Tuesday 27th July 2021
SONGWRITER: POLLY SAMSON + DAVID GILMOUR

Polly reads an excerpt from A Theatre for Dreamers and David talks about the process of finding inspiration for new music he wrote for the audiobook.

Listen to the podcast here.


Thursday 29th April 2021

Photo: Harry Borden.

A very happy birthday to Polly!


Thursday 15th April 2021
A THEATRE FOR DREAMERS

Polly's bestselling novel, which was a 2020 book of the year in The Times and The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, the Daily Mail, and The Spectator, will be published in paperback today by Bloomsbury. It has already been heralded as one of the Best Paperbacks of 2021 by The Sunday Times.


Wednesday 14th April 2021
TONIGHT ON ITV

Polly and David were interviewed today about the Von Trappeds and A Theatre for Dreamers for tonight's ITV News at Ten on the eve of the paperback's release.

Click here to watch the interview.


Wednesday 14th April 2021
THE LONDON LIBRARY LIT FESTIVAL

On Monday 3rd May at 6.00pm, Polly will be speaking to novelist and journalist Edward Docx about A Theatre for Dreamers; the discussion will be interwoven with music from David Gilmour and Romany Gilmour.

For more information, click here.


Tuesday 13th April 2021
POLLY SAMSON: COHEN ON HYDRA

On Saturday 24th April at 6.30pm, Polly will be taking part in an online event as part of the Cambridge Literary Festival.

For more information, click here.


Thursday 8th April 2021
5X15 SPECIAL: GREAT LIVES

On Monday 12th April from 7.00pm, Polly will be taking part in this special event and talking about the extraordinary life of the Australian writer and essayist Charmian Clift, a woman ahead of her time who was an inspiration to Leonard Cohen, and the centre of a bohemian artists' colony on the Greek island of Hydra in the 1950s and 60s. Charmian Clift has been reimagined in fiction by Polly in her best-selling novel A Theatre for Dreamers.

The event is free to register online via Zoom. For more information, click here.


Sunday 28th March 2021
MOUNTAINS TO SEA DLR BOOK FESTIVAL

Join Maia Dunphy and Polly Samson for what promises to be a fascinating conversation about A Theatre for Dreamers. Also joining them tonight at 8.00pm will be David and Romany Gilmour who will perform a couple of songs which they have composed and recorded in response to Polly's latest novel.

For more information, click here.


Friday 19th March 2021
PAPERBACK RELEASE OF A THEATRE FOR DREAMERS ON APRIL 15TH



Polly's bestselling novel, which was a 2020 book of the year in The Times and The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, the Daily Mail, and The Spectator, will be published in paperback by Bloomsbury on April 15th 2021.

Those pre-ordering the paperback from Rough Trade can currently also get an exclusive limited edition bonus CD, featuring music inspired by the book. The four tracks include Yes, I Have Ghosts which was written by Polly and David Gilmour, and performed by David and the couple's daughter Romany. It also features three instrumentals originally by David for the audiobook version of A Theatre for Dreamers.

CD Track Listing

1. Yes, I Have Ghosts
2. Tell The Truth
3. Astral Dust
4. Kokineli


Friday 19th March 2021

It is with great regret that due to the ongoing pandemic, the dates for A Theatre for Dreamers – An evening of words and music with Samson and David Gilmour, due to take place in June, have been cancelled.

We ask that ticket holders do NOT contact the box offices and wait to be contacted by their respective venue's box office team.

Manchester RCNM – Friday 25th June
Birmingham Town Hall – Saturday 26th June
London Westminster Central Hall – Monday 28th June

For details on refunds (including Terms and Conditions), please click here.


Monday 18th January 2021




Thursday 14th January 2021
JOIN THE VON TRAPPED FAMILY TONIGHT



David and Polly are hosting another Von Trapped family live stream tonight on Facebook to celebrate the North American release of Charlie Gilmour's memoir, Featherhood. Join them at https://www.facebook.com/davidgilmour at 6.00pm GMT/1.00pm ET (you'll be able to watch again afterwards there, too).


Photo: Romany Gilmour.

Polly and David have collaborated for the release of the audiobook of A Theatre for Dreamers, which is published by W.F. Howes and available here. The groundbreaking audiobook features David's original music throughout.

The Sunday Times bestseller A Theatre for Dreamers by Polly Samson, published in hardback and eBook by Bloomsbury Circus, is available here.

To enquire about a signed copy of A Theatre for Dreamers, please send an e-mail to info@newhambooks.co.uk

Yes, I Have Ghosts is the first new song from David Gilmour in five years and features the voice and harp playing of his daughter Romany. The inspiration for the track was Polly Samson's new novel A Theatre for Dreamers. Yes, I Have Ghosts by David Gilmour, featuring Romany Gilmour, is released on SONY MUSIC. Click here to stream or download.

Wednesday 23rd December 2020




Tuesday 22nd December 2020
JOIN THE VON TRAPPED FAMILY TOMORROW NIGHT



There will be a live stream tomorrow night at 6.30pm GMT; as always, it's free to join at https://www.facebook.com/pollysamson.


Monday 30th November 2020

A Theatre for Dreamers has appeared in the Best Novels of 2020 lists in The Telegraph, The Times, The Sunday Times, and the Daily Mail.

In addition, Charlie Gilmour's Featherhood was Memoir of the Year in yesterday's Sunday Times.

If you'd like a copy of A Theatre for Dreamers – including signed and dedicated ones – click here.

You can buy Featherhood here.


Monday 16th November 2020
SIGNED & DEDICATED



For those who've asked about getting dedicated copies of #ATheatreForDreamers for gifts, we're pleased to report that the wonderful Lutyens & Rubinstein now have a webpage offering just that! Choose your dedication and order here.


Tuesday 3rd November 2020
THE ANGLO-HELLENIC LEAGUE



On Tuesday 27th October, Polly chatted about A Theatre for Dreamers and Greece with John Kittmer for the Anglo-Hellenic League on Zoom. You can watch the full conversation above.


Friday 4th September 2020
VON TRAPPED FAMILY FEATHERHOOD LIVE STREAM



Here's the high quality version of last week's live stream to celebrate the publication day of Charlie Gilmour's Featherhood memoir.


Wednesday 26th August 2020
THE VON TRAPPED FAMILY ARE BACK!

Photo: Romany Gilmour.

Please join us tomorrow, Thursday 27th, at 7.00pm BST for a special live streamed event to celebrate the launch of Charlie Gilmour's book, Featherhood.

There will be birds. There will be words. An Evening of Birds and Words (and perhaps some songs too). Admission is free (as ever) at https://www.facebook.com/pollysamson, but do consider ordering a copy of the book here. It's brilliant.


Friday 3rd July 2020
'YES, I HAVE GHOSTS' – DAVID GILMOUR'S FIRST NEW MUSIC IN FIVE YEARS



Yes, I Have Ghosts is the first new song from David Gilmour in five years and features the voice and harp playing of his daughter Romany. The inspiration for the track was Polly Samson's new novel A Theatre for Dreamers.

Of Yes, I Have Ghosts, David says "I was working on this song just as we went in to lockdown and had to cancel a session with backing singers but, as it turned out, the solution was right here and I couldn't be happier with the way Romany's voice blends with mine and her beautiful harp playing has been another revelation".

The song has previously only been available as part the ground-breaking audiobook for the novel. Polly Samson, who wrote the lyrics, says "Collaborating with David – as I have done many times over the last 30 years, writing songs for both Pink Floyd and his solo albums – we were able to bring together the worlds of literature and music to enhance the listening experience and connect with audiences in a way which I don't think has been done before".

The Sunday Times bestseller A Theatre for Dreamers by Polly Samson is out now and published by Bloomsbury.

A Theatre for Dreamers audiobook is available here.

Yes, I Have Ghosts by David Gilmour, featuring Romany Gilmour, is released today on SONY MUSIC. Click here to stream/download.


Thursday 2nd July 2020
VON TRAPPED TONIGHT



We've decided to celebrate tomorrow's worldwide release of David's new song Yes, I Have Ghosts with another Von Trapped Family broadcast. Please join us from 7.30pm BST (2.30pm ET) at https://www.facebook.com/davidgilmour.


Thursday 25th June 2020
AUDIO EDITION OF THE BESTSELLING NOVEL IS LAUNCHED TODAY

Photo: Romany Gilmour.

Polly and David have collaborated for the release of the audiobook of A Theatre for Dreamers, which is published today by W.F. Howes and is available here. The groundbreaking audiobook features David's original music throughout.


Wednesday 3rd June 2020

It is with great regret that the dates for A Theatre for Dreamers – An Evening of Words and Music with Polly Samson and David Gilmour have been rescheduled to June 2021.

All tickets will be valid for the new shows, which have been previewed via The Von Trapped Family broadcasts on Polly's Facebook page. Any NEW purchases will receive a signed copy of the hardback version of the book by Polly Samson and a signed photo by Polly and David Gilmour on the night of the event. Please see Terms and Conditions.

A Theatre for Dreamers – An Evening of Words and Music with Polly Samson and David Gilmour:

Friday 25th June 2021 – Manchester, Royal Northern College of Music

Saturday 26th June 2021 – Birmingham, Town Hall

Monday 28th June 2021 – London, Central Hall Westminster

For details on refunds, please click here.


Sunday 31st May 2020
HAY FESTIVAL REPLAY

A one-of-a-kind performance and Q&A took place at Hay Festival Digital last night with Polly Samson and David Gilmour. Thanks to everyone who tuned in; you can catch up here (requires a subscription).


Thursday 14th May 2020
LOCKDOWN CULTURE WITH MARY BEARD

Mary Beard's Lockdown Culture series continues tonight on BBC Two at 7.00pm and features the Von Trapped family.


Monday 11th May 2020
VON TRAPPED FAMILY LIVE STREAM #6



Here's the high quality version of last Thursday's live stream, in which David discussed his childhood friendship with Syd Barrett and played two of Syd's songs. Thanks to David for putting the hi-res film together.


Thursday 7th May 2020



Rehearsals underway for tonight's Von Trapped Family livestream (7.00pm BST / 2.00pm ET) at https://www.facebook.com/pollysamson. Send questions!


Thursday 7th May 2020
DAMIAN BARR'S LITERARY SALON – APRIL 2020



Polly Samson and family regaled us with exclusive readings and a Q and A at our very first live online Salon, relocated from the Savoy, attracting 50,000 viewers from around the world!


Monday 4th May 2020



Polly spoke to K9 Magazine about the dogs who've captured her heart over the years and how they broke all the rules with their newest rescue dog, Barbounia.


Thursday 30th April 2020

Please join us at https://www.facebook.com/pollysamson for tonight's Von Trapped Family live stream from 7.00pm.


Tuesday 28th April 2020
VON TRAPPED FAMILY LIVE STREAM #4



Here's the high quality version of Thursday night's A Theatre for Dreamers live stream, which had the theme of cooperation. Thanks to David Gilmour for putting it together.


Thursday 23rd April 2020

Please join us at https://www.facebook.com/pollysamson for tonight's Von Trapped Family live stream from 7.00pm. The theme of this one is cooperation/collaboration.


Saturday 18th April 2020
A THEATRE FOR DREAMERS – A THIRD STREAM OF WORDS AND MUSIC WITH POLLY SAMSON AND DAVID GILMOUR



Here's the high quality version of Thursday night's A Theatre for Dreamers live stream celebrating exactly 60 years since Leonard Cohen stepped foot on Hydra. You can order the book here. Thanks to David Gilmour for putting it together.


Thursday 16th April 2020

Back for another Von Trapped Family live stream with David Gilmour and our gang tonight on Facebook (8.30pm BST). We thought we'd broaden it out a bit, so if you have an interesting question for myself, David, Charlie, Romany or Janina, please post it on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pollysamson.


Tuesday 14th April 2020
A THEATRE FOR DREAMERS – A SECOND STREAM OF WORDS AND MUSIC WITH POLLY SAMSON AND DAVID GILMOUR

To celebrate her new novel A Theatre for Dreamers entering The Sunday Times' Bestsellers list at No. 2, Polly Samson and her 'Von Trapped Family' have hosted another live stream of words and music while under lockdown.



The live stream opened with a harp and guitar duet by Romany and David Gilmour which is part of a forthcoming new song written for and about the novel. This week's stream featured readings from the book, questions from the audience and fascinating insights into the island of Hydra in 1960 including photographs by James Burke of the first public performance by Leonard Cohen.

During research for the book, Polly discovered the song that Cohen would have been playing in those photos was probably Fingerprints, which he later recorded for the album Death of a Ladies' Man. David Gilmour performed an exclusive version of the song during the live stream and closed out the evening with Leonard Cohen's Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye.

The streams are adapted versions of the special events rescheduled for September where the audience will be transported to the Greek island of Hydra in 1960, and a world dancing on the edge of revolution, where a circle of poets, painters, writers and musicians live tangled lives. It's a story of utopian dreams and innocence lost, of the troubled King and Queen of Bohemia, Charmian Clift and George Johnson, of a young poet named Leonard Cohen, and his Marianne; and of Erica Hart, an 18-year-old in search of answers.


Thursday 9th April 2020

Our Von Trapped family is back for a second #ATheatreForDreamers live stream tonight at 8.30pm BST / 3.30pm ET via https://www.facebook.com/davidgilmour.


Sunday 5th April 2020
A THEATRE FOR DREAMERS – A STREAM OF WORDS AND MUSIC WITH POLLY SAMSON AND DAVID GILMOUR

On the evening of Thursday 2nd April, Polly Samson and family celebrated the publication date of her new novel A Theatre for Dreamers with a live stream of words and music, which is now available on demand on her official Facebook page here.

The live stream was a truncated version of the special events rescheduled for September, and featured Polly Samson in conversation, readings, and very special performances by David Gilmour of the Leonard Cohen classics Bird on the Wire and So Long, Marianne.

The audience was transported to the Greek island of Hydra in 1960, and a world dancing on the edge of revolution, where a circle of poets, painters, writers and musicians live tangled lives. It's a story of utopian dreams and innocence lost, of the troubled King and Queen of Bohemia, Charmian Clift and George Johnson, of a young poet named Leonard Cohen, and his Marianne; and of Erica Hart, an 18-year-old in search of answers.




Thursday 2nd April 2020

A Theatre for Dreamers is out today. Due to the NHS clapping in the UK at 8.00pm tonight, the live streaming has been moved to 8.30pm BST / 3.30pm ET.




Wednesday 1st April 2020

#ATheatreForDreamers is out tomorrow (https://smarturl.it/atheatrefordreamers) and @DavidGilmour and I were meant to celebrate with a big launch event in London. With that postponed, we've decided to stream live from home instead. Do join us at https://www.facebook.com/pollysamson at 8.00pm BST on Thursday 2nd April.


Friday 13th March 2020

It is with great regret that the dates for A Theatre for Dreamers – An Evening of Words and Music with Polly Samson and David Gilmour have been postponed.

The dates have been rescheduled for September and all tickets are valid for the new shows.

Manchester RCNM
Wednesday 9th September



Birmingham Town Hall
Thursday 10th September



Central Hall Westminster
Friday 11th September



Ticket holders will be sent their signed books and photos week commencing Monday 30th March.

A THEATRE FOR DREAMERS BY POLLY SAMSON IS PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY 2ND APRIL BY BLOOMSBURY.

For details of refunds, please click here.


12th February 2020
A THEATRE FOR DREAMERS – AN EVENING OF WORDS AND MUSIC WITH POLLY SAMSON AND DAVID GILMOUR




Join Polly Samson and friends to launch her new novel A Theatre for Dreamers at an evening of words and music in Manchester, Birmingham and London.

Each of these special events will feature Polly Samson in conversation with journalist Rosie Boycott, readings, film and live music, including a new song Yes, I Have Ghosts written by David Gilmour and Polly Samson.

The audience will be transported to the Greek island of Hydra in 1960, and a world dancing on the edge of revolution, where a circle of poets, painters, writers and musicians live tangled lives. It's a story of utopian dreams and innocence lost, of the troubled King and Queen of Bohemia, Charmian Clift and George Johnson, of a young poet named Leonard Cohen, and his Marianne; and of Erica Hart, an 18-year-old in search of answers.

Ticket prices include a signed first edition of A Theatre for Dreamers and an exclusive portrait of Polly Samson and David Gilmour taken on Hydra and signed by them both.

'In A Theatre for Dreamers, Polly Samson goes to the Greek island of Hydra to imagine the first steps in the love affair between Leonard Cohen and his Marianne. As dreamily nostalgic as Cohen's song Famous Blue Raincoat' OBSERVER, Fiction to look out for in 2020

'It is a grand read and the prose falls translucently like the air ... Superb work and a delightful novel' THOMAS KENEALLY

'Polly Samson has created such a dazzling evocation of an era and its mindset. Here, the island of Hydra is a geographical place but a psychological one too, populated by beautiful and damaged characters who pull you down into its pages for another café gossip, another moonlit swim, another drink. This book is a bohemian idyll meticulously drawn, and unsparingly exposed. It is like going away to paradise, then coming back rather wiser. You don't read this book – you live it' MARINA HYDE

A THEATRE FOR DREAMERS BY POLLY SAMSON IS PUBLISHED ON THURSDAY 2ND APRIL BY BLOOMSBURY CIRCUS.


6th January 2020
A THEATRE FOR DREAMERS

Polly's new novel, A Theatre for Dreamers, is in The Observer's top 2020 reading picks – "As dreamily nostalgic as Leonard Cohen's Famous Blue Raincoat". It will be released in April 2020.

Click here to pre-order a special signed copy of A Theatre for Dreamers (limited quantities available).


4th December 2019
A THEATRE FOR DREAMERS



Polly's new novel will be released in April 2020.

Click here to pre-order a special signed copy of A Theatre for Dreamers (limited quantities available).

7th June 2018
POLLY HONOURED



We are very happy to announce that Polly Samson has been made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

For nearly 200 years, the RSL has celebrated and nurtured all that is best in British literature, past and present.

Polly's current fellows include Margaret Atwood, Martin Amis and Rose Tremain.

Fellows are given a choice of pens with which to sign the register from TS Eliot, Lord Byron and George Eliot.

Polly signed using a pen that once belonged to one of Britain's greatest ever poets, Lord Byron.

1st July 2016
LA GENTILEZZA



The Kindness is available in Italian.
Click here for more details.

28th May 2016
HAY FESTIVAL

Polly was talking to Georgina Godwin.

27th May 2016
HAY FESTIVAL

David Gilmour and Polly discussed their songwriting partnership with Rosie Boycott.
Watch the interview here.

25th May 2016
TALKS AT GOOGLE



Polly talks about her career, her two recent US book releases, 'The Kindness' and 'Perfect Lives', and her songwriting process.

1st May 2016
'THE KINDNESS'

Polly's novel 'The Kindness' is published in paperback in Australia today.

9th April 2016
DAMIAN BARR'S LITERARY SALON

This evening the Ace Hotel hosted Damian Barr's New York Literary salon with Polly Samson, Jonathan Lee and David Gilmour. Damian is himself a critically acclaimed author, 'Maggie and Me', as well as London's leading literary 'salonista'.

The salon's first session was with Polly, whose new rave-reviewed novel, 'The Kindness', as well as the sublime 'Perfect Lives', have both recently been published in the US and Canada. Polly read an extract from 'The Kindness' and then Damian, who is a charming, witty and erudite interlocutor, asked her about the novel, its genesis and her unique approach to writing. The audience, which included fellow authors Jon Ronson ('The Psychopath Test') and Neil Gaiman ('The Sandman') were clearly captivated by Polly's eloquent and humourous account of her writing life and the challenges 'The Kindness' presented, some involving looking at sperm under a microscope (to understand this reference, read the book).

Joining Damian next was Jonathan Lee, a British, New York-based writer, who is best known for his novels 'Who Is Mr Satoshi', 'Joy', and his new book,'High Dive' – the Guardian newspaper described him as "a major new voice in British fiction". Jonathan read an extract from 'High Dive', which is based on events prior to the bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton. Coincidentally, Polly's book of short stories, 'Perfect Lives', is also set in Brighton.

Damian's final session was with David and Polly, discussing their very successful music writing partnership. Invariably David will play Polly several pieces of music and she will see where her lyrical muse takes her; she explained that she listens to the music on her iPod and walks miles mulling it over and writing in her head. Damian asked if there were ever occasions when David rejected the lyrics and he replied "only once"; most of the time they are "perfect". It was a good note to end on.

30th March 2016
BEN MCNALLY BOOKS

Ben McNally Books hosted the event in their charming art deco bookshop, and Ben was the interviewer. Following Polly's reading of an extract from 'The Kindness', Ben asked her about where the story had come from and about her writing process. He commented that "it is a tremendous book and you are a brilliant writer". Talking about her writing process, Polly said that for her it's not about "getting your bottom on a seat, it's about getting on your feet" as she explained that she walks for miles 'writing' in her head, both her prose and lyrics. Polly was then joined by David Gilmour who described their writing partnership as 'magical'.

23rd March 2016
THE LAST BOOKSTORE

One of LA's leading bookstores, The Last Bookstore, hosted the event and the interviewer was David Ulin, former books editor and critic for the Los Angeles Times. Polly spoke about 'The Kindness' with David Ulin before being joined by David Gilmour, where they talked about their chart-topping writing collaborations: four number one albums so far. The event filled the shop to capacity and the signing line took a couple of hours to complete; the bookstore was delighted.

22nd March 2016
'THE KINDNESS' AND 'PERFECT LIVES'

Polly's novels 'The Kindness' and 'Perfect Lives' are published in paperback in the US today.

10th March 2016
'THE KINDNESS'

Polly's novel 'The Kindness' is published in paperback in the UK and India today.

8th March 2016
THE BOOKS THAT BUILT ME

Polly appeared on a literary desert island discs with Helen Brocklebank at Annabel's, London.

24th February 2016
JEWISH BOOK WEEK

Polly discussed 'The Kindness' with Guardian book critic Stephanie Merritt.

14th December 2015
DAMIAN BARR'S LITERARY SALON



RoofTop 5, in the Pinheiros district of São Paulo, was yesterday's venue for Damian Barr's Literary Salon with Polly Samson; the Brazilian edition of her book, Um ato de bondade, was published here last week.

When Polly and Damian arrived at the 27-storey cultural centre, the building was suffering a power cut and they were nervously ushered into the emergency lift. Thankfully, five minutes later the power came back on and all concerned with organising Damian's first literary salon in South America breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Damian both surprised and delighted the capacity audience by donning a tweed kilt and matching Highland jacket, a brave choice given the heat. Polly read two extracts from her book, The Kindness, and Paula the translator did a great job of reading the Portuguese version.



And then it was time to introduce the 'special guest', "he is the man who sings the lyrics that Polly writes", and then enters David stage right to a delighted and rather non-plussed audience. Damian asked David and Polly about their songwriting partnership and how the process works; David played some bars from early versions of Rattle That Lock and A Boat Lies Waiting to illustrate how the two of them create and shape the songs. After questions from the floor there was a lengthy book signing, and then back to the hotel to prepare for an early departure to Curitiba, the next concert on this South American trek.

Listen to the podcast here.

21st October 2015
MANCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL

Polly appeared with Virginia Baily.

17th October 2015
ISLE OF WIGHT LITERARY FESTIVAL

Polly appeared with Patrick Gale.

13th October 2015
BARNETTS BOOKSHOP

Polly was at the bookshop in Wadhurst today.

1st October 2015
WATERSTONES, PICCADILLY

A Neapolitan Celebration of Elena Ferrante with Polly, Ann Goldstein, and Rosie Goldsmith.

1st October 2015
HENLEY LITERARY FESTIVAL

Polly appeared with Patrick Gale.

25th July 2015
THE WEEKEND EDITION

Polly was interviewed by Georgina Godwin, Presenter/Books Editor at Monocle 24.

21st July 2015
'THE KINDNESS'

Polly's new novel 'The Kindness' is published in hardcover today in the US by Bloomsbury USA.

19th July 2015
CURIOUS ARTS FESTIVAL

Polly was interviewed by Damian Barr.

15th June 2015
5 X 15

15-minute talks by Polly, Roger McGough, Hannah Rothschild, Rory Sutherland, and Jane Wellesley.
Watch Polly's talk here.

6th June 2015
BORRIS HOUSE FESTIVAL OF WRITING AND IDEAS



David Gilmour and Polly Samson discussed their songwriting partnership.

30th May 2015
HAY-ON-WYE LITERARY FESTIVAL

Polly Samson talked to Georgina Godwin.

18th May 2015
BIRKBECK COLLEGE

Polly was in conversation with Russell Celyn Jones.

15th May 2015
CHARLESTON LITERARY FESTIVAL

Polly joined David Nicholls to discuss the conventions of family romances with Alex Clark, literary critic and broadcaster.

14th May 2015
BLOOMSBURY BOOK CLUB

Polly was in conversation with Alexandra Pringle.

1st May 2015
'THE KINDNESS'

Polly's new novel 'The Kindness' is published in hardback today in Australia by Bloomsbury Circus.

28th March 2015
WATERSTONES, PICCADILLY

Polly read at the short story event.

27th March 2015
THE RADIO 2 ARTS SHOW

Polly joined Claudia Winkleman to discuss 'The Kindness' and writing for Pink Floyd.

27th March 2015
HAMPSTEAD LITERARY FESTIVAL

Polly joined Raffaella Barker and Justine Picardie to discuss the process required to channel a character's voice from the depths of one's mind into written word.

21st March 2015
MOUNTAINS TO SEA LITERARY FESTIVAL

Polly joined the 'In Conversation' event with Sarah Bannan, chaired by RTE journalist, Paula Shields.

19th March 2015
BAZAAR BOOKS: POLLY SAMSON

Polly talked to Bazaar editor-in-chief Justine Picardie at The Athenaeum, Mayfair.

12th March 2015
'THE KINDNESS'

Polly's new novel, 'The Kindness', is published in hardback today in the UK by Bloomsbury.

11th March 2015
'FRONT ROW' TONIGHT

Polly was interviewed by Kirsty Lang on BBC Radio 4's Front Row programme.

28th February 2015
THE BATH LITERARY FESTIVAL

Polly attended the 'Pin Drop' event with Ben Okri, chaired by Elizabeth Day.

26th January 2015
DAMIAN BARR LITERARY SALON



Polly joined Patrick Gale, Aminatta Forna, and the Windham Campbell Prizes at The Mondrian Hotel, London, this evening. Listen to the podcast here.

9th January 2015
'THE KINDNESS' IN THE USA

'The Kindness' will be published in hardcover by Bloomsbury USA on July 21, 2015.

4th September 2014
PUBLICATION DATE FOR 'THE KINDNESS'

Polly Samson's new novel 'The Kindness' will be published in the UK in hardback by Bloomsbury on March 12, 2015.

7th July 2012
SMALL WONDER FESTIVAL: THE DOLL

Polly Samson, Anthony Quinn, and Daisy Goodwin discuss Daphne du Maurier's haunting short story collection 'The Doll'. Click here to listen.

12th June 2012
THE ARTS GARDEN PARTY OF THE YEAR

Polly will be attending the Voewood Festival at 1pm on Sunday 26th August.
Click here for information and tickets.

2nd April 2012
SPANISH EDITION OF 'OUT OF THE PICTURE' PUBLISHED

Polly's novel is now available in Spanish. Click here for more details.

25th November 2011
BOOK AT BEDTIME: PERFECT LIVES

Tonight's story was 'Remote Control'.

24th November 2011
BOOK AT BEDTIME: PERFECT LIVES

Tonight's story was 'The Rose Before the Vine'.

23rd November 2011
BOOK AT BEDTIME: PERFECT LIVES

Tonight's story was 'The Birthday Present'.

22nd November 2011
BOOK AT BEDTIME: PERFECT LIVES

Tonight's story was 'Barcarolle'.

21st November 2011
VIRAGO BOOK CLUB LIVE EVENT

Polly will be at the Virago offices on the evening of Tuesday 29th November to talk about 'Perfect Lives' with an audience of Book Club members. Click here for more information.

If you'd like to be part of the audience, please sign up to the Virago Book Club for details of how to apply.

21st November 2011
BOOK AT BEDTIME: PERFECT LIVES

Tonight's story was 'The Egg'.

17th November 2011
BOOK AT BEDTIME

'Perfect Lives' will be the BBC's Book at Bedtime next week, with five readings taken from Polly's short story collection.

Find out more here.

7th November 2011
THE MAN WHO FELL

Polly's latest short story is published in today's Guardian newspaper.

Read it here.

29th OCTOBER 2011
TODAY'S GUARDIAN

The Guardian is giving away a 128-page book, which includes Polly's 'The Man Who Fell' and short stories by Margaret Atwood, Rose Tremain, Audrey Niffenegger, and William Trevor.

16th September 2011
A WEEKEND IN OCTOBER

Polly will be attending the Lancaster Literature Festival at 2pm on Saturday 15th October and, at 12 noon on Sunday 16th, the Cheltenham Literature Festival where she'll be discussing the short story genre with Judith Hermann.

6th September 2011
SMALL WONDER

Polly will be attending the Charleston Small Wonder Literary Festival (22-25 September) on Saturday 24th September.

26th August 2011
VOEWOOD FESTIVAL

Polly will be in conversation with Damian Barr about families and storytelling this Monday at 3.00pm in the Hire Intelligence Blue Tent.

1st June 2011
THE MORNING AFTER

The Daily Telegraph published Polly's story 'The Morning After' on Saturday. You can read it here.

27th May 2011
HAY FESTIVAL & 'THE MORNING AFTER'

Polly will be talking about 'Perfect Lives' at the Hay Festival this Sunday at 5.30pm in the Sky Arts Studio.

The Daily Telegraph, sponsor of the Hay Festival, is running Polly's story 'The Morning After' in the newspaper tomorrow (the morning before!).

18th May 2011
DAPHNE DU MAURIER FESTIVAL

Polly will be discussing 'Perfect Lives' with Professor Helen Taylor from the University of Exeter on Thursday 19th May 2011 at 10.00am.

12th May 2011
READING: SALTDEAN LIBRARY

Polly will be reading from 'Perfect Lives' at Saltdean Library on Saturday 14th May from 11am. All are welcome and entry is FREE.

Click here for more details.

11th May 2011
PODCAST: eiCLUB HAY FESTIVAL DISCUSSION

Polly was a member of the Opinion Former Panel at today's 'The Importance of Books and Writing: An eiClub Hay Festival Discussion' event hosted by The Hospital Club and chaired by Peter Florence, Director of the Hay Festival.

The eiClub is a 'connections gym' run by Editorial Intelligence, ensuring stimulating and time-saving ways to get the best ideas flowing between working professionals.

A FREE podcast of the discussion is available here.

10th May 2011
PERFECT LIVES SHORTLISTED FOR EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY SHORT STORY PRIZE

Polly has been shortlisted for the Edge Hill University Short Story Prize 2011 for 'Perfect Lives'.

Now in its fifth year, it is the UK's only literary award that recognises a published collection of short stories. The prize is open to anyone, and the shortlist is a mix of both well-known short story writers and newcomers. Alongside Polly, whose 'Perfect Lives' was recently published in paperback to positive reviews, are Graham Mort (Touch), Michele Roberts (Mud: Stories of Sex and Love), Helen Simpson (In-flight Entertainment), and Tom Vowler (The Method and Other Stories).

Ailsa Cox, the competition co-ordinator at Edge Hill University, said: "A good short story is intense and exciting, sometimes sad and often very comic. The five collections all have these vital ingredients – so I predict that judging will be difficult this year". The judging panel this year includes: scriptwriter and short story author Jeremy Dyson; author, presenter and journalist Stuart Maconie; and Marcus Gipps, previously of Blackwell books, now an editor at Gollancz.

The winner will be announced at the award ceremony, to be held in London in July.

4th May 2011
WOMAN'S HOUR

Polly was talking about Daphne du Maurier on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour today. You can listen to the full programme here or forward the player to 34:25 for the feature.

2nd May 2011
BRIGHTON FESTIVAL FRINGE

Polly Samson will be talking about 'Perfect Lives' at the Brighton Festival Fringe on Friday 20th May 2011
at 7.00pm.

30th April 2011
WOMAN'S HOUR

Polly will be talking about Daphne du Maurier on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour on Wednesday 4th May.

6th April 2011
HAY FESTIVAL UPDATE

Polly Samson will be talking about 'Perfect Lives' at the Hay Festival in Powys, Wales, on Sunday 29th May 2011 at 5.30pm in the Sky Arts Studio.

18th February 2011
THE BOOKSELLER

Polly has written the introduction to a collection of newly-discovered Daphne du Maurier
stories: The Doll.

20th January 2011
HAY FESTIVAL

Polly Samson will be talking about 'Perfect Lives' at the Hay Festival in Powys, Wales. The date for her event will be announced soon.

18th January 2011
PUBLICATION DATE

Polly Samson's 'Perfect Lives' will be available in hardcover in the US and Canada on 1st March. More news and links to follow.

7th December 2010
CHRISTMAS CATALOGUE: PRIMROSE HILL BOOKS

Primrose Hill Books have chosen 'Perfect Lives' as one of 16 fiction titles for their Christmas Catalogue: "Perfectly nuanced, deftly interlinked series of stories...told with wit, insight and compassion. Surprisingly frank, raw, and beautifully written".

25th November 2010
'TUNE IN' TO RADIO 3

Polly's short story 'Barcarolle' about a frustrated piano tuner was broadcast this evening on Radio 3, read by Rory Kinnear who is currently playing Hamlet at the National Theatre.

15th November 2010
JOOLS HOLLAND SHOW

Polly was Jools Holland's guest on Radio 2 today.

5th November 2010
WOMAN'S HOUR

Polly was interviewed today by Jenni Murray on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour. You can listen to the full programme here or forward the player to 21.07 for the interview.

4th November 2010
PUBLICATION DAY

'Perfect Lives' is published today in hardback by Virago.

26th October 2010
IVAN KNOWS

Polly Samson's story Ivan Knows from 'Perfect Lives' is runner-up for the 2010 V.S. Pritchett Prize.

2nd September 2010
THE ROSE BEFORE THE VINE

A new Polly Samson story will be published in Issue 12 of The International Literary Quarterly.

19th August 2010
THE JUST WHEN STORIES – AVAILABLE IN HARDBACK

Polly's latest story, 'The Morning After', has been published in 'The Just When Stories'. Click here to buy the hardback.

5th August 2010
BOOK JACKET

Here's the finished jacket. I'm so pleased with it. Thank you Virago. Thank you Charlie for lending a hand. Thank you Chloe Firouzian for taking such a good photograph.