Myth of the Mainstream

Schedule

Sun Jun 26 2022 at 07:30 pm to 09:00 pm

Location

28 Kensington Street,Brighton,BN1 4AJ,GB | Brighton, EN

Join us for the festival finale as Dorothy Koomson, Leroy Logan and Saima Mir interrogate the 'Myth of the Mainstream'
Mainstream culture is everywhere - in the ideas, values and trends that are most widely disseminated in society. To be accepted into 'the mainstream' is often seen as synonymous with success, recognition and achievement.
When it comes to books, being recognised as a mainstream author can be associated with hitting the bestseller lists, becoming widely known and celebrated in popular culture.
But what does this mean for authors who challenge the status quo? What does this mean for creatives who do not look, think or act like those in the 'mainstream'?
At our Brighton Book Festival finale, we hear from three hugely successful authors, all of whom have had their books optioned for TV or Film, who have also challenged the status quo. Join Dorothy Koomson as she talks to Leroy Logan and Saima Mir about what their relationship to the 'mainstream' has been like on their journey to success and as they explore what could happen if we start to deconstruct and challenge the myth of the mainstream.
Leroy Logan
Dr Leroy Logan MBE is a former superintendent in the Metropolitan police. He retired in 2013 after 30 years' service. He is also a former chair and founding member of the Black Police Association.
Leroy is one of UK’s most highly decorated and well known black police officers. A highly respected and well regarded commentator on policing in black communities, he believes that there is still much work to do in creating a more equitable and fair criminal justice system.
Saima Mir is an award-winning journalist and writer. She has written for The Guardian, The Times, The Independent and The Daily Telegraph, and worked for the BBC.
Her work appeared in the anthology, It’s Not About the Burqa in 2019, and The Best Most Awful Job in 2020. Her novel The Khan is being published by Point Blank and is due on in January 2021. The Khan has been optioned by BBC Studios.
Saima is a recipient of The Commonwealth Broadcast Association World View Award, and The K Blundell Trust Award. Saima’s work has been longlisted for The SI Leeds Literary Prize, and The Bath Novel Award.
Her screenplay Ruby & Matt has been optioned by Rendition Films.
Dorothy Koomson
Dorothy Koomson is an award-winning, global bestselling author and journalist whose books have been translated into more than 30 languages, with sales that exceed 2 million copies in the UK alone.
She was featured on the 2021 Powerlist as one of the most influential Black people in Britain, appeared in GQ Style as a Black British trailblazer, and is a judge for the 2022 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Dorothy uses her platform to support new writers and hosts ‘The Happy Author’ podcast.
Dorothy lives in Brighton (well, Hove, actually ) and the city is an ever-present character in her novels. Her latest book, the Sunday Times bestseller I Know What You’ve Done , is out now in paperback. Her next book, My Other Husband , will be published in hardback on 18th August by Headline.
Venue Accessibility
Wheelchair Access:
The Lighthouse venue is fully wheelchair accessible. The venue is on two floors.
-We have accessible toilets situated in Level 0 (Ground Floor) and Level -1 (Lower Ground Floor).
Ground Floor: Lighthouse Office, Reception Area & Conference Room.
-The Ground Floor is accessed at street level, there is no ramp required.
Lower Ground Floor: Digital Lounge & Toilets & Baby-changing facilities.
-Access to the Lower Ground Floor is by platform lift or stairs.
All levels can be accessed using a central lift which has a doorway measuring 90 cm. The lift can hold a maximum weight of 300kg. It is designed to carry two people and one wheelchair, however in cases where a power motorised wheelchair is very heavy it may only be possible to hold one wheelchair and one person. The platform lift is run by the user inside the lift pressing a button and keeping it pressed down until the desired floor is reached. Lighthouse staff will assist with use of the lift.
Important: A maximum of two wheelchairs is allowed at a time in the Lower Ground Floor / Digital Lounge for health and safety reasons.
Other facilities and support:
-Portable or backed seating can be provided on request, please ask a member of the team.
-For ticked events, a free companion ticket can be provided for support workers or assistants and seats can be reserved in specific locations as requested. Please inform a member of the time at the time of booking.
-We welcome assistance dogs and can provide them with a bowl of water.
Concessions
If you would like to come but are unable to purchase a ticket please feel free to contact us at [email protected] and we will see what we can do.

Where is it happening?

28 Kensington Street,Brighton,BN1 4AJ,GB, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Host or Publisher Brighton Book Festival

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