“Writing from Experience” is a discussion panel featuring transgender, non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming authors, living in Finland. The panel will be held at Helsinki’s central library, Oodi on 25th June 2024, from 17:00 to 19:00. During the event, the authors will discuss their work, take questions from the audience, and discuss what they themselves feel is important to consider when writing gender-diverse characters for gender-diverse audiences. The event is partially in Finnish and partially in English. Questions can be asked in either language.

The panel will feature Mira Eskelinen (she/her), author of the autobiography “Aavistus”, Heidi Airaksinen (them/they), author of the queer historical murder series, “The Lavender Murders” (“Laventelimurhat”), children’s author Kuura Autere (they/them)- “The dragon that had yellow toes,” Dougie K Powell (they/he), author of the young adult book “My Best Rival”, and Sophie Labelle (she/her), known for her webcomic “Assigned Male” and books “Ciel”, “Wish Upon a Satellite” and “My Dad Thinks I’m a Boy?!”.

The discussion will be hosted by comedian Jamie Macdonald (he/him.)

Our participating writers will discuss their works and answer questions. Please submit your questions, prior to the event, here: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSc1h9BVIfY…/viewform…

The event also gives people, who are not part of the rainbow community, the opportunity to consider how to successfully write gender-diverse characters. Books are very important to all minority groups. For some people, books provide the first contact surface with their own community. For others, books can help them understand the life experiences of people belonging to the gender minority. Books have the power to make us feel less alone.