FICTION, SHORT STORIES, SCREENWRITING
Rachelle Atalla is a Scottish-Egyptian writer based in Glasgow. Her debut novel The Pharmacist was shortlisted for Scottish Fiction Book of the Year, followed by her climate-focused second novel Thirsty Animals. Her third novel The Salt Flats, published in 2024, was shortlisted for The List Rising Author Award and appeared on Radio 4’s Take Four Books.
Her first short film Trifle was commissioned by SFTN, appearing at BAFTA and Oscar qualifying film festivals. She developed her first feature-length screenplay with BBC Film and is a former participant of the BBC Writersroom talent scheme. She is currently working on a film adaption of The Pharmacist with Compact Pictures and the BFI, and adapting Thirsty Animals with TOD Productions for television, with other projects in development.
Rachelle’s short stories have been published widely, she has written for BBC Radio 4, is the recipient of a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award and was appointed as the 2024 Dr Gavin Wallace Writing Fellow. She has guest lectured on the creative writing Master’s course at the University of Strathclyde, tutored speculative fiction for Moniack Mhor’s online programme, and continues to deliver workshops for a variety of organisations.
Rachelle can assist in all areas of contemporary and speculative fiction and screenwriting. From beginners to the more advanced writer, she can help with any element of story, from early-stage development and structuring, to editing and fine-tuning polished pieces of work.