by Hayley Charlesworth

With the release of his seventh novel, The Buried Giant, this week, Booker Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro makes his return to the literature world. The Japanese-born British writer has written works deemed to be classics, and was ranked by The Times as the 32nd greatest British writer since 1945. But for those of you out there who are perhaps new to Ishiguro, here’s what you need to know before dashing out and buying his latest.

By Irene Kovalyova

If you ask a Russian man to tell you the name of the Russian writer that comes to his mind first, this will definitely be Alexander Pushkin. Lots of polls prove it. Pushkin is justly considered to be the father of the modern Russian literary language and new Russian literature. His literary genius covered a number of literary genres, from fairy-tales to historical novels. 

By Ellie Bowker

Malorie Blackman is a British writer who primarily writes literature for children and young adults. Born in Clapham, London, she had aspirations to become an English teacher but then became a systems programmer instead. Blackman earned a Higher National Certificate at Thames Polytechnic and is also a graduate of the National Film and Television School. Her first book, titled Not So Stupid, was a collection of horror and science fiction stories for young adults and this was publish in November 1990. Since then, Malorie Blackman has written over 60 children’s books including novels, short stories and also television scripts and stage plays. 

by Cookie N Screen

This year, we lost a true poet. No, wait, we lost a true humanitarian. No, wait, we lost the ultimate modern culture icon who helped pave the way for rights as well as a wagging her tongue round evocative verses that portrayed the pain of her past with the mind of the present and the hope of the future. The death of Maya Angelou ricocheted across the globes and the nations she had brought together with her astute, vibrant and beautiful written work. As a voice for her generation, as well as an active role in revolution, Angelou graced this world with her intellect and talent. Let's be sycophantic, and rightly so, Angelou was indeed her namesake and then some; a goddess to grace this Earth. 

By Samantha Payne

I have a lot of respect and not a small amount of good-natured jealously for this woman. Born in Kew, Melbourne in Australia, from a young age she was interested in the creative crafts of writing, art and music. Fascinating how a love for the creative side of life often begins during childhood. She obtained an Advanced Certificate in Promotional Display at the Melbourne College of Decoration after deciding to follow the career path to becoming a professional artist. This was where she also received an award for Highest Aggregate Mark in Art Subjects in 1988. 

By Laura W

Sex. Let’s talk about sex. Okay, now that I have your attention, you might as well just keep reading. This will be about England, sex, a doctor and a blog. Got it? Good. Belle de Jour is, or was – depending on how you look at it, the author of the massively successful Secret Diaries of a Call Girl book series. The stories tell of Belle’s time working as a high class London call girl. They are quite explicit, but worth a read. However, who exactly is Belle? She also goes by another pen name, Taro. Read on and let’s find out. 

by Agnieszka Ramian

If not for Sophie Hannah, perhaps, a new Poirot novel would not have happened at all. Now, after we have investigatedall things Agatha Christie, it is time to shed some light on her, appointed by the guardians of Christie’s legacy, successor – Sophie Hannah. Why her? Is she nearly as eccentric as Christie was? Does she possess a mysterious mind? What did it mean to her to be entrusted such a honourable task? With us you will find out this and more;  another great literary person gets introduced today.

By Agnieszka Ramian

What a fortunate coincidence we have not introduced Agatha Christie yet as it's the perfect timing now, when a new novel featuring detective Hercule Poirot is due to be released. Following the news we have published recently, the spotlightnow shifts to the originator of the whole creative concept, Poirot’s maker; ladies and gentleman – Agatha Christie! We will be looking into her life and creative output today. Can we discover why she was driven so much to crime mystery stories? Who was Poirot’s progenitor? Was she a fulfilled author? What did her life look like when she was not writing? How were the times she was living in influencing her as a female author? Sit tightly, an investigation starts now!

By Gemma Williams

Kelley Armstrong, born in 1968, is primarily a Fantasy author, with 21 fantasy novels under her belt. She has also delved into the worlds of middle-grade fantasy and also crime novels, alongside serial novellas and short stories.

By Laura W

It’s Canada Day, and we’re celebrating here at IWG. Farley Mowat was, and still is, one of Canada’s most famous authors (and environmentalists). He sadly passed away in May 2014, but his books are still very much remembered. Let’s have a look at Farley’s fantastic life.