On the evening of Tuesday 16 July, YA authors Alicia Tuckerman and Mark Smith explored issues of sacrifice and morality in response to Mark’s latest release, Land of Fences. They discussed crafting young protagonists with the fierce tenacity of Kas, Finn and their friends, and the idea that in fiction (and life), teens are increasingly responsible for not only saving themselves but also the worlds they live in. They also explored whether dystopian fiction is merely entertainment, or training.

Listen to a recording of their conversation below.

Part 1 – Mark Smith and Alicia Tuckerman

Part 2 – March Smith and Alicia Tuckerman