Episode 47: The power of research - gangs, knife-crime, and murder - with Jennie Ensor

Our latest Hobeck Books release, Silenced by Jennie Ensor, is potentially one of our most controversial. How controversial depends on your position on the debate about who is entitled to write about characters from a range of backgrounds and cultures. The novel tackles the impact of gang culture in North London, the horror of knife crime and the way communities live in fear of helping the police. Jennie tells us how she spent months building links with the people and communities affected by these issues, and how that research allowed her to write the book with understanding and authenticity. 

Also this week, we hear how a fellow indie-publisher is using crowdfunding to keep their business going in difficult trading conditions, and Adrian and Rebecca discuss a busy week of releases for Hobeck, including the Christmas charity anthology, The Dark Side of Christmas.