This is an in-person only event in the British Library Pigott Theatre
 
WriteBack is a fresh new events series which invites writers to speak on topics of their choosing. Whether it's research that didn't find a home in their latest book, themes they’ve never been able to fully explore, or personal passions away from writing, this series, curated by poet Anthony Anaxagorou and producer Tom MacAndrew, promises lively discussions following up on writers’ preoccupations and curiosity. 
 
Each writer will talk briefly on a topic of their choice, which will be followed by a conversation-style segment where the writers will discuss each other’s respective topics. Our first event features some of the most exciting and multi-disciplinary writers of our moment: Max Porter, Lola Olufemi and Noreen Masud, and is hosted by poet and writer Helen Mort.  

Half price tickets available for Members, Students, Under 26 and other concession groups. If you have specific access requirements please email customer@bl.uk

The venue doors and bar will open at 18:00 and the Theatre at 18:45. If you’re attending in person, please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event.

Followed by a book signing.

Noreen Masud is a lecturer in twentieth century literature at the University of Bristol, and an AHRC/BBC New Generation Thinker. Her research covers flatness, spivs, puppets, leftovers, earworms, footnotes, rhymes, hymns, folk songs. Her memoir-travelogue, A Flat Place, was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Trust Young Writer of the Year Award, the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, the Jhalak Prize, the Ondaatje Prize and the Books are my Bag Reader Awards.

Helen Mort writes poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Her latest collection The Illustrated Woman (Chatto & Windus, 2022) was shortlisted for the Forward Prize. Her memoir A Line Above The Sky won the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature and the Grand Prize in Banff, Canada. She is Professor of Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Dr. Lola Olufemi is the author of 'Feminism Interrupted: Disrupting Power' (Pluto Press, 2020) and 'Experiments in Imagining Otherwise' (Hajar Press, 2021). Her work is published in Afterall Journal, Architectural Review, Wasafiri, Stenberg Press, Aperture, La Fabrique editions, Arcadia Missa, Vittles, Extra Extra Magazine, Lawrence and Wishart and others. Alongside writing, she facilitates reading groups and workshops on political writing, occasionally curates and is volunteer co-ordinator at the Feminist Library. 

Max Porter’s work includes the bestseller Shy, the Booker-longlisted Lanny and the multi-award winning Grief is the Thing with Feathers. His work has been translated into 34 languages. He is also the author of The Death of Francis Bacon, praised as ‘a miniature masterpiece.’ Max is currently writer-in-residence in a UK prison and will chair the judging panel for the International Booker Prize 2025.

The British Library is a charity. Your support helps us open up a world of knowledge and inspiration for everyone. Donate today.