Welcome to our first issue of 2008! We are delighted to have Kate Mosse’s exclusive take on the Orange Prize she co-founded more than ten years ago. A look back on the initial inspirations, as well as an assessment of its successful sponsorship deal, Mosse’s Agenda provides an interesting insider’s look at a now firmly-established literary prize.

In other features, grassroots maverick Sara Wingate Gray gives us a free visitor’s pass to her mobile poetry library; architect-turned-author Lesley Lokko describes falling in love with the written word via 70s blockbusters; and Zoe Lambert tackles the infamous domestic literary issue – and comes up trumps. ‘Elementary particles, my dear,’ may very well be an apt tagline for writer Scarlett Thomas who boldly dabbles in everything from time travel to virtual reality to quantum physics in her latest novel (but stays firmly grounded for her Mslexia interview with Danuta Kean). Elsewhere, new crime writer Elena Forbes describes the joy of penning crime fiction; we explore the glossy magazine world of home interiors in the Lowdown; and offer up some hopefully helpful New Year’s writing resolutions for your year ahead. Featured writers’ revelations include Tess Gerritsen as an avowed Egyptophile, Lorraine Mariner’s weakness for handymen and Kate Grenville’s stream-of-consciousness writing process. Also, Debbie Taylor dissects Jacqueline Wilson’s Kiss in her latest lesson on How to Write a Bestseller.

Finally, we know everyone and their sister has a book club, but we still want one of our own! To find out more about it and how to participate, visit the News pages, and keep an eye out on our website for further information.