Adventures in Writing: An Evening with Authors

Adventures in Writing: An Evening with authors Nussaibah Younis and Leo Vardiashvili in conversation with Dr Rachael Allen

Every book begins with a spark, but what does it take to turn that spark into a published novel?

In this event, you’ll hear directly from two authors about their writing journeys: how they began, what inspired their stories, and how they navigated the path to publication. Each speaker will share insights into their creative process, the challenges and triumphs of life as a writer, and what it really means to build a career as an author. You’ll also have the chance to hear more about their books (past, present and future), and the adventures behind them.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer or simply an avid reader hoping to discover new books, this event offers a behind-the-scenes look at storytelling as both craft and career, and the stories that inspire their work.

The event will be followed by an audience Q&A and reception, giving you the chance to ask your own questions and connect with the authors. Bàrd Books will be joining us, and will have copies of both Fundamentally and Hard by a Great Forest available for you to purchase so that you can have your copies signed.

Speakers:

Nussaibah Younis

Dr Nussaibah Younis is a peacebuilding practitioner and a globally recognised expert on contemporary Iraq. For several years, Dr Younis advised the Iraqi government on proposed programs to deradicalise women affiliated with ISIS. She has a PhD in International Affairs from the University of Durham, and a BA in Modern History and English from the University of Oxford. Dr Younis was a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council in Washington DC, where she directed the Task Force on the Future of Iraq and offered strategic advice to US government agencies on Iraq policy. Dr Younis has published Op-Eds in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian and The New York Times and provided on-air commentary for the BBC and Al-Jazeera.

She was born in the UK to an Iraqi father and a Pakistani mother, and has worked in Washington D.C., Dubai, Cairo, Beirut and Baghdad. She currently lives in London. Fundamentally is her debut novel.

Leo Vardiashvili

Leo Vardiashvili came to London with his family as a refugee from Georgia when he was twelve years old. He studied English Literature at Queen Mary University of London. Hard by a Great Forest is his first novel.

Dr Rachael Allen, BA (Goldsmiths), PhD (Hull)

Rachael was born and grew up in Cornwall, moving to London to study English Literature at Goldsmiths University. At Goldsmiths she started an event and anthology series called clinic, which developed into a small press. Rachael has been publishing ever since, working for a decade at the literary quarterly Granta Magazine, and publishing a poetry list for Granta Books. Her authors include writers like Will Harris, Daisy Lafarge, Holly Pester, Stephanie Sy-Quia, Will Alexander and others. Rachael completed a PhD at the University of Hull. Her doctoral research identified an anglophone, feminist lyric emerging in the Anthropocene, looking at the poets Ariana Reines, Sylvia Legris, Mei-mei Berssenbrugge and Selima Hill, and the collection of poems she wrote during this time, Kingdomland, was published by Faber and Faber in 2019.

The event will begin at 6.30 p.m., finishing at 7.45 p.m. followed by a reception.