Literature Archives - The Skylark

Ben Okri: AI cannot read the spirit of the times. AI cannot catch lightning

The world-renowned writer and poet on why AI has as much chance of conquering the mystical, brilliant and irrepressible human spirit as we have

June 30, 2026

CREATIVITY·POWER

Tony Robinson: There are no boring things, only boring ways of talking about them

The actor, writer and national treasure on why nuance is the first casualty of outrage, and why most of what we believe will probably

June 16, 2026

EDUCATION·MORALITY

Margaret Busby: It is astonishing what you can accomplish when you do not care who takes the credit

The UK’s first Black female book publisher on a British publishing industry that still doesn’t reflect the world it serves and the need to

May 16, 2026

EDUCATION·POWER

Cressida Cowell: Dragon riding represents humanity’s attempt to control the wild

The How to Train Your Dragon author on why despair stops us imagining solutions, how stories make us more empathetic, and what Vikings can

May 15, 2026

EDUCATION·PLANET

Vikki Heywood: At a fundamental level, we are social and creative beings who need each other

The former Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal Court Theatre turned author on how theatre and literature can help bridge the gap

May 11, 2026

CREATIVITY·MORALITY

Julie Finch: While you cannot stop technological change, you can decide not to be a sheep

Hay Festival CEO Julie Finch on why we must protect the art of in-person conversation as the ultimate antidote to a digital world of

May 7, 2026

CREATIVITY·EDUCATION

Oyinkan Braithwaite: After food and shelter, the next essential thing a child should receive is access to books

The Nigerian-British novelist and writer on growing up between Lagos and London, the loss of community in the UK, and why societies only change when

November 30, 2025

CREATIVITY·EDUCATION·MORALITY

Axel Scheffler: Picture books should leave children with some sense of hope. Otherwise, what are we doing?

The Gruffalo illustrator on why he prefers fairy tales and imagined landscapes to anything that looks too close to the real world.

May 28, 2025

CREATIVITY·EDUCATION

Elif Shafak: We live in an age of too much information, very little knowledge, and even less wisdom

The award-winning novelist on water scarcity, vanishing democracies, and why she believes stories are one of the last defences against numbness.

May 26, 2025

EDUCATION·PLANET

Miranda Cowley Heller:: We have this terrible need to own everything

The Paper Palace author on disappearing wildness, rising skittishness about the outdoors, and a culture more comfortable scrolling than stepping outside.

April 23, 2025

MORALITY·PLANET

Literature

Ben Okri: AI cannot read the spirit of the times. AI cannot catch lightning

Tony Robinson: There are no boring things, only boring ways of talking about them

Cressida Cowell: Dragon riding represents humanity’s attempt to control the wild

Julie Finch: While you cannot stop technological change, you can decide not to be a sheep

Oyinkan Braithwaite: After food and shelter, the next essential thing a child should receive is access to books

Axel Scheffler: Picture books should leave children with some sense of hope. Otherwise, what are we doing?

Miranda Cowley Heller:: We have this terrible need to own everything

Newsletter

Latest

Julia Shaw: Why do clever people destroy the planet?

Chloe Slater: Put that damn phone down and think for a while

Ben Okri: AI cannot read the spirit of the times. AI cannot catch lightning

Search

More like this

Victoria Bateman: If every woman had the ability to control her own fertility, the world would be a very different place

Julie Finch: While you cannot stop technological change, you can decide not to be a sheep

Eva zu Beck: I used to think success was a luxury penthouse in London

Suggestions

Literature

Newsletter

Latest

Search

More like this