A major new alice coltrane biography achieves illumination

OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS, ELLE HAS CELEBRATED CREATIVITY OF ALL KINDS. HERE, A RANGE OF TODAY’S LEADING ARTISTS, WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS AND DIRECTORS SHARE THE RITUALS, ROUTINES AND REALITIES BEHIND THEIR GREATEST WORKS, FROM MIND-BLOWING EXCEL SHEETS TO THE MAGIC OF THE DARK ROOM

“Words don’t make sense/Words won’t make it right” ...

WINDINGS NO STRAIGHT ROAD TAKES YOU THERE ...

R. F. Kuang, author of Yellowface , returns to her fantasy roots this month with her new novel, Katabasis , hitting shelves. It follows two rival Cambridge students, Alice and Peter, who travel to the Underworld on a rescue mission to save their professor. Read on for an exclusive look at the second chapter, which sees the pair entering Hell for the first time...

SEPTEMBER 2025 TAKE 342

Strawbs co-founder Dave Cousins died in July following a long illness. The singer, songwriter and guitarist enjoyed an active musical career spanning more than six decades and has been name-checked by many musicians as a key influence and inspiration. We reflect on his rich legacy and reveal plans for a number of posthumous releases, including the long-awaited new Strawbs album.