Literary Festival

Two years ago, I founded the Young Writers League, a space for young writers from all over the world—spanning three countries, nine states, and over 30 schools—to gather as a group and learn from established and seasoned writers. I organized two online literary festivals with three other members of the League. The first festival took place on January 14 and 15, 2023. With the other core members, I interviewed four writers: Smell novelist Radhika Jha, The New Yorker writer Philip Gourevitch, Harvard professor and biographer Leo Damrosch, and memoirist Bruce Feiler. We discussed their craft and creative process, discussing their books and articles for around an hour and a half. Most of the events had an audience of around 40 students. We ended each interview with an audience Q&A and a writing workshop.

The second literary festival was held the mornings of September 9, 16, 17, and 24, 2023. This one consisted of four 1-hour long events. The other core members and I interviewed one writer each day. Each event had approximately 35-40 student attendees from 26 schools across the globe. The New Yorker journalist Laura Secor spoke at the first event, discussing Iranian politics and her book Children of Paradise: The Struggle for the Soul of Iran. Poet and journalist Carla Zanoni spoke at the second event, on the 16th; We discussed how family tragedy can impact one’s writing, as well as nostalgia and approaching poetry. Children’s books author and This Time Tomorrow novelist Emma Straub attended on the 17th; we spoke about her recent novel and the role that her father’s passing played in her creative process. Children’s books author and New York Post writer Raakhee Mirchandani spoke at the final event; we discussed the process of collaborating with an illustrator on children’s books and bringing diversity to the genre.

Below are recordings of four interviews. Some writers preferred not to have their interview be recorded and published.