In his long career in literary journalism, Alex Hamilton has probably met and talked in depth to more of our great writers than anyone else, from the most critically acclaimed to the most hard-nosed bestsellers, from novelists to cartoonists, and in every genre, from Thrillers and Whodunnits to Short Stories, from Poetry to Science Fiction.

This selection from a life's work gives us a stimulating and rare insight into the minds and lives of some of the most fascinating creators of our modern culture. It's a book that contains many surprises in the revelations given by some of the authors about their struggles and victories, the serious or humorous commitments made by them, and their addiction to the kind of fiction they like to write. The reader will soon realise that no two of these eighty-five featured authors - such as Kurt Vonnegut, Angelaâ Carter, Stephen King, Daphne du Maurier, Ian McEwan, Jorge Luis Borges, Graham Greene or Margaret Atwood - are alike.

Splendidly informative and serious, Writing Talk is also often very funny: a book to dip into as the mood takes, or to dive into hungrily. It will appeal to those with a passion for books and for the people who have written them.

"I've been fortunate to talk to so many marvellous writers. Gathering some of these conversations into a book, rather than their brief life in a daily newspaper, offers a chance for readers to share my pleasure and to introduce a new generation to some past greats,"â says Alexâ Hamilton, behind his reason to create Writing Talk.