Telling the Untold: Annie Dawid’s Mission to Humanise History
Annie Dawid’s love for writing began early, thanks to a special book her mum gave her when she was just ten. That book inspired her to pay close attention to the world around her and jot down stories, a habit that has stayed with her ever since. Although she started out in journalism, a mentor helped Annie discover her true passion for fiction writing, leading her to create stories that explore real human experiences. Her novel Paradise Undone offers a fresh perspective on the infamous Jonestown tragedy, focusing on voices we rarely hear, especially the women involved. With a blend of research, empathy and creativity, Annie brings new life to history’s untold stories in a way that is both thought-provoking and relatable.
When Annie was an undergraduate, she was studying different languages with the aim of becoming a translator and interpreter. However, she explained that her father thought it was a “ridiculous idea” and suggested she look into journalism instead. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in journalism, she decided to pursue a master’s degree in creative writing.
Annie spoke fondly of a great teacher of hers, Michael Rubin, who wrote her a heartfelt letter about the difficulties of pursuing writing as a career. This encouragement inspired Annie to take on the challenge and begin writing fiction. Her first published story came after a number of rejections while she was in a PhD programme during her mid-twenties.
At that time, Annie described herself as very disciplined. She would wake up at 6 a.m. to write on her manual typewriter before heading to work. These days, however, she takes a more intuitive approach. Currently, she is working on a new book but is not actually writing yet, as she is focused entirely on research and note-taking.
Now a creative writing professor, Annie is often asked about writer’s block. She does not believe it truly exists, as she views it as a sign that it may not be the right moment to write. She shared a few tips such as listening to classical or jazz music, which is something she uses to start her classes.
Her most recent novel Paradise Undone: A Novel of Jonestown is where fact and fiction intertwine to tell a cohesive and credible story of the United States’ greatest single loss of civilian lives in the twentieth century. A total of 919 American citizens died that day in the jungle. Four protagonists — two dead and two living, two men and two women, two Black and two white — tell their stories, illuminating the formerly shadowed places populated by those who believed in Jim Jones.
Annie is most proud of her story about Marceline Jones, published by international journal ROWAYAT in 2023, The Last Day of Mrs Jim Jones, which attempts to humanise and give agency to a historically overlooked figure. Through all her work, Annie brings untold stories into the light, reminding us that history is often shaped by those who dare to look deeper.
“Some people define success financially, but not me,” Annie shared with a smile. She has spent her whole professional life as an English professor and, while she loves the occasional pay cheque from her writing, she is quick to admit, “It doesn’t happen often.” For Annie, real success is about connecting with readers, not chasing bestseller lists or big movie deals.
That mindset has helped her stay grounded. She always tells aspiring writers to have a day job, not just for financial stability, but to protect their creativity from pressure. In fact, when a film company once asked her to change the ending of one of her books to make it more marketable, she turned them down. For Annie, staying true to the story mattered more than a commercial opportunity. “I’d rather keep the ending honest,” she explained, “even if it means walking away.”
You can check out Annie’s most recent novel here.
