In her weekly column for the Guardian Review, Candice will share her thoughts on a wide range of topics, including books, theatre, arts and the literary world.
On her appointment, Candice Carty-Williams said: “As a writer and a reader I am obsessed with how stories draw us in and shape our world. So when the Guardian approached me to write a column about literature in its many forms I was honoured and excited. I’m looking forward to expanding my own reading, as well as readers’, and enriching our understanding of what books mean to us.”
Carty Williams’ appointment coincides with some updates to the Guardian’s Review section, including a new column, “How I Wrote”, in which leading authors including Sarah Perry and Chuck Palahniuk will reveal the stories behind their breakthrough novels.
Review has also introduced a new regular feature, “Notes From”, in which foreign correspondents reveal the bestsellers, surprise hits and books making headlines in countries around the world. The first two instalments in this series have covered France and Germany.
Charlotte Northedge and Liese Spencer, co-editors of Review said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Candice Carty-Williams on her first column – a new adventure for her and for Review. Every week, she will be writing a short piece about what she’s been reading, watching and thinking about that week.
“We are also excited to take Guardian readers behind the scenes of some of their best loved novels - from Sarah Perry’s The Essex Serpent, to Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club – as well as the latest books news from around the world.”
Carty-Williams’ bestselling debut Queenie was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award. It was also shortlisted for the Waterstones, Foyles and Goodreads Book of 2019, and was selected as the Blackwell’s Debut of the Year. She is currently writing her second novel.
In 2016, Carty-Williams created and launched the Guardian and 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize, the first inclusive initiative of its kind in book publishing, says The Guardian. She has written for the Guardian, i-D, Vogue International and the Sunday Times.
