Episode 52. Libby Page, Author of The Lido, On Writing A Best-Selling Debut Novel, Picking Yourself Up After Rejection and Pursuing A Dream Career

We are over the moon to welcome best-selling author (and Monica's dear friend) Libby Page onto the show today! Libby's first novel The Lido, was described as the "feel-good debut" of 2018, and quickly became a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller. The Lido has since been sold in more than 24 territories around the world, and a movie adaptation is also in development. The Lido – which is titled Mornings with Rosemary in the US – tells the story of an unlikely friendship between 26-year-old journalist Kate, and 86-year-old Rosemary. Rosemary has been swimming at the Brixton Lido for most of her life. And when the Lido is threatened with closure, Kate and Rosemary forge a surprise alliance. In the pursuit to save the Lido, both women find themselves impassioned by the strength of the local community, and discover more about themselves than they ever expected. As author Sara Winman wrote The Lido is a "Joyous and uplifting debut - a testament to kindness and friendship".  We both absolutely loved The Lido, and are so excited to chat to Libby about the process of writing her first novel – which comes out in paperback, this spring. We hope you'll love getting to know Libby, and be inspired by her story, as much as we are! EPISODE 52 SHOW NOTES  Ella's blog - Coco's Tea Party Monica's blog - The Elgin Avenue Ella's Instagram account - @CocosTeaParty  Monica's Instagram account - @MonicaBeatrice Our show Instagram account - @LetsDiscussPodcast Libby's Instagram account - @LibbyPageWrites EPISODE 52 SHOW LINKS Libby's debut novel The Lido (UK and elsewhere) Mornings With Rosemary (US)  Some of Libby's favourite books:  When God Was A Rabbit by Sarah Winman  Dear Mrs Bird by AJ Pearce  Entanglement by Katie Mahood  Some of Libby's favourite authors:  Joanne Harris  Zadie Smith Elizabeth Strout Jessie Burton  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy