What We Left Unsaid

Hosted by Farhana Shaikh, Dr Winnie M Li, Assistant Professor in Creative Writing at The University of Birmingham, joins us at The Exchange to discuss her new critically acclaimed novel, What We Left Unsaid.

Released in August this year, What We Left Unsaid is a moving story about family, race, growing up, road trips, and what it means to be American.

Winnie will talk about the book, her writing journey, and her creative process, with time for audience questions and a chance to buy the book from local independent booksellers The Heath Bookshop.

Winnie M Li is an American author, activist, and educator who now serves as an Assistant Professor in Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham. A former film producer, her debut novel Dark Chapter won The Guardian’s Not The Booker Prize, was nominated for an Edgar Award, and was translated into ten languages. She has recently adapted it for the screen. Her follow-up Complicit was a New York Times Editors’ Choice and shortlisted for the Royal Society of Literature’s Encore Award. A Harvard graduate, Winnie’s work often explores gender and racial inequality, trauma, and displacement, and she has received an honorary doctorate from the National University of Ireland in recognition of her work. She also holds a PhD from the London School of Economics in Media and Communications.

This event is presented as part of Booktober at The Exchange. Running throughout October 2025, the programme celebrates the joy of creative writing and reading in all its forms and will be bursting with activities, events and opportunities to explore the magic of literature.

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