Meet Nadia
Nadia Maddy is a writer, cultural activist, and mentor who empowers creatives to transform their cultural heritage into compelling narratives. Through her books, workshops, and speaking engagements, she inspires writers to explore the depths of their cultural identity and create stories that resonate on a global stage.
Nadia's Story
Born in London and raised in Sierra Leone, Nadia Maddy’s life has been a rich tapestry of diverse cultural experiences. With a deep-rooted passion for storytelling, Nadia’s journey began under the influence of her father, the Sierra Leone playwright Yulisa Amadu Maddy. Immersed in the traditions of African storytelling, she toured the UK with the African ensemble Gbakanda Tiata, bringing narratives to life that captured the essence of her heritage.
Nadia first captured public attention in the 90s through her contributions to the BBC TV series Video Nation. Her insightful, satirical segments—now part of the BBC’s Vintage archive—provided a raw yet engaging commentary on life, offering audiences a unique lens on cultural and social issues. Her creative work continued to gain acclaim with Aliens Amongst Us, a Channel 4 production that earned praise at the Black Hollywood Film Festival and from Time Out, which described it as “raw, exciting, and a great story.”
Nadia’s debut novel, The Palm Oil Stain (2012), offered a powerful exploration of women’s experiences during wartime, shedding light on their resilience and ensuring their voices were not forgotten amid a conflict often overshadowed by the global outcry against child soldiers. Featured on BBC Radio Network Africa and BBC World Service Newshour. The Palm Oil Stain (2012) garnered academic recognition through an analysis featured in War, Women and Post-conflict Empowerment: Lessons from Sierra Leone (2022), published by Bloomsbury. This volume, authored by Africanist scholars across various disciplines, examines the historical and contextual forces shaping women’s political, economic, and social development in Sierra Leone, using diverse case studies to explore these themes Nadia’s voice, blending authenticity with cultural depth, has since become an essential contribution to African literature.
Her latest novel, Corpo Seco, is a spellbinding tale that intertwines Brazilian mysticism with African folklore, further showcasing her unique style of speculative fiction that pushes the boundaries of cultural storytelling. Alongside her writing, Nadia is passionately dedicated to helping new writers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, transform uncertainty into confidence by harnessing the power of their cultural heritage.
In addition to her literary work, Nadia is a sought-after mentor and educator. Through her creative writing competition for young adults in Sierra Leone, she provides a platform for emerging voices, some of whom have been featured in the UK’s SCOPE magazine. Her screenplay adaptation of Nollywood actress Juliet Ibrahim’s autobiography, A Toast to Life, is set for production in 2026, underscoring her versatility across mediums and commitment to telling stories that resonate globally.