Bookcase Focus: An interview with Llwyd Owen

Bookcase Focus: An interview with Llwyd Owen

20 August 2019

L Lwyd Owen4

Wales Literature Exchange interviewed our Bookcase author Llwyd Owen, about his writing and his influences.


1. What first inspired you to be an author and where do your ideas come from?

I was inspired to write my first novel by my experiences working as a ‘runner’ for a post-production company in Cardiff. The job was hell… so I concocted a Satanic tale that was influenced by the story of Robert Johnson, the great bluesman who sold his soul to the Devil at the crossroads; what I saw and heard as part of my day-to-day work; poor lifestyle choices; and Take That, the greatest boy band of all time.

My ideas mainly come from real life. The rest I just make up.


2. How would you describe your writing?

Ground-breaking. Edgy. Challenging. Exciting. Original. Silly.

3. Which authors have influenced you the most?

In no particular order:

Lloyd Robson
John Williams
Niall Griffiths
Dewi Prysor
Ed McBain
Elmore Leonard
Don Winslow
Stephen King
Brett Easton-Ellis
Jim Dodge


4. In your opinion what are the biggest challenges that writers face today – and do you think these challenges have changed since you started writing?

Time and money. This has not changed in the past ten years. I still don’t have enough time and money. Please, give me more money!


5. What are the hardest and easiest parts of being a writer?

Hardest – finding the time to write and getting paid for my genius.
Easiest – telling hot ladies I’m a published author and getting laid.


6. Which writer from Wales would you recommend to readers and why?

Niall Griffiths is the greatest living Welsh writer (writing in English).

Lloyd Jones, the author of Mr Vogel and Y Dŵr, is a genius.

Dewi Prysor is my favourite novelist in the world.


Pyrth Uffern by Llwyd Owen has been selected to the Wales Literature Exchange 2018 Bookcase, our annual selection of recent Welsh literary works which we recommend for translation.