Books Videos

Hay Festival Presents... A Night of Pleasure

The Hay Festival’s "Night of Pleasure" brought together four writers and a critic to explore the books that first sparked their desire to write. Hosted by Tom Gaty, the panel featured Yasmin Abdel Majid, Tamima Anam, Stephanie Sakia and Chris Power, each tracing a personal literary origin story while promoting upcoming titles such as Abdel Majid’s new children’s fantasy series and her eco‑thriller. The conversation revealed a striking diversity of formative texts: Tamima recalled a cheap Sesame Street picture book, "The Monster at the End of This Book," as the catalyst for her imagination; Chris Power cited Dennis Johnson’s gritty novella "Jesus" as a turning point that forced him to confront the limits of imitation; Stephanie Sakia named Michael Ondaatje’s "The English Patient" as the novel that taught her to value fragmented narratives; and Yasmin highlighted a forgotten adventure story that sparked her love of rebellious protagonists. Across the board, the panelists stressed that early reading experiences shape narrative instincts but also demand the development of an authentic voice. Memorable moments included Tamima’s vivid description of finding Grover’s book for ten cents in a New York garage sale, and Power’s admission that emulating Johnson delayed his own publication by seventeen years. Sakia recounted how a GCSE essay evolved into her award‑winning poetry collection, while Abdel Majid described the tension between childhood favorites and the literary canon. These anecdotes illustrated how personal history, cultural displacement, and even school assignments can become fertile ground for future storytelling. The discussion underscores the broader relevance of literary heritage for creators and industry stakeholders. By spotlighting the eclectic origins of contemporary writers, the event highlights the importance of accessible, diverse reading material in nurturing talent. Publishers can glean insight into emerging markets—particularly for cross‑cultural children’s fiction and eco‑thrillers—while educators see a compelling case for encouraging eclectic, pleasure‑driven reading habits.