Charles Boyle has been running small publisher CB Editions since 2007. In that time he has published an array of interesting titles from poetry and non-fiction through to fiction and short stories. CB titles have won a fiction prize, a translation prize and three poetry prizes, and have been shortlisted for other awards. At the Idler we are huge fans of his books which are always stocked on our shelves and in our online shop. Charles runs the whole operation himself from commissioning, editing, typesetting, cover design and publicity. He took the time to answer our Idler Q&A below.

1. Are you happy?

Yes. Or no. It can be fleeting, and that’s fine. I have a very specific memory – its defining visual feature is the metal scrollwork above the door of the room, a bedroom – of the first time I consciously thought: I will never, ever again in my life be as happy as I am now. On each subsequent occasion when I’ve thought the same I recall the first.

 2. What are you reading at the moment? 

Grégoire Bouillier, The Mystery Guest. One book leads to another: I have an obsession with Stendhal, which somehow led to an interest in the work of the French conceptual artist Sophie Calle, which in turn led to Bouillier – who was Calle’s lover, then they separated, then years later she invited him to a party as a Mystery Guest, and this short novel is a deeply funny account of heartbreak.

3. What was your worst job?

Kitchen assistant in a Scottish hotel, while boarding in an unheated Nissen hut a mile down the road with a madman? But really, filling in database info for a mainstream publisher was no less miserable.

4. How many hours do you work each day ?

Many, many. I don’t get enough sleep. (So often you get to the point when it’s more trouble to go to bed than not.) The trouble is, now that I’ve found work I enjoy doing, even if it doesn’t pay, I’m addicted.

5. Town mouse or country mouse?

Both – I like to believe that I could live anywhere, but I’m probably kidding myself. Realistically, after decades of living in London, if I moved myself to the countryside now I might well just curl up and die.

6. Does love bring happiness or misery?

In spades. But better to be in love than not.

7. Mp3 or vinyl, real or e book?

First part, not applicable: I have as much knowledge of music as I do of Korean basketwork. (My wife has been telling me for years that I’m deaf; she may have a point.) Second part, actual book, no question. (‘When is a book not a book?’)

8. What are your three greatest pleasures?

Keeping this clean, I’ll go for sea swimming; Richmond Park; and hearing praise from third parties for the authors I publish.

9. Do you believe in the nap?

I think I do, but usually I’m too lazy to do anything about it.

10. What advice do you have for young people? 

I wouldn’t presume. I have two 23-year-old sons; they, and their friends, are far more emotionally intelligent, socially well-adjusted, politically aware, etc, than I was at that age.

A selection of CB Editions are available to buy through the Idler bookshop, simply click on the links to the right to view our current stock.