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Before They Were Famous

Comedy: Spoof

Comedy. Ian Leslie uncovers the first literary attempts of the world's best-known writers

Comedy. Ian Leslie presents the spoof documentary series that brings to light the often surprising first literary attempts of the world's best-known writers

BBC Radio 4 Extra

BBC Radio 4 LW

Before They Were Famous: Series 2

Ian Leslie

David Armand

John Finnemore

Katy Wix

Fenella Woolgar

Anna Silver

Claire Broughton

Before They Were Famous: Series 2: Episode 5

Episode 5

Series 2

BBC Radio 4 - Before They Were Famous, Series 2, Episode 5

Even the most successful writers have, at some point, had to take jobs to pay the bills.

Ian Leslie presents the spoof documenting the early literary efforts of famous writers, including the likes of Edgar Allan Poe and Barbara Cartland. From November 2013.

Even the most successful of writers have, at some point, had to take day jobs to pay the bills.

Ian Leslie presents the second series of this Radio 4 spoof documentary, which sheds light on the often surprising jobs done by the world's best known writers in the days before they were able to make a living from their art.

In a project of literary archaeology, Leslie unearths archive examples of early work by great writers, including Fortune Cookie messages written by Germaine Greer, a political manifesto by the young JK Rowling, and a car manual written by Dan Brown. In newspaper articles, advertising copy, and company correspondence, we get a fascinating glimpse into the embryonic development of our best-loved literary voices.

We may know them today for their novels, plays or poems but, once upon a time, they were just people with a dream - and a rent bill looming at the end of the month.

Producers: Anna Silver and Claire Broughton
A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4.

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