It may seem a bit early to be thinking about autumn but we’re keen to share some very exciting news…

We are delighted to announce that we will be hosting Booker Prize winner and one of the 21st century’s most acclaimed novelists, Marlon James, in September!

Marlon is coming to Bristol to introduce, discuss and read from his hugely-anticipated new novel, The Disappearers,in what is one of only four UK events the US-based author is undertaking for the book. He will be in conversation with the celebrated author, poet and performer, Vanessa Kisuule.​
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Set in late 1980s Kingston Jamaica, The Disappearers is an uncompromising, acutely thought-provoking portrait of queer life in an often brutally unaccepting society. Seven gay actors confront bigotry and hate following a deadly attack at a rehearsal. Epic in its scale and awash with an unbreakable humanity, the novel confirms Marlon James’ place at the forefront of modern fiction.

This is an unmissable opportunity to hear from one of the great writers of our time. And we cannot wait!

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‘Epic in every sense of that word’ New York Times on A Brief History of Seven Killings, selected in NYT’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Century

‘The way James uses language is amazing . . . Vigorous, intricate and captivating, [it] is hard to put down’
Ebony on A Brief History of Seven Killings

‘Showcases the extraordinary capabilities of a writer whose importance can scarcely be questioned’ Independent

‘This seething, hot, violent, action-packed novel is enormous in every sense. The ambition is huge, but [James] pulls it off with huge style, confidence, imagination and wit . . . Extraordinary’
The Times on A Brief History of Seven Killings

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Marlon James is the author of the New York Times bestselling Moon Witch, Spider King; the Sunday Times bestselling, National Book Award-finalist Black Leopard, Red Wolf; the Booker Prize-winning A Brief History of Seven Killings; The Book of Night Women and John Crow’s Devil. In addition to the Booker Prize, his novels have won the American Book Award, the Los Angeles Times Ray Bradbury Prize for Science Fiction, the Anisfield-Wolf Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. Born in Jamaica, Marlon James now lives in New York City.

Vanessa Kisuule is a writer, performer and facilitator based in Bristol. She has won over ten poetry slam titles and performed nationally and internationally. She has worked with the BBC, the British Library, the Tate, Royal Academy of Arts, Bristol Old Vic, CILIP and Glastonbury Festival. She was the Bristol City Poet for 2018 – 2020 and her poem on the toppling of Edward Colston’s statue, Hollow, garnered over 700,000 views and is frequently used as a resource in schools and universities. She wrote and presented ‘The Poetry Detective’ for Radio 4 and has had two poetry collections published. Her poetry has been anthologised widely, including in the Forward Poetry Prize Anthology 2019. Her debut non fiction book, Neverland, was published in 2024.

Marlon James photo credit: Mark Seliger

We are excitedly looking forward to our event on Wednesday 20th May with multi-award-winning writer, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, and his acclaimed translator, Roland Glasser, who will be discussing Fiston’s latest novel, The Villain’s Dance.

We’ve been keeping the eagerest of eyes out for Wimmy Road Boyz’ publication, so it’s a genuine honour for us to be hosting Sufiyaan.

The novel recounts a seminal night in the lives of three young British Pakistani men on Manchester’s Curry Mile. Told in a truly ingenious, unfettered, pulsating style all of its own, you will not have experienced much writing that comes close to the linguistic energy and thought-provoking force of Sufiyaan’s work. As publisher, Penguin imprint, #Merky Books puts it: ‘Wimmy Road Boyz is a blistering story of masculinity, violence and love set over the course of a single, surreal night from a wholly original new British talent.’

We expect tickets to fly out for this. Don’t leave it too long before nabbing one for yourself!

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‘Compulsive, raw and searingly honest.’ Nussaibah Younis

‘An energetic-livewire masterpiece’ Nikesh Shukla

‘Wimmy Road Boyz has a rhythm and style all its own, pushing the boundaries of language, full of storytelling energy and voices that feel true to the lives Salam has expertly created.’ Derek Owusu

‘The energy of Salam’s work was beyond . . . dazzling in its daring and reach’ Jacqueline Crooks, author of Fire Rush

‘Freewheeling, risk-taking and ceaselessly fun, this intense, multi-voiced novel is immense in its ambition and singular in its achievement. It really is one hell of a ride ’ Gurnaik Johal

‘Riotous. . .raucous, wildly inventive’ The Observer

‘Inventive and highly enjoyable’ BBC Books of the Year

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Sufiyaan Salam is a writer and former animator from Blackburn. He’s working on several TV & feature projects, and co-wrote the short film MAGID / ZAFAR, which won the BIFA award in 2025 and was shortlisted for a BAFTA for Best Short Film. Wimmy Road Boyz, winner of the #Merky Books New Writers’ prize, is his first novel.

Multi-award-winning, Nikesh Shukla, is the author of seven novels for adults and children. He is also the editor of the bestselling and highly influential essay collection, The Good Immigrant, and co-editor of The Good Immigrant USA. He wrote the 2023 Spider-Man India miniseries, ‘Seva’ for Marvel, has won several awards for writing the short film, Two Dosas, and worked in multiple writer’s rooms including on projects for Apple TV, Amazon Prime, HBO and Sky.

Sufiyaan Salam photo credit: Alina Akbar

PLEASE NOTE THE START TIME IS 7.30PM

We’re thrilled to announce that the brilliant Fiston Mwanza Mujila and his acclaimed translator, Roland Glasser will be joining us to discuss Fiston’s latest novel, The Villain’s Dance,under the stewardship of Ruth Bush, who will be chairing the event.

Here’s more on The Villain’s Dance from its publisher, leading indie press, And Other Stories:

“Zaire. Late 90’s. Mobutu’s thirty-year reign is tottering. In Lubumbashi, the stubbornly homeless Sanza has fallen in with a trio of veteran street kids led by the devious Ngungi. A chance encounter with the mysterious Monsieur Guillaume seems to offer a way out . . .

“Meanwhile in Angola, Molakisi has joined thousands of fellow Zairians hoping to make their fortunes hunting diamonds, while Austrian Franz finds himself roped into writing the memoirs of the charismatic Tshiamuena, the ‘Madonna of the Cafunfo Mines.’ Things are drawing to a head, but at the Mambo de la Fête, they still dance the Villain’s Dance from dusk till dawn.”

Tickets have been selling very quickly for this year’s events so don’t delay too long before securing a seat for what will be a fascinating evening.

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‘Mujila’s virtuosic narrative shifts, feverish magical realism, and dizzying chronological leaps make for an intoxicating reading experience. This complex tale bears exquisite fruit.’ Publishers Weekly

‘Fiston Mwanza Mujila… writes novels and poetry that move to an infectious, syncopated rhythm. His latest work, The Villain’s Dance, especially revels in this spirit.’ New York Times

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Fiston Mwanza Mujila was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1981 and lives in Austria. His writing – including the International Booker longlisted Tram 83 – responds to political turbulence in his native country and frequently foregrounds its debt to jazz.

Roland Glasser has published over 25 translations from French (fiction, art, travel, and trade non-fiction) alongside literary editing and theatre lighting design.

Ruth Bush is Professor of Comparative Literatures and Cultures at the University of Bristol, where she also co-directs (with Dr Leighan Renaud) the Centre for Black Humanities.