Thanks, Matthew, for posing the questions! I always find it challenging to explain what I do, so this was a clarifying exercise for me. Thanks again, and for everything you do here.
‘Explaining’ ourselves can be the most daunting task of all. What makes sense and has value in our heads never seems to quite be the same when it comes tumbling out of our mouths for that decisive 3 minute conversation when someone asks “What have you been up to?” Similar to the slow read, the slow unfolding in an interview can work wonders. The way Mathew has put together—shall I say, Woven?—the questions creates a relaxed storytelling of its own.
When I started listening, which is how I enjoyed this, I was prepared and a bit skeptical for the usual 5 questions that may or may not give me insight into the whole of this phenomenon I was curious to know more about. The good news? It was nothing short of comprehensive. Not only do I understand the how and why, so have I also come to appreciate the who(s).
I highly recommend the slow read or slow listen—as in not doing anything else—to fully visualize the power of manifestation here. We are being a gift as a reminder: We all have it when we are most true to ourselves.
Simon, I was delighted to discover you are a fellow Sheffield-born-and-bred writer! Thank you for your lovely description of the city, which I still call home :)
I’m one of those formerly ardent War-and-Peacers who went nutty with frustration toward the end but missed the book when it was over. If not for Simon’s continuing encouragement and good cheer, I would not have ventured inside this teeming world. Thank you, Matthew and Simon, for this enlightening conversation.
Really enjoyed this interview, Matthew. Having encountered Simon pre W&P over on instagram, it’s been incredible to watch the trajectory of footnotes and tangents here. So richly deserved. It’s clear how hard he works, but the extra special element is his respect for both writer and reader. Zero intention to show off knowledge, but to share and explore and encourage—the simple reason why F&T is so successful. (Autocorrect wanted to change that to G&T!)
Well, the first year of War and Peace was called Whisky and Perseverance - even though I was too tired writing and looking after babies to do any actual drinking!
I came for Cromwell as a regular reader of the Wolf Hall trilogy, and stayed for W&P. It’s been a routine and steady place for me in a year that has seen illness and a bereavement. Can’t wait for A S Byatt and yes please to a year of Kazuo Ishiguro. This was a lovely interview with you Simon.
Sorry to hear about the illness and bereavement. I know how these slow reads can really be an anchor in difficult times. And yes, I will seriously consider a year of Ishiguro at some point. Looking forward to next year!
Thanks so much for this. Simon, what you are doing, and the way you arrived at it, strikes me as a rare and beautiful example of pure creativity, rooted in instinctive process. You are creating something important and alive, bringing people together around the love of books, and the love of following the questions and curiosities books raise. Absolute mic drop and so inspiring.
Thank you, Erin, that means a lot. There's that scene in Wolf Hall where Cromwell asks Liz to slow down with her needlework so he can see how it is done, and she says she cannot otherwise she'll forget how it is done. When something is working it often feels like that: you don't overthink it, you just keep going.
Thank you, Simon and Matthew , for this wonderful conversation. Agree with Merricat: A S Byatt and casting my vote for Kazuo Ishiguro. BTW, I was also an anthropology major as an undergraduate but trying to write my summa thesis broke me in several places. Same with linguistics. And that’s why I write.
Bravo Simon, it’s so heartening to see someone following their creative and community-seeming instincts and something so fruitful and perpetual growing out of that! It gives me hope. And thanks for the thoughtful interview Matthew!
Finally got around to reading the entire interview. It was fascinating to learn how Footnotes and Tangents came into existence. I’m very happy to have discovered both Simon’s and Matthew’s Substack accounts at the end of this year, and excited to dive into some good quality reading in 2026 🙌🏻
Beautiful interview . We learned so much about you Simon. Now I’m really rethinking joining War and Peace and ditching Stephen King LOL . However, it’s so funny , I was going to write to you and beg for Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell for 2027 . I see you mentioned Susanna Clark’s name . YAY! 🙏❤️
Thanks Matthew, I discovered Simon and F&T at the end of 2023 and did the W&P slow read last year. I enjoyed it so much I’m going to do it again next year and some of the other slow reads as well. It was so nice to learn more about Simon in the post.
Thank you both for this wonderful conversation… I thoroughly enjoyed reading through your journey Simon and Matthew, as always, your attention to questions asked is inspiring. Forever in awe of the work you both achieve here.
Lovely interview. I am thankful for, and respect, the idea of a writer not feeling like they need to constantly be roping us in all the time, like mindless lemmings. I already have a reminder to check F&T a few times a week; no need for flashy content when the meat & potatoes are good!
Thanks, Matthew, for posing the questions! I always find it challenging to explain what I do, so this was a clarifying exercise for me. Thanks again, and for everything you do here.
I enjoyed getting to know Simon a bit better!
Thanks, Liza!
‘Explaining’ ourselves can be the most daunting task of all. What makes sense and has value in our heads never seems to quite be the same when it comes tumbling out of our mouths for that decisive 3 minute conversation when someone asks “What have you been up to?” Similar to the slow read, the slow unfolding in an interview can work wonders. The way Mathew has put together—shall I say, Woven?—the questions creates a relaxed storytelling of its own.
When I started listening, which is how I enjoyed this, I was prepared and a bit skeptical for the usual 5 questions that may or may not give me insight into the whole of this phenomenon I was curious to know more about. The good news? It was nothing short of comprehensive. Not only do I understand the how and why, so have I also come to appreciate the who(s).
I highly recommend the slow read or slow listen—as in not doing anything else—to fully visualize the power of manifestation here. We are being a gift as a reminder: We all have it when we are most true to ourselves.
Simon, I was delighted to discover you are a fellow Sheffield-born-and-bred writer! Thank you for your lovely description of the city, which I still call home :)
Oh really? How delightful! Whereabouts? I went to KES and grew up in Sharrow. What a wonderful place to call home.
No way?! We're just up the road in Broomhill. My kids went to KES, a great school, youngest just left for uni.
Ah brilliant. I left over twenty years ago, and my parents moved away when they retired. But it will always be a part of me.
I’m one of those formerly ardent War-and-Peacers who went nutty with frustration toward the end but missed the book when it was over. If not for Simon’s continuing encouragement and good cheer, I would not have ventured inside this teeming world. Thank you, Matthew and Simon, for this enlightening conversation.
Thanks, Rona!
Really enjoyed this interview, Matthew. Having encountered Simon pre W&P over on instagram, it’s been incredible to watch the trajectory of footnotes and tangents here. So richly deserved. It’s clear how hard he works, but the extra special element is his respect for both writer and reader. Zero intention to show off knowledge, but to share and explore and encourage—the simple reason why F&T is so successful. (Autocorrect wanted to change that to G&T!)
I'll drink to that, Claire! Thanks!
🤣 There’s an easy rebrand there just ready and waiting! Cheers to you Simon and your amazing success here!
Well, the first year of War and Peace was called Whisky and Perseverance - even though I was too tired writing and looking after babies to do any actual drinking!
Thank you for sharing this enlightening interview with Simon, Matthew - who I only just found out is from my home city of Sheffield!!
I came for Cromwell as a regular reader of the Wolf Hall trilogy, and stayed for W&P. It’s been a routine and steady place for me in a year that has seen illness and a bereavement. Can’t wait for A S Byatt and yes please to a year of Kazuo Ishiguro. This was a lovely interview with you Simon.
Sorry to hear about the illness and bereavement. I know how these slow reads can really be an anchor in difficult times. And yes, I will seriously consider a year of Ishiguro at some point. Looking forward to next year!
I just finished An Artist of the Floating World, it was excellent!
Thanks so much for this. Simon, what you are doing, and the way you arrived at it, strikes me as a rare and beautiful example of pure creativity, rooted in instinctive process. You are creating something important and alive, bringing people together around the love of books, and the love of following the questions and curiosities books raise. Absolute mic drop and so inspiring.
Thank you, Erin, that means a lot. There's that scene in Wolf Hall where Cromwell asks Liz to slow down with her needlework so he can see how it is done, and she says she cannot otherwise she'll forget how it is done. When something is working it often feels like that: you don't overthink it, you just keep going.
Absolutely! It’s a great thing to be able to notice when one is in a flow state, without getting distracted by that awareness!
Thank you, Simon and Matthew , for this wonderful conversation. Agree with Merricat: A S Byatt and casting my vote for Kazuo Ishiguro. BTW, I was also an anthropology major as an undergraduate but trying to write my summa thesis broke me in several places. Same with linguistics. And that’s why I write.
Wonderful, Mary. Sounds like academia broke both of us, but we wrote our way out!
Cheers to that!
Bravo Simon, it’s so heartening to see someone following their creative and community-seeming instincts and something so fruitful and perpetual growing out of that! It gives me hope. And thanks for the thoughtful interview Matthew!
Thanks Anne!
Simon, I have real admiration for the astonishing work you do. And Matthew, this is another great interview!
Thanks!
A fascinating insight into Simon's life and reading practices. Thank you both very much for this post.
Finally got around to reading the entire interview. It was fascinating to learn how Footnotes and Tangents came into existence. I’m very happy to have discovered both Simon’s and Matthew’s Substack accounts at the end of this year, and excited to dive into some good quality reading in 2026 🙌🏻
Fabulous. Welcome to the slow reading corner of Substack, Kristine! I think you'll like it here!
Already enjoyed the slow read of The Blue Flower a lot 👍🏻
Beautiful interview . We learned so much about you Simon. Now I’m really rethinking joining War and Peace and ditching Stephen King LOL . However, it’s so funny , I was going to write to you and beg for Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell for 2027 . I see you mentioned Susanna Clark’s name . YAY! 🙏❤️
Well War & Peace will always be there. Thanks Crissy – I was wondering whether to do Piranesi. That would be a good one to explore!
Thanks Matthew, I discovered Simon and F&T at the end of 2023 and did the W&P slow read last year. I enjoyed it so much I’m going to do it again next year and some of the other slow reads as well. It was so nice to learn more about Simon in the post.
Wonderful, thanks Noreen!
I loved this. Thank you!
Thank you both for this wonderful conversation… I thoroughly enjoyed reading through your journey Simon and Matthew, as always, your attention to questions asked is inspiring. Forever in awe of the work you both achieve here.
Thanks Susie!
Thank you Susie. Grateful to have you here as a reader and friend.
Lovely interview. I am thankful for, and respect, the idea of a writer not feeling like they need to constantly be roping us in all the time, like mindless lemmings. I already have a reminder to check F&T a few times a week; no need for flashy content when the meat & potatoes are good!
Thanks Breon!