The London Library Emerging Writers Programme Showcase (In person & online)
As The London Library Emerging Writers Programme enters its fifth year, we showcase the exceptional talent of previous cohorts with readings from some of their now published and produced work. Featuring novelist Krystle Zara Appiah, poet Oakley Flanagan, non-fiction writer Sarah Clegg, screenwriter Paolo Chianta, children's author Natasha Hastings, playwrights Sid Sagar and Esohe Uwadiae.
Krystle Zara Appiah (EWP 2020-21) is a British-Ghanaian writer, editor and screenwriter. She has a degree in literature and creative writing from the University of Kent. Her debut novel, Rootless, was published in March.
Paolo Chianta (EWP 2021-22) was selected for the BBC Writersroom Comedy Room. His original comedy-drama Brighter Later aired on BBC R3 in 2021 and his Afternoon Drama Eat and Run aired on BBC R4 this year. He is currently developing a TV project with Balloon Entertainment and a feature script.
Sarah Clegg (EWP 2020-21) has a PhD in the ancient history of Mesopotamia from Cambridge University and reads Sumerian, Akkadian, Arabic, Greek and Latin. She works in heritage publishing and her debut non-fiction book Woman’s Lore: 4000 Years of Sirens, Serpents and Succubi came out in March.
Oakley Flanagan (EWP 2021-22) is a writer, poet and playwright. They are a current member of Southbank Centre’s New Poets Collective. Their pamphlet G&T is forthcoming with Out-Spoken Press, as part of Wayne Holloway-Smith’s tenure as editor. They are a winner of the ruth weiss Emerging Poet Award 2022.
Natasha Hastings (EWP 2019-20) studied history at Cambridge University, where she focused on gender and mental illness and became determined to explore those topics in her debut children’s book, The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair, which came out in October 2022.
Sid Sagar (EWP 2021-22) is an actor, playwright and screenwriter. Recent acting credits include Cabaret in the West End, Slow Horses for Apple TV+ and Warner Bros' The Batman. He is currently under commission to the Almeida Theatre, an Associate Writer at Middle Child, developing a co-written sitcom for Slam Films and Sky, and was one of 12 writers selected for 4Screenwriting 2023.
Esohe Uwadiae's (EWP 2021-22) debut play She is a Place Called Home ran at VAULT Festival and was longlisted for the Alfred Fagon Award. Her work has been performed at theatres including the Almeida, the Pleasance and the Duke of York. She has also been part of programmes with the Royal Court and Almeida.
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and Fondation Jan Michalski.
Books by all festival contributors are available to buy from our partner bookshop Hatchards.
N.B. This event will take place in person at The London Library and will be livestreamed. If you are joining us in person, please see our Event Access and COVID Guidelines before you arrive. Doors (and the bar/cafe) will be open from 10.30am that day with talks beginning at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm in the Reading Room. The livestream will begin on YouTube from 12pm and will be available to watch live or at any time after the event, using the same link.
If you purchase an online ticket, you will be sent a viewing link 24 hours before the event begins. If you do not receive a link, please check your junk mail or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Access all Lit Fest events online with The London Library Lit Fest Online Pass
London Library events are subject to Terms and Conditions.
