Dubbed Zimbabwe’s answer to Zadie Smith by cultural magazine The Skinny, the multi-talented and energetic Petina Gappah is a prizewinning author with three law degrees, including one from Cambridge University. In her day job, she works as an international trade lawyer in Geneva. In 2009, she won the Guardian First Book prize for her short story collection An Elegy for an Easterly. She’s now published a debut novel, The Book of Memory. Gappah talks with Bianca Zander about writing, social justice, and juggling a high-flying career with creative pursuits.

Auckland Writers Festival podcasts are also available via itunes so you can download and listen on the go.