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Author & free speech advocate

Salman Rushdie

Defend free expression and navigate censorship with Salman Rushdie, award-winning author and free speech advocate. Salman works with leaders and organisations to strengthen storytelling, cultural leadership, and democracy in polarised environments, delivering Booker Prize authority and global literary recognition.
Sir Salman Rushdie, Speaker | Author & Free Speech

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United Kingdom

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Salman Rushdie's biography

At a glance

  • Booker Prize winning novelist and author
  • Knighted for services to literature
  • Defender of free expression under threat
Salman Rushdie is one of the most important living writers in the English language, whose work sits at the intersection of literature, politics, and the ongoing global fight for free expression. He is the author of fourteen novels, including the Booker Prize-winning Midnight's Children, and received a knighthood for his services to literature. His 2023 memoir Knife recounts the 2022 attack that nearly killed him and reaffirms his commitment to the written word. His work has been translated into over forty languages. Rushdie's decades spent writing under threat, and his refusal to be silenced, give him a singular authority on questions that matter now: the role of storytelling in democracy, the limits of tolerance, and what it costs to defend ideas in public. His insights reach beyond literary circles into journalism, policy, and cultural leadership, offering audiences a framework for thinking about expression in an era of increasing censorship and polarisation. Audiences leave his sessions with a sharper understanding of how narrative shapes political reality, practical courage for defending unpopular ideas in their own fields, and a renewed sense of why art and open discourse remain essential to functioning societies. His arguments are grounded not in abstraction but in lived experience. Book Salman Rushdie to bring intellectual weight, moral clarity, and undeniable cultural relevance to your event.

Why we recommend booking Salman

Rushdie brings unmatched moral authority on free expression and narrative power, shaped by decades defending ideas under existential threat. His lived experience translates directly into frameworks leaders need for navigating censorship, polarisation, and the defence of unpopular positions within their own organisations. Expect intellectual rigour that cuts through abstraction and equips teams to think more clearly about discourse, courage, and institutional values.

frequently asked questions

Something not covered here?

How do I book Salman Rushdie for my next event?
Email salman.rushdie@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Salman Rushdie for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Salman Rushdie's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Salman Rushdie directly.
What is Salman Rushdie's speaking style like?
Previous bookers say Salman Rushdie connects well with audiences and speaks with clarity, confidence, and ease.
What topics does Salman Rushdie specialise in?
Email salman.rushdie@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Salman Rushdie for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Salman Rushdie's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Salman Rushdie directly.
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