When English novelist Louise Doughty was a young journalist, she was approached by the British Secret Service.

She didn't realise what was happening at the time, and so she didn't pass the test.

But many decades later, Louise met a former head of M15 to help her write a new novel about a middleaged spy on the run for her life.

Louise has turned other parts of her life story into fiction as well, including her family’s Romany heritage.

Further information:
A Bird in Winter is published by Allen and Unwin

Sarah's conversation with Louise Doughty was recorded live at the Brisbane Writers' Festival

CREDITS:
Carmel Rooney, Executive Producer
Sarah Kanowski, Presenter
Nicola Harrison, Researcher