Chaired by Simon Goldhill (Kings College, University of Cambridge / Chair of the Nine Dots Prize Board)

Speakers
Joanna Kusiak (Nine Dots prize winner 2023)
Trish Lorenz (Nine Dots prize winner 2021)
James Williams (Nine Dots prize winner 2017)
Annie Zaidi (Nine Dots prize winner 2019)

Respondent
David Runciman (University of Cambridge)

Summary
The market for non-fiction books is growing, with its worth estimated to be $15 billion in 2024. Areas of significant growth have been in narrative non-fiction, an increased focus on social and political commentary, and works that explore local or niche topics. But as a genre, it is often defined in relation to what it is not – fiction. Or as an umbrella term – in German Sachbücher is used, ‘books about things’ – that does not distinguish the different types of non-fiction writing or how creative and literary techniques can be used to tell a more engaging story.

This event will seek to look in more depth at the different ways of writing creative non-fiction, and the important role that non-fiction writing plays in talking about societal questions and problems. We will hear from all four winners of the Nine Dots Prize, a prize that rewards innovative thinking on social questions; James Williams, Annie Zaidi, Trish Lorenz and Joanna Kusiak. They will talk about how they seek to draw readers into works of non-fiction and to connect research and evidence to a compelling and engaging story. They will also look at how changes in the way that people read may affect how we write non-fiction. Responding to their ideas will be David Runciman, presenter of the Past Present Future podcast and former member of the Nine Dots Prize Board. Simon Goldhill, Chair of the Nine Dots Prize Board, will chair the event.

This podcast is for all those interested in applying for the Nine Dots Prize, or in writing non-fiction more generally.

This episode looks at endings, how and when to stop a project or a piece of writing, while leaving the reader with a satisfying ending

We hear from Catherine Carr (podcaster and journalist), Hari Kunzru (novelist and journalist), and James Williams (writer, ethicist and inaugural Nine Dots Prize winner).

This podcast is for all those interested in applying for the Nine Dots Prize, or in writing non-fiction more generally.

This episode looks at beginnings, how to think about and start a piece of writing.

We hear from Milica Momcilovic (journalist and Nine Dots Prize Board member), Michael Rosen (writer and broadcaster); and Lee Child (writer).

To celebrate the launch of Joanna Kusiak’s Nine Dots Prize-winning book, Radically Legal: Berlin Constitutes the Future, we invite you to an online conversation between Dr Kusiak and Professor Pistor. Both examine how law, politics and democracy come up against corporate finance and property rights in relation to housing.

In her work of creative non-fiction, scholar-activist and Nine Dots Prize winner Joanna Kusiak tells the story of a grassroots movement that convinced a million Berliners to pop the speculative housing bubble. She offers a vision of urban housing as democratically held commons, legally managed by a radically new institutional model that works through democratic conflicts. Moving between interdisciplinary analysis and her own personal story, Kusiak connects the dots between the past and the present, the local and the global, and shows the potential of radically legal politics as a means of strengthening our democracies and reviving the rule of law. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

The Nine Dots Prize has created a series of podcasts for those interesting in applying for the Prize, or anyone trying to improve their non-fiction writing.

This episode talks with three successful authors about their experiences with writing non-fiction in a creative way and hears their tips and techniques for success.

In this episode, we talk to Anne Applebaum (writer and Nine Dots Prize Board member); Adam Kay (writer and former hospital doctor); and Maria Farrell (writer and speaker on tech policy).

A conversation with Senior Prize Manager, Jane Tinkler, and CRASSH Director, Professor Joanna Page.

With three full cycles now completed, and three winners’ booked published, this online event gives those thinking of applying to the Nine Dots Prize some practical guidance. We talk about: Top five tips to keep in mind when writing your response and book outline; Details of how to submit and what will ensure your application is eligible; The support that CRASSH, Cambridge University Press and the Nine Dots team will provide to the winner.

We also answer as many of your submitted questions as we can in the time.

The Nine Dots Prize has created a series of podcasts for those interesting in applying for the Prize, or anyone trying to improve their non-fiction writing.

This episode looks at something every writer wants to achieve - how to make your ideas inspire and enthrall the reader.

In this episode we hear from: Professor Devi Sridhar (public health expert and author); Dr Mya-Rose Craig (ornithologist and campaigner); and Professor David Runciman (academic and journalist).

The Nine Dots Prize has created a series of podcasts for those interesting in applying for the Prize, or anyone trying to improve their non-fiction writing.

This episode will be exploring one of the key challenges in any piece of writing - inspiration; how to get creative ideas and how to get these down on paper.

In this episode we talk to: Stella Duffy (writer and psychotherapist); Helen Czerski (physicist and broadcaster), and Urvashi Butalia (publisher, writer and Nine Dots Board member)

The Nine Dots Prize has created a series of podcasts for those interesting in applying for the Prize, or anyone trying to improve their non-fiction writing.

This episode looks at how writers seek to persuade their readers that their subject is a worthy one and that their ideas and solutions are valuable.

In this episode we talk to: Eva Wolfangel (science journalist and Nine Dots Prize Board member); Philip Collins (journalist and political speechwriter); and Onjali Rauf (campaigner and children's writer).

What support is available to the winner of the Nine Dots Prize? Hear from the Nine Dots team along with Cambridge University Press, CRASSH at the University of Cambridge and Riot Communications about working with us if you are our next worthy winner.

The Nine Dots Prize has created a series of podcasts for those interesting in applying for the Prize, or anyone trying to improve their non-fiction writing.

This podcast looks at how to use detail, whether it is characters, statistics or personal experience, to interest your readers. But at the same time ensure that you keep sight of the larger context or theme in which your ideas fit.

In this episode we talk to: Petina Gappah (writer and lawyer and Nine Dots Board member); Tim Harford (economist and broadcaster); and Helen Lewis (writer and journalist).

Hear from the first two Nine Dots Prize winners, James Williams and Annie Zaidi. We asked them what it feels like to win the Prize, and to know they then had to write a book in such a short time. They also discuss where they found their inspiration for their responses to the Prize and how they researched their ideas. This event will be relevant for all those thinking of entering the Nine Dots Prize, but also those who are interested in creative thinking and writing about issues facing modern societies.

Annie Zaidi, the Nine Dots Prize 2019/20 winner, talks about why the Prize's question 'Is there still no place like home?' inspired her to enter

The Nine Dots Prize has created a series of podcasts giving tips and advice to those thinking of submitting an answer to our question, ‘Is there still no place like home?’

This podcast looks at the importance of diversity and why the Nine Dots Prize wants to encourage answers from a broad range of people. We also want to dispel any myths surrounding why someone might feel that this Prize is not for them and to ensure that people from all backgrounds feel confident about submitting an answer.

In this episode, we hear from: Bibi Bakare-Yusuf (writer and Publisher at Cassava Republic Press); Lee Hall (writer and playwright); and Lopa Patel (campaigner).

Annie Zaidi's Prize winning book is called Bread Cement Cactus: A memoir of belonging and dislocation. She looks at the idea of home in different ways