Alistair Owen

Alistair Owen
Born	Alistair Owen
Occupation	author screenwriter journalist
Language	English
Nationality	British
Notable works	Smoking in Bed: Conversations with Bruce Robinson The Mirror and the Road: Conversations with William Boyd
Website
www.alistairowenwriter.com

Alistair Owen is a British author, screenwriter, and journalist best known for his in-depth interviews with prominent British writers and screenwriters. His work offers insights into the creative processes of his subjects, making significant contributions to literary and film studies.

Career

Owen has authored several acclaimed books that compile interviews with notable figures in literature and screenwriting. His notable works include:

• Smoking in Bed: Conversations with Bruce Robinson (2001), exploring Robinson's creative processes and recognized as one of David Hare's Books of the Year in The Guardian. ^[1]
• Story and Character: Interviews with British Screenwriters (2004), featuring discussions with leading screenwriters including Richard Curtis and Frank Cottrell Boyce. ^[2]
• Hampton on Hampton (2010), a series of interviews with playwright and screenwriter Christopher Hampton, selected as one of poet Craig Raine's Books of the Year in The Observer. ^[3]
• The Art of Screen Adaptation: Top Writers Reveal Their Craft (2020), exploring the intricacies of adapting works for the screen and featuring such names as Hossein Amini, Andrew Davies and Nick Hornby. ^[4]
• The Mirror and the Road: Conversations with William Boyd (2023), offering a comprehensive look into Boyd's literary journey. ^[5]

Beyond his interview books, Owen has written original and adapted screenplays and stage plays, collaborating with screenwriters such as Rupert Walters and Jeremy Brock. He has also contributed arts journalism to national newspapers and magazines, including Time Out, The Observer, The Independent on Sunday, and Creative Screenwriting. His first novel, The Vetting Officer , was published in 2020.

Public engagements

Owen is actively involved in literary events and discussions. He has chaired writer Q&As at various festivals and online platforms, including a series of screenwriter interviews in association with Creative Essentials and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. ^[6]

He delivered and moderated webinars for New Writing North's ADAPT series on screen adaptation. Additionally, his platform with Christopher Hampton at the Lyttelton Theatre, celebrating Faber's 75th anniversary, was published in the anthology Faber Playwrights at the National Theatre. ^[7]

References

1. "The year of the warrior". The Guardian . 8 December 2001. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
2. "Story and Character: Interviews with British Screenwriters". Bloomsbury Publishing . 5 January 2004. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
3. "Best books of the year: 2010". The Observer . 14 November 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
4. "In brief: A Tomb With a View; Love Orange; The Art of Screen Adaptation – review". The Guardian . 6 September 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
5. "The Mirror and the Road: Conversations With William Boyd by Alistair Owen – review". The Observer . 29 October 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
6. "The art of adaptation with author and screenwriter Alistair Owen". You Tube . 30 October 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
7. "Faber Playwrights at The National Theatre". Good Reads . 17 November 2005. Retrieved 18 April 2025.

External links

• Official website