Authors’ Lives is one of the flagship projects of National Life Stories, launched in 2007 with the aim of producing a comprehensive national collection of biographical interviews with the UK’s writers. To date, 78 writers have recorded their life stories for the collection, which is archived in the oral history collections at the British Library.

NLS will provide mentorship in the life story methodology and any further training as required, but we expect candidates to have previous experience in conducting interviews with authors and/or literary world professionals.

Dates: Flexible, late 2026 - late 2027

Location: British Library (London) with ability to travel around the UK required. (The interviewer does not need to be based in London, but will need to be prepared to make some trips to the British Library in St Pancras to attend progress meetings. As interviewees may be based anywhere in the UK, prospective candidates must be willing to travel.)

Pay rate: £193.40 per day, plus expenses (max 70 days)

For more information including details of how to apply, please refer to the full tender available on the Oral History Society website. 

Deadline: 4 October 2026