Writing Coercive Control Episode 1: Sahar Delijani

Coercive control is endemic and therefore it must be cultural. This 6-part live-recorded, interactive talk series will inspire writers and readers to explore literature about coercive control in wider contexts, including state control, parent/child relationships, historical control, and control in industry and workplace. Upcoming guests include authors Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, Winnie M Li, and Chimene Suleyman, who will discuss their experiences writing coercive control.

In this episode, bestselling-author Sahar Delijani talks about her family history of political activism and imprisonment in Iran. Sahar was born in Evin prison, where her mother was a political prisoner in the early 1980s. Her novel CHILDEN OF THE JACARANDA TREE and work-in-progress follow-up THE LUMINOUS BLUE are inspired by her family’s story. With host, author Abigail Tarttelin, Sahar discusses why she chooses to explore state coercive control in Iran in her books.

Also, host Abigail reads from her own work-in-progress novel, ORDINARY WOMAN TURNS 30, an autofiction novel about a woman dealing with the aftermath of coercive control in an intimate partner relationship as she approaches her 30th birthday.

Follow Sahar Delijani on https://Instagram.com/SaharDelijani 

Sahar’s novel THE CHILDREN OF THE JACARANDA TREE is available now to purchase or order through all good bookstores.

Follow Abigail as she writes her novel on Substack at abigailtarttelin.Substack.com 

Send your questions and comments for the podcast to Abigail’s https://Instagram.com/abigailtarttelin_

Abigail’s novels FLICK, DEAD GIRLS, and GOLDEN BOY are available now to purchase or order through all good bookstores.

This podcast is co-produced by Abigail and Clear Lines Festival. Clear Lines started in 2015 as the UK's first festival addressing sexual assault and consent through the arts and discussion. Since then, their events have continued to promote a survivor-centered dialogue that emphasizes creativity, community, and artistic self-expression. You can check out their website with videos of past events at:

https://clearlines.org.uk/

And sign up to their newsletter to learn about upcoming events through their network:

https://clearlines.org.uk/contact-us/

They also offer a free downloadable creative writing guide for survivors of sexual violence and abuse:

https://clearlines.org.uk/our-free-creative-writing-guide-for-survivors-available-here/

This podcast is supported by Arts Council England.