Rachelle Atalla is a talented Scottish-Egyptian novelist, screenwriter, and short-story writer whose work explores identity, climate change, family, and belonging. Based in Glasgow, she has rapidly gained recognition for her ability to merge emotional depth with speculative and contemporary storytelling. Her writing career has been marked by a prestigious New Writers Award and a highly respected fellowship that supports her development as a mid-career author. Whether through novels, radio dramas, or screenplays, Rachelle brings a unique multicultural perspective that distinguishes her voice in the literary world.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rachelle Atalla |
| Nationality | Scottish-Egyptian |
| Profession | Novelist, Screenwriter, Short-Story Writer |
| Known For | Speculative fiction, climate-focused storytelling, multicultural themes |
| Place of Residence | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Early Life | Raised in Scotland with Egyptian heritage; influenced by multicultural identity |
| Education / Background | Worked as a community pharmacist before becoming a full-time writer |
| Major Award | Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award |
| Key Fellowship | Dr Gavin Wallace Fellowship |
| Debut Novel | The Pharmacist |
| Second Novel | Thirsty Animals |
| Third Novel | The Salt Flats |
| Upcoming Work | The Refinery (currently in development during her fellowship) |
| Writing Themes | Climate change, identity, belonging, ethics, spirituality, migration |
| Short Stories | Published in multiple respected anthologies |
| Screenwriting Work | Short film Trifle; developing feature film adaptation of The Pharmacist |
| Radio Work | BBC Radio dramas focusing on climate issues and speculative themes |
| Literary Impact | Influential voice in Scottish speculative & climate fiction |
| Cultural Contribution | Represents multicultural perspectives within Scottish literature |
Early Life and Cultural Roots
Raised in Scotland to a family with Egyptian heritage, Rachelle Atalla has always navigated a blend of cultures, traditions, and perspectives. This rich background significantly influences her writing, giving her narratives a layered sense of belonging and identity. Her multicultural upbringing helped shape the themes she frequently explores: displacement, migration, and the search for home. These elements often appear in her characters, who grapple with internal conflicts shaped by heritage and environment.
Education and Background Before Writing
Before establishing herself as a writer, Atalla worked as a community pharmacist, a career that required precision, empathy, and communication. Though seemingly unrelated to fiction, her scientific background has deeply influenced her speculative novels. She brings an analytical approach to world-building, and her understanding of healthcare and ethics allows her to craft realistic, thought-provoking scenarios. This unusual blend of science and creativity eventually laid the groundwork for her transition into full-time writing.
Winning the Scottish New Writers Award
A major turning point in Rachelle’s writing journey came when she received a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award, a recognition given to emerging writers showing exceptional promise. The award provided her with mentorship, financial support, and professional development opportunities. Rachelle has spoken about how crucial this recognition was in helping her commit fully to writing and develop her voice across multiple genres. It marked the beginning of her rise in Scotland’s literary landscape.
Short Stories and Anthology Features
Before publishing novels, Rachelle was well-known for her short stories, many of which appeared in respected literary anthologies. Her stories often explore intimate emotional experiences within tense, speculative, or atmospheric settings. She has a talent for distilling complex themes into concise narratives, a skill that later strengthened her longer works. Through these stories, she built a reputation as a thoughtful and stylistically bold writer capable of blending realism with imaginative elements.
Debut Novel: The Pharmacist
Rachelle Atalla’s debut novel, The Pharmacist, was published to strong acclaim. Drawing on her pharmacy background, the novel examines themes of science, ethics, and survival in a speculative environment. The story’s grounded realism combined with its eerie, dystopian tension made it a standout debut. The novel was recognized as a notable work of Scottish fiction and helped reinforce her status as a promising literary talent.
Second Novel: Thirsty Animals
Her second novel, Thirsty Animals, showcases her interest in climate fiction. Set in a world struggling with water scarcity, the story explores human desperation, migration, and moral conflict. The novel positions Rachelle as a writer deeply aware of global climate concerns, using fiction to examine how societies respond to ecological collapse. While speculative, the book retains a strong emotional core, focusing on relationships strained by environmental pressures.
Third Novel: The Salt Flats
Rachelle’s third novel, The Salt Flats, continues her tradition of blending spirituality, environmental themes, and human vulnerability. Set against the haunting landscape of a Bolivian salt desert, the novel follows characters on a transformative journey filled with tension and philosophical exploration. The story reflects her ability to evoke powerful landscapes and use them as mirrors for inner conflict. Each of her novels shows increasing confidence and thematic depth.
Dr Gavin Wallace Fellowship
In a major career achievement, Rachelle was appointed the Dr Gavin Wallace Fellow, a highly sought-after writing fellowship. This opportunity allows her to dedicate a full year to research and creative development. During the fellowship, she is working on her upcoming novel titled The Refinery, which explores industrial heritage, environmental impact, and community identity — themes aligned with her established interests in ecological and cultural narratives.
Screenwriting Career and Film Work
Beyond novels, Atalla has made significant progress as a screenwriter. Her first commissioned short film, titled Trifle, marked her entrance into visual storytelling. She is also developing a feature-length adaptation of her debut novel, transforming The Pharmacist into film format. This shift into cinema demonstrates her versatility and her ability to translate emotionally layered, speculative stories into visual media. Her work continues to expand as she collaborates with respected film producers and institutions.
Writing for BBC Radio
Rachelle has also written for BBC Radio, crafting audio dramas and speculative pieces that explore climate issues, ecological anxiety, and human resilience. The radio format has allowed her to experiment with voice, tone, and atmospheric storytelling. Her contributions to radio broaden her audience and showcase another facet of her creative talent.
Speculative Fiction Expertise
Although Rachelle writes across multiple genres, she is particularly respected for her speculative fiction. Her work blends realistic detail with futuristic or dystopian elements, creating stories that feel both familiar and unsettling. She often explores how people respond to crisis — environmental, emotional, or ethical — and how society behaves when pushed to its limits. This area of writing aligns with her scientific training, giving her speculative worlds an authentic edge.
Recurring Themes in Rachelle Atalla’s Work
Several themes appear consistently across her fiction:
- Climate change and environmental anxiety
- Cultural identity and heritage
- Belonging versus isolation
- Ethics in scientific and social environments
- Spiritual searching and personal transformation
These recurring ideas show her deep interest in humanity’s relationship with the world, as well as her own exploration of identity shaped by multiple cultures.
Cultural Influence and Representation
As a Scottish-Egyptian writer, Rachelle Atalla contributes significantly to literary diversity in Scotland. Her success encourages greater representation of writers from mixed and minority backgrounds. Through her characters and themes, she highlights cultural intersections, migration stories, and the complexity of mixed heritage. Her presence in literary festivals and writing programs further strengthens representation within Scotland’s creative community.
Impact on Contemporary Scottish Literature
Rachelle’s growing body of work has positioned her as an influential figure in contemporary Scottish fiction, particularly in the areas of speculative and climate storytelling. Her novels engage with global concerns while maintaining a distinctly Scottish perspective in tone, atmosphere, and character. Her fellowship and ongoing public engagements suggest that she will play an even larger role in shaping Scotland’s future literary landscape.
Future Projects and Ambitions
With The Refinery in progress, Rachelle is entering an important stage in her career. This upcoming novel is expected to explore industrial decline, community resilience, and environmental legacy. She continues developing her film adaptation and may pursue additional screen projects in the coming years. With each new venture, she expands her creative range and reinforces her reputation as a writer deeply committed to storytelling in multiple forms.
Conclusion
Rachelle Atalla stands out as a compelling, thoughtful, and innovative voice in modern literature. Her Scottish-Egyptian identity, scientific background, and passion for speculative storytelling combine to create fiction that is both emotionally resonant and intellectually engaging. From her award-winning short stories to her climate-themed novels and expanding screenwriting career, she continues to push creative boundaries. As she works on new projects and explores new mediums, her influence in Scottish and international literature is only expected to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Rachelle Atalla?
She is a Scottish-Egyptian novelist, short-story writer, and screenwriter based in Glasgow.
2. What is she known for?
She is known for her novels, speculative fiction, climate-focused writing, and screen projects.
3. What are her major novels?
Her works include The Pharmacist, Thirsty Animals, and The Salt Flats.
4. What awards has she won?
She received the prestigious Scottish New Writers Award and has been appointed a Dr Gavin Wallace Fellow.
5. What themes does she explore?
Her writing frequently examines identity, environment, ethics, climate change, and belonging.
6. Does she work in film and radio?
Yes. She writes screenplays and has contributed to radio, including BBC Radio projects.
7. What is Rachelle working on now?
She is developing her next novel, The Refinery, during her fellowship year.
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