Lit Life
A newsletter of the DC Writers Room
Welcome to DC Writers Room’s new Substack, the place for all things literary in the DMV. This issue features an interview with Lauren Francis-Sharma, author of Casualties of Truth.
Lit Life: A Conversation with Lauren Francis-Sharma
DCWR: What’s the inspiration behind Casualties of Truth?
FRANCIS-SHARMA: I was in South Africa in 1996 as a legal intern. I attended the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Amnesty Hearings while it was being held in Johannesburg. I never forgot what I heard that day, specifically about a group of boys who'd been tricked into believing they were going for training with the ANC. I knew that one day I would write a book that centered the hearings, but as a former lawyer, I imagined it might be non-fiction, perhaps a collection of essays. I didn't imagine I'd ever fictionalize it, but I do think that for me and for this story, in particular, it was the best form.
DCWR: What do you hope readers take away from your novel?
FRANCIS-SHARMA: This is always a difficult question for me because I don't write expecting readers will take the same things from any of my books. Some readers will be deeply invested in the historical aspects of this novel, particularly around whether amnesty is ever the correct trade-off for truth. Other readers will be intrigued by the question of vigilantism and revenge, especially given the recent dialogue around that on social media platforms. I'm sure there will be other readers who will focus on class, race, misogyny, and working to leave our past in the past. What I most want after anyone reads any of my books, is a good conversation between readers about our obligations to each other and how we can live in a way that does as little harm to others as possible.
DCWR: What book or books are on your newsstand or desk right now?
FRANCIS-SHARMA: I have Bernice McFadden's new memoir, First Born Girls, I have Conversations with Gloria Naylor, Ursula Le Guin's The Lathe of Heaven and I'm finally getting around to Elena Ferrante's The Lost Daughter.
DCWR: Which writer or artist of any kind did you most recently discover and fall in love with?
FRANCIS-SHARMA: I'm embarrassed to say that it's taken me this long to find Claire Keegan. I did discover her before Oprah and before the movie was released, but it was not that long ago. I listened to her read one of her short stories on The New Yorker podcast and I just began devouring her work and listening to all her interviews. Something about her words just sit right with me.
DCWR: When you’re not writing you are …?
BOCK: Thinking about writing! So many things take me away from my desk, so the least I can do for myself is to keep my mind in a place where I really want to be.
Don’t miss the launch of Francis-Sharma’s Casualties of Truth at Politics and Prose on 2/12 at 7pm, in conversation with Kwame Alexander. And be sure to pick up a copy of Casualties of Truth at your local bookstore!
NEWS FROM THE DC WRITERS ROOM
SAVE THE DATE FOR DCWR PUB NIGHT WITH SANTA FE WRITERS PROJECT: Mark your calendar for another DCWR Pub Night on 3/21, in collaboration with Santa Fe Writers Project. Hear from Andrew Gifford, director of the press, as he talks about opportunities to publish your work with SFWP, including the Literary Awards Program that kicks off March 1. Registration for this free event is live, and can be found here. Sign up early, as space is limited.
THE LIT LIST: THE DMV’S COOLEST LITERARY EVENTS THIS MONTH
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FOR 2025 WASHINGTON WRITERS CONFERENCE: Planning on attending the 2025 Washington Writers Conference? Take advantage of the Early Bird Rate by registering before 2/28. The conference takes place May 2-3 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Attendees get access to speakers, panels, and workshops on pitching, writing, and publishing, and the opportunity to hear from authors, agents, editors, and more. Register for the conference here.
FRIENDS TO LOVERS VALENTINE”S DAY PARTY: Want to show your love for a local bookstore this Valentine's Day? Grab a ticket for Friends to Lovers Bookstore’s 2/14 Valentine’s Day Party. Enjoy wine and macaroons, receive a Valentine bouquet, and get 10% off store purchases. Tickets are available for 4pm and 6pm time slots, and can be purchased here.
SEARCH PARTY: FIND YOUR WRITING GROUP: If you’re on the hunt for a writing group, consider attending Search Party: Find Your Writing Group on 2/22. The free event, which takes place at The Writer’s Center in collaboration with The Inner Loop, encourages attendees to “simply show up, fill out a nametag with your genres and other areas of interest, and mingle,” as well as enjoy complimentary refreshments. Register here before space runs out.
LOST CITY BOOKS TRANSLATION SALON: For those interested in the art of literary translation, Lost City Books is holding a Translation Salon on 2/18, from 7-9pm at The Line DC. Hear from translators Jacob Rogers, Ena Selimović, Soleil Davíd, and Kurt Beals as they discuss the challenges and nuances of their field. The salon is free - you can reserve a spot here.
“There is no Frigate like a Book / To take us Lands away” – Emily Dickinson