Join us for a riveting panel discussion emerging writers from the British South Asian community, namely, Nadeem Ahmed, Rukshana Horwood, Hamish Morjaria, Muhammad Idrish and Bilal Akram.

Time: 3.00 pm - 5.00 pm

Venue: UoB - The Exchange 3 Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 2D

[REGISTER FOR EVENT]

Free

Join us for an interesting panel discussion with upcoming talent and emerging writers from the British South Asian community, namely, Nadeem Ahmed, Rukshana Horwood, Hamish Morjaria, Muhammad Idrish and Bilal Akram.

Nadeem Ahmed

Nadeem Ahmed has showcased his creative talents through writing, authoring two books that reflect his diverse experiences. His first book, Strutt To Success, offers insights into his journey, while his second, Doomed In Dubai, is based on true events, revealing his ability to tell captivating stories drawn from real-life experiences.

His writing reflects the same adventurous spirit seen in his broadcasting career, with Doomed In Dubai delving into gripping narratives from his travels and encounters. Nadeem’s books highlight his passion for exploring different cultures and sharing compelling stories with a wide audience.

By combining his love for storytelling with his experiences in travel and media, Nadeem’s writing has become another platform for him to engage audiences, showcasing his versatility as both a broadcaster and an author.

In addition to his writing, Nadeem Ahmed has made a name for himself in broadcasting, starting his career at BBC Radio Lancashire, where he revamped late-night programming with a fresh, unique style. He went on to present travel films, documentaries, and lifestyle features across international platforms, gaining recognition for his work. His versatility extends to acting in the Bollywood film King of Bollywood and producing soul-soothing music, including his album Beautiful Dreams, making him a multi-talented figure in entertainment.

Rukshana Chenoy-Horwood

Life on a Postcard by Rukshana Chenoy-Horwood is a humorous and heart-warming book that blends real-life adventures with fiction. Told through the perspective of Charlotte Baxter, the protagonist, the book introduces readers to a range of quirky, larger-than-life characters and amusing scenarios. From CPR on a turbulent flight to saggy boobs, the hilarious and often unbelievable anecdotes make the book an engaging, must-read journey. Chenoy-Horwood masterfully balances humour with moments of tenderness and tragedy, often evoking both laughter and tears in a single story.

Rukshana Chenoy-Horwood draws from her personal experiences for the book. Born in England and raised in Hyderabad, India, she returned to the UK after completing her education. With a passion for travel, she joined an airline and spent 25 years in the corporate world, working in various roles from recruitment to leadership coaching. Alongside her corporate career, her love for writing grew, contributing to internal magazines and writing for local newspapers.

Now a People Management Consultant and Leadership Coach, Chenoy-Horwood has combined her passions for travel and writing in her debut novel. Despite her extensive life experiences—including delivering a baby at 35,000 feet and coaching CEOs—she admits that none of these compares to the challenge of raising her teenage daughter. Balancing fiction and autobiography, Life on a Postcard offers a glimpse into her adventurous life, with a touch of creative exaggeration.

Hamish Morjaria

Hamish Morjaria is the author of The Curse of Muziris, a historical thriller set in both first-century and present-day India and Rome. It will be released by Pan Macmillan in September 2024. It is the first in a series of books featuring the intrepid Indian archaeologist, Dr Harveen Gill. 

Hamish was born and brought up in North London and has always been fascinated by ancient history and its links to the present day. When not writing, Hamish can be found watching cricket or walking his dog Simba during the day, and sitting in front of the fire with a cup of tea and a good book in the evening. He lives with his wife Kalpa, and two children in Buckinghamshire.

Muhammad Idrish

The Making of Bangladesh as I Saw It is a personal account of the 1971 struggle to create Bangladesh, narrated by Muhammad Idrish, who lived through the violence. Idrish describes the genocide, rape, and torture that occurred during the war but also emphasises the resilience and determination of the Bengali people. While the Vietnam War occupied much of the West’s attention, a brutal guerilla war was unfolding in East Pakistan, culminating in the birth of Bangladesh after the defeat of the Pakistani army.

At the time, Idrish was 21 and a student at Dhaka University, a hub of radical political activity. As an active participant, he witnessed key moments, such as the hoisting of the first Bangladeshi flag and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic speech declaring independence. Idrish recounts his personal experiences, fleeing from the Pakistani army and celebrating their eventual surrender. These firsthand memories stand in contrast to modern attempts to distort the history of the Bangladesh liberation war for personal or political gain, which motivated him to write this book.

Although not a historian or professional writer, Muhammad Idrish felt a duty to present the events as he experienced them. His book is a short, straightforward narrative that vividly portrays living through war. At 174 pages, it is an accessible read with moments of humour, conveying the powerful message that war is a curse to humanity, regardless of the outcome.

Bilal Akram

Bilal Akram is a fiction writer, poet, screenwriter, and spoken word artist from Birmingham who is currently writing his debut crime novel, Profiles of The Dead. He has recently completed an MA in Creative Writing, graduating with distinction, and runs a weekly newsletter inspiring writers and creatives to pursue and master their craft.

'Pitch It'

The panel discussion will be followed by an insight into what's expected when pitching ideas to a publisher with representation from the publishing community.

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