The London Library Emerging Writers Programme Showcase (In person)
The London Library Emerging Writers Programme began in 2019 to give 40 writers every year the time, space and guidance to develop their multi-genre writing projects at The London Library. As the Programme opens applications for its seventh year, this event showcases the exceptional talent of alumni from across previous cohorts. Novelists Katie Buckley and Lucy Steeds, poet Timothy Fox, non-fiction writer Alexis Keir, playwright Temi Majekodunmi and children's author Gita Raleigh will read from their published or soon-to-be published work and they'll discuss their experience of the Programme, in conversation with writer and broadcaster Bidisha.
Katie Buckley (EWP 21/22) was born in Fowey, Cornwall, and grew up in Canada and the UK. She studied in Edinburgh and is a graduate of the Creative Writing MA at Royal Holloway, where she was a Principal’s Masters Scholar. Her debut novel, Hero, is published by Tinder Press and due Jan 2025.
Timothy Fox (EWP 23/24) is a poet and playwright. He received a Houston Press Theatre Award for his play The Whale; or, Moby-Dick and a Vault Festival Spirit Award for his play The Witch’s Mark. His writing has appeared in, among others, The Ghastling, Funicular Magazine and New Writing Scotland. His debut poetry pamphlet every house needs a ghost will be published by The Braag in early 2025.
Alexis Keir (EWP 21/22) grew up in Luton and spent part of his childhood in Saint Vincent. His debut book, Windward Family was published in 2023. His writing has appeared in The Selkie and The Caribbean Writer and on the podcast We’ve Chosen Here. In 2019 he was selected for the Spread the Word London Writers Award Programme and in 2021 he was shortlisted for The Cecile de Jongh Literary Prize.
Temi Majekomdunmi (EWP 22/23) is an actor and playwright. His debut play The Life of Olu ran as part of Soho Theatre's Rising Festival 2022. His second play, Thicker Than Water, was long-listed for the Alfred Fagon: Mustapha Matura Award and shortlisted for the 2023 Adopt A Playwright Award. His third play, Positive, was shortlisted for the 2023 Alfred Fagon Award and the 2024 New Diorama Edinburgh Untapped Award.
Gita Raleigh (EWP 22/23) is a poet, writer and doctor, born to Indian immigrant parents in London. She teaches creative writing to science undergraduates at Imperial College and has an MA in Creative Writing and an MSc in Medical Humanities. Her children’s novels, The Destiny of Minou Moonshine and The Voyage of Sam Singh are published by Zephyr/Bloomsbury. She is a trustee at Spread the Word.
Lucy Steeds (EWP 19/20) is a novelist, whose debut, The Artist is published by John Murray Press in January 2025. The novel has already been listed for the BPA First Novel Award, the Yeovil Literary Prize, the Page Turner Awards, the Fiction Factory First Chapter Competition, and was a Finalist in the Spotlight First Novel Award and the Moniack Mhor Emerging Writer Award.
Bidisha is a broadcaster, critic, journalist and lens-based artist. Currently a critic and columnist for The Observer and The Guardian, she also presents and commentates for BBC TV and radio, ITN, CNN, Channel 5 and Sky News. Her most recent publication is the essay The Future of Serious Art. Her latest film series, Aurora, ran from 2020-2023 and stars Alessia Patregnani.
Books by the speakers will be available to buy at the event and online from our partner bookshop Hatchards.
NB This event will take place in person at The London Library. Doors and the bar will open at 6.30pm, the talk will run from 7-8pm approx and the bar will stay open until 8.30pm.
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