Writing success for debut novel
Creative writing lecturer at the University of Huddersfield Dr Sairish Hussain has been selected as one of ten emerging writers in the UK for the International Literature Showcase.
Award-winning poet and writer Kei Miller was asked by the National Centre for Writing and the British Council to select the most promising and most interesting new talents working in the UK right now.
Dr Hussain was recognised for her debut novel, ‘The Family Tree’, which explores how a Muslim British family deal with the shifting shape of modernity.
Having studied both her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Creative Writing at the University of Huddersfield, Dr Hussain was studying for her PhD when her debut novel was published. At the Bradford Literature Festival in 2017, Dr Hussain met a representative from HarperCollins and within weeks the publisher had been in contact and went on to publish ‘The Family Tree.’
Study Creative Writing at the University of Huddersfield
Despite the novel being published in February 2020, just before bookshops closed due to Covid-19, Dr Hussain went on to be shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards and the novel received rave reviews:
'Poignantly paints the extraordinary in ordinary lives. A brilliant first book from Hussain.' - The Sunday Post
'An evocative portrayal of love and family.' - Ayisha Malik
'Invites you in, not as a stranger but as a family friend. I loved it.' - Katie Fforde
'Hussain weaves a tale of fragility and resilience. A wonderful debut.' - Catherine Mayer
'Both unflinching and full of hope; the writing is compassionate and true.' - Stephanie Butland
When asked about her passion for writing, Dr Hussain commented, “I was always passionate about English Literature and loved reading and writing at school. I chose to study Creative Writing at the University of Huddersfield as I was eager to get started with my lifelong dream of writing a novel.”
Inspiring the next generation of writers
Now a lecturer at the University of Huddersfield since September 2020, Dr Hussain hopes to inspire a new generation of writers: ‘It feels surreal to now be teaching Creative Writing at Huddersfield as I was once a student and aspiring writer in the very same classroom. My students are amazing and we have developed a great bond, despite the challenges of teaching during the pandemic. We learn from each other and they continue to inspire me with their passion for writing.”
Dr Hussain is currently writing her second novel which will be published in 2022 by HarperCollins.
The International Literature Showcase is a partnership between the National Centre for Writing and the British Council, with the support of Arts Council England.
(Photo credit: Sam Raz)