Rosie Wolfenden and Sheena Patel- updated

Join Tatty Devine founder Rosie Wolfenden in conversation with rising literary star Sheena Patel

Next month there’s the chance to hear from acclaimed author, Sheena Patel, as she joins Rosie Wolfenden in conversation at Ventnor Exchange.

Sheena was last week nominated for the 2023 Women’s Prize in Fiction for her novel, ‘I’m A Fan’ published by Granta and Rough Trade Books.  

A Guardian book of the Year, DAZED Book of the Year, The i Book of the Year, Evening Standard Book of the Year, The White Review Book of the Year, Foyles Fiction Book of the Year 2022, Sheena Patel is selected as one of the Observer’s Top Ten best debut novelists.

‘I’m a fan’
The unnamed narrator of Sheena Patel’s debut novel is in a seemingly unequal relationship with a man she refers to as “the man I want to be with”. At the same time she is cyber-stalking the man’s other lover, an online influencer she refers to as “the woman I am obsessed with”.

Written with a clear and unforgiving eye, this exhilarating debut explores obsessive love, race, privilege, power and the patriarchy, and heralds Sheena Patel as a vital new voice in British literature. Sex, violence, politics, tenderness, humour—Patel handles them all with both originality and dexterity and in an unmistakably unique voice.

The first of many
The event has been organised by Aude Chagnon-Caumet in the first of many upcoming book events.

It features the wonderful Rosie Wolfenden MBE, founder of British design icon Tatty Devine, leading the conversation.

Secret to Happiness event hosted by OnTheWight and The Book Bus
Rosie (standing) at OnTheWight’s ‘Secret to Happiness’ 2022 event © Julian Winslow

Writer and assistant director for film and TV
Sheena Patel is a writer and assistant director for film and TV who was born and raised in North West London.

She is part of the 4BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE collective, has been published in 4BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE (Rough Trade Books) and a poetry collection of the same name (FEM Press).

Nominated for the Women’s Prize, the Dylan Thomas Prize, the Republic of Consciousness Prize, Authors’ Club Best First Novel and the Jhalak Prize.  

Where and when
Sheena Patel in conversation with Rosie Wolfenden takes place at Ventnor Exchange on Saturday 29th April from 8pm.

Tickets are £5 each and can be purchased in person at Ventnor Exchange, 11 Church Street, Ventnor or online via their Website.

Signed copies of the book will be available to purchase.