Damian Barr's Literary Salon

From the freshest debuts to the biggest bestsellers, this is where the world’s best writers read for the first time from their latest greatest books and share their own personal stories. Recent world premieres include ‘Hamnet’, ‘Again, Rachel’ and ‘Shuggie Bain’.

Enjoy our Book of the Week strand (formerly named Salon Exclusives), where each bite-size episode offers an exclusive taster of a new book. Or relax into an in-depth interview with one of your very favourite writers. Warm your heart with Armstead Maupin. Or hang on every word with Yaa Gyasi.

Hosted by writer and broadcaster, Damian Barr, and handpicked Guest Hosts, the Literary Salon live events and recordings celebrate storytelling and invite you to be part of it.


Produced and edited by Megan Bay Dorman. Programmed by Matt Casbourne. 

Books
201
Emily St. John Mandel - The Literary Salon At A...
Damian Barr talks to Emily St. John Mandel, Natal…
25 min
202
Natalie Haynes - The Literary Salon At Auckland...
Damian Barr talks to Emily St. John Mandel, Natal…
26 min
203
Ben Okri - The Literary Salon At Auckland Write...
Damian Barr talks to Emily St. John Mandel, Natal…
26 min
204
Katharine Norbury - The Literary Salon - April 15
Katharine Norbury reads from her incredible memoi…
29 min
205
Tracey Thorn - The Literary Salon - April 15
After the huge success of Bedsit Disco Queen, her…
29 min
206
Sarah Winman - The Literary Salon - April 15
Sarah Winman premieres her magical new novel, A Y…
38 min
207
Windham Campbell Prize - The Literary Salon - J...
Director of the Windham Campbell Prizes, Michael …
16 min
208
Polly Samson - The Literary Salon - January 15
Polly Samson reads from her second novel The Kind…
33 min
209
Aminatta Forna - The Literary Salon - January 15
Windham Campbell Prize winner Aminatta Forna read…
25 min
210
Patrick Gale - The Literary Salon - January 15
Patrick Gale returns to the Salon to read from hi…
32 min
211
Colm Toíbín on How To Write
One of our favourite moments from The Literary Sa…
2 min
212
Clare Balding - The Literary Salon - November 2014
Clare Balding returns to the Salon to discuss her…
38 min
213
Chris Cleave - The Literary Salon - November 2014
Novelist Chris Cleave returns to the Salon to rea…
34 min
214
SJ Watson - The Literary Salon - November 2014
World premiere! SJ Watson reads from Second Life…
24 min
215
Alan Johnson - The Literary Salon - September 2014
Alan Johnson MP reads for the very first time fro…
41 min
216
David Mitchell - The Literary Salon - September...
David Mitchell reads from and talks about his new…
40 min
217
Esther Freud - The Literary Salon - September 2014
Esther Freud unveils her new novel Mr Mac and Me.…
32 min
218
David Nicholls - The Literary Salon - April 2014
EXCLUSIVE: David Nicholls launched One Day at the…
14 min
219
Armistead Maupin - The Literary Salon - Februar...
Armistead Maupin reads from his new novel and let…
51 min
220
Patrick Gale - The Literary Salon - February 2014
Patrick Gale gives an exclusive reading from his …
28 min
221
Kirsty Wark - The Literary Salon - February 2014
Kirsty Wark talks to Damian about her debut novel…
27 min
222
Janice Galloway - The Literary Salon - August 2013
Janice Galloway reads from her work and talks to …
36 min
223
Maggie O'Farrell - The Literary Salon - August ...
Maggie O'Farrell reads from her work and talks to…
21 min
224
Damian Barr - The Literary Salon - August 2013
Damian Barr reads from his memoir Maggie and Me a…
32 min
225
Lottie Moggach - The Literary Salon - April 2013
Lottie Moggach talks to Damian about her debut no…
23 min