We are delighted that highly acclaimed novelist Winnie M Li will be joining our roster of speakers at Writers’ Day 2018. Winnie will be appearing as a special guest speaker, reading from her debut novel Dark Chapter which was submitted to TLC in early draft form as part of our Arts Council England-funded Free Reads scheme. The book has won wide coverage and a number of accolades, most recently being shortlisted for the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award and winning the Guardian-run Not the Booker Prize 2017. Selected as a Stylist Magazine ‘debut to look out for’, the novel is an astonishing and unique text inspired by the author’s own story of abuse. In the book, which is pacily written and cleverly constructed, Vivian is a cosmopolitan Taiwanese-American tourist who often escapes her busy life in London through adventure and travel. Johnny is a 15-year-old Irish teenager, living a neglected life on the margins of society. On a bright spring afternoon in West Belfast, their paths collide during a horrifying act of violence. In the aftermath, each is forced to confront the chain of events that led to the attack.
Inspired by true events, this is a story of the dark chapters and chance encounters that can irrevocably determine the shape of our lives. We are thrilled that Winnie will be joining us to read and copies of the book will be on sale for signing by the author.
For a look at the full Writers’ Day programme including the TLC Pen Factor Writing Competition with £1,000 of prizes, please click here. You can buy a ticket directly from the event page, or by calling the box office on 020 7324 2570.
Praise for Dark Chapter
‘An important and moving book’ Cathy Rentzenbrink
‘Complex and rewarding… an important book’-Stylist
‘Dark Chapter is a must-read. It’s gripping, compelling and all the more authentic for inhabiting both voices so completely. Stunning.’ Erin Kelly
‘An authentic, courageous debut, told with unflinching honesty and exceptional insight.’ A.D. Garret
‘A powerful story, compassionately told.’Ros Barber, winner of the Desmond Elliott Prize and The Author’s Club First Novel Award
‘An accomplished debut, an honest and unsparing story.’ Cath Staincliffe
‘I have never found myself rooting for a heroine with more urgency’ Kate Rhodes
‘Deftly written, pacey and unflinching, I could not put it down. Winnie Li is a rare talent with an explosive and timely story. Do not miss it.’ Marti Leimbach, best-selling author of Dying Young and Daniel Isn’t Talking
About the Author
Winnie M Li is an author and activist. Her debut novel, DARK CHAPTER, won The Guardian’s Not The Booker Prize 2017 and will be translated into nine languages. It was also nominated for an Edgar Award, shortlisted for the Best First Novel Award, and runner-up in the SI Leeds Literary Prize 2016 and the CWA Debut Dagger. A Harvard graduate, Winnie previously wrote for travel guide books and produced independent feature films. After earning an MA in Creative Writing at Goldsmiths, she now advocates around sexual violence, runs the Clear Lines Festival, and is a PhD researcher in Media and Communications at the London School of Economics. Winnie has appeared in The Guardian, The Mail on Sunday, The Times, The Independent, The Irish Times, BBC World News, and BBC Woman’s Hour. http://winniemli.com Twitter: @winniemli
