Claire Nicholls

Okay, and the result is Songwriters on the Run, your first novel.

Who are our songwriters on the run?

How much are you drawing on your own music life here, Robert?

How much are you drawing upon musicians that you know?

How much of that experience of the music scene has found its way into this novel?

Tell us what happens to Mick and Drew.

Why are these two singer-songwriters arrested?

Yeah, and it's no spoiler to say that because we've heard the first verse of the song.

We know they broke out of jail and they're on the run.

They get a bit of help on the way.

And I liked that the biggest heroes of the story might be the roadies.

They're the ones coming to help our songwriters.

Was this a deliberate choice to celebrate this?

the roadies in this book?

So, Robert, you now can add author, published author, to your business card.

You're still gigging as well, right?

I am.

The book is Songwriters on the Run.

It's by Robert Forster and it's published by Penguin.

Robert, so lovely to meet you today.