Douglas Stuart, a Booker Prize-winning author, shares his journey from Glasgow to literary acclaim with heartwarming honesty. He reflects on the emotional depth of 'Shuggie Bain' and the complexities of addiction and love. The conversation dives into the struggles of marginalized identities and the challenges of storytelling from a distance. Stuart passionately discusses Glasgow's vibrant yet challenging history, emphasizing representation and resilience in literature while addressing the financial hurdles faced by Scottish writers.

More than 40 publishers rejected the debut novel 'Shuggie Bain' by Scottish Douglas Stuart before it won the Booker prize in 2020. The jury behind the prize called it "destined to become a classic". In this intimate interview  Douglas Stuart tells the story behind the extraordinary novel  of a young queer boy in Glasgow in the 1980ies. Douglas Stuart was interviewed in August 2021 on stage at the Louisiana Literature festival at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark by editor of culture Synne Rifbjerg. 

Douglas Stuart, Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo, shares insights on transforming personal stories into screen adaptations while preserving character integrity. He discusses the influence of visual storytelling on writing, his creative struggles, and the evolution of his narrative style. Stuart emphasizes the need for authentic representation of poverty and queer love in literature. His experiences in navigating societal expectations highlight the resilience and complexities faced by debut novelists, making for a poignant conversation.