Interview with Nick Hirst

Published on Oltobooks.com - 9th February 2022 This is the transcript of an online interview I did for Olto Books. Olto Books: Tell us a little about yourself and your background. Nick Hirst: I’m from England, the suburbs of London, and went to school in Wimbledon. After that, I trained as an actor, subsequently working...

People smuggling in Saudi Arabia

An author insight by Nick Hirst. How do you get your main character into a closed country when it’s essential to the plot? Part of the key is to have some inside knowledge or detailed research or both. Preferably both! In this excerpt from ‘The Shape of Rain’ the protagonist, Jack Conrad, needs to gain...

The Loudest Voice

Life imitating art - or is it the other way round? By Nick Hirst Russell Crowe stars as Roger Ailes - the man behind Fox News ‘The Loudest Voice’ - shows how real life reflects the events in ‘The Shape of Rain’ narrative. I only got to see this series recently – that’s me, always...

‘Is there really such a thing as democracy?’ An extract from “The Shape of Rain”

...democracy is far too precious and far too fragile to leave in the hands of elected amateurs. It takes knowledge, power and experience. Neal looked down at Jack Conrad, a look almost of surprise crossing his broad features. He debated with himself whether or not to answer. In the end he couldn’t help himself. ‘It’s...