Writing about people, place, journeys.

  • “Real travel writers seem increasingly few. It’s wonderful to hear such a fine new voice.”

    — Colin Thubron

I’m a British journalist and Sunday Times bestselling author interested in literary non-fiction, history, and travel writing. I work closely with translators and interpreters, and collaborate often with photographers and filmmakers.

A passion for stories in overlooked places.

  • “I’ve never read anything like it... she finds a completely new sound in an over-travelled world.”

    — NDR Radio, Germany

I’m drawn to parts of the world with ‘difficult’ reputations. I look for counter-narratives — enigmatic stories that reveal the extraordinary humanity and resilience among ordinary people.

Deep-dive research and on-the-ground reporting informs my work, which increasingly explores the intersection of ‘traditional’ history, oral memory, and insider-outsider perspectives.

A journalistic approach to narrative storytelling.

  • “An author of courage, patience, erudition, and a sympathetic imagination.”

    — Dervla Murphy

I studied at Oxford University, where I received a double first in English literature, and an MSt in creative writing. I completed my masters in journalism at Columbia University in New York. I also hold a postgraduate diploma in photojournalism from the London College of Printing (UCL).

I started my career as a researcher for the author, Jessica Mitford. I worked as editor-at-large for Condé Nast Traveler (US and UK editions), special correspondent for Departures, travel editor for The Economist 1843, and a columnist for the Financial Times HTSI magazine. I’ve freelanced widely, for The Guardian, Bloomberg, and TLS, among others. Award-winning articles include a story on the DRC for Travel + Leisure. I mostly now write for FT Weekend.

My most recent cover piece is on the colonial backstory to safari, published 11.01.25 in The Wall Street Journal. I also write book reviews for the TLS and The Wall Street Journal.

My books are published by Penguin in the UK, Grove Atlantic in the US. Zsolnay Verlag publishes my work in German. My first book, The Lost Pianos of Siberia, is currently available in eight languages with more coming in 2025. My next book, A Training School for Elephants, was published in the UK on 20 February — an instant Sunday Times bestseller. It will be released in the US on 22 April.

I’m a fluent interviewer, moderator and public speaker, appearing on the BBC, Times Radio, Tortoise, and NPR. I shoot stories, as well as write them, including cover features.

A love of adventure, nature and collaboration.

  • “A story full of extraordinary adventures.”

    — El Pais, Spain

I have a particular interest in artist collaborations, and how words, images and motion intersect.

I’ve worked for many years with photographer Michael Turek on magazine and newspaper assignments as well as book projects. We’re committed to making more work together wherever possible.

My influences, and why they matter to me.

  • “How she remembers everyone’s stories and engages with everyone on their level is a talent.“

    — Student, Arvon Masterclass

In 2023, I launched a podcast on the art of travel, Gone to Timbuktu. This was partly to give more structure to my reading, and improve my critical appreciation of other people’s work. The second series was released on 06.02.25.

I’m influenced by the works of Laura Beatty, Abdulrazak Gurnah, W.G. Sebald, Ryszard Kapuscinski, Sven Lindquist, and Freya Stark. I’m also interested by artist collaborations, such as W.H. Auden and Louis MacNeice, and John Steinbeck and Robert Capa.

I love photography, especially the work of Michael Turek, Emile Ducke and Richard Mosse.

I’m committed to mentoring young writers and teach occasional masterclasses and workshops. I’ve contributed to creative writing courses at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and non-fiction for Arvon. I focus on what makes an author authentic in relation to their subject — a frame of thought partly derived from an essay I admire: Why I Write, by George Orwell.

Books, podcasts and articles

  • The Lost Pianos of Siberia

    “An extraordinary, cadenced journey into music, exile and landscape.”— Edmund de Waal

    A TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES, SPECTATOR, INDEPENDENT and i-PAPER ‘BOOK OF 2020’

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  • A Training School for Elephants

    ""Luminous… Reflective, watchful, calm, Roberts is such a vivid travel writer that you forget what a brilliant historian she is..” — The Guardian

    AN INSTANT 2025 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

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  • Gone to Timbuktu

    Available on major streaming platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

    Conversations with people who make us think differently about the art of travel.

    LISTEN NOW

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