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Hello on today's programme, from the very beginning of a literary career to its highest possible pinnacle.

We hear about a new gong for budding teenage authors and celebrate a venerable but relatively unknown Nobel laureate.

And Israeli author Edgar Carrott discusses the book that inspired his teen self to write.

I was 18 when I read this book.

About a year later, when I sat for the first time in front of a page and had my first crack at it, I think that this book

had resonated a lot in my mind. I felt it was very moral without moralizing.

Etcar Carrot, who'll be revealing the book he'd never part with later. But we start with

Bill Clegg, who is both a veteran of the book's world

and a debutante. Having previously penned two memoirs about his descent into drug addiction,

he's just published his debut novel to great critical acclaim, earning him a place on the

Booker Long List. He's also an established literary agent in New York, where he's known

for big deals and an

impressive client list, potentially quite a difficult balancing act.

Clegg hails originally from Small Town, Connecticut, a location explored in his memoirs,

and also the setting for his novel, Did You Ever Have a Family?

The story is told by a small group of townspeople in the aftermath

of a tragic housefire in which one woman, June, loses her entire family. From the young teenage

gardener to the local florist, Clegg offers us a series of meditations on grief, guilt, and

hidden secrets. I spoke to Bill Clegg on his book tour down the line from Boston

and asked first why he'd chosen to give voice to such a broad chorus of characters.

I think it was because that was sort of how I found out about the story and the main characters.

...