Nadiya Hussain will be launching her debut novel in Birmingham during a one-off personal event at the Town Hall (Photograph: Rebecca Fennell)
Since winning the Great British Bake Off in 2015, Nadiya Hussain has captured the nation’s hearts. She has baked the Queen’s birthday cake, published a cookbook and a children’s book, fronted a BBC One documentary, The Chronicles of Nadiya, and judged the BBC’s Junior Bake-Off.
Already demonstrating she is a woman of many talents, Nadiya has now turned her hand to fiction and makes her debut with The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters.
Nadiya will be in Birmingham for her only UK event to mark the launch of her debut novel and she will be in conversation with Immy Kaur, co-founder of Impact Hub Birmingham.
The evening will be an insight into the extraordinary journey Nadiya has made since being crowned winner of the Great British Bake Off 2015, how and why Nadiya has turned to fiction.
The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters, a debut novel from Nadiya Hussain, is out this month
I Am Birmingham’s Adam Yosef caught up with Nadiya Hussain to find out more:
You’re nationally recognised for baking and cooking, but not you’ve forayed into the world of fiction novels. What inspired this?
I have been writing for years- since the age of 7 when I won a poetry competition and l just got the bug. When the opportunity presented itself l was so excited.
What is The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters all about?
It’s about a family. They live in a quaint English village and the parents are Bangladeshi immigrants. The story is about four daughters, all four vibrant, different characters who come into their own on their journey of discovery.
Does any part of the novel reflect aspects of your own upbringing or family life?
I think there are anecdotes and aspects that come from my life but inspiration is everywhere. I make notes on my commute into London but being a part of the diverse community that l come from, l certainly do draw inspiration from that.
You’re attending a very special public event in Birmingham, in conversation with Immy Kaur, on Monday 16th January. What can we expect?
I love doing Q&As especially as the people that attend will have their own questions. I find these questions are sometimes unusual, funny and always unexpected.
You’ve been in Birmingham a number of times recently, mainly at food related shows, but what do you personally think of the city?
I love coming into Birmingham especially when it’s food related, people are so welcoming and the food and the shopping are great.
Since appearing on The Great British Bake Off, you’ve published a cookbook, a children’s book, fronted a TV show and baked the Queen’s birthday cake. How has the journey affected your life?
Life has changed dramatically in the last 18 months and it has certainly been a balancing act. As a family, we have embraced the changes. Going out to Bangladesh to film the documentary was the hardest thing to do as it was the first time l had to leave the kids.
What are your plans for the future?
I am working on my next cookbook and lots of bits of television. Watch this space!
.
The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters by Nadiya Hussain is published by HQ on 12th January.
.
To purchase tickets for An Evening with Nadiya Hussain at the Birmingham Town Hall on Monday 16th January 2017 at 7.30pm, click here.
The event – supported by Writers to Readers, Foyles and Impact Hub Birmingham – will be signed by a British Sign Language interpreter and all (paid) tickets will include a copy of The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters.
