Michael Cunningham: ‘Some people have never forgiven me for not just writing The Hours again’

The acclaimed author was halfway through writing a novel when the pandemic hit – forcing him to start over. He discusses the new book, and how he’s continuing to honour his literary heroes

Liam Byrne: ‘I’d say about a quarter to a third of MPs are the children of alcoholics’

In his new book, the Labour MP, who left a note to his Treasury successor in 2010 saying that there was ‘no money’, likens modern Britain to the last days of Rome. He talks about trauma, Starmer and creating a fairer society

Megan Nolan: ‘People say you shouldn’t do an issues novel’

The award-winning Irish novelist on the psychology of violence, why prurience is natural and writing in bed

Hannah Ritchie: ‘Doomsday predictions are a dream for climate deniers’

The environmental scientist, whose book Not the End of the World offers a data-based analysis of the climate crisis, on being informed and engaged without succumbing to despair

Comedian Fern Brady: ‘Bloody everyone says they are bisexual now’

The ​author of the award-nominated memoir​ Strong Female Character on her early ambition to be a spy​ and why she’d never do a film about being autistic

Sunday with Ben Miller: ‘I’m always recognised at the dump’

The comedian on trips to the tip, double doodles and why there’s never an argument over the telly remote

Gyles Brandreth: ‘Never look back. You might fall down the stairs’

The writer and broadcaster, 75, on keeping busy, meeting TS Eliot and the Queen, and why his wife thinks he’s ridiculous

‘No, that’s fascism’: the librarian who defied Russia’s purge of LGBTQ+ books

When Vladimir Kosarevsky was ordered to destroy gay novels, he raised the alarm instead – then went to Spain to rebuild his life

Sunday with James O’Brien: ‘I like doing “dad” things like mowing the lawn’

The radio presenter on Marmite croissants and the magic of boat yards

‘It was smart to write when I was so angry’: Bonnie Garmus on the winning formula behind Lessons in Chemistry

Her best-selling debut has sold 6m copies and been made into a hit TV series. The author discusses how a bad day in the office was the spark for worldwide success

Kate Ceberano: ‘I’ve been misrepresented by ignorance – I work really hard and I love what I do’

The Australian singer talks about quitting school at 14, growing up in Scientology and why she’s finally coming into her own as an artist, aged 57

Julianne Moore: ‘Like every other woman in the world, I do ceramics’

The star of Todd Haynes’s new film, May December, on giving her character a lisp, surviving the actors’ strike and her plans for Christmas

Michael Rosen: ‘My daughter once called me an “optimistic nihilist”’

The former children’s laureate who has enjoyed a red letter year on striving for happiness, the secret to writing for kids, and which book he wants for Christmas

‘The drugs were good, the music was good, the sex was good’ – cult French writer Ann Scott on her techno years

She ran away to punk London at 12, becoming a drummer, a skinhead and a model. Then she wrote Superstars, about the hard-raving 90s. Now the writer is back – with a novel about a Marvel movie composer relocating to the coast

Ian Broudie: ‘Terry Venables liked Three Lions: “It’s a proper key-tapper, Ian,” he said’

The Lightning Seeds musician on his memories of Britpop, why the FA didn’t like his Three Lions song, and why he loves being a scouser