Join Women’s Prize-winning author Kamila Shamsie in conversation with her long-standing editor and friend Alexandra Pringle for a unique insight into the art of editing.

When Alexandra and Kamila first met, Kamila was a 21-year-old creative-writing student, armed with a four-page story and big aspirations. Now, decades on, Kamila Shamsie is a globally renowned author, with eight novels and numerous awards to her name. As her agent, and subsequently her editor, Alexandra Pringle has been there every step of the way – an advocate and supporter, partner and mentor. The duo have achieved the perfect alchemy for an author-editor relationship, one founded upon trust and perseverance.

Coming together for an evening of enriching conversation, Kamila and Alexandra will share valuable insights, observations and lessons on the professional and personal – and truly formative – relationship that exists between author and editor. What are the foundations of a strong author-editor relationship? How does the collaborative process of editing a novel work in practice? And, when there is a fine balance between the personal and professional, how does one navigate the trickier conversations?

Brought to you by the Women’s Prize Trust and Fane, this is a unique opportunity to hear about the intricacies of a fruitful creative relationship, as well as taking away some practical advice on what to look out for in an editor and how to get your writing noticed by the right people in the industry.

Whether you’re a writer looking to get published, an avid reader, or simply someone fascinated by creative partnerships, join us for an illuminating and inspiring evening with an international bestselling author and one of the publishing industry’s most renowned editors.

Kamila Shamsie’s latest novel, Best of Friends, is published in paperback on 8 June 2023.

The Silk Road Slippers Writing Masterclasses, run by Alexandra Pringle’s company Silk Road Slippers, will take place in November over six days at a boutique hotel in Marrakesh, Morocco. Find out more here.

Five free places for this Fane x Women's Prize Trust event are available for are available for women on a low income whose financial situation prohibits them from attending the event, resident in England or Wales, prioritising those from marginalised backgrounds (writers of colour, disabled writers, LGBTQ writers and other under-represented groups). To find out more, please go to the Women's Prize For Fiction website.