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Lily Dunn

@lilydunn.bsky.social

Sins of My Father ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Guardian Non-Fiction Book of the Year. Academic. Memoir lover. #lifewriting Co-founder @londonlitlab.bsky.social Find me here: https://lilydunn.substack.com/

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Aeon Magazine@aeon.co · 3mo ago

'One day I shouted: "I will no longer tolerate someone claiming it’s traumatic to break their acrylic nail!" Then I felt guilty.' In this nuanced, deeply moving Essay, the writer Lily Dunn reflects on the history of the word trauma – and argues persuasively for rescuing it from overuse

Not everything is ‘trauma’. Language needs to mean something | Aeon Essays

From a broken life to a broken nail, ‘trauma’ has been bleached by overuse. But it names something real – and must be reclaimed

buff.ly

Cult Podcasts@cultpodcasts.com · 3mo ago

"When your Father Joins a #Cult: Lily Dunn's Exraordinary Story" Undercurrent Stories @lilydunn.bsky.social 19 Jun 2026 [0:46:17] #OSHO #STOPQuotingOSHO https://s.cultpodcasts.com/G33P_H_x0UyK4bgKBjF7pw

When Your Father Joins a Cult: Lily Dunn's Exraordinary Story

What happens when a parent leaves not just their family, but the entire world they once knew? In this episode, I talk with author and memoirist Lily Dunn about her powerful memoir Sins of My Father (https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/sins-of-my-father-a-daughter-a-cult-a-wild-unravelling-lily-dunn/6264181?ean=9781474623292) . When Lily was six years old, her father abandoned the family to join a spiritual movement that would shape the course of both his life and hers. We discuss the lasting effects of childhood abandonment, the allure of cults and alternative communities, the complicated nature of love and forgiveness, and why understanding our parents doesn't always mean excusing them. Lily also shares insights into the craft of memoir writing, including how to write honestly about family, navigate difficult memories, and transform personal experiences into stories that resonate with others. Whether you're interested in family dynamics, personal growth, or the art of storytelling, this is a fascinating conversation about making sense of the past and finding meaning in the stories we tell ourselves. Highlights from our conversation: • Why Lily's father left his family to join a spiritual commune • The hidden effects of childhood abandonment • Boarding school syndrome and its lifelong impact • How cults attract people searching for belonging • The difference between understanding and forgiving • What makes a compelling memoir • Why everyone may have a story worth telling • The ethics of writing about family and personal history Lily's links: https://lilydunn.co.uk/ Books - https://lilydunn.co.uk/books/ Substack - https://lilydunn.substack.com/ Writing Courses - https://www.londonlitlab.co.uk/ Question or comment? Send us a text message. (https://www.buzzsprout.com/856252/fan_mail/new) www.undercurrentstories.com

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Susanna Crossman@susannacrossman.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Am doing a Wild Women Writers Salon about memoir as resistance and reclamation Thursday, Feb 26 from 8 pm to 9:30 pm CET, alongside the brilliant @lilydunn.bsky.social @elissaaltman.bsky.social and Catherine Simpson. Please join us ! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wild-women...

Wild Women Writers Salon 21: Writing Memoir as Resistance & Reclamation

Dig deep into writing memoir, with host Victoria Bennett, & guest authors Elissa Altman, Lily Dunn, Catherine Simpson, and Susanna Crossman

eventbrite.co.uk

Women Writers Network@womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 7mo ago

In January I was privileged to host @lilydunn.bsky.social for our monthly @womenwritersnet.bsky.social #AuthorInterview. Lily spoke about her new book, #IntoBeing. Access the interview, and discover why I can't recommend the book strongly enough, in the blog post below! @manchesterup.bsky.social

Valeria Vescina@valeriavescina.bsky.social · 7mo ago

If you're #writing #memoir or considering it, read @lilydunn.bsky.social's #IntoBeing, out from @manchesterup.bsky.social. I can't recommend it strongly enough. Here's why. valeriavescina.com/2026/02/17/l... #womenwriters #booksky #writingcommunity

Nastasya Parker@nastasyaparker.bsky.social · 7mo ago

This is so motivating: "Think small--build up from there." The best defence against the blank page! #WomenWritersNet #WritingCommunity #Memoir

Lily Dunn@lilydunn.bsky.social · 7mo ago

I teach this a lot. 'moments' are the best defence against the blank page. Think small - build up from there. But by 'moments' I mean those memories that have their claws in you because something was revealed or something was learned. it could be something small like witnessing a raindrop on a leaf.

Rita E. Gould@ritakitty.bsky.social · 7mo ago

A3 #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview This is great #WritingAdvice, particularly for #Memoir #Writing, but also for any writing you want to do.

Lily Dunn@lilydunn.bsky.social · 7mo ago

This is one of the biggest stumbling blocks - understandably - for those wanting to write memoir. I encourage people to try to shush those voices when writing the first draft, because who knows if anyone will ever read it, and the voices are there to censor us. Write freely, edit later.

Dr Helen Murray Taylor@drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social · 7mo ago

I’m so disappointed that I am going to miss this #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview with @lilydunn.bsky.social because I’m travelling. But I will definitely catch up on it later. If you’re free this evening at 6pm why not come along. I am sure it will be fascinatin.

Valeria Vescina@valeriavescina.bsky.social · 7mo ago

TODAY at 6 pm GMT I'll be interviewing the wonderful @Lilydunn.bsky.social for @womenwritersnet.bsky.social. If you're writing #memoir, I highly recommend Lily's new book, "Into Being" (@ManchesterUP.bsky.social). To hear from Lily and pose your own questions, come and join our conversation!