Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard The Hidden Lives of Writers

S06 E01 Alistair Mackay

Loading player...
Alistair Mackay is the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of the dystopian novel IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY and the literary novel THE CHILD. His most recent release is a collection of short stories entitled THE LUCKY ONES.

Alistair joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about what it means to write queer fiction and what it was like to live and write in New York City.

For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup

Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform

Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here:
Email: hiddenlivesofwriters@gmail.com
Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod
Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod
YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers
Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters
Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers
Chapters
  • 00:01 Writing struggles and current projects
  • 04:53 Media consumption and linguistic questions
  • 09:27 Introduction of guest Alistair Mackay
  • 12:06 Audiobook recording experience
  • 15:40 Alistair's typical writing process
  • 17:51 Alistair's journey to becoming a writer
  • 21:51 Development of Alistair's published works
  • 24:29 Eco-narratives and dystopian fiction
  • 28:48 Personal exposure in writing
  • 33:00 Therapy in fiction
  • 35:52 Writing sex scenes
  • 38:24 World building in dystopian fiction
  • 41:08 Short story writing process
  • 46:01 Writing queer fiction in South Africa
  • 52:24 Generational changes in queer experience
  • 55:06 Future writing plans
  • 58:09 Reception and current media consumption
  • 01:02:29 Closing reflections
8 Sep 2025 English Explicit South Africa Books · Arts

Other recent episodes

S08 E03 Sarah Lotz

Sarah Lotz is a prolific and hugely popular author who won the British Fantasy Award in 2015. She lived in South Africa for many years before moving back to the United Kingdom. Sarah is known for her many writing collaborations, as well as her solo work. Her most recent novel…
21 Sep 59 min

S08 E02 Deon Meyer

Deon Meyer is a multi-award-winning and bestselling author whose books regularly smash sales records. His latest book SKORPIO is available in Afrikaans, while SCORPIO RISING will be released by Pan Macmillan on 1 October. Deon joins Fiona and Gail to talk about his early days of writing as a single…
14 Sep 1 hr 04 min

S08 E01 Catriona Ross

Catrina Ross is an author and editor with many years of experience in the South African book world. She is the author of THE WHICH WORD, newly released by Mirari Press. Catriona joins Fiona and Gail to talk about the 6-second rule in publishing and the inspiration behind her magical…
7 Sep 1 hr 03 min

S07 E10 Busisekile Khumalo

Busisekile Khumalo is the bestselling author of the Harvard Wife series of novels, as well as the standalone book, Nomaswazi, and a new series published by Jonathan Ball Publishers, including Rubies & Rain and Sunshine & Shadows. Busisekile joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about how she walked…
25 May 1 hr 12 min

S07 E09 Zakes Mda

Zakes Mda is one of South Africa's best known and most awarded writers. He is a novelist, playwright, short story writer, and painter. A Professor Emeritus of English at Ohio University, Zakes now lives and works in Johannesburg. He joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about how his…
18 May 1 hr 17 min
All episodes