Join The Common Press for an evening of conversation, connection and community celebrating the launch of: YOU x ME.
Author, Ayla Vejdani will be in conversation with London-based Tamil writer and facilitator Gayathiri Kamalakanthan exploring the role of queer romance in the (re)imagining of queer futures. The evening will include: a reading, conversation, Q&A and book signing, along with special sweet treats. You don't want to miss it!
Don’t forget to pre-order a copy of the book!
September 15, 2026 | 7:00 - 8:30PM
The Common Press Shoreditch
118 Bethnal Green Road
London, E2 6DG
About the Author:
Ayla Vejdani (she/her) is a storyteller, holder of space and curator of experience. Raised and educated all over the world, she has a master’s in human rights, is an inclusive leadership consultant, and the co-host of The SHIFT podcast. She speaks four languages and laughs in all. Ayla is a queer Iranian-Canadian from Tkaronto/Toronto living in Tiohtia:ke/Montréal, raising her two young children. She is an insatiably creative, romantic realist who believes in magic. Her debut novel YOU x ME is a series of queer, BIPOC love stories. These modern entanglements are the kind of romances that make us lose sleep, love letters to the friendships we can’t live without, and a celebration of our endless journeys of self-discovery. iamayla.com | @ayla.author
About the Moderator:
Gayathiri Kamalakanthan is a Tamil writer based in London. They’re interested in how language shapes belonging and how we might use it to build freer futures. Their play 'Period Parrrty' is a trans Tamil rom-com and opened at Soho Theatre in 2025. Their debut novel-in-verse, 'Bad Queer', is out with Faber. gayathiri.co.uk | @unembarrassable