{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"How Marc Bendavid found permission to write his award-winning novel","description":"Nathan Maharaj spoke with Marc Bendavid, winner of the 2026 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for Literary Fiction for his novel The Sapling. It\u2019s a love story, but unlike any love story you've ever read. Klara Bloem is an art teacher, and Marc\u2014yes, there is autobiography woven through this work of fiction\u2014he\u2019s a thoughtful boy who\u2019s drawn to Klara\u2019s encouraging, lively presence. They forge a friendship that lasts years and endures upheavals in each of their lives.  How Marc Bendavid found permission to write his award-winning novel ","author_name":"Kobo in Conversation","author_url":"https:\/\/koboinconversation.libsyn.com\/site","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/43237103\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/bf0000\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/207347633"}