Are two heads better than one? Writing is by definition a solitary and insular occupation, but this creative writing session explores the benefits of a collaborative approach to writing.

We will draw upon our own experience in writing our anthology, ‘Love across a Broken Map’ to provide an interactive session that examines the process of putting together an anthology, from the inception of an idea to workshopping stories, to choosing titles and cover designs and finally the challenges of marketing and publicity.

The Whole Kahani (or The Whole Story), is a collective of British fiction writers of South Asian origin. The group formed in 2011 and its aim is to give a new voice to old stories and provide a creative perspective that straddles cultures and boundaries both emotional and geographical. Together they have produced the anthology Love Across a Broken Map.

Kavita A Jindal (@writerkavita) is a prize-winning fiction writer, as well as a poet, essayist and reviewer. She is the author of Raincheck Renewed, published to critical acclaim by Chameleon Press. Her story A Flash of Pepper won the Vintage Books/Foyles ‘Haruki Murakami competition’ in 2012. Her work has appeared in literary journals, anthologies and newspapers around the world and has been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and European cultural radio stations. Kavita was born and raised in India and has lived in both Hong Kong and England for many years. She is a Senior Editor at the journal Asia Literary Review. 

CG Menon's stories have previously been broadcast on radio and published in a number of anthologies, including the Willesden Herald anthology, two Words and Women collections, Siren Press’ Fugue II anthology and the Winchester Festival prize collection. She is a past winner of the Asian Writer prize and was shortlisted for the 2015 Fish Short Story prize and the 2016 Short Fiction Journal prize. She is currently enrolled in a Creative Writing MA at City University.  

Reshma Ruia (@RESHMARUIA) is the author of Something Black in the Lentil Soup. Her second novel, A Mouthful of Silence, was shortlisted for the 2014 SI Leeds Literary Prize. Her short stories and poems have appeared in various International anthologies and magazines such as ‘Too Asian, Not Asian Enough,’ and also commissioned and broadcast on the BBC. She has a PhD and Masters with Distinction in Creative Writing and post graduate and undergraduate degrees from the London School of Economics. Born in India, but brought up in Italy, her narrative portrays the inherent tensions and preoccupations of those who possess multiple senses of belonging. She lives in Manchester.

Winnie M Li (@winniemli ) is a writer, activist, and PhD researcher at LSE.  Her debut novel, Dark Chapter, will be published in the UK/Ireland in June and in the US/Canada in September, followed by Dutch and Swedish publications. She has an MA with Distinction in Creative and Life Writing from Goldsmiths.  At LSE’s Department of Media and Communications, she is researching the uses of social media by rape survivors to narrate their experiences.  Winnie is also Co-Founder of the Clear Lines Festival, the UK's first-ever festival dedicated to addressing sexual assault and consent through the arts and discussion. 

Suggested Twitter hashtag for this event: #LSELitFest

This event forms part of the LSE Space for Thought Literary Festival 2017, taking place from Monday 20 - Saturday 25 February 2017, with the theme “Revolutions”.

Podcast

A podcast of this event is available to download from Writing Short Stories and Poetry: From Laptop to Bookshop

Podcasts and videos of many LSE events can be found at the LSE Public Lectures and Events: podcasts and videos channel.