A photograph of author, writer and story consultant Nadia Attia, sat outdoors on steps wearing a teal jumper, black jeans and yellow Converse

“We have to tell stories to unriddle the world”

— Alan Garner

Well, where to begin?

As someone from a working-class mixed-heritage background (Egyptian-German) I’m passionate about stories that explore ‘otherness’ and characters who take the path less trodden; characters who might one day see their difference as a strength. I wrote stories, poems and plays as a child and turned my love of storytelling into a career when I became a filmmaker, then a freelance journalist and Editor and Copywriter, and I now work as a story consultant/script editor and commission and support writers and directors as a BFI NETWORK Talent Executive. I took my own writing to the next level when I won the Faber (FAB) prize for fiction and earned a place on the London Writers Awards, which led to me attracting an agent.

I aspire to recreate the magic and escapism of the fairy tales I’ve loved since childhood, but I never shy away from pain and darkness – often relishing in the gothic, liminal and more melancholy side to speculative fiction. My wonder for the natural world is something else that flavours my writing. In Verge I wanted ‘the wild’ to influence and permeate not just the landscapes but also the characters themselves as I explored the power of belief – inspired by British folklore and superstitions. In my debut novel I combined these interests with my frustration at the divisive nature of this post-Brexit world – how tensions are being needled and stoked due to ethnicity, wealth, belief or simply just lines on a map.

I’m represented by John Baker at Bell Lomax Moreton. He has excellent taste.

USEFUL LINKS > https://linktr.ee/nadiaattia

If you like the sound of what I’m up to, or if you read and appreciate my newsletters, please consider buying me a cup of coffee! Every little bit helps me to continue doing what I love. Thank you.

Some nice things people have said…

 

“Huge potential.”

— Will Dean, author

“Nadia Attia is an urgent new voice… arresting and absorbing, the storytelling
felt effortless”

— Leah Thaxton, Faber

“Look out for this great new talent, publishers!”

— Rowan Coleman, author

“Nadia is one of the stars of the London Writers Awards 2020 programme”

— Bobby Nayyar, Spread the Word