TW: mentions of miscarriage, infertility and grief. This episode was recorded in late October. I’m so pleased to be joined by Huma Qureshi on the show this week, talking about her work and her first novel and latest book, Playing Games. Playing Games tells the story of two sisters, Hana and Mira, who like most sisters, love each other deeply but have a relationship that is flawed and complex. Mira, an inspiring playwright, overhears a very private and personal conversation her sister is having with her husband. Mira finds her sister’s words so powerful, they set off the cogs of writers inspiration in her mind, and she writes the scene of a play exploring marriage for a modern-day couple. Huma poses questions about using real life for fiction, and where the boundaries and lines are. Is it ever okay to write about someone else’s life, and what happens if that someone else is your sister? Hana herself is going through a tumultuous time in her marriage, as she experiences loss and deep longing for motherhood. Huma Qureshi is the award-winning author of four books, including How We Met: A Memoir Of Love and Other Misadventures and the short story collection, Things We Do Not Tell The People We Love, both published to critical acclaim in 2021. In 2022, How We Met was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Non-Fiction award, and Things We Do Not Tell The People We Love was long listed for both The Jhalak Prize and The Edge Hill Short Story Prize. Her first book, In Spite of Oceans, received The John C Laurence Award. In 2020, Huma won the Harper's Bazaar Short Story Prize, with her story The Jam Maker. Her novel, Playing Games, will be published in November 2023. Huma writes the popular newsletter Dear Huma and teaches a variety of creative writing courses via her website, www.humaqureshi.co.uk I really hope you love this episode, and as always I'd love to hear from you.  Please do follow and subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and consider leaving me a review. It really helps :) Come find me on social media: www.instagram.com/readwithsamia www.instagram.com/thediversebookshelfpod  Support the show