Waterstones x Dark Matter: This is Not A Love Story at Piccadilly

We’re delighted to present, in partnership with Dark Matter, an unapologetic celebration of love in all its messy, thrilling and unexpected forms. From family bonds and deep friendships to obsession, revenge and love gone dangerously wrong, four brilliant authors turn the Valentine’s narrative on its head. We’ll be joined by Lọlá Ákínmádé, Leodora Darlington, Imani Thompson and Sarvat Hasin, hosted by Sarah Gwyonyoma as they discuss themes of obsession, friendship, family and desire in their works.

Lọlá Ákínmádé is an international bestselling author, award-winning travel writer, keynote speaker and photographer. Her work has appeared in National Geographic, BBC, CNN, The Guardian, the Sunday Times, the New York Times, and Lonely Planet, among others. She is the author of award-winning non-fiction book Due North, international bestselling LAGOM: The Swedish Secret of Living Well, and highly acclaimed novels, In Every Mirror She’s Black, Everything Is Not Enough, and Bitter Honey which is published in paperback 5th February.

Leodora Darlington is a writer from London with Ghanaian heritage. She received a distinction for her Masters in Creative Writing from Brunel University, where she studied under authors like Benjamin Zepheniah and Will Self. A Bookseller Rising Star in 2021, Leodora is also an editor and has published a range of bestselling fiction. The Exes is her debut novel and is published 12th February.

Imani Thompson is a British writer with Jamaican heritage. During her time studying Sociology at Cambridge University she was published in The Mays and won the Vogue new writer’s prize. She wrote Honey while working as a bookseller at Daunt Books and is now working on her second novel. Honey will be published on May 7th.

Sarvat Hasin is a novelist and dramaturg from Pakistan. She has a master’s in creative writing from the University of Oxford. Her first novel, This Wide Night, was longlisted for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. Her second book, You Can’t Go Home Again, was featured in Vogue India‘s and The Hindu‘s ‘best of the year’ lists. Her third novel, The Giant Dark, was a runaway critical success, won the Mo Siewcharran Prize and was shortlisted for the RSL Encore Award. Strange Girls is published on March 12th.

Writer and Book Critic, Sarah Gwonyoma is the Founder of online platform What Sarah Read Next. Sarah has reviewed books for The Sunday Times, In Style Magazine and has interviewed an array of notable authors including - Douglas Stuart, Abi Morgan, Annie MacManus, David Nicholls, Elif Shafak, Tia Williams and many more. Sarah was Guest Speaker at Fearne Cotton’s ‘Happy Place Festival’ and has also been interviewed about her life and work on various platforms including Annie MacManus Podcast ‘Changes’. Sarah has partnered with The Women’s Prize and Booker Prize, as well currently hosting the Nibbies Podcast with Hannah MacInnes.

Dark Matter is a Black women–led, creative studio that champions connection and culture, creating spaces where Black audiences and underserved communities can engage with books and films through events, digital storytelling and partnerships.

Please note that copies of Bitter Honey and The Exes will be available for purchase on the night. Finished copies of Honey and Strange Girls are not yet available, but a limited number of proof copies will be on hand for some lucky attendees. Titles from all participating authors’ backlists will also be available to buy. All authors will be signing after the event.

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Host or Publisher Waterstones