Speaker(s): Paul MM Cooper | As writers, we're often told to 'write what you know' - but is this the advice that's holding back your writing? In this session, Paul MM Cooper talks about what led him to dive into the world of ancient poetry and medieval Sri Lanka in order to write his novel River of Ink. The session is designed for those who want to take on the unfamiliar in their work, or who just want to discover the adventure that writing can be. Paul MM Cooper (@PaulMMCooper) was born in South London and grew up in Cardiff, Wales. He was educated at the University of Warwick and the UEA, and after graduating he left for Sri Lanka to work as an English teacher, where he took time to explore the ruins both ancient and modern. He has written for magazines, websites and also worked as an archivist, editor and journalist. River of Ink is his debut novel. Winnie M Li (@winniemli ) is a writer, activist, and PhD researcher at LSE. Her debut novel, Dark Chapter, will be published in the UK/Ireland in June and in the US/Canada in September, followed by Dutch and Swedish publications. She has an MA with Distinction in Creative and Life Writing from Goldsmiths.