Kamila Shamsie
Kamila Shamsie
GU-Q Writer-in-Residence
Kamila is an award-winning novelist celebrated for her contributions to contemporary literature. She has authored eight critically acclaimed novels, including Burnt Shadows, A God in Every Stone, and Home Fire, which won the Women’s Prize for Fiction, was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and shortlisted for the Costa Prize. Her most recent work, Best of Friends, has received significant recognition, including the Karachi Literature Festival/Getz Fiction Award and a shortlist spot for the Indie Book Awards. Her novels have been translated into over thirty languages. Prior to joining GU-Q, she was a Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Manchester. She also holds a lifetime honorary position as Vice-President of the Royal Society of Literature in the UK.
During her residency, Kamila will be involved in a variety of enriching activities on our campus. These will include workshops, masterclasses, special events, and public lectures. Students will have the opportunity to participate in creative writing sessions, while Kamila will lead various public events, such as readings with renowned authors, informal discussions, and focused writing workshops designed to spark creativity and literary exploration.
Kamila’s presence promises to add significant depth to our academic discourse, and her engagement with our community will undoubtedly contribute to the broader cultural vibrancy of Qatar and beyond.
Qalam: Great Writers in Conversation with Kamila Shamsie
Led by our award-winning inaugural Writer-in-Residence, Kamila Shamsie, Qalam—meaning “pen” or “pencil” in Arabic—is an unparalleled opportunity to engage with some of the most celebrated voices in global literature.
Qalam will examine how literature shapes our identities and how we engage with the world. At a time when the value of art and literature is often questioned, this series reaffirms storytelling’s vital role in helping us see ourselves in others and navigate the complexities that both unite and divide us. Qalam emphasizes that literature, at its best, does more than entertain—it challenges what we take for granted and offers new ways of understanding the human experience.
Abdulrazak Gurnah
The first event features Abdulrazak Gurnah, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Date: September 15, 2024, 5:30-7:00 pm
Location: Auditorium, Georgetown University in Qatar