In conversation
Saima Mir in conversation with John Siddique
The author and journalist Saima Mir discusses her love for Malcolm X, moving away from rage on the page, and her approach to layered storytelling in which women gain both power and agency.
14th August, 2025
Photo by Missohio Studio
'Writing is like carrying a 3D shape above my head...it's there all the time.'

Saima Mir
Saima Mir is a journalist and writer who has written for numerous publications including The Guardian and The Times.
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‘Ideas are like rabbits, you get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you will have a dozen.’
Soundsystem as pedagogy
'You left recalibrated. Heartbeat altered. Shoulders lowered.'
Bad Signal
'All language use can be seen as extending a hand; words and their corresponding meanings are always about relationships'
Minor Black Figures
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The Authenticator
Painful truths hidden in the shadows of history
Hedda
An imperfect description of humanity
Free Will
Will Harris reads his poem, 'Free Will'. Directed by Matthew Thompson and commissioned by the Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation.
Half Written Love Letter
Selina Nwulu reads her poem, 'Half Written Love Letter'. Directed by Matthew Thompson and commissioned by the Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation.
Illuminating, in-depth conversations between writers.
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The series that tells the true-life stories of migration to the UK.
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Nine writers explore the elusive emotional truth behind narratives and storytelling.
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