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Bestselling author spearheads university campaign

15/11/2024

A New York Times Bestseller with a second novel on the horizon is spearheading the University of Wolverhampton’s new alumni campaign.

Internationally-acclaimed author Abi Daré is one of the leading faces of the University’s Every Story has a Start campaign, which aims to showcase and celebrate the achievements of some of its most inspiring former students.

The campaign features advertising at strategic locations around the West Midlands, including at train stations, bus stops and billboards, as well as social media.

Abi studied Law at the University of Wolverhampton. Her debut novel The Girl with the Louding Voice was published in 2020 to critical acclaim and became a New York Times Bestseller, while she was also included in The Observer's list of 10 Best Debut Novelists in the same year.

Abi’s second novel, And so I Roar, was released in the summer and has already been named on must-read lists by reviewers who have been able to catch an early look.

A portrait of Abi Dare

The book is about a woman's quest to uncover a secret her dying mother has been hiding for nearly two decades, and her attempts to protect Adunni, the plucky teenage runaway and beloved heroine of Abi’s bestselling debut.

Abi said: “It was an honour to be chosen as one of the faces of the University’s Every Story has a Start campaign. I travelled from London to Wolverhampton train station specifically to see the billboard with my photo, which was a proud moment.

“My time at the University of Wolverhampton was incredible with wonderful friends and supportive lecturers.

“After my Law degree I found myself in a successful career in technology and project management, but the seed of writing was in me and begging to come out, so I went on to complete a Master’s degree in creative writing.

“I had a lot of self-doubt but I went on to win the Bath Novel Award, which was the catalyst for everything. My book was acquired by publishers in the UK and the US and my writing career took off.”

Abi went on to appear on the popular American television programme the Today Show and became a New York Times Bestseller. The Girl with the Louding Voice has been translated into 20 languages and she has been invited to speak at various keynote events.

Abi, who was born in Nigeria, added: “One surreal experience was when my childhood hero Dolly Parton said The Girl with the Louding Voice was one of her favourite books of the year.

“My story started at the University of Wolverhampton and I am grateful for that. It gave me the confidence and resilience to push forward and to believe in myself.”

Professor Ebrahim Adia, Vice-Chancellor at the University, said: “We are a university proudly rooted in our local and regional community offering opportunity to all, regardless of background. That spirit of social mobility and transformation equips our graduates with the skills and attributes to succeed in their lives and careers and enables them to contribute to the creation of a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable society.

“This campaign really does capture the amazing achievements of some of our graduates. It’s amazing to see that every single one of these stories started right here in Wolverhampton.”

For enquiries regarding alumni events or to share news, contact the alumni team at alumni@wlv.ac.uk.

After graduation, graduates become members of the Alumni Association and are encouraged to keep in touch, to take advantage of a wide range of benefits and support on offer, including a discount for postgraduate study.

Anyone interested in courses being offered in the University of Wolverhampton Business School should check its website or register for forthcoming Open Days. 

ENDS

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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