British Book Award chats kick off with Rónán Hession

The Bookseller is to launch a series of weekly Twitter conversations with the authors shortlisted for this year's British Book Awards.

The first chat will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday 23rd April with Rónán Hession, author of Leonard and Hungry Paul, who is nominated for Debut Book of the Year. Books editor Alice O'Keeffe will be chatting to the author about his novel, his inspirations and what it feels like to be shortlisted for a Nibbie. O'Keeffe will be hosting the chat from her account and users can follow the conversation and join in using the hashtag #BBAchat.

O’Keeffe said: “I’m very much looking forward to chatting to the authors on the shortlist for the Debut Book of the Year at this year’s British Book Awards, beginning with R√≥n√°n Hession (@mublindeafro) author of Leonard and Hungry Paul (Bluemoose Books) this Thursday at 4 p.m. Talking to writers is one of the best bits of my job and I’m keen to find out everything from the inspiration behind their first novel, to which books are currently piled up on their bedside table. And as my children (seven and five) are very much around, these esteemed novelists should also expect a grilling on their favourite dinosaur and how often they eat biscuits ‚Äì both current preoccupations in our house. I am on @aliceokbooks and do please join in using the hashtag #BBAchat.”

On Wednesday 1st May at 3 p.m. O'Keeffe will be talking to Stacey Halls about The Familiars and on Thursday 7th May at 4p.m., O'Keeffe will be joined by Sara Collins to talk about The Confessions of Frannie Langton. More #BBAchats with shortlisted authors are to be announced.