Author · novelist · campaigner

The author

Aneeta Prem MBE

She writes stories about friendship, belonging, courage and the moments that change lives.

Aneeta Prem is a British novelist and founder of Freedom Charity. She writes young characters with humour, loyalty and agency, placing them inside stories that move between ordinary family life and the moment silence must be challenged. Her public work gives the fiction authority; character, pace and imagination give readers a reason to continue.

Read Cut FlowersInvite Aneeta to speak →

Where the writing begins

London-born.
India-rooted.
Driven by justice.

Born and raised within the sound of London’s Bow Bells, Aneeta is a real-life Cockney. Her family comes from Himachal Pradesh—“the Land of the Gods”—in northern India.

Those two worlds shaped a writer interested in belonging, family, courage and the moment a young person decides to speak. Aneeta does not write around difficult subjects. She makes them understandable, then gives readers somewhere to go next.

Her father, Chandra Shekhar Prem, was an author, poet and educator. His commitment to girls’ education—and the college he helped build in Himachal Pradesh—made education part of the family legacy Aneeta carries forward.

Two novels. Distinct worlds.

Stories readers enter before they understand where the journey will lead.

FGM/C · friendship · speaking out

Cut Flowers

Katie and Sophia begin with summer plans, family journeys and a song. Their separate adventures gather danger, secrets and public consequence. The novel stands on its characters and story while carrying a serious safeguarding purpose.

Discover the book →

Forced marriage · friendship · protection

But It’s Not Fair

Aneeta’s first novel follows Vinny and her friends through school, family conflict and a threat that tests what friendship demands. Its forced-marriage theme gives the story public purpose.

Visit But It’s Not Fair →

Authority earned in the real world

The books are part of the work—not separate from it.

01
Freedom Charity
Aneeta founded Freedom Charity in 2009 to prevent forced marriage, dishonour abuse and FGM/C through education and practical safeguarding work.
02
Schools
Books, visits, training and lesson resources give teachers a sensitive, structured way to begin conversations before harm happens.
03
Public life
A magistrate and human-rights campaigner awarded an MBE in 2023, Aneeta brings extensive experience into classrooms, policy and public debate.

Selected public record

A life shaped by books, education and public service.

2009: Freedom CharityFounded to prevent forced marriage, FGM/C and dishonour abuse through education and practical protection.
2015: Honorary D.Litt.Awarded by the University of Winchester.
2016: Cut FlowersA second novel bringing friendship, family secrecy and safeguarding into one story.
2017: Progress 1000Named by the Evening Standard among London’s most influential people.
2023: MBEAwarded for charitable service.

Explore the book’s publication history →

Words matter

Why Aneeta says dishonour abuse.

The established term is “honour-based abuse”. Aneeta chooses dishonour abuse because there is no honour in forced marriage, FGM/C, coercion or control. The shame belongs with the person causing harm—never the survivor.

Read about Aneeta’s safeguarding work →

At the launch of Cut Flowers

Beyond the public work

A writer is remembered as a person.

Behind the campaigns is a woman formed by London, family stories and her Indian heritage; someone who believes serious work can still make room for laughter, loyalty and love.

India, Aneeta’s much-loved Shar Pei, belongs to that quieter life—the companion beyond the meetings, speeches and manuscripts.

“If you want to write a book to help save lives and you can’t spell, have given up with full stops and capital letters… then you need a huge support network.”Aneeta Prem, writing to her readers in Cut Flowers

For schools, media and public life

Bring Aneeta’s experience into the room.

SchoolsArrange a visit or training→JournalistsFind the media and research briefing→EventsInvite Aneeta to speak→

Begin with the story

Put Cut Flowers where a young person can find it.

Buy the book Read a preview →