The London Literature Festival was opened on Thursday the 30th of June, by Philip Pullman. He spoke about his early life, his love of public libraries (calling them ‘a fantastic treasure chest‘), and his thoughts on current politics. He also spoke about his newest work, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ.

He said a few things Sraffies would find surprising, such as his dislike for fantasy as a genre. “I realised that His Dark Materials would have to be fantasy – realised with a heavy heart, because I don’t really like fantasy.”

On the subject of storytelling and how long it can take, he said, “time spent telling a great story is never time wasted.“

But Pullman reveals he never writes a first draft when he sets about telling his stories, “I never write first drafts: I write the last draft fourteen times.”

To listen to his hour-long speech, go here. You can read more about his opening speech at the Festival’s official blog, here.