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Benjamin Johncock
Journalism
A selection of recent-ish pieces
John Paul Stapp: the fastest man on earth, who saved millions
The hero of Craig Ryan’s biography not only pioneered manned space flight but also the compulsory use of seatbelts, saving more lives than anyone in history
The Spectator, 14 November 2015
Saint Mazie by Jami Attenberg review – a love letter to Jazz Age New York
The boozing, the men, the ‘bums’ she helped on the streets … this fictional account paints a vivid picture of Manhattan’s benevolent local legend
Guardian, 1 July 2015
Ben Johncock's grandma grew up during the second world war in Germany. From early childhood, she told him stories of the death and destruction, fear and suffering that surrounded her as British planes bombed the streets around her
Guardian (Family supplement), 1 February 2014
Writers’ Desktops - George Saunders
Recently named as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, the writer tells Ben Johncock about his very reluctant engagement with computers
Guardian, 22 April 2013
Writers’ Desktops - AL Kennedy
The Costa award-winning novelist and standup takes us through the icons, treasured and obsolete, that share her workspace
Guardian, 30 April 2013
One of Granta's best young British novelists explains why she shares her workspace with a grunting koala and a salted hen
Guardian, 7 May 2013
Writers’ Desktops - Jed Mercurio
The writer explains why he won't write on anything other than a computer, and why he avoids Twitter
Guardian, 29 May 2013
Writers’ Desktops - Craig Taylor
The Canadian author on why he doesn't really like his laptop, and why pictures of his beekeeping father make him smile
Guardian, 12 June 2013
Writers’ Desktops - Nikesh Shukla
The Coconut Unlimited author on why he loves Microsoft Word, a dock full of distracting apps – and punning on Twitter
Guardian, 5 June 2013
The novelist talks us through his reluctant engagement with the digital age, and his strategies for escaping it
Guardian, 15 May 2013
Writers’ Desktops - David Bezmozgis
The novelist and screenwriter explains his attempts to keep his writing projects in order, and why he wouldn't want to swap places with Norman Mailer
Guardian, 21 May 2013
Writers’ Desktops - Jenn Ashworth
One of The Culture Show's top 12 best new novelists explains the method to the madness behind all her gadgets and apps, and why she has a folder called 'ego'
Guardian, 5 July 2012
Writers’ Desktops - David Vann
The novelist reveals how he can't even sign his name in longhand now he's switched to typing and why he downloaded the Kindle app in desperation
Guardian, 5 July 2012
Writers’ Desktops - Jon McGregor
The winner, last week, of the Impac prize for his novel Even the Dogs, explains why he always backs up his photos
Guardian, 20 June 2012
Writers’ Desktops - Joanne Harris
The novelist explains how her computer plugs her straight into the story, and why Twitter offers her more than a 'mini-break from the mind'
Guardian, 27 January 2012
Writers’ Desktops - Louise Doughty
The novelist explains how she avoids electronic distractions from writing but remains very grateful for her computer
Guardian, 11 January 2012
Writers’ Desktops - Steven Hall
The novelist explains why computers, and even phones, feel much more suitable and safe ways to write than traditional pen and paper
Guardian, 22 December 2011
Writers’ Desktops - Julie Myerson
The novelist explains that she can't write on anything other than her computer any more, but relies on her family to understand how it works
Guardian, 8 December 2011
Writers’ Desktops - Tom McCarthy
Tom McCarthy explains how technology is woven into his creative life
Guardian, 24 November 2011
A comprehensive guide to the best bike rides in Britain – for all abilities and interests
Guardian, 22 June 2013
Independent bookshops: a UK guide
Independent bookshops in London
Guardian, 1 October 2011
The battle to save West London’s most famous independent bookshop
How poets, television presenters, actors and novelists fought – via Twitter – to keep Notting Hill's Travel Bookshop in business
Guardian, 1 October 2011
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