“... had the audience in stitches ...”
THREE WEEKS – Edinburgh Festival
Please see Testimonials below.
You’re getting the rates first, because that’s what you really want to know.
Rates (this information applies only to UK school events).
Full day of workshops for a succession of classes: £425
An Unimagined Evening event: £500
Full day of workshops on 2+ consecutive days at schools in close proximity: £390
Travel expenses divided between schools. Why not engage other schools in your area, reduce the rate and split the expenses?
Half-
All rates plus reasonable travel expenses from London and VAT.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
An Unimagined Evening
-
-
-
-
Also available as talks
-
-
-
Speaking events and bio: www.unimagined.org
Unimagined – the book: www.unimagined.co.uk
Contact and Booking
E-
Tel: 07900 870 688 If no answer, please try again later, or send Imran Ahmad an
e-
Imran Ahmad: author@unimagined.co.uk (or use the address he gave you).
This e-
Skype: unimagined1 (Video available, but switched off if he’s in pyjamas and unshaven!)
The book, Unimagined, has a wealth of delightful, relevant material: www.unimagined.co.uk
click to connect on links below
Unimagined is Number 1 Bestseller at Byron Bay Writers' Festival 2009
The best books of 2007 – The Independent
The pick of the literary crop 2007 – The Sydney Morning Herald
Books of the year – The Guardian
Paperback of the week – The Guardian
Unimagined ranked no 11 at Sydney Writers' Festival 2008
Best non-
Best books of 2007 – The Belfast Telegraph
Shortlisted for the YoungMinds Book Award 2007
Manchester Grammar School selects Unimagined in Year 9 Top Ten Recommended Reading List
University of Stirling places Unimagined on core reading list for English Literature
Bruce Elder writes an extraordinary foreword to the Australian edition of Unimagined
Scott Pack writes about the publication of Unimagined * RECOMMENDED INSIGHT *
Grumpy Old Bookman and Clive Keeble discuss Unimagined * RECOMMENDED INSIGHT *
Testimonials
“You took my husband, Ken, and me from tears to laughter to contemplation on how
much alike all people are, no matter what their beliefs. You are a Muslim, Ken is
a Christian, and I am a Jew. All three of us believe in the re-
Valerie Cobbs
Boise, ID
“Unimagined by Imran Ahmad is a wonderful book and Imran is a gracious, poignant,
and engaging speaker. Everyone who came to hear him speak at Unity Temple was mesmerized
by his stories, wit, and humility. Those who have read his book have greatly enjoyed
his creatively written memoir. His personal mission of seeking to re-
Rev. Alan C. Taylor
Senior Minister
Unity Temple
Chicago, IL
“Imran Ahmad is fascinating to listen to. His message brought a big crowd of people
into our offices to listen. His wit and delivery style engaged them throughout.
Enjoyable and informative ... so many subjects ... Islam and the West, global politics,
modern history, international relations, Homeland Security, even Shakespeare and
spirituality, all woven by a master storyteller into a spellbinding narrative that
gave many of us fresh perspectives. The audience loved it!
We sold out of his book within minutes of him finishing. Imran, please come back again!”
Mike Faith
CEO and President
Headsets.com, Inc
San Francisco, CA
“... captivated the audience ...”
Jill Morris
Morley Literature Festival, UK
“Imran held school workshops in which the children and teachers alike were engaged,
spellbound, and deeply moved. His uplifting and inspirational message has universal
resonance -
Paula Truman
School Workshops Organiser
Morley, Leeds, UK
“This was an amazing talk. Imran weaved Shakespeare, re-
McKell Moorhead
Tampa Bay, FL
“Imran gave a tremendous speech ... He speaks from the heart, is entertaining and engaging – and is a first rate public speaker.”
Barbara Herts
CEO YoungMinds
London
“... had the audience in stitches ...”
THREE WEEKS magazine
Edinburgh Festival
“I’ve been to many talks by famous writers, but this was the most enjoyable one ever.”
Audience member – Atlanta April 3, 2009
“Imran Ahmad's talk in Pasadena was a real eye-
C Reed
Film Producer
Los Angeles
“Imran was a delight: entertaining (exuberant might be a better word!), informative, thoughtful, and accessible. After a talk lasting an hour and a half, he graciously answered questions and then continued to enjoy many conversations with individuals at a reception. His message is vital; his presence is energizing.”
Rev. Dr. Marni Harmony
Interim Minister
Emerson UU Congregation
Marietta, GA
“Imran Ahmad is just as entertaining and thought-
Bruce Shoger
Senior Executive
Minneapolis, MN
“I attended the Headsets.com speaking event … And was one of the lucky ones to grab a book at the event.
I just finished the book this weekend … It was fantastic. I had a hard time putting
it down, and my wife noticed how involved I was in reading the book ... (She is going
to read it next). Please make sure to put me on your mailing list when you release
the next phase of your life (in book format). -
Thanks again for the great book.”
Bruce Seibert
Director of Sales, Western Region – Plantronics
San Francisco, CA
“I paid to hear Tony Blair speak in Santa Barbara, but this was so much better.”
Audience member – San Francisco April 23, 2009
“You were articulate, light-
Michael Schuler
Senior Minister
First Unitarian Society
Madison, WI
“Imran’s wit and passion are equally formidable. His stories about finding his own emotional balance in a post 911 world obsessed with terrorism come across as wry observations, almost a meditative stance, urging the listener to greater understanding and compassion.”
Mike Philley
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Boise, ID
"Imran Ahmad is an amusing laugh-
Carolyn Shohet
Carlisle, MA
“Imran Ahmad's presentation both delighted and surprised me. Here was the delight: an urbane, sophisticated, humorous man who spoke with grace and ease about complex, difficult concepts, highlighting the human foibles we all – regardless of race, color or creed – share. And here's what surprised me: despite his sophistication, despite the fact that as a businessman he made dozens of flights to the United States BEFORE 9/11 and was treated as any other businessman, he was treated with suspicion and negative judgment AFTER 9/11 – simply because of his name, skin color and country of origin (Pakistan). After 9/11, it often took him hours to get through security – hours of being detained and politely questioned, the same questions each time, and yet he was so gracious, even humorous, about it. The stain of suspicion spreads far and wide in this country, and Imran is a living example of what it takes to overcome it.”
Maril Crabtree
Writer
Kansas City, KS
"I had the opportunity to hear Mr. Ahmad speak twice while he was in the Florida
Tampa Bay Area. During a Sunday morning service at Unitarian Universalist Church
of St. Petersburg, he delivered what I enjoyed calling the "anti-
I read
his book "Unimagined" before he visited our church and, although I thoroughly enjoyed
it, I relished his warm and funny oral delivery of his anecdotes even more.”
Patricia Robinson MDiv
Chair of Worship Committee
Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg, Florida
"Imran's session was fresh, insightful and peppered with his characterestic humour
... it brought every aspect of the book alive in front of us !! His re-
Biplab & Gouri Adhya
Atlanta
“My church and I enjoyed hosting Imran Ahmad, author of the book "UNIMAGINED". He
is a sparkling and witty speaker whose wry, self-
We
would love it if his book, UNIMAGINED, were more freely available here in the United
States. It is a timely and thoughtful treatment of issues which could very well bring
the human race closer together.”
Mark Albright
Social Action Chairman,
Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley
“He is a charismatic speaker, and could easily become the definitive symbol of how Islam and America will reach greater understanding and acceptance.“
Rev. Hannah Petrie
Associate Minister
Neighborhood Church
Pasadena, CA
“Those of us who have read Imran’s book have loved it, and we got a good turnout for his visit—people are very taken with his humor and engaging style, plus his message of coming to know each other as persons, not as categories or “thems.”
Rev. Elizabeth Greene
UUA Board trustee
Boise, ID
“The perfect corporate speaker – intelligent and funny.”
Edel Smith
London
“We invited Imran to give a talk at a fundraiser for Dorothy House Hospice Care,
which serves a large area of Bath, Wiltshire and Somerset. The event took place
during the Bath Literature Festival 2008. Imran charmed a room full of 'ladies
that lunch' with an engaging account of his efforts to publish his autobiography,
Unimagined. His whistle-
Phillippa Watson, Events organiser
Dorothy House Hospice Care
Winsley, Wiltshire, UK
We booked to hear Imran Ahmad at the Edinburgh Book Festival because he was a new author and it fitted in with our timetable for the day. What a treat we found when we actually heard him. Here was a gentle funny man who told an honest account of his childhood years and his growing up in a world that was often hostile because of his colour and origins.
No moaning or whining here, just a very nice person with a great attitude towards life. My friends and I were most impressed with him, and I bought his book and had it signed. It is now passing amongst my book club members. I found it a lovely uplifting read. It was great to watch the boy grow into the man and especially nice because I had actually seen and heard him. More books please, Imran.
Sally Welham
Edinburgh, Scotland
Scott Pack:
Is Imran Ahmad the funniest writer around? If his latest blog post about the Edinburgh Book Festival is anything to go by then he is certainly a challenger? He does owe me a lunch though so I point you in the direction of his blog begrudgingly.
http://meandmybigmouth.typepad.com/scottpack/2008/08/linky-
Linda Grant:
Last week I commended to your attention the weepingly funny account of author Imran
Ahmad's trip to the Edinburgh International Book festival where he met Gordon Brown,
while dressed in shorts.
Yesterday afternoon, in the authors' yurt in Edinburgh, a
pleasant man in a linen suit came over to introduce himself to me. This was Imran
Ahmad in person. He had been deluged with visits to his blog from The Thoughtful
Dresser, more he said, than from all the other sites put together.
He pressed into
my hand a signed copy of his book, Unimagined: a Muslim boy meets the West, which
I read on the plane coming home.
I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed this book,
particularly his account of how he was robbed of the title of Karachi's Bonniest
Baby by political corruption and nepotism. Here he is, pictured on the cover, in
the contest.
Look, just go and buy it. It's the story of a Pakistani Muslim Adrian Mole. What's
not to like? Eh?
http://thethoughtfuldresser.blogspot.com/
Baroque in Hackney:
"Well, of course it turns out Imran’s very lucky he didn’t trash Sathnam’s book -
http://baroqueinhackney.wordpress.com/
Dovegreyreader:
Another instalment from Imran Ahmad who went back to Edinburgh for more, and first you have to see just who he met on the train, and then who he took under his wing in the Writer's Yurt. Such generosity of spirit in sharing his prodigious talent with up and coming young writers.
http://dovegreyreader.typepad.com/
Andrew Collins:
Unimagined did really well. It sold, it picked up good reviews and was shortlisted
for awards. And because it's Imran's first book – he's got a boring day job and everything
– you can't help but be delighted for him as it's taken off. He's already been invited
to bigger and more glamorous book festivals than I ever did, and he's even been flown
to Australia for one, where his book is about to be published. He's an international
author, and he wears it with admirable humility and self-
There's nothing worse than writers moaning about being writers. Imran is
a tonic in this regard. (I know I moan about being one – it's most unbecoming.)
http://www.wherediditallgoright.com/BLOG/2008/08/its-
“I’ve been to many talks by famous writers, but this was the most enjoyable one ever.”
Audience member – Atlanta April 3, 2009
Paula Truman
School Workshops Organiser
Morley, Leeds
“... captivated the audience ...”
Jill Morris
Morley Literature Festival
“Imran gave a tremendous speech ... He speaks from the heart, is entertaining and engaging – and is a first rate public speaker.”
Barbara Herts – CEO YoungMinds, London
“This was an amazing talk. Imran weaved Shakespeare, re-
McKell Moorhead
Tampa Bay, Florida
“Is Imran Ahmad the funniest writer around? He’s certainly a challenger.”
Scott Pack – The Friday Project
“... weepingly funny ...”
Linda Grant – prize-
"Imran Ahmad is an amusing laugh-
Carolyn Shohet
Carlisle, MA
Imran Ahmad has appeared at:
Video extract of schools event at Byron Bay Writers Festival 2009 (Australia). This was a large, public event. Individual school workshops obviously are more focused.