Storytelling in graphic novels: Anna Trench on Florrie
About this episode
Anna Trench discusses her debut graphic novel Florrie, exploring themes of football, friendship, and queer love.
In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, illustrator and writer Anna Trench shares the process of writing and illustrating her debut graphic novel, Florrie – a warm-hearted story about football, friendship and falling in love. Anna Trench is an illustrator, cartoonist, writer and teacher based in London. Florrie is her first book. It won the 2025 East Anglian Book of the Year Award and was previously shortlisted for the First Graphic Novel Award and the LDComics Award. She sat down with NCW’s Peggy Hughes to reflect on the inspiration and research behind the graphic novel, which explores self-discovery and queer love, alongside huge (and little known) historical moments for women’s football. They also touch on her analogue approach to graphic storytelling, her relationship with Norfolk, and her love for the women’s game.
People in this episode
Host: Peggy Hughes
Guest: Anna Trench
Topics covered
- graphic novels
- storytelling
- illustration
- football
- queer love
- self-discovery
- women's football
Keywords
- graphic novel
- Anna Trench
- Florrie
- football
- queer love
- illustration
- women's football
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Florrie
Places: London, Norfolk
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