11:15
Cambridge University
October 18
Alison Richard Building
The market for non-fiction books is growing, with its worth estimated to be $15 billion in 2024. Areas of significant growth have been in narrative non-fiction, an increased focus on social and political commentary, and works that explore local or niche topics. But as a genre, it is often defined in relation to what it is not – fiction. Or as an umbrella term – in German Sachbücher is used, ‘books about things’ – that does not distinguish the different types of non-fiction writing or how creative and literary techniques can be used to tell a more engaging story. This event will seek to look in more depth at the different ways of writing creative non-fiction, and the important role that non-fiction writing plays in talking about societal questions and problems. We will hear from all four winners of the Nine Dots Prize, a prize that rewards innovative thinking on social questions; James Williams, Annie Zaidi, Trish Lorenz and Joanna Kusiak. They will talk about how they seek to draw readers into works of non-fiction and to connect research and evidence to a compelling and engaging story. They will also look at how changes in the way that people read may affect how we write non-fiction. Responding to their ideas will be David Runciman, presenter of the Past Present Future podcast and former member of the Nine Dots Prize Board. Simon Goldhill, Chair of the Nine Dots Prize Board, will chair the event.