Anila Dhami Teams Up with AIM Literary Festival to Bring Storytelling Experience to Life at the British Library

London, 17th June 2025

Award-winning journalist and presenter Anila Dhami has joined hands with the AIM Literary Festival to co-create AIM StoryGarden — a flagship storytelling experience launching in partnership with the British Library on 4th October 2025.

As a valued member of the AIM Literary Festival’s Advisory Board, Dhami plays a pivotal role in shaping this powerful new platform that celebrates identity, voice, and the transformative power of storytelling.

AIM StoryGarden Day is the heartbeat of this year’s festival, themed Challenge Your Choices. It offers an immersive, intergenerational experience designed to uplift unheard voices, explore lived experiences, and cultivate empathy through diverse narratives. The day will feature live storytelling, creative workshops, author readings, AIM Inspire Talks, and panel discussions — bringing together authors and change makers for an inclusive, imaginative celebration of storytelling.

“I’m honoured to be working with AIM Literary Festival and the British Library to bring AIM StoryGarden to life,” said Anila Dhami. “Storytelling connects us to ourselves and to one another. With StoryGarden, we’re planting seeds of belonging, expression, and understanding — especially for those who may not always see themselves in traditional literary spaces.”

Festival co-founders Ekta Bajaj and Monica Sood added:

“StoryGarden embodies the soul of the AIM Literary Festival — bold, inclusive, and rooted in real-life experience. Anila’s passion and insight as a journalist and board member have helped shape AIM StoryGarden Day into a transformative experience for communities of all backgrounds.”

AIM StoryGarden Day is a highlight of the AIM Literary Festival 2025, which runs on 4th October in partnership with the British Library.

The line-up includes renowned speakers such as Jassa Ahluwalia, Asma Khan, Anita Rani, Rik Ubhi, and The Candid Book Club, with participation from Daunt Books. The day will also feature 1-2-1 sessions with literary agent Kerry Ann, and drop-in clinics with editors and book marketing experts. Anila Dhami will lead a confidence-building masterclass during the event.

Supported by Arts Council England, the week-long festival (1st–5th October) brings together writers, educators, creatives, and young voices in a vibrant celebration of stories that challenge, connect, and inspire.

About AIM Literary Festival

The AIM Literary Festival is an initiative by Author In Me, an award-winning small press dedicated to amplifying unheard voices, especially from the South Asian diaspora. The festival champions authentic storytelling and promotes global narratives.

Author In Me was the regional winner of the Small Press of the Year at the British Book Awards 2025.