Deepa Anappara, author of 'The Last of Earth' - Multi-award-winner discusses dealing with success, writing by hand, and keeping track of characters
Writer's Routine
Dan Simpson
4.9 • 599 Ratings
🗓️ 14 May 2026
⏱️ 60 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Deepa Anappara's debut, 'Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line' was a critically-acclaimed bestseller. It was named as one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, the Washington Post, The Guardian and National Public Radio. Time Magazine included it in its list of 'The 100 Best Mystery and Thriller Books of All Time'. It won the Edgar Award for Best Novel, was shortlised for the JCB Prize fo Indian Literature, and has been translated into over 20 languages.
Her new one looks set to be an equal smash. 'The Last of Earth', has already been named as one of the BBC's 12 books to read in 2026. It tells the story of an Indian school teacher and a British explorer, attempting to undertake a treacherous journey across Tibet.
We discuss why writing by hand helps Deepa unlock an unknown connection. Also, how she wrestles themes and ideas into one plot-driven thread. You can hear her fascination with Tibet, keeping characters on the right path, and her thoughts on AI coming for creativity.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This week's episode of writer's routine is sponsored by Ingram Spark, who let you publish like a pro. |
| 0:09.7 | You have a story, so share it with the world. |
| 0:13.2 | Today, there's no need to wait for someone else to help your book get read. |
| 0:17.5 | You can take control. |
| 0:19.0 | You can do it for yourself with Ingram Spark who offer everything |
| 0:22.2 | that you need to publish, promote, sell and print your book, where the hardcover paperback |
| 0:28.7 | ebook you can publish the way that you want. Ingram Spark lets you explore all the publishing |
| 0:34.7 | options to find out what's right for you. It offers global |
| 0:38.6 | ebook and print distribution connecting your creativity with over 45,000 libraries, retailers and online |
| 0:46.3 | stores. Now, I know in doing over 400 episodes of this show that everything going into |
| 0:52.9 | self-publishing can be a bit intimidating, what with |
| 0:56.3 | ISBNs and covers and correct file formats and getting it into the right places and then getting |
| 1:02.0 | it read once it's there. And all that happens after you've actually got the book written. |
| 1:07.0 | That's why Ingram Spark has a huge stash of self-publishing guides, courses, and so much more to help you publish like a pro. |
| 1:16.3 | It's tailored to how you want to get your book out there. You can reach millions of readers worldwide with powerful tools created for independent authors. |
| 1:25.4 | Take control. You can do it yourself with Ingram Spark because you have a story, |
| 1:30.4 | so share it with the world. And with this podcast, you can get 15% off your first order of 15 or more |
| 1:37.2 | books using the promo code routine 15. At Ingram Spark, have a look. It runs until the end of the year, so plenty of time to work out what's best for you. |
| 1:47.7 | Don't wait for anyone else to decide when your book gets read. Get 15% off your first order of 15 or more books at ingramspark.com and use the promo code, Routine 15. |
| 2:00.0 | Thank you. and use the promo code Routine 15. |
| 2:16.5 | Hello and welcome along to a brand new episode of writer's routine. |
| 2:18.5 | This week we're chatting to Deepa and Apar. Her debut, Gin Patrol on the Purple Line, was included in Time Magazine's list |
... |
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