Stella Rimington, Neil James, Stephen Romei, Chip Rolley
Chair of judges of the Man Booker Prize Stella Rimington caused a stir last year when she called for novels to be “readable” yet why shouldn’t readers expect this? Stella Rimington, The Australian’s Stephen Romei and the Plain English Foundation’s Neil James discuss the proposition with Chip Rolley.
Supported by the Plain English Foundation.
Stella Rimington (International)
Stella Rimington joined the Security Service (MI5) in 1968 and was appointed Director General in 1992. She was the first woman to hold the post and the first Director General whose name was publicly announced on appointment. During her career she worked in all the main fields of the Service: counter-subversion, counter-espionage and counter-terrorism. She has written an autobiography, Open Secret, and five Liz Carlyle novels. She lives in London and Norfolk. Her latest release is Rip Tide.
Neil James is executive director of the Plain English Foundation, which combines plain-English training, editing and evaluation with a campaign for more ethical public language. His latest book is Modern Manglish, co-authored with Harold Scruby. Neil is the author of Writing at Work and the editor of Writers on Writing and The Complete Sentimental Bloke. He has published over 65 articles and essays on language and literature in publications as diverse as The Times Literary Supplement and The Daily Telegraph.
Chip Rolley is artistic director of Sydney Writers’ Festival. He has been an editor, literary project manager and freelance writer, and has worked in Australia, the US and China. He is a life member of Sydney PEN.
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