The Chimes Updated: 28.12.2015 Anna Smaill began learning the violin at the age of seven and entered the performance music programme at Canterbury University at 17, though ultimately changed her degree to pursue writing. Her first book of poetry, The Violinist in Spring, was listed as one of the Best Books of 2006 by the New Zealand Listener. The Chimes is her debut novel. It was recognised as a Bookseller Best Debut of 2015 and was long listed for the Man Booker Prize 2015.

Poet and author Anna Smaill joined Noreen Mir for a chat about her work and her teaching on creative writing.