So, my novel is getting another airing on radio. It’s narrated beautifully by Tracy-Ann Oberman.

‘You Will Be Safe Here’ is set in South Africa in 1901 and more-or-less-now. It’s a story of hidden histories, the horrors of Empire and the redemptive power of love. And there’s a gay love story in there. It’s partly inspired by a real-life story and by all the history I wasn’t taught.

Published by @bloomsburypublishing in US and UK; @jonathanballpublishers in SA; @houseofanansi in Canada; @uitgeverijmozaiek in Netherlands and @cherchemidiediteur in France.

PS the weird Howard’s Way -esque flag in the ident (program guide) are nothing to do with the novel.

Listen here.

The Royal Society of Literature pick their favourite LGBTQ+ books for Pride Month!

It’s Pride Month! I’m so happy to be chosen by the Royal Society of Literature as a favourite LGBTQ+ read alongside Douglas Stuart, Roxane Gay and Sarah Waters. So much for everyone to discover on this list.

Happy reading this Pride Month!

Hear Damian on the Books Programme for BBC Shetland

I recently headed to Wordplay, Shetland's festival of literature to talk about my novel, You Will Be Safe Here. While I was there I got to chat to Mary Blanche for the Books Programme on BBC Shetland. You can hear me talking books and my love for Dolly Parton HERE.

Guest User22 November 2021BBC Shetland, Damian Barr, You Will Be Safe Here, Mary Blanche, Wordplay, Shetland

'You Will Be Safe Here' a pick in the Irish Independent!

Cauvery Madhavan has chosen You Will Be Safe Here as one of the literary finds that helped her conquer lockdown!

Interesting to see authors also (re)turning to classics and re-reads during lockdown. But very grateful to see You Will Be Safe Here on this list and alongside new favourite Seán Hewitt. Thanks Cauvery Madhavan.

Click here to read the full article.

Guest User12 August 2021Cauvery Madhavan, Damian Barr, You Will Be Safe Here, Seán Hewitt

The Wonderful Words Podcast

I so enjoyed getting to talk with South Africa-based podcaster and reviewer Waseem Imam Saheb about my novel You Will be Safe Here and my writing process more generally. I found him through a charming and insightful interview he did with Fiona Melrose, author of Johannesburg -a novel that really brings that city vividly to life (in a Dallowayesque form).

You can listen to all his interviews HERE.

'You Will Be Safe Here' is out in the Netherlands today!

‘You Will Be Safe Here’ is out in the Netherlands today! It is published there as ‘Hier ben je veilig’. Thank you to my publishers Uitgeverij Mozaïek for bringing this story to a wider audience, especially given the deep connections between the Dutch and South Africa. And thank you to Roeleke Meijer-Muilwijk for translating with such elan.

Guest User8 March 2021Hier ben je veilig, Uitgeverij Mozaïek, You Will Be Safe Here, Damian Barr

You Will Be Safe Here shortlisted for The London Magazine Prize for Debut Fiction 2020

You Will Be Safe Here was on the shortlist for The London Magazine Prize for Debut Fiction 2020, sponsored by DeHavilland. "The prize celebrates exceptional literary fiction." Congrats to everybody on the shortlist and thanks judges! This calls for a cocktail!”

Congrats to all the other shortlisted writers and thank you to the judges, The London magazine and the sponsors.

Click here for the full shortlist.

The YCAA Book Club welcomes special guest Damian Barr

Damian will be joining the Yeovil Community Arts Association Book Club on Tuesday 12th January 2021 at midday to talk about his novel You Will Be Safe Here. The meeting will take place remotely via Zoom.

The event is open to everyone. To join contact Somerset Loves to Read via Facebook or Twitter.

We look forward to seeing you there!

You Will Be Safe Here - French translation published today!

This is the first time one of my books has been published in a language other than English! I feel very lucky. Thank you to the translator Caroline Nicolas and the publisher Le Cherche Midi.

Guest User27 August 2020Tout Ira Bien, Damian Barr, Le Cherche Midi, You Will Be Safe Here, French translation

Damian Barr Longlisted for HWA Debut Crown Award 2020

I'm honoured to be longlisted for 'HWA Debut Crown for the best work by a first-time historical fiction author' alongside: Rosanna Amaka, Sara Collins, Anita Frank, Juliet Grames, Louise Hare, Jane Healey, Tomasz Jedrowski, Jing-Jing Lee, Elizabeth Macneal, Kate Morrison and Lauren Wilkinson.

Congratulations all and thank you to the judges! Discover more about the awards at www.historiamag.com/hwa-crowns-longlists-2020.

Damian Barr - Lancaster University Alumni

STEPS is the alumni magazine for Lancaster University and the latest issue features Damian. Click HERE to read the full article.

Kim Hill talks to Damian on RNZ

An honour to be interviewed by the legendary Kim Hill who brings her particular wit and years of wisdom to every encounter. I will happily admit I was nervous before this and excited--all I really wanted to do was listen to her. In the we had a generous and rigorous conversation. Thank you Kim and thank you for listening.

Click here to listen to the full interview.

Guest User9 May 2020Kim Hill, Damian Barr, You Will Be Safe Here, RNZ

The Inspiration Behind You Will Be Safe Here

Many of you have got in touch about my way into writing this novel - I never intended to write this novel.

I had my heartbroken with the story of a murder of a boy - who looked like a long lost friend of mine. That boy was Raymond Buys, he was 15 when he was killed at Echo Wild Game Rangers camp in South Africa. I wrote about the contemporary history, The Boer War and the growing right wing power now.

You Will Be Safe Here Blog Tour 2020

I've never taken part in a blog tour before and I'm really excited that these bloggers have chosen the paperback of You Will Be Safe Here. It is quite the blog tour! Check out their thoughts and feelings, you can see all of the dates and blog names below. Thanks to Georgina Moore for inspiring this and Anne Cater for organising.

You Will Be Safe Here paperback published!

Today is the publication day for the paperback of You Will Be Safe Here, published by Bloomsbury. You can buy your copy now!

Read Damian's interview with Lisa O'Kelly for The Observer to find out more about his debut novel and the research behind it.

Click here to buy your paperback copy of You Will Be Safe Here!

You Will Be Safe HereAmy Very2 April 2020You Will Be Safe Here, Paperback, Published, Damian Barr

Damian Barr: ‘Give voice to those with unwritten stories’

Damian talks to Lisa O’Kelly for The Observer about researching his first novel set in South Africa, being edited by Diana Athill, and the book he can’t bear to finish reading.

Click here to read the full article.

The Authors' Club Best First Novel Award 2020 - You Will Be Safe Here Shortlisted

I’m delighted that You Will Be Safe Here has been shortlisted by the The Authors' Club for their Best First Novel Award 2020. Peer recognition this profound is rare and I couldn’t be in finer company - thank you.

Amy Very27 March 2020You Will Be Safe Here, Damian Barr, The Authors Club, Best Novel 2020

Damian Barr - Spring Tour 2020

The spring dates for Damian’s book tour have been announced! You can catch him talking about his debut novel, You Will Be Safe Here, in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK.

See the ‘Events’ page to find out more details and how you can book.

Damian Barr at New Zealand Festival of the Arts 2020

Damian will be at the New Zealand Festival of the Arts on Wednesday 4th March to read from his debut novel, 'You Will Be Safe Here'. The Literary Salon host, and acclaimed author of his memoir 'Maggie & Me', will discuss South African history, hope, homophobia and the true story that inspired this extraordinary novel.

See the full festival programme at www.festival.nz/events/all/

Adelaide Writers' Week 2020

Damian has been announced on the line-up for the Adelaide Writers' Week 29th Feb - 5th March 2020. He'll be taking part in three events across two days and you'll be able to hear him discuss and read from his debut novel You Will Be Safe Here.

Amy Very29 January 2020Adelaide Writers Week, Damian Barr, Australia, You Will Be Safe Here

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