10 writers I’d love to have coffee with

For the record, I prefer tea to coffee. However, in my part of the world, ‘tea’ can also mean the evening meal or late afternoon snacks, so it’s less confusing if I suggest meeting for coffee. Anyway, here are ten writers I wouldn’t mind having tea, cake and chat with. If any of them are reading this, then (a) I’m honoured and (b) how about it?

Maggie O’Farrell is not only an excellent writer, she has a very interesting life (see her memoir I Am, I Am, I Am). I fear that my own life will sound pretty dull in comparison but maybe she can impart some writing wisdom.

Diane Setterfield has proved herself to be a captivating storyteller in her upcoming novel Once Upon A River. I’d look forward to hearing her stories, ideally at an old inn by the Thames.

Miranda Hart is funny and seems like a lovely person. She likes dogs whereas I like cats, but I’m sure we’d get on despite this. We’d meet in a smart café and I’d be waiting for a typical embarrassing ‘Miranda’ sitcom moment to happen…

Lucy Worsley would be a fascinating person to have coffee with, perhaps during her lunch break at one of the Historic Royal Palaces (of which she’s Joint Chief Curator). She’s an expert on the Georgians in particular and we could chat about her book Jane Austen At Home (my current read).

Bill Bryson writes amusing accounts of his travels and also knows a lot about science, history and language. For some reason I picture us at a traditional seaside café with strong cups of tea and large portions of chips.

Malorie Blackman is an iconic writer from my childhood and a former Children’s Laureate. She also co-wrote the recent Doctor Who episode about Rosa Parks. We could meet in one of those cafés which are also bookshops. There’d be so much to talk about, where to begin?!

Clare Mackintosh‘s novel I See You inspired me to write a psychological thriller of my own. We could meet somewhere cosy to chat about writing and her time in the police. I could even bring along my work in progress for her to look at.

J K Rowling is probably mobbed by Harry Potter fans when she’s out and about, so maybe it’s best if she invites me to her place instead. The safest way to get there would be a Portkey. Hopefully she’ll have tea or coffee, because I don’t fancy Butterbeer or pumpkin juice.

Anthony Horowitz could meet me at a café in London near to his office and I wouldn’t be surprised if something from one of his detective novels happened, like the coffee being drugged and then we wake up tied to chairs in a basement lit by a single bulb while the egotistic baddie explains his evil plans but luckily we escape in time to foil his attempt to take over the world.

Benjamin Zephaniah would be such an interesting person to meet. We’d go to a vegan café somewhere cool and maybe he’d give an impromptu poetry performance. I’d be in awe really, I’d be happy just to let him talk at me.

Which writers would you like to have coffee with?


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Comments

16 responses to “10 writers I’d love to have coffee with”

  1. Amy avatar

    Can I join you when you have tea with Lucy Worsley? She’s amazing.

    1. nsford avatar
      nsford

      Of course – we’ll all have tea and cake at one of the Palace cafes 🙂

  2. lucindablogs avatar

    This is such an awesome idea for a post! I’d love to meet all of those authors too – I know the exact vegan cafe in Birmingham that Benjamin Zephaniah would love! ?

    1. nsford avatar
      nsford

      Thanks, ha ha – I was thinking of tagging all the authors in this post on Twitter (the ones who are on there) but seems too cheeky!

      1. lucindablogs avatar

        Imagine if J K Rowling said yes and invited you round for a cuppa ?

        1. nsford avatar
          nsford

          You never know… I’ll look out for owl post 😉

  3. facingthestory avatar

    I loved reading this post! I especially agree with you on Anthony Horowitz. I think I’d love to have coffee with Fredrik Backman because he seems like someone I would get along well with based on the topics of his books.

    1. nsford avatar
      nsford

      Thanks! Glad you like the post 🙂
      I haven’t read any Backman yet. I should add him to my TBR.

  4. Jee Wan avatar

    I’d love to join you especially if you’re having one with Diane Setterfield!! Another interesting author I’d love to have coffee with is Angie Thomas reason being I’ve recently met her at a book fest and chatted with her for awhile. She seems like a great person to chat with over coffee! ?

    1. nsford avatar
      nsford

      How cool that you’ve met Angie Thomas! 🙂
      Let’s have a writers’ tea party, everyone invited.

      1. Jee Wan avatar

        Yayyyyy!!!

  5. Inge | The Belgian Reviewer avatar

    Ah yes, I think Anthony Horowitz would be an entertaining table companion. I’d love to hear more about the thought processes of Stuart Turton myself.

    1. nsford avatar
      nsford

      I’m going to be reading Stuart Turton’s book soon…
      Thanks for your comment! 🙂

  6. Stephen Writes avatar

    I would love to have a cup of tea with Lucy Worsley, Clare Mackintosh, and J.K. Rowling. Great choices! If I had to choose one of my own, it would be Jessie Burton, after reading The Miniaturist I would love to pick up some writing tips from her 🙂

    1. nsford avatar
      nsford

      Oh yes, I agree. In a real situation, if I met these writers I’d be too awed to know what to say!

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