Award-winning writer, poet and performer Hollie McNish chats about becoming a feminist, swearing in french and why she’s bored of taboos.

Hollie is the author of five poetry collections, a new adaptation of the Greek tragedy Antigone, and the co-writer of Offside, a play about the history of women’s football. She was the first poet ever to record an album at Abbey Road studios and she regularly tours the UK and Europe with sold out performances of her work, many of which have gone viral online. 

Holly’s raw voice, which won her the Ted Hughes award for new work in poetry in 2016,  often tackles subjects and language considered taboo, and she’s never shied away from topics it’s not easy to write - or talk about. 

Her last collection, Slug (and other things I’ve been told to hate) explored subjects women are conditioned to feel shame about - from periods to masturbation, and her new book, Lobster (and other things I’m Learning to Love), shows how we can change that narrative. 

Hollie’s book choices are:
** Alfie Gets in First by Shirley Hughes
** The Madwomen's Ball by Victoria Mas
** Mrs Death Misses Death by Salena Godden
** Say Hello! by Rachel Isadora
** The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak 

Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season seven of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and they continue to champion the very best books written by women.

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This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.