S07 E07 Damon Galgut

S07 E07 Damon Galgut

From Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard by Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard

May 4, 2026 · 1h 14m

About this episode

Damon Galgut discusses the challenges of writing and his evolving approach to storytelling.

Damon Galgut is one of South Africa's most distinguished writers. He won the Booker Prize in 2021 for The Promise, which was his third novel to be shortlisted for the award. Damon joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about how writing seems to become more difficult as the years go by, and how strenuously he wrestles with a first draft. He tells us that plot has become increasingly less important to him and that he chooses not to repeat the same themes and techniques in his writing. 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 Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on…

People in this episode

Hosts: Fiona Snyckers, Gail Schimmel

Guest: Damon Galgut

Topics covered

  • writing process
  • Booker Prize
  • literature
  • South African authors
  • first drafts

Keywords

  • Damon Galgut
  • The Promise
  • Booker Prize
  • writing challenges
  • first draft

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard

Books & works: The Promise

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