Damian Barr’s Literary Salon returns to the Library with two bold and brilliant writers, Monica Heisey and Jenni Fagan in conversation with author and salon host Damian Barr.

Every story starts with a writer alchemising their own experience. Whether it’s a memoir or epic fiction, the truth of the writer is in there somewhere. Join us as we explore two equally superb, but wildly different books, where the writer uses their own story to powerful effect.

Really Good, Actually is Monica Heisey’s debut novel. Her heroine is Maggie, 29, who manages to get divorced before most of her friends have even considered getting married. And her marriage ended just 608 days after it started. Sure, she’s alone for the first time in her life, can’t afford her rent and her obscure PhD is going nowhere . . . but she’s fine – she’s doing really good, actually. Like Maggie, Monica is a ‘Surprisingly Young Divorcée TM’. Here she uses fiction to tell a bigger truth than her own. Monica has contributed to The New Yorker, the New York Times, Vogue and the Guardian. And she’s written on shows including Schitt’s Creek.

And we are honoured to bring you the world premiere of the long-awaited memoir by the award-winning, genre-bending genius Jenni Fagan. Ootlin has been twenty years and a lifetime in the making. Jenni takes us on her journey through the broken care system from birth to the age of 16. It is a story of loss, love and longing. Of trying to find your way and finding your place in an often-hostile world. It is a story about the stories we tell ourselves of ourselves. It is powerfully alive and heart-breaking and ultimately hopeful because Jenni’s story lives in every page she’s ever written. Ootlin is sure to be a classic.

In partnership with Damian Barr’s Literary Salon

Early bird tickets are £15, standard tickets £22.50, online tickets £5 (watch live and up to 7 days after the event).

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N.B. This event will take place in-person at The London Library and it will also be livestreamed. Doors (and the bar) open at 6.30pm, the talk is from 7.30pm to 9pm. Please see our Event Access and COVID Guidelines before you arrive. 

London Library events are subject to Terms and Conditions.