (Rainbow Milk) and Golnoosh Nour (The Ministry of Guidance). Also includes interviews with Kevin Maxwell (Forced Out) and Mohsin Zaidi (A Dutiful Boy). Co-hosted and produced by Sophia Blackwell.

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Polari at the RVT - Adele Anderson and Cerys Evans

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 16:52:16 GMT

Recorded at the RVT (Royal Vauxhall Tavern) with Adele Anderson of Fascinating Aida and spoken word and stage artist Cerys Evans, Paul Burston and the two guests discuss the changing nature of trans lives between the 1980s and 90s and the present day. Cerys performs her poetry while Adele reads an extract from an as-yet-unpublished memoir. Sophia and Paul discuss some of the themes raised including the LGBT+ tendency towards perfectionism, roles for trans actors and the tabloid 'outing' of LGBT+ celebrities.

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Polari in Heaven - PJ Samuels, Joelle Taylor and VG Lee

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 10:12:46 GMT

Recorded live at Heaven Nightclub in London, this was Polari's first outing in a while! Featuring performances from poets PJ Samuels and Joelle Taylor and author VG Lee, this night includes excerpts from their recent work and a lot of raucous audience participation at the legendary venue.

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Salena Godden, Sophia Blackwell and Polis Loizou

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 19:10:34 GMT

Paul Burston interviews Sophia Blackwell, Salena Godden and Polis Loizou about their new books, including Salena Godden's 'Mrs Death Misses Death,' (Canongate), Sophia Blackwell's 'The Other Woman' (Burning Eye) and After My Own Heart (Limehouse Books), and Polis Loizou's novel The Way It Breaks (Cloud Lodge Books) and recently published short story in the Mainstream anthology from Inkandescent.

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Elizabeth Chakrabarty, Musa Okwonga and Nikita Gill

Sun, 22 Aug 2021 13:12:48 GMT

From April 2021 and with additional commentary from Paul Burston and Sophia Blackwell, this new full-length episode features Elizabeth Chakrabarty (Lessons in Love and Other Hate Crimes) Musa Okwonga (One of Them, In The End It Was All About Love) and Nikita Gill (Where Hope Comes From).

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Niven Govinden, Stella Duffy, Steven Appleby and Alex Reeve

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 06:00:30 GMT

The LGBTQ+ literary salon hosted by Paul Burston, Polari is currently mainly digital, with online co-hosting and episode production by Sophia Blackwell. In this episode, Paul speaks to Niven Govinden, Stella Duffy, Steven Appleby and Alex Reeve.

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Jason Ford, Fiona Mozley, Mohsin Zaidi and Sophie Ward

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 19:58:28 GMT

The LGBTQ+ literary salon hosted by Paul Burston, Polari is currently digital and international, with online co-hosting, editing and production by Sophia Blackwell. This episode features readings and interviews from authors Fiona Mozley, Mohsin Zaidi, Jason Ford and Sophie Ward.

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Philip Hensher, Diana Souhami, Alison Child, Juno Roche and SJ Watson

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 21:51:15 GMT

The LGBTQ+ literary salon hosted by Paul Burston, Polari is currently both live and digital, with online co-hosting and production by Sophia Blackwell. This episode features readings and interviews from Philip Hensher, Diana Souhami, Alison Child, Juno Roche and SJ Watson, talking about their latest novels and non-fiction books.

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Amrou Al-Kadhi, Kate Davies and Barbara Brownskirt

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 09:44:07 GMT

Polari Salon and Polari Prize founder Paul Burston is joined by poet and radio presenter Sophia Blackwell to celebrate LGBTQ+ books and authors. Includes recordings from a live socially distanced literary event at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern featuring three very different performers - Amrou Al-Kadhi, Kate Davies and Barbara Brownskirt.

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