Free entry, tickets are available here
Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking evening with acclaimed US-American author Rita Bullwinkel and her debut novel „Headshot“. This electrifying book unfolds the compelling stories of eight teenage girl boxers in Reno, Nevada, each battling for the national title while navigating personal quests for control, perfection, and the thrill of combat.
In this exclusive conversation, hosted by Svenja Gräfen, Rita Bullwinkel will delve into the deeper meanings behind her book and explore the significance of sports, childhood, and memory. Together, Svenja and Rita will discuss how games create possibilities for collective memory and examine the interplay between self- and external perception. They will also investigate the cultural significance of sports for young women, the unique comradery fostered through games played by young girls, and the lasting impact of childhood games.
Prepare to dive into your own memories and those that inspired Rita’s novel and be captivated by one of the most intriguing voices in contemporary American literature. Don’t miss this unique opportunity and secure your spot now!
Praise for Headshot:
“With language that floats like a butterfly and revelations that sting like a bee, Bullwinkel takes the gloves off teenage girlhood, leaving it splayed out in all its wonder, humor, violence, and glory.” – Oprah Daily
“A true portrait of life as a young girl boxer. The accuracy with which Bullwinkel depicts thinking while competing in a boxing match is excellent.” – Ginny Fuchs, American Olympic Boxer and four-time National Champion
“Make room, American fiction, for a meaningful new voice.” — The New York Times
Good to know:
On July 16 the German version of Headshot will be published by Aufbau Verlag and we will celebrate that day with Rita Bullwinkel, Teresa Bücker and the translator Christiane Neudecker at English Theatre Berlin.
About Rita Bullwinkel:
Rita Bullwinkel is the author of Headshot and Belly Up, a story collection that won the Believer Book Award. She is a recipient of a 2022 Whiting Award, editor of McSweeney’s Quarterly, a contributing editor at NOON, and an assistant professor of English at the University of San Francisco. In the summer term of 2024, she holds the Picador Chair for Literature at Leipzig University where she teaches seminars on worldbuilding and gives an introduction to fiction writing. Find out more about Rita here.
About Svenja Gräfen:
Is a novelist, moderator and non-fiction writer based in Leipzig. In 2017 their debut novel „Das Rauschen in unseren Köpfen“ was published by Ullstein. The second novel „Freiraum“ followed 2019 and 2023 their first non-fiction book „Radikale Selbstfürsorge. Jetzt!“ was published by Eden.
This event is presented by the Picador Guest Professorship for Literature.
Partners of #PicadorProf are: the University of Leipzig, DAAD, the U.S. publisher Picador and Holtzbrinck Berlin – Inspire Together.