Zambian-American author Iris Mwanza and Brittle Paper’s very own Ainehi Edoro-Glines will have a conversation about Mwanza’s debut novel The Lions’ Den. The event will be held on July 11 as an IG Live on Brittle Paper’s Instagram.

Iris Mwanza is a Zambian-American writer and deputy director of the Gender Equality Division of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In addition, Mwanza serves on the supervisory board of CARE International and on the board of directors of the World Wildlife Fund-US. She has previously worked as a corporate lawyer in both Zambia and the US.

Mwanza’s novel explores Zambian politics through the case of a missing boy. When young queer dancer Wilbess “Bessy” Mulenga is arrested by corrupt police, rookie lawyer Grace Zulu takes up his cause in her first pro bono case. Presented with a freshly beaten client, Grace protests to the police and gets barred from accessing Bessy, who then disappears from the system—and the world—without a trace.

As Grace fights for justice for Bessy, she must navigate a dangerous world of corrupt politicians, traditional beliefs, and deep-seated homophobia. With the help of a former freedom fighter and the head of her law firm, Grace brings together a coalition of unions, students, and political opposition to take on the corrupt administration of President Kaunda. But will justice prevail in the face of such overwhelming odds?

We cannot wait to delve deep into The Lions’ Den through this scintillating conversation between Mwanza and Ainehi.

Date: July 11, 2024

Time: 11 AM CT

Location: Brittle Paper Instagram Live (@brittlepaper)

Add to your calendar so you don’t miss out on this exciting conversation!