Bestselling author of Brick Lane, Monica Ali, has returned to the University of Surrey as its distinguished writer in residence for the second year. Here she talks to Rebecca Younger about why she loves the job, walking the North Downs Way and learning to ignore what’s in vogue
You’re now in your second year as distinguished writer in residence at the University of Surrey. Was it a role you ever expected you would take on?
“It’s not something that I planned or expected! Sometimes in life opportunities just present themselves, and this was one of those occasions.”
How did the role come about?
“I first came into contact with the University of Surrey through my work with English PEN, the writers’ organisation. PEN works to promote and defend freedom of expression, and is part of a global literary network. In 2012, I was trustee, and was invited by the student branch at the university to come and give a talk. Three years later, the head of the School of English and Languages got in touch to ask if I’d be interested in this newly-created role. I’d actually just turned down an invitation for a similar role at the National University of Singapore, rather reluctantly as I’d have loved to have done it in many ways but I didn’t feel it was the right time to be apart from my family. So although I hadn’t been looking for something else, it felt like a moment of serendipity Surrey is thriving as an academic institution, establishing itself in recent years as a top 10 university in the league table rankings. On top of that, the creative writing department is a very dynamic. I think the Surrey New Writers’ Festival, which they organise each May, is evidence of that.”
How has the experience been so far?
Denne historien er fra April 2017-utgaven av Surrey Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 2017-utgaven av Surrey Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The House That Rocks
Transforming an impressive, seven-bedroom Victorian property in Dorking wasn’t without its challenges, but the result is a stunning family home that has had the interiors world raving
REMEDY FOR SUCCESS
Surrey’s Tracy Borman discusses the return of her heroine healer in the final book of her best-selling fictional trilogy
Love Celia
Actress Celia Imrie has travelled the world for work and leisure but wherever she goes there is a part of her which is forever Surrey
EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH
Art & Action: Making Change in Victorian Britain at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village in Compton focuses on the Victorian roots of art activism
Electric dreams
The Range Rover plug-in hybrid brings silent electric motoring to this iconic luxury car
THE OPEN ROAD
Chris Pickering rounds up some of the best drives in Surrey
TOWN AND COUNTRY: Oxted & Limpsfield
With the North Downs looming nearby and glorious countryside surrounding it, Oxted is a town with real “escape from London” appeal and character, while nearby Limpsfield has a superb village vibe with its own community-run pub
Artist to the stars
Known as ‘The Face of Modern British Impressionism’, Mickleham-based Sherree Valentine Daines is celebrating four decades at the forefront of her field
A RIGHT ROYAL WELCOME
The Signet Collection’s inaugural hotel project is a reimagining of a former royal guest house, situated directly opposite Hampton Court Palace
TOWN AND COUNTRY: Godalming & Hascombe
On the banks of the River Wey, Godalming is a watercolour pretty town surrounded by pristine countryside and in-demand rural villages, such as Hascombe