Christiana Spens

Christiana Spens (born August 22, 1988) is a writer and illustrator. She was educated at the University of Cambridge,^[1] where she read Philosophy, followed by the University of St. Andrews for a Masters in Terrorism Studies. She is currently a PhD Candidate in International Relations.^[2] She is the author of novels The Wrecking Ball and Death of a Ladies' Man, illustrated books The Socialite Manifesto and The Drone Age and non-fiction book Shooting Hipsters: Rethinking Dissent in the Age of PR. She also writes for Studio International and The Quietus on art, literature and politics, and is the interviews and book reviews editor for The New Strategist.^[3][4]

Non-Fiction

Shooting Hipsters: Rethinking Dissent in the Age of PR

Christiana Spens’ first non-fiction book, Shooting Hipsters: Rethinking Dissent in the Age of PR, was published by Repeater Books in April 2016.^[5][6] It explores the relationship between dissenting groups and the media, PR and politics.^[7]

Fiction

The Wrecking Ball

Spens’ debut novel, The Wrecking Ball, written when the author was 18, was published by Beautiful Books Limited in the UK and Harper Perennial^[8] in America, in 2008. It is a satirical novel about the music and fashion scenes in London and New York circa 2006. The Sunday Herald called it "mighty good... She is an established raconteur of the party scene".^[9][10] Guest of a Guest noted that, "Critics have said they see influences of Lewis Carroll, F Scott Fitzgerald and even Jean-Paul Sartre in Spens' writing... Her adventures are worth the quick read."^[11]

Death of a Ladies' Man

In April 2012, Christiana Spens' novella, Death of a Ladies' Man was serialized in 3 A.M. magazine.^[12] The story is named after the Leonard Cohen song and is about a corrupt politician called Adrian Lowe, and the effect of a scandal on his family and friends. It dealt with themes of freedom of expression, privacy and hypocrisy in British politics.^[13] 3:AM Press published the book in October 2012.^[14]

Art

The Socialite Manifesto: One Day in the Life of Ivana Denisovich

Spens’ graphic novel, The Socialite Manifesto, was published by Beautiful Books Limited in 2009. It is an interactive story that satirizes and caricatures the London fashion scene and pop culture. Emanuel Ungaro called it "A game, a beautiful game! It reminds me of the work of Tracy Emin and Allen Jones". Andrew Gallix noted: “Christiana Spens subverts the traditional division between author and reader by inviting us to colour in the artwork and fill in some of the diary entries thus transforming the book into a truly collaborative experience" in Flux Magazine.^[15]

The Drone Age

The Drone Age, an artists' book, was published in 2014 by 3:AM Press and Galley Beggar Press. It contains illustrations and poetry on the themes of warfare and pop culture. Images include 'First We Take Damascus, The Aesthetics of Terrorism, Fashions of the Day, Unmanned Vehicles Will Destroy Us All (Save Endangered Jets), and Power Dressing A/W 2013. It was published to accompany an exhibition of the same name at Gallery 17 in Edinburgh in 2015. ^[16]

References