Hello and welcome to Meet the Writers, I'm Georgina Godwin.
My guest today is a British writer and journalist.
Growing up in Worthing,
he attended Christ Hospital School and later studied theology at St John's College,
Oxford, where he graduated with the top first in his year.
He began writing professionally at just 17 and went on to become editor of Travellers Times,
a magazine and online platform created by and for gypsies and travellers.
His journalism has appeared in The Guardian, The Independent, GQ, the BBC and many more.
He's worked with the Romani Theatre Company for over a decade and has made several short films.
His debut book, The Stopping Places,
came out in 2018 and tells of a year spent living on the road,
reconnecting with Romani heritage and history.
The book won or was shortlisted for many awards.
His latest work, The Drowned Places,
is an exploration of the sunken worlds that lie beneath our water,
from myth to ruin, memory to grief.
Damian LaValle, welcome to Meet the Writers.
Thanks for having me.
It's really gorgeous to have you here.
I loved, loved, loved your first book.