Authenticity and Representation in Contemporary Fiction

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The publishing landscape for Black and brown writers has shifted dramatically in recent years, yet questions remain about authentic representation, market accessibility, and the responsibilities authors carry when crafting diverse characters.

Join three distinctive voices from Fly on the Wall Press — Sangeeta Mulay, Zahirra Dayal, and Arathi Menon — as they draw from their novels set across India and Zimbabwe to explore: the evolving career pathways and opportunities for writers of colour in today's industry; how the market for diverse fiction has transformed and where gaps persist; and the craft and responsibility of creating authentic characters that resist stereotypes while remaining true to lived experience.

This panel offers both practical insight for aspiring writers and a nuanced discussion of representation that goes beyond surface-level diversity conversations.

Chaired by the CEO of Fly on the Wall Press, Isabelle Kenyon