Willow Wilson - Speaker

G. Willow Wilson is an author known for her insightful exploration of contemporary issues such as religious intolerance and gender politics. An American convert to Islam, she divides her time between Egypt and the United States. Her diverse body of work includes articles, graphic novels, and books that draw from her unique cross-cultural experiences. Notably, she is the author of three novels, several graphic novels, and three comic book series, including the influential Ms. Marvel.

Willow's debut novel, "Alif the Unseen", was nominated for the Orange Prize and won the World Fantasy Prize. Her comic series Ms. Marvel received acclaim from the New York Times and won the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story. In 2018, she took on the role of ongoing writer for DC’s Wonder Woman series.

She was the first Westerner to secure a private interview with Sheikh Ali Gomaa, and her writings on the Middle East and modern Islam have been featured in prominent publications such as the New York Times, The Atlantic, and the Canada National Post. Her memoir, "The Butterfly Mosque", recounts her experiences in Egypt during the final years of the Mubarak regime and has been widely read in various communities and educational institutions. Her latest novel, "The Bird King", released in 2019, is a fantastical narrative set during the Spanish Inquisition and has received positive reviews.